Side: Yutaka Kusuhara (Stuck-up Woman's Cousin)
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all. I chose to wait of my own accord, so please don't give it a second thought."
It had been about an hour since Satsukawa Senior Managing Director had entered the Principal's office.
I had seen staff members carrying in tea at one point, so I had been prepared for a long haul. In the worst-case scenario, I was even ready to miss Rena’s big moment on stage. For a man in my position, there was no question about which priority came first.
I had been just starting to calculate how to smooth things over if I did miss her performance when he finally stepped out. It was a relief. Satsukawa Senior Managing Director mentioned he was heading to the Miss Contest venue next; if we moved now, we would just barely make it in time for the final screening.
"Will you be heading to the venue, Satsukawa Senior Managing Director?"
"Yes. Some unnecessary chatter made me late, but if we go now, we should be able to catch at least a glimpse."
"Understood. Then, allow me..."
I was, in all honesty, incredibly curious about what business could have brought a man like the Senior Managing Director all the way to this school. If it was talk about the Young Lady, involving the Principal to such an extent seemed excessive. Perhaps it was a matter that couldn't be discussed openly, though I saw no reason to hold such a meeting during the hectic peak of the school festival.
I wondered...
"Does the nature of our conversation pique your interest?"
"Ah—! N-no, not at all, sir! Perish the thought!"
"It was a personal matter, nothing significant. Just a little something regarding my daughters..."
"I... I see..."
Damn it, that was a blunder. The Senior Managing Director didn't seem particularly offended, but it was a terrible look to follow him around and then display such blatant curiosity. When dealing with a man of his stature, even the smallest mistake was unacceptable. I had to stay sharp.
Wait... Did he just say his "daughters"?
As far as I knew, the Senior Managing Director’s Young Lady was an only child. What could he have meant by that?
"Kusuhara-san, over here!"
As we arrived at the venue, one of my subordinates who had been waiting for us came rushing over. They had been here since morning and had been eager to secure a spot for us. Given the sheer size of the crowd, we likely wouldn't have been able to see a thing without their foresight.
"This is quite impressive," the Senior Managing Director remarked. "There weren't nearly this many general visitors back when I attended this school."
"You're right, sir. I came to see it last year as well, but I doubt the crowd was even half this size."
To be precise, I had only caught part of it last year, but the demographics were completely different now. Students from other schools, middle-aged visitors, families, and—though I hesitated to use the term—countless individuals who looked like otaku. The scale of the audience was on an entirely different level. What had caused such a shift?
"S-S-Satsukawa Senior Managing Director! Please forgive my late greeting! I am—"
"Now, now. As I told him earlier, we aren't at the office and this isn't a work meeting. There’s no need to be so stiff."
"Y-yes, sir! Thank you very much!"
Well, it was impossible to tell anyone not to be nervous when standing before Satsukawa Senior Managing Director. To encounter a member of the headquarters' upper management—the man destined to be the Next President of Sawa Group—at a school festival was beyond "unexpected." Even with my advance warning, it was only natural for them to be overwhelmed.
"I will introduce my team properly at a later time, sir. More importantly, what are your plans for the rest of the event?"
"Hmm... I tried contacting Mayumi—my wife—but I couldn't reach her. My RAIN messages aren't even showing as read. She was supposed to be here already, and I intended to join her."
"I see. Given the chaos here, finding her will be quite a challenge."
"Yes, it seems so. Now, what to do..."
"If you would be so kind, perhaps you would care to join us? Fortunately, we have secured enough space."
I had contacted my subordinates specifically for this possibility. This was a golden opportunity to introduce my team to the future Chairman of the Group. It was a fair reward for their hard work today.
"Y-yes, sir! We have plenty of room, so if you're willing, we would be honored to have you!"
"Is that so? Then I'll take you up on that. I could try contacting Kazunari-kun, but I have a feeling Sara would be quite cross with me if I did."
"Pardon? Did you say something, sir?"
"No, nothing at all. Well then, I'll be in your care."
Perfect.
Now, all that remained was to introduce my subordinates to the Senior Managing Director and offer my greetings to his wife when she arrived. And after the Miss Contest, I would greet the Young Lady as well. Since his daughter was a contestant, I had to be careful with my support. I would have to tell my team to keep their cheers for Rena moderate and prioritize the Young Lady—without making it look too obvious, of course.
If Rena played her cards right, everything would fall into place. Things were going so smoothly it was almost frightening. I really outdid myself today.
