When I returned to the living room, Yukie-san was preparing to leave, saying she was heading home for the day.
Masaomi-san had intended to drive her, but Yukie-san wanted to take a detour on her way back and decided to walk. Since it was still late afternoon, I didn't think there would be any issues with her walking home alone, but…
"Well then, I shall be going. If anything happens, make sure you report it to me this time."
"Y-Yes... I am very sorry..."
"Mother, he’s reflected on it, so please forgive him already..."
I wondered what had happened while Sara-san and I were away.
Looking at Masaomi-san, who seemed utterly dejected, and Mayumi-san, who looked slightly fed up, it appeared that Yukie-san's promise to "have a talk later" had indeed been carried out.
"Takanashi-san, Sara-chan, please come visit anytime. I would be happy to hear more of your stories. Also, if you ever run into any trouble, don't hesitate to come to me, alright?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
"I understand, Grandmother."
With a complete change from the way she had been lecturing Masaomi-san and the others, Yukie-san returned to her usual calm and gentle self.
"Yes, yes. Seeing the two of you standing side-by-side like that, it wouldn't feel out of place at all to call you a married couple."
"Eh!?"
"Grandmother, is that true?"
Yukie-san likely meant it as a joke, but Sara-san was genuinely delighted.
That reaction seemed to please Yukie-san even more, and she laughed as she made her way home.
Now that Yukie-san was gone, I wondered what I should do next.
According to the RAIN messages from Yuji and the others, everyone who had gathered today had already been dismissed. Apparently, they intended to gather again at a later date for a debriefing session with us. A message had already arrived stating that Sara-san and I were required to attend.
Regardless of that…
I thought that Masaomi-san and the others might want to catch up with Sara-san after her few days of running away from home. I decided it would be best to be considerate and head home, but then—
"Kazunari-kun, let's eat dinner together today."
"That's right. Please, stay for a meal."
When both of them invited me right then and there, it felt wrong to refuse. Or rather, I had no reason to, so I decided to humbly accept their kindness.
"Pardon me then, thank you very much."
"Geez, that kind of formal distance is strictly forbidden from now on!"
"Hahaha, as expected, it won't be possible to change right away. But I'd be happy if you could get used to us at your own pace."
Hearing them say this made me realize that both Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san had truly accepted me. It made me happy. I didn't intend to forget my manners and become overly familiar too quickly, but I thought it might be okay to relax just a little.
I just had to make sure I didn't get the balance wrong.
"Thank you. I'll do my best to get used to things."
"Yes, that's fine."
"Hehe, I hope you'll soon be able to call me Mother-in-law."
I see. Whether it was through adoption or marriage, I would eventually become her son. That meant Mayumi-san would be my mother-in-law, so calling her Mother-in-law meant…… Ah!?
"So that's what calling her Mother-in-law meant!?"
"Ah, you finally understood? That's good."
In other words, Mayumi-san had been looking at me that way since long before this incident. That’s why she had been pushing for me to call her Mother-in-law for so long.
"Kazunari-san, is something the matter?"
Just at that moment, Sara-san returned from the kitchen after clearing the dishes.
"Kazunari-kun finally seems to have understood the meaning of calling me Mother-in-law."
"Mother-in-law... T-That's right. Once we're married, it will certainly be like that, but..."
Sara-san looked a bit embarrassed as she spoke. She came over to my side and sat down in her fixed position to my right. It wasn't my imagination that she was sitting a bit closer than usual.
"I was thinking that Takanashi-kun should join us for dinner today as well."
"Is that so... Kazunari-san, what would you like to do?"
"Since they offered, I think I'll let them take care of me."
"I understand. Then, I shall prepare the meal for today—"
"No, I'm cooking today. Sara-chan, you're always cooking for Kazunari-kun, so at a time like this, leave it to me."
"……Always?"
Sara-san had naturally assumed she would be the one cooking, but Mayumi-san cut in just as she started to say it. I had a feeling it would turn out like this.
I also thought I heard Masaomi-san mutter something under his breath.
"I will be the one Taking Care of everything for Kazunari-san's everyday needs. Since I have promised to become his wife, I have no intention of yielding that role to anyone, even my mother."
I secretly thought she wouldn't yield it even if those circumstances weren't there, but I kept that to myself. She would likely push that point even harder from now on. If it made Sara-san that happy, it was fine by me.
"Now, now, why don't the two of you just make it together? I'd like to eat Sara's cooking for the first time in a while, too."
Honestly, I thought Masaomi-san's compromise was the only way out. The two of them looked at each other and nodded with somewhat reluctant expressions. At least that was settled.
"Hehe, I think I'll have Kazunari-kun praise me by saying Mother-in-law's food is the most delicious."
