While the others began coordinating their plans, Sara-san and I—the supposed subjects of the conversation—were somehow left out in the cold.
It left me with an awkward, restless feeling, unsure of what to do with myself.
Knock, knock...
As if stitching together the gaps in the conversation, the light sound of a knock echoed through the Student Council Room. It was rare for anyone to visit this room unannounced, so the sound itself was unusual. Whether it was because of that or some other reason, a strange tension suddenly washed over everyone.
The eyes that had gathered on the door shifted to Sara-san, silently asking if she had any appointments. Sara-san shook her head, indicating that this visitor was entirely unexpected. The realization only seemed to heighten the group's wariness.
Could it be... something related to the announcement already?
I felt a sense of caution as well, but we couldn't just leave a guest standing there. Thinking it might be business meant for me, I prepared to handle it myself—only for Uesaka-san to stop me with a hand.
Apparently, he wanted me to leave it to him.
"Yes? Who is it...?"
"Ah, it’s Satsukawa~! I’ve come to pick up Kazunari-kun and Sara-chan~."
The voice that filtered through the door was a soft healing voice, one that immediately dispelled the tension in the room. It was Mayumi-san. She was supposed to contact us after the Social Gathering ended, but it seemed she had decided to come here directly. Come to think of it, Mayumi-san was an alumna of this school, so it was only natural for her to know the way.
Click.
Uesaka-san opened the door, and Mayumi-san stepped inside with a cheerful smile. She immediately began glancing around the room, surveying the area as if looking for something.
"Mother, didn't I tell you to contact us first?"
"Fwah... how nostalgic. Oh, they still have this?"
Whether she heard Sara-san’s complaint or not, Mayumi-san didn't answer. Instead, she murmured her impressions with a look of deep emotion. If the location of the Student Council Room hadn't changed since her day, it wasn't surprising that the interior felt familiar. There were plenty of fixtures in here that looked quite aged.
"...Um..."
"...Is that Satsukawa-san's mother?"
"...Wait... isn't she more like an older sister!?"
"...Whoa, she's incredible..."
"Excuse me~."
Suddenly, another figure followed Mayumi-san inside with a casual greeting—it was Mom. It seemed the two mothers had met up beforehand and walked here together.
"Heh... so this is what a Student Council Room looks like."
Mom was looking around with the same curiosity as Mayumi-san, though in her case, it was simply because the environment was a novelty. Unfortunately, the sudden invasion of two parents left the rest of the council at a loss for how to react.
"Mom, at least give me a heads-up next time."
"Hmm? Once I met up with Mayumi-san, we agreed to come straight to the Student Council Room to get you. Oh, by the way, I’m only here for Sara-chan. Not you."
"Yeah, yeah, I figured as much."
"Um... Mother-in-law, your sentiment is wonderful, but regarding Kazunari-san as well..."
I couldn't be bothered to nitpick Mom's jabs anymore, so I let it slide. However, the ever-kind Sara-san was different. Even when facing my mother, she spoke up for my sake.
"I’m the one who came for Kazunari-kun. So, this works out perfectly."
I wasn't sure what was so perfect about it, but as soon as Mayumi-san shifted her gaze to me, she reached out her arms. Between the short distance and my own lack of focus, I was about to be hugged without a fight—until I was suddenly yanked away. I landed in a place that was heaven to me: Sara-san’s arms.
"Honestly! Mother, please give it a rest!"
"Sara-chan, you’re so jealous. This is just physical intimacy between a mother-in-law and her cute son."
"Please go do that with Father!"
Even Sara-san, who usually carried herself with such maturity, tended to show her age when dealing with Mayumi-san. She was always like this with her family, but when I was involved, she became even more stubborn. I suspected Mayumi-san knew this and intentionally teased me right in front of her just to enjoy the reaction.
"...Satsukawa-san's mother is so young!?"
"...Are the mother and daughter actually fighting over Takanashi-kun...?"
"...Seriously... how lucky can one guy get..."
"...The world is truly unfair..."
"Wow... Satsukawa-senpai's mother looks just like an older sister!"
Uncharacteristically for her, Marina Todo approached Mayumi-san with intense curiosity. She had mentioned before that she was interested in Sara-san’s mother, so that was likely the reason.
"Nfufu~, thank you."
"Ah, excuse me, I’m Marina Todo. Satsukawa-senpai has been taking great care of me!"
Realizing she hadn't introduced herself, Marina Todo began bowing frantically as she greeted Mayumi-san. She then pivoted and offered the same energetic greeting to my Mom. It was a scene perfectly typical of the earnest Marina Todo.
"Anyway, you... how long do you plan on staying like that? In front of everyone, no less. Don’t you think you’re being a nuisance to Sara-chan?"
"Ah..."
Pointed out by Mom, I realized I was still being held close in Sara-san’s embrace. Mom looked at me as if to say, What is this kid doing? but strangely, it felt like a long time since I’d been on the receiving end of such a look.
"Um, Mother-in-law, I don’t think he’s a nuisance at all. In fact, if Kazunari-san seeks this, I don’t mind..."
Sara-san brushed it off with a calm tone that suggested this was perfectly normal. Even Mom couldn't hide her shock at that. After looking around at the others and seeing their lack of surprise, Mom seemed to come to a realization. She hung her head in dejection.
"You... since when did you become this kind of character?"
I wasn't sure which character she meant, but given the circumstances, she probably meant a spoiled child. To be honest, I never expected to become this way either. Back when I first met Sara-san, I was so busy trying to suppress my own bitterness that the idea of acting spoiled with anyone never even crossed my mind. Thinking back to those days, the current me was almost unrecognizable.
"I think... I was spoiled too much by my wife..."
