Episode 334: With Me…

「Well now… Satsukawa-san, shall we get started soon?」

Even though the Miss Contest was completely suspended, Minamin asked Sara-san to confirm the progress. There had been several meaningful remarks along the way, but it looked like she’d intended to assist in Sara-san’s plan from the very beginning.

「Yes. But before that…」

Saying that, Sara-san turned away from the audience and faced the stage… specifically, the other contestants, and gave a polite, deep bow.

「I apologize once again for bringing my personal matters into this Miss Contest, a place where you all are participating so seriously. And… regarding what I am about to do, even though I know it will cause trouble, I will still carry out my plan. I am truly sorry once again.」

「Satsukawa-san…」

「P-please, lift your head!」

「Th-that’s right! At least for me, I entered knowing that you were going to win anyway…」

「Me too!! I never thought I could win from the start, so I figured this would just be a good memory…」

「We’re interested in what you’re planning to do, Satsukawa-san. So, please, show us without holding back.」

「Everyone… thank you.」

Sara-san bowed politely once more and then turned her gaze toward the Chairman and the stuck-up woman. However, she only looked at them and didn’t make any move to say anything. Or rather, by gaining the consent of the other contestants, it looked like she was applying silent pressure, as if asking,「You don’t have any complaints, do you?」 Either way, those two remained frozen in silence, so it didn’t seem like a problem.

Personally, I was more worried about Mayumi-san…

「Um… everyone in the venue!! Actually, it’s a little earlier than planned, but there’s a major announcement from Satsukawa-san!!!」

「Fukazawa-sa…」

「Minamin!!!」

「Minamin-san, calling it a major announcement is a bit of an exaggeration…」

「Eh, is that so? But from our perspective, talk about Satsukawa-san’s private life is pretty major… AH!! Wait, don’t tell me you were actually planning to talk about the cohabitation!?」

「No, as I said before, I had no intention of mentioning the cohabitation from the start. There is no need to expose my private life to that extent.」

「True… oh, that’s right!!! I’ll ask again, but are you really living with Takanashi-kun!!??」

「Yes. There is no point in lying in this situation.」

「Whoa!! It’s for real!!?? That Satsukawa-san is living with a guy… I can’t believe it…」

While acting surprised at Sara-san’s statement, Minamin’s gaze darted back and forth between me and Sara-san.

She probably had a lot to say, but for now, I wanted to believe her reaction wasn’t a「why with a guy like this?」type of thing.

「…Aaaah, I wanted to believe it was a dream!! You crushed it way too easily!!!!」

「…Cohabitation, I mean, that means… that meanssssssssss!?」

「…Uoooooh, don’t say any more than that!!!!!!!!」

「…Aaaaah, stop it!!! I don’t want to think about it!!!!!!!」

「…It’s a lie, right!? It’s a lie, isn’t it!? Tell me it’s a lieeeee!!!!」

「…Well, if you hear they’re living together, that’s usually what you’d think.」

「…True. But in reality…」

「…That story isn’t a lie. Even if Kazunari told a lie, I’d know instantly.」

「…Ah, if Hanako-san says so, then there’s no doubt. But Takanashi-kun is something else… well, I don’t know if I should call it ‘something else’ or not.」

「…It just shows how much he treasures Sara. Anyway, let’s stop this talk. At least two people are entering the danger zone.」

「…Eh? …Whoa, Nishikawa-san, don’t look at me with those eyes!!」

「…………」

「…Auuuuu.」

「A-Are you okay, Marina-san?」

It sounded like the audience was getting noisy… but I’ll set that aside for now.

Anyway, it seemed Minamin hadn’t grasped the full details of the content either. That said, it was rare for Sara-san to take action like this, so I couldn’t read what she was planning at all.

「Hmm, I’m super interested in that talk too, but I feel like prying any further would be dangerous in a lot of ways, so I’ll stop. But wow… mufufu… ‘the’ Satsukawa-san, huh?」

Minamin gave a massive smirk and directed her gaze solely at me this time.

There was no doubt she was misunderstanding all sorts of things… well, nobody would believe a couple was living together without anything happening.

But I swear, nothing has happened… yeah.

「Is there something wrong with me?」

「No, no, nothing at all!! Ah, more importantly, shouldn’t you get to the main point soon?」

「You are right. Then, once again…」

After saying that, Sara-san straightened her back and faced me directly.