On stage, the final screening—the cooking judging—was underway, and the excitement in the crowd was reaching a fever pitch. Supporters were screaming the names of their favorite contestants, and Rena’s name was certainly in the mix.
However, the name being shouted the loudest was, without question, Sara Satsukawa. The gap in popularity was staggering. It was clear that Rena was at a disadvantage, but in my heart, I knew it couldn't be helped.
The Young Lady's appearance was simply that superior.
I had seen her briefly at a party before, but this was the first time I had viewed her so clearly. Even setting aside my loyalty to Rena, who was undeniably beautiful, the Senior Managing Director's Young Lady was on a different dimension entirely. Just seeing her stand there was enough to take one's breath away. Her features were like a work of art, her long black hair the envy of any woman. She possessed a refined elegance, yet there was a strength in her eyes. I had never seen anyone who embodied the word "dignified" so perfectly. Even professional idols would fade into the background in her presence.
Against such a beauty, Rena stood no chance in terms of looks. The crowd's roar made that much clear. I had to accept the reality: even if Rena didn't hold back, the Young Lady's victory was a foregone conclusion.
Normally, at least.
"W-what... what is going on? What is Mayumi doing up there?"
Satsukawa Senior Managing Director stood frozen, staring at the stage as if he couldn't process the reality before him. I was equally stunned.
"T-this is incredible!" the MC shouted. "The parent-child battle has turned into a same-dish cooking battle! It seems the mother has chosen to put her daughter to the ultimate test by preparing the exact same meal!"
A parent-child battle... It really was Mayumi Satsukawa. There was no mistaking her. The Senior Managing Director’s wife was famous within the Sawa Group as a peerless beauty. It was obvious now that the Young Lady had inherited those incredible genes.
Wait, this wasn't the time for such thoughts!
"Why wasn't I told about his wife being a contestant!?" I hissed at my subordinate.
"We... we didn't know what was happening ourselves, sir!"
"Until a moment ago, she was using a different name and was in disguise! It happened so fast, we weren't sure if it was really her!"
A different name? A disguise? She had been participating undercover?
"S-Satsukawa Senior Managing Director..."
"Forgive me... I can't quite wrap my head around this. What on earth is Mayumi thinking?"
I couldn't blame him. If your own wife entered a school beauty contest under a false identity, anyone would struggle to accept it. I didn't even know what to say. It wasn't as if we could demand they cancel the contest now.
"I'm sure she has her reasons, sir..."
"I suppose so. But this... how are we supposed to handle this?"
The Senior Managing Director stared at his wife on stage with a look of pure bewilderment. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to help him. The only thing I knew for certain was that my plan to introduce myself to her had just become a lot more complicated. I would have to watch how this unfolded very carefully.
"All right! Only three minutes left!"
The timer on the big screen dropped below the three-minute mark, and the atmosphere on stage grew even more frantic. Despite the pressure, Sara-san and Mayumi-san were plating their dishes with calm precision. I couldn't imagine Sara-san ever struggling in the kitchen.
"Looks like Satsukawa-senpai is finished."
"Mayumi-san too."
"Almost at the same time."
"Now, what's the verdict going to be?"
Since they had used the same recipe, the technical execution would be the deciding factor. The subtle seasoning and the perfect touch would make all the difference. I wondered how far Sara-san could go against her mother's serious efforts.
"Munch, munch..."
Meanwhile, Mio-chan was contentedly sitting in my arms, having her snack. She was munching on a madeleine that Kazumi-san had given her, looking exactly like a little hamster or a squirrel with her plump cheeks and tiny hands.
She was just too cute.
Hanako-san, I understood your obsession, but you were taking those photos with terrifying intensity. You looked like a professional paparazzi.
"Here, Big Brother. Say ah."
With her tiny hand, Mio-chan tore off a piece of the madeleine and held it to my lips. I couldn't refuse.
Chomp.
"Is it yummy?"
"Yeah, it's great."
"Yay!"
"Gah—!?"
Mio-chan gave me a pure, innocent smile, while Hanako-san suddenly made a strangled noise and collapsed. I couldn't really blame her for that.
"Kyaaaaaaaaa!"
"So cute!"
"Wait, what?"
A massive wave of high-pitched squeals erupted from the back of the venue. There were only guys around us, so the cheers must have come from far behind. But why "cute"?
"Big Brother, look at that!"
Mio-chan pointed excitedly toward the big screen. There we were—me and Mio-chan, broadcast for everyone to see. Where was that camera even hidden?
