Episode 324: Mayumi-san’s Special Skill

「Now then, next up is finally the end of the first round of judging!!!! Wrapping things up is, of course, that person!!!! The mysterious glasses beauty with a perfect style and a healing vibe, the literal embodiment of every man’s dream!!! According to Minamin’s intel, her support rate is skyrocketing right now!!!!」

Next up was finally the last contestant… Mayumi-san. The excitement in the stands was already on par with the reaction to Sara-san, at least to my ears.

Plus, according to the info Nishikawa-san just got, Mayumi-san seems to have particularly strong support from the older men, and she’s already becoming a massive topic of conversation among the male students who have a thing for the big sister type.

It looks like she’s definitely managed to steal a good portion of Sara-san’s fanbase.

As expected of Mayumi-san… what a terrifying person!

「Then let’s call her out!!!! Entry No. 10… Mayu-san’s… appearance is NOWWWWWWW!!!!」

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

The exact same, very unwelcome trio of sounds that accompanied Sara-san’s entrance enveloped the entire venue.

Behind the smoke rising at the entrance, a silhouette was illuminated by the spotlight from behind…

It looked like Mayumi-san’s impossible-to-hide style was on full display.

「UOOOOO!!! Mayu-saaaaaan!!!」

「Big sister, we’ve been waiting for youuuuu!!!」

「Mayu-chaaaaaan!!」

I could even hear calls from older-sounding men that I don’t think I heard during Sara-san’s turn… confirming, whether I liked it or not, that Nishikawa-san’s info was accurate.

「Finally, Satsukawa-senpai’s Mother is making her appearance.」

「Incredible… she’s already got a following…」

「Yeah. But I guess that’s just how it is… right?」

「True. Her visible specs are just way too high…」

「…I guess you like women like that too, Hayato-kun…」

「Heeeey… so that’s how it is? After everything you said, so you’re the same after all, Yuji?」

Marina-san looked down sadly, for some reason hiding a certain part of her body with her arms… while Natsumi-senpai acted dignified, piercing Yuji with an absolute death stare.

The two guys, meanwhile, were just panicking…

「N-No, Marina-san!!! That’s not what I meant at all!!」

「I-I was just talking about the average guy, I definitely wasn’t saying that I was one of… Natsumi-san!?」

Despite their desperate excuses, the girls’ moods showed zero signs of improving…

Even if you think it, and whether you have an ulterior motive or not, saying it out loud is a total no-go.

A wise man keeps his distance from danger. It seems those two still lack the intuition to sense a crisis. Yeah.

「Kazunari, honestly, what kind of person is the Wife’s Mother?」

「Let’s see… in a lot of ways, she’s like a powered-up version of Sara-san, I guess?」

It’s hard to explain specifically, but I think that description is accurate in several ways.

But honestly, there are many times when I wish Sara-san would just stay exactly as she is.

Lately, I’ve been worried about her showing a vibe that’s starting to remind me of Mayumi-san…

「Speaking of which, I heard Mayumi-san dotes on Takanashi-san?」

「That ‘powered-up’ description is making me strangely curious.」

「Don’t tell me that it’s not just Satsukawa-senpai, but her Mother is also hugging you and going ‘good boy, good boy’ on you too?」

「…Gah! Th-there’s no way that would happen… hahaha.」

Sh-she’s sharp…

How did she manage to leap that far in her imagination from just one comment?

「Heh… I seeeeee.」

「I see… if the Mother-in-law is allowed to do that, then as the Big sister, I should obviously have no problems either. In that case, I’ll increase the frequency of our skinship from now on…」

「Takanashi-san… that’s really… a bit much.」

No… Nishikawa-san and Tachikawa-san, especially Nishikawa-san’s eyes, are actually a bit scary right now!!

And Hanako-san, didn’t you just say something absolutely insane!?

W-where are Hayato and Yuji who usually back me up here!?

「…Hayato-kun.」

「M-Marina-san, look, it’s…」

「Yujiiiiii…」

「No… well, you see, Na-Natsumi-san.」

Oh… right. They were busy.

「Now… Mayu-san has so many mysterious parts that Minamin wants to ask her a ton of things!!! But first, please give us your self-introduction!!!!」

「Hellooo. Hello, everyone. My name is Mayu. Since I ended up entering so suddenly, I’m just in my everyday clothes, but I look forward to being here.」

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

「「「 Ma~yu~sa~aaaaaan!!! 」」」

Just like always, Mayumi-san’s gentle, airy, and relaxed voice made everyone listening feel a sense of security and healing.

