I received word that Masaomi-san wouldn't be able to pick me up today because of work, so Mayumi-san would be coming in his place.
I told her I could walk there, but she pushed back with a half-forced insistence, saying, "I’ll be the one picking you up, okay~?" I didn’t really have any choice but to wait quietly.
Once I got back to my apartment, I changed my clothes, washed my empty bento box, and tucked it into my bag. My preparations were complete—though "preparations" was a bit of an overstatement, considering all I did was change.
As I waited by the road in front of the apartment, staring blankly at the cars passing by, I eventually spotted a familiar white one-box car driving toward me.
The vehicle slowed down and pulled up right in front of me. Mayumi-san called out from the already open passenger window.
"Takanashi-san, sorry to keep you waiting~"
"Not at all. Thank you very much."
"Think nothing of it. Shall we?"
I opened the passenger door, climbed in, and fastened my seatbelt. Once she confirmed I was buckled up, Mayumi-san set the car in motion.
"It looks like my husband will be home late today. Because of that, I’ll be the one driving you home later as well."
"Oh, in that case, I can just walk..."
"That simply won't do~"
I knew she was going to say that, but I figured I should at least offer a polite refusal first.
I just wasn't shameless enough to simply say, "Then I'll count on you," without a second thought.
The passing scenery transitioned from the station front to the residential area as the car cruised slowly along.
When we arrived at the Satsukawa residence, she parked in the open garage just like yesterday, and we both stepped out.
We headed toward the entrance. Mayumi-san fished her keys out of her bag and unlocked the door... but then, for some reason, she hurried inside ahead of me and shut the door.
Eh?
What was that about?
I didn't quite understand, but I opened the door myself for the time being. There, standing on the raised floor of the entrance, was a smiling Mayumi-san, watching me.
"Welcome home, Takanashi-san."
"Eh?"
"Welcome home, Takanashi-san."
"Well..."
"Welcome home, Takanashi-san."
"...I'm home."
"Yes. Now, let's have some tea. Go be a good boy on the sofa, all right?"
Apparently, that had been the correct response.
Mayumi-san beamed at me, her slippers pitter-pattering as she retreated further into the house. She was likely headed to the kitchen to prepare the tea... but being greeted with a recorded-loop style phrase like that was a little creepy, honestly.
Come to think of it, didn't I have a similar exchange with Sara-san once before?
That was at my own home, so it didn't feel as weird, but saying "I'm home" at the Satsukawa residence felt a bit much.
Slipping into the slippers Mayumi-san had set out, I entered the living room and took my usual seat.
...Wait, I came here to work. Why am I about to settle in for a normal tea time?
Since I’d left my work in a somewhat half-finished state yesterday, I’d been fully motivated to jump back in today...
That said, Mayumi-san had already started the preparations, so I had no choice but to wait quietly.
"I had some extra time today, so I baked a chiffon cake. Please, have a slice."
It seemed she was ready. Mayumi-san returned with a tray in hand.
She placed the teapot, teacups, and the cake on the table in that order.
The chiffon cake was a masterpiece, instantly commanding the most attention on the table. It was decorated with whipped cream, looking every bit as professional as something from a high-end cafe.
Now that I thought about it, Sara-san was also an excellent baker.
I suppose that talent was something she learned directly from Mayumi-san.
"Sara-chan has been helping me since she was very small, so I've taught her all sorts of things. I don't think she’ll have any trouble with housework even after she’s married. Whoever becomes her husband is going to be one lucky man~"
As she spoke, Mayumi-san gave me a meaningful, teasing grin.
I knew perfectly well she was talking about me, but I honestly didn't know how to react.
Of course, I wanted to stay close to Sara-san forever.
And I could logically understand that if things continued that way, marriage would eventually come up.
However, this was my very first time having a lover, and my first experience with a romantic relationship.
For a complete novice like me, being told about the distant future or marriage felt impossible to even imagine... I hadn't even decided on my future path after graduation yet.
"You don't need to think too deeply about it. For now, just focus on enjoying your time with Sara-chan."
Perhaps sensing my struggle to find a response, Mayumi-san followed up for me, despite being the one who brought it up in the first place.
She was right. For now, the most important thing I had to work toward was getting the present and making sure the surprise birthday party was a success.
I wanted Sara-san to be happy, both for her sake and as a way to show my gratitude. I needed to focus on that.
"With that settled... here, Takanashi-san. Say 'ahn.'"
"Huh? N-No, that’s really..."
I didn't quite see how we’d arrived at "with that settled."
One look at her mischievous face told me she was just messing with me.
Even so, the reason I found myself so flustered was likely because I couldn't help but wonder if this was what Sara-san would be like when she reached Mayumi-san's age...
