"Well now, I'm truly envious!"
"Hahaha, what are you saying? That should be my line."
"Ufufu... honestly, Kazunari-kun is just so, so adorable."
"Well, I certainly find Sara-chan precious, but is that boy really that cute...?"
The tension that had initially filled the room vanished completely, replaced by a relaxed, convivial atmosphere by the time the food arrived. Dad and Masaomi-san were busy praising each other's families in a display of mutual admiration, while Mom and Mayumi-san were deep into a heated discussion over whose child was more precious. For me, the person at the center of it all, it was an agonizingly uncomfortable situation.
Was Sara-san and I shriveling up in embarrassment? Not exactly.
"Here, Kazunari-san, say 'ah'..."
"Amu... munch munch..."
"How is it?"
"It's delicious, but..."
"...But?"
"I honestly think your cooking is the best in the world, Sara-san, so everything else just feels like second place."
"Fufu... Oh, Kazunari-san♪ Now, don't move, alright?"
"Eh? Mgu..."
Sara-san’s face softened with a happy smile as she carefully wiped my mouth with a paper napkin. Once she was finished, she gazed steadily into my eyes, her expression melting into an exquisite, radiant smile.
"Now, which one shall we have next?"
"N-No, you should eat too, Sara-san. I'll take it from here myself..."
"Don't worry. I've been eating properly in between bites."
"I know, but this is Kaiseki Cuisine. It’s a waste if you don’t focus and enjoy it properly instead of just eating in your spare moments."
It was true that Sara-san was maintaining her usual style—feeding herself at the right times while prioritizing my care—but since this was such a luxurious meal, I wanted her to savor it fully. Then, an idea struck me.
"Sara-san, please let me feed you 'ah' for once."
"Eh?"
If I pushed the issue a bit, she’d have no choice but to eat, right? I thought it was a pretty good idea.
"N-No, I..."
"Don't be modest. You're always taking care of me, so for once, let me return the favor..."
"B-But, taking care of Kazunari-san is my reason for living... I mean..."
As expected, Sara-san grew flustered and troubled, yet she couldn't bring herself to clearly refuse. If anyone else had suggested it, she would have shut them down the moment it went against her wishes. I hate to say it myself, but Sara-san was extremely weak when it came to my requests.
She looked like she might give in with just one more push. Even if it felt a little underhanded, I decided to switch into Pleading Mode.
"Sara-san, I want to try feeding you too. ...Is that not okay?"
"Ugh... th-that's unfair. When Kazunari-san asks me so cutely, I..."
Stare...
"K-Kazunari-san..."
Stare...
"Fine! I understand! I'll do it!"
"Yes! Then it's My Turn from here on."
Perfect. Now I could make sure Sara-san ate her fill. Besides, it had been a while since I'd seen her look so bashful, and my own excitement was secretly skyrocketing.
"Now then, let's do this right. First... have some of this."
"Y-Yes..."
Sara-san nodded shyly, watching intently as my chopsticks—holding some Simmered Dishes for the moment—approached her mouth. Following my lead, she placed her left hand beneath the chopsticks and wordlessly waited for the "ah."
"A-Ah..."
Perhaps she was already at her limit; Sara-san squeezed her eyes shut, her face turning bright red, and finally opened her mouth just a little. As for me, seeing the movement of her lips—which felt so different from when we kissed—caused all sorts of feelings to well up.
My heart was pounding. Oh, what the heck!
"Amu..."
Sara-san took the food into her mouth and immediately began chewing while covering her face with her hand. Her cheeks remained crimson, and I was well aware that I was probably just as red.
This was more embarrassing than I’d anticipated.
"H-How is it, Sara-san?"
"Uugh..."
"S-Sara-san?"
"I-I'm so embarrassed that I can't even tell what it tastes like..."
"Eh? R-Really?"
"Yes..."
She gave a small nod, her gaze fixed on the floor, unable to look me in the eye. She looked so incredibly precious as she shrank back in bashfulness that I couldn't look away.
"P-Please don't stare at me like that. It's... embarrassing."
"Eh!? A-Ah, s-sorry."
"...Mean."
"Guh!?"
