"Please, make yourselves at home and enjoy your time here."
Remaining in a formal seiza position, the shop clerk bowed deeply before quietly leaving the room. We all watched her depart.
Now that only the family members remained, the tension hadn't quite dissipated. A lingering, awkward atmosphere drifted through the room, as if everyone was still on their guard.
Even my dad seemed to feel it, as he remained silent... wait, never mind. He was simply mesmerized by Mayumi-san.
Good grief... he was a man who never wavered, and I meant that in the worst way possible.
By the way, where was Sara?
"Nfufu, for things like this, the presentation is important too, you know?"
Mayumi-san turned a meaningful, grinning smile toward me and shifted her gaze toward the sliding doors—the very spot the shop clerk had just exited.
Which meant the reason Sara wasn't here yet was...
"Thank you very much for traveling such a long distance to join us today."
"No, no, the pleasure is ours. Our son is always in your care. We appreciate everything you do for him."
"Not at all. On the contrary, Kazunari-kun is always taking such great care of our daughter..."
"...Eh."
Hearing Masaomi-san use the phrase "taking care of," a quiet sound escaped my lips. I knew it was just a standard, formal greeting and nothing more, but the idea that I was "taking care" of Sara was something I couldn't say if my life depended on it.
And Mayumi-san, please don't giggle while looking at me like that. When you act that cute, Dad gets even more distracted.
"Haha... What is the matter, Kazunari-kun?"
"No, well, the one being taken care of is entirely me..."
"Hmm? There is nothing wrong with what I said. It is a pure and simple fact that Sara is in your care."
"Nfufu... Kazunari-kun really is such a good boy. We are also very happy to have formed this connection with you."
Reacting to my protest with warm, amused smiles, Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san affirmed their statement as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Faced with such earnest smiles, I couldn't exactly say anything boorish in return.
"I-Is that so? To think that an ordinary, simple-minded, idiot son with no redeeming qualities like him..."
"Hey, Dad."
"What? I’m just stating a pure and simple fact, too."
"Y-You..."
"Alright, alright, alright!! You two, that’s enough!! Honestly, every time you open your mouths, you're at each other's throats... Ah!?"
Seeing Dad acting like his usual, irritating self (while I played the victim), Mom finally seemed to regain her composure. Her tone returned to normal—until she noticed Masaomi-san watching us and hurriedly covered her mouth.
Don't tell me Mom is going to end up like Dad... no, surely that wouldn't happen.
"I-I’m sorry, how embarrassing of us..."
"Not at all, I’m truly envious of how close you are. Kazunari-kun seems much more relaxed than usual too... right, Mayumi?"
"That’s right. I'd love for him to keep that up and rely on me even more honestly... Nfufu~♪"
"R-Rely on you!!?? H-Hey, Kazunari!! What on earth have you been doing to his wife!?"
"Gwaah, calm down!! That’s just a figure of speech!!"
I shouted that, but I was well aware that Mayumi-san's words meant exactly what they sounded like. That was precisely why I couldn't let it be known in front of Dad. Absolutely not!!
If he ever found out about "this" or "that," he would lose his mind!!
"...My apologies, my wife is..."
"N-No, we’re the ones who should be embarrassed..."
Then Mom and Masaomi-san started an exchange that made them look like two people who shared the same hardships. On a side note, I didn't know Mom could use such polite language.
"Fuyumi-san, it’s been a while~"
"It’s been a long time, Mayumi-san. I’m so envious of how youthful you always look."
"Nfufu, I think you’re plenty young yourself, Fuyumi-san."
Since they had already met before, the two mothers began a conversation in relatively casual, housewife-like tones.
But comparing Mom to Mayumi-san’s youth was a bit too much of a stretch... No, never mind.
For a second, I felt a wave of bloodthirst radiate from Mom’s back... scary.
"Haha, I’m sure you both have much to catch up on, but let's sit down and settle in first."
"Ah, right. Then..."
"Excuse me..."
Urged by Masaomi-san, we took our seats on the floor cushions, with Dad leading the way.
On the other side of the table, Masaomi-san sat across from Dad, and Mayumi-san sat across from Mom. That meant the seat across from me was, of course, for the currently absent Sara.
"I’m truly delighted to have this opportunity to meet you directly. There were many things I wanted to discuss with you both as soon as possible."
"No, really, I apologize for the delay due to my own circumstances. Long-term business trips are rare for me, but they always seem to ask me at times like this."
"Haha. Isn't that just proof that the company relies on you?"
"No, no, it's nothing that noble. It was just something forced on me from above... Oh, excuse me, that just slipped out."
"Please, don't worry about it. Since we’re in this kind of setting, I’d actually prefer to be frank and informal."
"I appreciate that as well. To be honest, I’m not very good at events where I have to be guarded and formal..."
"Dad!!"