"Haha! Nice shot, Vice President! Thank you for that!" Minamin shouted from the stage. "Sorry, but I had a request from a certain group of fans! Come on, wave to the camera!"
Mio-chan waved happily. Caught up in the moment, I found myself waving back as well. What was I doing?
"Takanashi-kun!"
"Vice President!"
"Wait... Seriously?"
For some reason, the female audience was screaming my name. What was going on?
"Let me explain!" Minamin continued. "The female officers in the audience requested more shots of the Vice President after seeing that earlier footage! Personally, I think seeing a guy take care of a child like that scores huge points with girls—wait... uh... oh no... I—I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! It won't happen again!"
Minamin’s teasing smirk vanished in an instant, replaced by a look of pure, unadulterated terror. She started stammering apologies as if her life depended on it.
What happened? Oh...
"Ah... Minamin really stepped in it this time."
"The MC just walked right onto the wife's landmine. She has courage."
"Whoa... Satsukawa-senpai is..."
"Saying things about other girls to Kazunari right in front of her... that's a suicide mission."
I didn't even have to look to know that Sara-san's eyes were completely void of emotion. Even from here, her gaze was piercing Minamin like a physical weapon. The MC had no choice but to tremble and beg for mercy as if she were facing a Goddess's Divine Punishment.
"Fukazawa-san...?"
"Hiiiiiii! I'm sorry! I got carried away! Moving right along!"
Minamin snapped a military-grade salute and beat a hasty retreat. Sara-san's pressure was so intense it seemed to freeze the other contestants in place too—well, except for Mayumi-san, who was just chuckling to herself.
From my perspective, that whole scene on screen was all about Mio-chan. I was just the background. I wasn't nearly conceited enough to think those cheers were for me.
Beep—!
"Time's up!"
The whistle blew, signaling the end of the round. Minamin made the official announcement. It was over. Some contestants looked relieved, while others looked at their dishes with visible anxiety. Sara-san and Mayumi-san were locked in a serious stare-down.
And then there was that one woman—Rena—who was wearing a ridiculously confident smirk. I had no idea where that confidence was coming from.
"Now then, before this delicious food gets cold, let's start the judging! Judges, if you please!"
At Minamin's signal, a group filed onto the stage from the wings. Most of them were women, with a few men from the prep committee mixed in. But what caught my eye was the very last person to enter.
He was wearing traditional Japanese clothes, a white wig, and a long beard that covered half his face. Wait... Was that...?
"Who is that last guy?"
"I don't know... some kind of cosplay?"
"He looks like the Master of Tas—"
"Stop right there, Hanako-san. Don't say it."
That reference was too dangerous, so I issued a God's Emergency Stop Order. When you think of a cooking judge, you either think of a crazy old man with things flying out of his mouth or the head of a certain Delicious Food Appreciation Club. Best to leave it at that.
"It's so go—"
"Hanako-san, no!"
"Mmph!"
Sensing she was about to drop a very risky line, I issued a second God's Emergency Stop Order. My right arm was holding Mio-chan, so I used my left hand to cover Hanako-san's mouth.
Wait... Crap.
"Mm..."
Kiss.
A soft, warm sensation pressed against my palm. The memory of her doing this before flashed through my mind, but it was too late to pull away. I had just received another kiss from Hanako. It was actually a bit ticklish.
"Wha—!? H-Hanako-san!?"
"Wait! In front of everyone!?"
"Ah, my mistake. It was a reflex."
Hanako-san didn't look like she felt it was a mistake at all. Todo-san, who had apparently witnessed the whole thing, was bright red. Mio-chan looked at her with a confused tilt of her head, and even Kazumi-san was staring.
I really hoped Sara hadn't seen that.
"Marina Onee-chan, what's wrong?"
"Huh!? N-nothing! Nothing at all!"
I wondered how many people were actually convinced by that "nothing." Then again, it was my fault for being careless with my hand.
"We will now begin the judging!"
On stage, the judges were making notes on their clipboards. They seemed to be scoring the presentation first.
"This is nerve-wracking. Regardless of the Miss Contest, Satsukawa-senpai worked so hard for this..."
"She'll be fine. Right, Takanashi-kun?"
"Yeah... Sara-san will definitely win."
I said it, but part of me was worried. Her opponent was Mayumi-san, after all. And since she had intentionally held back her "Kazunari-exclusive" recipe, I couldn't be one hundred percent sure.
But I believed in her. I believed in the Sara-san who had worked so hard every single day of our life together. She would win. I just had to trust her and wait for the result.