It was incredible.
I had never seen such a textbook expression of shock before. He was the literal embodiment of the phrase "a picture of astonishment."
Mayumi-san smirked as she waved her hand back and forth in front of Masaomi-san’s face, checking to see if he was still conscious.
Please, someone stop her...
"Kazunari-san, leave the rest to me. Let's finish this quickly so we can go home, okay?"
I felt a jolt of surprise. Masaomi-san’s eyes suddenly snapped wide open.
Mayumi-san, who had been teasing him, pulled her hand back in alarm.
"S-S-Sara!? What was that just now!? What... what was that? Was I dreaming? And what do you mean by 'going home'!? Your home is right here! Aaah, and that thing you did a second ago!?"
He was in such a state of panic that his words came out in a frantic, incoherent stream as he grilled Sara-san. In stark contrast, Sara-san maintained an icy, composed stare.
"This is my home? A place where someone who brings up a ridiculous Arranged Marriage Talk resides is no longer a home to me. Besides, you're being far too loud."
I could almost hear the metaphorical sound of a heavy blow landing on Masaomi-san. I was actually starting to feel sorry for the man. His expression went completely blank, and it looked like his knees might buckle at any moment.
"Oh my. Your own sweet daughter finally refers to you as 'someone.' Well, putting aside the 'someone' who's getting his just deserts... Sara-chan, you certainly took your time getting here, didn't you?"
"..."
The mood shifted. Mayumi-san, who had been acting so playful until a moment ago, was suddenly looking at Sara-san with a sharp, piercing gaze.
"I know it’s only natural that you hated the Arranged Marriage Talk. I understand you were terrified at the thought of being separated from him."
This wasn't just a change in the weather; Mayumi-san was genuinely angry. That Mayumi-san?
"He contacted us the very day you ran away from home, having already resolved to storm in here alone. Meanwhile, what was the person he's fighting for doing all this time? Were you simply running away?"
"That... I..."
"How pathetic. But I assume the fact that you’ve shown your face means you’ve reached some kind of conclusion on your own? So, what is it?"
The atmosphere in the Satsukawa Family living room turned electric. This development was entirely outside my expectations; I never dreamed Mayumi-san was capable of such sternness.
Sara-san faltered for a second, but her eyes remained steady.
"I intend to speak with him. Regarding the arranged marriage, yes, but also for the sake of our future. First, I will have him officially recognize the relationship between myself and Kazunari-san. Once that is settled, I will hear his response regarding the company. I will make my judgment based on the answers I receive."
Sara-san spoke with absolute conviction.
She had clearly prepared herself before arriving. As for Masaomi-san, being referred to as "him" seemed to deal even more damage... though he looked like he was well past the point of counting hits.
"I see. Knowing you, I expected you would come to a decision that accounted for the company while demanding recognition of your bond. I suppose that's a passing grade."
When Mayumi-san finally softened her expression, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. There were parts of their exchange that felt like a private language, but it seemed they had reached an understanding.
"And so, Masaomi-san, I assume you were listening?"
The focus shifted back to Masaomi-san, who had been left in a dazed silence. He blinked, looking startled to hear his name.
"Y-Yeah. I heard you... though I’m so shocked I still can't quite trust my own eyes and ears."
Masaomi-san looked as though he was barely clinging to consciousness. If one more thing went wrong, he might actually faint.
"Then—"
"Wait, please. I will be the one to speak. This is something I must do."
"Very well. Do your best."
Satisfied by Sara-san’s assertive tone, Mayumi-san smiled and stepped back. Sara-san stood beside me, placing a hand on my arm. She looked up at me and offered a small, encouraging smile before turning a resolute gaze back to Masaomi-san.
Sensing the change in the air, Masaomi-san straightened his posture, his expression becoming serious.
"Father, it is as you see. I like Kazunari-san... no, I love him from the bottom of my heart. I have no need for anyone else. Therefore—"
"Please, recognize our relationship!" I blurted out, interrupting her. "Sara-san is more important to me than anything. And I'm speaking with our long-term future in mind! I know I'm unreliable right now, but for Sara-san’s sake, I'll study, I'll work hard—I'll do whatever it takes to be worthy of your recognition in the future!"
