Episode 348: After the Festival + α

Kusahara Yutaka POV

「…That is the end of my report.」

I finish explaining the details of the incident while an atmosphere twenty percent… no, fifty percent more tense than usual hangs in the air.

The President, who has been listening in silence, wears a harsh expression I rarely see.

「I know it’s not like you are directly responsible… but could you not have stopped her?」

「My deepest apologies. In that situation, there was nothing I could do…」

「…I see. Well, there is no point in talking about what has already happened. Right now, our priority is deciding how to move forward.」

「Yes. At this point, there is a possibility that Managing Director Satsukawa will ask for a detailed report.」

Judging by the Managing Director’s behavior back then, the chance of him actually asking for one is fifty-fifty. Still, considering the future, it seems better to move proactively.

「If that is the case, I suppose we must discipline her, even if only for appearances.」

「Yes. However, rather than disciplining Rena without a word, we should have her explain her reasons. Both for our response to the Managing Director and because, looking at her behavior on that day, she seemed to be acting abnormally.」

At the very least… there is no doubt that the Rena I saw that day was far removed from the person I know. Not just the way she showed such malice toward others, but I can’t believe she… a girl with even a little social experience… would take such a hardline stance against an opponent who is clearly above her.

「True. But still… the situation is just too bad this time. Of all things, she picked a fight with the young lady right in front of Managing Director Satsukawa and his wife… even though I told her so many times not to cause trouble.」

「…To be honest, I can’t believe it either. But it is a fact.」

「Goodness… what a headache. If we are glared at by the next Chairman and the founding family, it could potentially have a massive impact on the very existence of our company. And now a fiancé for the young lady has appeared too?」

「Yes. To be honest, I couldn’t believe that either… but Managing Director Satsukawa acknowledged it clearly, so it is undoubtedly the truth. He said they would announce it at the year-end party.」

「…I never expected that young lady, who is famous for hating others, to get a fiancé so easily. And it’s not like her parents forced it on her, right?」

「Yes. That was clearly a marriage of love… an engagement. And the young lady was the one who was far more proactive… from the look of things, it wouldn’t be surprising if she pushed her way through to a student marriage…」

It’s a story that is hard to believe… but to think the young lady famous for hating men would fall that hard for a guy and go straight to an engagement.

Or perhaps as a parent, he hurried because he didn’t want to lose the person his daughter finally fell for… no, that is impossible for Managing Director Satsukawa. He would never fail to understand what kind of position his daughter’s husband will hold in the future.

「…She is that invested in him. Honestly, I wanted you to do your best, but…」

「I am sorry. However…」

「Yeah. If they’re going all the way to announce it at a party, then the man must have a certain amount of persuasive power… or we can assume he has it. I can’t believe Managing Director Satsukawa would allow his precious daughter to date some nobody. More than anything, if the wife is welcoming him with open arms…」

「Yes. I’ve never heard of an executive named Takanashi, so I suspect he is the son of someone with a major connection outside the company. Or perhaps someone related to the Nishikawa Group.」

It goes without saying that the person who marries the young lady will be the top candidate for the group’s next-next Chairman. But a mere lover would never be enough to satisfy the line of executives… let alone those who were plotting to arrange a marriage between their own sons and the young lady. Especially when you consider it as a firm… as a corporation…

But…

Managing Director Satsukawa’s side surely understands that much too.

「I see. Well, either way, we should improve our relationship early. The problem is that approaching the young lady carries too much risk…」

「Yes. If we contact her directly, we will undoubtedly draw further anger. Besides, the young lady shows an almost excessive reaction to any malice or ulterior motives directed at her fiancé. At this rate, if we do anything reckless toward the boy too…」

「…Then we really might invite a situation we can’t recover from. And that talk would reach the Satsukawa couple immediately… and it’s not hard to imagine we would be pursued further as fools who plotted something no good, right?」

「Yes. Therefore, how about we wait and see with the fiancé for a while, and take a stance of giving him grand support in case of an emergency? Fortunately, only a few people should know this fact… which means a commotion at the party is guaranteed. If we become his ally first when that happens…」

「Then we make a good impression on the Managing Director and his wife, the young lady, and the future Chairman candidate too… is that it?」

「Yes. It is a well-known fact that contacting the young lady is high risk, but surely no one will realize that contacting the fiancé is even more dangerous. If so, there will be many simple-minded people who will move to try and curry favor immediately…」

The young lady likely positions her fiancé clearly above herself in her heart. So if someone shows ulterior motives or malice toward that fiancé, there is no doubt they will buy her even more intense rage and distrust.

