Episode 287: Relaxation Method

After that, the returning homeroom teacher explained that things were「fine now.」

It was a bit vague as to what exactly made things fine, but either way, it seems the morning incident has ended… or so it seems.

Well, I knew that even if I had kept talking, I could’ve suppressed them but never actually convinced them, so in that sense, I think it was a decent resolution.

But at that time, Sara-san declared she would not forgive them, and I feel exactly the same way.

That’s exactly why it’s my role to act the next time something happens.

As a man, as a fiancé, I’ll protect Sara-san.

This alone… this feeling alone is absolute for me, a feeling I won’t back down on.

Lunch break.

After finishing our meal by the flowerbed as usual, the topic naturally turned to the morning.

While giving a light explanation to Yokogawa Hayato and Todo-san, who were hearing it for the first time, I decided to report the outcome to Sara-san and the others too.

「If he says it’s fine, then that must mean they won’t be heading toward Kazunari-san anymore. If that’s the case, then there’s no problem, but if they repeat it, I’ll simply crush them next time.」

「Listen, Sara. I get how you feel, but your way of putting it is dangerous.」

「Idiots who cause trouble for Kazunari-san, from my perspective, I can’t even permit them to exist. That’s why I simply said I’d crush them.」

Even if she looks calm on the surface, I guess Sara-san’s anger hasn’t vanished yet.

I’m happy she’s angry on my behalf, but honestly, I just want her to hurry up and forget those idiots. I want Sara-san to settle her heart.

「Sara-san…」

So, putting my feelings into it, I tried stroking Sara-san’s head.

To help her calm down, I stroked slowly, putting my heart into it to show that I’m okay now.

「Fufu… that tickles♪」

With a soft smile, Sara-san happily leaned into me. She narrowed her eyes as if it felt good, comfortably entrusting her weight to me.

Sara-san acting spoiled is cute too… I think I’ll stroke her more.

「…Fufu, Satsukawa-senpai is cute.」

「…It’s a bit of a rare sight. I guess it just means she’s that comfortable with Kazunari.」

「…Well… if it fixes Sara’s mood, I don’t really mind.」

「…Once in a while, having Kazunari start it… that might be… nice.」

「I’m happy you’re angry for me. But I really want Sara-san to be laughing. For that, I’d…」

So, please return to your usual self…

I swallowed those words and carefully, gently, stroked Sara-san’s head over and over.

「…Kazunari-san, then may I ask for just one selfish thing?」

「Of course. Anything I can do.」

「Yes. Then, please let me hold Kazunari-san.」

「Eh? Um… if that’s all… mgh.」

It’s something we do all the time, so I didn’t think I needed to check… but before I could finish my okay, Sara-san pulled my body close and easily embraced me.

「Being stroked by Kazunari-san makes me truly happy as well, but in the end, it’s when I’m holding you like this that my heart is most at rest. My heart settles, and my mind and body feel warm.」

I understand that feeling well.

Because for me too, it’s when I’m being held by Sara-san like this that I feel most settled and at peace.

Enveloped in security, comfort, and every kind of happiness, this is literally my heaven.

「Sara-san…」

And if my doing this makes Sara-san feel happy, there’s no reason to hold back. I hugged her back a little and went for it, acting spoiled.

「Fufu… Kazunari-san, come closer?」

Sara-san laughed with a happy voice, pulling my body even closer and tightening her embrace.

I let myself go with the flow, ending up in a posture where I completely entrusted my body to Sara-san.

「…Haa… here they go again. Honestly, how can you two always be so clingy like that… really.」

「The start is different, but the punchline is always the same. They just made an excuse to flirt.」

「But Satsukawa-senpai’s mood seems to have improved, so isn’t that a good thing?」

「Yeah. Watching the two of them look so happy makes me feel happy too.」

Stroke, stroke…

「…Fuaa.」

「Fufu… are you sleepy?」

「Ah, no, it’s not that, I just accidentally…」

I wasn’t sleepy, it was more like the pleasant feeling of tension draining away, or a voice leaking out because I was so relaxed.

In short, it just means that having Sara-san do this is just that peaceful.

「Hey, if you say that’s your relaxation method then whatever, but more importantly, what are you going to do from now on?」

「Indeed… or rather, it’s truly an eyesore for such nobodies to interfere with us at every turn. Should we go to the broadcasting room at noon and ask to borrow the microphone?」

「And then what?」

「I’d say exactly what I just said.」

「I understand how you feel, but you shouldn’t do that. If you go that far, it’ll affect your position as Student Council President, and to those who aren’t involved, it’ll just make them push back, thinking ‘who do you think you are?’」

What Hanako-san is saying is exactly the same possibility I thought of early on.

It might work on people who have feelings for Sara-san or idiots like those from today, but it might have the opposite effect on everyone else.

We aren’t celebrities, and if a mere student were to declare to the entire school…

「We’re dating, so don’t interfere anymore.」

…If we did that, there’s a good chance people would react by thinking we’re full of ourselves or asking who we think we are. Especially for someone who has a bad impression of Sara-san, like that stuck-up girl from before, it’d just be feeding their resentment.

