"Mayu-san, what kind of boys do you like!?"
"Nfufu~... This big sister has a favorite boy. I suppose he’s my type. He’s just so incredibly cute; I want to dote on him with all my—"
"I can't let that comment slide. That is my role. It has nothing to do with you, Mother, does it?"
"Oh, Sara-chan... Just a little for me..."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait!!!! Please, I beg of you, don't let the conversation veer off down a dangerous side-road like that!!!!"
What was currently unfolding on stage was a very familiar, everyday sight. I never imagined the day would come when I would witness it here, in front of the whole school.
That being said, now that I had heard that story from Masaomi-san, I felt a slight desire to let Mayumi-san be accepted just a little more...
"Guaaaaah!! To be doted on by those two... Even if he's just a kid, I'm way too jealous!!!"
"Hah... She really does love children... That’s great!!"
"She’s domestic, good at housework, and loves kids... She really is the ideal wife!!!"
"I want to get married!!!!!"
"Hey, Takanashi-kun... I hope I'm wrong, but you're not going to tell me Mayumi-san is just like Sara, are you?"
"It’s not just Satsukawa-senpai; you’re being pampered by Hanako-san too... You’re not going to tell me your lover's mother is after you, right?"
"N-No comment..."
I couldn't say it. I couldn't admit that she hugged me every chance she got, or that I was frequently submerged in her overly-abundant bosom, or that I was constantly being targeted by my lover's mother. There was no way I could say something like that...
"Heh..."
"I see..."
"So that's how Mayumi-san is..."
"If the wife's mother is permitted, then it should also be permitted for me, his big sister."
"A-Ahaha..."
Strange. I hadn't said a word yet, so why were Natsumi-senpai and Tachikawa-san giving me such cold glares?
And Hanako-san, please stop saying such unsettling things. Even without your input, the rivalry between those two has been intensifying lately. If you pull any more strange stunts, Sara's physical intimacy will only get more intense by comparison. As a man, I was mostly happy about it, but it also put me in a serious bind...
"Alright, next person over there!!"
"I'm Taka!! What is Satsukawa-san's dream for the future? And what efforts are you making toward it?"
"Let's see... I don't know if I should call this a dream, but it's to build a warm home with someone precious to me and to live in harmony forever... I suppose?"
"So your dream is marriage?"
"It's not just that, but put simply, I suppose that's what it boils down to."
"I see. Oh, by the way, what about your efforts?"
"For me, my daily life itself is the effort toward my future. In the future, I will support my husband as his wife and take care of his everyday needs, including housework. Toward that day..."
"Uoooooooh! I-I can't take it anymore!! Just listening to her, Satsukawa-san is way too ideal! It hurts so much!!!!!"
"A true modern Yamato Nadeshiko!!!!! I-I have to find a way to get close to her..."
"What should I do... Do I have no choice but to transfer to this school!?"
"Should I start with a classic love letter!? No... If a sudden confession is no good, then I have to find a way to start as a friend..."
"H-Hey... Was there something bothering you about what she just said?"
"I felt like something was off too... I wonder what it is?"
"Hah... As usual, Satsukawa-senpai is incredible."
"Well, yeah. But for me, the fact that Sara is seriously thinking about that is what's surprising."
"Is that so?"
"I mean, until about six months ago, she was the kind of woman who truly thought men were an eyesore and should vanish from her sight. She wouldn't speak to them except for the absolute minimum necessity. I still have moments where I can't believe she's the same person."
"Well, compared to the Sara of that time, she’s a completely different person. Even I still doubt my eyes sometimes."
"I see. I've only ever seen the Satsukawa-senpai who is super sweet to Takanashi-kun... Oh, but I definitely understood that she’s blunt with other boys, so if that was her original self, it might indeed be surprising."
"No, no, Sara's thing back then wasn't something as soft as being blunt."
"For the wife, it simply means that Kazunari is that special."
"That applies to Hanako-san too, right?"
"Naturally. Kazunari is more important to me than I am to myself."
"Um... Please stop right there..."
I was aware that I was special to both of them—though with Hanako-san, it was as siblings—but having it pointed out like that was embarrassing.