And considering the fact that he is openly acknowledged by the Satsukawa couple… our response to that man should be the most careful, cautious one possible. If we contact him with a light heart, it’s not hard to imagine the situation becoming unrecoverable in an instant.

「Hmm… this was a major loss, but depending on our follow-up with the fiancé, it might be entirely possible to turn it into a plus.」

「Yes. It’s fortunate that we could judge the response to the fiancé early. If we had aimed for a simple contact or currying favor without knowing this, we would have invited an unrecoverable result this time for sure.」

「Right. Then as our future policy…」

「First, regarding the fiancé, we will wait and see until the party. And on that day, we will stay close enough to move quickly… but since we might be suspected, we will keep contact to the level of a greeting until the opportunity comes. After that…」

「Rena… right?」

「Yes. Even if she is not willing, let us have her apologize directly to the young lady and the fiancé. This is one of the absolute conditions. Otherwise, we will not be able to find the first opening to make contact on that day.」

If the person herself has not apologized, there is no meaning in us showing our intent to apologize. By starting from there, I can finally create the trigger to begin a conversation.

And by doing so, even if we act a bit humble, the chance of being suspiciously questioned becomes lower… that is the plan.

「Understood. Then I shall hear the details from her immediately.」

「Please leave it to me first. If that is still not enough, then I will ask you to step in, President.」

「Very well. But make sure you do not ruin things by rushing. Our company’s fate could change greatly depending on how this matter turns out, after all.」

「Yes. I am well aware of that. Well then…」

That said…

In reality, I wonder if things will go that smoothly…

Rena’s case especially feels deeper than expected… or like there is one more hurdle.

I felt like I sensed something like that from her figure.

I hope I am just overthinking it…

「Morning.」

「Morning.」

「Good morning.」

When we arrive at the convenience store where we meet every morning, the only one waiting for us is Hanako-san. Come to think of it, I believe Natsumi-senpai said she wouldn’t be able to come for a while because she was busy with her club?

「It’s okay, I came at the last second so I haven’t been waiting that long.」

「Oh, that’s good then.」

Apparently, she easily saw through what I was worried about for a second. It’s nothing to be surprised about anymore… as expected of a Big sister.

Sharp as ever.

「It’s a waste of time to just stand here, so let’s go. We can talk while we walk.」

「You’re right. Let’s head out.」

「Yes. Let us go.」

Since there are three of us today, we walk along the school route in a triangle formation, with Hanako-san walking in front of us.

Of course, my position is on the side of the road… I’m not trying to look cool, but no matter what anyone says, I won’t give this up.

But more importantly right now…

「Somehow… I feel like we’re being watched more than usual today?」

Right… I’d been a bit concerned about it on the way here too, but the people around us are staring so blatantly that I can’t help but notice.

The intersection with the convenience store especially is a merging point for school routes… so the number of students commuting increases all at once here, meaning the number of stares has exploded too.

「Naturally. Until now, they thought that we were just together, or that Kazunari and the Wife were just related through the Student Council…」

「Now that they know we’re fiancés, we’re drawing attention in a different sense… is that it?」

「Exactly. So Wife, stop that annoyed expression.」

「I am sorry, it just happened…」

It’s not that Sara-san was glaring at those around us… but I’d noticed she was looking visibly displeased…

But with this situation from the very start, what’s going to happen once we reach school?

I’m a little bit scared to even enter the classroom.

「Wife… I think you know this, but even if you are asked something in class…」

「I understand without being told. I have no intention of talking about things related to our private life. I mean, there is no way I would do such a thing, right?」

「………」

「What is it?」

「…An oblivious natural is the worst kind.」

「…?」

Hanako-san gives a slightly fed-up look to Sara-san, who is tilting her head cutely.

She then sends a meaningful look my way… I mean, I know exactly what Hanako-san is trying to say, but that’s just part of what makes Sara-san cute.

「…Baka-couple.」

「Wait!?」

「I don’t know how you reached that conclusion, but we’re always on good terms, you know?」

「…Haa.」

Hanako-san lets out a deep, deliberate sigh and sends another meaningful look my way. It is like she’s saying,「Don’t say I didn’t warn you」…

Well… it’s true that a lot of my embarrassing stories were exposed on the Miss Contest stage, but top-secret matters like the bath were okay… plus, Sara-san’s class has a reliable stopper.

So… it’ll be fine.

…Probably.

As we get closer to school, we are exposed to more and more curious and shocked stares. Among them are some jealous looks directed at me… but those vanished quickly under the threatening glares from Sara-san and Hanako-san… yet once we pass the school gate, it all overflows, and stares from everywhere pierce us.