「Kazunari-san, I have something I would like to tell you using this opportunity.」

「To me?」

「Yes.」

Sara-san stared intently into my eyes and gave a tiny nod without looking away.

So that meant… when Sara-san said she「needed help」earlier, did she mean she wanted me to listen to her here?

I’d assumed she meant it literally, like she「needed help with a task」…oh well.

「I understand. But after you’re finished, I have something I want to tell you too.」

「You too… Kazunari-san?」

「Yes. But I can go later, so Sara-san, you first…」

「In that case, please let me hear your story first, Kazunari-san. My talk can wait until after.」

「No, if anything, I’d like my talk to be the finale…」

「No, given the nature of the conversation, I would appreciate it if mine were second…」

Darn… this development was a bit of a surprise.

I’d gotten too focused on the theatrics and ended up speaking out of turn.

I didn’t know what Sara-san’s business was yet, but I still thought I should be the one to go last…

「Sara-san, if possible, mine…」

「Kazunari-san, there is no way I could prioritize myself over you…」

「Ugh… I-I know that, but… but this time, could you just… mph.」

Squish.

Squish?

Oh… what’s this?

What is this incredibly soft sensation?

Plus, my vision was suddenly covered in darkness, and I couldn’t see the surroundings or Sara-san’s face. And yet… I didn’t feel a shred of anxiety. If anything, I was wrapped in a familiar, heavenly「something」filled with peace and comfort… wait!?

「Sa, sa, Sara-san!?」

「Geez. Honestly, Kazunari-san… that’s a no-no, okay?」

「Mph!?」

There was no mistaking it, this was Sara-san’s specialty, a literal physical mouth-sealing meant just for me!?

It wasn’t that I couldn’t breathe, but the exquisite amount of pressure made it impossible to speak, and it was just so happy… I mean!! Anyway, it was just too much, and I really couldn’t get a word out this time either!?

「「 WH-WH-WH-WHAT THE HECK IS THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!!! 」」

And when this happens, maybe because my sight is blocked, my sense of touch and hearing get sharper… meaning even through the uniform, Sara-san’s warmth and various softnesses were transmitted directly to me. I could even hear her heartbeat. The strange thing was, listening to it made me feel oddly safe and calm…

Stroke, stroke…

「Kazunari-san, I went against my own nature to participate in this Miss Contest farce because I had a clear purpose, you know? It’s true that thanks to you, Mio-chan, and everyone else, I enjoyed it more than I expected… but still, I have come this far for this exact moment.」

Stroke, stroke…

When I’m hugged like this and have my head stroked gently by Sara-san, I just can’t say anything anymore. The feeling of happiness gets too strong and I just lose all my strength… Sara-san probably knows that happens to me, which is why she pulls「this」out in situations like this…

「Therefore, I cannot give in this time. But you must know well how painful it is for me to refuse a ‘request’ from you, Kazunari-san. And yet… you are being mean.」

「Ugh…」

Sara-san was right. It was a fact that I thought if I asked seriously, she might let me take this moment.

Normally, I’d never dream of doing something so sneaky… but this time, the content being what it was, I really didn’t want to back down…

I’m in a bind… what should I do.

「Kazunari-san. This is my own selfishness, and I am well aware that you have your own thoughts. But… just this once, could you let me have my way? Please…」

In Sara-san’s quiet voice as she talked to me, I felt a sign of her resolve, a sense of determination.

To begin with, it was really rare for her to speak to me like this… and that made it easy to imagine how much weight this moment held for her.

So… if Sara-san was going this far, maybe I should stop trying to force my way… I guess I have no choice.

「…Understood. I’ll go first then.」

「Yes, thank you!! I love you, Kazunari-san… chu.」

Chu.

The second my face was pulled slightly away from Sara-san’s heaven, I felt a soft sensation and a breath on my cheek. It only took a moment to realize it was a kiss, and I felt a lingering regret as her lips pulled away… then Sara-san’s eyes met mine, and she gave a happy, gentle smile.

「Fufu… honestly, Kazunari-san. We will continue this after we get home, okay?」

「Y-Yes.」

「Good boy♪」

When I nodded obediently, Sara-san pulled my head back in and started slowly and carefully stroking the back of my head.

Over and over, so gently. I felt such a wave of bliss that I wanted to leave myself to this comfort forever, to just stay like this.

「「 GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!! 」」

The thing that broke that perfect atmosphere was the usual massive scream from the guys… wait, now that I think about it, we were on stage!!

