"Hey, Kazunari... isn't that woman waving at you?"
"It really looks like it, doesn't it? I thought I was just imagining things at first, but... is she really looking at you, Kazunari?"
"Wait, Takanashi-kun, who is that!?"
Yuji and the others, who didn't know Mayumi-san, were already starting to make a fuss, but I didn't have the luxury of dealing with them right now.
What on earth was Mayumi-san doing up there!?
Seriously, what was she thinking!?
And besides, this was no time to be waving nonchalantly at the crowd!
"Wait... could it be...?"
"Eh? Hanako-san, do you know her?"
"E-Eririn, that’s definitely..."
"It looks like it... though I have no idea why she's there."
Natsumi-senpai, Nishikawa-san, and Hanako-san had clearly realized who it was. They were staring at Mayumi-san on stage with stunned expressions.
But more important than their reactions was Sara-san herself.
She had obviously realized it was Mayumi-san too. She looked like she’d been struck by a bolt from the blue—an incredibly rare expression for her—but there was no way she wouldn't be shocked in a situation like this.
"Ooooooooooh, she’s a total knockout!"
"Holy crap, where did she come from!?"
"Whoaaaa! A glasses beauty! She's here!"
"Wait, her level is way too high!"
"What the—!? No, no, even so, the winner has to be Satsukawa-san!"
"I’m rooting for Mayu-san!"
"Oh, wow. I’ve never seen a woman that beautiful before."
"Agreed. Even the favorite is a stunning beauty... but this?"
"The Miss Contest this year is definitely going to be a battle between those two for the top spot. I can’t wait to see how this plays out."
With Mayumi-san's appearance, the atmosphere of the venue quickly shifted into a Two Tops Battle. Amidst the cheers for Sara-san, voices supporting Mayumi-san gradually began to mingle in.
But with things becoming this blatant, the other contestants probably weren't very happy... wait, Sara-san was moving!?
"...What are you doing?"
The microphone set up on the stage picked up Sara-san's voice, and her words echoed through the speakers. Even though it was filtered through a machine, Sara-san's voice felt startlingly cold... Naturally, she was absolutely furious.
"What do I look like I’m doing?"
"I am asking why you are here."
Faced with Sara-san, who was simmering with quiet rage, Mayumi-san acted entirely like her usual self. The spectators in the venue—not to mention the other contestants, Minamin, and the President—were watching the drama unfold with rapt attention.
But for me, I didn't have the peace of mind to watch calmly.
Was this another one of Mayumi-san's rampages?
No, more importantly...
What was going to happen to my proposal!?
Was I supposed to propose in front of Mayumi-san!?
For that matter... Masaomi-san isn't here too, is he!?
Even if I tried to scan the surroundings, it was impossible to pinpoint a single person in a crowd this massive.
I couldn't read the situation at all... this was bad, seriously bad. What was I supposed to do!?
"Oh, don't make such a scary face. I just came because I had some business to take care of. I thought I'd wander around for a bit, but then the kids from the prep committee were so persistent in asking me to participate."
"And you actually accepted? Why would you do something like that...?"
"Hmm, I thought it might be mean to you, Sara-chan, but then I thought it might be a good opportunity."
"A good opportunity?"
While Mayumi-san seemed as relaxed as ever, an ominous aura began to drift from her... I felt a slight sense of dissonance.
What exactly was she planning to say?
"What are you plotting?"
"Plotting? That’s so harsh. But if I had to say... yes, I just thought I’d like to see if you can truly stand on your own from here on out, Sara-chan."
"...I don't understand what you mean."
"Do you really not understand?"
"............"
The usual soft atmosphere vanished from Mayumi-san's voice. I was probably the only one who noticed, along with Sara-san... or perhaps Nishikawa-san and her group had caught it too.
"Since you're staying quiet, it means you understand on some level, right? Then it's a simple story. Show me your growth, Sara-chan. Even just a glimpse will do."
