Episode 379: Future Plans…

Lunch break…

I’ve finished off every bit of Sara-san’s top-tier bento and now I’m thoroughly enjoying a relaxing time over some post-meal tea.

Casual conversation flourishes with everyone, and the flow of the talk eventually shifts to what happened yesterday…

「So, what happened in the end anyway?」

「I reported that on RAIN, didn’t I?」

「I know that already!! The meaning comes from hearing it from the people involved themselves!!」

「Hehe… I understand. Please don’t get so excited, Natsumi.」

「Gugh… you…」

Sara-san giggles mischievously while watching Natsumi-senpai grimace in frustration. I can’t help but smile myself at Sara-san’s adorable behavior…

「Hey, do something about your wife.」

「Wha!? W-Wife…」

Natsumi-senpai quickly catches on and suddenly turns her anger toward me.

But for me, seeing Sara-san having a good time is one of my happinesses… so stopping her is just out of the question, yeah.

「You stupid couple.」

「Why!?」

「Natsumi. I won’t allow you to trouble Kazunari-san.」

「Don’t you start, you’re the one doing it!」

Sara-san casually paints Natsumi-senpai as the perpetrator and immediately moves to back me up.

And Natsumi-senpai, showing her frustration at being toyed with again, shoots a glare at me that says「Just do something about it!」…I’m scared of the consequences later, so I guess I’ll wrap this up now.

「Um… as I reported on RAIN, the discussion between our parents ended safely. We’ve given our regards to each other, so Sara-san and my engagement is officially decided.」

「Ehehe, I’m so glad for you, Takanashi-kun! Congratulations to you too, Satsukawa-senpai!」

Todo-san rejoices at my report as if it were her own news.

Her usual pure and direct smile is so charming it makes me smile just looking at her…

「Congratulations, Kazunari. Now it’s a straight shot toward the future.」

「Thanks, Hayato. But well, it doesn’t really feel like anything has changed for me yet.」

「Well of course. You two are already like an old married couple, so it doesn’t mean much even if you tell us the engagement is official now.」

「Hehe… you won’t get anything even if you praise us that much, you know?」

「I’m not praising you. You really have a screw loose. Did you turn into a dummy after getting together with Takanashi-kun?」

「Even if I did, if it’s a change that Kazunari-san brought about, I am more than satisfied.」

「No hope for this one.」

「Hehe…」

It’s completely like pushing on a wall of water. In front of Sara-san, who turns everything related to me into joy, Natsumi-senpai’s sarcasm is utterly meaningless.

And since she glares at me again without learning her lesson… Sara-san softly pulls me close, immediately entering a defensive posture… hmm… I was a bit cold, so it’s warm.

「But speaking of the future, Kazunari, you’re going to university, right?」

「Yeah. I’ve already decided where to go, and since the meeting ended safely, my future path is basically set. Now it’s just a matter of working hard on my studies.」

I never imagined that my future path would be decided this early… but for the sake of a future with Sara-san, I’ll push through whatever it takes with all my might.

「Sigh… ‘work hard on studies’ is a phrase I never want to say as long as I live. Ah, now you’ve gone and reminded me of the final exams.」

「Honestly… I always tell you that you wouldn’t have to worry if you just studied regularly, don’t I?」

「I’m in a sports club, so it’s impossible!!」

「Sigh…」

Sara-san lets out a long sigh at Natsumi-senpai’s outrageous logic, which is a regular occurrence by now.

It’s true that sports clubs have the disadvantage of being busy with activities, but there are still people who achieve solid grades… wait, I thought exactly the same thing before.

「If you aren’t going to study… what will you do for your career path, Natsumi-senpai?」

The one who finally joined the conversation was Hanako-san, who had been eating her cute bento until the very end. She eats at a slow pace, so she’s always the last to finish.

「Hmm? I’m aiming for a sports scholarship, so I’m fine as long as I can secure the minimum grades.」

「Sports scholarship… I see.」

「Hoh… but for Natsumi-senpai, aiming for a sports scholarship definitely feels like a possibility.」

「Hehe… actually, there is already talk about that for Natsumi.」

「Oh, really? That’s amazing.」

I don’t know what level is required for a sports scholarship, but for Natsumi-senpai, whose name appears in the national high school tennis rankings, it makes perfect sense.

「Um… Yuzuki-senpai, what kind of future goals are you thinking about?」

The one who suddenly asked that question was the other half of the angels, Todo-san, who had been listening to us in silence.