「…Haa… I can’t believe those two are engaged.」

「…Hey, look at Satsukawa-san’s left hand!? She’s really wearing a ring!!」

「…Aaaaah, what a shock… I wanted to believe that thing on Sunday was a dream or a hallucination…」

「…So this is reality… dammit!!」

「…Hmm… that Satsukawa-san is engaged… I still can’t believe it.」

「…Haa…」

「…What’s up?」

「…If that isn’t a dream, then it means the thing about Hayato-kun isn’t a dream either.」

「…Oh, that talk.」

Sara-san and Hanako-san seem to have decided to completely ignore the gallery of students who are whispering as they watch us from a distance… but to be honest, it’s driving me crazy.

「Kazunari, there’s no end to it if you worry about everyone around you.」

「Kazunari-san, if it is unpleasant, I shall eliminate all of them…」

「N-No, it’s fine. let’s just go quickly.」

For a second there, I thought I saw a dangerous light in Sara-san’s eyes.

That’s really not a joke, so the best thing is to just get moving… yeah.

When we enter the entrance, the crowd increases even more… or rather, instead of here, for some reason people are gathered around the bulletin board, and a scene I’ve never seen before is unfolding there.

And on that bulletin board, a massive piece of paper… the school newspaper, larger than I’ve ever seen, is sticking out and posted on the wall. The headline written in such large letters that it can be read easily even from this distance is…

The headline is…!?

「The Lonely Goddess’s Sudden Engagement Revelation!!!!! Her Partner is Vice President Takanashi Kazunari!!!!!」

……Wh-what the (omitted).

「Aaaaaah!!! Satsukawa-san is here!!!!」

「Whooooo, it’s the husband and wife pair!!!!」

「Congratulations, Satsukawa-san!!!」

「Wooooah, be happy!!!!」

「Hey, hey, are you really engaged to Takanashi-kun!? Are you really getting married!?」

「T-T-Takanashi!!!!!!!! I’m so jealous, you bastard!!!!!!!!」

「Dammit, give us back our Goddess!!!!」

「Uoooooh, Satsukawa-san is…!!!」

A commotion that’s starting to feel like a pattern begins, and we’re surrounded in no time. I can’t even get to class because of the obstacle known as a human wall!?

I mean, again!?

「Hey Satsukawa-san, what’s the deal with that!!??」

「Even if you ask me, it is a fact that I am engaged to Kazunari-san. Marriage is a little further off, but naturally, we shall do so when the time comes.」

「「 KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! 」」

「「 GWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!! 」」

And then comes the usual massive screaming…

I understand that it’s a sign of how popular Sara-san is and how much attention she draws… but this is getting so repetitive I’m actually getting sick of it…

「Wife, if you deal with them properly, the noise will only grow. It’s a hassle, so…」

「Wife!!??」

「Wife, as in Satsukawa-san is Takanashi-kun’s wife!!??」

「Kyaaaaaaa, what is with that way of calling her!!??」

Aaaaagh…

Again, the feeling that things are going to get out of hand is rising…

「What is this noise!!! Everyone, get to your classrooms right now!!!」

「「Ugh!!!」」

Suddenly, a shouting voice cuts through the din, and the crowd vanishes like baby spiders scattering.

Once I can finally see around me, there is one teacher standing there… I know the face, but I actually don’t know the name.

「Thank you, Yamada-sensei.」

「No thanks needed, you all get going too. If you stay here, you’ll just be surrounded by another group.」

「You are right. Well then, please excuse us.」

「Thank you very much.」

I offer my thanks along with Sara-san’s bow, and Yamada-sensei(?) gives a slightly embarrassed nod before leaving.

Could it be he actually saved us?

「Now then, let us head to our classrooms as well.」

「It’ll be a hassle if we’re surrounded again. Kazunari, let’s go to class quickly.」

「Right.」

To think a commotion would start as soon as we arrived… I’m starting to feel like it’ll be hard to spend today in peace. For now, the next hurdle is definitely the classroom… but the guys in class already know about us.

I want to believe it’ll be okay…

I split off from Sara-san at the usual spot, and we head toward our classroom as usual. But on the way, Hanako-san suddenly pulls my sleeve and leads me to a place where no one is…

That sounds like it could be misunderstood, so we arrive at our usual hidden spot, a stair landing that isn’t normally used.

What happened all of a sudden?

「Hanako-san?」

「There’s still a little time, so I will give you a lecture now.」

「A l-lecture?」

「I told you I had something to say about the matter Kazunari spoke of at the Miss Contest, right?」

「Ah…」

Now that she mentions it, I think Hanako-san did say something like that…

But that matter was strictly about the past, and I’m not thinking about that at all now… wait, that is that, and this is this.

