"Well then, everyone, once again... congratulations on a job well done!"
""Good work, everyone!!""
After school, the Student Council Room was packed with the usual faces—including all the third-years, led by the former President.
Since the Rinka Festival preparation period began about a month ago, we had spent our days in a whirlwind of activity. We’d handled countless arrangements, held meeting after meeting, patrolled the grounds, and lent a hand wherever needed. It had been an incredibly busy time for all of us.
Now that the school festival had successfully concluded, we decided to hold a modest celebration party to reward everyone for their hard work.
The spread was a bit more extravagant than usual today. The table was lined with snacks, juice, and even the black tea chiffon cake that Sara-san had baked last night.
"The Rinka Festival felt long, yet looking back, it seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. We managed to reach the end exactly as scheduled, without a single incident. This was only possible thanks to everyone’s effort and cooperation. In particular, our seniors assisted us out of pure goodwill. I want to express my gratitude once again. Thank you all very much."
Sara-san gave a polite bow, and the rest of us followed her lead, bowing our heads in unison.
We were truly indebted to our seniors. The fact that Sara and I were able to spend so much time together during the event was entirely because the seniors had stepped in to cover our duties. Thinking about that, I felt nothing but profound gratitude.
"Ahaha, stop it! That’s embarrassing!"
"Exactly. It’s practically a tradition for retired third-years to help out with the Rinka Festival. It feels more like a given than an extra favor. Right, Uesaka-kun?"
"Yeah. Besides, this year’s Rinka Festival was truly enjoyable in so many ways. It’s become a wonderful memory."
"Even so, thank you."
Even if it was tradition, the fact remained that we had been looked after for purely personal reasons. I bowed deeply once more to show my sincerity.
"Well, then... I’ll just say, 'you’re welcome.'"
"Ahaha, Takanashi-kun really is serious about this stuff, isn't he?"
"But Satsukawa-san, I’m surprised you didn’t stop him."
"True. Usually, you’d be saying something like, 'Kazunari-san, you don't need to go that far...'"
"Of course not. Kazunari-san was expressing gratitude on behalf of all of us."
"There is no way a wife would do something that would undermine her husband’s dignity."
"I see. With such a good wife, the husband must be a lucky man."
"Good for you, husband!"
"Wait, what!?"
Wh-Why were the seniors using that nickname, too!?
Don't tell me... the news hadn't just spread to the second-years.
"Hehe, word that Satsukawa-san’s classroom was in an uproar reached our ears loud and clear."
"We didn’t go there ourselves, but since this morning, the third-year classrooms have been buzzing about Satsukawa-san and Takanashi-kun."
"For the record, my class was obsessed with the topic, too. I was asked about you two quite a bit, so I simply told them that the Student Council has recognized your intimacy for a long time now."
Good grief...
I knew that proposing on the Miss Contest stage would increase our public recognition—that was the point—but I only expected to gain more enemies. I hadn't quite anticipated this school-wide, festival-like frenzy.
"The fact that Satsukawa-san is wearing an engagement ring seems to have had a huge impact, too."
"Accessories are usually forbidden, so it stands out even more. I mean, since you’re still wearing it now, is it actually okay with the school?"
"Yes. This is not a mere fashion ring, but a formal engagement ring. Even if it were questioned, I intended to protest the matter strictly."
"Our wife's parents must have handled the groundwork flawlessly. Even if they hadn't, the school would probably be too intimidated to do anything but look the other way."
Certainly, the blatant support from the teachers must have been because Masaomi-san and the others were pulling strings behind the scenes. If that was the case, this level of special treatment was only to be expected.
"Well, there have been students who wore engagement rings in the past. Regardless of any groundwork, I think it would have been fine either way."
"Now that you mention it, Eri said something like that."
"N-Nishikawa-san... I-I see..."
For some reason, Uesaka-san suddenly developed a suspicious, twitchy grin. He looked strangely happy. Was he really that delighted just because he’d said the same thing as Nishikawa-san? That seemed... very likely.
"Uesaka-kun, you're being creepy."
"Ugh... M-My apologies."
"I don't really mind, but... what was that all about?"
"N-No, it’s nothing. More importantly, shouldn’t we get this started?"
"You're right. This isn't exactly work, and it’s already getting late."
