Side: Yutaka Kusuhara
Seriously, why does it have to be one thing after another?
This has long since passed the point where I can even hope to keep up. My head was already throbbing from Rena’s colossal blunder, yet just how much more does that man intend to throw my mind into a frenzy before he's satisfied?
Not only does he have a connection with the Satsukawa Senior Managing Director, but he actually proposed to the Young Lady?
Does he truly understand who he is dealing with?
Under normal circumstances, there wouldn't be the slightest need to pay attention to such an absurd story. Given their age as high school students, it was nothing more than the nonsense of children who cannot legally marry—at most, it was a pipe dream.
Furthermore...
"Marriage!?"
"No way, that’s going a bit far for high schoolers, isn't it?"
"Right? No matter how you look at it, that’s way too heavy."
"Aren't they looking too far ahead? They're just high school lovers. They could break up next month over some stupid fight for all we know."
"True. Or maybe Satsukawa-san will just lose interest in him."
"It's possible Satsukawa-san just doesn't have any experience with men and is getting ahead of herself."
"Ah, that sounds plausible!"
As the reactions around me suggested, it was not a realistic conversation for two high school students to be talking about marriage. In fact, looking toward marriage at their age was something that would usually be laughed off as "heavy."
But...
"Phew..."
The Satsukawa Senior Managing Director let out a long breath and wiped his eyes. Now that I had seen "that," I could understand what the gesture meant.
The sight of the Young Lady on stage, shedding tears of joy and smiling so happily... seeing her like that, even a stranger like me felt something in my heart. How much more so for her father, the Senior Managing Director? There was no way he wouldn't be moved by the sight of his own daughter crying such happy tears.
"Satsukawa Senior Managing Director..."
However, what concerned me even more was the reaction of the Senior Managing Director and his wife toward that man. The wife, who appeared on the monitor occasionally, clearly looked like she welcomed the two of them. Even the Senior Managing Director had shown no sign of opposition or denial toward the man's proposal.
Surely it couldn't be, but would they actually take the children's talk seriously and recognize a marriage? No, no, that was impossible. No matter the circumstances, deciding something as important as marriage so easily was unthinkable. Especially for someone like the Senior Managing Director.
This was merely a hypothetical, but the one who marries the Young Lady would eventually...
In other words, for the future of the Sawa Group, he would...
That was why the Senior Managing Director wouldn't decide so easily.
"...No, my apologies. I was so happy to see my daughter’s growth that I got carried away."
"N-No. It is only natural for a parent to be pleased by their daughter's growth..."
"...Yes. The fact that Sara became the way she was resulted from our own inadequacy as a couple. That’s why, truly, I have nothing but gratitude for Kazunari-kun."
"I-I see. In any case, the Young Lady's growth is indeed a joyful matter!"
That said, I had a strong urge to ask what that man—who was so thoroughly accepted by the Senior Managing Director and likely his wife—actually was. Every word from the Senior Managing Director felt like it carried a sense of trust toward that man, giving me a very bad premonition.
But for now, before anything else, I had to do whatever I could to make up for the points Rena lost. Therefore, even if it was blatant flattery, I couldn't afford to care about appearances. I had no choice but to refrain from saying anything unnecessary and proceed as peacefully as possible. Fortunately, the current situation was a chance for me to leave things vague.
"Man, I've been curious about that box for a while now. Are you finally going to show us what's inside?"
"Yes. I had originally intended to use this at the very end, after everything was over... but this is Kazunari-san's fault, you know?"
"Ugh... my apologies."
"Fufu... I'm joking, so please don't apologize. Besides, thinking about it now, this might have been for the best after all."
"Is that so?"
"Yes!"
As Sara-san began to peel away the beautifully wrapped paper, a staff member with a camera and Minamin immediately approached. The footage was clearly projected onto the screen, and the noisy audience seats began to regain their silence.
With the entire venue focused on her actions, Sara-san finished carefully removing the wrapping paper and slowly opened the lid of the box.
