Side Yutaka Kusuhara
It may be sudden, but I have always considered my life to be fairly smooth sailing.
If I were pressed to name a difficult time, it would likely be when the company’s future became uncertain... but even then, we ultimately succeeded in securing an even stronger position as a subsidiary of a massive conglomerate.
Furthermore, our executive positions were maintained. Looking back now, things turned out so well they could truly be described as "all's well that ends well."
And currently, I have unexpectedly obtained an opportunity to establish a personal connection with "that" Masaomi Satsukawa, the Senior Managing Director who is rumored to be the Sawa Group's next President. My plan for today was to stay by his side and eventually be introduced to his wife—Mayumi Satsukawa, a direct descendant of the Sawa Group’s founding family. After that, I would surely have the chance to greet the young lady herself, Sara Satsukawa. Rena, acting as the young lady’s close friend, would undoubtedly introduce me in a favorable light.
With everything proceeding so perfectly, I was guaranteed to make a lasting, positive impression.
Today was supposed to be a magnificent, peerless day.
...Or so I believed without a shadow of a doubt.
In fact, everything really was going well for a while. I felt a tangible sense that I was making headway with Satsukawa Senior Managing Director, even if only slightly. It was a smooth enough flow to convince me that everything was going to work out perfectly.
And yet... where exactly did it go wrong?
I cannot comprehend what is happening before my eyes right now. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that my mind simply cannot keep up.
Is this truly reality?
If so... what on earth is Rena doing?
"Using a high-sounding alias to hide your true nature while simultaneously cultivating popularity—how devious. You hid your lover’s existence because you were afraid of losing fans, didn't you? And the moment you realized it was out, you started making excuses to preserve your reputation. Talk about a quick change... Hah... You really have a nasty personality."
Utterly oblivious to my anguish, Rena continued to hurl insults at the young lady. She was spouting absolute verbal abuse.
I didn't know what was driving her to this extreme... no, now was not the time for such thoughts. I didn't even know what I should do myself. I had no idea how to break through this situation.
The only thing I knew for certain was that this was the first major crisis in my otherwise smooth life.
"...Hm."
Satsukawa Senior Managing Director had not said a single word for some time. He simply watched Rena’s outrages on the screen with a quiet gaze, showing no particular reaction.
But that only served to fuel my anxiety.
Even so, what was I supposed to say in a situation like this?
Nothing I said would serve as a proper follow-up; rather, I feared anything out of my mouth would just dig my own grave deeper. I couldn't help but feel that way. Moreover, it might have been my imagination, but I felt a heavy pressure emanating from his silence, making it impossible to move or speak a single careless word.
My thoughts were trapped in a futile loop.
"Ku-Kusuhara-san..."
"...I know."
I wasn't the only one who recognized how dire the situation was. My subordinates, who had accompanied me today, were exchanging awkward glances.
I felt sorry for dragging them into this, but I didn't have the luxury of worrying about them. I couldn't find a single way to salvage the situation or navigate this disaster.
"Kusuhara-kun?"
"Y-Yes!?"
"As a parent, I have no intention of interfering in a children's spat. I understand that parents shouldn't meddle in fights between children. If I did something like that, Mayumi and Sara would likely scold me for unnecessary interference."
"Y-Yes! I have certainly heard that such is the case!"
"Yes. But... I think I would like to ask for an explanation regarding this situation. My daughter isn't particularly sociable, but by the same token, she doesn't involve herself with others of her own accord. The exceptions are Kazunari-kun... and friends like Eri-san and Natsumi-san. In other words... it is impossible for her to have initiated an interaction with Rena-san."
"I-I see. So the young lady is like that? But that means..."
Perhaps because my mind was in a panic, I couldn't quite grasp the implication of the Senior Managing Director's words. Looking back on the scenes at the party, I could understand the part about the young lady... Wait, that man!?
That’s right, I was so distracted by Rena’s mess that I forgot the other shocking revelation!
That man named Kazunari... what on earth is he!?
He's the young lady's lover, and they’re already cohabiting!?
Moreover, when that topic came up, Satsukawa Senior Managing Director didn't look shaken at all. Did that mean he... and presumably his wife as well... had officially sanctioned, or at least tacitly approved, their cohabitation!?
What could that possibly mean? No, surely that was overthinking things.
"In short... I don't like putting it this way, but unless the other party entangles her unnecessarily, Sara doesn't end up in situations like this."
"!?"
I-I see... if the young lady doesn't interfere with anyone outside her inner circle, then any trouble must have been initiated by the other party.
In other words, in this case... the cause of this trouble was Rena!?
