The handshake with Masaomi-san brought a temporary sense of relief. The ordeal wasn't entirely over, but the mental exhaustion from the sheer tension was finally catching up to me.
"Issei-san... thank you. And I am truly sorry. Because I was so helpless, everything fell on your shoulders..."
"No, I’d intended to speak with Masaomi-san from the start. The path we took changed a bit, but we ended up exactly where I planned. Besides, this was something I wanted to say for myself."
No matter how much I leaned on Sara-san, there were some things I refused to compromise on. Even if it made me a hopeless romantic, I wanted to step up and do what I felt was right as a man.
"Hehe... Issei-san, just how much more do you intend to make me fall for you? What are you trying to do to me?"
"Eh?! No, I was just desperate, that's all."
"Yes... you were wonderful. Later, please let me give you some 'there, there' praise, okay?"
"I... well..." The look in Masaomi-san's eyes was slightly terrifying, so I figured that kind of thing was probably better left for when we got home.
"Darling, stop looking at them like that," Mayumi-san interjected. "You've already acknowledged them, haven't you? Get a hold of yourself."
"Guh... I know, I understand, but Sara is always so stiff with me... Yet with Takanashi-kun, she's so..."
Thanks to Mayumi-san’s warning, he stopped glaring(?) at me. However, Sara-san wasn't the type to show restraint or mercy even in front of her parents, so I was a little worried about how things would go from here.
"Yes, yes, I know you're envious, but Sara-chan already has someone special now. It's time you learned to let your daughter go. Otherwise, she’ll only end up hating you more."
"Wh-?!"
Masaomi-san had been taking nothing but blows today; it felt like he was reaching his absolute limit.
"In the first place, why are you even comparing yourself to Issei-san?" Sara-san added. "From my perspective, even that comparison is unforgivable."
"S-Saraaaaa?!"
With Sara-san’s follow-up attack, Masaomi-san looked like he was about to crumble. I actually started to feel a little sorry for the man.
"Oh dear, it seems Masaomi-san is already a lost cause," Yukie-san remarked, watching us with a smile. She seemed to have returned to her usual, calm self. "But I'm truly happy that such a wonderful man has appeared for Sara-chan. I remember the time you two came to report your relationship to me as if it were yesterday."
I hoped the conversation would continue on this positive note.
"Darling," Mayumi-san said, turning back to her husband. "If you intended to acknowledge them from the start, why were you putting on such airs?"
"N-No, that’s different. No matter how much my daughter has fallen for someone, as a parent, I still wanted to judge her partner for myself."
Hearing those true feelings from Masaomi-san made it clear that he really had intended to accept us all along. Wanting to properly vet the person his daughter loved was only natural for a father.
"But what were you actually planning to do?" Mayumi-san asked. "For me, Sara-chan’s happiness is the priority."
"I also believe that Sara’s happiness is the most important thing. However, given my position, I do have to think about the company if possible. As for the arranged marriage, the President suggested it just to get her a little more used to the opposite sex, and I thought that much would be fine. But I never expected Sara to have a lover, let alone for Takanashi-kun to show up. Moreover, it seemed he had even considered the company’s future, so I thought it might be okay to consider balancing both."
In other words, things might have gone very differently if I hadn't mentioned the company.
"Um... by any chance, did things change because I talked about the company?"
"To tell you the truth, yes," Masaomi-san admitted. "I thought Takanashi-kun would be acceptable, but since it seemed you had even thought about the company, I decided to test just how serious you were. My apologies."
Seeing Masaomi-san say that with a slightly mischievous expression, I felt a bit like I’d been played. Of course, I didn’t regret a thing.
"...I see. So you were just mimicking what was done to you in the past?"
"Eh?!"
At Yukie-san’s quiet comment, Masaomi-san’s face visibly twitched. Something done to him in the past?
"I remember now," Yukie-san continued. "That man tested you to see if you were prepared to carry the weight of the company, and you answered him desperately."
"M-Mother-in-law, that story is..."
"Oh? That’s news to me," Mayumi-san said, her eyes twinkling. "I recall hearing that things were quite smooth with Father."
"Well, it was just a test. But you were already a university student back then, weren't you? To do the same thing to Takanashi-kun while he’s still a high school student... I’ll be having a word with you about this later, too."
"Y-Yes... I’m sorry..."
Masaomi-san looked completely dejected. Since this concerned his dignity, I wished she’d waited to point it out until we weren't in the room—a bit of samurai's mercy, so to speak.
"Setting Masaomi-san aside, please let me apologize as well," Mayumi-san said. "I said some harsh things while considering the worst-case scenario... I ended up doing something unnecessary. I am sorry."
Having Mayumi-san apologize after Masaomi-san made me feel even more awkward. Even if they had "tested" me or done something "unnecessary," it was all out of concern for Sara-san—and likely for me as well. There was nothing to apologize for.
"I know it was all for Sara-san’s sake. It's fine. Really, Masaomi-san, I don't mind."