Inside was...
"A necktie?"
Just as Minamin muttered the word instinctively, a brand-new necktie was revealed. A vivid blue with stripes—it was a color scheme that was very much to my taste. Wait, huh?
"Yes, it's a necktie."
"Right? Uh... for a man?"
"It's for a man."
"Does that mean, Takanashi-kun?"
"Of course."
So this was a present from Sara-san to me!?
Come to think of it, Sara-san had done countless things for me until now, and I even used things she made by hand, like my bento bag, but this was the first time I had received something in the clear form of a present.
What should I do? What should I do!?
I never knew a present from the person I loved could make me this happy.
"Well then..."
Entrusting the box and wrapping paper to the MC's table, Sara-san held the necktie in both hands as if embracing it. Watching her with a surge of something like joy or pride in my chest as the ring on her left ring finger sparkled, I followed her movements.
"Kazunari-san..."
Sara-san looked straight at me, gradually, step by step, closing the distance. Then, stopping just a short reach away, she gently held up the necktie she had been cradling so dearly, showing it to me.
"Normally, I should have earned my own income through a part-time job or something before giving you a present, Kazunari-san..."
"Sara-san, I don't care about that..."
"No. I am truly happy and blessed to have received presents from you, Kazunari-san. But I know that the source of those gifts came from heavy labor that once took a toll on your body. Thinking of that... the locket I received that day, and this ring, are truly... truly... beyond words for me. I..."
"Sara-san..."
I understood what Sara-san was trying to say.
Certainly, a present alone was enough to make me happy, but if it was handmade or if the other person went through hardships to prepare it, the emotion was truly special.
But if we were talking about that, I received countless handmade things from Sara-san every day. That was precisely why I chose the path of working a part-time job to buy her something as my own small gesture.
"...However, unfortunately, I have neither the connections nor the time for a part-time job, and yet, I could not satisfy myself by giving you a simple handmade item that could be finished in a short time. Therefore, consider this only half... I intend to give you another present later that I can truly be satisfied with."
"Sara-san, I'm truly happy and satisfied with just this necktie. So, really..."
"No... I am aware that this is selfish, but I still want you to accept it. Otherwise, I cannot forgive myself. At least half of the effort you put in... no, even if it's only a third..."
"Sara-san... I understand."
For me, this was more than enough, but if that was what it took for Sara-san to be satisfied, then so be it. Besides, there was no reason to bluntly refuse her kindness, so I accepted it honestly.
"Thank you very much. Well then..."
When I accepted it, Sara-san showed a relieved smile. She gently reached for my neck, where she quickly and easily undid the necktie I was currently wearing. Sara-san folded it neatly and placed it into her own pocket.
The moment that series of actions finished, a mysterious stir arose from the audience, and I heard Minamin and the cameraman gasp.
It seemed I wasn't the only one who found it curious.
"Is something wrong?"
"Wh—!? N-No, it's just that Satsukawa-san seemed strangely practiced at it. Or rather, she removed that necktie so naturally..."
"Is that so? It's something I do normally, so I wasn't particularly conscious of it."
"Normally... You mean, Takanashi-kun's necktie?"
"Yes."
"Heh... I see... Heeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
Minamin’s flat gaze seemed to contain various meanings like "Do that yourself" or "Just explode already." I also felt a gaze full of envy coming from the cameraman.
But you know... when Sara-san said, "I want you to let me do it," there was no way I could possibly refuse her. So, this was also just unavoidable.
"Normally, I intended to tell you everything here before giving you this necktie. I was going to deny all the selfish ideals and assumptions about the person I am by confessing my true self... and after that, I intended to declare that there is someone I have decided on. Then, I was going to call you here, Kazunari-san... and give you this."
As Sara-san spoke, she held the necktie to my neck, checking how it looked. It was the kind of action one does when buying clothes, holding them up to the body to check the size and color.
