The Satsukawa household was currently in a state of upheaval following Sara-san’s Cohabitation Declaration(?), with Masaomi-san leading a desperate last stand.
"N-Now, look, Sara. If you’re determined to do this, wouldn't it be better if Takanashi-kun just moved into this House so you could live together here?"
"That would only cause trouble for Kazunari-san. Besides, if I leave even the slightest opening, Mother is sure to scheme something unnecessary. Rejected."
"Sara-chan, how cruel... As his Mother-in-law, I only want to dote on my Future Son..."
Whether she was truly hurt or just putting on a performance, Mayumi-san looked down for a moment... but in that split second, I caught a glimpse of her smirking. It was definitely an act.
Still, while it was only natural for Masaomi-san to resist so fiercely, we weren't going to get anywhere at this rate.
"So please, enough already! I’ve told you before—the only one who gets to Hug Kazunari-san, give him 'There, there' pets, and dote on him is me! Mother, please just go be lovey-dovey with Father."
"S-S-Sara!?"
Ah, that just added more fuel to Masaomi-san’s fire...
As the man in the room, I felt it was time for me to have a real heart-to-heart with him. Besides, Masaomi-san had mentioned he had something to discuss with me anyway.
Meeting my gaze, Masaomi-san seemed to understand. His expression shifted, and he gave a solemn nod.
"Sara-chan, I’ll help you, so let’s start your Packing now. You have quite a lot of Luggage to move, don't you?"
Mayumi-san was quick to pick up on the silent exchange between me and Masaomi-san. She skillfully guided Sara-san away with a topic she knew her daughter wouldn't refuse.
"Sara-san, I’ll be waiting here, so please go get ready. We’re... going to live together, right?"
"Yes!! I shall go prepare immediately, so please wait just a little longer!"
When I followed up to support the idea, Sara-san’s face lit up with a joyful smile, and she headed back to her room in high spirits. Mayumi-san let out a soft chuckle as if the sight was adorable and followed after her.
...With that, the stage was set for me to speak with Masaomi-san alone. However, I needed to finish this before Sara-san returned, so I didn't have much time to spare.
Without waiting for him to speak first, I prioritized what I absolutely had to convey.
"Masaomi-san, I swear I will never betray your trust. I’ve kept my word until now, and I vow to keep it in the future as well. So please, believe in me. I’ll work as hard as I can, so please... let Sara do as she wishes. I’m begging you!"
Without averting my eyes, I expressed my resolve directly and bowed my head deeply. I knew words alone wouldn't be enough to earn his full confidence; I would have to prove it through my actions. That was why I needed his permission—even if just on a trial basis—to have that chance.
"Hey, Masaomi-san, Kazunari-kun has taken wonderful care of Sara-chan this whole time. He kept his promise to me perfectly, and during these last few days when Sara-chan was Running away from home, he watched over her the entire time."
Mayumi-san, who was supposed to be helping Sara-san, had returned at some point. I felt a brief surge of panic, but it seemed Sara-san wasn't with her yet.
Mayumi-san seemed determined to help persuade Masaomi-san, showing an unusually serious expression. To his credit, Masaomi-san listened intently and didn't dismiss us out of hand.
"...I see. In truth, I should be the one thanking you. Besides, even if I refuse now, Sara will likely just find her way to you anyway. Looking at her, that much is as clear as day. If that’s the case, I have no choice but to entrust her to you... Very well, Takanashi-kun, I shall believe in you too. If you have been true to your word until now, then I ask you to remain that way. You’re both still students, so until the marria—"
"Masaomi-san, your speech is getting long. Kazunari-kun, we’re all set, right?"
"Yes, we're all set!"
I declared my resolve once more with conviction, and Masaomi-san finally seemed to accept it, nodding with a small smile. Thank goodness, with this...
"Thank you for waiting. I’ve gathered my essential items, so I will return for anything else I need as the situation arises."
Sara-san returned at the perfect moment, carrying a large Bag.
She looked like she was struggling, so I half-forcibly took the Luggage from her despite her polite protests.
"...Thank you. Well then, Kazunari-san, shall we head back to our House?"
"Yeah, look at the time. We should probably get going."
I checked my Smartphone and saw it was already nearly 8:00 PM. No matter how comfortable I was at the Family Home, we had stayed far too late.
As we prepared to leave, Masaomi-san called out to Sara-san.
"Sara, I won't oppose this anymore. I've decided to watch over the two of you. But at the very least, I want you to come back once a week. Let us see that you're healthy and happy."
Since Masaomi-san had made such a significant concession, I couldn't possibly refuse. I was even prepared to persuade Sara-san myself if she had seemed reluctant.
"...Kazunari-san, what do you think?"
Even Sara-san didn't reject the idea immediately. By asking me, she was leaving the final decision in my hands.
"Masaomi-san, we’ll pick a day and definitely come back once a week. Would it be alright if I joined her?"