And to make matters worse, Rena was still in the middle of spewing insults at her!!
What on earth... was she doing!?
"I don't know what she dislikes so much about Sara to spout such abuse... but is it just my imagination that I feel a strange sense of malice here?"
"No!!! T-That’s, well..."
"By the way... regarding The Cohabitation Matter, it is officially sanctioned by both families. There is a formal reason for it, and the school has been thoroughly informed of the circumstances. So, she won't face suspension or expulsion as that girl suggests."
"......Y-Yes."
A formal reason...
I wondered what those meaningful words referred to...
No, thinking about that now was pointless.
For now, I had to overcome this situation no matter what. That was the priority.
For my own sake... and for the sake of our company.
Side Masaomi
To be honest... regarding Rena-san, I felt that I could not overlook this, even if it seemed childish of me. No matter how one looked at it, she was interacting with Sara out of pure malice, and her words were excessive. Furthermore, the way she spoke so gleefully about expulsion suggested she was delighting in this—no, it looked like she was aiming for something, making me suspicious of her true intentions.
But more than that...
"Since I believe there were problems on my side as well, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize. Even if it seemed like nothing more than frivolous nonsense to me, it might have been serious to the people involved... It is also a fact that my reasons for declining confessions have changed over the past six months."
Participating in this Miss Contest was surprising enough...
But to think that Sara would speak of such things in front of an audience...
I never dreamed the day would come when Sara, who once hated men and avoided contact with others to the point of misanthropy, would voice her true feelings so openly.
It meant she wanted to convey her feelings and wanted everyone to understand, even if just a little. If she were truly indifferent to others, this would be a completely unnecessary action.
But Sara spoke her mind, regardless of the reason. She even showed a tiny bit of consideration toward the boys she used to detest.
I could see how incredible this was for us as a couple; Mayumi’s expression on the screen told the whole story.
"Kazunari-san intended to support me in silence all along. It is precisely because Kazunari-san is such a kind-hearted person that I learned the meaning of love for the first time in my life."
And the one who changed Sara this much was none other than Kazunari-kun.
I had never heard the story of how they met, but even this brief explanation made it clear that Kazunari-kun had stood by Sara’s heart and supported her firmly.
To think he cherished Sara that much even before they started dating...
I truly feel toward him as if he were my own son. I certainly have high expectations for his future. But hearing this today, I am once again convinced that he is the only man Sara has ever opened her heart to. I am happy from the bottom of my heart that such a man is by my beloved daughter’s side as her lover... and as her future husband.
Sara is a direct descendant of the Sawa Group’s founding family—the only one, in fact. Whether she wishes it or not, she is destined to be involved with the company.
Even if she adopts the same stance as Mayumi has now, she will still have to appear at important events. This is a path she cannot avoid if she has decided to support Kazunari-kun as his wife. If that is the case, Sara simply has to grow.
But her appearance today...
Even if it was just a small step, I could certainly feel her growth.
By being with Kazunari-kun, Sara can surely grow. Her inner self, which had been stagnant for so long, has finally found the catalyst to move forward. Witnessing that moment was truly moving.
As a parent, I couldn't be anything but joyful. I have nothing but gratitude for Kazunari-kun.
I wonder...
How are you seeing this scene, Mayumi?
"Wa-Wa-Wa-Wait a minute!!! What have you been saying all this time!?"
Rushing in vigorously from the side of the stage was the root of all evil who had created this situation—none other than the Miss Contest Preparatory Committee President.
I had seen Minamin annoyedly taking off her intercom earlier, so he must have been making a fuss backstage the whole time. I suppose he couldn't take it anymore and finally burst out.
"Fukazawa-san, what on earth are you doing!?"
"No way, there’s no way I could interrupt in that situation, right!?"
"Ugh... anyway, no more of this!"
"Th-That’s right!! How long do you intend to let her have her way!? Cohabiting with a lover—this is an act unbecoming of a high school student!! How long are you going to let such a person—"
"Ah, there are no problems regarding that matter either, you know?"
"Hmph, don't make me laugh... On what basis do you say that? Even if they are lovers, for high schoolers to—"
"Then, what if they aren't just mere lovers!?"
"!?"
Perhaps having never imagined that I would barge in, the Stuck-up Woman froze with an expression like a startled pigeon.
I was tired of hearing her blather on, so I decided to shut her up first!
"Go for it, Kazunari!"
"Kazunari, do your best!"
"Takanashi-kun, good luck!"
"Fight, Takanashi-kun!"
"Take care of Sara for us!"
"Takanashi-san, good luck in battle!"
"Kazunari, Big Sister is with you."