With her face flushed and her eyes looking up at me through her lashes, her protest carried a destructive power that was almost too much to handle. She was so cute that even God wouldn't have been able to withstand it.
I was the one who started this, but that's just cheating, Sara-san! It’s foul play!
"Uuuugh, I'm getting heartburn. To think the day would come where I’d have to watch my own son flirting right in front of me... wait, I saw this on Observation Day too."
"Ufufu... those two are so in love that this is a daily occurrence. It really makes me jealous♪"
"A—A daily occurrence!?" Dad bellowed. "Y-You don't mean they're flirting like that at home every chance they get, do you!?"
"Ha... haha. No, it's truly wonderful that they get along so well... yes," Masaomi-san said with a strained smile.
Mom looked completely fed up, while Mayumi-san was practically writhing with delight. Masaomi-san's smile was twitching, and Dad was directing a rather dangerous glare my way. It seemed I’d managed to cause a scene again.
"Now, Kazunari-san, it's my turn again, isn't it?"
"N-No, Sara-san. Um, it seems like we're attracting a lot of attention right now..."
"I don't mind at all, so please don't worry."
"I mind it!!"
If the audience were total strangers, I wouldn't have cared. But flirting so openly in front of my own Dad and Mom was a high hurdle to clear. It was just awkward! Plus, Mom's icy stare and Dad's silent, "What do you think you're doing, brat?" pressure were overwhelming.
"Kazunari-san... do you, by any chance, dislike it?"
"Wha!? N-No, that's not it..."
"If Kazunari-san dislikes it... I..."
"Ugh... S-Sara-san, that's mean..."
Her expression clouded with sadness in an instant. There was no way I could resist. Even if it was an act, making Sara-san look like that was the ultimate taboo for me.
"Kazunari-san... I..."
"I-I get it! I understand!! I'm happy with whatever you do for me, always!"
"Yes! I love you, Kazunari-san♪"
The moment she heard my reply, her face shifted back into a beaming smile.
It was an act after all... but I didn't regret losing. Nothing was better than seeing Sara-san smile.
"Sara-san, you're mean."
"Fufu... that was payback for earlier♪"
That Mayumi-san-style counterattack was bad for my heart. I really wished she’d take it easy on me.
"Well then, since I have official permission, I shall handle the rest..."
"Eh!? Y-You're joking, right?"
"...Fufu♪"
The mischievous way she chuckled was more than enough to suggest she was dead serious. In other words...
"Here, Kazunari-san, say 'ah'♪"
While being watched by both sets of parents, I was destined to spend the rest of the meal like a baby bird receiving food from its parent—pursued by a special kind of Humiliation Play as I ate whatever Sara-san offered.
Well, as long as Sara-san was happy, it was a small price to pay. I seemed to be thinking that a lot lately.
The grand meal eventually came to an end. As we spent some relaxing time with dessert and Tea, the conversation shifted toward us—not the serious business of the day, but more toward gossip and curiosity. When the topic turned to this, the Female Officers—the Mother and my Mom—took the lead like fish in water.
"I see... so Kazunari gave a Public Proposal on the Stage during the School Festival."
"Ufufu... my heart was racing just watching him, you know? It was truly wonderful... his desperate expression was just so adorable."
"Hmm... I can't imagine it at all. Are you really talking about Kazunari?"
"Of course. And it wasn't just the Proposal; I even got to hear about their plans for the future."
"Future plans?"
"Ufufu... about us becoming grandmothers once Kazunari-kun finds Employment..."
"Hah!? You kids are already discussing things that far ahead!?"
"No way in hell!!" I shouted.
We haven't even graduated high school yet! There was no way we were thinking that far into the future. I mean, why did the conversation always turn to children every single time? It was so awkward for us! Sara-san was blushing like crazy—which was cute, but still!
"Fufu... by the way, Sara-chan says she wants a cute Boy who looks like Kazunari-kun. Naturally, I'm all for it too♪"
"Eeeh, it has to be a girl, surely? If she looks like Sara-chan, her future would be beyond promising... I really don't want the kid to take after our side of the family. It would be a waste of good genes."
"Oh, Fuyumi-san..."