It’s true that now that she mentions it, I don’t think I’ve heard about Natsumi-senpai’s specific plans for the future either…

「…I’m certainly curious about that as well. How are things on that front, Natsumi?」

「Eh? I, well… I’m thinking about it, I guess.」

Asked the same thing by Sara-san, Natsumi-senpai for some reason struggles to find words and fidgets restlessly. Moreover, she looks somewhat embarrassed… or shy?

…Wait, don’t tell me!?

「Don’t tell me, Natsumi-senpai… are you going to marr… Yuji?」

「I’m not like you two, there’s no way I’m thinking that far ahead yet!!」

「R-Right.」

W-Well, I guess not.

Even I know that my current situation and way of thinking are far removed from those of a「normal high schooler」…

「…Is it really such a strange thing to think about marriage with the one you love?」

「I’m telling you, it’s special to think about that at the high school stage!! Especially from you who hated men until about six months ago!!」

「Hehe… when you put it that way, I suppose I can’t talk.」

Sara-san brushes it off with an amused laugh after being called out by Natsumi-senpai.

It’s true that if she brings up how things were before we met, I guess it can’t be helped that Sara-san gets told that…

「Ah… Natsumi-senpai, are you by any chance considering a corporate team?」

Not that he’s necessarily trying to help, but as fellow tennis club members despite the gender difference, Hayato interjects, having noticed something.

But a corporate team…

「Ah, ahaha… you figured it out?」

「Yeah. If you’re going to keep playing tennis, I think that’s a realistic path to consider. Or you could aim to go pro.」

「Pro is a stretch… I’m not exactly that confident in myself, and I think aiming for a future where I can balance work and tennis is probably the most realistic path.」

「There is no need to be shy about that then. In fact, you should stand tall and state that goal proudly.」

Hanako-san strongly validates Natsumi-senpai’s thoughts as if to give her a push.

It’s so like Hanako-san to be clearly serious about supporting her without any teasing…

As you know, those two are quite close, so maybe that’s part of why she wants to support her in earnest.

「Hey, Hayato-kun, what do you have to do to become a pro tennis player?」

「Ah, I’d like to hear that too. I assume it’s not like scouts in pro baseball.」

If it were baseball or soccer, you hear about people getting scouted even from high school club activities, and if you become famous at a national tournament, the flow of being recruited by various teams is easy to understand. Or you enter a training facility for your desired team…

But for tennis, where individual events are the focus, I guess that doesn’t happen.

「Let’s see… to explain it simply, you take courses set by the tennis association, then you apply for pro status, and if you’re recognized, you become a pro… I guess that’s about it?」

「Eh? Is… is that all?」

「Yeah. Well, the “if you’re recognized” part is the key, but the procedure itself is relatively simple.」

「Hoh… I see. But if that’s the case, wouldn’t Yuzuki-senpai have a good chance?」

It’s true, just as Todo-san says, even if the「if you’re recognized」part is an unknown factor, I also think it’s not impossible if Natsumi-senpai works hard.

But of course, she must understand that best herself…

「Ahaha… thanks, Todo-san. But becoming a pro tennis player and making a living as a pro aren’t necessarily the same thing, you know?」

「Is that so?」

「Yeah. For example, a pro baseball player has a salary the moment they join a team, right? Even if they’re treated as a developmental player, they still get a salary from the team, and since there’s a dormitory, their life foundation is solid. But a pro tennis player basically pays for everything themselves, so unless you sign a contract with a company, you can’t even handle your activity funds. And to do that, you have to become a suitably famous player.」

「Eh… then, how do the other people get money…」

「That’s why… until you reach that level, you have to work hard at securing other sources of income, including finding individual sponsors. Or you work as a coach somewhere. Either way, you have to work hard at other things just to keep playing tennis. If I had connections like that, I might be able to clear some of those issues, but…」

So that’s how it works. That’s why becoming a pro and making a living as a pro are two different things.

Since it’s primarily an individual activity, I guess you have to find all your income sources yourself…

「For people who still want to do it professionally, there’s no other path but to dive in and get moving… but in my case, as long as I can play tennis, I’m okay even if it’s not professional. Plus, you get a salary on a corporate team.」

「Ah, I see. So it’s like combining a hobby with practical benefit?」

「Exactly. A corporate team is like a company club activity, so to speak, but if you join a solid one, you won’t have trouble with funds. And there are even players who belong to corporate teams while having professional contracts. The environment is completely different from just playing tennis as a hobby, you know?」

「Whoa… I see… I learned something!」

「Me too. But in that case, the career path is…」

I feel like I have a general idea of the future image Natsumi-senpai is looking for after that explanation… but to establish that, she needs to find a job at a company that meets those conditions.

