Episode 403: What Is Lacking

「I’m perfectly aware that I lack everything!! Sara-san says it’s not like that, but I don’t think I’m a match for her at all!! Studies, sports, but above all, as a man, I am not a match for Sara-san!!」

My true feelings, which I had kept buried deep inside until now, came pouring out of my mouth one after another, regardless of my will.

If Sara-san ever found out I was thinking like this, I knew it would definitely make her sad, so I vowed never to say it. Instead of dwelling on my pathetic self, I told my heart to put in the effort to improve even a little.

「That is why I swore to do everything I can right now without rushing!! For now, I will just do my best in my studies and aim solely for the university I promised Masaomi-san I would enter. Then, while attending university, I will study Masaomi-san’s work bit by bit and strive to become a member of Saba in the future. And one day!!」

「…And one day?」

Chairman-san watched me intently as I continued to talk about my vision for the future at the top of my lungs, without regard for shame or reputation. He did not look at me with mockery or cold eyes. He just watched… as if holding his breath.

「I found a goal for the future, that I want to be a man like Masaomi-san. Of course, that is partly for Sara-san’s sake, but I seriously want to become that for myself too… So, I will put in my full effort to follow in Masaomi-san’s footsteps and become my ideal self, even if only a little.」

「…I see. Then, what about Sara?」

「I said it before, but I believe that will ultimately lead back to her. When I get closer to my ideal self and can one day stand tall and say that I am a man worthy of Sara-san… that is when I will have you correct your words from earlier!!」

「I see. So it turns out that also leads to loving Sara with everything you have… I understand well. That was a truly fine declaration of resolve.」

「…I am sorry, I got a bit too excited.」

Chairman-san’s reaction was so unexpected that I was caught off guard. My composure returned instantly, followed by a surge of intense embarrassment.

In the heat of the moment, I said everything I had not intended to say. Ugh.

「Hahaha, you don’t need to be shy. I felt a passion befitting a young person, and yet it was a wonderful, logical declaration of resolve. Your calm response earlier was worthy of praise, but this is far more magnificent.」

「Umm…?」

The Chairman was wearing a happy smile again, making me wonder what all that earlier nastiness was about. What was going on?

「I see, I see. You want to be a man like Masaomi-kun. I see. It’s not just because you want to look good for Sara, nor are you just drifting along with the situation like many young people these days. You have a firm grasp of your goals and a stance of working hard for Sara’s sake as well, right? Yes, yes, that is a very good answer. It’s quite something to think that far at your age.」

「Um… Chairman-san?」

「Ah, sorry. It was less about testing you and more about wanting to hear your true feelings. There was no room to doubt that you and Sara love each other, but your career path is a different matter.」

「…Huh?」

I couldn’t believe my ears at the shocking words that came out of Chairman-san’s mouth.

Tested…? He tested me? Could it be that…

「…Chairman, if you were going to do something like that, you should have told me beforehand.」

「Hahaha, if I had told you, it might have leaked out immediately, right? To deceive your enemies, you must first deceive your allies… that is the standard rule.」

「…Sigh. This is bad for my heart.」

Judging from the conversation, it seemed Masaomi-san had not been told about this either. But wait, that is not the point!!

「Um… by any chance, I…?」

「My apologies. I wanted to hear your true intentions regarding your thoughts on the future. I had already heard various stories from Masaomi-kun and the others, as well as Sachie-san, but you are still a high school student… I thought you might just be playing along with the conversation just to keep your current relationship with Sara. Or perhaps…」

「I see… well, at first, there was certainly a feeling of just going with the flow or the momentum…」

Especially at the very beginning, when Mayumi-san talked to me about the engagement over the phone, it was almost all momentum. I just made a snap decision based on my belief that I would never hesitate for Sara-san’s sake.

「That’s only natural. You’re still a high school student, and it would be impossible to expect you to think that far into the future. Furthermore, having grown up in an ordinary household, you probably would not have had that level of consciousness instilled in you during your education.」

「Ah… my family was relatively hands-off, or rather, they felt like they respected my will.」

「I see. Well, since the result is a young man like you, it means your parents’ policy was not wrong, does it not?」

「I-I wonder?」

I didn’t think it was such a big deal. I felt like I was just using my old man as a negative example, but whatever.

