Lunch Break.
Once again, the highlight of the day, lunchtime, had arrived.
Satsukawa-senpai's Bento was something I looked forward to every single day, so I generally had no say in the menu. Or rather, she usually had it finished by the time I woke up, so the truth was that I had no way of knowing what was in it beforehand anyway.
"Kazunari, you always look so happy when lunch rolls around."
"Well, it's one of the few things I truly enjoy in my school life."
I couldn't help it, could I?
As a Wholesome Boy, eating a Homemade Bento from your lover at school was the definition of a dream scenario.
To be honest, I used to think such things would always be irrelevant to me. I never could have imagined that a woman like Sara-san, the love of my life and my fiancé, would ever appear.
...Well, when I first started at this school, I was distrustful of people and had a twisted outlook on life. I hadn't been in a mental state to even consider romance.
"Now then, let's get going before it's too late."
"Yes. We are probably the last ones left."
That was true... Why were we always the last ones?
Did everyone else just dash toward the Flowerbed at full speed the moment the bell rang for Lunch Break without looking back?
No... I couldn't even picture that scene.
"Takanashi-kun, is it Satsukawa-senpai's Wife's Bento again today?"
"Haa, even as a girl, I'm so jealous of her cooking."
"Seriously, a 'Wife's Bento' is actually incredible..."
"Especially since it's from Satsukawa-senpai."
Ever since our relationship became public knowledge, I had been teased or envied by the girls like this more often. They weren't being mean-spirited about it, so I didn't really mind.
"Haa... Must be nice... I'm seriously so jealous."
"I mean, why is Takanashi the only one who gets that special treatment?"
"Because they're lovers, right?"
"No, I mean even before that... Usually, guys were totally out of her league, right?"
"True. No matter who tried to approach her, she gave them the cold shoulder. Why only Takanashi..."
At the very least, guys driven purely by ulterior motives wouldn't understand even if they spent their whole lives trying... Though, of course, I didn't intend to say something so arrogant out loud.
"Kazunari, if we don't hurry, we'll be late."
"Ah, sorry."
Oops. While I was lost in thought, I had stopped walking without realizing it.
Sara-san and the others were likely already waiting, so I’d better get moving...
……………
………
…
Lunch was over, and we were enjoying a relaxing break.
As we chatted as usual, the topic turned to the Cooking Class that had just finished yesterday.
"So, did everyone eventually manage to make it?"
"We managed to finish it, for the most part... except for me."
"Hoe? Takanashi-kun was the only one who couldn't? Ah, maybe it's because Sara didn't want Takanashi-kun to do any cooking, so she forcibly made him stay out of it—"
"Natsumi, I won't forgive that, even as a joke..."
"Hiiiiii!!!"
A dangerous light flickered in Sara-san's eyes... or rather, she looked like she was on the verge of actually snapping.
"...Hie!? N-Next, Hanako-san, look at that."
"...Wife prioritizes Kazunari over her own life. Therefore, that is the ultimate insult. She's likely genuinely enraged."
"...N-No, don't just provide a calm Commentary! Shouldn't you stop Satsukawa-senpai?"
"...She brought it on herself. Besides, if you think you can stop her, try it yourself, Handsome Guy."
"...Sorry, I can't."
"I-I just thought you'd be the type to say 'Kazunari-san doesn't need to learn how to cook~' or something!!!!"
Oh, she was sharp.
Natsumi's guess of the dialogue was almost spot on... As expected of the person who had known Sara-san the longest. But that wasn't the direct reason. At this rate, Sara-san would be getting blamed for something she didn't do. I had to step in.
"You're wrong, Natsumi-senpai. It's because I cut my finger a little with the knife..."
"D-D-Don't say it! I'm bad with that kind of stuff! Ugh, it gives me the shivers!"
Hearing my explanation, Natsumi-senpai winced and began to tremble.
Ah... Right, there are people who are squeamish about those kinds of stories. So Natsumi-senpai was one of them. I felt bad for bringing it up.
"That I... would force... Kazunari-san?"
And Sara-san's eyes were completely dead.
This was bad. Just like with Mayumi-san, Sara-san basically lost her sense of humor whenever it came to me.
Especially this time; from the perspective of Sara-san, who always made it a point to prioritize me, those were words she couldn't simply let slide...
"...H-Hanako-san..."
"...No, I can't do anything either. In fact, the only one who can do anything about Wife is Kazunari."
"...Well... that's true."
Just as Hanako-san said, it was my role to handle this situation.
But how... I didn't want to use any cheap tricks on Sara-san, so I figured I should just convey my feelings straight.
"Sara-san, I know that you prioritize me above anyone and anything else. I also know how much you value doing that... because I feel exactly the same way."
This wasn't conceit; Sara-san had consistently cherished me and prioritized me above all else. That was an absolute fact.
And I felt exactly the same way about her.
"Kazunari-san..."
"There aren't many people who can understand the strength of our feelings. Besides, Natsumi-senpai is dense about those things, so it'll be a long time before she reaches our level."
"Hey!"
Even though I was helping her out, Natsumi-senpai let out a shout that sounded like a retort for some reason. But I ignored her for now. My priority was comforting Sara-san.
