Episode 409: The Players are Assembled

「W-why are you here, Hanako-san!?」

「My father is also a Saba employee.」

「Ah!?」

That’s right, now that she mention it, I’ve heard before that Hanako-san’s father… Tadao-san, is a Saba employee!

But if he was going to participate, why didn’t she tell me beforehand…

「My father never participated in the party until now, but this year it was decided suddenly because of his transfer.」

「I-I see.」

「Also, Kazunari seemed to have completely forgotten, so this is punishment.」

「Wait, that’s the main reason!?」

Setting aside her mysterious skill for reading my thoughts as usual, Hanako-san had a mischievous smile that was hard to see at first glance (but I could tell)… this was definitely on purpose. No doubt about it!!

「Honestly… if you’re coming, you could’ve at least sent a message right before, couldn’t you?」

「Since the wife also seemed to have forgotten, I intended to surprise you.」

「I didn’t forget. I simply thought you wouldn’t be able to participate due to circumstances.」

「Well, it’s true that the possibility of that was high.」

It seemed Sara-san had noticed properly… which meant I was the only one who had completely forgotten.

But remembering the workplace of a friend’s father is quite high difficulty, if I do say so myself. If anything, I wanted to say Sara-san did well to remember.

「So, where are the important ones, Tadao-san and Kayo-san?」

「My mother is staying at home. My father is…」

Hanako-san pointed behind her as she said that… and there was a group (just like the others) looking over here with interest, and among them was Tadao-san, looking at us with a worried expression… and the moment our eyes met, he started bowing repeatedly in a panic.

No, really, I’d like him to stop that…

「Umm… I should probably go greet him, right?」

「I suppose so. In this situation, it would be strange not to.」

「I don’t mind, but my father said it was impossible to come here.」

「Impossible?」

「He said the people gathered around Kazunari right now aren’t the kind of people a regular employee like him can talk to casually.」

「…Heh?」

Even if she said the people around me, setting Sara-san aside, there were only the members of Masaomi-san’s direct team, led by Takenaka-san… which meant.

「…I see. In that case, it seems better for us to go to him. Kazunari-san, what shall we do?」

「I’m fine with that. I’ll go talk to Takenaka-san for a bit.」

Regardless of Tadao-san’s circumstances(?), I should probably let Takenaka-san and the others know about Hanako-san…

「Bocchan, is this a friend?」

「Ah, yes. My…」

「I’m Kazunari’s older sister. Thank you for taking care of my younger brother.」

「「Eh!?」」

「Wait!?」

Hanako-san, who’d followed behind me for some reason, gave a greeting that subtly reminded me of someone… but wait a minute!?

「E-er, Hanako-san is a close friend of mine and Sara-san’s…」

「She’s just taking the position of Kazunari-san’s older sister due to some circumstances. She isn’t a real relative, so please don’t let it worry you.」

「H-huh…?」

「Umm…」

Even after hearing Sara-san’s follow-up explanation, Takenaka-san and the others still looked confused… well, it’s only natural since they don’t know the circumstances.

「A-anyway, I’m going to go greet Hanako-san’s father now.」

「Ah, well, in that case, we shall accompany you?」

「No, the thing is… well.」

This was a problem. How should I explain it?

Bringing the people he was desperately trying to avoid… or rather, show restraint toward, would be nothing but harassment.

「Haha, please rest easy. We won’t do anything so forward. We’ll just stay a little distance away and secure the perimeter around the Bocchan and the others.」

「Ah…」

Whether he sensed what I wanted to say or not, if Takenaka-san said so… it should be okay for now?

Besides, if something happened while we were alone, it might end up troubling Takenaka-san and the others anyway…

「I understand. Then…」

「Yes. Please don’t mind us.」

I sent a confirmation signal to Sara-san as well, and she returned a silent smile… I’ll just interpret that as her saying「It’s okay」.

「Kazunari, this way.」

Once our talk was over, Hanako-san started leading the way looking somewhat enthusiastic… as we started walking, Takenaka-san and the others immediately surrounded us as they had before, completing a group that once again monopolized the attention of the surrounding area.

