“She finally made some friends, and she seemed so genuinely happy... so I was happy for her, too. I felt a little lonely, sure, but having friends her own age was something she had wanted for a long time...”
The joyful look on her face when she reported that she had finally made female friends remained vivid in my memory. That was why I had been truly happy for her back then.
“Nfufu... So even back then, Kazunari-kun was a wonderful boy, wasn't he?”
“Eh?! I—I wouldn't know about that... Anyway, that was how Yuzuha and I started to drift apart. The time we spent together decreased significantly.”
“I see. If she had stayed stuck to a specific boy forever, it would have been difficult for either of you to meet new people... and you likely would have been teased for it.”
“Yes. To tell the truth, that happened quite often. We...”
I purposefully didn't go into detail about that; they could probably easily guess that much. Besides, that point wasn't particularly important to the story at hand.
Rather...
“So, we’re familiar with that part of the story... but I take it the problem started after that?”
“Yeah... The biggest issue was that the friends she made weren't exactly good people, to put it mildly.”
“...I see. Come to think of it, I’d spotted Yuzuha-chan and her group a few times, and the girls around her did seem a bit like... well, that,” Mom added.
“Really? In my mind, Yuzuha-chan’s friends would have been quiet, well-behaved girls. She seemed normal the last time I saw her,” Dad remarked.
“If that were the case, I wouldn't have been so troubled. But in reality, she started hanging out with that crowd. And, as you can probably guess...”
“...The girl was influenced by her friends?” Masaomi-san asked.
“Yes... She was completely influenced and changed more and more. In a very bad direction...”
Since she was originally poor at socializing and longed for the existence of "friends" more than anyone else, she just wanted to be liked. She didn't want to lose the friends she’d finally made, and she began to synchronize with them to a degree that felt desperate.
Well, thinking back on it now, I had serious doubts about whether that group actually considered Yuzuha a friend at all.
“I thought it looked dangerous and warned her often. But she started to find me annoying, and at some point, she began to rebel. And not just that—as if to spite me, she dyed her hair, modified her school uniform, and even started wearing piercings and accessories...”
“...I can almost see the scene. You could say her weakness was being exploited, but it doesn't change the fact that she was doing it of her own accord...” Mayumi-san noted.
“Yes. This was entirely her own doing. But even so, I...”
“That’s right. Because that’s just the kind of boy Kazunari-kun is... truly.”
Mayumi-san affirmed my feelings with a tender, affectionate gaze. She was the same as always, but right now, her kindness made me happy.
“Hmm, I think I see the situation now... so basically, you and Yuzuha-chan became enemies?” Masaomi-san asked.
“You could think of it that way. In fact, Yuzuha probably hated me... but it didn't end there. Because he... Yamasaki got involved.”
“Yamasaki?” Masaomi-san repeated.
“...Yamasaki? Don't tell me, Kazunari-kun?” Mayumi-san's eyes widened.
“...I see. So it really was that...”
Hearing Yamasaki's name, Masaomi-san naturally showed the strongest reaction. Mayumi-san stared at me with a look of sudden understanding, while Dad and Mom tilted their heads in confusion at the shift in the room's atmosphere.
By the way, Sara-san was staring at me the entire time with a very pained, complicated expression.
“Yes. It’s that Yamasaki that Masaomi-san and the others know. With his looks, he was incredibly popular with the girls...”
“Come to think of it, I heard he was working as a model for a magazine or something?” Dad asked.
“...To think someone with such an idiot face, overflowing with a nasty personality, could be a model... what a laugh,” Sara-san muttered.
“Sa—Sara-chan?”
Perhaps the topic of Yamasaki had touched a nerve, as a statement completely unlike the usual Sara-san burst out. She seemed to recover herself immediately and returned to a normal expression... or rather, an expression of deep concern for me.
“Does Sara-chan know what he looks like?” Mom asked.
“Yes. I have confronted him directly before.”
“C—Confronted?”
“My apologies, I spoke out of turn. Anyway, let’s continue with Kazunari-san's story...”
Mom looked at us with momentary shock at Sara-san’s ominous word, but for now, we continued the story.
“It seems Yuzuha liked Yamasaki, too, and I started seeing her actively approaching him. And he seemed to like Yuzuha... but there was another reason for that. He was only dating Yuzuha for fun, and once he got bored, he planned to trick her and hand her over to the other guys...”
“Wait, what?!”
“Hey, hey, hold on!! That’s not something a middle school student should even think of...”
“No... what Kazunari-kun is saying is likely the truth. Unfortunately, he has the background to back that up,” Masaomi-san interjected.
“B—Background?”
“...Do you know something?”
“...Anyway, let’s hear the rest for now.”
Masaomi-san had likely already begun to piece the story together. Especially that follow-up; it was clearly a statement made after connecting it to that specific family.
“The reason I can say that for certain... is because I happened to be there when he was talking about it with someone else. So, I barged in with Yuji, who was with me at the time... because I just couldn't forgive him. But things started to roll in a direction I never expected...”