That’s why I gave up on that method and was waiting for an opportunity that wouldn’t cause backlash.

By taking advantage of a crowd gathering and proposing on the spot instead of making a declaration, we can minimize backlash while showing off our relationship. That’s the goal for the Miss Contest.

「I know. Certainly, that possibility is quite likely. I don’t care how I’m perceived, but I absolutely can’t overlook anything that would have a negative impact on Kazunari-san.」

「Yeah. So until everyone knows the truth about you two, you just have to act as things come, even if it’s a pain. I’ll back you up in places the Wife’s eyes can’t reach.」

「Indeed… it’s against my wishes, but it’s a small price to pay for Kazunari-san’s safety. I apologize for the trouble, Hanako-san… honestly…」

Squeeze…

Stroke, stroke…

Maybe to settle the lingering indignation that had returned, Sara-san tightened her hug before starting to stroke my head again.

I really wanted to say「I’ll handle it,」but…

But, just a little longer… just a little bit more. I have to endure until then.

「…Soon… just a little more…」

「…Sara-san?」

Chu…

Just when I thought Sara-san had whispered something, I felt a soft and gentle sensation on my forehead.

It was, of course, a kiss from Sara-san.

But, why so sudden?

「Fufu… it’s nothing. I simply felt a bit of irritation toward the nobodies who interfere with us…」

「I see. If being with me settles your heart, feel free to use me.」

「Gosh… ‘use’ you? A no-no for the Kazunari-san who says such things, you see?」

On my forehead, I felt the sensation of a finger poking me this time.

It was more of a warning than her being angry, but I guess my phrasing was a bit bad.

「Sorry, I phrased that wrong. I just meant that if being like this with me settles your heart, you can do whatever you like, Sara-san.」

「Fufu… thank you. Then, I’ll take you up on that?」

Chu…

In the same spot where Sara-san had poked me with her finger, I felt the sensation of her lips again.

It felt a bit ticklish, so I instinctively shivered.

「Is something the matter?」

「Eh? No, it just tickled a bit.」

「Fufu… I see. Mnh…」

Chu…

After letting out a little laugh, Sara-san kissed my forehead once more.

It was still a bit ticklish, but the happiness was definitely stronger.

「…Kazunari-san?」

「…Ah.」

When Sara-san called out to me, I realized I was hugging her more tightly than I thought.

Crap, I did it without thinking because I was happy…

「S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to.」

「Fufu… Kazunari-san, you’re so cute…」

Chu… Chu…

「Mnh…」

Chu… Chu…

Over and over, Sara-san rained kisses down on my forehead with an adoring expression.

The short, pecking kisses tickled so much I almost shivered again, but Sara-san tightened her hug to suppress it.

「…Wait, it’s heating up again!! Should we not stop soon!?」

「…Agreed. This isn’t about calming down anymore, Kazunari is just so cute that the Wife is obsessed.」

「…Y-Yeah. Satsukawa-senpai’s expressions of love are as intense as ever… I’m impressed Kazunari can take that much…」

「Fuaaa… Satsukawa-senpai… amazing… doing that to a boy…」

「Kazunari-san…」

「Sara-san…」

「…Hey!! Knock it off, you idiot couple. How long are you going to keep going!!」

「Ah!?」

Yuzuki Natsumi-senpai’s displeased quip hit me at close range, and I snapped back to reality.

Um… could it be… again?

There’s been a lot of deja vu lately…

「Honestly… how long do you plan to be in heat? Your hearts have settled long ago, right?」

「Please don’t say such unpleasant things. This is my pure expression of love.」

Yeah, I understand that well… or rather, I just accidentally reconfirmed it with that one sentence.

The fact that Sara-san said those words so proudly and without hesitation means that’s her true, honest heart.

This and that and everything else are all「pure expressions of love」toward me, without any other motives… at least,「not right now.」

「That’s right, Natsumi-senpai. Please don’t say such unpleasant things.」

So what’s required of me is also「pure」feelings, and preventing any rampage is my assigned mission.

I’m sure the day’ll come when she realizes… but even so, I’ll treasure Sara-san.

That alone is my unshakable vow.

「I see, sorry, sorry, I said something weird.」

Looking at my face, Natsumi-senpai gave a somewhat complicated, wry smile.

Just for the record… I’m definitely not just putting on a brave face!!

「By the way… I was curious this morning too, but what’s with that brooch on your bag, Sara?」

「I was curious too. I thought the Wife had a policy of not bringing anything unrelated to school.」

As Hanako-san said, Sara-san basically brings almost nothing extra to school. So in that sense, it might’ve been easy to notice… or rather, since she didn’t point it out this morning, I thought she hadn’t noticed.

「It’s not exactly like that… but putting that aside, this brooch?」

Even though Sara-san knew she was being asked about the brooch, she acted somewhat pretentious. That rare behavior was heartwarming, but she was basically giving the answer away.

