Episode 285: The Language of Stones

What should I do, is there some way to fix Mayumi-san’s mood…

Just as I started thinking that, I remembered「that thing」inside my bag.

…Right, if I give her this… but…

Of course, there’s no problem with giving it to her. I originally planned to do it at the next dinner party, but there’s no reason to be stubborn about it, it’s just moving the timing forward.

The real problem is that I haven’t given the main one to Sara-san yet.

I really want to give it to Sara-san before anyone else, and I want to prioritize her over everyone.

But I can’t think of any other alternatives right now, and I don’t seem to have much time to spare.

If I just stand by and watch like this, Sara-san will almost certainly get angry.

In fact, in the worst case, it could even turn into a real mother-daughter fight.

So, I guess I just have to accept it as inevitable. I’ll make it up to Sara-san a lot later.

「Um, Ma… Mother-in-law, this is for you.」

What I pulled out of my bag was a small「something」wrapped in wrapping paper, with a bit of an irregular shape.

I thought I’d wrapped it carefully while listening to the instructions, but looking at it again now, it really does look awkward.

But I put a lot of care into making the contents, so it shouldn’t be too bad… I think… probably.

「…Eh?」

Mayumi-san looked at「that」as I held it out, her face going blank. Her eyes flickered back and forth between my face and「that」while she blinked repeatedly.

I’ve never seen Mayumi-san give a reaction like this, so she must be genuinely surprised.

It’s actually kind of heartwarming…

「Eh… um… for me?」

「…Yes. Please accept it.」

Mayumi-san still looked like she couldn’t believe it, but she tentatively reached out for the gift I was offering.

After taking it in her hands, she looked at my face once more.

「…Kazunari-kun, can I open it?」

「Yes.」

Once she saw me nod, Mayumi-san began carefully removing the tape from the wrapping paper with a somewhat nervous expression. After peeling the paper off neatly, the brooch finally appeared.

「…A brooch?」

「I’m sorry… I’m not used to crafts, so it might not be very pretty.」

「Eh… Ka-Kazunari-kun, you made this for me!?」

「!?」

「Y-Yes.」

It was a clunky, somewhat unbalanced brooch. Mayumi-san lifted it gently with both hands as if she were handling something fragile.

She raised it to eye level and stared intensely at it.

If she looks that closely, all the flaws are going to stand out.

「Well, it’s a really simple thing, but…」

「…Can I put it on?」

「Ah, go ahead.」

For some reason, Mayumi-san hurriedly pinned the brooch near the left chest of her jacket.

It was a very simple brooch made only of beads. But maybe because the one wearing it was Mayumi-san, even though it looked cheap, it somehow looked decent enough… I think.

Actually, looking at it like this, it might be better than I thought. That’s probably just my own self-satisfaction, though.

「Fufu… fufufu… nfufufu…」

Mayumi-san let out a giggle while gazing at the brooch asserting itself on her chest.

She wore a happy, radiant smile and repeatedly touched and traced it with her fingers.

…Good, she seems happy. It looks like her mood has improved… that’s a relief…

「Hey, hey, Kazunari-kun, does it look good? Does it?」

「Y-Yes. Though I wish the craftsmanship was a bit better.」

「That isn’t true. This brooch that Kazunari-kun made for me is the highest quality item I own!!」

Mayumi-san was clearly in high spirits, acting completely giddy. However, seeing her this happy makes me regret not being able to prepare something a bit more proper.

I couldn’t help it this time due to budget and time constraints, but someday… on Mayumi-san’s birthday or Mother’s Day, I want to consider a rematch for today.

「But why did you give me a present so suddenly?」

「Because you’re always looking after me. So, um, it’s a way of saying thank you, Mother-in-law.」

I won’t mention the fact that she’s the one who sent me her ring size and hinted at wanting a gift.

If she hadn’t done that, I might not have even thought of giving her a present like this in the first place. So, in the end, everything turned out fine.