"Kazunari-san, do you know the meaning behind a woman giving a necktie to a man?"
"Meaning... you say?"
"Yes. Not just as a simple present..."
"...Sorry, I don't really know."
I didn't quite get it, but was it like how giving a ring isn't just a present, but has a special meaning when placed on the ring finger? Did giving a necktie carry a special meaning as well?
"Eh!? Wait, Satsukawa-san!? Are you telling me you prepared a necktie for Takanashi-kun with that meaning in mind!?"
"If your guess isn't wrong, Minamin-san, then that is exactly what it means."
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?"
A massive, high-pitched scream erupted from the female members of the audience. That meant that this necktie carried a meaning that was common knowledge, at least among women.
"Whoaaaa, it goes that far!?"
"Damn it, I don't want to see any more of this!"
"What the hell, does a necktie have such a huge meaning!?"
"You idiot! You didn't know!?"
"My, my... I wonder if Satsukawa-senpai was planning to propose to Takanashi-kun as well."
"This was unexpected... I didn't think her intentions would be that heavy."
"So that necktie really has that meaning after all?"
"What else could it be? But for that Sara to do it..."
"'Because it's that Sara' is what we should say. She intends to show off that she is head over heels for Takanashi-san, making any slight possibility or ill will toward him completely meaningless."
"True. Or rather, to be able to do something so bold in a place like this, I guess you really have to be 'that Sara' to pull it off. At least, I could never do it."
Listening closely, the shouts of the guys were mixed in with the screams of the women. Was I really the only one who didn't know this?
But now, I was becoming more and more curious about that "meaning."
"My apologies for keeping you in suspense. It is not that the necktie itself has a meaning, but rather, the meaning is born when you consider what a necktie is used for."
"What a necktie is...?"
"Yes. When I prepared this necktie, I had decided on one meaning. Therefore, I intended to tell you that when I gave it to you... but since you proposed to me, Kazunari-san, I have decided to change the meaning slightly."
"Change?"
This was hopeless; I was becoming more confused. For now, I understood that there were multiple meanings that could be imbued into a necktie as a present, but beyond that, I had no clue.
"Pffft, Takanashi-kun looks troubled."
"Well, mentally, he was quite far removed from romance. It's only natural he's a bit dense in some areas."
"That's not a problem. Rather, I think it's cute."
"And I bet Sara is thinking the same thing as Hanako-san... right, Eririn?"
"That's right. I think he's cute too."
"Ah, so Takanashi-kun is that kind of..."
"Fufu... you'll understand soon, so don't worry. More importantly..."
With a gentle smile, Sara-san wrapped the hand holding the necktie around my neck. Her movements were incredibly practiced—tying my necktie was a daily occurrence for her—and she tied the knot with ease.
Even so, she did it more slowly than usual, as if checking every detail, looking at my face many times in the middle of it, each time showing a happy smile.
"Wow, she's really used to doing this, isn't she?"
"Fufu... it was a bit difficult at first."
"No, tying someone else's necktie is usually a big deal. I mean... Takanashi-kun, do you always let Satsukawa-san do that much for you?"
"Please don't misunderstand. This is all because I want to do it for Kazunari-san. If anything, I am the one asking him."
"Ah, is that so... well, well."
"There, that should do it. It looks very good on you, Kazunari-san!"
"Thank you, Sara-san. And so..."
Having finished tying the necktie, Sara-san nodded with satisfaction, her hands still wrapped around my neck. We stared at each other at such a close distance that we could have embraced with just a little movement. I watched her as she prepared to speak.
"Yes. When a woman gives a necktie to a man, of course, it might just be a simple present, but if it's from me to you, Kazunari-san, it naturally contains a certain meaning. And initially, I had one meaning in mind when I gave this to you."
Sara-san smiled a bit bashfully and looked down slightly. I felt my heart throb at that adorable gesture, and perhaps it was conveyed to her again, as Sara-san took one hand away from my neck and began to stroke the back of my head carefully and gently.