For the people who find that to be their「thing,」that voice was likely irresistible, and the stands erupted with passionate calls.

And Mayumi-san is just being herself…

「But you see… I’m sorry, but because of certain circumstances, most things about me are a secret. So I can’t really give much of an introduction. I’m sorry, okay?」

「I forgive you! I totally forgive youuuuuu!!!」

「What’s your type of man!?」

「What kind of guy do you want to date!?」

「Do you have a boyfriend right now!?」

Whether it was because Mayumi-san’s image was so soft, or if they were being serious, the guys in the stands started shouting one after another, getting way too ahead of themselves.

I found myself getting irritated again by the behavior of these idiots who didn’t have a shred of restraint…

「Let’s see… it’s different from a condition for a lover, but I really love serious boys. Someone kind and devoted, who can work desperately hard without hesitation for the person they love. But someone who’s also a little shy, and gets embarrassed easily…」

「Whoa-ho-ho-hoaaaa!!?? Mayu-san, that’s incredibly specific!!?? But I wonder if a high-spec guy like that actually exists…」

「Nfufu~… well, I wonder… right?」

Mayumi-san used a very meaningful phrasing while giving a wink… she was definitely directing it at me. Wait, are you talking about me!?

No, no, that’s definitely a bit too idealized…

「Me!! I’m that guyyyyy!!!」

「Wrong!! That’s meeeee!!!」

「Uooooh, she just winked at me!!!!」

「I’m a man who can work hard for Mayu-san’s sakeeeee!!!」

「And also, Sara-chan mentioned this earlier too… but I also hate boys who talk big. Someone who talks lightly about what they can do before they’ve even shown what they’re worth… I don’t want to be addressed so casually by such boring people, you know?」

「「「……………」」」

Even though her airy way of speaking hadn’t changed, she projected something intense.

Something like disgust or pressure… something I can’t explain well.

But hearing that from Mayumi-san, the idiots who were shouting big talk all shut their mouths at once.

「…Just kidding! Did I surprise you?」

「Hwah!!?? E-eh, um… apparently that was just Mayu-san being playful!!?? Man, even Minamin was a little surprised there. Oh, by the way…」

I think calling that「playful」is a bit of a stretch, but because Mayumi-san’s tone returned to its usual self and because of Minamin’s desperate attempt at a follow-up, the laughter in the stands gradually increased.

By the way, the guys saying stupid things seemed to have vanished.

「Th-that was a surprise…」

「She really is Satsukawa-senpai’s Mother… she had this weird intensity that was actually scary.」

「Hmm, seeing that, I guess Sara really does have that blood in her.」

「The image in my head is pretty close to that. Though more than that, Takanashi-san is just that special, I suppose.」

「Hanako-san is one thing, but Kazunari tends to be liked by a specific type of person, doesn’t he?」

「Could be. There is a sense of similarity.」

「I don’t know why, but I feel something close to me coming from the Wife’s Mother. No matter if he’s her daughter’s boyfriend, doting on him that much is normally impossible…」

Whoa, H-Hanako-san is sharp as always…

To think she could feel even a hint of「that,」which even Mayumi-san herself is likely unaware of…

「N-now then, Mayu-san seems to have many secrets, so we’ll assume there isn’t any more for her self-introduction, is that alright!!??」

「Yes. I’m sorry…」

「No, no, it’s not a problem under the rules, so it’s fine!!!! Now, next we’ll have her show off her special skill… but since Mayu-san is a sudden entry, is she ready?」

「I’m fine. I picked this up behind the stage earlier…」

As she said that, Mayumi-san took something out of her pocket… something small that was hard to see from here.

I wonder what it is?

「Um… is that… a leaf of some kind?」

「That’s right. It’s been a long time since I’ve done this… back when I was in the Miss Con… oh, it’s nothing. Anyway, as long as I have this, I’m fine.」

「U-understood!!! Then please, take it away!!!!!」

As Minamin stepped off to the side, Mayumi-san started fumbling with something in her hands… it looked like she was cutting or rolling the leaf?

Just what is she planning to do…

「Oh? I wonder if Satsukawa-senpai’s Mother is planning to do a grass whistle.」

Todo-san, who was staring at Mayumi-san on stage just like everyone else, muttered under her breath.

A grass whistle… I’ve never seen a real one, but it’s that grass whistle, right?