「Anyway, I have heard all of your true feelings. I understand well that your future path is a firm one that balances the pursuit of your ideals with Sara’s sake. It’s quite something to think that far at your age. Moreover, your mental strength is remarkable. Not only did you not back down an inch against me, but you were able to suppress your anger and respond calmly even after being so blatantly provoked. If this had been the child of an executive, their unnecessarily high pride would have gotten in the way, and the conversation would not have reached this point.」

「…That talk just now did not sound all that great. I just don’t have confidence in my current self and I know that anything I say I will do lacks persuasive power… that’s why I said until I can prove it.」

What I said earlier was the truth I usually keep in a corner of my heart and a vow that is still far from being practiced.

I never intended to tell anyone. Of course, I did not intend to tell Sara-san either. Because I know she would definitely get angry if she knew I was thinking that… and it would make her sad.

「Hahaha, that’s exactly why I say don’t be so modest. It’s truly interesting that you understand your situation so calmly and can even speak your mind without putting on airs or bravado. Moreover, you don’t seem intimidated by me at all. It seems you have gained a lot of experience that doesn’t match your age.」

「…I just think I am pathetic, though.」

「That’s fine for now. People with unnecessary confidence tend to deny things out of spite or brag about what they can do without having even tried. And in the end, they rely entirely on those around them. If they fail, it is everyone else’s fault. If they succeed, it is thanks to themselves… how transparent.」

「I-Is that so?」

The way he was speaking suddenly started to feel very profound. Did he have some personal feelings about what he was saying?

「Oops, sorry. I said too much. Anyway, the important thing is confidence backed by solid ability, not thin confidence that comes from pride or vanity. Those are the kinds of people who blame others when they fail to escape responsibility, and they lose credibility as a result. That is why the humanity to look at your own situation calmly and make a positive effort is also necessary.」

「…Yes. I think so too.」

「It’s also a problem if you have too little confidence, but in that case, you just need to work hard to gain it. Especially once you enter society, there are countless scenes where you must say you「can」even if you lack confidence. In your case, the courage to step forward aggressively even while hiding that side of yourself will be even more necessary… but you seem like you will be fine in that regard. That declaration of resolve to me earlier was quite something.」

「Ahahaha… earlier I just got a bit heated in the moment, or rather, I just got stubborn about everything.」

Thinking back on it, did I not act quite big toward the Chairman of a massive corporation? I just got heated because he denied Sara-san.

「So, Chairman, in the end…?」

Masaomi-san, who had been watching the conversation without interrupting much, finally spoke to the Chairman as if he were losing his patience. Come to think of it, what happened with the original topic?

「Ah, my goal was successfully achieved, so there’s no problem. I now clearly understand that he has a firm eye on the future and has decided to follow you with clear goals. I also understand well that he’s not just drifting along with the situation just to stay with Sara. I had to confirm that first, otherwise it would lead to serious trouble later.」

「I believe I had already reported that point to you properly…」

「Hahaha, that’s true, but I wanted to confirm it for myself. Besides, you probably couldn’t have drawn out his true feelings from deep inside. For better or worse, his mental strength doesn’t seem to match his age… he must have gone through some quite significant experiences.」

「…!」

I caught my breath at the Chairman’s final murmur.

How could he tell that much from just that interaction? Or rather, it was surprising that he could analyze me as a person to that extent from that conversation.

As expected of the Chairman who oversees a giant corporation representing this country.

「Haha, rest easy. I have no intention of prying into your private life to that extent. However, do not forget that those experiences have resulted in your charm.」

「Yes… thank you very much.」

My past experiences are my charm now…

Honestly, I had never thought of it that way, and no one had ever said that to me, so it was an eye-opener.

I guess there is that way of thinking too.