「I know you said it for Marina’s sake. But it is absolutely a no-no. Promise me you will never say anything to put yourself down again.」

「…You’re right. Sorry. I won’t ever say it again.」

「Good. Reflect on it.」

Hanako-san keeps tugging my sleeve, making some kind of persistent appeal. When I pair that with the word reflection, I can guess the meaning of her actions…

Well… I guess I have no choice.

「I’m sorry.」

When I honestly bow my head, Hanako-san starts stroking it as if she’s been waiting for this. Her small hand slides over the top of my head over and over, making me feel ticklish both physically and mentally…

「If Kazunari says sad things, it’s not just the Wife who gets sad. I… and everyone else, will feel sad too. I think it was unavoidable this time, but I don’t want you to ever say something like that again.」

「I know. I’ll never say it again.」

I don’t want to talk about things that make Sara-san wear that sad expression ever again either. I think it was unavoidable for those two this time, but I really do have feelings of regret.

「Good… as long as you understand. Kazunari, good boy.」

「No, it’s not something to be praised for…」

「Fufu… good boy, good boy.」

Stroke, stroke…

Hanako-san wraps her arms around my head as if to hug it, and strokes it gently in that state. It’s not like I’m being pinned down or squashed, but I just can’t seem to pull away… I know Hanako-san is hugging me out of her kindness as a Big sister…

「…Even if I tell you not to care about the voices around you, I know it’s not that simple in reality. I don’t intend to tell Kazunari to have confidence without any basis. But I want you to remember. At least… there’s no one around Kazunari who cares about appearances. The Wife loves everything about Kazunari from her heart. I also, as your Big sister, adore everything about Kazunari. This is not flattery at all, it is my true heart.」

Squeeze…

The strength holding my head increases slightly.

The meaning of what Hanako-san is trying to tell me… her feelings… I feel like they are being transmitted to me through the parts where we’re touching…

「Kazunari has the Wife. He has me. He has everyone. It doesn’t matter what the other idiots say. So…」

「…It’s okay. I said it at the Miss Contest too, but I really don’t care anymore. It’s true that I used to care and I suffered for it… but I have Sara-san… and everyone now.」

I told Sara-san this at the Miss Contest too, and it’s my true heart without any lies.

Certainly… especially around the time I started spending more time with Sara-san, I thought to myself that I didn’t care about the voices around me, but in reality I think I did care after all.

But now… that sort of thing doesn’t matter.

I’m doing this for my own self-satisfaction.

To aim for the version of myself I admire.

That’s all it is…

「Good. Do not ever forget that.」

「Yeah. I’m really okay now. And…」

「And?」

「…I have a dependable Big sister too, right?」

「Kazunari…… yeah.」

Stroke, stroke… stroke, stroke…

Hanako-san holds my head firmly and continues to stroke it gently over and over with her small hands.

I feel like the emotion of joy is being transmitted through her movements.

「If you become anxious or something sad happens, tell the Wife immediately. She would be much happier than if you hide it and push yourself. But… if it is truly hard to tell the Wife…」

Saying that, Hanako-san tightens her hold on my head again… but the strokes filled with her feelings continue as they are…

「Then I want you to consult me anytime. If it is my cute little brother’s talk, I welcome anything.」

「Hanako-san… thanks.」

I’m a truly happy man…

Being loved by Sara-san, the world’s number one woman…

And being cared for like this by the world’s number one Big sister…

「That’s all I had to say. Now then…」

「Ah, we should probably get to class…」

「Since it is a rare opportunity, I will dote on my little brother until the last second.」

「…Hah?」

「I have been busy lately… and with the lack of skinship with my little brother, this Big sister is dissatisfied.」

With a firm grip, Hanako-san locks my head with a strength I could never imagine from those cute hands.

As if she has no intention of letting me escape… with such a firm hold, it looks like she won’t let go unless I shake her off by force.

What should I do…

「…U-Um, Hanako-san?」

「No problem. Another ten minutes is fine.」

「No, I didn’t mean it that way…」

「It’s okay. Since you can’t count the ceiling… just count the stains on the floor…」

「Wait!? A girl shouldn’t say things like that!!!!」

W-wha!?

What am I about to have done to me!?

What’s going to happen to me!?

「Hanako-san? I have Sara-san, the precious woman I’ve decided on in my heart…」

「Kazunari… so cute.」

「Wait, hang on!?」

After this, I was messed with… and so on.

Well… I was just being doted on normally, though… yeah.