"...I see. I’m truly sorry. Now, to get back to the topic, regarding the company..."
"Um, may I say one thing?"
Sara-san, who had been listening in silence, finally cut in. Even though the matter concerned her, the conversation had been moving forward without her input.
"I understand that Father has acknowledged us. However, the situation isn’t very clear. What kind of arrangement is this? Also, let me say this first: I will follow whatever Issei-san decides, but I have no intention of following Father’s dictates."
"!"
Masaomi-san, who I thought had regained some fatherly dignity, looked like he was about to collapse again. He had taken so much damage today that he was perpetually in the danger zone.
"Pfft... Kuku... S-Sara-chan, please go easy on him. But yes, you're right, let's talk about those details now."
"Yes," Yukie-san agreed. "Half the reason I came here was to confirm that."
Mayumi-san struggled to contain her laughter as she resumed the talk. We were finally entering the third stage, the grand finale. Both of their gazes turned toward me, and I assumed the first step was to confirm my intent.
"Mayumi-san, as I said over the phone the other day, I’ve already decided. The feelings I declared to Masaomi-san were not a lie. Also, my parents told me that I should jump in without hesitation. So..."
"What wonderful parents. I look forward to meeting them. But are you truly sure? I’m happy as well, but you don’t have to force yourself, you know?"
"Takanashi-san, it’s as Mayumi says," Yukie-san added. "We’re happy that you’ve considered us, but please don't overextend yourself."
"I’m fine. I’ll do my best!"
I wasn't forcing myself. From now on, I would be dating Sara-san as her fiancé—on the premise of marriage. There was no reason to hesitate.
As for the company, Masaomi-san and the others were going to take measures, and Nishikawa-san was providing support. So I would... wait, come to think of it, what exactly am I supposed to be doing? I’d been all fired up, but only now did I realize I didn’t know the specific details.
"Ufufufu... isn’t that great, Masaomi-san?"
"Haha, yeah. Well then, I’ll really put my expectations on you, along with President Nishikawa. Let’s proceed on that premise. First, we’ll do the groundwork..."
"You’re getting ahead of yourself. Before that..."
"Mayumi, continue the conversation first. That can wait until later, right?"
Just as the atmosphere turned as if they were about to start a corporate strategy meeting, Yukie-san pulled them back. However, I had to ask.
"Um, specifically, what should I be doing? I’ve decided to do my best with whatever I can, but I’m not sure about the details..."
Mayumi-san nodded with a wry smile. "I’ll explain that as well. First, for Issei-kun..."
"……Wait a moment, Mother. You just said something I cannot overlook."
An intense chill suddenly emanated from my right side, which had been as warm as a sunny spot until a moment ago. I stole a glance to the side and saw Sara-san glaring at Mayumi-san.
"Goodness, Sara-chan, we’re talking about something important right now. Save it for later."
"……Guh… Understood. I expect a thorough explanation afterward."
"Yes, yes. My, you get jealous so easily. So... let’s see... Ah, yes, we’ll definitely need to get formal consent from Issei-kun’s parents for this, though."
Since she mentioned my parents, I assumed she was going to talk about the engagement first.
"In the future, we would like to welcome Issei-kun as an Adopted Son-in-law."
""……Eh?""
Sara-san and I spoke in perfect unison. However, our reasons were different. I had reacted to the word "adopted," but I felt Sara-san had reacted to the word "son-in-law." She was frozen, her face turning a deep shade of crimson.
"Adopted?" I asked.
"Yes."
Adopted... If it meant what I thought it meant, it involved legally joining the family.
"This is a conversation for the future. It doesn't mean right this second, and we obviously have to talk with your parents as well, Issei-kun."
"Um, Mayumi-san... by 'adopted,' do you mean I would become a child of this house?"
"That’s right."
It seemed my understanding was correct. Adopted... what would that actually mean for me? What would change?
"It’s still a way off, and it’s for reasons directed toward the future. There are various complicated reasons, so for now, just take it as the long-term plan. More importantly..."
Mayumi-san looked at me with a mischievous grin.
"Nfufu~ Issei-kun, it looks like Sara-chan is waiting for something?"
When I looked at Sara-san, our eyes met immediately. She was staring at me with intense anticipation. Ah, I see—the "son-in-law" part hadn't been fully addressed between us yet. Mayumi-san was implicitly telling me to be the one to say it.
But the words wouldn't come. Should I just be direct? Suddenly, I was incredibly nervous.
"Sara-san."
"Issei-san……"
Sensing the shift to a serious tone, she gazed at me even more intensely. She had clearly guessed what was coming, and her eyes were shining with hope.
"This is about the future, but... with me..."
"Yes! I accept with pleasure!!"
I hadn't even finished the sentence, but Sara-san gave her answer prematurely. I’d gotten an OK before the proposal was even out, but I felt I should still say it properly.
"Um, so, from now on..."
"Yes! I accept with pleasure!!"
What was I supposed to do? She clearly knew what I was going to say, and I’d already received the answer twice.