"Now, time is precious, so let's keep moving!!!! Next is... Oh, there's a lady!!!!! You, over there!!!!"
"I'm Sakura. I have a question for Satsukawa-san. If you could send a message to yourself from last year, what would you say?"
"Let's see... It might sound cliché, but I’d tell her not to give up because a destined encounter is waiting for her..."
"That's a bit abstract, but is that okay?"
"Yes. My self from last year probably wouldn't believe anything I said anyway. That much is just right."
"I see. Thank you very much!!"
"H-Hey... What did that mean?"
"Does that mean... She's already had her destined encounter!!??"
"H-Hey!!! That means..."
"W-Wait, wait, wait!!! She didn't say a single word about that encounter being with a man!!??"
"That's right!! There are plenty of other things, like a best friend or a mentor, right!?"
"R-Right!? Don't scare me like that..."
"Naive idiots."
"Hanako-san, watch your phrasing. Though I understand how you feel."
"A destined encounter... huh."
"Natsumi-san?"
"...Huh!? I-I wasn't thinking about anything!!??"
"Well, I haven't said anything yet?"
"Kuuh... That smug face of yours is so annoying."
As usual, watching these two was truly entertaining. Besides, the maidenly side of Natsumi-senpai was way too easy to read... She really couldn't talk about others, could she? Of course, she’d get mad if I said that to her face, so I kept it to myself.
"Next is... that person over there!!!"
"I am Ashish. Is there a possibility that Sara will become a yandere?"
"Oh, an international guest? Well then, Satsukawa-san, please give us your answer!!"
"Before that, I don't really understand what a yandere is?"
"Ah, that's... mumble mumble."
"I see. However, I do not wish to do anything that would place unnecessary burdens or trouble on my precious person. Furthermore, I will never again do something as pathetic as simply being dependent. It's not about being dependent, but about walking together while supporting each other... That is the correct way. In the future, if I ever find myself distorting that, I am prepared to punish myself without hesitation. Is that acceptable?"
"...Yes. Thank you very much."
Dependency, huh... Certainly, there was a time when Sara's dependency on me had been at its strongest. But since that incident, I felt that something had changed internally for her. It was difficult to explain concretely, but it was as if she had gained an unshakeable confidence in our bond, regaining a strength of heart she’d once lost. That was why I could say with confidence that the current Sara would never be like that again. With her absolute trust in our relationship, everything would definitely be fine.
"Alright, next is that person over there, please go ahead!"
"I'm an Auntie Relative. Satsukawa-san, when you have a baby, would you push aside a worried husband and take care of it even if it means disregarding his feelings? Or are you prepared to depend on him?"
"Child-rearing is something done by a married couple. I don't understand why there would be a need to push the husband aside. Two people supporting each other and cooperating to raise a child... Doesn't the word 'depend' not even exist in that context?"
"I understand, thank you very much!!"
"Next person over there!!!"
"I'm Kamino Deku. Satsukawa-san, when you have a child, which will you dote on more: your husband or the child? Also, which do you prefer for a wedding: Japanese style or Western style?"
"Rather than one or the other, I would make them coexist. My mother did so, and there's no reason I couldn't do the same. Furthermore, loving my husband is my raison d'être, so I can state with certainty that it will never waver."
"I see..."
"As for the style of the wedding, I haven't thought about it yet. But I am a woman... so I do have a longing for a wedding dress."
"Thank you very much!!!"
Sara in a wedding dress... Just imagining it was truly wonderful. It was a story for the distant future, but if it would make her happy, that alone gave me a sudden surge of motivation. With this, another new goal for my future was born.
"Whoa... She's still a high school student, yet she has such a firm sense of self."
"She probably doesn't even know what it's like after getting married, yet she can answer with that much confidence. That's amazing."
"I thought I'd want to marry someone older, but with a girl like her, I'd want to marry her even if she's younger. I've never seen such a beauty in the first place."
"I’m seriously in love!! She said she didn't want to be confessed to out of the blue, but I'll definitely look for an opportunity somehow..."