"...Growth? Specifically, what do you want me to do?"
"Just one thing is fine—make me admit defeat. If you can do that, I won't do anything unnecessary anymore. I won't interfere in your life."
"...I see. And if you don't see a satisfactory result?"
"It would be unfortunate, but I’d have to conclude that you can't grow in your current environment, Sara-chan. If that's the case, I’ll have to consider various options for your future, wouldn't I?"
"...So that's how it is."
The severity in Sara-san's expression deepened, and I could practically see the sparks flying between her and Mayumi-san.
However, it had been a long time since I'd seen Mayumi-san like this. Not since she had scolded Sara-san regarding the arranged marriage incident.
"...Very well. You've been overstepping your bounds lately, and I was starting to find it quite irritating. I'll make sure you never utter such nonsense again... and I expect you to keep your promise to the letter."
"Yes, that's fine. I won't hold back, so come at me with everything you've got."
With that last sentence, she seemed to return to her usual, gentle self.
Even this situation, which seemed reckless at first glance, surely had some reason behind it in Mayumi-san's mind.
"Enjoy your confidence while it lasts! Don't think I'm the same person I used to be... I will absolutely not lose to you now!"
Having caught fire completely, Sara-san locked eyes with Mayumi-san, her gaze sharp and filled with resolve.
This was the first time I had ever seen Sara-san show such clear hostility toward her mother.
I was sure Mayumi-san had her reasons, but did she really have to do this right now...?
"Hey... what are they even talking about?"
"I don't really get it, but basically, it means those two are having a personal match, right?"
"That woman seems to be a relative of Satsukawa-san."
"This is getting good! Either way, one of those two is probably going to win!"
"Right! This is getting exciting!"
"Satsukawa-san, do your beeeeeest!"
"Goddess!"
"Mayu-san, I'm rooting for youuuuu!"
The audience seemed to have decided to just enjoy the spectacle, and they quickly began a massive cheering battle.
But for us who knew the circumstances... especially me, I was at my wit's end.
If I took Mayumi-san's words at face value, if Sara-san lost, there was a possibility she wouldn't be able to continue her current life.
The weight of "considering various options" was far too heavy, and it filled me with nothing but anxiety.
How was this going to turn out...?
"W-Wait just a minute! You two are just saying whatever you want while I've been staying quiet... What do you think you're doing!?"
The Stuck-up Woman, who had been completely sidelined, approached them with no attempt to hide her fury.
I had completely forgotten she was there, but now that I thought about it, she had been fuming ever since Sara-san was introduced.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Um... oh? You're... well, whatever. Anyway, I won't get in your way, so don't worry about it."
"That's not what I mean! In the first place... aaaaaah! Hey, Mr. President!?"
"Wh—!? N-No, well, this development was unexpected for me too! M-Mayu-san, what on earth is the meaning of this!?"
"Ufufu, I'm sorry. But you promised to let me do as I pleased in exchange for my cooperation, didn't you?"
"Th-That is...!"
"Wait, Mr. President! What do you mean by that!?"
Hmm...
How should I put it? I felt bad for the other contestants, but this was actually quite satisfying.
The consequences of forcing Sara-san to participate were already coming back to haunt them via Mayumi-san.
Well, since I was originally planning to wreck the Miss Contest myself, it felt a little like she had beaten me to it.
"At any rate, I have no intention of interfering with the Miss Contest, so you can just proceed as normal, okay? We'll just be having a Separate Match based on the results of the contest."
"Indeed, we'll just be doing our own thing. Please, ignore us."
"I am teeeelllling yooou! Stop moving the conversation forward without me!"
"Sigh... haven't I said we won't interfere? Regardless of whether we're 'without' you or not, shouldn't you just participate in the Miss Contest as normal? Anyway, please don't get in our way."
"Wha—!? Guuu... ngh..."
