Episode 396: The Day of the Party

Finally, the last weekend of the year was approaching, with New Year’s Eve just ahead.

Today, a joint party for the entire Saba Electronics group where Masaomi-san works was being held, and it was said to be a major party in the economic world with guests from various related companies, business partners, and even the chairman of the Nishikawa Group, who has had a relationship with the family for generations.

…I tried saying that based on Masaomi-san’s words, but even being told it’s the economic world or whatever, I’m not familiar with it at all, and honestly, I’m nothing but out of place. My true feelings were that I’m still full of nothing but anxiety about whether a regular person like me (and just a high school student at that) should be participating in such a party.

Well, at least the saving grace was that Sara-san, Masaomi-san, and Mayumi-san, plus Nishikawa-san, would be participating too, so it seemed I would be able to somehow avoid feeling too out of place for the time being.

「Are you forgetting anything?」

「Umm… I’m fine.」

So Sara-san and I were now heading to the Satsukawa house. After joining up with Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san, we’d head to our respective destinations. The schedule was to finish preparations while visiting various shops that were already reserved, and then meet up at the hotel where the venue was located.

Because of that, I woke up a little earlier than usual today and finished breakfast quickly.

「Well then, shall we go?」

「Yes. We still have a little time to spare, so let’s head there slowly while taking a morning walk… fufu♪」

Thinking about the party brought a flicker of anxiety to my mind, but I found comfort and healing in Sara-san’s smile, which was perfectly normal without any sign of being tense.

My long day is finally beginning.

「Welcome back, Kazunari-kun, Sara-chan.」

The moment Sara-san opened the front door of the Satsukawa house, Mayumi-san welcomed us with perfect timing as if she’d been waiting.

It’s not something that surprises me anymore, but I wonder if she really has some kind of sensor installed…

Wait, bloodlust!?

「Nfufu… look Kazunari-kun, a morning hug from Mother to her beloved son.」

「Guh!?」

Mayumi-san took advantage of the gap while I was completely off guard since it was still morning and suddenly closed the distance with her arms wide open.

But at that exact moment, before her hands could touch me!?

「I won’t let you!!」

I was suddenly pulled by two hands stretching from behind, and as I lost my balance and fell forward, Sara-san quickly swapped places with me as if to protect my whole body with her own.

Something very soft was pressed against me with quite a bit of force.

「Aww, Sara-chan, don’t be so mean.」

「Honestly… I can’t let my guard down for a second from the morning.」

「Nfufu… Mother’s love is open 24 hours a day, year round, you know?」

「That’s a shame. I’m the only one who pours love into Kazunari-san 24 hours a day, year round.」

Sara-san cut down Mayumi-san’s light remark and hugged me tight as if to say this was her privilege alone.

This battle between mother and daughter without any honor was already a regular occurrence. The only one who could stop it was… oh, by the way, I am hopeless at it. Because whenever I try to move…

「Fufu… please don’t worry, I will protect you, Kazunari-san♪」

Stroking…

「Ah…!? Sara-chan, that’s unfair!!」

See, this happens.

「Umm, so, can we start soon?」

An awkward voice broke in and although I cannot see his face (partly because I am afraid to look), the atmosphere seemed to relax a bit thanks to Masaomi-san.

But Sara-san didn’t seem like she was going to let go yet.

「Sara-san.」

「Yes.」

When I called her name and lightly tapped her back, Sara-san gave me a strong hug as if she were reluctant to let go and then slowly released her arms.

And I felt a pull at my heart seeing Sara-san’s sweetness, but I steeled myself and turned around. As expected, Masaomi-san was standing there looking at us with a faint smile.

「Good morning, Kazunari-kun.」

「G… good morning, Masaomi-san.」

We exchanged awkward greetings that felt like forced smiles.

「For now… shall we go inside?」

「That’s true…」

I wonder why it’s always like this at the front door… well, it’s because Mayumi-san starts it.

「Nfufu… well then, shall we have some tea right away?」

And the culprit who caused the commotion was acting at her own pace as if she didn’t care at all.

Peace reigns at the Satsukawa house today as well.

After a brief meeting at the Satsukawa house, we split into two groups as originally planned and got into the cars that came to pick us up. Masaomi-san and I headed to a boutique specializing in men’s fashion while Sara-san and Mayumi-san headed to a different destination since they had an appointment at a hair salon after stopping by another shop.

And finally, we were set to meet up at the hotel venue at the end.

「Thank you for your hard work. Please be careful when getting out.」

「Thank you. Well then Kazunari-kun, shall we go?」

「Y… yes. Thank you very much.」

After being swayed in a black large sedan that looked like a brand new car for about 30 minutes, we arrived.

