"I’m loving this!! We’ve finally pulled back the curtain on Satsukawa-san’s mysterious private life, and we got a treasure trove of funny stories about Takanashi-kun too!"
"Um... I am truly sorry, Kazunari-san."
"No, it’s fine... really."
Even if I were broken, even if it was just pride talking, I couldn't bear to let Sara-san wear a sad expression.
But...
Today...
I felt as though I’d lost something vital as a man.
I kept the specifics of what exactly that was a secret.
"Nyahahaha! Maybe I pushed things a liiiiittle too far!? But come on, you’re the one who won the heart of the girl every boy in school dreams of! You’ve gotta be able to handle at least this much if you’re dating Rinka High School's Super Heroine, right!?"
"I know that!"
"Yes, yes, exactly what I’d expect from Takanashi-kun! The Hero of the Miss Contest isn't just for show! All right, next... Ah, looking at the time, we have room for maybe two more people for the Question Corner. Okay, you there! The boy in the back!"
"I’m Nagui! Have you finished giving your greetings to the Vice President's parents yet!? Also, please tell us five things you like about the Vice President!"
Another straight-ball question. The part about the greetings didn't seem like it would be much of an issue, but as for the second part... there was no guarantee Sara-san wouldn't go into overdrive again. I had to stay on guard!
"If you mean a formal greeting regarding our engagement, we haven’t set aside a proper occasion for that yet. If you mean a simple greeting, I’ve already met his Mother-in-law several times... but I haven't had the chance to meet his Father-in-law directly."
"Oh, really? So, eventually, you'll have a formal..."
"Yes. The date for the Formal Introduction of Both Families has already been decided, and I will give my formal greetings then. I’ve already prepared the Japanese Clothing I'll be wearing for the occasion..."
The crowd erupted into a deafening roar.
"A formal introduction!!"
"Father-in-law and Mother-in-law... she’s talking about Takanashi-kun's Father and Mother!?"
"Whoa, she really feels like a proper wife now!"
"Hearing things like that makes it finally sink in that those two are actually engaged!"
I knew Sara-san was looking forward to meeting my Dad, and I’d heard about the Japanese clothing, but... she really had it all ready.
When did she even have time to go shopping? We were basically always together...
Wait.
Was it that day? The day I went to buy the ring?!
"And the other part... it was about Kazunari-san, right?"
"Yes! Five things you like about the Vice President, please!"
"Five... that is a bit of a problem."
I expected her to answer instantly, but Sara-san wore a troubled look and a wry smile. Was she going to say she couldn't think of anything on the spot?
"...Is it a problem?"
"Yes. Five is far too few; it’s actually a struggle to narrow it down. I love everything about Kazunari-san, you see."
...I should have known. I absolutely should have known.
The girls in the audience shrieked in delight.
"The 'I love him' is here!"
"It’s not just 'like,' she really said 'love'!"
"Wow... she just said that so naturally!"
"As expected of a married couple... as expected of a wife!"
"They’re way too sweet!"
"...Well, Sara has been saying she loves him since way before they were officially engaged," one of her friends whispered.
"...That makes sense. 'Like' isn't nearly enough to describe how the Wife feels about Kazunari."
"...Yeah. Honestly, it wouldn't feel like Satsukawa-senpai if she didn't use the word 'love.'"
Of course, if I were asked to list five things I liked about Sara-san, it wouldn't be nearly enough, and narrowing it down would be impossible. So, I completely agreed with the sentiment of "everything."
But still, being told "I love everything about you" so boldly and instantly to my face... it made me happy.
"Takanashi-kun, your face is melting. You look completely smitten."
"Wha—!?"
"Fufu... Oh, Kazunari-san."
"U-Um... so..."
"Ah, my apologies. Five things I like about Kazunari-san... right? It’s truly difficult to pick just five, but first of all... I suppose it would be how reliable he is."
"Reliable..."
"Yes. I believe you have to see it for yourself to truly understand, but Kazunari-san’s dependability in a crisis is truly wonderful—it makes me swoon. His decisiveness and courage are remarkable, but above all, his Ability to Act on his decisions and the Execution Power he shows in making them a reality are beyond dependable. I couldn't tell you how many times I’ve fallen in love with Kazunari-san’s gallant side..."
"I see... I guess today was a good example of that."
