Episode 98: The Raid

「Er, so you’re saying you’re looking after Takanashi-kun because he can’t use his right hand due to his injury?」

「Satsukawa-san, you’re so kind to even make him a bento.」

Lunch ended and as I was taking a breather, it turned into question time for Sara-senpai.

「I, I see, so those were the circumstances.」

「Still, even if it is only while he’s injured, I’m jealous of you, Takanashi.」

They were saying light words, but these people’s eyes were not smiling.

I think it is impressive how they can suddenly join in on the women’s conversation after they were just muttering among themselves as if escaping reality.

「They often say there isn’t much difference between making for one person or two, but it must be tough when it suddenly becomes two portions, right?」

「? No, it has always been for two people, so it is not a sudden change.」

「Oh, is that so? Were you making them for your family or something?」

The conversation was flowing in a terrifyingly bad direction and my heart was pounding. I felt like it was only a matter of time now.

In times like this, the theory is that the President should read the room and interrupt the talk by saying「Let’s get started soon,」but he is definitely keeping quiet and smirking on purpose.

「No, until now, the bento on school days has always been for Takanashi-san and me.」

「「「「…Huh?」」」」

It’s over…

But we’ve already done all sorts of things in the student council room, so I just have to think it’s too late now…

「You’ve been making Takanashi-kun’s portion all this time?」

「Yes.」

「Were there some circumstances?」

「No, I simply wanted to make them for him.」

「Why did you want to make them?」

「I am happy when Takanashi-san is pleased.」

Ooh… p, please stop already… I cannot endure any more of this public humiliation…

「「「 Heh~ 」」」

The women were looking at us with incredibly lukewarm eyes.

And the men were wordlessly grabbing onto me. Of course, they weren’t doing it for real, but could you please stop shaking me so openly just because you think you aren’t being watched?

「…I will not forgive you even as a joke if you do not stop soon.」

Senpai, who had been talking peacefully with the women, suddenly turned around and pierced the men with a sharp, expressionless gaze.

「「「…We are terribly sorry.」」」

…I wonder when she noticed them…

「Well then, it seems things have settled down, so let’s get started.」

The President, who had been watching closely until everything ended, spoke up as if he’d seen enough.

…Given the incident with the sports festival commentary, I should probably get back at this man soon… I’ll tell Natsumi-senpai that he’s being a nuisance by teasing me.

「Today’s talk was about the regional volunteer cleaning that we do every year around this time…」

When the President said that much, he looked at my right hand.

Yeah, honestly, it’s tough right now.

「President… you aren’t going to tell Takanashi-san, who is injured, to attend, are you?」

Sara-senpai’s smile-pressure activated, making the President shrink back.

It serves him right since I still have that grudge from earlier.

「N, no, I wouldn’t say anything that unreasonable.」

「That is good then. In that case, I am sorry, but I shall also be declining as I have to look after Takanashi-san. Looking at the state of things last time, I believe there will be no problem as long as the President is there.」

「R, roger. Yeah, I’ll be fine even by myself…」

I do feel a little sorry, but since it is just a volunteer thing, I don’t think they need to push themselves to participate.

I’ll be sure to participate next time to make up for it.

It happens suddenly.

Ding-dong

As I was relaxing at home, the guest chime rang.

I wonder who it is…

By the way, Senpai went back to her own home once to grab her things after she finished helping me change. So there’s a possibility it’s Senpai, but it’s far too early for that…

「Coming~」

For now, I opened the door and… ugh.

「Looks like you’re still alive. I came to check on you for the time being.」

While saying that, she stomped right into the room… this is my mother. Huh? Why so suddenly…

「Hey… if you’re coming, at least send a message or something.」

「I did send a message, didn’t I?」

I hurried to check my phone, and there was a RAIN message from about five minutes ago. She says that counts as notifying me, even with a straight face.

「Five minutes ago is pointless! What were you planning to do if I wasn’t home?」

「You were home, so there’s no problem.」

Sigh… it’s been a while, but she’s as free-spirited as ever. This is my mother, Takanashi Fuyumi. She has quite a personality in many ways. Why did she come so suddenly… oh, right, it’s because she was notified about the injury.

「So, you fell during PE and messed up your wrist? You were probably spacing out, weren’t you? Honestly, you’re such a handful.」

「Well, sorry about that. But I didn’t think you’d come all of a sudden.」

Okan (that’s what I call her) sat in a chair at the table and started looking around the room.

「Hmm… I came thinking I’d have to do some cleaning and stuff, but you’re keeping it surprisingly tidy. Even the kitchen is clean… did you get sick and go crazy?」

Does she have to go that far… Well, she wouldn’t expect me, someone who basically never cleaned at home, to be living in a house this tidy. Or rather, I want her to leave quickly… before Senpai gets back.

「You’ve confirmed that I’m fine, right? You’re probably busy, so you can go home now.」

「Hmm… well, I might as well make some tea. …Oh, you’re using quite a cute mug. And an apron that doesn’t suit you at all.」

……I haven’t hidden anything, so of course she’d notice. No, it’s too early to give up.

「That was a gift from an acquaintance…」

「Sure, sure. Well, even for you, I didn’t think it was possible. I thought my own imagination was out of the question.」

Knock knock… click

The sound of the key turning after a knock. Apparently, Senpai has returned. It’s over… what do I do, how do I explain this…

「I am very sorry I am la… te?」

「………」

Sara-senpai had a puzzled expression, and my mother was frozen with a look of pure shock. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen Okan make a face like that. Sigh…… what should I do.

「Um… who might you be? Oh, by any chance, a relative?」

Senpai, who asked Okan with a puzzled look, seemed to have thought along those lines after remembering the story about the relative.

「Er… this is my—」

「Ha!?」

The frozen Okan started moving. She wobbled a little closer to Senpai, slowly scanned her from head to toe, and then looked at her face again. Please, don’t say anything rude…

「E… r, nice to meet you, I am Takanashi Fuyumi… this boy’s mother.」

Okan began a brief self-introduction, still looking like she hadn’t gotten over the surprise. And this time, it was Sara-senpai who had a look of shock.

「…T, Takanashi-san’s mother!?」

At that, Senpai flusteredly put her things to the side, straightened her posture, folded her hands in front of her, and gave a deep bow. She held it for several seconds, then looked at Okan with a smile.

「Please excuse me. Let me introduce myself again, my name is Satsukawa Sara. I am always in the care of Takanashi-sa… no, Kazunari-san. I am very happy to be able to meet dear mother.」

「……dear mother…」

Okan, who had frozen up again at Sara-senpai’s smile and greeting, muttered those words.