Everyone nodded in absolute agreement with Hanako-san’s sharp observation. That said, I wasn't exactly lacking in self-awareness. I knew that I had ended up this way because I was so happy Sara-san allowed me to be spoiled. I didn't regret it for a second, though.
"Fufu... I don't mind at all. If Kazunari-san acts spoiled with me, it’s exactly what I want♪"
Squeeze...
Oblivious to the reactions of those around us, Sara-san tightened her hug with a blissful expression. I had reached a state of total acceptance; if it made Sara-san happy, and I was happy myself, then there was no problem whatsoever.
"Kazunari-san, is it a nuisance for me to do this?"
"Not at all. I actually like it."
"See?♪ So, we’re perfectly fine like this."
"""............"""
While enduring their freezing stares, Sara-san refused to let me go.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mom start a conversation with Uesaka-san. His response of "It’s always like this" was the only thing that echoed clearly in my ears...
After leaving the Student Council Room, we headed to a cafe near the school as planned. Inside, we saw several other groups of parents and children who seemed to be returning from the Parental Observation Day, along with groups of friends. Some of them stared at us with wide eyes.
"...H-Hey, it’s Satsukawa-san!"
"...Wait... what’s going on...?"
"...Well, they’re the President and Vice President, right?"
"...But are those both of their parents?"
Once we found a table for four and sat down, Mayumi-san unceremoniously took the seat right next to me.
Since the purpose of this meeting was the introductions, Sara-san had thoughtfully sat on the opposite side to give them space. I assumed Mayumi-san would sit next to her, but...
"Oh? In that case, I’ll sit next to Sara-chan."
Perhaps not seeing anything wrong with Mayumi-san’s seating choice, Mom followed suit and sat right next to Sara-san. The only ones confused by this arrangement were Sara-san and me. Sara-san looked like she wanted to complain as she glared at Mayumi-san, but with Mom sitting right beside her, she couldn't say a word and looked quite frustrated.
"Well then... shall we start with the introductions?"
"Yes. Though it’s really just down to me and Mayumi-san."
After we ordered our drinks from the shop clerk, Mayumi-san got straight to the point.
As Mom said, the only ones meeting for the first time were the two mothers. All other pairings were already settled, so I decided to simply watch them talk for a while. Sara-san seemed to have the same idea.
"Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Mayumi Satsukawa. My daughter, Sara, is truly in your debt."
"I am Fuyumi Takanashi. Kazunari is the one who is truly in your debt. Honestly, he’s been taken care of so much that it’s almost embarrassing."
I knew exactly why Mom was emphasizing the "taking care of" part. Considering I was being looked after not just by Sara-san but by the entire Satsukawa family, I was too self-conscious to offer any defense.
"Oh, no~, Kazunari-kun is the one taking such good care of Sara-chan..."
"Sorry, Mayumi-san, I know this is just a formal greeting, but since I’m clearly the one being taken care of by Sara-san, that’s a bit much..."
Even though I knew it was just polite conversation, I couldn't help but interject. I could never bring myself to claim I was the one looking after her. I hadn't intended to interrupt, but my sense of guilt wouldn't let that comment slide.
"Kazunari-kun, that’s not quite right. Even if the visible support comes from Sara-chan, that relationship only exists because you accept it. The space the two of you share only exists because you are both there for one another. So, it isn't a case of one side being the sole provider; you are both taking care of and being taken care of by each other."
"Kazunari-san, it’s just as Mother says. Taking care of you is my reason for living, but it is also my own personal selfishness. You are the one who accepted all of me, so in that sense, I am also being taken care of."
It seemed my unnecessary comment had only made them worry about me.
To be honest, the feeling that I was being unilaterally looked after hadn't gone away, but I could at least understand their point. I decided it was best to simply accept their kindness.
"I understand... Thank you."
"Nfufu, Kazunari-kun is such a good boy. Even that serious side of yours is..."
Mayumi-san reached out to pat my head, but her hand stopped short, frozen by the intense pressure radiating from Sara-san.
"Mother... I will not forgive you for this, understood?"
"Y-You don't have to be so serious about it..."
Perhaps because she couldn't physically block her mother from across the table, the pressure Sara-san exerted was even heavier than usual. Or, as Mayumi-san suggested, maybe she really was that serious.
"Ahahaha, Sara-chan, you really do get along well with your mother. I’ve started to get a feel for Mayumi-san’s personality now."
Mom had been watching the exchange with interest, and she suddenly laughed as she stepped in to mediate. Whether it was intentional or not, it succeeded in diffusing Sara-san’s hostility, and the tense air relaxed.
"But really... I’ve never seen a girl as flawless as Sara-chan. To think such a wonderful girl exists..."
"Oh, Fuyumi-san, that’s my line. Kazunari-kun is such a wonderful boy. He’s serious, devoted, and kind; he has a strong sense of integrity as a young man and works so hard at it. It’s truly sweet. When Sara-chan said she wanted to start making bento for a boy, I was so surprised... but after meeting Kazunari-kun, I could see why she fell for him..."
Clatter!!
Clatter!!
A sound like several glasses being overturned in quick succession came from the table behind us. I stole a quick glance and saw a group of students from our school. Several clerks rushed over to help, so it must have been quite a mess.
"No, no, if we’re talking about that, then Sara-chan is..."
"Oh, please, Kazunari-kun is the one who..."
Meanwhile, Mayumi-san and Mom continued their conversation, completely unbothered by the noise.
The entire discussion consisted of them praising me and Sara-san. Listening to it was honestly agonizing—truly, deeply embarrassing. While Sara-san looked happy to be praised by Mom, it was clear she didn't know how to handle such blatant, unreserved compliments.
I felt exactly the same way. Being showered with praise by Mayumi-san left me at a total loss for words. I was happy, of course, but it was just so much...