「Mmm, a good answer. Hahaha, as expected of Sara. She caught a truly interesting young man. He is a type that didn’t exist at all among the people I could introduce around me. This will be fun.」

「Chairman, the expression「caught」is…」

「Oops, was that a slip of the tongue? It’s true that Sara is someone far removed from such calculations… but because of that, she has a troublesome personality in a sense, as she won’t even look at someone she doesn’t truly recognize.」

The way the Chairman described Sara-san as if he were genuinely enjoying it was very much to the point. It was a sign of how well he understood her.

I see, the talk about him thinking of Sara-san like his own grandchild seems to be true.

「Now then, once more, Takanashi Kazunari-kun. I am Satsukawa Shoji… I’m the one serving as the Representative Director and Chairman of this Saba Group. …Even if I am ill-suited for it.」

「Chairman, that is…」

「It is a fact. I’m not cut out for such a role to begin with. I only took over this position as a fill-in for my brother. It was decided that I would hand over the position to the proper person when the time comes, and I accepted on that basis.」

「Umm…?」

Just when I thought it was finally going to be a proper greeting, the Chairman and Masaomi-san started a meaningful conversation. I didn’t know how to react.

For now, I also knew the story that the current Chairman took over the role like a pinch-hitter.

「Ah, sorry. I assume you have heard this story, but anyway, because of those circumstances, I’m just a man sitting in the chair called「Chairman」for the time being. That said, I’m still the official Chairman. Once again, I look forward to working with you.」

「Y-yes. Once again, my name is Takanashi Kazunari. I look forward to working with you too.」

I quickly shook the right hand the smiling Chairman held out and gave a polite bow along with a simple greeting.

Damn, I stumbled over my words a bit.

「Hahaha, don’t be so formal. I’ll be your relative in the future, after all. You can just call me「Uncle」or「Great-uncle」casually. If that is hard to say, even「Mister」is fine, you know?」

「Eh? B-but Masaomi-san calls you「Chairman」…」

「In my case, there are matters of public and private life. Just for reference, Mayumi calls the Chairman「Uncle」and Sara calls him「Great-uncle」, you know?」

「Eh? Ah, then I will go with Great-uncle too.」

I’m simple, but if Sara-san calls him that, I want to call him that too… or rather, there probably is not any other choice anyway.

「Hahaha, then it’s settled. Though in your case, once you join Saba, you will probably need to separate public and private life just like Masaomi-kun.」

「Ah, right. Hmm, in that case, maybe it is better to call you Chairman after all…」

「Well, you can just respond flexibly as the situation requires. I don’t want my newly gained grandson-in-law to treat me like a stranger, after all.」

「I understand. Then, Great-uncle it is.」

I did have some conflict about whether it was really okay to call the Chairman of a giant corporation that way. But Sara-san calls him that, and above all, if the person himself says it’s okay, then it’s fine, right?

「Haha. Now that we have successfully decided on how to address each other… first, let me start with a thank you.」

「A thank you?」

「Yes. In the incident with Yamasaki Industry, we were greatly indebted to you.」

「Ah, then, then when you said「the incident」earlier…」

「That’s right. If that had spread and spread and reached Saba… if by some chance someone involved here had been exposed, not only would our company’s image have been ruined, but the impact would have been immeasurable. Especially since it involved damage to minors, the damage overseas would have been severe.」

「I… see.」

At the very least, I never heard the name Saba mentioned in that incident. But since it was an organized effort, the fact that such a large company vanished in an instant was a huge event.

And the one who led that was none other than myself…

「…You don’t need to worry. That was a seed they sowed themselves. They got what they deserved.」

「I know. I also think that I did… that something unbelievable happened, but I don’t regret it.」

That was just how things turned out in the end. I just did what I could in my own way. And that was the conclusion reached at the end. If I had not done that, there was a possibility that my precious Sara-san would have been… because of me. So I don’t regret it at all.

However…

「But I did all of that for my own personal reasons. The past I wanted to forget came back, and I had to do it to break free of it this time. Otherwise, it felt like it would affect Sara-san… and everyone around me too.」

That was strictly for my own sake, and while it also meant protecting Sara-san, all of that was my fault to begin with. If my relationship with her meant she would be involved, then preventing that was also my responsibility.