Arriving at our destination, Masaomi-san and I thanked the driver who politely opened the rear door and got out. In front of us was a single shop… mannequins dressed in stylish formal wear were displayed in the show window, and through the glass, the interior looked like products were being「exhibited」like works of art. No matter how you looked at it, it was a luxury store that seemed like it had「Super」attached to it.

Even for a brand specialty store in a department store, I’d hesitate to step inside, so I wonder why Masaomi-san and the others, and even Nishikawa-san, choose shops that emit this unique「aura」.

「Welcome.」

「「Welcome.」」

The clerk standing in front of the shop opened the door with a polite greeting, and while the other clerks lined up inside bowed all at once in welcome.

「Hi, hello.」

Masaomi-san walked between them as if nothing were happening, not at all intimidated by the sight that would make anyone shrink back.

I felt like I thought the same thing before, but really, what is going on with this?

「Kazunari-kun, this way.」

「Ah, yes!」

While I was watching him in a daze, Masaomi-san, who had moved further into the shop, turned back and beckoned me with his usual smile.

And since the clerks around him didn’t move at all while standing in line, I guess they really can’t move unless I enter the shop.

「Welcome, Satsukawa-sama. Thank you for coming today.」

I worked up the courage to enter the shop and walked toward the center with Masaomi-san. A female clerk whose atmosphere was clearly different from the others came over with a wide smile.

Looking at her, she seemed to be… no, that would be rude.

「Hi, Kisaragi-san. I’m counting on you today.」

「Yes. I will do my absolute best to help you today, so please look forward to it.」

「Thank you. Well then, I’ll introduce him right away.」

Masaomi-san said that and lightly tapped the back of me standing next to him while laughing happily.

「This boy is Kazunari-kun, my cute son.」

「Eh… Is he your son? But… um, if you will excuse me, Satsukawa-sama only has a daughter…」

「Haha, you’re right, Sara is our only child. Well, I’d like to keep the details a secret for a bit longer, so for now can you just let it be ‘that kind of thing’?」

「…I see, understood. We are well aware of those matters, so please rest easy.」

「Yes, I am counting on you. That is why I chose this shop today.」

「Fufu… it’s an honor.」

The two of them exchanged a somewhat meaningful conversation. Masaomi-san nodded contentedly and Kisaragi-san gave a polite bow as if she were convinced.

Umm… that was an adult conversation just now.

「Oh, but one thing. Should I say ‘congratulations’ this time?」

「Hmm? What are you talking about?」

「My my… fufu, understood. Please leave it to me.」

Kisaragi-san gave a big nod as if she’d gained some kind of certainty at Masaomi-san’s deliberate feigned ignorance.

Well, I think it’s natural to be noticed after hinting this much, but considering he said this wouldn’t be announced until the day of the party, Masaomi-san’s comment about choosing this shop wasn’t just lip service.

「Once again, Kazunari-sama, welcome today. I am Kisaragi Kaede, the owner and manager of this shop.」

Kisaragi-san gave a polite greeting and took a small case from her pocket and handed me a card… a business card.

I took it with both hands while giving a slight bow as I’ve seen others do.

「I… I am Takanashi Kazunari. Sorry, um, I don’t have one yet…」

「No no, please don’t worry about it. All of us here are delighted to meet you, Kazunari-sama. We look forward to your continued patronage.」

As she said that, Kisaragi-san bowed deeply again, so I hurriedly tried to bow as well. But before I could, the other clerks all bowed deeply in unison.

No, isn’t this a bit too much… wait, I feel like I’ve seen this sight before. Are all shops like this?

「Haha, I often visit this shop for things like my formal wear. They’re very flexible and it’s useful in many ways.」

「I… I see. That’s why they’re so…」

「Yes. Kazunari-kun, you’ll have more opportunities like this in the future, so please remember it.」

「Eh? B… but for clothes like this, one or two should be enough…」

I don’t know much about it so I’m not sure, but maybe for work clothes like a business suit it’s different. But for formal wear where the opportunities to wear them are limited, shouldn’t one set be enough?

After all, unless there’s a size problem later.

「Haha, even if it’s formal wear it’s not just for weddings and funerals, so it doesn’t work that way. Besides, I want you to attend various events with me from now on, Kazunari-kun.」

「Umm…?」

He wants me to participate in various things… wait, are there a lot of events like this at Saba?

But now that he mentions it, I feel like my old man also had many opportunities to go out saying it was for work… though I’ve never seen him in formal wear.

「Fufu… it’s such a wonderful story I’ve overheard.」

「Hmm, I didn’t say anything, did I?」

「Please excuse me. That was just my own monologue, so please don’t mind it… fufu.」

「Haha…」

The two of them laughed suspiciously again and this time they both looked at me for some reason.

I think I understand why they keep having these suggestive conversations but really, is it necessary to be so vague about the fact that I’m becoming Masaomi-san’s adopted son?