"Thanks, everyone. I’m going!!"
With their powerful cheers at my back, I started walking toward the center of the stage.
The fact that even our cohabitation had been exposed was completely outside my plans, but it was too late to worry about that now. I wasn't without anxiety about how it would affect our future, but I had a feeling things would work out somehow.
It might have been naive, but for now, I had to do what I came to do!
"Kazunari-san..."
"Sorry, Sara-san... I couldn't hold back, so I came out."
While speaking to Sara-san through the microphone and speakers, I climbed the central stairs in one go. Taking my place in the center of the stage, positioned between Sara-san and the Stuck-up Woman, I steeled my resolve and turned to face the audience. What awaited me was a sea of gazes—a swarm that far exceeded the one from the Student General Meeting.
Moreover, those gazes were anything but welcoming. For a moment, the scene overlapped in my head with that day when I had been isolated and without support.
I almost flinched, but I pushed the feeling down with sheer willpower.
The real work was just beginning!
"Fufu... thank you. I was just about to call for you."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. One of the main reasons I participated in this farce was because I required your cooperation, Kazunari-san."
The sharp expression from earlier had vanished, replaced by the gentle smile Sara-san always wore when we were alone.
She walked over to me and rested her hand on my right arm, snuggling close.
""Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?""
"To be honest, I didn't think you would tell a story like that, Sara-san."
"...I apologize for acting on my own without consulting you."
"No, that’s not a problem at all. But why so suddenly?"
"Let’s see... I can't put it perfectly, but perhaps it is because the Idol of Aloofness is nothing but a nuisance now?"
"A nuisance?"
"Yes. It has been unnecessary for a long time... and I thought I might as well use this occasion to settle the score."
I’d had a feeling, but it seemed Sara-san had been plotting to use this stage for her own ends.
I didn't know the full details yet, but clearly voicing her will was likely a setup for the main event that followed.
"I didn't think you would barge in right at the end... but as a result, it became a wonderful opportunity to publicly declare what a marvelous man you are, Kazunari-san. I am glad for that much, at least."
"No... well."
"Truthfully, I still haven't said enough, but I don't think others would understand even if I did... In short, as long as the fact that I love you is clear, nothing else matters."
"Sa-Sara-san..."
"Fufu... Kazunari-san, your face is turning red."
"...I’d appreciate it if you didn't mention it, even if you notice."
"You're cute♪"
Poke, poke... Sara-san’s finger lightly touched my cheek. I hurriedly looked at her and found her staring at me with a slightly mischievous expression.
Her self-deprecating smile from earlier had been truly painful to witness, so seeing her smile like this made me feel a wave of relief.
""Gwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!!!!""
!?
"Uooooh!!! Stop flirting alreadyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!"
"What was that!? What’s with that attitude from Satsukawa-san!?"
"It’s completely different from a second agooooooooooooo!!!!"
"Uooooh, I didn't come here to see a scene like thisssssssssssss!!!!"
"I’m not jealous!!! I’m not jealous at alllllllllllllllll!!!"
"What’s with that expression... damn it alllllllllllllllll!!!"
The audience exploded with the shouts of men—a mixture of angry roars and screams. It blended with the gazes directed at me, creating a sense of intense hostility.
In any case, there was no doubt that the majority of the boys now officially viewed me as their enemy.
But since I had Sara-san... I wasn't scared at all.
"...Uwah... they look like they're crying tears of blood."
"...It's too early for that. Their despair has only just begun."
"...True. This is still just the appetizer."
"...Geez, you two..."
"He-Hehehe... I didn't think even you would shamelessly crawl out here. You seem quite composed, but I wonder how long you can maintain that attitude?"
Despite having been frozen with a dumb look on her face earlier, the Stuck-up Woman suddenly adopted a haughty tone. She probably still thought she held the upper hand. Her tone was overbearingly pompous.
Well, it was likely just hollow bravado.
Now... how should I handle this?
"That’s uncalled for. There’s no way I’d let Sara-san stand in the line of fire alone in a situation like this."
"Is that so. I suppose I'll call that 'manly' for now. But even if you come out, the situation won't change... Ah, if the Student Council's Two Tops intend to apologize together..."
"Why would we need to apologize? We haven't done anything wrong, and we have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of."
"Oh my, for high school students to be cohabiting—how can such a thing be permitted—"
"The ones who decide that are the school authorities, not you. Or is there a specific rule in the handbook forbidding cohabitation?"
"Quibbling... I am acting based on common sense and ethics—"
"Hey... what’s so funny?"
"...Huh?"
"Don't you notice it yourself? Since our cohabitation was exposed, you've been smiling with that disgusting grin... and you suddenly became quite talkative, didn't you?"