「A grass whistle? Like, the grass whistle?」

「Yeah. I’ve tried it before, so I think that’s it.」

「Heh… you have some elegant special skills too, Todo-san.」

「N-no, I tried it because I was interested, but it was too hard so I gave up.」

「Ah, so it really is difficult?」

「Yes… oh, looks like she’s starting.」

I’ve never tried a grass whistle myself so I have no idea, but since there isn’t a way to set the pitch like a normal instrument… I imagine the difficulty is like a high-level version of whistling?

Wait, I need to watch Mayumi-san.

Peep… peep…

Twice, three times, Mayumi-san blew short notes as if checking the sound, then brought the leaf whistle back to her lips.

She made the sound look so easy, but since Todo-san said it wasn’t that simple… she must actually be quite good.

Mayumi-san must have noticed me staring, because she turned her gaze toward me with a gentle smile… and closed her eyes.

♪~ ♪~

It was different from a whistle, but it didn’t have the solid sound of a real instrument. It was a high, translucent melody. In the silent venue, Mayumi-san’s grass whistle echoed loudly.

At first I didn’t know what she was playing, but it was a song I’d heard somewhere before… right, it was a nursery rhyme.

♪~ ♪~

I closed my eyes and listened… before I knew it, I was drawn into Mayumi-san’s performance.

I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to keep listening. The comfortable melody entered my ears and seemed to circulate through my entire body.

But unfortunately, it finally reached the end.

As if to signal the finale, the grass whistle played a light, high-pitched stretch.

♪~~~~

And like a slow fade-out, the melody gradually vanished… Mayumi-san gently pulled the whistle away from her lips.

She opened her eyes and looked at me, giving a soft, slightly bashful smile.

Mayumi-san, that smile is actually a bit of a foul.

「…………」

Clap…

Clap clap…

Clap clap clap clap

Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

The single clap someone started spread like a ripple, eventually turning into a standing ovation from the entire crowd.

Not a murmur, but a roar of emotion enveloped the venue as everyone praised Mayumi-san on stage.

But that was only natural.

I couldn’t stop clapping either.

「Th-that was incredible!!!!! I found myself totally captivated toooooo!!!! Everyone in the audience is moved too, aren’t they!!!???」

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

At Minamin’s question, another massive cheer erupted from the stands.

It was a cheer on par with the one that happened after Sara-san’s performance… just as loud, if not louder.

But given the emotion I was feeling myself, I didn’t find it strange at all that the venue reacted this way.

That’s how much Mayumi-san’s grass whistle had moved me.

「Phew… it’s been a long time so I was nervous, but I’m glad I could do it properly.」

「Man, I was truly moved!!! But you said it’s been a long time… does that have something to do with that comment you made before the performance!? You mentioned a Miss Con from a long time ago, didn’t you!!?? Minamin has been dying to know ever since!!!!!」

「Ah… so you remembered? I can’t give you details, but when I attended this school, I entered the Miss Con once. But the rest is a secret!!」

「Whoa-ho-ho-hoaaaa, that’s some seriously enticing info, but I guess I can’t push any further if you say that. What a shame!!!!」

Mayumi-san acted playfully, putting a finger to her lips in a「it’s a secret」pose while winking… directed right at me.

But I’d obviously never heard that Mayumi-san had entered a Miss Con, and having her do that only made me more curious.

I wonder if she’ll tell me if I ask her privately next time?

「Well then, Mayu-san, thank you very much!!!!! Everyone, one more big round of applause for her!!!!!!!!!!」

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!!

With a flood of cheers and applause, Mayumi-san waved to the audience as she exited to the side of the stage. She turned back one last time and blew a kiss while winking at me… wait, if you do that!?

Uooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

「Mayu-saaaaaan!!!」

「Please start as friends, anything is fineeeeeee!!!」

「Yippieeeeee, Mayu-san did that to meeeeeee!!!!」

「You idiot!!!! That was for meeeee!!!!」

「It was me!!!! Stop talking in your sleeeeeeep!!!!!」

Ah… geez.

I knew it would end up like this.

「Stare…」

「Stare…」

「Stare…」

「Um…」

Tachikawa-san, Natsumi-senpai, and Nishikawa-san were staring at me with suspicious looks for some reason… Yuji and Hayato had unreadable faces, and Todo-san looked a bit troubled.

Don’t tell me you’re all under some massive misunderstanding?

Tug tug

Also, Hanako-san, stop pulling my sleeve right now because I have a really bad feeling about it.

I’m worried you’re being influenced by Mayumi-san…

Kusahara Yutaka (Rena’s cousin) POV

At first I thought I was seeing things… but now that I know I’m not, I have no choice but to act.

