Episode 322: Growth

Mayumi POV

I’m aware that I’m doing something pretty outrageous, but… well.

I know without even having to check that Sara-chan can work her hardest for Kazunari-kun.

There’s no room for doubt anymore, and I have no intention of throwing cold water on their relationship.

For our part, we just want Sara-chan to be happy with the person she’s chosen, in whatever form that takes. That’s how we truly feel.

But you see…

Kazunari-kun has accepted our wishes, not just for Sara-chan.

He showed us his will clearly, without any hesitation.

You have no idea how happy that made me… no, how happy it made us as a couple.

To be honest, if Kazunari-kun were just an ordinary boy, I wouldn’t have thought so far ahead.

As long as he faced Sara-chan properly and they got along, that would be enough.

If their relationship continued into the future, we could just talk about it then.

For a high schooler, thinking that far ahead is normally way too heavy.

But… well, I’m sorry to Kazunari-kun, but… I can’t help but have high expectations.

Kazunari-kun’s strength of character that isn’t like a high schooler’s, that invisible something that attracts people, the initiative and charm to show leadership, the incredible guts to negotiate with his lover’s father alone, the strength of feeling and resolve that never wavers for Sara-chan’s sake…

These are all things you can never get from studying.

And they are precious things that will become very important in the future.

Kazunari-kun already has them, even if he doesn’t realize it himself.

How could I, as a parent, not be happy that such a wonderful boy is in love with Sara-chan… and even became her fiancé?

And the icing on the cake is that he even has the official recognition from that Chairman Nishikawa…

As a member of the Saba Group’s founding family, I’ve seen many people in high positions.

But someone with such a powerful connection is rare. To put it another way, I’ve never seen anyone who could make that Chairman Nishikawa go that far.

To think he’s just a normal high schooler…

Though I suppose Kazunari-kun himself doesn’t realize yet how much power that stamp of approval will hold in the future.

But for us, this is one of our trump cards for announcing Kazunari-kun as our son-in-law… as our future successor.

The current Chairman’s approval, the next Chairman Masaomi-san’s approval, my Mother’s and my approval, being the son-in-law, the stocks… and the seal of approval from the Chairman of our friendly partner, the Nishikawa Group, plus his private connection with Eri-chan, the future wife of the next Nishikawa Group Chairman…

With all of that, we can definitely shut down any opposition.

No one will be able to say a word about Kazunari-kun’s position.

That’s why I, Masaomi-san, Mother, and even the current Chairman, Uncle Shoji, have such high expectations.

If it’s Kazunari-kun, he’ll definitely make Sara-chan happy.

And we hope that in the future, he’ll succeed Masaomi-san.

Of course, expecting this much from a high school boy and making him shoulder all this is normally unthinkable.

But Kazunari-kun is just so amazing, I couldn’t help it…

In the future… the not-so-distant future, Masaomi-san’s position will become quite difficult. This is a future that’s already set.

At that time, if Kazunari-kun can help Masaomi-san and gradually learn the work, just like my Father and Masaomi-san did back then… if he can reach the point where Masaomi-san can leave things to him.

And fortunately, Masaomi-san has taken such a liking to Kazunari-kun that he treats him like his own son, so I’m sure they’ll be able to work well together.

And if he and Sara-chan build a happy family together… there would be nothing happier for us.

So you see… Kazunari-kun is my hope.

On top of that, he’s such a good boy, so sweet and shy… his behavior reminds me of Masaomi-san when he was young… he’s just so, so cute, it’s almost cheating… fufu.

Anyway, I want Kazunari-kun to study hard by Masaomi-san’s side and slowly acquire various skills once he enters society.

There are mountain-loads of things you can’t understand until you actually experience them. That can wait for later, there’s no need to rush now.

I’ve already seen the most important thing, which is Kazunari-kun’s resolve and feelings.

But you know, Sara-chan.

You’re a bit different.

Even as she is now, Sara-chan can be more of a housewife than most. I’ve made sure she has the knowledge and skills for it, so if she married right now, she wouldn’t have any trouble.

If she were just going to be a normal housewife, that is.