「Kazunari-kun… Kazunari-kun…」

Mayumi-san looked deeply moved, like she might charge at me if I let my guard down.

Actually, isn’t she already inching closer?

This might be bad…

「Hey, Sara-chan, look at this! Kazunari-kun’s present is cute, isn’t it!?」

For some reason, the giddy Mayumi-san suddenly started showing it off and asked Sara-san for her thoughts… wait!?

「……Indeed. That is good for you, Mother. To receive a present from Kazunari-san.」

「Nfufu, it really is… Oh, what’s wrong, Sara-chan?」

「Nothing is wrong. You must be happy, Mother, to receive a handmade present from Kazunari-san. Are you happy? You must be very happy, I imagine?」

Aaaaah!?

S-Sara-san is way more upset than I thought!?

She looked completely displeased, and her cheeks were puffed out cutely… so cutely… yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve seen that.

I know it’s insensitive, but I have to say it. Sara-san is adorable!!

Wait, no!!!!!

「Gosh, Sara-chan. You don’t have to pout like that…」

While Mayumi-san said things to soothe Sara-san, she couldn’t stop smirking.

Watching her, Sara-san looked even more displeased.

「I am not pouting!! Besides, I do not want to hear that from you, Mother, when you were pouting yourself just moments ago!! Is your mood already fixed!? You certainly change your tune quickly, don’t you!?」

Puuu… Sara-san’s cheeks puffed out even more when Mayumi-san pointed out that she was「pouting.」

This is bad… Sara-san is way too cute, it’s painful.

I’d get scolded if I told her that, though… but I really want to tell her she’s cute.

…Also… I kind of want to tease her just a little bit.

「Honestly, Sara-chan, there’s no way Kazunari-kun would forget a present for you, right?」

As she said that, Mayumi-san’s eyes seemed to say,「Right, Kazunari-kun?」

Of course I didn’t forget, but whose fault is it that the order of giving them out got messed up in the first place?

「Of course. Actually, I really wanted to give yours to you first, Sara-san…」

「…Eh?」

「I mean, Sara-san? You don’t seriously think I didn’t prepare one for you, do you? If you do, I’m actually a bit shocked…」

「Th-That is not the case!! It is just… hearing that it was handmade by you, Kazunari-san, I also…」

Sara-san’s voice trailed off…

I want to stop teasing and give it to her already, but seeing her like this makes some unnecessary feelings bubble up… just a little bit more.

「Did you think I was the kind of person with no backbone who would only prepare a gift for Mayumi-san, Sara-san?」

「N-No, that is not true!! I am well aware that you treasure me more than anyone else, Kazunari-san…」

「Then, you should know that I prepared one for you too, Sara-san…」

「…That and this are… uuu, you are mean, Kazunari-san…」

C-C-Cute… she’s too cute…

What is this?

Looking at Sara-san like this, I…

No, no, let’s stop here. I’ll feel bad for her.

「Sara-san.」

「!?」

I quickly pulled a brooch from my bag and gently held it out in front of Sara-san. Hers was a special version with a ribbon on the wrapping paper.

…By the way, the contents were special too.

「Ka-Kazunari-san?」

「I worked hard to make this for you, Sara-san.」

I shouldn’t really say I worked hard myself, but I’ll let that slide for now.

Despite everything she said, I think Sara-san really was expecting a present.

Her mouth was trembling, and it was obvious she was desperately holding something back.

Of course, that look was cute too…

「Th-Thank you very much. May I open it?」

When I nodded, Sara-san began unwrapping the paper even more carefully than Mayumi-san. With a somewhat nervous look, she unfolded it one piece at a time. When the brooch finally appeared, she gave me a radiant smile.

「Fufu… it is a brooch that Kazunari-san made for me♪ Fufu… fufufu♪」

Sara-san looked like she was about to start dancing, swaying her body while staring intently at the brooch.

Seeing that happy smile makes me feel happy too.