「Right. So with that in mind, I’m planning on going to a university that’s strong in tennis, first of all to build up a track record.」

「So that’s why you’re aiming for a sports scholarship.」

「Exactly.」

「So the university you’re choosing is a sports-based one…」

「No, I don’t plan on going to a sports university. I’ve already decided on my target, keeping future job connections in mind. It looks like they have a quota for tennis scholarship students too.」

「Hoh… by the way, which one…」

I didn’t quite understand the bit about future job connections, but if it’s a university that meets all of Natsumi-senpai’s conditions, the number of candidates can’t be many… right?

Moreover, in that case, there’s a possibility it’s quite a distant university…

「Hehe… the university Natsumi is aiming for is the same one we are going to.」

「Eh?」

「Hey, wait a minute, Sara!! Why are you the one to say the most important part!?」

「It’s Natsumi’s fault for being pointlessly coy, isn’t it? I won’t allow you to make Kazunari-san anxious.」

「…You husband-obsessed girl.」

「That is a compliment to me, you know? More than anyone or anything, I have nothing more precious than Kazunari-san.」

「Ugh, even insults don’t work on you. You really are an annoying woman.」

「Hehe… when it comes to Kazunari-san, I have no openings.」

「U-Um…」

I could tell just by looking that Natsumi-senpai was glaring at me, but I was really at a loss for how to react.

Of course, I had no thoughts other than being happy about Sara-san’s feelings, but if I declared that openly, we’d be branded a stupid couple… oh, that’s just normal for us.

「Even if there are no openings, there is still plenty of “liking”… or so.」

「Who asked for a pun.」

I was frustrated with myself for reflexively responding to Hanako-san’s mutter. And it was even more frustrating to see that nasty smirk return to her face.

「That is slightly incorrect.」

「What’s incorrect?」

「To describe my feelings for Kazunari-san, “liking” isn’t nearly enough.」

「No, that’s enough. Just shut up already, you stupid couple.」

Man, if we were going to be treated like a stupid couple anyway, I should have just joined in from the start… wait, no.

「G-Getting back to the topic, so that means Natsumi-senpai is aiming for the same university as us?」

「Yeah. I was torn, but I figured it’s better to choose an advantageous university when thinking about the future.」

「Future…」

She said that earlier too, but does that mean she’s thinking beyond university… even about a job?

Well, regardless of the reason, it’s still good news that Natsumi-senpai will be at the same university.

「I see, Natsumi-senpai is aiming for Saba’s…」

「Correct! As expected of the first-year ace Hayato-kun!」

「No, Saba’s corporate team is famous with a capital F. But I see, that kind of path…」

「Hayato?」

Hearing Natsumi-senpai’s answer, Hayato suddenly shows a gesture of thinking about something.

What happened all of a sudden…?

「S-So that means Satsukawa-senpai and Yuzuki-senpai are going to the same university, right? And Takanashi-kun too…」

「That’s correct. Since it’s decided that Kazunari-san and I will be taking the same path, and now that Natsumi is coming too.」

「Ah, by the way, I intend to go to the same university too.」

「Hanako-san!?」

I let out a loud shout of surprise at Hanako-san’s sudden revelation.

I never expected even Hanako-san to be considering the same university… but does that mean…

「It’s fine. I decided this after thinking seriously about my own future in my own way, so you don’t need to worry about it, Kazunari.」

「Um… Takanashi-kun hasn’t even said anything yet?」

「This is a passive skill sisters have.」

「Oh, I see.」

No, no, that’s definitely wrong.

That kind of passive skill doesn’t exist for average big sisters!

Wait, that’s not it!!

「By the way, I have it too. However, mine is a completely superior version, so no one can mimic it.」

「R-Right.」

「Um… Sara-san?」

Sara-san’s insight (limited to me) is already at the level of a superpower psychic ability, so maybe it’s not strange that such a skill exists… after all?

Well, whether it’s Hanako-san or Mayumi-san, I think having skills limited to me is quite a waste.

「Hehe… when it comes to Kazunari-san, I won’t lose to anyone.」

「You’re right. You understand me better than I understand myself, Sara-san.」

「Yes♪」

Proudly, happily… Sara-san gives a big nod at my answer, her face covered in a full smile.

Being loved so devotedly by Sara-san makes me truly nothing but a lucky man.