But since Kazunari-kun… the person she’ll share her future with, has started walking toward succeeding Masaomi-san, Sara-chan has a duty to support him firmly.

As his fiancée, his future wife, and his partner, she must support Kazunari-kun in both his public and private life. And when the time comes for her to take her proper position, she’ll need to behave accordingly.

Thinking like「Nothing matters to me except Kazunari-san」like she does now is not allowed. Pathetically running away and acting spoiled out of dependency on Kazunari-kun like she did before is absolutely not allowed.

If she drowns in her current happy life and doesn’t grow anymore… I can’t just stand by and watch.

I want Sara-chan to have the resolve for the future, the strength of heart, and the conduct that won’t lose to Kazunari-kun.

That’s not Sara-chan as a「wife.」I want her to grow as Kazunari-kun’s「partner.」

Show me that growth, even if it’s just a little, even just a glimpse. Show me that you’ve grown since that day you ran away.

You might think it’s too early, but your debut match as a couple is already set for next month’s end-of-year party, you know?

So today, I will be the wall that threatens your lifestyle… Sara-chan’s enemy.

Show me how you’ve grown, Sara-chan, in any way you can.

And… make me feel at ease, okay?

Sara-chan…

Only Minamin remained on stage, and all the contestants had exited for now.

The large screen set up on the stage showed the events of the contest, and it was announced that the ranking would be decided by the scores from the Prep Committee judges and the audience votes at the end.

The voting forms had already been distributed, and only those in the audience area had them.

Unfortunately, the large number of spectators watching from outside the barrier couldn’t vote, though I’d secured mine through the Student Council quota.

But this was just how it had to be due to collection issues and as a measure against fraud, since it’s one vote per person.

「There are more realistic judging criteria than I expected. I thought for sure they’d do a swimsuit competition or something.」

「Apparently they used to have that. But this year especially, they probably couldn’t do it since they were having Sara enter.」

「If Sara heard there was a swimsuit round, she’d have bailed immediately. She’d be like, ‘I have no intention of exposing my skin to anyone but Kazunari-san!’」

Hmm…

Natsumi-senpai is probably right about that.

When we went to the pool in the summer, she said something exactly like that. She wasn’t my lover back then, but she’d definitely say it now… no doubt about it.

And besides… I wouldn’t allow anyone to see Sara-san in a swimsuit in the first place.

「That’s only natural. A pool is one thing for compromise, but doing it for a show like this is ridiculous. If Kazunari wants to see it, she can just show him at home.」

「Um… putting it that way, does that mean you’d show him if Kazunari said he wanted to see, Hanako-san?」

「Of course. If Kazunari says he wants to see, his Big sister will show him anything, whether it’s a bikini or a school swimsuit.」

Hanako-san in a bikini… and a school swimsuit?

Wh… why is it that even though it’s just a swimsuit, either choice gives off an vaguely dangerous vibe?

No, no, more importantly, when I heard「school swimsuit,」I secretly imagined Sara-san in one… the destructive power was so high it wasn’t just dangerous, it was risky… I’m such an idiot!!

Ugh… I’m sorry, Sara-san.

This is unavoidable for a healthy high school boy… please forgive me.

Away with worldly desires, away with worldly desires.

「Takanashi-san…」

「Takanashi-kun…」

「So Takanashi-kun is a boy after all.」

「…Ugh…」

「No, well…」

For some reason, the girls are giving me cold looks?

Does this mean they’ve seen through me like always?

And Todo-san, please don’t look at me with such an embarrassed face.

I feel extremely awkward.

「You don’t have to be shy. Kazunari is a boy, so it can’t be helped. Also, it’s his Big sister’s fault for being so attractive.」

「Eh, um…」

And Hanako-san seems to be successfully misunderstanding, looking strangely happy?

Wait, hold on.

Don’t tell me you all think I’m getting hyped up(?) imagining Hanako-san in a swimsuit!?

「Now then… it looks like the contestants are ready, so let’s have them start their self-introductions right away! Of course, this is also a judging criterion! So let’s get into it! First up, Entry No. 1…」

「Oh, it’s starting!」

「Though it’s basically already decided as a duel between Satsukawa-senpai and her Mother…」

Minamin announced the start of the judging, and everyone’s attention shifted to the stage at once.