"Don't make me laugh. When it comes to cooking Kazunari-san's meals, even a three-star chef couldn't beat me. If anyone could possibly defeat me, it would only be Kazunari-san's Moth... no, his Mother-in-law."
No, I feel bad saying this, but my Mom definitely can't beat Sara-san... she's the strongest. And Sara-san went out of her way to correct herself to "Mother-in-law" just now to make a subtle point.
"You said it... You're ten years too early to try and beat your Master."
"When it comes to Kazunari-san, I find it unacceptable for you to even think you can beat me."
While scattering invisible sparks between them, the two of them intensified their competitive stances. This was supposed to be a simple invitation to dinner... How did it turn into this?
Masaomi-san also seemed surprised by the unexpected turn of events.
Since the two of them had gone to the kitchen, I was alone with Masaomi-san for the first time in a while. When we looked at each other, we both burst out laughing.
"It feels quite strange. You, who were simply a benefactor at first, gradually gained more points of contact, and before I knew it, we’re talking about you becoming my son. Human connections are truly interesting."
"You're right... To be honest, when I received your business card, I thought you were someone I'd never meet again. I didn't need any thanks, and I had absolutely no intention of making a phone call that sounded like I was demanding a reward. But to think that person was Sara-san's father... what a coincidence."
It really felt like a coincidence that went beyond mere chance. Who could have predicted that the person I met only once back then would one day be the person I'd call Father? Back then, I was barely even an acquaintance of Sara-san's.
"No, regardless, today was truly a day of surprises. I thought you were an interesting young man, but I didn't think you would exceed my expectations to this extent. To tell the truth, even now, seeing Sara by your side makes me wonder if I'm dreaming. For that Sara to change so much..."
Natsumi-senpai was surprised at first too, and remembering Nishikawa-san's reaction, anyone who knew Sara-san would probably be shocked. For a parent, that surprise must be incomparable to that of friends or acquaintances.
"Natsumi-senpai and Nishikawa-san were also quite surprised. But from my perspective, Sara-san has been kind from the very beginning."
"……I don't want to speak too negatively of my own daughter, but even that is hard to believe. However, that's precisely why it makes sense. If that Sara was favorable toward you from the start, then the way the two of you are now must have been decided from the moment you met."
It was embarrassing, but I was truly happy to hear him say that. Still, if I may say so myself, Masaomi-san was quite the romantic.
"I'm not sure if I should put it this way in front of Sara-san's father, but I think it's destiny."
"Hah! Hahaha, you certainly say it. I knew about your character and your seriousness toward work, but with the situation with Mother-in-law, the Yamasaki Industries matter, and even having a massive hidden card like President Nishikawa... are you really just a high school student? You're truly something else. This makes me want to really place my expectations on you."
Well... it was all a coincidence, though.
Regarding President Nishikawa, it was undoubtedly the result of Nishikawa-san taking action, and the Yamasaki matter was much the same. In the first place, I didn't even know about Masaomi-san's involvement.
"That certainly started from the feud between me and Yamasaki, but the final resolution was thanks to everyone who cooperated with me. There's no doubt I wouldn't have been able to do anything alone..."
"No, I think that's a bit different. When moving as a group, you should compensate for each other by considering each person's territory and strengths. I don't know how you all solved it, but as a result of you taking action, everyone gathered around you as the center. And the fact that everyone cooperated means that you are that kind of person. Therefore, that is also your magnificent power."
……I remembered being told something similar by Hanako-san before. I didn't know if it meant the same thing, but I felt like I understood what he was saying.
It wasn't my power as an individual, but the fact that I gathered that cooperation and moved it toward a goal—that was what he was calling my power. Or so I felt, somehow.
Side Sara
"I'm so glad. I've always worried about what would happen to Masaomi-san if Sara-chan ever found someone, but it seems he'll be able to get along well with Kazunari-kun."
"Well... as long as it ends peacefully, I don't particularly mind."
As long as there is no opposition regarding Kazunari-kun, it is not a problem for me either way.
As for our affairs, I will simply follow whatever Kazunari-kun decides.
"…Hahaha."
My father's laughter reached all the way here.
It seems the conversation over there is getting lively. I just hope Father doesn't say anything rude to Kazunari-san...
"Oh my, it seems they've become quite close. In that case, it might even be better to have Kazunari-kun move in so the four of us can live in this house together. I wonder if I should ask him?"
In this house?
It might not be a bad idea... but I still prefer being just the two of us.
I wouldn't call them a nuisance, but I want to be the one to do everything, from Taking Care of Kazunari-san's Everyday Needs to everything else.
Besides, if it is just the two of us, Kazunari-san can sweeten up to me anytime.
However, that is only after I have consulted with Kazunari-san first.
"You may ask, but we will be the ones to decide, alright?"
I'm sure Kazunari-kun will understand my feelings...