「Nfufu, honestly, Sara-chan…」

「Wh-What is it?」

「It’s no use trying to hide it. You’re completely melting, you know?」

「Ugh… w-well, it was handmade by Kazunari-san. How could I not be happy? Fufu… fufufu♪」

She seemed to be trying to tighten her expression, but the happiness must have been bubbling up naturally, because the corners of her mouth kept relaxing.

I can’t give it to her yet, but seeing Sara-san this happy makes me want to give her the ring even sooner… it’s frustrating.

「Oh, there’s something on Sara-chan’s brooch, isn’t there?」

「Yes. It seems different from yours, Mother.」

It might have been my imagination, but I felt like Sara-san emphasized the word「different.」And Mayumi-san gave a wry smile…

Well, setting that aside, what they noticed was the「special version」part that only Sara-san’s brooch had.

Though it wasn’t anything grand.

「That’s an emerald. It’s just one for simple accessories, so it’s only a small one.」

「An emerald… is it?」

「Yes, May is…」

「It is your birthstone, Kazunari-san!」

「Th-That’s right.」

Just as Sara-san said, emerald is the birthstone for May, which is also my birth month. But this was just a small emerald used for cheap accessories, so it really wasn’t a big deal.

Since I used sapphire, Sara-san’s birthstone, for the locket I gave her before, I decided to put an emerald, my birthstone, on this brooch.

I checked the stone language just in case from Nishikawa-san, and it was mostly good things like luck, happiness, and fulfillment in love, so there shouldn’t be any issues there.

「Nfufu, I wonder if that’s an appeal to those around you? Like saying ‘Sara-chan has me’ or something?」

「Eh!? No, I’m not that full of myself…」

「Even if that were the intent, I would have no problem with it at all, you know? Besides… fufufu♪」

「Sara-san?」

I wonder what’s wrong?

Since finding out there was an emerald, Sara-san has been looking even happier.

Is having my birthstone attached really that happy of a thing…

「Hey, Kazunari-kun, did you choose the emerald because you considered the stone language?」

「Yeah. I looked up the stone language before I decided.」

「My, my. Then I guess it can’t be helped if this becomes exclusive to Sara-chan. Good for you, Sara-chan.」

「Yes. This is something that only I, as the one who will become Kazunari-san’s wife, am allowed to wear♪」

「Um… what?」

The emerald becomes「exclusive to Sara-san」because she’ll become my「wife」?

What does that mean?

It definitely has several lucky meanings, but was there a meaning that made it exclusive to her…

「That’s true, but Sara-chan, you’re getting too carried away. Well, if Kazunari-kun makes an appeal about marital love…」

「Wh-What!?」

「Oh, is something wrong, Kazunari-kun?」

「Kazunari-san?」

「N-N-No, nothing.」

Marital love!?

I didn’t hear anything about a stone language like that!?

So that’s why Sara-san was even more excited when she saw the emerald.

If it has a meaning like that, then it makes sense why the brooch would be「exclusive to Sara-san.」

Though… even if I didn’t know, it feels like I’m being a bit too bold with my appeal…

Well, the meaning itself isn’t a problem at all, so that part is fine!

「Fufu… what do you think?」

Sara-san immediately pinned the brooch to her left chest, looking somewhat proud. Unlike Mayumi-san’s, the emerald at least looked like it was sparkling, so the appearance was a bit flashier.

Well, the main reason for that was probably just because it was Sara-san wearing it.

「It looks good on you. But if I’m honest, I wish it wasn’t such an unbalanced brooch and was something better…」

「Kazunari-san, no-no.」

Approaching with a smile, Sara-san lightly poked my forehead.

I thought she’d pull away, but instead, she reached out her arms and enveloped me in a hug in an instant.