The stares focused on me vanished… yeah… nice timing.

That was a bit of a lifesaver.

Clap clap clap clap!!!!

Welcomed by loud applause, the first contestant appeared from the entrance… not in her uniform from before, but in a neat-looking outfit consisting of a long dress and a cardigan.

I mean… is everyone changing?

But I don’t think Sara-san prepared any change of clothes?

「Entry No. 1! Third-year…」

As expected of a third-year, many of them look mature enough that they don’t look like high schoolers in casual clothes.

And this senpai was no exception, looking mature enough to be a college student at first glance, with her neat clothing boosting that impression.

But… well.

You could clearly see she was trying her absolute best to smile cutely, which just made me notice it more.

It felt a bit painful… I mean, I almost felt sorry for her.

「Yes, thank you very much! Wow, the gap between that maturity and that fresh vibe is irresistible! By the way, one corner of the audience is really getting hyped, isn’t it?」

「Ahaha, I told them they didn’t have to come, but my whole class…」

I couldn’t see them from here, but I could definitely hear a commotion coming from one part of the crowd. Since this many people have gathered, it’s no wonder the classmates of each contestant came to cheer.

…Wait… did Yuri-senpai and her group come too?

「I see, that’s reassuring! Please do your best to answer those cheers! Now, next is the special skill appeal time!」

「Okay, well then…」

An appeal of a special skill… it’s a natural judging criterion, but for me, I think it’s the most difficult one in a sense.

I mean, if someone asked「What is your special skill?」I’d want to ask in return,「Exactly how well do you have to do it for it to be called a ‘special skill’?」

I guess it’s fine if you think it’s your special skill yourself, but… I always worry about that.

「Hmm… she’s spinning around so much, doesn’t she get dizzy?」

「I’ve heard the secret is to whip your head around afterward.」

For the record, the senior currently on stage is in the middle of a dance. From where I’m watching, it looks like something even an amateur would call good… or rather, it’s less a dance and more like ballet.

But if you can dance that well, I guess you can call it a special skill.

「It’s quite polished, as expected of someone showing it as a special skill.」

「True. I prefer hip-hop, though.」

「That’s a matter of personal taste. I like classical more.」

「Hey Takanashi-kun, what is Satsukawa-senpai’s special skill?」

「Eh? Hmm… I definitely think all general housework is a special skill…」

While it’s certain that Sara-san’s special skill is general housework, showing that off here might be difficult. She can do well in studies and sports too, but that’s the same.

There’s a cooking round later, so Sara-san would dominate there… no, Mayumi-san is here, so that might be tough too?

But in that case, a special skill Sara-san could show in a situation like this would be…

「The Wife’s special skill is spoiling Kazunari.」

「Wait!?」

「Oh, I thought so too! If we’re talking about Sara’s special skill, that’s it!」

「That might be true, but it’s not suited for a contest…」

「If we put Takanashi-kun on stage, it would start right away!」

「Jeez, Yoko… you’re going too far.」

「Eh… but Marina thinks so too, right?」

「Eh!? Um… well… that’s…」

「No, listen…」

The way Todo-san keeps glancing at my face awkwardly says everything.

I know myself that I act too spoiled, and it’s a fact that Sara-san lets me… but does that mean my special skill is「being spoiled by Sara-san then!?

「Ahaha, well, jokes aside, Sara has the image of being able to do anything, but I wonder if she has a special ‘something’ that would look good on stage?」

「Right. Sara is good at daily life things, but I’ve never heard of her having a special ‘something’ that would shine on stage.」

「I honestly have the same opinion.」

「Actually, it’s possible the Wife didn’t intend to do anything at all in the first place.」

「True…」

Just like Hanako-san said, it’s possible that Sara-san, who isn’t aiming for the win, intended to just end it with a「I have nothing?」

But… I have a feeling that if she said that, Mayumi-san wouldn’t stay quiet. I don’t know why, but I feel like what Mayumi-san is asking of Sara-san isn’t just「beating her in terms of scores,」but something else entirely.

I’m sure Sara-san has realized that too, but…

I wonder what she’ll do.