“A direction you never expected?”
“After that, the story spread through the class all at once. But the narrative was that I barged in because I was jealous of Yamasaki... that I was a scumbag who resorted to the worst behavior because I was frustrated that he took Yuzuha. Everyone in the class believed it...”
“What?! That’s ridiculous!” Mom cried out.
“D—Don't mess around...”
The ones who raised their voices were Mom and—truly rare—Mayumi-san, who was visibly seething with anger. Meanwhile, Dad and Masaomi-san stayed calm, but Sara-san looked devastated.
It truly hurt my heart to see her make such a face.
“...You were set up. In that situation, you couldn't clear your name without clear evidence,” Masaomi-san observed.
“...Yes. I think it was Yamasaki's entourage who spread that story. Anyway, with that history, I was branded with the Stigma of the Worst Man who used violence while crazed with jealousy... but it didn't end there. Since people knew Yuzuha found me a nuisance, they started calling me a stalker...”
“No, no, surely there were people who knew you two were childhood friends who had been together for a long time. That’s pushing it too far... wait, don't tell me,” Dad trailed off.
“Could it be... that girl admitted to it?” Mayumi-san asked.
“...She did. At first, it felt like she just said it on impulse when asked by those around her... but using that as a trigger, she started being pitied by everyone, and it seemed like she personally enjoyed that feeling... After that, she started doing it actively herself.”
“The absolute worst... what is wrong with that girl?” Mom spat.
“...Ugh, it’s infuriating no matter how many times I hear it,” Sara-san whispered.
Mayumi-san and Sara-san no longer hid their anger and disgust in the slightest. In contrast to the mother and daughter, Dad and Mom, who had known Yuzuha since she was little, were more shocked... but there was even more to this story, and it was hard to voice it now.
Since I’d already finished the general explanation, I decided to wrap up this part.
“Because of all that, various rumors were added later, and as a result, I was completely isolated in the class. No one believed me, and no one would even deal with me. It made sense. If anyone tried to be friendly with me, they’d immediately become part of the hated group. And ironically, the more of a villain I became, the more Yuzuha was pampered as a Tragic Heroine. And by being kind to such a Yuzuha, Yamasaki's reputation went up even further...”
“...”
“Kazunari... san...”
Perhaps having finally moved past anger into grief, Mayumi-san and Sara-san fell silent with particularly sad looks... especially Mayumi-san, who looked like she was about to explode.
“I understand... that’s enough. Hearing that much, I can generally grasp the full picture. It was probably a much worse situation than I imagined,” Masaomi-san said.
“...Yeah. But I don't want to say more.”
If I were to report that I was given Criminal Treatment instead of just being called a stalker—that rumors were flying about me being in the hands of the police for assault or blackmail—no one would want to hear that.
Besides, I didn't want to tell this story to Sara-san anymore.
“It would be pointless to ask why you didn't consult us. Knowing you, you were probably thinking that you absolutely didn't want to lose,” Dad said.
“...You figured it out?”
“You’ve always been like that. When there’s something you can't accept or something unreasonable, you get even more stubborn...” Mom added.
“...Haha. Yeah, I think so, too.”
I hadn't really been aware of it myself, but now that she’d said it, it did seem like I had always pushed back against such situations.
But in this case, in the end, I couldn't do anything about it. The best I could do was harass them back out of spite... Ah, in that sense, I suppose I was pushing back then, too.
“...To be honest, I can't imagine the emotional wounds Kazunari-kun received. So I will refrain from making any easy comments... well, I suppose I’ll leave that role to Sara instead of myself. You’d better be prepared for what comes after this, okay?” Masaomi-san warned.
“Ha—haha...”
“...I’m not sure what you’re trying to say, but if it’s about Kazunari-san, please leave everything to me. I will follow up thoroughly afterward...”
What was that? It felt like the word "thoroughly" was strangely emphasized.
And given Sara-san's expression, tonight was almost certainly going to be something incredible... No, when I say incredible, I don't mean it in that way!
“But just one thing... thank you for telling us. A story like this, it must have been quite unpleasant just to remember it... it must have been painful,” Masaomi-san said gently.
“That’s... true. Honestly, I don't want to remember those days, and they remain a loathsome past, but... still.”
“Still?”
“...Because this incident happened, I was able to meet Sara-san.”
“...!!??”
This was something I always thought, and by now, it was a realization that was far too natural to me. It was also one of the big reasons why I had been able to overcome my past.
But for Masaomi-san, who was hearing this for the first time, he couldn't hide his surprise.
“Everything that happened up to that point was necessary for me to meet Sara-san. If even one thing had been missing... if it hadn't happened, I might not have been able to meet Sara-san. Of course, I believe our meeting was destiny regardless...”
“Ka—Kazunari-kun? That’s...”
“So... at the time, it was truly painful, and I wanted to run away many times. I actually moved to this city to escape... but even that was all for the sake of meeting Sara-san.”
“...I see. You feel that strongly about my daughter...”
“Ka—Kazunari-kun...”