"Sara-chan, listen to him properly," Mayumi-san chided. "You mustn't get in the way of a man’s big moment."
"M-My apologies! Issei-san, I will hear the rest."
With a word from her mother, she was finally willing to listen. Of course, Mayumi-san had just raised the stakes for me. Steeling myself, I opened my mouth with a burst of momentum.
"Sara-san, right now we’re dating as a normal couple... but from now on, well, on the premise of marriage..."
"I accept your proposal with pleasure. I will strive to be worthy as Issei-san’s fiancé. I look forward to our future together."
With a complete change in demeanor, Sara-san gave a formal response followed by a deep, elegant bow. Somehow, I ended up bowing back. When I heard giggles from Mayumi-san and Yukie-san, I suddenly felt very embarrassed. Had I done it wrong?
After the bow, Sara-san lunged at me with a radiant smile. I caught her in my arms, but her excitement showed no signs of fading.
"Ah... is it truly alright to be this happy? I will never show a pathetic side of myself again. I will always support Issei-san and walk beside him."
"Sara-san..."
Those words gave me more strength than anything. If Sara-san was supporting me, I felt certain I could overcome whatever lay ahead.
"That’s wonderful, Sara-chan," Mayumi-san said. "To finally become Issei-kun’s fiancé."
"I am of course happy about that, but I have still not consented to Mother calling him Issei-kun."
As if to protect me, Sara-san shifted her body to stand between Mayumi-san and me, though she remained clung to my arm.
"Ehh~? But calling him Takanashi-san feels so distant, doesn’t it? He’s going to be my son soon, and he’s your fiancé, so I think Issei-kun is better. Or maybe I should just call him Issei?"
"Wh-?! Don’t be ridiculous!! I will absolutely never allow you to address him so familiarly!!"
I suspected Mayumi-san was just teasing, but because it concerned me, Sara-san was getting quite worked up. I finally understood why Mayumi-san had switched to my first name—it was because I’d be her son-in-law. It made sense to me, even if Sara-san wasn't having it.
"Sara-chan, your possessiveness is too strong. I’m going to be Issei-kun’s mother-in-law, so I want us to get along. Besides, looking at Issei-kun makes me want to dote on him."
"!!?? M-M-Mother, you have your husband to get along with! Doting on Issei-san is my role as his future wife!!"
This was incredibly embarrassing. I didn't know what kind of face to make. I timidly looked toward Masaomi-san... and saw that his soul had practically left his body.
"Issei-kun reminds me of Masaomi-san when he was young," Mayumi-san continued. "So he’s even more adorable... plus, it’s fun to tease you."
"Don’t group Issei-san with that man! It’s insulting!"
I wanted to tell her to stop. Masaomi-san’s HP wasn't just zero; this was total overkill.
"...I see. Now that you mention it, he certainly does remind me of Masaomi-san in the old days," Yukie-san muttered quietly, though her voice was drowned out by the bickering.
"In any case, I’m going to call him Issei-kun from now on," Mayumi-san declared. "He’s going to be my son either way, so even if Sara-chan hates it, I won't back down! Issei-kun, let’s get along with your mother-in-law, okay?"
"Then get along with that man instead! The one who gets along with Issei-san is me!!! ...Anyway... if I call him Issei-san and Mother calls him Issei-kun... something feels off..."
Sara-san continued to bark at Mayumi-san while hugging me as if to shelter me. I knew what she was getting at. Addressing me as "-kun" did feel more familiar than "-san." If she wanted something more intimate than that, there was only one real option left—even if it didn't quite seem to fit her usual image.
"Sara-san, if it helps, I don't really mind if you drop the honorifics..."
"No, I will not address Issei-san without honorifics. I simply cannot do that."
Apparently, she had her own convictions regarding that. Honestly, it didn't really fit her image, so I was relieved.
"I’ve thought of something. Since I am your fiancé and your prospective wife... Um, Issei-san, it doesn’t have to be all the time, but would it be alright if I changed how I address you? Until it becomes official, I will keep it as it has been in front of others..."
Sara-san seemed to have reached a conclusion, but she was turning bright red and fidgeting. I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
"Y-Yeah. I’m fine with it. You can do whatever you like, Sara-san."
"Thank you. Then, I look forward to our future together... Darling."
!
Darling... I knew well enough that the weight of that word was different now. I was probably turning just as red as she was.
"Hehe... is something the matter, Darling?"
This was bad. I couldn’t put it into words, but this was definitely "bad" for my heart.
"S-Sara?! N-No matter how you look at it, th-th-that’s still too early!" Masaomi-san stammered.
"Please stay out of our business. More importantly, focus on the company. I already have someone I will share my future with, so never bring up those unnecessary marriage proposals again."
Masaomi-san nodded dejectedly, and I felt a genuine surge of sympathy for him. After today, his standing in Sara-san’s eyes had dropped significantly. I hoped I could help him out sometime, but for now, I didn't have a single idea.