"Is it just me, or is the audience's wishful thinking getting more intense?"
"I wonder what the venue will be like if Kazunari actually proposes?"
"Satsukawa-senpai probably won't be able to hold back and will snap. It looks like she won't care even if it's on stage."
"In other words, the usual 'that' will start, but even worse?"
"No, hey now..."
Yuji and Hayato were grinning mischievously while looking at my face. Of course, I had anticipated this, so even if something happened on stage, I was prepared to accept it all. So it was no problem. ...It was no problem, right?
"Next person, go ahead!!"
"I'm Jinmogu!! Satsukawa-san, do you have a personal 'push point' where you think, 'I want the person I'm interested in to look at this part of me more'?"
"Do you mean 'look' in a physical sense?"
"I won't limit it to that!!"
"To begin with, I've never thought that I specifically wanted someone to look at any physical part of me. In fact, if there are any requests, I'd like you to tell me without hesitation. But as for anything else... No, never mind. I will literally love you with my whole soul... fufu."
"A-Ah, thank you very much!?"
I wondered why... It seemed like an expression of love typical of Sara, yet it felt strangely meaningful. For a second, I felt like I saw a glimpse of Mayumi-san in her. Hmm...?
"Next person~"
"I'm Daisuke!! Satsukawa-san, what kind of things do you want to do for the person you love?"
"What kind of things? I want to do anything I can for them."
"Anything at all?"
"Yes. Making my precious person happy and loving them from the bottom of my heart... That is my joy as well. So please don't hold back, and depend on me more and more. I also..."
"Wait!? Sa-Satsukawa-san!!! That's enough, that's enough!!!!"
Having received I don't know how many forced interventions today, Sara showed a clearly dissatisfied expression. That being said, I also didn't find it very amusing to see the idiots in the audience getting hyped up by misinterpreting her comments to their convenience... So I was also hoping she’d keep the appeals moderate.
"Alright, since time is up, the next question will be the last one!!!"
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhh!!!!"
"No, no, no, we're already over time, so it's impossible!!! Well then, the last question is... that person!!! Staff, please!!"
"I'm Miya. Nice to meet you!"
Among the overwhelmingly male majority, the person designated as the closer for the question corner was surprisingly a woman. But in Sara's terms, she was undoubtedly much safer than a man, so in that sense, I was grateful...
"I heard a rumor that Satsukawa-san is dating the Vice President, but is it true!? If it is, please tell us your best memory together!!"
...Or so I thought. I had anticipated this kind of question, but to think it would come at the very end... and from a woman.
"Oh, here it comes!!"
"After all the ruckus they've caused yesterday and today, the fact that this topic hasn't come up until now is the real surprise."
"That may be true. But as far as the question corner goes, it's also a matter of luck."
"So they hit the jackpot at the very end. Well now, I wonder how Sara will answer this..."
I had been intentionally making appeals myself, and Sara had no intention of hiding it in the first place. So I was prepared for this topic to come up as a matter of course. However, with this many general guests, it was also a fact that the overwhelming majority were people who knew nothing about our situation.
In other words...
"......Huh? What is that woman saying?"
"The Vice President is that guy who was on the screen earlier, right?"
"Yeah, that plain-looking... No, no, there’s no way, right?"
"Right. A mediocre, plain guy like that... there's no way someone like Satsukawa-san would choose him."
"You can say that again. I mean, they’re way too mismatched."
And just like that, such reactions were only natural. Far from being surprised, there were even sounds of mocking laughter breaking out, and even voices that ridiculed the story itself. It was a sight I had seen many times before, but it was a bit late to be bothered by it now. As expected, no one would believe just words—
"Wait, Hanako-san, hold back!!"
"I-I'm telling you, you can't!!! Where did your usual composure go!!??"
"I’ll kill... Anyone who makes fun of Kazunari, I'll kill them all..."
"H-Hanako-san, stop!! Stop!!!"
Her usual composure was nowhere to be found. Hanako-san looked ready to leap into the crowd at any moment. In addition to her usual expressionlessness, her eyes were completely dead... The atmosphere was getting dangerous. If we didn't restrain her quickly, this could be bad!!