Dad was generally a man who didn't get intimidated, but I had told him this was an important occasion. I wanted him to stop announcing that he "didn't want to be formal." It was true that Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san were friendly, but this was their first meeting; he should be showing some restraint!
"Haha, it’s alright, Kazunari-kun. To be honest, this is my first time in this position as well. It’s actually quite helpful."
"Isn't he a wonderful father? Right, Kazunari-kun?"
"No, I wouldn't say wonderful..."
"Noooo, your wife is the one who is truly wonderful and beautiful! I've seen many people in my line of work, but I’ve never seen a woman as gorgeous as your wife!!"
Complimented by Mayumi-san (even if it was just a social nicety), Dad’s mood visibly improved. His true nature was starting to show, and I realized I might need to keep him in check soon before things got ugly.
"Oh my, you’re quite the flatterer. But Fuyumi-san... your wife is also..."
"No, no, that’s a bit of a stretch. Compared to your wife, my wife is like heaven and earth, the moon and a soft-shelled turt—Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!!"
Mom silently grabbed Dad’s cheek and twisted it with a force that showed zero mercy.
That looked painful, really painful!!
But then...
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!!"
Why was my cheek being pinched too!?
Did my inner thoughts leak out!?
"You just looked like you deserved it."
"That’s harsh!?"
It had been a while since I'd been subjected to domestic violence alongside Dad for an unearned crime. But for this, I couldn't say I was entirely innocent... because Mayumi-san really was the ideal mother—too ideal for any man in the world. Comparing Mom to her was just impossible...
"Hmph!!"
"Agh, agh, agh, agh, agh!? I-I’m sorry!!"
"As long as you understand."
Uugh... I thought my cheek was going to be torn off.
If that happened, I wouldn't be able to get my reward from Sara, which would be a literal matter of life and death!!
"Hahaha!"
"Ufufufufu..."
Watching the comedy routine our family was putting on, Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san let out entertained laughs.
If they enjoyed this farce, then I was glad, but the fact remained that they’d seen our whole family at our worst. I wished they could just pretend it never happened.
"Hah!? S-Sorry, I forgot myself..."
"H-Hey, just let go of me already!!"
"Oh, I forgot!"
Whether she was lying or not, Mom finally let go of Dad’s cheek. As for Dad, the pinched area was bright red... but unfortunately, it didn't seem to have caused any further damage. Tsk.
"Wow... what a wonderfully close family you are."
"Truly. Right, Kazunari-kun? You can feel free to be more at ease with us, too, you know? Don't hesitate for a second, okay?"
"Eh!? N-No, it’s not like I’m hesitating..."
"Well, some of it just comes with time, and the casualness of being blood relatives is something you can't force. But for us, that kind of informal relationship is definitely the ideal we’d like to have with you."
"Masaomi-san..."
I could understand what the two of them were asking of me. It wasn't that I wanted to be formally distant with Masaomi-san and the others; it was that the current setup was comfortable for me as "another family." I loved the peaceful, gentle atmosphere and the time I spent at the Satsukawa house.
So, I wanted to take it slow in our current form... and continue to deepen our bond as a real family with Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san from here on out.
"Fufu... I see. Yes, I understand. Then, Kazunari-kun, let's get even closer to each other, okay?"
"Mayumi-san..."
Mayumi-san, who had been staring straight into my eyes, suddenly said that. It wasn't her usual teasing tone; it was a sincere statement. It was as if she had read my feelings and voiced them for me... no, that’s exactly what it was.
Because she was Mayumi-san.
"...This kid, why do they like him so much? And that beautiful wife seems especially invested in him..."
"What is it, Dad? Do you still have something to say?"
"Shut up!!"
"Sigh..."
"Honestly..."
Unable to understand what he was unhappy about, Dad threw another childish tantrum, leaving Mom and me to do nothing but sigh.
Why was this man such a pain? I wished I could brew some of Masaomi-san's dignity into a tea and make him drink it... seriously.
"Well... the conversation took a bit of a detour, but first, I’d like to give a brief self-introduction."
"Yes, likewise. Sorry for the commotion..."
"No, honestly, it’s been a help, so please don't worry about it."
"Thank you. To be honest, there are many things we don't know how to handle ourselves."
"Haha, that goes for both of us."
"You're very kind."
Dad and Masaomi-san engaged in a light exchange of harmless greetings, and the formal introduction meeting began with a reasonably smooth start.
However... well... how should I put it...
Who the hell was that guy!?
To think that irresponsible dad of mine could show such a perfectly normal response—honestly, it was nothing short of a shock.
"How rare..."
It seemed Mom couldn't hide her surprise either. She was staring at Dad with wide eyes.
Surely some natural disaster isn't about to happen after this, right?
"But before that..."
"First, I’d like our daughter to greet you both. Sara-chan, please come in."
"Yes."
When Mayumi-san called out toward the entrance of the room, the response from behind the sliding doors was the beloved voice of the person I could never mistake.