Having been completely excluded from the conversation, the Stuck-up Woman glared at them with frustration... but neither Sara-san nor Mayumi-san cared at all. In fact, they weren't even looking at her. Since the Miss Contest itself was completely beneath Sara-san's notice, everyone else was irrelevant to her.
"Uhihihi, things have turned into something incredible, but just seeing that woman's frustrated face makes this fun enough. Besides, her mask is already starting to slip."
"Um, that person with the glasses is..."
"That's Mayumi-san... Sara's mother."
"""Whaaaaat!!???"""
"I-I didn't realize!"
"She's so young! I thought she was her older sister or cousin at best!"
"H-Hey... then, is she the rumored...?"
"Satsukawa-senpai's mother who supposedly dotes on Kazunari?"
"No, well..."
It was true that Mayumi-san was very affectionate toward me, and I was honestly grateful for that. But being told I was "doted on" by my girlfriend's mother was... a bit embarrassing.
"If that's the case, then that exchange just now..."
"Yes... simply put, Mayumi-san is testing whether Sara will be able to manage properly with Takanashi-san from now on."
"But wouldn't you normally do that to Takanashi-kun? Like, 'I'll test if you're worthy of my daughter!' or something?"
"That may be so, but Mayumi-san has always been a bit strict with Sara."
Exactly as Nishikawa-san said, Mayumi-san had a strict side when it came to Sara-san. Especially regarding matters of the heart... even in that arranged marriage incident, Mayumi-san had taken a very stern attitude toward Sara-san showing weakness. (And apparently, she was scolded after that for running away and depending on me.)
Normally she gave the impression of a laid-back, bright, and playful mother... but I occasionally saw her sharply cautioning Sara-san, so she must be a strict person at heart.
Though, when it came to me, she was practically the opposite...
"Also, this is just my intuition... but I suspect she has decided to leave Takanashi-san to Sara's father, Masaomi-san. That's why Mayumi-san is only strict with Sara."
"I see... it's kind of complicated... wait, Nishikawa-san, how do you know so much?"
"Well... I suppose there are parts of this that I can understand as well."
For some reason, Nishikawa-san trailed off with a wry smile.
But assuming that prediction was correct... if Masaomi-san was going to be my judge, then that was actually what I wanted.
"U-Um... I'm sorry, Minamin doesn't grasp the situation at all either... but for now, Mayu-san, what's your connection to Satsukawa-san? You were having a very meaningful conversation... ah! Could you be Satsukawa-san's older sister!?"
"Nfufu~ That is a se-cret... okay? It would be bad if it affected the scoring for the Miss Contest."
"Oooooh, she neither denies nor confirms it, which makes this development even more meaningful!"
"H-Hey, now that you mention it, those two really do look alike, don't they?"
"You're right, if she took those glasses off...!"
"Crap... such beautiful sisters, that's just cheating!"
"Whoa, the healing-type older sister with adult charm, or the dignified and lovely Satsukawa-san!?"
"I can't choose! This is a tough choice!"
Following Mayumi-san's cryptic comment, the commotion in the audience grew even louder.
I had made the same mistake when I first met her, so I could fully understand how they felt...
If they found out Mayumi-san was actually her mother, it would probably cause a different kind of uproar.
"At any rate, all the contestants are now present... they are all here, right!? I feel like the tempo is being thrown off by these irregular developments... b-but anyway, allow me to declare the start once again! That's all ten contestants! Your MC is me, Everyone's Minamin! With these members, the 32nd Rinka High School Miss Contest... will now begin!"
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Minamin's opening declaration and the exaggerated fanfare BGM playing from the speakers echoed throughout the entire venue. A massive cheer erupted from the audience, loud enough that it felt like it could be heard far beyond the school grounds.
The battle between Sara-san and Mayumi-san had begun, and I had no idea what would happen with the biggest hurdle of my life.
Right from the start, my plans were going haywire, but... even so, I was sure things would work out in the end.
No, I would make them work out.
I’m going to do this!
But that aside...
Masaomi-san... he isn't here, is he?