Sara-san looked at me with wide, startled eyes. I felt bad for cutting her off, but this was something I had decided I would say myself. I refused to let her carry the entire burden of our declaration. I had panicked for a second when it sounded like she was about to do the asking for both of us.
"Ka-Kazunari-san? What are you—"
As the weight of my words sank in, Sara-san’s face turned a brilliant shade of crimson.
"I'm sorry, Sara-san. But I had to be the one to say that."
"No, I... it makes me very happy that you said that, Kazunari-san, but... well... um... that thing you just said..."
Still beet red, Sara-san began to fidget and sway. She was clearly overwhelmed by the implication of "being recognized in the future."
"Ahem!"
Masaomi-san, who had been watching us with a grimace, cleared his throat loudly. Sara-san snapped her head toward him, meeting his gaze with something approaching a glare.
I braced myself for his answer.
"I will be honest. I never dreamed that Sara, who used to be such a man-hater, would go so far as to declare her love for someone. Even seeing the two of you like this and hearing it for myself, part of me still finds it impossible to believe. However, the shock was so great that I think it’s actually forced me to become calm. There is no longer any room to doubt your feelings."
Though he stumbled over his words, Masaomi-san gave a clear answer. I almost cheered, but something about his tone made me hesitate. Sensing there was a "but" coming, I stayed quiet and waited.
Sara-san reached the same conclusion and waited in silence.
"After being shown this much, I have no intention of questioning your relationship. While I'm still half-convinced this is a dream, I have to accept it as reality. However... what we must not forget is that we are the Satsukawa Family."
There it was. We had reached the second stage of the negotiation. Masaomi-san was implying that recognizing our relationship meant addressing the company's situation. The only comfort was that he seemed to have personally accepted me.
"Takanashi-kun, can we speak seriously?"
"Please."
Masaomi-san’s expression shifted, becoming the face of a high-ranking executive as he stared me down. The real battle was beginning.
"Takanashi-kun, you just said you wanted to be recognized in the future. I assume you said that with a full understanding of what this house represents?"
"Yes. However, I won't be presumptuous enough to say I 'fully' understand it yet. But no matter what it takes, I won't hesitate if it means staying with Sara-san. Whatever is required of me, I will prove that I can do it."
I didn't blink. I stared straight back at him, showing him I wouldn't retreat an inch.
I probably didn't have the slightest clue how much would actually be required of me. Just like when I spoke with Mayumi-san, I didn't try to fake knowledge I didn't have; I simply hit him with the truth of my resolve.
"I can see that you're serious. But that alone isn't—"
Ding-dong...
The Intercom chime echoed through the room. A guest? Now? The timing couldn't have been worse. The conversation died instantly.
"Wait a moment, please."
Mayumi-san stood up from the sofa with a wry smile and went to check the monitor. A second later, she let out a cry of shock. "What!?"
"Mayumi, open the door."
That voice... could it be?
"Grandmother?" Sara-san whispered.
It was Yukie-san. It wasn't strange for her to visit, but the timing was too perfect to be accidental. I hadn't called her, and Sara-san shook her head, indicating she hadn't either.
Mayumi-san hurried to the entrance, her slippers clicking on the floor. When she returned, she was followed by Yukie-san.
"It has been quite some time since I last visited this house."
"M-Mother-in-law, what are you doing here? If you had business, we would have come to you."
Masaomi-san looked just as blindsided as we were.
"I came because there are things we need to discuss today."
Yukie-san offered a warm smile to Sara-san and me.
"Forgive me, Takanashi-san. I'm sorry for being late. And Sara-chan, I’m sorry you had to feel so frightened."
"N-No, but Grandmother, why are you...?"
"Grandmother...?"
She clearly knew exactly what was happening. But how?
After a polite nod to us, Yukie-san turned her attention to Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san. Her aura shifted.
"Mother-in-law, do you know Takanashi-kun?"
"Of course I do. I have known Takanashi-san since before he and Sara-chan began dating. He has been taking care of me in many ways. He is an excellent young man."
It was a bit embarrassing to be praised like that, but I was more focused on why she was here.
"By the way, you two... do you remember what I told you before?"
Yukie-san stepped into the center of the room. The grandmotherly warmth vanished, replaced by the authority of the family matriarch.
"I told you that if anything regarding the company affected Sara-chan, you were to discuss it with me first. I suppose I was too optimistic in thinking it was still too early for such things, but I hear an Arranged Marriage Talk was brought up?"
