"Takanashi-san..."
?
I felt as though someone had called my name and turned around. Standing there were Sara-senpai and Natsumi-senpai.
"It's Sara Onee-chan!"
Mio-chan cheered happily, squirming in my arms, so I quickly set her down.
The moment her feet hit the ground, she ran toward Sara-senpai and jumped at her; Senpai caught her in her arms.
"It has been a long time, Mio-chan," she said, stroking the girl's head. But her expression was unmistakably dark.
In fact, I had never seen her look quite like that before.
Anxiety spiked in my chest, and I rushed over to her.
"Sara-senpai, did something happen?"
"...No... I am fine," she replied, looking at me before slowly shaking her head.
She was clearly anything but fine. My worry only intensified.
"Sara Onee-chan, hold me!"
Mio-chan, oblivious to the atmosphere, demanded to be picked up.
I didn't think Senpai had the emotional capacity for that right now, yet she picked the girl up anyway.
"You're a good girl, Mio-chan," she murmured. Seeing her force a weak smile while stroking Mio-chan's head made my heart ache.
I glanced at Natsumi-senpai. She seemed lost in thought for a moment before shaking her head—as if to say she either didn't know or wasn't ready to explain.
Just then, Todo-san approached us.
"Forgive the intrusion, Satsukawa-senpai. Are you and Mio-chan acquainted?"
"……And who are you?"
Senpai’s voice was laced with a palpable tension as she questioned Todo-san.
Sensing the change in her, Mio-chan looked up at her with a puzzled, curious expression.
"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Marina Todo, a first-year. I'm Mio-chan's cousin."
Marina bowed politely to both Sara-senpai and Natsumi-senpai.
"...Nice to meet you. I am Sara Satsukawa."
"I'm Natsumi Yuzuki."
The three of them exchanged greetings in a strained, awkward atmosphere.
"...And your relationship with Takanashi-san is...?"
"Oh, we met when he played with Mio-chan once before. This is only the second time we've seen each other."
Marina, likely picking up on the heavy mood, lowered her tone as she explained.
"Ah, I apologize, but we should probably head home. Mio-chan's Mother might be getting worried. Satsukawa-senpai, thank you for earlier. Mio-chan, come here."
"Okay! Sara Onee-chan, bye-bye!"
"Excuse us. Thank you too, Takanashi-kun."
Whether she actually needed to go or was just reading the room, Marina took Mio-chan and made a swift exit.
I'll have to make it up to her later.
But for now, my priority was Sara-senpai.
However, she simply turned toward me and bowed.
"Takanashi-san, I will also be taking my leave for today."
She turned to go. I instinctively reached out to stop her, but Natsumi-senpai cut me off with a gesture, telling me to leave it to her.
If Sara-senpai were able to talk about it, she would have.
The fact that she wouldn't meant she either couldn't or didn't want to say anything to me right now...
"Sara-senpai, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes... see you tomorrow."
"Bye, Takanashi-kun."
"Sara... what's wrong?"
"Natsumi... am I a horrible woman?"
On the way home, Sara suddenly posed the question.
I didn't know exactly what train of thought had led her there, but it was clear she was suffering.
Up until now, she’d been coasting on pure happiness. Now that other, more complex emotions were bubbling up, she was at a loss.
"Hmm. Why don't you tell me about it? I'm listening."
"I... I felt like I hated that person who was by Takanashi-san's side. It was painful that she was doing the same things with him that I do. And seeing him smile at her... I hated it."
As she spoke, a pained, sorrowful look crossed her face.
"Lately, more women have been approaching Takanashi-san. They speak to him so familiarly right in front of me, and he smiles back... It hurts so much, and I find myself resenting it. But what I hate most... is that I felt even a hint of resentment toward my beloved Takanashi-san."
Tears pooled in Sara's eyes.
So, it’s come to this, has it?
Until recently, Takanashi-kun didn't have any other girls around him, so she’d never had a reason to feel jealousy.
I’d noticed her being extra clingy lately—constantly touching him or checking in on him. It was a sign of her growing anxiety.
Now, with jealousy piled on top of that unresolved insecurity, her heart simply couldn't handle the load.
Even so, she’d managed to stay composed when talking to him.
Knowing Sara, it wouldn't have been out of character for her to intimidate that Todo girl or try to drive her away. She deserved credit for holding back.
"I see. I understand how you feel, Sara... It’s a natural part of being in love. You don't need to be afraid of it."
I spoke gently, choosing my words carefully to help her calm down.
"You did a good job showing restraint with that Todo girl, too."
"...She is Mio-chan's cousin. It’s only natural for her to know Takanashi-san. Taking these feelings out on her would be..."
It seemed she was still capable of logical thought.
"...No, that's a lie. I was just scared. I was terrified that if I did something like that, Takanashi-san would hate me..."
I see... she endured it purely out of the desperate fear of losing him.
Other women had appeared in the world she once shared exclusively with Takanashi-kun. She was feeling anxiety and jealousy for the first time in her life, yet she had suppressed it all for his sake.
And after what she’d seen today... she was at her breaking point.
I pulled Sara’s head to my chest and stroked her hair.
"You did so well, Sara... You held it all in for his sake. You're such a good girl."
"It hurts... it’s so painful. Every time I see him getting along with other women, these hateful feelings just overflow. I know saying something would only trouble him. I don't want to be hated for being selfish!"
"It’s okay. What you're feeling isn't wrong or weird. You'll learn how to handle these emotions in time. Takanashi-kun will be the one to chase those fears away, so just... keep believing in him."
Sara really was the cutest thing.
Honestly, if I were a man, I’d never let a girl like this go.