"It means... I'm head over heels for you."
"Ah..."
I see... so that was it.
Since a necktie is something tied around the neck, it carries the simple "neck-related" meaning of being head over heels. For a woman to give one to a man signified a sort of confession.
"I'm head over heels for you... I truly adore you. How can I convey all of this affection without leaving anything behind? No matter what I do, no matter what words I string together, I still feel as though the love for you in my heart isn't fully getting across, that I'm not conveying enough... and it makes me feel so restless."
"Sara-san..."
"I love you so much... I love you from the bottom of my heart, I adore you... These are my true feelings, my sincere heart. But, if I could express that not just with words, but with something else... even if only a little. For example, like the engagement ring you gave me, Kazunari-san..."
Sara-san always conveyed her feelings for me directly. She expressed her emotions straightforwardly. And I had never felt for a moment that something was lacking in that.
But if the proposal ring appeared as a form expressing my feelings and resolve, then it was only natural for Sara-san to seek something similar.
"The feelings you gave me along with this ring, Kazunari-san... if I were to respond to them, the expression 'head over heels' is far too weak. That is why I have decided to return the meaning of this necktie to its original intent, which I hadn't planned to say here."
"I see... so that's the change. I finally understand."
"Yes. Therefore, once more... I will speak of my feelings and my answer to your earlier proposal, while including the meaning of this necktie. That said, I have already given my answer."
"Haha... true. Since this was 'once more' for me too, the promise itself was already..."
"Yes. But since you have formally proposed to me like this, Kazunari-san, I want to formally give my answer as well."
"Understood."
For us, who had already completed our engagement, this event was more of a formality or a ritual. So even if we told each other our feelings, it was more of a reconfirmation—a conversation where the answer was already known.
But even though I knew that, what was this inexplicable sense of tension?
"Kazunari-san... meeting you changed everything in my world. The joy of meeting you made me feel the joy of being born into this world, and being with you turned into my joy and happiness in living. In other words, my joy and happiness are always with you. That is why I want to convey that joy and happiness to you, even if only a little... no, with my whole soul. I want you to feel even more joy and happiness than I do. That is why I want to continue walking with you from now on, and even further beyond. More than anything, I want to keep telling you my feelings... this feeling of purely and simply adoring only you. I want to be allowed to tell you. Always, always... forever."
Sara-san’s thoughts and feelings seeped deep into my heart. It was truly deep, right at the very center of my soul.
Looking straight at me, Sara-san’s eyes, filled with a clear will, never wavered for a second as they locked onto mine. Through my eyes, my ears... my whole body... I felt her feelings being conveyed.
"And this necktie is an expression of my will to be the one who ties it for you every day. From now on, I want you to let me tie your neckties. That is until the future... and beyond that, and even further... forever."
Having been told that much, even someone as ignorant and dense as me could finally understand.
The necktie I was currently wearing was something put on during the morning preparations before school, and in the future, before work... when I fulfilled my promise with Masaomi-san, it would again be something put on during the morning preparations. For Sara-san to do that for me every day meant her intention to live our lives together forever.
"Kazunari-san... please make me your wife in the future. Of course, if I were to speak my true feelings, I would want to become your wife right this moment. And then, I want to make you the happiest person in the world. That is my duty, and I can never let anyone else have it. I want to love you, serve you, and convey the happiness I feel to you without reserve... and even more than that, with all my heart and soul."
Sara-san drawn close enough for us to become one, as if we were at zero distance.
And then, Sara-san...
"Kazunari-san... I will definitely make you happy, okay?"
"Sara-san, I also... mmph!?"
I wasn't even able to finish my sentence. As usual, my mouth was blocked as if there were no room for argument.
Drawn in by Sara-san’s arm wrapped around the back of my head, I was once again left at her mercy.
But since I found that to be delightful and happy...
I guess it really was unavoidable.