「This brooch that Kazunari-san made for me has already become an irreplaceable treasure. So it is not a ‘thing like this,’ okay? A no-no for the Kazunari-san who says such terrible things♪」

「Sara-san…」

「I shall keep this as a lifelong treasure along with the locket I received before. Also, please do not worry about the stone language, okay?」

「Ah…」

I really can’t keep any secrets from Sara-san, can I…

She probably said that because she noticed I didn’t know about the「marital love」meaning.

I feel a bit bad for doing that when she was so happy…

But even so, once I knew, I was certain that it was the right gift for Sara-san. In fact, I think it’s even more appropriate as a gift from me.

So…

「I’m sorry… but hearing that just makes me more certain that I should have given it to you, Sara-san. So, please think of it as me giving it with that marital love meaning in mind. Marriage is still a long way off, but I…」

「Fufu… understood. Then, I shall accept this emerald once again as an appeal from you to me, Kazunari-san.」

「Y-Yes, something like tha… mgh.」

Squeeze…

Sara-san gave that happy reply and then slightly tightened her hug.

The ending was a bit awkward because of my lack of knowledge about stone language, but Sara-san was still happy. She accepted it. That makes me happy.

So, to show my own feelings, I leaned my body into her and acted a bit spoiled.

「Kazunari-san… thank you so very much.」

「No. More than that, I want you to feel free to use this brooch. That’s part of the reason why I chose a handmade one even if it’s cheap.」

「…But, to me, this is…」

「No. If you’re saying this stone represents the marital love between us, Sara-san, then I want you to have it with you all the time even more.」

「Yes, understood.」

When I pushed a little harder, Sara-san readily accepted my wish.

Sara-san basically prioritizes my opinion, so as long as I’m not saying something wrong, she often yields to me like this. But because she’s like that, I don’t act forceful unless it’s something I really can’t back down on. I just really wanted her to use it every day this time, so I had no choice.

「I shall use your brooch with great care, Kazunari-san.」

「I’ll be happy if you do.」

「Yes… Kazunari-san… fufu.」

Letting out a happy sound, Sara-san repeatedly and carefully stroked me while holding me close. She even pressed her own face against my head, rubbing her cheek against it a bit…

…Wait, hold on, that’s…

「Kazunari-san…」

「Y-Yes!?」

「…Please lift your face just a little.」

As Sara-san requested, I slowly moved my face away from its usual spot and looked up slightly.

As we gazed at each other from point-blank range, I found myself unable to look away from her gentle eyes…

「「 …… 」」

While we stared at each other in silence, Sara-san’s eyes slowly closed.

Before I knew it, my lips were blocked by hers as she approached.

「Mnh…」

Chu…

At the sensation of Sara-san’s soft lips, my heart began to pound violently. It felt like it might start racing out of control.

I spent a long time today thinking about Sara-san while choosing the ring and making the brooch, and I’d really missed her while we were apart.

Maybe because of that, the feeling of being happy about the kiss was even stronger than usual…

「Kazunari-san…」

When Sara-san pulled her lips away, she stared intently at me with the same soft, gentle gaze as just before the kiss.

People often use the expression「soul-piercing,」but I feel like Sara-san’s eyes are the perfect example of that right now.

「I love you… I always have, and I always will… forever.」

「…Me too.」

「Kazunari-san… once more… mnh…」

Chu…

The second kiss was sudden, so I couldn’t close my eyes in time. Sara-san’s face, with her eyes closed at such close range, filled my entire vision, and she looked so beautiful, so precious…

And as she slowly pulled away, I stared at her face with a dazed feeling.

「…Fufu… Kazunari-san, is something the matter? Your face…」

「Uuu… Sara-san…」

「You are so cute, Kazunari-san…」

「No, I told you, being called cute is…」

「…Cute… I love you, Kazunari-san… mnh…」

Chu…

「Mgh.」

Just as I thought Sara-san was looking at me with a pained expression, she gave me a third kiss.

This time, instead of momentum, I felt her emotions even more strongly…

Wait… this is… I’m the one who’s in trouble here!?

「Mnh…」

Chu…

The third kiss was even longer than the first and second.

