“I’m sorry for keeping you standing here. Please, come in. I'll get some tea ready.”
Mayumi-san left it at that, her slippers pattering against the floor as she hummed a happy tune and disappeared further into the house. She was likely heading toward the kitchen.
I followed Masaomi-san inside and sat on the sofa, just as I had during my last visit, to wait for Mayumi-san’s return.
Once she served the tea, I formally introduced myself once more. After the initial conversation reached a natural stopping point, Masaomi-san stood up.
“Takanashi-kun, my apologies, but I have to return to the office now. My wife understands the scope of the work, so please follow her lead as she shows you the space.”
“Yes, sir, I understand. I’ll give it my all!”
Masaomi-san nodded with a satisfied expression at my response.
He turned to Mayumi-san, who had also stood up to see him off. “I’ll leave the rest to you,” he said before departing.
Mayumi-san watched until the entrance door clicked shut. Once she was certain he was gone, she didn't return to her previous seat; instead, she sat exactly where Sara-san had sat the last time I was here.
Which meant she was right next to me—practically pressed against my side.
She sank into the sofa with a soft thud and peered into my face, that mischievous smirk returning to her lips.
What was this? She had the look of someone who had just found a new favorite toy.
“Ufufufufu. Oh, Takanashi-san, you really surprised me. When I heard the story from Masaomi-san, I thought it sounded suspiciously like you two... but I’m so happy the person who showed up for the part-time job was actually you. To think you already had a connection with my husband.”
Poke, poke...
“No, well, I honestly didn’t know that Sara-san's Father was Masaomi-san...”
“You can call him ‘Father-in-law,’ you know?”
Poke, poke...
I felt like we’d had a similar exchange before.
He was certainly Sara-san’s father, but it would be beyond strange for me to call him that, wouldn't it?
And more importantly, why had Mayumi-san been poking my cheek with her finger for the last minute?
“N-no, Masaomi-san is fine.”
“Oh, really? Was it still a bit too soon?”
Poke, poke...
Was this really a matter of timing?
I didn’t quite follow her logic, but Mayumi-san seemed satisfied enough on her own.
...This was no good. If I didn't say something, it was going to keep bothering me.
“Um, Mayumi-san... your finger...”
“Oh? Is something wrong with my finger?”
Poke, poke...
Even as she said that, Mayumi-san showed no intention of stopping. She looked like she was having the time of her life.
Her smile was so similar to Sara-san’s—hardly surprising given they were mother and daughter—which only made it harder for me to deal with.
“No... it’s just...”
I knew I was being teased, but being stared at so directly made me flustered, and the words wouldn't come out right.
Mayumi-san definitely noticed my embarrassment. With a playful glint in her eyes, she blatantly closed the remaining distance between us.
Poke, poke...
“Nhfufufufu, Takanashi-san, you’re so cute. I can certainly see why Sara-chan wants to take care of you so badly.”
Recognizing that she had complete control of the conversation, I decided I needed to change the subject immediately.
But Mayumi-san beat me to the punch.
“So, you went through all the trouble of scheduling this during Sara-chan's School Trip... you’re working in secret, aren't you?”
“Yes. So, I’d really appreciate it if you could keep this a secret from Sara-san...”
“Of course. Fufu... you’re such a romanticist, just like her. I can already see the look of joy on Sara-chan's face.”
Just like her?
I wasn’t entirely sure what she meant by that, but I assumed it wasn't a bad thing.
“Before we get into the specifics, let me check your schedule. Do you have any plans after you finish work here?”
“Yes. I have another part-time job, so I’ll be heading there every night.”
Go to school, work here until the last possible second after school, eat, and then head to the Liquor Store. I’d be repeating that for a full week.
When I thought about it like that, it was a pretty grueling schedule.
“Eh? You’re working two jobs? Honestly, you mustn't overdo it when you still have school.”
“It’s only for a week.”
I replied firmly, wanting to make it clear that I had no intention of compromising on this point.
“Haa... you’re even similar in that regard. But I suppose it can’t be helped, seeing as you’re my daughter’s boyfriend.”
Though her words sounded exasperated, Mayumi-san’s expression was incredibly kind. She looked as if she were reflecting on something fond.
“I understand. But you absolutely must not push yourself too hard, okay? Also, I’ll be preparing dinner, so you’re going to eat here before you leave! That is a non-negotiable condition. I won't accept a refusal!”
“Eh!?”
I had planned to just grab something quick at a convenience store, so Mayumi-san’s declaration caught me completely off guard.
“Since Sara-chan isn’t here, it’s only natural that I, as her mother, should fulfill that role in her stead, right? It’s fine; you can rely on your Mother-in-law at times like this.”
Mayumi-san emphasized the “Mother” part of her title as she tried to convince me.
Still, I felt terrible about it. I couldn't possibly let her go to that much trouble for me.
“N-no, I’ll just find something for dinner on my own...”
“Oh? Is that so? You’re saying it has to be Sara-chan’s cooking or nothing? You can't possibly stomach your Mother-in-law's food... sniffle...”
“I’m sorry! I’d be honored to eat here!!”
When she made a face that looked that intensely hurt and sad, what else was I supposed to say?
Even though I knew the tears were fake, it was impossible to resist.
The moment I caved, Mayumi-san pulled me into a vigorous hug. It happened so fast that I just ended up being manhandled.
“I’m so glad you understand! Nhfufu~ Since my future son is going to eat my cooking, your Mother-in-law is going to go all out!”
Mayumi-san beamed, frolicking about with genuine joy. Well, if it made her that happy, I figured I might as well just accept her kindness.
I knew I was being played, but I couldn't bring myself to feel bad about it.
However, that was besides the point. At this distance, something diabolically large was... well...
“Um, could you let me go now...?”
“You always let Sara-chan do this, so why is your Mother-in-law not allowed!?”
Because Sara-san is my lover.
Wait—more importantly, how did she know that Sara-san always did this to me?
I followed Mayumi-san out of the house and around to the garden, where a small building stood.
It wasn't exactly a prefab; a portion of it was glass-walled, providing a view of the interior. It felt a bit like a secret base, and seeing it sparked a sense of excitement in me.
Mayumi-san watched my reaction with amusement as she opened the door.
We stepped into a small entryway where I took off my shoes and changed into slippers.
Looking around the interior, I saw a large desk and chair set in the center of the room, with massive bookshelves lining the walls. However, instead of books, the shelves were packed with file cases and binders.
“Most of these are materials and reports. For various reasons, many of these documents have to be kept as hard copies rather than digital data. My husband often compiles them here instead of at the office, so we organize them periodically.”
I see...
Glancing at them, I saw they were sorted into various divisions like “XX Department, XX Section.”
And there were a lot of them.
“Since we have materials and reports coming in from so many different departments, your main job, Takanashi-san, will be to sort and file them. Because it’s a large company, the departments are quite subdivided...”
I didn't know much about the corporate world, but I could tell this was going to be a lot of work.
Basically, my job was to sort through the mountain of papers currently covering the desk. I was almost afraid to touch them, fearing I might trigger an avalanche if I wasn't careful.
“I’ll help you in between my housework, so let’s do our best. Also, don't get too tunnel-visioned, okay? Make sure you take proper breaks. If you don’t listen to what your Mother-in-law says... nhfufufuu.”
Whoa...
Mayumi-san’s meaningful, suppressed laughter gave me nothing but a sense of impending dread. I felt genuinely anxious about what she might do to me.
While it was mentally easier than working at a place where I was a complete stranger, this job had become exhausting in an entirely different sense.
Whether that was a blessing or a curse...
With a lingering sense of uncertainty, my new life as a part-timer began.