Of course I want to go support Rena as soon as possible, but as someone in a certain position, there are things I must prioritize.

I don’t want to call this an opportunity, but if I were to waste a chance to interact with someone I rarely get to see, it would bring shame to myself and my Uncle… the President.

Currently, in front of me… a man is walking toward this spot.

He’s in a suit just like me, and he doesn’t look like someone who’s come for a school festival.

I’ve heard he’s around forty, but he looks younger than that.

But he has an indescribable presence, or rather, an atmosphere. As expected of…

No, observing him like this is rude.

I have to greet him now or it will be a major blunder.

「Managing Director Satsukawa!! It’s been a long time!!」

「Hm? …Ah, you must be President Kusahara’s…?」

「Yes, I am Kusahara Yutaka. It’s an honor to see you again. It’s a beautiful day today…」

「Hahaha, we aren’t meeting for work, so you don’t need to be so formal. I’m the one who should apologize for not being able to show my face much. Please tell President Kusahara…」

「Not at all, my Uncle also said he was sorry for not being able to greet you properly, Managing Director…」

「Is that so? Then please tell him I’ll greet him at the party next month.」

「Thank you. I will definitely pass that on.」

Alright, the initial greeting went fine.

But I can’t just end it with a「well then…」when I have such a chance.

Though of course, I must not be a nuisance.

But why would someone like Managing Director Satsukawa be here… right, I heard his daughter is a student here.

In that case, the reason he’s here is…

If he were here on business, I would offer to accompany and help him.

「Managing Director Satsukawa, what brings you here today…」

「Ah, it’s nothing major. I actually came to see my daughter’s face, but she’ll get mad if I go out in the open… it’s the struggle of a girl’s father.」

「…I understand how you feel. But I’m sure your daughter is actually happy deep down.」

「No, no, she’s a truly difficult girl.」

Managing Director Satsukawa gave a small, wry smile.

It’s true that his daughter’s extreme dislike of men is a famous story.

I tried to greet her at a party before, but she left early so I didn’t get the chance. But according to an acquaintance, her thoroughness is such that men aren’t even allowed to talk to her.

Still, she’s the daughter of Managing Director Satsukawa, the next Group Chairman. And with her beauty…

I’ve heard information that the competition behind the scenes is already intensifying, and it’s a fact that my Uncle suggested I throw my name in the ring.

Though for my personal taste, Chairman Nishikawa’s daughter… no, of course Managing Director Satsukawa’s daughter is…

「If the opportunity arises, I would like to greet your daughter as well…」

「No, I’m sorry, but you should probably avoid that. It sounds bad coming from her own father, but Sara won’t even give a nice look to any man except the one she’s decided on… including me.」

So that means she’s a difficult but devoted woman.

Going as far as her own father is a bit extreme, but if a beauty like that could feel that way about me, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

「I see… still, I don’t mind, so if the opportunity arises, by all means. Is Managing Director Satsukawa heading to see her now?」

「No, I have to finish my business first. I’m going to speak with the Principal… my wife went to see our daughter ahead of me.」

「Is your wife here with you today as well!?」

「Yes. She was the one originally scheduled to come… I accompanied her because I found some time, but she just told me it’s my job now and went off to find our daughter.」

Managing Director Satsukawa gave another wry smile.

Maybe he’s a bit weak in his private life, regardless of how he is at the company… no, more importantly right now!

Being able to meet Managing Director Satsukawa’s wife is a rare chance.

I have to make this work…

「So you’re heading to the Principal’s office now?」

「Yes, that’s right.」

「If you don’t mind, may I accompany you?」

「Hm? But you… come to think of it, you’re here today for…」

「Yes. I’m here for my niece… my Uncle’s daughter.」

「Ah, right. I remember hearing before that President Kusahara’s daughter also attends this school.」

「Yes. She should be close with your daughter. My niece even said she wanted to be her friend when she entered.」

Come to think of it, I heard that my Uncle personally told Rena to get close to Managing Director Satsukawa’s daughter.

As the daughter of a President, Rena should understand her position… so it should be fine.

「Oh, is that so? For that to happen… oops, I’m going to be late for my appointment.」

「Then let’s hurry. Don’t worry about me. I’ll wait outside.」

「Really? Well, if you’re fine with that.」

「Yes.」

Wasting such a rare chance is unthinkable.

I’ll greet the wife, and hopefully the daughter as well…

Besides, if Rena is close with the daughter, that could be a significant advantage for me.

I wasn’t thinking that far ahead yesterday because of Nishikawa Eri-san, but this might be an incredible chance coming my way.