「So, there is no reason for the Chairman to thank me for that incident.」

「Even if that is so, it does not change the fact that we were saved as a result. So no matter what you say, this is an unshakable fact.」

「Kazunari-kun, I might have said this before, but even if it was for personal reasons, it’s a fact that we were saved thanks to you. And saying thank you for that is only natural. There is no reason for you to feel hesitant, you know?」

「Masaomi-kun is right. I would understand if you refused a monetary gift as a thank you, but… well, I will think of something for that another time. Judging by your reaction, you would probably just firmly refuse if I did that now.」

「Of course I would!!」

I have no right to be thanked to begin with, so receiving money on top of that is out of the question!!

Firstly, I did not act for the sake of something like that.

「…I understand. Then, I will just accept your feelings.」

「Please do. Actually, it’s not a story that can be settled with just feelings, but we will leave that for another day.」

「No, um, I really don’t need anything.」

「Hahaha, when you refuse that much, it just makes me want to do something for you even more. It’s only human nature. Especially since you are the partner of my cute granddaughter…」

「That’s true. I haven’t given him a proper thank you for this incident either… since he protected my cute daughter.」

「Hey now, if it’s that kind of thank you, then leave it to me. For my cute granddaughter…」

「No, no, this is my role as her father. Even if you are the Chairman, I can’t yield…」

「Therefore, I will…」

「No, I will…」

「Um…」

Somehow, before I knew it, they had pushed me aside and started competing over who gets to dote on Sara-san more.

But as I thought, the story that the Chairman dotes on Sara-san like a real granddaughter was true.

「Oops, sorry. Anyway, let us talk about that another day.」

The Chairman, noticing I was looking at them with unreadable eyes, coughed a bit and concluded the topic. Well, it would be rude to keep refusing after being told all that.

「Yes. But really…」

「It’s okay. I will not give you a thank you that will trouble you, so you can rest easy. After all, Sara would get angry at me if I did that, right?」

「That’s right. If we do anything to trouble Kazunari-kun, Sara will turn her anger toward us without any jokes… in fact, Mayumi has already been outmaneuvered several times.」

「Oh, for that Mayumi to be outmaneuvered, that makes the future something to look forward to. Though if she is that strong-willed, he might end up under her thumb.」

「Haha, I don’t think we need to worry about that. In fact, Sara seems to be practicing making Kazunari-kun her first priority.」

「…Yes. Sara-san truly cares for me… so I want to… for her too.」

Since Sara-san prioritizes me to the maximum over herself…

Making Sara-san my maximum priority is only natural for me.

「I see… haha, what a fresh and heartwarming story. Still, to think a man who could capture her heart to that extent would appear.」

「Yes. I also doubted my own eyes and ears at first… but once you see the two of them together, I think you have no choice but to recognize it, Chairman.」

「I recognized it from the start, you know? After all, if he is the only man that Sara found herself, there is no room to doubt that he is no ordinary person. Not to mention the Yamasaki Industry incident, and even Sachie-san and Chairman Nishikawa…」

「That’s true. Once all those conditions were lined up, I had no choice but to wave the white flag immediately.」

Masaomi-san and the Chairman laughed together while looking at me as if they were genuinely enjoying themselves, saying such things with deep emotion.

「Anyway, with this, the search for Sara’s partner has successfully concluded. That means next… it’s your turn, right, Masaomi-kun?」

「Chairman?」

「Originally, I was only a fill-in until you took over for my brother. It should have been decided that I would step down from the stage when the time comes. Considering external factors, we should at least resolve the situation of holding dual roles as soon as possible.」

「…Chairman, that talk is.」

Again, a meaningful conversation between the two started out of nowhere, and I didn’t know what to do. Even if I knew it was not something for me to butt into, was this even something I should be hearing?

「It’s not necessarily right away. However, when the project you are currently working on is successfully finished and solid results are achieved…」

The Chairman said that much and tightened his expression.

「I intend to formally announce you as the next President.」

He stated it clearly.