On the way home after the Student Council meeting.
The sociable Todo-san already seemed to be fitting in, but I was still struggling to find the right distance with Hanako-san. Our conversation remained safe and superficial. It might take a bit more time with her, but Hanako-san was a good person at heart, so I was sure we would be fine.
"Takanashi-kun, regarding, uh... that debriefing session..."
President Uesaka, who usually had no qualms about leading me into traps—though he had apparently been thoroughly chewed out by Sara-san for it later—spoke with a rare touch of hesitation.
I realized I hadn't passed on the message from Nishikawa-san yet. It was only a few words, but I should tell him.
"That reminds me, I have a message for you from Nishikawa-san."
"!? I-I see. Well, I’m glad she remembered me. And...?"
I felt a strange sense of dissonance watching the President wait for the rest with such visible excitement. It wasn’t exactly earth-shattering news, so I decided to just spit it out.
"She said, 'Thank you for taking care of me back then.'"
"...I-Is that so?"
I wasn't sure how to read his reaction. He didn't exactly look happy, but he didn't look entirely disappointed either. Honestly, even I could see what was going on at this point. Could it be that the President...
"Also, Nishikawa-san might come to the upcoming School Festival. I invited her, and she said she’d try to adjust her schedule."
"!! That’s wonderful news. If she can make it, I would certainly like to welcome her myself."
This time, the President looked genuinely delighted. I was certain of it now. However, judging by Nishikawa-san’s attitude, she clearly saw him as nothing more than an acquaintance.
This is going to be an uphill battle for him... I thought.
As we walked and talked, the smartphone in my pocket, set to silent, began to vibrate. Since it didn't stop, I figured it was an actual call and checked the screen. It was Masaomi-san.
"Yes, hello?"
"Takanashi-kun, hello. Sorry to call out of the blue. I just wanted to give you a quick update. Do you have a moment?"
"Hello. Yes, I'm fine. Did something happen?"
"Your parents will probably contact you as well, but once Takanashi-kun's father finishes his business trip, we’ve decided to have a formal introduction."
Finally, my parents and Sara-san’s parents were going to meet face-to-face. Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san would be fine, but the real wildcard was my Dad. I wanted to believe he’d behave, but...
Actually, what was the deal with me not knowing my own Dad was on a business trip? Why was I hearing about this from my girlfriend’s father?
"U-Understood. I’ll let Sara-san know."
Hearing her own name, Sara-san guessed the person on the other end was her father. She slid right up next to me with a subtle, questioning expression. To reassure her, I reached out and lightly stroked her head. Sara-san gave a happy smile and rested her head on my shoulder. She was irresistibly cute.
"...Why are they suddenly flirting?"
"...Flirting even while on the phone..."
"...I still can't believe it... Is that really Satsukawa-san?"
"Haa... Just as I expected, they're at it even in the Student Council."
"Y-Yeah, looks like it."
"Regarding your current residence," Masaomi-san continued, "I’ve become a guarantor alongside Takanashi-kun’s father, so please rest easy."
"Eh? Ah, yes. Thank you?"
I didn't quite grasp the legal weight of being a guarantor "alongside" him, but it didn't seem like a problem. Why go to such lengths, though?
When I hung up, Sara-san spoke as if she’d been holding her breath.
"Was that Father?"
"Yeah. It sounds like he spoke with my parents, and the formal introduction is set."
" " " " " ...!? " " " " "
At the mention of the meeting, Sara-san’s face lit up with a radiant smile. She had been looking forward to meeting my parents so much; the confirmation clearly made her day.
"I am so looking forward to it! I must consult with Mother immediately and prepare a kimono for the day..."
"Wait, you don't have to go that far yet..."
"It will be my first time meeting your father, and more than anything, I wish to offer a proper greeting—not just as Kazunari-san's fiancé, but as your future wife."
"...Whoaaa, w-wife!?"
"...Fuooh, if Satsukawa-san gets married, the boys at school are going to lose their minds (lol)."
"...That’s not even a joke. Look at those two."
" " ............. " "
Sara-san was clearly taking this very seriously. It wasn't a problem for me, so if she was happy, I was happy to let her handle the details. Besides...
"Understood. I’m looking forward to seeing you in a kimono too, Sara-san."
"Yes!! I’ll do my absolute best!"
With the brightest smile I’d seen all day, Sara-san gave a vigorous nod.
Saturday.
I had a promise to go to Hanako-san’s house today. I’d considered going straight from school, but in the end, I decided to head home first to change and prepare.
It wasn't anything grand, but I’d bought a souvenir yesterday. I’d thought it might be overkill for just visiting a friend's house, but...
"It might seem like an exaggeration, but in situations like this, it is better to bring a souvenir and offer a formal greeting. Please do not forget to say, 'It is nothing special, but...'" Sara-san had lectured.
Now that I thought about it, I remembered seeing people say that in dramas when handing over a gift.
Am I really going to do that...?
I ended up letting Sara-san coordinate my outfit as well. I had planned on wearing something casual, but she prepared a jacket and slacks, similar to the ensemble I’d worn to the hotel for Nishikawa-san’s party.
Perhaps because I saw this as "just going to a friend's house," I had been taking the whole thing too lightly. I’d have to be more careful about these things in the future.