In contrast, Tadao-san (and the people around him) was making an appeal with a desperate expression while waving his hands toward us, as if he felt fear rather than surprise… mmm, maybe I messed up a bit.

「Father, Kazunari wants to say hello.」

Hanako-san spoke to Tadao-san while semi-ignoring his gestures, and Takenaka-san and the others immediately dispersed at that timing.

And Tadao-san, seeing that situation, began to look so flustered it made me feel apologetic, along with the people who seemed to be his colleagues…

「W-wait a minute, Riko!」

「It’s okay. The other people will not talk to you.」

「No, that’s not what I meant…」

「Hanasaki-san, this is…」

「E-eh, what’s…」

「Hey, hey, you’re kidding, right? What is this…」

「S-sorry, I just thought I’d come say hello…」

「N-no, no, there is no reason at all for Takanashi-san to apologize…」

As always, Tadao-san’s attitude toward me was respectful… but now I felt like I could somewhat understand the meaning behind it, including Takenaka-san’s「Bocchan」treatment.

「Umm… anyway, it’s been a while.」

「L-likewise, it has been a long time. And…」

While Tadao-san was greeting me, he glanced at Sara-san next to me with a fearful look…

「It has been a while for me as well. I’m always grateful for Riko-san’s help…」

「Eii!? N-no, no, likewise, for the Young Lady to always take such great care of my daughter…」

Tadao-san looked terrified, to a degree that was on a different dimension from his respect toward me… and for some reason, the colleagues (presumably) next to him also continued to silently bow their heads.

「Fufu… that isn’t the case at all, you know? Both Kazunari-san and I are truly grateful to Hanako… Riko-san.」

「…Right. Especially me, I’m always being looked after, so I feel apologetic instead…」

「I don’t mind. It is only natural for an older sister to look after her younger brother.」

「Ugh…」

I knew Hanako-san was saying that as a follow-up, but… she really did mean「look after」, didn’t she.

「It’s just a figure of speech, so don’t mind it. You know I’m doing it because I want to, right?」

「Well, yeah…」

Of course I knew that… although whether I should nod honestly at that was another matter.

「As for me, I can’t give my full approval, but I’ll turn a blind eye as long as it stays within acceptable limits.」

「Yes, I understand.」

「Then that’s fine.」

It seemed the secret agreement (details unknown) between Sara-san and Hanako-san was still in effect, as they nodded meaningfully to each other…

Mmm…

I guess this really is a conversation I shouldn’t be hearing.

「So…」

「It’s okay. I have explained the situation to my father.」

「I see.」

「Yes, I have heard the story from my daughter, so please rest easy.」

I hesitated for a moment about how far I should talk, but it seemed Tadao-san was aware of the lines that couldn’t be crossed at this point… so it should be fine as long as I keep the talk harmless.

「However… not to bring up the subject again, but along with Takanashi-san himself, I have caused much trouble for the Young Lady regarding my daughter…」

「No… this is a matter between us, and it’s a fact that there are parts where we’ve been helped, so there is no problem. Besides, as I told her just now, I will turn a blind eye as long as she keeps to the minimum line.」

「…I am very sorry.」

Tadao-san told Sara-san that one thing with an apologetic look and bowed deeply… in this kind of situation, it’s truly pathetic that I can’t think of anything to say.

「Fufu… anyway, please raise your head. In the first place, as long as Kazunari-san himself has accepted「that」, I have no intention of saying anything more. Except for one point, as long as you don’t invade my territory… that is.」

「Y-yes. I believe she is well aware of that… right, Riko?」

「It’s okay. As long as I can be Kazunari’s older sister, that’s enough. A younger brother’s happiness is an older sister’s happiness.」

「…If that’s the case, I have no problem with it either.」

At Hanako-san’s words, as she looked straight into Sara-san’s eyes and stated them clearly without hesitation…

And at Sara-san’s spirit in accepting it, I could only feel deep gratitude.