And because Sara-san had her arms around me and my head fixed in place, I couldn’t look away or pull back. I was completely at her pace.

Just as I was losing the ability to think from her kiss that felt like it would literally melt me, her face finally pulled away slowly.

Uuu… I can tell exactly what kind of face I’m making right now… my legs are weak…

「S-S-Sara-san…」

「…Your face is bright red, Kazunari-san♪」

「Ugh, even if you say that… you’re the one who…」

「Fufu… come here, Kazunari-san.」

Maybe Sara-san was satisfied with three kisses, because she guided my head back to its usual spot. I was honestly grateful for that, since she could no longer see my pathetic face…

「…I am sorry, you were just so adorable, Kazunari-san… and that was payback for the tease from earlier♪」

「…… Uuu.」

I see, that was part of it too…

To think I’d get handled like this just for a little mischief, I can’t be careless from now on.

「Fufu… please be a good boy until you’ve calmed down…… Um, I am a bit embarrassed myself, you see…」

「…Sara-san.」

Sara-san’s whispered words made my heart skip a beat yet again. Being whispered to in a voice mixed with sweetness and embarrassment, I’m not the kind of man who can just ignore that… you’re unfair, Sara-san.

Stroke, stroke…

Pat… pat…

As I let myself go, Sara-san slowly and gently soothed me as if to calm my heightened feelings. If anyone saw this from the side, it would probably look like she was treating me like a child.

But this is her own expression of love, and she doesn’t care about things like treating me like a child. I’m happy to be treated this way, so I just act spoiled with a sense of security.

So, I tried pressing my face against her chest just a little bit…

「Mnh… Kazunari-san.」

「…Sara-san.」

「Fufu… you really are a spoiled one, Kazunari-san♪」

Sara-san seemed truly happy that I was acting spoiled.

If she thought it was even slightly pathetic, I wouldn’t act so clingy. But I know she’s truly happy about it… that’s why I can act spoiled without any worries.

Stroke, stroke…

Pat… pat…

「Kazunari-san, about that brooch.」

「Yes.」

After we spent some time in silence, Sara-san suddenly spoke.

Did something happen with the brooch?

「Unfortunately, I cannot wear it on my uniform. So, would it be alright if I pinned it to my bag when I go to school?」

「Yes. I’d be happy if you did that.」

I don’t know what the school rules are, but normally it would probably be bad to pin a non-regulation brooch to a uniform.

But the fact that she thought that far and still wanted to take it to school makes me purely happy.

「Fufu… if someone asks me about the brooch at school, would it be alright if I told them it was a marital love brooch I received from my Husband?」

「Whaaaat!?」

「…Is that not allowed?」

「No, um… it’s not that it’s not allowed.」

It’s unfair of her to say that so sadly.

I was just surprised, and I didn’t think for a second that it wasn’t allowed.

But… Husband, huh…

It has a different kind of ticklishness, a different kind of bashfulness than「Darling」…

「…… I wish… soon.」

「Sara-san?」

「Fufu… it is nothing. I shall treasure this brooch. I have certainly received the marital appeal from you, Kazunari-san♪」

「Ugh… y-yes…」

It’s true that I admitted it was a marital appeal myself, but being told that so clearly is embarrassing.

But… if it makes Sara-san happy, that’s all that matters to me.

Now… at the Miss Contest, the ring… definitely.

「Sob, sob, sob, sob… you two are so mean… you completely forgot about me, didn’t you…」

「No, well, Mayu… Mother-in-law…」

「Haa… honestly… give me a break…」

How should I put it… yeah.

We’re back to square one.

「Sob, sob… ignoring me and flirting and flirting and flirting…」

「Ugh… s-sorry.」

「Sniff… you could have at least let me hold Kazunari-kun too…」

「Save your sleep-talking for when you get home!!!」

「Sara-chan, you meanie!!」

Just like that… we’re back at the start…

Well then, the two of them are finally on good terms, and my work here is…