Then, Sara-san's dangerous aura vanished instantly, replaced by her usual gentle smile.
"Fufu... You're right. Natsumi is indeed dense. It will certainly be a long time before she can understand our feelings."
"Listen here, you Stupid Couple!! Just because I'm staying quiet doesn't mean you can say whatever— mgh!"
"Just shut up. Also, what was said was your own fault."
"Wow... Hanako-san is amazing in her own right. No one else can do that to Natsumi-senpai..."
"Ahaha... B-But I'm glad Satsukawa-senpai's mood improved. As expected of her fiancé."
Good, it looked like she had returned to her usual, kind self.
Honestly... Natsumi-senpai probably meant it as a joke, but considering the intensity of Sara-san's feelings, she should have known it would provoke a reaction.
"Kazunari-san... if you'd like, may I give you a Lap Pillow?"
"Heh?"
Umm... I didn't mind, but why so suddenly?
It didn't really fit the flow of the conversation, so it felt quite abrupt.
"Fufu... Please don't look so puzzled. It's just a feeling, but I'm in the mood to do something for you, Kazunari-san. Or perhaps a Hug instead..."
"Lap Pillow, please!"
I answered immediately without thinking.
I mean, of course I'd be happy with either, but Sara-san's hugs came with various "options" that made them dangerous in a different sense.
If she did that to me now, I'd end up so pampered and spineless that my afternoon classes would be a disaster.
Plus, I could only see a future where we "did it" again while leaving everyone else behind in the dust.
"Understood. Then, please come here♪"
Sara-san cleared a bit of the space around her and lightly patted her thighs. A Lap Pillow carried its own kind of tension. Without taking a breath first, I couldn't just dive right in.
"Well then... pardon the intrusion..."
It was a phrase that even I didn't quite understand the logic of, but I felt like I had to say some kind of polite greeting when receiving such an intimate service.
Soft...
"!?—"
As I laid down and slowly rested my head on her thighs, that surprisingly soft sensation welcomed me as always.
People sometimes use the phrase "like Heaven," and I truly believed that was the perfect description for her Lap Pillow. By the way, if she seriously tried to spoil me with a Hug, it would go beyond Heaven. It was the kind of thing that was simply beyond words.
"Kazunari-san... how is it?"
"...I'm happy."
"Fufu... I am happy too. We still have time, so please stay like this for a while."
Stroke, stroke...
As soon as my position stabilized, Sara-san began stroking my head.
I also felt that a Lap Pillow and head-pats were a set, but I had to stay a bit focused. Not because it was dangerous in a weird way, but simply because the comfort made me want to fall asleep immediately.
"As usual... these two start flirting so seamlessly."
"It couldn't be helped this time. The moment Kazunari followed up for her, it was obvious Wife would want to flirt. It's all someone's fault."
"Mmmph! Mmmph! Mmmph!!!!"
"H-Hanako-san, Natsumi-senpai is..."
"Mistake. I forgot."
"Puhah!? A-Are you trying to kill me!?"
"It wasn't on purpose... probably."
"Probably!!??"
Hmm... I felt a sense of déjà vu watching the comedy routine unfolding before my eyes. No, I knew "this" between us was the cause, so it might be bad for me to say anything... wait, no.
Just as Hanako-san said, this was the result of me following up on Natsumi-senpai's slip of the tongue. So, we shouldn't be the ones getting blamed.
With that in mind, I decided to just relax in Sara-san's lap to my heart's content.
…………
"I see. Well, it's true that the flirting between those two is over the top. If people with no resistance are suddenly shown this, I can understand why they'd just want to say 'give me a break'."
"Actually, until yesterday, the Stupid Boys in our class were making a huge fuss about Wife, but this morning they were all avoiding the topic."
"Rumors seem to be flowing into my class too. The group around me hasn't made it a topic yet, but this morning I heard some other group talking about how it was unbelievable."
Hayato was in the class next door, and since PE Class was combined with ours, he had a lot of connections. So, it wasn't surprising if the word reached there faster than other classes.
"Ah, now that you mention it, some boys in my class were making a fuss this morning too. I wonder if that was it..."
Hmm... It had only been a few days, but the news was spreading fast.
Wait, was this just par for the course? If the people in our class were spreading stories all over the place, it was definitely possible.
"Fufu... are you a Sleepyhead?"
Stroke, stroke...
And Sara-san herself had absolutely no interest in the rumors; she was looking only at me.
Well, this was the usual for her.
Actually, I was just closing my eyes while thinking, but she seemed to have mistaken it for me being tired.
"No, I'm okay."
"Is that so? We still have time, so it's fine even if you fall asleep, okay?"
"It would be a waste, so I won't sleep yet."
"Fufu... Oh, Kazunari-san. I'll give you a Lap Pillow whenever you want. Then, from tomorrow on, after Lunch every day we should..."
""Stop right there.""
Natsumi-senpai and Hanako-san's retorts were perfectly synchronized. These two were surprisingly close; they had an atmosphere that didn't feel like senior and junior at all.
Perhaps because Hanako-san's mental age was high, Natsumi-senpai didn't feel like she was dealing with a younger underclassman.