「Well then, time is precious, so shall we get started?」

「Understood. We’ve gathered candidates based on the information we received in advance, so please leave the rest to us.」

「Yes. I’ll finish my own business as well, so I’m counting on you to take care of Kazunari-kun.」

「Understood. Well then, Kazunari-sama, please come this way.」

「I… I am looking forward to it.」

「Likewise.」

With Masaomi-san lightly pushing my back, I followed Kisaragi-san to a designated space. It was a booth where clothes were lined up on a large table along with various accessories and booklets.

Masaomi-san went to a corner in the back of the shop, so it seems I have to handle this on my own from here.

I suddenly feel nervous.

「First of all, I’ll ask if you have any preference for colors.」

「Umm…」

While checking the clothes on the table, I answered Kisaragi-san’s questions while trying to include my own opinions.

And so I began the task of dressing up in formal wear that didn’t seem to fit my station.

「Haa… that’s incredible.」

Shortly after arriving at the hotel for the party venue (I have never seen such a large hotel), Masaomi-san had to leave for an urgent matter.

Currently, I was sitting alone on a sofa in the lobby enjoying having nothing to do while people watching.

I was overwhelmed by the number of party participants coming in one after another and I felt anxious again about whether I should really be participating in such a huge party.

「Oh, that’s…」

Right now walking in front of me… though there’s quite a bit of distance… was definitely that girl.

Dressed in a glamorous dress, she looked like a high and mighty woman walking triumphantly with a smug face.

I wasn’t particularly doubting it but seeing her like that I reconfirmed that she really is a young lady of a wealthy family… well it doesn’t really matter though.

「Ah, good. You were here.」

「Eh?」

I noticed a man coming toward me but then he spoke directly to me.

Looking at him he seemed to be… about the same age as Masaomi-san or a little younger. He had his hair slicked back and wore glasses, looking like a capable businessman.

But naturally I had no memory… wait, hang on. I feel like I’ve met him somewhere before?

「Umm…」

「Haha, don’t you remember me?」

「S… sorry, um…」

「No no. Then… if I said thank you so much for that time, it was a huge help.」

「…Ah!?」

That’s right, I remember!! This person.

「Umm, the wallet?」

「Yes, yes. Good, you seem to have remembered?」

「Y… yes. Sorry about that.」

「No no, it’s my fault for not being able to thank you properly. I apologize.」

「No, not at all, you don’t need to thank me…」

That was just me turning in something I found to the police. Besides, I feel like I’m the one who should say thank you because that led to all these connections I have now.

「And… umm?」

「Ah, sorry. I haven’t introduced myself yet. Once again, I am Takenaka Yasuo.」

「Ah, that’s right, Takenaka-san! Sorry I couldn’t remember.」

Actually I didn’t just forget, I didn’t even remember the name.

I didn’t think it would turn out like this at the time and I’d put the business card away somewhere and completely forgotten it. But I haven’t thrown it away.

「So Takenaka-san is…」

「Ah, that’s right. I heard from the Executive Director about the Bocchan.」

「B… Bocchan!?」

W… wait a minute, what’s with the Bocchan!? Why so suddenly.

「Haha, I’ve heard various things about the Bocchan from the Executive Director. To think that time… wait, it would be bad to say more. Anyway, I also call Sara ojou-sama ‘Ojou-sama’ so if possible I’d like to call the Bocchan that as well.」

「Ehh…」

This person probably has his reasons but calling me Bocchan is just going too far.

I wish he’d just call me by my name more normally… but now that I think about it this person seems to have heard various explanations from Masaomi-san?

「Going back to the topic, I was instructed by the Executive Director to go check on the Bocchan.」

「Check on me?」

「Yes. It seems the Executive Director won’t be able to return for a while so he told me to stay with you until the wives arrive.」

「Ah, I… I see. That’s a help.」

To be honest, being thrown into a place where I don’t know left from right alone wouldn’t have been funny, so I’m honestly grateful for this.

「So right away, the start of the party is approaching, shall we head inside before the entrance gets even more crowded?」

「Eh? But Sara-san and Mayumi-san haven’t come yet?」

「Please rest easy as arrangements have been made to guide the Madam and the Young Lady to a different entrance. If they were to enter from here it could cause quite a commotion…」

「…Ah, I see.」

It’s true that Masaomi-san was rushed by various people for greetings after arriving at this hotel.

If Mayumi-san and Sara-san appeared in a crowd like this, it wouldn’t be strange for people who want to greet them to rush over. And considering the matter of the marriage interview, I feel like unnecessary people might flock to Sara-san too.

「Well then Bocchan, this way.」

「Umm… yes.」

「There are already quite a lot of people inside, so please follow behind me so we don’t get separated.」

「U… understood.」

I really wanted to tell him to stop calling me Bocchan, but right now I’m just anxious about how many people there are that could cause us to get「separated」.