"B-Big Sister, I'm happy you're getting angry for my sake, but you can't do that!! It's okay!! I'll definitely show them later!!!"
"That's right!! Are you planning on ruining your precious younger brother's big moment!?"
"Ugh...!?"
Hanako-san, reacting strongly to Natsumi-senpai's words, looked at my face somewhat flusteredly. She stared intently into my eyes, and after taking a deep breath as if to endure something... she let her strength drain away. It looked like she had calmed down. I was really happy she thought so much of me, but I couldn't let her do anything dangerous.
"E-Err... Sa-Satsukawa-san?"
Minamin's voice, sounding bewildered, came through the speakers. I hurriedly turned my gaze to the stage to see Sara staring silently at the audience. The commotion in the audience was definitely starting to grow louder, perhaps because she wasn't responding.
"The timing is a bit off from what I planned, but this is a good opportunity."
Sara's sudden murmur reached my ears as if leaking through the speakers. A good opportunity... In what way?
"Kazunari, what are you going to do?"
"Are you finally going to charge in?"
"No, I’d love to do that, but... Sara's behavior is..."
If I didn't mishear her, she said "a good opportunity." Did that mean that even in this situation, there was something convenient for her? If that were the case, my proposal could still wait, and it wouldn't be too late to see her move first—
"Heeeeeey!!!!!"
Suddenly, a member of the audience came running into the open space next to the stage. Raising his voice like a child and occasionally jumping up and down, he made a desperate appeal. Because he was approaching the stage, he stood out even more.
"Um... That person over there, please return to your seat!? Also, the questions are already—"
"Oh, wouldn't it be fine? Raising his voice at this timing, perhaps he has something special to say?"
The stuck-up woman, who had been completely invisible until now, suddenly joined the conversation. It had absolutely nothing to do with her... Why did she suddenly get involved?
"...That woman, why is she smirking?"
"It feels a bit unpleasant, doesn't it?"
"When she has a face like that, it's usually a safe bet that she's up to no good."
Now that they mentioned it... the smiles I had seen from her until now were either spiteful or affected, fake smiles. But right now, she was really... she had a full-faced grin that was almost nauseating... What was with this sense of wrongness?
"You over there, if you have something to say, go ahead. Since you're appealing so desperately, it must be an important story, right?"
"Thank you very much!! I'm counting on you!!!!"
"Wait, what are you doing on your own!!!"
At the stuck-up woman's arbitrary action, even Minamin showed an expression of resentment. But unfortunately, that man had already reached the side of the stage. Since the fixed microphone picked up his voice perfectly, a conversation was established whether they liked it or not. If he had been further away, they could have ignored him by not handing him a mic.
"I don't mind. Since he raised his voice at this timing, the content of the question will probably be similar anyway?"
"Satsukawa-san!?"
"Fufun... Since the person herself said it's okay, there's no problem, right? Well then, you over there, let's hear your question?"
Besides that disgusting smile, her strangely kind attitude was also a bit concerning. Judging from her way of speaking, this was their first meeting, and I didn't think she was the kind of person to be that kind to a stranger... Her.
"Yes!! Are Satsukawa-san and the Vice President cohabiting!? I've seen you returning to the same house many times!!"
Huh? What did he just...
The words the man blurted out with joy and excitement were an unexpected statement. I hadn't been on high alert, but even so, I had been careful when entering and leaving the house... And he saw it many times? We didn't move on a fixed schedule, so could such a thing really happen by chance?
"What's that guy saying?"
"...Did he say cohabiting?"
"That's too stupid. A person like Satsukawa-san cohabiting with a man..."
"It's way too impossible. It's not realistic at all."
"Is that guy half-asleep?"
"No, maybe he's someone's plant?"
Because the story was so abrupt, even more mocking laughter and boos overflowed from the audience than before. "Impossible, unbelievable"—such voices were heard everywhere, and eventually even abusive language like "get lost" and "get out of the way" started to increase. But more than that, I... no, what would Sara do...
"You're together in the morning too, right!? I've seen you coming out of the same room many times..."