…Oh well.

It’s not like us doing this in public is anything new, especially today…

「Um… you two. I fully understand that you get along well, so could you please move the story along soon? If you keep flirting any more than this, the audience is gonna be a graveyard of corpses, it’s getting pretty bad…」

「You are right. I wish to hear your story soon as well, and I can hold Kazunari-san as much as I want once we are back home…」

While saying that, Sara-san secretly tightened her hug. When she does that, it makes it harder for me to find the will to pull away…

But seeing her this happy made me feel like I’d made the right choice.

「…Wh-Wh-Why him!? Satsukawa-saaaaaan!!」

「…That’s not Satsukawa-san!!! The Satsukawa-san I know wouldn’t kiss a man in public… K-K-KISSSSSSSSSS!?」

「…What are they gonna do when they get home!? Hey, what are you two gonna do!!??」

「…Stop it!!!! Don’t say it!!!!!!!!」

「…Aaaaah!!! I don’t want to imagine it!!!!!!!」

「Haa… I was worried during the sports festival too, but Satsukawa-san’s character has changed way too much.」

「Is that so? I haven’t been particularly conscious of it, though?」

「So this is Satsukawa-san’s true self… I was totally fooled.」

「Is there a problem?」

「No, no, nothing at all!! More importantly, have you reached a conclusion on who goes first?」

「Yes. Kazunari-san will go first…」

「I’ll speak first.」

「GOT IT!! Then staff, get the mic ready~」

At Minamin’s call, female staff members came running from the wings with a mic and other gear. They set up a large stand mic right next to me and then left after giving me a mysterious thumbs-up for some reason.

I mean, did they really have to put it right here… every little whisper is going to be picked up.

「Alright, everything’s ready!! Then Takanashi-kun, go for it!!!!!!!!!!」

「「 BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! 」」

Welcomed by a roar of boos that reminded me of a sports arena, I fully pulled away from Sara-san.

When we faced each other again, Sara-san had a somewhat tense look on her face as she waited for my words…

「BE QUIET!!!! I will not forgive you if you interfere with Kazunari-san’s words any further!!!!!!!!!!」

Silent.

The sweet atmosphere from before was gone.

Sara-san’s sudden roar, like a thunderclap, made the audience go as silent as a grave.

Sara-san gave the entire audience a glaring once-over, and then turned her gaze back to me, looking satisfied.

Sara-san… that was intense…

「Now it is quiet. Go ahead, Kazunari-san.」

「Y-Yes!!」

「Fufu… what is the matter? Oh, if you are still nervous, would you like me to hold you until you calm down…」

「Eh!? N-No, I’m okay!! Just listen as I am!!」

「I understand. But please, be sure to tell me if you need it, okay? Holding back is… a no-no, you know?」

「Y-Yes!」

I knew I was being completely swept along by Sara-san’s pace… but sadly, I didn’t hate this exchange. Actually, to be blunt, I was happy.

But right now, achieving the goal was the priority, so I had to switch my mindset here…

Alright!!

「Sara-san… it’s been about six months since you and I met. I don’t know if I should say it’s only been six months or it’s already been six months, but it goes without saying that it’s been the most dense six months of my life, by far. I threw away that town with the painful memories I didn’t want to remember and came to this city… I started living alone, attended this school where I knew no one… and I was in despair, thinking I’d never escape being alone here either. That’s why meeting you was so important to me, such a salvation…」

「…It was the same for me. Meeting you, Kazunari-san, changed my life completely until then. For me, who was constantly being approached by men I felt nothing but a burden and disgust for, your existence was a series of surprises. To think a man I would actually want to get to know, to want to become close with, would appear before me…」

「Thank you. Hearing you say that was the happiest, most fortunate thing for me. That’s why you were so precious to me… so precious that you were more important than myself. Back then, my feelings transcended the typical relationship of a man and woman, and I just simply wanted to do something for your sake. I just wanted to be the existence you were looking for. I truly thought that was enough.」

「Yes. I am well aware of that. You supported my ignorant self from my side for a long time. You accepted everything. And yet, I drowned in my own joy and fun, never seeing the essence of my own actions… and even then, you just stayed quiet and supported me…」

「No, that was my own happiness too, so I think it was a win-win for both of us. Besides, we’ve talked about this many times before.」

We’d already talked about those days and our feelings for each other many times. So me telling this now was more like a preparation phase for conveying my feelings again…

And also, I secretly wanted to make everyone in the audience realize just how strong our bond was.