"Yes. Today, Kazunari-san gallantly stepped onto this stage alone. Despite the glares of hostility and curiosity from so many people, he boldly gave me his proposal. It was truly... wonderful."
Sara-san's cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes filled with heat as she looked at me, seemingly lost in the memory of my entrance.
I knew I’d done something pretty bold today, but if it was for Sara-san, most things didn't seem like a big deal. That’s why I didn't think what I’d done was as grand as she made it sound.
"I-I see. Well, um, what else...?"
"Let’s see... continuing from what I just said. While Kazunari-san is manly and reliable, he actually has a hidden side... he’s very cute and shows me an adorable side of himself. Especially when I give him a hug... at first, he’s shy and tries to hold back, but eventually, he... squeeze... he cutely spoils me by clinging to my chest. That sight is truly... oh, it’s just so dear and adorable to me..."
"...I totally get it," a voice from the side muttered.
"...You get it!?"
"...Naturally. It is a Big Sister's Instinct to want to dote on her younger brother."
"...I don't think normal siblings do that, though..."
This was bad. It was probably too late, but should I stop her forcefully? Stopping Sara-san while she looked so happy talking about me felt wrong, but if I let her continue, I felt like another piece of my dignity would vanish...
"Speaking of cuteness, Kazunari-san is also incredibly shy. When I gaze at him or give him a kiss, his face immediately turns bright red. I love that side of him and always want to see more, but since he gets so embarrassed he can't stand it... at those times, I pull him close and hide his face against my chest. However, during a Lap Pillow, I can't do that, so he buries his face in my stomach instead. Sometimes he wriggles around and gets into mischief... fufu. Honestly, Kazunari-san, you’re such a handful♪"
"Wha—!? I-I haven't done anything yet!"
"I-I-I get it! I get it more than enough! I’ve learned very well that you love everything about him, so we’re good for now!"
"...Are you sure? I’ve only just scratched the surface."
"I-It’s fine! My ears are full! I mean... I’ve felt your passion loud and clear, Satsukawa-san!"
"I see. That’s good then."
Just as I decided I had to stop her, the questioner gave up first. Honestly, it was a lifesaver. Plus, the girls who had been making such a fuss finally went quiet. If this taught them what happened when they let Sara-san talk about me, then...
"...W-Wow... I didn't think it would be that intense..."
"...Satsukawa-san loves Takanashi-kun way too much..."
"...I didn't know people could actually be that syrupy-sweet..."
"...To brag about him so grandly... she’s changed too much!"
"...Love really does change a woman..."
"...No way! That’s way beyond just 'changing'!"
"...Pant, pant... I can't take it... I’m getting a sugar rush just listening... cough!"
Wait... something was off. The audience was quiet, but the quiet whispering seemed to be getting louder. And the girls were staring at me with even more heat than before. I had a really bad feeling about this.
"Minamin-san, what’s the matter?"
"N-No... just... you’re really something, Satsukawa-san..."
"Pardon?"
"N-No, never mind! If you don't get it, you don't get it! Anyway, let’s pick our last person... here we go!"
The forest of hands didn't thin out at all, even after everything that had been exposed. If anything, the appeals grew more desperate since it was the final question.
Sara-san had talked long enough to cost me my soul, and you people still want more? Wait... huh?
"Oh? There’s someone unusual with their hand up! Why are you asking here instead of just talking to them directly!?"
Even Minamin sounded surprised, looking at the same person I was. Just as she said, while anyone else in the crowd was one thing, he could have just talked to us later. Then again, Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san had their hands up earlier too.
"Umm... Takanashi-kun, what do you want to do?"
Minamin had the authority to pick, but given who it was, she checked with me. I didn't see a problem, and I was curious myself.
He wasn't the type to do this for a prank. In fact, I’d noticed he’d been trying to catch my eye for a while.
"Minamin..."
"Got it! All right, our final questioner is decided!"
A staff member ran over from the wings with a microphone. The person who bowed politely and accepted it was...
"Okay... ask away!"
The First-year Ace of the Boys' Tennis Club, and without a doubt, my Great Best Friend.
I had no idea why he was making such an appeal. Knowing him, he wouldn't be here to tease us. And if he just wanted to talk, he could have done it later.
But he looked strangely serious. What’s going on, Hayato?