"Okay, everyone, do you have your glasses—well, they're paper cups—but is everyone ready?"
Looking around, everyone was poised with their paper cups. The male officers in particular were eyeing the table with restless anticipation. They looked exactly like dogs being told to "wait" before a meal.
"Then, everyone... to the success of the Rinka Festival..."
""Cheers!!""
I could practically hear the phantom sound of glasses clinking. And so, our modest celebration party began.
"Wait, I cut exactly enough for everyone!!"
"Ah, that one’s mine!"
"Se-Senpai, I was aiming for that one!?"
"Oooooh, I’m so glad to be alive!!"
The chaotic scramble—an all-out war, really—had broken out right as the party started. The target, as expected, was Sara-san’s handmade chiffon cake. It was the largest size our home oven could accommodate, but with this many people, the portions were still small. Everyone was desperate to snag even a slightly larger piece.
"Hauuu... it’s so delicious..."
"Marina is literally melting."
"But it’s just so good. I can't help it, right? It’s okay just for today, isn't it?"
"Who are you even asking?"
Holding her cheeks and swaying, Todo-san looked like she was in heaven. She adored sweets, so I could perfectly understand why Sara-san’s cake would have that effect on her. It really was a masterpiece that could rival any specialty store.
"Wow!? This is way too good!!"
"Phew... to be a master of home economics and have professional-level baking skills on top of her cooking... Satsukawa-san’s femininity is through the roof."
"In Satsukawa-senpai's case, shouldn't it be called 'wife power' instead of femininity?"
"Here, Kazunari-san, aahn♪"
"Aahn."
Chomp... munch munch
Haaaah... pure bliss...
"Hehe..."
"Sara-san?"
"My apologies. Kazunari-san looks so adorable when he eats sweets that... I couldn't resist."
"No, it’s my fault for your cake being too delicious, Sara-san."
I didn't even have a particularly strong sweet tooth, so this was simply a reflexive impulse triggered by how incredible the cake was. It made me understand Todo-san’s reaction even more.
"Hehe... In that case, I will gladly take responsibility for it."
"Responsibility...?"
"Yes. From now on, I will pursue your exact preferences in my baking as well. So, please cooperate by eating everything I make, okay?♪"
"Haha, I’d welcome that kind of cooperation any day."
That said, her baking was already a perfect match for my tastes. If I ate her cooking every day, I was worried my palate would become far too refined for anything else.
"...Those two really are flirting so naturally."
"...That was a shockingly natural 'aahn' just now."
"But to be able to bake a cake like this, you must have some pretty high-end equipment at home, right?"
"Yes. When we were choosing our furniture, Kazunari-san purchased a large convection oven for me."
"When you were choosing your furniture?"
"Well, there were several things we lacked for the two of us to live together. When we officially started cohabitating, we bought new furniture and appliances."
"Whoa, you're already living like newlyweds!?"
"But it’s just like him to pick out things specifically with Satsukawa-san’s needs in mind."
"No, I think that’s only natural."
In the first place, the reason we got new furniture was to make Sara-san as comfortable as possible. Though, if I were being technical, the funds actually came from the Satsukawa family, so it felt a bit wrong to take credit for "buying" it. Plus, the way Sara-san phrased it made it sound like I’d bought it specifically as a gift for her.
"Still... I still can’t believe what I’m seeing."
"What is it, all of a sudden?"
"I mean, look, it’s that Satsukawa-san, you know? You’ve been watching her in the Student Council all this time, haven't you?"
"W-Well... when I think back on it, it really is a huge shock."
"Satsukawa-san, who used to treat boys with a coldness that was terrifying to watch, is now engaged and feeding her fiancé! And she looks so happy... do you understand how mind-blowing this is!?"
"Eh!? N-No, Sara-san was kind to me from the very beginning..."
Even if they said that to me, my answer had to be "I don't understand," even if I could imagine what she used to be like. Certainly, she had been a bit cold at the very start, but even then, I’d sensed that she was a truly kind person from the moment we met.
"Hmm, that’s the real mystery. Why was Satsukawa-san kind 'only' to Takanashi-kun from the start?"
"Could it be... Satsukawa-san, was it love at first sight?"
"Yes. If you put it that way, it might be close to the truth."
