"So, essentially, you’re looking after Takanashi-kun because he can’t use his right hand?"
"Even making his bento for him... You’re so kind, Satsukawa-san."
Once lunch was over and I finally had a chance to breathe, it turned into Question Time for Sara-senpai.
"I—I see. So that was the situation."
"Still, even if it's only while he's injured, I'm jealous of you, Takanashi."
They kept their words light, but their eyes definitely weren't laughing. It was impressive, really—one moment they were muttering to each other as if trying to escape reality, and the next they were seamlessly sliding into the girls' conversation.
"People always say making for two isn't much different from making for one, but it's still a lot of work to suddenly start making an extra bento, isn't it?"
"? No, I have always made enough for two, so it hasn't been a sudden burden."
"Oh, really? Were you making it for your family or something?"
The conversation was taking a disastrous turn, and my heart wouldn't stop racing. At this point, I felt like it was only a matter of time. Usually, this would be where the President would ignore the mood and cut in with a "Let's get started" to save me, but he just sat there with a smirk. He knew exactly what was happening and was staying quiet on purpose.
"No. On school days, I have always made two bentos—one for Takanashi-san and one for myself."
" " " " ...Eh? " " " "
It was over.
Then again, we’d already caused so many scenes in the Student Council Room that maybe I should just give up.
"You've been making Takanashi-kun's portion all this time?"
"Yes."
"Was there a specific reason?"
"No. It is simply something I wanted to do for him."
"Why did you want to do that?"
"Because seeing Takanashi-san happy makes me happy."
Ugh... please, stop... I can’t take any more of this public humiliation...
"Heeeh~"
The Female Officers were all looking at us with incredibly knowing eyes. Meanwhile, the Male Officers were wordlessly grabbing me. They weren't actually trying to hurt me, obviously, but I really wished they’d stop shaking me just because they thought no one was looking.
"...If you don't stop that this instant, I won't forgive you, even as a joke."
Senpai, who had been chatting so amiably with the girls, suddenly spun around. She pierced the guys with a sharp, expressionless glare.
" " " ...We are deeply sorry. " " "
...I wondered when she’d noticed.
"Now then, since things have calmed down, shall we begin?"
The President, who had watched the whole spectacle with rapt attention, spoke up as soon as it was over.
Between the Sports Festival commentary and this, I really needed to get back at this guy... I was definitely going to tell Natsumi-senpai that he’d been making my life difficult with his teasing.
"The topic for today is the Community Volunteer Cleaning we do every year around this time..."
The President trailed off, his gaze landing on my right hand.
Yeah, that was going to be a problem.
"President... you surely aren't suggesting that Takanashi-san participate while he's injured?"
Sara-senpai's "smile pressure" flared to life, causing the President to wither. Given my resentment from a few minutes ago, it was a satisfying sight.
"N-No, I wouldn't say anything that unreasonable."
"I should hope not. In that case, I am sorry, but as I must look after Takanashi-san, I will also be declining. Based on last year, I'm sure you can handle it yourself, President."
"R-Right. Yeah, I'll be fine on my own..."
I felt a tiny bit bad for him, but this was a volunteer thing; there was no need to push ourselves. I’d just make sure to help out next time.
It happened without warning.
Ding-dong.
I was relaxing at home when the doorbell rang. Who could it be?
Senpai had helped me change and then headed back to her place to grab some of her things. It could have been her, but it was way too early.
"Coming!"
I opened the door and... yikes.
"Looks like you're still in one piece. I came to check on you."
My mother marched into the room without waiting for an invitation.
Wait, what? Why so suddenly?
"Hey... if you were coming over, you could have at least let me know."
"I did, didn't I?"
I checked my smartphone. There was a RAIN message from five minutes ago. She really had the nerve to call that a heads-up.
"Five minutes is useless! What if I hadn't been home?"
"But you were, so what's the problem?"
Sigh... It had been a while, but she was as flighty as ever. This was Fuyumi Takanashi, my mother. She had quite the personality—and not necessarily in a good way.
She’d probably heard about the injury and decided to swoop in.
"So, you tripped during PE and did a number on your wrist? You were probably daydreaming, weren't you? Honestly, you're such a handful."
"Sorry for being a burden. I just didn't expect you to show up out of the blue."
Mom—that’s what I call her—sat down at the table and began scanning the room.
"Hmm... I came here thinking I'd have to clean up after you, but the place is surprisingly tidy. Even the kitchen is spotless. Did you catch some kind of brain fever?"
She didn't hold back.
Then again, she knew me as the guy who never cleaned a thing back home. I guess seeing me live in such a polished apartment was a shock.
More importantly, I wanted her to leave before Senpai got back.
"You've seen that I'm fine, right? I'm sure you're busy, so you're free to go."
"Hmm... maybe I'll have some tea first. ...Oh? That's a very cute mug you've got there. And an apron that doesn't suit you at all."
...Of course she noticed. I hadn't hidden anything.
But it was too early to panic.
"That's just something I got from an acquaintance..."
"Right, right. Honestly, I'm sure it's nothing. My imagination is just getting away from me."
Knock, knock... Click.
A knock, then the sound of a key in the lock.
Senpai was back.
It was over. How was I supposed to explain this?
"I'm sorry I'm late—oh?"
"........."
Sara-senpai looked confused, while my mother was frozen in a state of absolute shock. I’d never seen Okan make a face like that in my life.
God, what now?
"Um... may I ask who you are? Oh, are you perhaps the relative...?"
Senpai addressed my mother tentatively. She must have remembered my lie about a relative helping me and assumed the person in front of her was the one.
"Uh... this is my—"
"Ha!?"
Mom suddenly snapped out of her trance. She tottered over to Senpai, looking her up and down slowly before staring at her face again.
Please, don't say anything rude...
"Er... nice to meet you. I'm Fuyumi Takanashi... this boy's mother."
Mom managed a brief introduction, her voice still sounding dazed. Now it was Sara-senpai's turn to look stunned.
"...T-Takanashi-san's mother!?"
Senpai hurriedly set her things aside, straightened her posture, and clasped her hands in front of her for a deep, formal bow. After holding it for several seconds, she looked up at Mom with a graceful smile.
"I am terribly sorry for my rudeness! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sara Satsukawa. I am... well, I am always in Issei-san’s care. I am so very happy to meet you, Mother."
"......Mother-in-law."
The word escaped my mother's lips as she froze once again, completely overwhelmed by Sara-senpai's smile and greeting.