"What about it?"
"...Eh?"
A casual, flat response typical of Sara. Without changing her expression in the slightest, she maintained a dignified attitude that said, "So what?" At that sight, the man who asked the question let out a dumbfounded sound.
"I'm asking you... What about it?"
"No... well..."
Where did his child-like, joyful appearance go? The man began to stammer, looking awkward and restless. Even in the midst of that, the stuck-up woman was still wearing that disgusting smile, which really bothered me... No, right now, rather than her, I had to focus on Sara.
"It’s true that we are cohabiting. What about it?"
"Eh, no, well..."
"Are you satisfied with this answer?"
"Um... Y-Yes. Thank you very much..."
Like a small animal running away, the questioner hurriedly left the scene. In the end, what did he want to do? Was he just trying to expose the cohabitation and enjoy the reaction?
"U-Um, Satsukawa-san..."
"Yes?"
"It's the first Minamin has heard of this too... but what's this talk about cohabiting?"
"My apologies, the order got a bit messed up from what was planned. Well, it's within expectations, so it's not particularly a problem."
"No, it's not 'not a problem'... eh? Eh? Eeeh!? Then, could it be, r-really?"
"Yes. We are cohabiting. I have no intention of hiding it."
The biggest bombshell yet was dropped with a serene, pleasant smile. At that voice, the audience... and the stage... came to a complete halt. It was as if Sara's time-stopping ability had been activated once again. The audience, which had been so noisy, went completely silent. All that could be heard were children's voices...
"Uhyahyahyahyaha, this is hilarious!!"
"Yuri, please don't raise your voice."
"Read the room, read the room..."
...Only the sounds of children making a fuss could be heard!! Anyway, as far as I could see, the audience was staring blankly at Sara on stage. They didn't understand what had been said to them; they couldn't comprehend it.
"U..."
The moment I heard what sounded like a groan from someone... similar sounds overflowed from the surrounding area, spreading like ripples. This was a phenomenon that felt intensely like déjà vu. In other words, it was easy to predict the development that would follow...
""No wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!""
I knew it. Since the bombshell was the biggest ever, the traditional routine was also the biggest ever. The terms I had used for comparison until now—rumbling earth, tsunamis, avalanches—even those seemed small. It was a roar, a scream truly worthy of being called super-dreadnought class. I mean, where were these guys getting these voices from!?
"No way, no way, no way, no way, no way, no wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!"
"Wait, you're kidding, right!? Are you seriously cohabiting!!??"
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah, and I liked her so much!!!!!!!! I was serious about her!!!!!!!!"
"Cohabiting... cohabiting, that means, that meanssssssssss!!!???"
"Uooooooooooh, I don't want to believe ittttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!"
"Are you serious!? I thought that was absolutely impossible!!!!!"
"It doesn't fit her image at all..."
Once the screaming settled down, the next thing was the usual scene of absolute pandemonium. Idiots ranted violently, shaking their heads and squatting down to scream. Their appearance, which felt almost like madness, was enough to make me recoil. But I've had all sorts of things said about me, so I should be allowed to think "serves you right" just a little bit... It was allowed, right?
"I truly don't understand why you would call it a lie. I'm not so eccentric as to tell a lie to total strangers I have no interest in."
""Guooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!""
"In any case, it is not for others to say this and that about us. There is no reason for outsiders to meddle in our cohabitation, and I will not permit anyone to interfere in our affairs."
""Uoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo""
"Ah-ah... She finally went and did it."
"Well... it's Sara."
"It's Sara, after all."
"Are you two trying to brush it off with just those words?"
"But it's the truth. Right, Eririn?"
"Yes. It's the truth, so it can't be helped."
"Hah..."
"Now then... What are you going to do, Kazunari?"
"You're right... It looks like Sara's still thinking of something..."
"Fufu... fufufufu... ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha."
Within the venue enveloped in catastrophe, a strange laughter that felt almost like madness echoed throughout. The owner of that voice... was wearing a twisted smile that made it feel as if her expression, not just her laugh, was pregnant with madness. Really, one thing after another... what was up with that woman...