"Ah, I knew it! But that means, after all is said and done, even Satsukawa-san has a 'type' when it comes to boys..."
"You are mistaken. If it was love at first sight, I fell in love with Kazunari-san’s kindness. Furthermore, since his attitude toward me was completely different from other men, I felt I could stay by his side with peace of mind."
"Oho, that’s deeper than I thought."
"That’s what you mentioned during the Miss Contest, right? About Takanashi-kun holding a little girl..."
"Yes. I had seen that sight before I even met Kazunari-san properly."
"Ah... so that’s why you knew Takanashi-kun was kind at his core, not just on the surface?"
"Yes. Furthermore, the smile Kazunari-san directed at Mio-chan was so wonderful... in that sense, it truly might be called love at first sight."
As she spoke, Sara-san gazed into my eyes with a tender smile.
I remembered that day well, of course... but I only had memories of being completely flustered because Mio-chan wouldn't stop crying. I’d always thought I must have looked ridiculous to anyone watching.
"I see. So you fell for him watching him be kind to a child."
"Hehe... of course, that wasn't the only reason. However... had I not seen that, I might not have felt like approaching him myself when we finally met."
"Hmm, talk about a turning point."
"Yes. However, even if I hadn't seen Kazunari-san then... I am certain that sooner or later, we would have met, fallen in love, pledged our futures to each other, and become engaged."
"Th-That’s some incredible confidence."
"Yes. We were existences who sought each other out... so even if the trigger had been different, it was our destiny to be drawn together once we met."
"E-Err?"
"Y-Yeah?"
The seniors tilted their heads in confusion, turning their gazes toward me instead of Sara-san. They probably didn't quite grasp what she meant. Since explaining it would require a lot of history, neither I nor Sara-san had any intention of elaborating.
"...Ehehe, it’s so romantic."
"...Well, it’s definitely the ultimate bragging."
"...Do you two understand what those words actually mean?"
"...Of course. But if those two aren't going to say it, we won't either."
"...I-I'm sorry, Uesaka-senpai."
"...No. It’s very much like you two."
"A-Anyway, I clearly understand that Satsukawa-san is head over heels for Takanashi-kun."
"Usually you’d expect it to be the other way around... but if you think 'that’s why,' then it actually makes sense... maybe?"
The seniors seemed to have reached their own conclusion, nodding as they brought the topic to a close. However, I felt the need to correct one thing.
"I'm more than head over heels for her too, you know?"
"Hehe... no matter what you say, Kazunari-san, I cannot yield on this point. The one more in love is definitely me."
"No way, I’m at least as in love as you are, Sara-san."
"I have already fallen in love with Kazunari-san more times than I can count."
"That’s the same for me... ah... mmph!?"
Chu...
The moment I realized where this was heading, it was already too late.
Just as expected, a mischievous glint appeared in Sara-san’s eyes as she suddenly leaned in, sealing my lips in an instant.
I feel like this happened recently... Sara-san, this is totally playing dirty!!
"It’s my win... wouldn’t you agree?"
"...Yes."
"Hehe... good boy♪"
Chu...
With a radiant smile at my answer, she kissed me again—this time just a light brush against my cheek—before pulling away.
Ugh... I lost again...
"...Wh-Wh-What are you doing... you stupid couple!?"
"...Using a kiss to silence your boyfriend’s argument... I’ve realized that the Satsukawa-san I used to know is officially gone."
"...Sa-Satsukawa-senpai, you're too incredible..."
"...Uugh, showing this off to us is just cruel..."
"Sniff sniff"
"...U-Um, as always, those two are on very good terms, aren't they?"
"...You don't have to try so hard to make it sound nice."
"...H-Hanako-san, that's a bit too blunt..."
"Anyway... s-so, what were we talking about again...?"
"About how much I am crazy about Kazunari-san..."
"No, no, that's not it!!"
"Hehe, I'm just joking, you know?"
""That’s definitely a lie!!""
As everyone shouted their retorts, Sara-san let out a cute giggle, and everyone else soon followed with a roar of laughter.
Like the senior said earlier, this was a sight I never could have imagined when I first joined the Student Council.
I couldn't help but think that if Masaomi-san or Mayumi-san could see this, they’d be truly happy.
It was a peaceful afternoon that made me feel that way.