Even through the door, her voice was dignified and as clear as a ringing bell. Dad and Mom—especially Dad—showed a fidgety restlessness, a mix of tension and curiosity.
"I apologize for the delay."
As everyone's attention focused on a single point, the sliding doors smoothly and quietly opened. There she was, looking straight at us—my goddess, Sara. She possessed a beauty that made one sigh.
"Sara-chan, please greet Kazunari-kun's parents."
"Yes."
With graceful movements, Sara stood up and, with a soft, gentle smile, began to walk slowly. Her bearing was filled with such elegance that it felt almost divine. I wasn't the only one who found my eyes stolen away.
Dad, in particular, had his eyes opened as wide as they could go, his mouth hanging open. He was just staring at Sara in a daze of pure shock.
But seeing Sara for the first time in a kimono, it was only natural for him to end up like that.
Actually, come to think of it...
It was the same with the yukata, but Sara in Japanese clothing had so much destructive power it was beyond a joke!
"...Huh? ...Eh?"
"Dad, what’s wrong?"
"W-W-Wait... hold... on..."
"What is it?"
"You... t-t-this... no way, right? You’re joking?"
"About what?"
"Don't 'about what' me!!?? You..."
I knew exactly what Dad was surprised about, but I decided to feign ignorance anyway.
Honestly, seeing Dad panicking in this kind of slapstick style was just too funny.
"I am pleased to meet you for the first time, Father-in-law. I am the eldest daughter of the Satsukawa family, Sara."
"Uwaaa!? Y-Y-Yes, likewise, thank you for the polite greeting!!"
Faced with Sara, who had knelt and placed her hands formally on the floor to bow, Dad hurriedly straightened his own posture.
Mom laughed unreservedly at his clumsy, frantic movements, which were like something out of a comedy skit. I could certainly understand the feeling.
"I am truly delighted to finally be able to greet you, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. I am still inexperienced, but I look forward to your kind guidance from now on."
As Sara said that, she bowed deeply once more. As if pulled along with her, Dad and Mom both bowed deeply as well.
As expected of Sara. Truly, whatever she did, it was perfectly executed; her movements were so beautiful that one couldn't help but be drawn in.
"N-No, well... how should I say this?"
"Fufu... is something the matter, Father-in-law?"
"No, r-really, this is... I want you to listen without taking offense, but... how could someone like you be with our id—I mean, 'Father-in-law'?"
"Yes. Since you are Kazunari-san’s father, that means you are also a father-in-law to me."
"Ah, I see!! So that’s it, a father-in-law is a father-in-law, and a father is a father-in-law who is a father..."
"........."
"FATHER-IN-LAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!?"
At Sara’s casual explanation, Dad let out a scream so loud that even I, his biological son, had never heard anything like it.
But in his expression, amidst the intense shock, there was blatant joy—frankly, it looked like a smug grin.
What was this murky feeling...
To be blunt, it was annoying as hell!
"Aah, it's so embarrassing, stop getting so excited!! I knew this would happen, which is why I was worried about letting you meet Sara-chan."
"You idiot!! First of all, I never heard that his partner was such a transcendental beauty!"
"I told you over and over!! You’re the one who wouldn't believe me."
"No, I mean, this is Kazunari's partner, right!? It should be impossible!! How could our son ever get someone like..."
"Aah, it's so embarrassing, stop it already, Dad!!"
Sara was giggling as she watched us, but I was on edge. If I let my guard down for even a second, I felt like Dad would say something rude. The way he kept bringing up Sara's appearance was nerve-wracking.
So far, Sara hadn't shown any sign of being offended, but...
"I'm sorry, Sara-chan, our idiot is just being noisy... Also, it's been a while. You've become even more beautiful since I last saw you."
"Fufu... thank you, Mother-in-law. I’m glad to see you’re as energetic as ever."
"Well, that’s about the only good thing I have going for me."
"Please don't say that. I truly respect you from the bottom of my heart, Mother-in-law."
"Aah, geez, why are you such a good girl!! Honestly, Sara-chan..."
"Fufu... that tickles, Mother-in-law."
As if she couldn't take it anymore, Mom hugged Sara tightly. Sara looked happy, silently accepting Mom's embrace. I made sure to give a threatening glare to Dad, who was watching them enviously.
If it was Mom, fine, but I would never allow Dad!
"Hey, w-w-wait a minute, why are you two so close already!!??"
"What's wrong with it? Sara-chan is like a daughter to me too."
"Th-That's cheating!!! If you’re going to say that, then so am I!!"
"Fufu... of course, I respect you too, Father-in-law."
"GUOOOOO!! FATHER-IN-LAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!"
"You're too loud, Dad!!"
Going from angry to happy to making a scene, Dad was about fifty percent more annoying than usual.
For now, Sara, Masaomi-san, and Mayumi-san were laughing... but I was incredibly worried that Dad was going to say something unnecessary as things went on.
I really hoped this was going to be okay. Seriously.