Awkward. So awkward! Why did they have to talk about this? But even if I wanted to change the subject, I knew that if I spoke up now, the fire would just spread to me. Sara-san clearly knew that too, which was why she’d been silent. But every time our eyes met, she would look down bashfully, which was doing things to my heart.
"Well, in the end, whether it's a boy or a girl, just having them be born is a blessing."
"Ah, Mayumi-san, that's cheating. I feel that way too..."
"Ufufu... see, Sara-chan? We don't mind either way, okay?"
"I-I don't know anything about that!!!" Sara-san blurted out, trying to shut down the topic.
But those mothers weren't so dense that they’d miss her casting such a shy glance my way.
"Hey, Kazunari. Are you really going to let Sara-chan be embarrassed all alone while you try to run away?"
"Wh-what am I even supposed to say to that!?"
"Well, maybe something like: 'This is a matter between the two of us, so please watch over us quietly'?"
"The difficulty level is too high for me!!"
I might have seen a line like that in a manga, but I'm only a High School First-year! There’s no way I could pull that off.
"Ahem!! Mayumi, that’s enough. It’s far too early for those two, and you’re clearly troubling them," Masaomi-san finally cut in, looking like he’d had enough. I was grateful, though I wished he’d stepped in a bit sooner.
"Oh, Masaomi-san, you're acting like it’s someone else’s problem, but this is about your future Grandchild. A child from those two would be, to us..."
"I-I'm saying it's too early!! First, they have to graduate, then go to University, then start working..."
"Geez... how boring," Mayumi-san sighed, finally pulling back.
But the mischievous wink she sent my way made Sara-san and Dad react instantly. I really needed a break.
"Cough! Since we’ve touched upon their Future Path, I think it’s time we move on to the main subject. We couldn't go into much detail over the phone."
"Y-Yes, quite right. I have several things I'd like to ask as well..."
Following Masaomi-san's lead, Dad agreed. The two mothers finally quieted down, and the atmosphere shifted back to a serious tone.
"Then, first, regarding the Adoption... but before that," Masaomi-san said, turning his gaze toward Sara-san and me with a contemplative look.
"We’re going to be discussing some dry, administrative matters now. Kazunari-kun, Sara, why don't you two take a walk in the Courtyard? The Garden here is quite famous, and I recommend you see it while you have the chance."
"Ufufu, consider it a little private time for the two of you. The Stroll Course is a privilege reserved for guests in this room. It’s a rare opportunity," Mayumi-san added.
"Uh...?"
As someone with an interest in gardening, I was curious to see it, but this talk was about me. It felt weird to not be there.
"Don't worry about it. The talk about procedures is our job, and honestly, you’d probably find it boring just to listen to."
"Exactly. Leave it to us and go be lovey-dovey together."
"I-Is that so? Well then..."
If they were going that far, it seemed okay to accept their offer. I wouldn't be much help with administrative talk anyway.
"Sara-san, what do you think?"
"I think... it’s not a bad idea to accept their kindness. Besides..."
"Besides?"
"Since I've dressed up like this, I... I want Kazunari-san to look at me more. Just the two of us..."
"A-Ah, r-right! I see. Definitely."
With her cheeks flushed, she looked so sweet that my mind was made up. A short walk wouldn't hurt.
"Then, thank you. We'll go for a short walk. Is that okay, Sara-san?"
"Yes. I will happily go wherever you wish to lead me, Kazunari-san."
"U-Understood. Then..."
I stood up and gently offered my Right Hand to her. Since she was wearing Japanese Clothing, I figured she might need a bit of support.
"Fufu... thank you."
Sara-san smiled shyly and gently took my hand.
"Heh... I didn't think you were capable of that kind of consideration," Mom remarked.
"Ufufu... that's just because you haven't noticed, Fuyumi-san. Kazunari-kun is a truly good boy."
"I-It’s really nothing special..."
"Fufu♪"
Being praised so directly was making me blush.
"Haha. Well, off you go. Enjoy yourselves. The garden is lit up this time of year, so the night scenery is quite refined."
"Y-Yes. Well then, we're off."
"We shall be going."
Before they could embarrass me any further, I decided it was time to go. A walk through a moonlit garden with Sara-san in a kimono... yeah, that sounded like the perfect way to spend the evening.