「I see, you got it from Takanashi-kun.」

「How did you know?」

「How could I not? I mean, you’d usually answer right away.」

「Or rather, you were smirking. It was too easy to tell.」

「I-I see…」

Sara-san hadn’t noticed her own behavior, so she blushed and smiled when she was called out. But knowing she’s that happy makes me glad I gave it to her.

「I see… a brooch… wait, huh? The symmetry on this is a bit… Ah!」

「u!? No way… it’s handmade by Kazunari!?」

「Fufu… it is. This is the one-and-only brooch in the world made by Kazunari-san just for me.」

「Heh… first a locket, and now a handmade brooch. You’re still as good as ever at hitting Sara’s weak spots, Takanashi-kun.」

「No, that way of putting it is a bit…」

I wish she’d stop putting it that way, it makes it sound like I’m intentionally exploiting Sara-san’s weaknesses.

I just wanted Sara-san to be happy, with a more pure feeling…

「Ahaha, sorry, sorry. Takanashi-kun naturally hits Sara’s weak spots, so it’s not like he’s aiming for them.」

「Well, yeah…」

What is this feeling of not being able to nod honestly even though she corrected herself.

It feels a bit off.

「Handmade by Kazunari… Kazunari’s… Kazunari’s…」

And Hanako-san was muttering something, looking stunned as if she’d been shocked.

I could understand if she was envious, but why is she shocked…

「Heh… so it’s handmade by Takanashi-kun. It’s a cute brooch!」

「True. But isn’t ‘exclusive to Sara’ a weird way to put it? It’s a present from Takanashi-kun, so it’s Sara’s either way.」

「Fufu… this is an appeal from Kazunari-san to me♪ Right, Kazunari-san?」

「Y-Yes. That’s right.」

Showing the brooch to everyone, Sara-san looked as giddy as she did yesterday. Watching her like that, I felt happiness welling up in me too. It makes me feel blessed.

「An appeal?」

「An appeal? Could it be about this… Hey, Takanashi-kun, what’s this attached to it?」

Todo-san tilted her head cutely while looking at the emerald part of the brooch.

I don’t know about Natsumi-senpai, but I have an image of Todo-san being quite well-versed in stone language.

「That’s an emerald.」

「Ah, right, it’s Takanashi-kun’s birthstone.」

Hearing emerald and immediately linking it to my birthstone… as expected of Todo-san.

The maiden-like Angel isn’t just for show.

「Heh… so it’s Takanashi-kun’s birthstone? That production is pretty calculating, but why ‘exclusive to Sara’?」

「Um… please at least use a better way of saying it…」

「Let’s see… Ah!? Could it be…」

Todo-san was greatly surprised as she realized something, then she looked at me while laughing happily. The fact that she didn’t smirk was very Todo-san-like, or rather, it was proof of her being an Angel. If it were Natsumi-senpai, it definitely wouldn’t be like this.

「What is it? To me, it looks like there’s something in the stone language.」

「Um, well, the main stone language for emeralds is good luck or fulfillment in love.」

「Is that so? But these two are already way past fulfillment in love…」

「Yes. But it’s not love… it also means ‘marital love’!!」

「Marital!?」

「Love!?」

Man… Hanako-san and Natsumi-senpai really do get along… wait, no.

I expected those two to be surprised, but I was a bit scared of how they’d react to this information.

Normally, marriage is way too early, so I wondered what they’d say…

「Heh… I see… heh.」

Natsumi-senpai looked at me with eyes that were clearly dead.

It hurts, I knew it would, but the gaze really hurts!!

「Natsumi… if you have something you want to say, I’ll hear it?」

And the eyes of Sara-san, who spoke to Natsumi-senpai with a smile… were not smiling at all.

I didn’t feel even a hint of the joking mood from this morning. The tone of her voice was clearly low.

Natsumi-senpai noticed Sara-san’s state too, and her face twitched violently.

By the way, as for what Hanako-san was doing… for some reason, she pulled out her smartphone and started operating it at an incredible speed.

…What is she doing?

「…Siblings… stone language… connection…」

Um, no way… right?

「I-I get it, I get it, I was wrong. Honestly, I thought it was way too early, but considering your relationship, I thought it wouldn’t be strange at all.」

「Yes, I think so too. It means Takanashi-kun is seriously thinking about marrying Satsukawa-senpai in the future, so the meaning ‘exclusive to Satsukawa-senpai’ is perfect!!」

With Todo-san’s backup (though she probably didn’t mean it that way), Sara-san’s scary smile(?) seemed to return to normal.

But with them being so moved like this, I can’t really say that the「marital love」part was an afterthought…

「Thank you. Therefore, I’ve accepted this as an appeal from Kazunari-san to me. I’ve also received permission to explain the meaning if someone asks.」

Sara-san happily continued her explanation, showing how much she loved the brooch.

It seemed everyone felt the same way, as Natsumi-senpai with a wry smile, Todo-san looking happy, and Yokogawa Hayato looking a bit surprised all watched Sara-san with heartwarming expressions.

「Connection to siblings… relating to… none.」

And Hanako-san…

Um… I should probably give hers to her sooner…