「Ignoring that stupid couple for a second… you decided on your career path too, Hanako-san?」

「I decided recently. I looked into that university and it has many job recommendation slots, so it makes sense in that way too. Plus, if I enter the same university as Kazunari, I can back him up without reservation. There is no better option.」

「Ah… this overprotectiveness is the same as always. But well, without Hanako-san, there would be no one to keep these two in check.」

「Setting aside the wife’s rampage, leave backing up Kazunari to me.」

If Hanako-san had chosen her school strictly just to match my path, I would have voiced a complaint right here… but if she decided after thinking it through that thoroughly, I have no reason to interject.

And to be honest, there’s also the feeling of being happy that Hanako-san chose the same university…

「I can’t let the word “rampage” go unheard. Are you suggesting that I would cause trouble for Kazunari-san?」

「If you aren’t aware of it, it’s even worse. At least show a bit more moderation in public…」

「That is an impossible request. In showing my affection for Kazunari-san, there is no reason for me to care about what others think every single time.」

「No hope for this one.」

Romance should be grand, without a shred of shame…

This is Sara-san’s motto, and that’s why she always throws her feelings straight at me. She shows her affection. She expresses it.

And I find that Sara-san truly beloved… and I’m so happy.

「And Takanashi-kun doesn’t seem to mind it either? You two really are a matched couple.」

「Hehe… Kazunari-san and I are so in love♪」

Even against a completely fed-up Natsumi-senpai, Sara-san doesn’t look deterred at all.

But that can’t be helped. This is just our stance.

「Hmm… if Satsukawa-senpai and Yuzuki-senpai go to the same university, and then Takanashi-kun and Hanako-san enter the same one too… and the future jobs too…」

「Hmm? In that case, why don’t you aim for the same university too, Todo-san?」

「Eeeh!? B-But with my grades…」

「Hehe… it’s only the second term of our first year, so if you start working hard now, you’ll make it in time, you know? A scholarship might be difficult, though…」

I haven’t heard Todo-san’s grades specifically, but I’ve heard they’re average. And just as Sara-san says, even if a scholarship is tough…

「Marina-san, I’m going to work hard too, so let’s work hard together!」

「Eh? Hayato-kun?」

「After hearing Natsumi-senpai’s talk, I wanted to aim for that university too.」

「Eh!?」

「H-Hayato!?」

To have Hayato decide his school here too is just moving way too fast.

This was supposed to be just a casual talk… is this flow really okay!?

Since it’s about the future, I think we should take more time to decide carefully…

「I-Is it really okay? I’m happy if I can go to the same university as Hayato-kun, but…」

「T-That’s right, Hayato. This isn’t something to decide so suddenly…」

「It’s fine. I’d been thinking about it vaguely, but to be honest, Natsumi-senpai’s talk was really helpful.」

「Eh…」

Natsumi-senpai’s talk was helpful?

Does that mean… Hayato too?

「Ahaha… well, I also think it’s possible for Hayato-kun. But if you’re aiming for it, why don’t you just go for pro?」

「I don’t want to hear that from you, Natsumi-senpai. I’ll send that right back to you.」

「Ugh…」

Hayato shoots back with a refreshing smile and sends a wink our way as if to say「Gotcha.」

I don’t know if it’s unconscious or a habit, but because he naturally does things like that, it’s no wonder girls make such a fuss over him… anyway, more importantly.

「I-Is this really okay? This…」

「Why not? If everyone decided on their school after properly thinking about the future, I don’t think there’s any problem.」

「If you decided on a school strictly out of inertia, it would be a problem, but if each has a goal, it’s fine. At least I have something I’m aiming for beyond that.」

「I have a clear goal of assisting Kazunari-san throughout the future, so I have no reason to hesitate.」

「I also have a clear idea now for what I’d been thinking about vaguely, so now I can decide my path without hesitation.」

「I don’t have a grand goal like everyone else, but I think I want to go to university if it helps even a little bit with future employment. Plus, I’d be very happy if we could all stay together from now on…」

…Todo-san finally concludes, spilling a bashful smile while looking somewhat embarrassed.

But that opinion is something everyone… though they don’t say it out loud… surely feels, that they hope they can stay together with everyone like this forever.

「Now then, if that’s decided, the talk about career paths is over! First, the upcoming Christmas…」

「That’s fine, but Natsumi, first the final exams…」

「I told you not to remind me!!」

「Hahaha.」

「Hehe…」

Everyone only has a「goal」for now…

But this just makes me fire up even more.

So first, let’s work hard on the upcoming final exams!!