"It's a bit late for this, but keep that kind of thing for when it's just the two of you. I mean, wouldn't Wife be able to flirt more calmly that way too?"
"That is true, but that is a separate matter."
"No, think about us having to watch you flirt right in front of our eyes! Besides, we're talking about the rumors about you guys here!?"
Ugh... I might have gotten a bit too carried away myself. I really wasn't in the mood to keep receiving a Lap Pillow like this, and I shouldn't stay down forever, so I should stand u—
Press...
...I'm not allowed to, I see. Understood.
When I tried to move away, I was held down by Sara-san.
"Natsumi, would it be a problem for us if those rumors spread?"
"...Eh?"
"If those rumors were to cause trouble for Kazunari-san, I would take every possible measure to counter them. However, our Engagement and future marriage are facts, and I have no problem with anyone knowing that. In fact, it's like killing two birds with one stone, as it clears away those eye-sore boys. How about you, Kazunari-san?"
"I don't have a problem either. It's exactly what I want."
Since I had been wanting the number of guys approaching Sara-san to decrease even a little, I actually welcomed the rumors spreading. If it meant more people giving up, that was a win, and if they were going to come at me, I had no intention of running away.
So, it wasn't a problem at all.
"Umm... well, yeah, just because rumors are spreading doesn't mean there's a specific problem, but..."
Yeah, Natsumi-senpai probably just pointed it out based on the atmosphere or momentum, and didn't think the rumors themselves were an issue.
After all, Natsumi-senpai herself had said that people would gossip once our relationship was discovered.
It was probably just because the two people at the center of it were acting like they didn't care at all that she felt compelled to point it out.
"I don't know why, but I feel somewhat frustrated."
"Well, in reality, rumors are nothing. More importantly..."
"Right. And also..."
"Yeah."
Hanako-san, Hayato, and Todo-san looked at my face meaningfully. I knew immediately that the three of them were thinking about the Miss Contest, but since it was a secret from Sara-san, I didn't react.
I had told the three of them—especially Hayato and Todo-san—that they didn't need to get involved even if stories about me and Sara-san reached them.
Considering the commotion in our class, if the two of them acknowledged it, there was a high possibility they'd get dragged into some annoyance.
If such a conversation happened when we weren't there, it was obvious that all the questions would be directed at Hayato or Todo-san.
If that happened, I'd feel more than just sorry.
"Did something happen, everyone?"
Sara-san looked at everyone with a puzzled expression.
Her usual sharp intuition for seeing through thoughts or worries only manifested when it came to me. Toward everyone else, she was actually a bit of an airhead.
But let me say this:
That is also cute!!!!!
"It's nothing. More importantly, Kazunari is thinking about something unnecessary again."
!!!???
Hey, don't turn Sara-san's attention to me at this timing!
Hanako-san probably did that on purpose to change the subject after reading my thoughts, but...
"Kazunari-san, did something happen?"
"No... well... umm..."
I couldn't say it. I couldn't say I was having a grand celebration of my love for her inside my head.
"Fufu... Kazunari-san, keeping secrets is... a no-no, okay?"
Cute phrasing and a mischievous expression.
Sara-san probably didn't know exactly what it was, but seeing my behavior, she had entered "I Want You to Say It Clearly" Mode.
This was bad... I couldn't even look away because I was pinned to her lap, and my face was fixed directly in front of hers. Sara-san was staring straight into my eyes... I... might not be able to take it anymore...
"S-Sara-san was..."
"Yes. What about me?"
"I was thinking in my head about how you were way too cute!!!"
There, I said it! I actually said it!!
Are you satisfied now, Hanako-san!!
I could feel the lukewarm, exasperated gazes from everyone (though Todo-san seemed to find it heartwarming)... Ugh... this was like some kind of Humiliation Play.
Plus, I was too embarrassed to look at Sara-san's face, so I reflexively closed my eyes...
Mwah...
!?
The sensation of something soft touching my lips... no, I knew immediately that this was Sara-san's kiss.
And just as I thought her lips had pulled away, my face was turned toward Sara-san's side and pressed into something... is this?
"Fufu... Kazunari-san is such a shy person... Now your face is hidden♪"
I remembered!
Even back when she gave me an Ear Pick, Sara-san had held my face against her abdomen like this... which meant, was this Sara-san's stomach!?
"I am happy that you called me cute, Kazunari-san. But I think that you are the one who is adorable."
No, "adorable" isn't exactly a compliment for a guy... so I pressed my face a little into her stomach as a silent sign of protest.
"Nn... Oh, Kazunari-san, Mischief is... a no-no, okay?"
Whether it was ticklish or not, Sara-san writhed slightly and gave a gentle voice of protest.
Oops, I accidentally did something bold.
"...Hey."
"...What?"
"...What are we going to do about this? This is Hanako-san's fault, you know?"
"...Mistake."
"...U-Umm, i-isn't this a bit bold... ah, ahaha."
"...Todo-san, if it's embarrassing to watch, you don't have to force yourself to look..."
In the end, Sara-san didn't let me go until the very last minute when Natsumi-senpai finally snapped out of desperation.