「…ery sorry…」

「…o, just a bit of a talk…」

「Nn?」

「…It’s getting noisy.」

「A fight?」

I noticed a noise that was ruining a perfectly touching scene, and Sara-san and Hanako-san, who seemed to have noticed it too, turned toward it with slightly annoyed looks… and right there, people who seemed to be in a dispute with Takenaka-san and the others were raising their voices… what?

「…So, as I’ve explained many times, a meeting with the Bocchan is impossible without the Executive Director’s permission…」

「Takenaka-kun, I just want to have a light talk with him, you see?」

「If you’re going as far as calling him Bocchan, just what kind of person is he…」

「Hey, that boy with the Executive Director’s daughter…」

「My apologies, there is nothing I can say regarding the Bocchan.」

「Bocchan!?」

「Wait, that only makes me more curious.」

「Sorry, but I’d like a word with the Young Lady…」

「My apologies, we are currently declining all meetings with the Young Lady.」

「Please, somehow. I am Yosuki…」

「Wait, I was first…」

「Whoa…」

「Sigh… another nuisance.」

It was no wonder Sara-san murmured that with annoyance. Before I knew it, a crowd had gathered around us again… and this time, there were older men and ladies who didn’t seem to be there for Sara-san, and based on the conversation I could hear…

「Kazunari, you’re popular.」

「No, no, I’m not happy about it at all… wait, are they really after me?」

「That’s right. If there’s a young man within the Satsukawa family, attention will naturally gather there.」

「It seems that because the insect repellent isn’t here, curious people have swarmed in.」

「Insect repellent…」

Setting aside who that insect repellent referred to, I never expected that kind of attention to gather on me… no, I should say my awareness was too naive.

「My, my, quite a festival we have going on here.」

「Mayumi, this isn’t the time for such leisurely talk, is it?」

「Father, Mother…」

「Masaomi-san… Mayumi-san too.」

Appearing there… with perfect timing, were Mayumi-san, who gave me a wink while looking at the situation with interest, and Masaomi-san, who gave a small sigh while scolding her.

And with their appearance, a new wall of people trying to get closer to them was born, and it felt like the people who’d been arguing with Takenaka-san and the others were starting to move too… this is seriously chaos.

「Sorry to keep you waiting. The talk with Uncle took longer than expected.」

「That’s because you kept saying unnecessary things, isn’t it?」

「Oh, he tried to test my cute son, so it’s only natural to caution him, isn’t it?」

「You call that「cautioning」? It was more like a threa…」

「Masaomi-san, did you say something?」

「N-no, it’s nothing.」

Mayumi-san cut back sharply with an unnatural smile where her eyes weren’t smiling at all… or rather, they felt dangerous. Masaomi-san shut his mouth in a hurry…

Mmm… I wonder what on earth happened in the talk with Great-uncle.

「B-by the way, this girl…」

「Nfufu… it’s been a while, Hanako-chan?」

「It’s been a while, Mayumi-san.」

But upon seeing Hanako-san, Mayumi-san’s expression changed instantly. This time, she wore a genuine, full-faced smile. Hanako-san exchanged greetings with her own happy smile… though I’m sure most people wouldn’t be able to tell.

If I remember correctly, the last time these two met face-to-face was at the parents’ visitation?

「Hmm? Mayumi knows this girl?」

「Of course I do! She’s Kazunari-kun’s classmate and a close friend to both of them. Plus, she’s someone involved in that incident…」

「Nice to meet you, Satsukawa-senpai’s father. I’m Hanasaki Riko.」

「Eh, a-ah, nice to meet you, young lady. I am Satsukawa Masaomi, my daughter is always… nn? Hanasaki?」

Masaomi-san, exchanging greetings with Hanako-san for the first time, suddenly looked at her as if he’d noticed something… then he turned his gaze toward Sara-san next to me, wearing a thoughtful look…

「Father… she is「Hanasaki」-san.」

When Sara-san said Hanako-san’s surname as if to emphasize it, Masaomi-san nodded deeply as if everything made sense…

Eh… what was that just now?