So she did know. But we hadn't told her, and the parents certainly wouldn't have. Where had she gotten her information?
"W-Where did you hear about that? No, well, it’s true, but we thought this would end as just a discussion..." Masaomi-san stammered, his eyes darting around.
"Now listen, Mother. I had already worked out a solution on my end—" Mayumi-san started.
"And? Is it resolved?"
"Ugh... Well, not quite yet. Masaomi-san said that before recognizing them, we had to put the company first..."
It was a rare sight to see Mayumi-san on the defensive. Even she couldn't stand her ground against Yukie-san.
"Honestly. Regardless, I am joining this discussion. I have things I must convey to you both. Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes..." they answered in unison.
The power structure of the Satsukawa Family was suddenly very clear: Yukie-san > Mayumi-san > Sara-san > Masaomi-san. It was a remarkably simple hierarchy.
"As a matter of fact, I ran into Marina-chan and the others on my way here. Their friends are all gathered together, waiting for a report. It’s heartening to see they have such good people by their side. Miss Nishikawa was there as well. She told me some very interesting things."
Yukie-san suddenly shifted the topic to our friends. I knew Yuji and Hanako-san were waiting, but if Todo-san was there, Hayato likely was too. And if Nishikawa-san was present, so was Natsumi-senpai. If even Tachikawa-san was there, the whole group had mobilized.
"Masaomi-san, you were involved in a matter regarding Yamasaki Industries with the Nishikawa Group President recently, weren't you? Eri-san told me all about it."
"Y-Yes. It didn't involve us directly, but after a report from Sara, we..."
This was news to me. I knew Eri-san’s father had destroyed Yamasaki’s Father, but I hadn't realized Masaomi-san was involved. And Sara-san had been moving behind the scenes too?
"Apparently, Takanashi-san was the one coordinating the entire operation. Which means, Masaomi-san, your recent success was actually thanks to Takanashi-san. Don't you think you owe him some gratitude?"
"What!?"
Masaomi-san stared at me, dumbfounded. Nishikawa-san must have been the one who told Yukie-san, but she was giving me far too much credit.
"No, that was a group effort—"
"It is the truth. Kazunari-san was the one who made the plan and led us. That is why it was resolved," Sara-san interrupted, supporting her grandmother’s claim.
Yukie-san nodded.
"Indeed. I heard the same from all their friends. They were unanimous in their praise for Takanashi-san. In fact, Eri-san gave me a message from President Nishikawa. He said he would like to personally thank Takanashi-san soon."
"Thank me?"
Masaomi-san’s jaw practically hit the floor. Mayumi-san was also silent, clearly hearing this for the first time.
"And Masaomi-san, I have another message for you from President Nishikawa, delivered through Eri-san."
"From the President himself!?"
Masaomi-san was drowning in the sheer volume of unexpected information. Honestly, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed myself.
"'He is a member of the next generation with a very promising future; I am quite pleased. We can expect significant growth for both of our companies in the future.' That was the message. You can expect a formal call with the details later."
Next generation? Growth?
The wording was slightly vague, but "growth" was undeniably a positive term in business. I wondered if Masaomi-san understood the subtext.
"Heh... hehe... Hahahaha!"
Masaomi-san suddenly burst into loud laughter. There didn't seem to be anything funny about the situation, and both Sara-san and I looked at him in alarm.
"This is... hahahaha! Forgive me, Takanashi-kun!"
He was still laughing as he turned to look at me. I was completely lost.
"Masaomi-san, what's come over you?" Mayumi-san asked, looking bewildered.
"I just... I never expected to be rendered completely speechless. When I’m cornered this thoroughly, I have no choice but to admit defeat! Fine, I surrender! I’ve been beaten soundly!"
He wiped a tear of laughter from his eye.
"Between Mayumi, my own mother, and even President Nishikawa coming out to support you, you've truly shocked me, Takanashi-kun. There is nothing left for me to say. We still have problems to solve, and I’ll certainly be needing your help with those. But before anything else..."
Masaomi-san stepped toward me with a genuine smile and offered his right hand. He was asking for a handshake.
"From me as well—please, take good care of Sara!"
He declared it with a powerful, resolute voice, giving me the one thing I had come here for.