"!?"
The moment she heard my point, the Stuck-up Woman hurriedly put her hand to her face, trying to fix her expression. Making such an obvious move was as good as announcing she had something to hide. She was as easy to read as ever.
"If you want to talk about ethics, you should have at least pretended to be seriously angry or given us a stern warning. Look around. You're the only one in this place who’s smiling."
"...What are you trying to say?"
"Nothing in particular. Ah, but I did hear an interesting voice in the crowd. Someone was wondering if that man from earlier was someone's plant. I don't know the truth, but what do you think?"
"............"
This time she didn't react, but that was too blatant in its own way. It was practically a confession that my guess was right.
In other words... as I’d expected from the sense of incongruity and various unnatural elements, she was definitely the mastermind.
In the first place, witnessing us leaving at different times repeatedly would be impossible unless someone were a stalker. That said, the man from earlier didn't seem to have any personal interest in Sara-san, so while it could have been mere curiosity, the Stuck-up Woman’s unnatural response made it more likely she was behind it.
Well... since there was no clear evidence, I couldn't press her any further on it.
"...Is-Is what Takanashi-kun said true?"
"...We don't know for sure, but I considered the possibility as well. So... I’m having that man secretly followed."
"...As usual, Eririn is quick to handle things like this."
"...Well, I'm used to it. But I was a bit surprised Takanashi-san noticed that possibility."
"...Kazunari might have become sensitive to that kind of malice because of his past. But ideally, I’d want to corner her behind the scenes without saying it directly."
"...As a strategy, that would be correct, but since Takanashi-san is thinking purely of Sara's sake, I find it preferable."
"...I know that. Since Kazunari is so honest, I'll just have to be the one to move in the shadows."
"...If you listen closely, those two are having a pretty terrifying conversation."
"Oh, and I’ll tell you this too: Sara-san seriously doesn't care about the Miss Contest at all, okay? She’s only thinking about the showdown with Mayumi-san, and she doesn't care about you in the slightest. So don't worry about her and feel free to aim for the crown. You haven't shown your true strength yet, right?"
"Grr... Gghhhhh!!!"
While letting out a frustrated groan, the Stuck-up Woman simply glared at me and didn't speak.
Perhaps she was wary of saying anything more careless and digging her own grave deeper... but regardless, I had achieved my goal of shutting her up.
Without evidence, any further questioning would just be seen as a groundless accusation.
"Fufu..."
"Sara-san?"
As things settled down with the Stuck-up Woman, Sara-san let out a laugh while looking at me. She seemed somewhat amused, even happy. I wondered what had happened all of a sudden.
"No, it’s nothing deep. I just... thought that an aggressive Kazunari-san is also quite wonderful."
"So that’s what you meant..."
"Yes. I love the cute Kazunari-san who always spoils me, but a strong and dependable Kazunari-san like you were just now is also lovely♪"
"No, well..."
I was just pushing myself so I wouldn't lose my nerve; I didn't think it was enough to be called dependable, let alone aggressive.
Besides, I’m usually always leaning on Sara-san... so if I didn't step forward now, I’d have no self-respect left.
"Please don't think too deeply about it, okay? Because I love you exactly as you are, Kazunari-san."
"Yes, thank you."
That follow-up was surely said after she saw through my thoughts.
Truly... I’ll probably never be able to hide anything from her for the rest of my life. Not that it’s a problem, though.
"...What do you mean, spoils him!? What is he having Satsukawa-san do for him!?"
"...She loves him... she loves him... she loves him so much!?"
"...Flirting every chance they get... damn it!!"
"...God, this is too much!!"
"...I want to be called cute tooooo."
"Sa-Satsukawa-san, and Takanashi-kun!! Just what is the meaning of this..."
I thought the exchange with the Stuck-up Woman was over, but now the President—who had been acting like a mere ornament—decided to get involved. Come to think of it, I had to handle him too... how troublesome.
"It doesn't mean anything. Weren't you the one who said we could do as we pleased as long as we participated?"
"No, even so, this is going too far!!"
"That is a difference in perception. In the first place, I didn't bring this up myself. If you have a complaint, why don't you talk to the person who brought the matter to this stage, or that girl over there who was so proudly shouting about expulsions?"
""Wha-!?""
Faced with the responsibility for the situation being pushed back on her, the Stuck-up Woman looked stunned. Sara-san gave a sharp retort; she was going to stir things up anyway, but she handled that well.
Now all that’s left... is to achieve our goal.
I should let Sara-san finish her piece first... because I want my proposal to be the grand finale.