「I see, so you are the one…」

「…Thank you very much for your help back then.」

「No, no, I have no idea what you’re talking about?」

「…I see. But please let me at least say thank you.」

The two of them exchanged a conversation that was far too meaningful, and Hanako-san gave Masaomi-san a small bow… or rather, what was that conversation even about?

「U-um… E-Executive Director Satsukawa…」

「Nn?」

The one who spoke to Masaomi-san with a look that was the very definition of「timid」was the person who’d been watching the situation from a bit ago…

「N-n-nice to meet you. I-I am Hanasaki Tadao from the Development Section of the Information Systems Department…」

「Ah, so you are Hanasaki-san. Nice to meet you, I am…」

Since it was also their first meeting, Masaomi-san exchanged greetings with Tadao-san in a slightly reserved tone, but this one didn’t feel strange at all… so it seemed there was something about Hanako-san personally.

「Nfufu… I’ve been wanting to have a proper talk with Hanako-chan once. I feel like we aren’t strangers somehow.」

「Me too. I’ve been wanting to have a proper talk with Mayumi-san once.」

「Is that so? I’m happy to hear that.」

These two were being strangely friendly… and it was quite impressive to see Hanako-san being so positive about wanting to talk to Mayumi-san…

「Fufu, it’s a bit of an interesting picture, isn’t it? My mother and Hanako-san…」

「Y-yeah. But right now…」

Right, the only problem was the current situation… while we were casually doing this, the sight of Takenaka-san and the others struggling was forced into my vision, and considering the current state of being surrounded by this many people, we couldn’t just stay relaxed like this.

「Executive Director, do you have a moment?」

「What is it?」

Suddenly, a man rushed in looking a bit panicked and spoke to Masaomi-san. Masaomi-san tightened his expression and interrupted the talk…

「Managing Director Hoshino is…」

「…I understand. I’m sorry, Hanasaki-san, we’ll continue this talk another time.」

「N-no, please don’t mind me.」

He suddenly cut off the talk with Tadao-san, gave Mayumi-san a look, and then both of them turned toward us.

He just said「Managing Director」, right?

But wasn’t that Yamanashi person the Managing Director…

「It seems the actors are all here.」

「Now, it’s finally beginning… are you two ready?」

「Y-yes.」

「I’m ready.」

Being ready felt like a bit of an overstatement, but this seemed to be the signal to start… it meant that「that」, which could be called the main topic of today for us, was finally about to begin.

Ugh… I’m starting to get a bit nervous.

「Fufu… with this, we can sweep away all those fools who look down on Kazunari-san.」

「And the memorable first step in Kazunari’s brilliant life.」

「Heh?」

Sara-san was joyfully saying something subtly unsettling, but Hanako-san’s expression felt a bit too exaggerated… a brilliant life?

「Nfufu… the time has finally come to announce Kazunari-kun to the world as my cute son♪」

「Mayumi… you aren’t wrong, but hasn’t the point shifted slightly?」

「What are you talking about? Masaomi-san, you’re going to declare Kazunari-kun’s position properly, aren’t you?」

「Well, that’s true, but…」

Masaomi-san looked a bit taken aback by Mayumi-san, who seemed to be bursting with excitement…

By the way, it was only now that I was finally starting to get a sense of reality… the fact that Takenaka-san and the others were calling me Bocchan, that everyone including Tadao-san was being so humble toward me, and that they were going to make a grand announcement at a party for such a massive company by creating a dedicated slot for it…

I was starting to realize that becoming Masaomi-san’s adopted son meant I might be treated on the same level as Sara-san, who was treated as the「Young Lady」.

But I still felt like I was overlooking several major elements… mmm?

『Attention to everyone in the venue. Today’s special guests have just arrived, so we will now proceed with their introduction. We apologize for the interruption, but we ask for a moment of your time once again.』

An announcement rang out through the venue. Special guests… based on the timing, it went without saying that it referred to the arrival of Nishikawa-san and her father, just as planned in advance…

「Well then, shall we head closer?」

「Nfufu… Kazunari-kun, Sara-chan?」

「Yes.」

「Understood.」

Now, finally…

The main event of the day begins.