"Of course. You are going to be our Son in the future. That makes this House your family home too. Don't hesitate; please come over whenever you like."
Masaomi-san accepted my answer with a look of genuine relief and joy.
For the sake of the man who had placed his trust in me, I wanted to do what I could to help close the distance between him and Sara-san. Besides, I truly enjoyed being with this family.
"That's right! If you start holding back now, your Mother-in-law won't forgive you, understood?"
"Ahaha... I’ll do my best, Mother."
Since they had been Taking Care of me all day, I decided to meet her expectations as a small token of my gratitude. The effect was more powerful than I had imagined.
Mayumi-san trembled as if overcome with emotion and charged at me with full force... but Sara-san stepped in at the last second, meaning it was Sara-san who received the Mother’s passionate Hug.
"I won't let you, you know?"
"Oh, Sara-chan! Mother finally had a chance to hug her cute Son!"
"Hahaha, better luck next time, Mayumi."
"Don't laugh, Masaomi-san... Kazunari-kun, I'll get you next time, okay?"
The Satsukawa Family really was a wonderful household.
Thinking about the fact that I would one day officially be a part of this family made me feel a sincere sense of anticipation.
"Thank you for everything. Good night."
"Good night."
Because of all the Luggage, Masaomi-san had driven us back. As we stepped out in front of the Apartment, I called out a final greeting through the open passenger window.
"Takanashi-kun, I’m counting on you to look after Sara. And, at the risk of repeating myself, please, whatever you do..."
"It’s okay. Please trust me."
"?"
It was only natural for Masaomi-san to be worried. I didn't hold it against him; I just had to show him through my actions until he could truly believe in me.
Sara-san watched our exchange with a puzzled tilt of her head...
...
While Sara-san was organizing her things, I decided to fold up my Folding Bed.
I had wanted her to use it, but she had been adamant that she wouldn't allow herself to sleep on a bed while I slept on the floor.
Ultimately, we always ended up laying out futons side-by-side anyway, so I had simply decided the bed would just be in the way from now on.
Watching me put the bed away, Sara-san seemed to understand exactly what it meant for our New Life.
"I still feel as though I am in a dream... We are truly going to live together from today onward, aren't we...?"
"Yeah, we are."
"......And in the future, I will truly become Your Wife?"
"...Y-Yes, that's right."
Having her ask me that directly was incredibly embarrassing...
But it seemed that hearing the words from me helped Sara-san realize that this was reality, not a dream.
She approached me slowly and wrapped her arms around my head as she always did, pulling me into her chest.
"We will be together forever now... I am so happy, I feel like I might melt away..."
She murmured those words with profound emotion, tenderly stroking my head as she held me close. I let my strength fade and allowed myself to be pampered.
"Kazunari-san, please promise me that you won't hold back from now on. If there is anything I am lacking in, please tell me immediately. It is all for the sake of our future, after all."
While I thought being completely without hesitation was a tall order, I figured I could at least make reasonable requests.
And... let her spoil me... No, this was only because Sara-san enjoyed it, not because I was actually a pampered person.
"Then, Sara-san, you have to promise not to hold back either. Since we’re living together, it shouldn't just be me relying on you."
"......Is that truly alright?"
"Of course. Though the most I can do is help out with chores. But if you’re telling me not to hesitate, then you have to do the same."
The fact that she had to ask meant she hadn't originally intended to act spoiled herself. I was glad I had made it clear now.
"I will be the one handling the Housework, so I have no intention of letting you help. This is my own selfish wish, so please, leave everything to me."
I knew how much Sara-san valued her role in the house, so I had expected her to refuse that much. I hoped there was something else, though.
"However... um, may I take you up on your offer for something else?"
"By all means!"
Requests from Sara-san were rare, so I wanted to hear it before she changed her mind. If I got her to commit now, I could hold her to it later even if she got shy.
"Shopping for our Meals... I want us to go... together. Just the two of us."
The request she uttered with such hesitation was so modest and endearing.
"Understood. From now on, let's always go Shopping together. Is there anything else?"
I would have wanted to do that even if she hadn't asked. Was there anything more?
"...Every day, please let me pamper you. Let me Hug you like this. And at night... in the same Futon..."
"E-Eh... u-um, understood."
S-Since it was Sara-san’s request, I suppose... Every day was going to be a trial of my self-control, but I had to stay strong.
"And occasionally... may I act a bit spoiled as well?"
"!? O-Of course!!"
Sara-san, clearly unused to making such requests, continued to whisper her wishes one by one, looking shy the entire time.
Each and every one of them was so sweet that I found myself blushing along with her.
Mwah...
Just as she pulled back slightly, I felt a sudden, soft warmth against my Cheek.
"I will do my very best for us."
"I'll do my best too!"
"Thank you! I love you... Darling..."
I wanted to protect Sara-san’s happy smile forever. For that alone, I knew I could overcome anything.
And so... the curtain rose on our new life together.