「I’ve gone off-topic a bit, but so many things have happened in the six months since I met you. Every single one is an irreplaceable memory, and even now, I can remember them all clearly. Among them, the day I confessed to you was a very important and significant experience, where I conveyed the biggest feeling I have inside. That’s why it hasn’t faded, and it stays in my memory more than anything else.」

「You are right. The day you confessed to me is my greatest treasure in life. And it is the anniversary of the day I was able to tell you the precious feeling that blossomed inside me for the first time… so it certainly brings deep emotion.」

「Yes. That’s why… I have one regret.」

「A regret?」

I’d been worried about whether I could convey my feelings properly without a script, but I’d successfully managed to catch the flow of the conversation. Now I just had to put my feelings into words and tell Sara-san.

Don’t lose your focus now!!

「If that confession was the first big stage of my life, then the next confession is the most important stage of my life. I think it’s the biggest moment for me… as a man. But I ended up finishing it in a half-haphazard way, without any preparation or mood. It’s lacking that important, precious ‘something’ that the first confession had. And considering the content, and maybe this is just my conceit, but I think it’s just as important for you as it is for me.」

I didn’t want to use the word proposal yet, so I’d put it a bit indirectly… but Sara-san seemed to understand the meaning of my words perfectly, as she just gave several small nods without interrupting.

Now, it’s finally time.

I haven’t felt this much tension since the night I confessed to Sara-san. My body is shaking a little, but this is important.

Get a grip!

「Come to think of it, my first confession was in two parts too. This time is the same, and as a man, I’d like to say I should have nailed it in one…」

「Kazunari-san, that was my fault, so please do not speak that way. No matter what anyone else says, for me, you are a more reliable, more wonderful, manlier person than anyone else, you know?」

「Thank you. Anyway, I wanted to resolve that regret. There are other small reasons, but the main one is that I have feelings I want to tell you. That’s why… I came onto this stage.」

I shove my slightly shaking right hand into my blazer pocket and feel the object inside. Its hardness has a distinct presence in the narrow pocket… I feel like it’s urging me to take it out. But the second I show this, Sara-san will realize exactly what I’m trying to do. Thinking that makes the tension overflow all at once…

Calm down… it’s okay.

Alright… here goes!!

「Sara-san… I have this…」

Taking the plunge, I pull out the plain, simple red box. But its shape is unmistakable, and anyone could easily guess the contents at a single glance.

So… the moment Sara-san saw it in my palm, her eyes went wide. With a look of genuine shock, she put both her hands over her mouth…

「Ever since I met you, every day has been fun and happy, more happy than I can put into words. You are truly dear to me… and that’s why, from now on, in the future, I want to be with you forever. I want to walk through the life ahead with you. That’s what I’m thinking.」

I’m in trouble… it’s not that I’m moved by my own words, but my feelings for Sara-san are overflowing so much that my words are losing their structure.

And not just that, my tear ducts are starting to… just a little bit, but I can’t do that now or it’ll ruin the moment!!

So endure until the end… you’re a man, right!!!

「I want to stay with you forever. From now on, forever and ever… so…」

I step a little closer to Sara-san and slowly open the box sitting in my palm. Inside, of course, is the small ring I chose… the half-eternity proposal ring, sitting quietly with a clear presence and brilliance.

Sara-san… let out a small, short gasp.

「This is still a long way off, and I don’t know exactly when it’ll be yet. But that day will definitely, surely come. I’m certain of it. So even if people say it’s too early, I want you to accept this!!」

Staring into Sara-san’s eyes, I pour out all the feelings I have. I’ve already proposed once, so it might feel a bit silly…

Even so, I manage to convey my certain feelings that I couldn’t fully express that day because it was so sudden, even if it’s clumsy.

And…

While she keeps her mouth covered with both hands and listens to me in silence, in the corners of Sara-san’s eyes… little by little, little by little… tears appear, more beautiful and sparkling than the half-eternity ring in my hand, more than any gem.

They were truly… beautiful, radiant…

「Sara-san, please accept this. And… with me…」

Seeing Sara-san’s tears about to overflow, I feel my own emotions welling up… if I let my guard down, they’ll burst out all at once.

So… at the very least…

「In the future… please… marry… me…」

「Uh!?」

Wringing out every ounce of feeling from my heart, I savor each word… and put every bit of my soul into my voice.