After I finished dressing, Sara-san held out my jacket and waited for me to slide my arms through. The sight was so devoted it made me feel a bit ticklish and embarrassed. Once I had it on, she lightly patted the shoulders and lapels to straighten them out.
"There, that should do it. Now, please don't forget the souvenir."
"Thank you. Well, I’m off."
"......"
Just like the other day, I could tell Sara-san was conflicted. Even if she’d accepted it, and even if it was Hanako-san, there was no way she could be perfectly fine seeing me off to another girl’s house alone. If our positions were reversed, I would be sick with anxiety.
"If you really don't want me to go, Sara-san, I’ll..."
"No, it's fine. I told you before—please listen to Hanako-san's story. If it is only a small request, please accept it for her."
Sara-san wiped away her anxious look and put on a bright front.
Honestly, if this were some random woman’s house, I would have stayed home. But Hanako-san was a close friend. She knew everything about us, and I didn't think anything inappropriate would happen. We were just friends talking. That was why Sara-san was willing to send me off.
"However, it is only for today. And..."
I didn't let her finish.
It was only human to feel anxious even when you trusted someone, and I could tell the atmosphere of today’s visit was heavy with meaning. That was why Sara-san was acting out of character.
I placed my hands on her shoulders. Picking up on the mood, she tilted her face up, smiled, and closed her eyes.
Initiating this myself always made me so nervous...
Chu.
It was a short kiss, but I tried to pour all my feelings of "please trust me" into it. When she opened her eyes and gave me a genuine, heartfelt smile, I knew I was ready to go.
"Well then, I'm off."
"Yes. Have a safe trip... Darling."
Hearing her call me "Darling" made my face burn with embarrassment. Sara-san, on the other hand, seemed delighted by my reaction. She watched me with a satisfied look and waved as I left.
I met Hanako-san at the Station Front. I’d left early to make sure I wasn't late, so she hadn't arrived yet. I waited idly, watching the crowds, until I finally saw her walking toward me, her characteristic low pigtails swaying with every step.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
I couldn't help but let out a wry smile at the contrast between her incredibly cute appearance and her blunt way of speaking.
"What?"
"Nothing. Shall we go?"
"Follow me."
She smoothly extended her hand toward me. I realized she wanted to hold hands so she could lead the way. Remembering Sara-san’s advice to be accommodating, I took her hand.
Squeeze.
Her hand was so tiny. I’d thought Sara-san’s hands were small, but Hanako-san’s were even smaller. I was surprised by how delicate her hand felt—as if it might break if I gripped it too hard—but the way she held on firmly made me smile.
When I squeezed back, Hanako-san’s expression softened, and she started walking, lightly pulling me along.
We walked for a bit, turning off a side street near the Shopping Street, until she stopped in front of an apartment building. This was it. She took her key from her bag, scanned the lock at the entrance, and the automatic doors slid open. We took the elevator to the third floor and stopped in front of a door with the name "Hanasaki" on it.
I was getting really nervous. I already knew Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san, so visiting Sara-san’s house hadn't been this tense. But this was my first meeting with Hanako-san’s family.
"I'm home."
Hanako-san entered first and set out a pair of slippers for me. Just as I was stepping out of my shoes, I heard the pitter-patter of approaching feet.
"Welcome home, Riko. Your friend... is..."
A woman appeared—her mother. Hanako-san clearly took after her; she had the same youthful, baby-faced look and was quite short. I started to offer a greeting, but her mother stood there with wide eyes, completely frozen.
"Eh... um, Riko? Is your friend... a boy?"
"Yes. I thought I told you."
"Eeeh? I don't remember hearing that! A boy... R-Riko brought a boy home..."
It seemed there had been a major communication breakdown. As a parent, if your daughter says she’s bringing a friend home, you usually assume it’s a girl. If she shows up with a man, a reaction like this is only natural.
Then, I heard another set of footsteps approaching slowly.
"Riko, are you back? You brought a friend, right? Don't just stand in the entrance, have them come in..."
No way. Her father was here too? I mean, it was his house, so it shouldn't have been a surprise, but still. While her mother was frozen in shock, her father started visibly trembling.
I have a really bad feeling about this...
"N-Now, Riko. You said a friend was coming, right? T-This boy is..."
"I told you. A friend... or maybe even closer than that."
"!!??"
At Hanako-san’s vague reply, her father’s face went pale with astonishment. Personally, I was touched that she considered me "closer than a friend." It meant she saw me as a soulmate or a best friend.
However...
As always, Hanako-san was a girl of very few words. I understood our relationship, so I knew what she meant, but how would someone with zero context interpret that? A best friend? Or... something else?
"Mother, have him come in first," the father said. "I want to hear the details. Let's talk in the living room."
He retreated into the house with a grim, solemn expression. There was no "maybe" about it—I had definitely been misunderstood.
"Father?"
"Riko, I have questions too, so please come in. I’m sorry, um..."
"Ah, excuse me, I’m Takanashi. It’s a pleasure to meet you."
It seemed a formal interrogation in the living room was inevitable, so I offered a quick self-introduction for now. I could do the proper greetings once we were settled.
"Takanashi-san, is it? Thank you for taking care of Riko. Sorry for keeping you in the entrance, please, come in."
I bowed in return to her mother’s polite nod.
"Excuse me for the intrusion," I said, following Hanako-san inside. My mind was already racing, trying to figure out how on earth I was going to explain this.