"Ahem... Moving on, let's get back to the topic at hand."
Nishikawa-san began, attempting to steer the conversation back on track.
With everyone’s attention focused on her, we waited for her to continue.
...Though Sara-san didn't seem to have any intention of pulling away from me.
"First, I would like to discuss the results of the investigation into Yamasaki and our response to them right here in the car. To be honest, the details of the report are not exactly something that can be discussed in public."
That might have sounded like an exaggeration, but when the content involved potentially erasing a whole company, that level of caution was likely necessary.
"The nature of this report may evoke a sense of disgust... particularly for the Female Officers, it contains unpleasant details. However, I believe you are all prepared, so I shall proceed."
As she spoke, a Mixer Video of what was ostensibly called a 'Social Gathering' played on the TV inside the limousine.
It revealed the reality of the entertainment led by Yamasaki, where the organizers encouraged the Male Officers to engage in the Procurement of Women—specifically Gray-zone Women—and the undeniable fact that high school students were present.
"Hm? ...Excuse me, could you rewind that slowly for a moment? Stop right there. Kazunari, look at this girl."
Hayato had noticed something. He pointed at one of the girls after having the video rewound slightly.
Had I seen her somewhere before?
"That's the girl who was with Yuzuha Sasagawa when we met her at the Tournament."
That’s right. She was the girl Hayato had been talking to with an air of boredom while I was speaking with Yuzuha.
"I don't know if she’s involved or not, but it's certain that Yamasaki was the one who brought her along."
It certainly seemed that way. Yuzuha probably didn't know about the company's affairs, and she likely wasn't involved to that extent.
"That concludes the report. Based on the facts discovered so far, as far as Yamasaki is concerned, it would be possible to end his entire family business. I will report to my Father that the Nishikawa Group should sever all ties immediately. Since Yamasaki's business is already at a standstill, it will quickly collapse. Alternatively, it should also be possible to turn this into a criminal case."
In other words, no matter how things turned out, Yamasaki was finished.
But that wouldn't mean we had directly inflicted pain upon Yamasaki ourselves.
When I looked at Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san, they both seemed to be thinking the same thing. When our eyes met, they gave a firm nod.
"...Fufu, as I thought, none of you look satisfied with such a simple ending. I feel the same; I won't be satisfied unless Kazuma Yamasaki suffers direct consequences. I must make that Scumbag regret making a fool of me to the absolute utmost."
I'm sure my expression at that moment was quite wicked. Because Nishikawa-san, Hanako-san, and Tachikawa-san all had similar looks on their faces.
In the midst of that, Sara-san spoke up.
"Allow me to say this first: I have something I wish to say directly to Yuzuha Sasagawa. From what we've discussed, I understand that she was being manipulated by Yamasaki. However, that does not mean I intend to forgive her for trampling on Kazunari-san's kindness and making him suffer."
I knew that Sara-san was getting angry for my sake.
But I wanted Sara-san to remain her usual gentle self, always smiling—I couldn't help but feel that way. Besides, it was my role to settle things with Yuzuha.
"Sara-san... I don't want you to..."
"I am deeply sorry... I understand what you wish to say. You are kind, so I'm sure you wouldn't approve of me harboring such thoughts. I don't wish to show this side of myself to you either. But even so, there are things I must say to Yuzuha Sasagawa."
Sara-san spoke with a look of deep sadness.
Why was I making Sara-san look like that?
It was my job to accept every side of her, no matter what.
I pulled Sara-san into a tight hug to stop her from saying any more.
"I love every part of you, Sara-san. Besides, the anger you're feeling right now is for my sake, isn't it? You're angry for me because you're kind. It might be inappropriate to say, but that makes me happy."
Since I was always the one receiving affection from Sara-san, this time, I would be the one to...
Chu.
I kissed Sara-san on the Cheek.
Come to think of it, was this the first time I had initiated it? Once the realization hit, I started to feel incredibly nervous despite having already done it.
I looked at Sara-san's face. The expression "Bright Red Like an Apple" was a common one, but that was exactly what she looked like right now.
"Kazunari-san... I am truly glad I met you. I adore you. I really... love you..."
Chu.
She kissed my Cheek in return.
Then, looking at my mouth with moist eyes, she slowly placed her finger against my lips.
"......Please let the First Kiss be from you, Kazunari-san..." she whispered, her face burning.
I wasn't so dense that I didn't understand the meaning of that. The First Kiss must always be...
I'm sure my face was just as red as Sara-san's.
"A-choo!! Ah... whoops..."
A sudden sound broke the moment.
I heard Hanako-san's voice.
Wait, where were we agai—
I slooooowly lifted my gaze...
"Sara... Sara is... I haven't even..."
"Come back to us! Our time is yet to come!"
Natsumi-senpai was shaking Nishikawa-san, who was muttering incoherently under her breath.
"I thought I was going to puke sugar."
"Takanashi-kun, it's okay to forget about all the misery back in Middle School now, isn't it...?"
"Ahaha... but I'm jealous that there's someone who loves him that much."
Hanako-san, Tachikawa-san, and Todo-san were all exchanging comments.
"Kazunari is a Hero as always."
"Well, he is the man who delivered a Confession in front of Satsukawa-senpai's Mother, let alone in front of me or Natsumi-senpai."
"What? I haven't heard about that."
What was with those two? Could they only get along if they used me as a conversation piece...?
"Er, thanks to you two, the conversation has strayed off course yet again... this is really lacking any tension."
Nishikawa-san, having managed to recover, resumed the proceedings. However, the serious atmosphere had vanished thanks to us, replaced by a much more relaxed vibe.
"I'm sorry..."
"Kazunari-san, we haven't done anything wrong..."
Sara-san started to defend me, but knowing that would only stop the conversation again, I looked into her eyes and gently, slowly patted her head.
She gave a small nod and leaned her body against me, settling down to participate in the conversation quietly.
"Sigh... you two really do flirt at the drop of a hat. Fine, let's continue."
Nishikawa-san reset the mood and returned to the previous topic.
She looked at me, seeking my opinion, so I decided to speak my mind first.
"First, regarding Yamasaki. Even if we can end things through the pressure of the Nishikawa Group, that alone won't be meaningful. I think Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san feel the same way. And if Nishikawa-san feels that way personally too... then summoning that guy and telling him to his face is the best way."
When I said that—
"No objections!"
"I'm going to corner him to the very end..."
Tachikawa-san and Hanako-san agreed enthusiastically.
"Understood. If we're going to do it, we'll corner him as much as possible, and at the very end, we'll give him a Present of total ruin that he can't recover from. It's retribution for making a fool of me."
Nishikawa-san declared with a Wicked Smile.
With that, our direction regarding Yamasaki was decided.
Next came the specific situation—the Scenario Creation of how exactly we would bring him down.