"Hehe, Takanashi-san, you're so cute~ But if I go too far, I suppose Sara-chan might get angry with me? Sorry, sorry. I just can't help myself when I see your reactions."
With that, she pulled back the fork she’d been holding out and brought it to her own mouth.
She took two or three bites of the cake, murmuring a satisfied "Mmm, delicious."
"Um... why do you do so much for me, Mayumi-san?"
Since the opportunity had presented itself, I decided to ask the question that had been on my mind for a while.
I vaguely understood that she liked me, but was it normal for a mother to go this far just because I was her daughter's boyfriend?
"Let’s see. I suppose the biggest reason is that you changed Sara-chan. The way she is now, she looks so truly happy that just watching her makes me feel joyful too. So, I’m truly grateful to you, Takanashi-san. My actions are, in a way, a form of thanks."
So she was doing this as a parent... I see.
If it was an expression of gratitude, I suppose I should just accept it graciously.
"And then, there’s one more little reason... but that one’s a secret. If anything, that might be the real reason I can't help but fuss over you. But..."
Mayumi-san pressed her index finger to her lips in a "it's a secret" gesture. It was almost unfair how well such a cute pose suited her.
I was curious, but if it was a secret, there was nothing I could do.
Still, I now understood that Mayumi-san had her own reasons for being so kind to me.
In that case... I just wished she’d keep the teasing to a minimum.
After finishing the cake, I was about to get to work when I realized I’d forgotten to return the bento box.
I’d brought it with me, so I pulled the empty container from my bag and handed it to Mayumi-san.
"Thank you very much. It was delicious. I gave it a quick wash."
"Oh, you didn't have to do that. But I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’ll prepare another one for you tomorrow, so look forward to it."
"Y-Yes... thank you."
Since she said it was a thank-you, I decided to accept it and simply offered my gratitude.
She’d probably bring it even if I refused, and honestly, I had no reason to turn it down.
"Hehe, that’s a good boy. Just leave everything to your mother-in-law."
Satisfied with my obedient response, Mayumi-san gave me a happy smile.
I left the main building and headed over to the annex.
I unlocked the door to the office, checked where I’d left off yesterday, and immediately got back to work.
Since Masaomi-san had given me permission yesterday, I set up a work area that was easier for me to use and began sorting through the documents at a steady pace.
At one point, Mayumi-san came by to check on me, but I only answered her questions and asked her to head back to the main building. Since I was being paid to do this, I felt it wouldn't be right to have her helping me unnecessarily.
Watching me through the glass wall, Mayumi-san gave a little smile before heading back to the house.
Looking at her retreating figure, I felt a bit guilty for turning down her kindness...
"I'm sorry, yet again..."
Finally released from Mayumi-san’s intense hug, I immediately offered my apologies.
To explain what happened... I’d gotten too absorbed in my work again today and forgotten to take a break.
And since I couldn't hide it when she asked, I was subjected to a mandatory punishment (or was it a reward?) just like yesterday.
That diabolical embrace, which I fit into so perfectly, didn't even allow me to voice a protest until she finally let go.
Naturally, that meant I could only apologize after the fact.
"Oh, Takanashi-san. Taking breaks is part of the job, you know? Ah, or could it be..."
Mayumi-san watched me with a grin so wide I could almost hear a teasing sound effect.
Or what?
"Did you do it on purpose because you wanted me to do this? Goodness, if you’re that desperate, I’ll give you a 'there, there' anytime you want. Come here."
She stood there with her arms wide open, as if waiting for me to jump in.
She was definitely joking.
"No, that's, well..."
If you asked me whether I liked it or not, obviously I liked it, but I’d really rather be doing this kind of thing with Sara-san...
"Oh... is that how it is? You'd prefer Sara-chan after all. Your mother-in-law is so lonely."
Mayumi-san lowered her arms and looked visibly dejected, but I didn't miss the way the corners of her mouth were still twitching upward.
"Hehe. It looks like Sara-chan is still growing, so I think you have even more wonderful things to look forward to in the future, Takanashi-san."
Since I didn't give her the reaction she wanted, Mayumi-san shifted the subject.
As for the part about "growing"...
She meant her height, right? Right.
"All right, seeing that look on your face makes your mother-in-law satisfied! Now, let's call it a day for work and have some dinner, okay?"
"U-Understood."
Apparently satisfied with something, Mayumi-san practically pulled me toward the main building.
What "look" was she talking about? I thought I’d been perfectly composed.
We returned to the main building and sat at the living room table, where I saw that dinner was set for two.
Since Masaomi-san wasn't coming home, it was only natural that I’d be eating alone with Mayumi-san.
But when I stopped to think about it... having dinner with just my girlfriend's mother... what kind of situation was this?
I wasn't doing anything wrong, yet I couldn't shake a certain sense of awkwardness as I sat there.