Even if it was a perfectly natural way of thinking for me now, for someone hearing it for the first time, the expression on their faces—a mix of surprise and emotion—told the whole story.
Furthermore, Mayumi-san had a little bit of moisture in the corners of her eyes.
“The reason I can talk about this story normally now is all thanks to Sara-san. Because Sara-san was there, because Sara-san supported me... I was able to overcome my past. That’s why, to Sara-san, I—”
“No... I can't take it anymore!! Kazunari-kun!!”
“Eh? Ma—Mayumi-sa... mmgh!!??”
Mayumi-san suddenly stood up and charged at me from the side with incredible force. The next moment, I was suddenly wrapped in something menacingly soft and large. I had no idea what was going on.
“Ma—Mayumi-san?!”
“Aaaaah, really!! Why are you so cute?! Mother-in-law can't take it anymore, she’s at her limit!! Aaaah... Kazunari-kun, you’re so precious!”
“Mmgh...”
Truly, a mother-in-law’s love was a terrifying thing.
If affection went too far, it became a weapon... I mean, please don't wave around a weapon that was even greater than Sara-san's in many ways! I was going to suffocate!
“Wh—Wh—What do you think you are doing?! Who gave you permission for such an outrage!!”
Apparently, Sara-san's consciousness had caught up to the situation, as she shouted. Physical force began to be rapidly applied to pull me away from Mayumi-san. It was a Mother-Daughter Battle without Honor.
“Kazunari-kun... you really worked hard. To have such a painful experience and still stand up to it alone... and to recover properly like this...”
“Ma—Mayumi-san... but this is all thanks to Sara-san...”
“No, that’s not true. Even if Sara-chan was a factor, the one who overcame the past was Kazunari-kun's own strength... it’s due to the strength of Kazunari-kun's heart, you know?”
“The strength of my heart...”
“Yes. Kazunari-kun might not be aware of it, but completely overcoming a problem of the heart is no ordinary feat. In many cases, people are just trying to convince themselves that they’re okay now. But Kazunari-kun was able to feel that way from his heart. That’s why you’ve become able to talk about such a painful and sad experience with a smile in such a short time... am I wrong?”
“I guess... you’re right. Certainly, once I realized that everything was connected to Sara-san, a lot of things opened up all at once... it felt like I could suddenly accept everything.”
Indeed, once she’d said it, I realized that the moment I reached that way of thinking, I had been able to accept the past surprisingly easily.
Of course, it’s not like I didn't have hard feelings toward the people involved back then, but as for the incident itself, it was so easy that I wondered what all those feelings I’d been carrying were for.
This wasn't just acting tough or a self-delusion.
“Right? That’s why I think it was only possible because of Kazunari-kun's heart. Combined with your strong feelings for Sara-chan, you were able to be reborn into the Kazunari-kun you are now.”
“Be... reborn? Be... r—right! Certainly, I was reborn on that day...”
“Nfufu... being able to accept things honestly like that is also a kind of strength in its own way, you know? Kazunari-kun really is a good boy... there, there...”
“Wap...”
Mayumi-san hugged my head as if gently enveloping it and stroked my hair lovingly.
At first, I was surprised by her erratic behavior, but this was all out of Mayumi-san's kindness... and honestly, I was grateful for her stance of praising me rather than just sympathizing.
Yes, I was truly grateful...
However...
“Um... Ma—Mayumi-san?”
“Kazunari-kun, if you ever have any trouble in the future, please be sure to consult me, okay? Mother-in-law will stop at nothing for the sake of her cute son.”
“Eh... um, th—thank you?”
"Stop at nothing" sounded a bit ominous, didn't it?
No, more than that, there was another tremendous pressure like a freezing chill coming from right beside me.
“Now, you mustn't speak so formally anymore, okay? Since Kazunari-kun is a precious son to me, too, you can feel free to thoroughly spoil your Mother-in-law like this anytime you want...”
“Are those the only sleep-talkings you have to say? I stayed quiet since you seemed to be talking about something serious... but I am at my limit now.”
“A—Ara, Sara-chan?”
And then I heard it—the voice of the Goddess, Sara-san, with intense anger seeping through her freezing tone. Even though it wasn't directed at me, it was enough to make me shiver.
“Sa—Sara-chan, you can always flirt with Kazunari-kun, so it's fine, isn't it! Once in a while, let Mother—”
“That is enough!! If you continue this any longer, I will also resort to Forceful Action...”
“Wa—wa, Sara-chan, if you pull that hard...”
With that declaration, Sara-san began to pull me away from Mayumi-san. The sensation of the "weapon" that was enveloping my head began to recede. Then, the force pulling me toward Sara-san became stronger and stronger... Wait, now that it had come to this, couldn't I pull away on my own?
“Mayumi-san, I’m sorry!”
“Eh...? Ah, Kazunari-kun...”
As I put my own strength into it to match Sara-san's pull, I managed to free myself from Mayumi-san's hug. The next moment, I went straight into Sara-san's Heaven.
To me, that place was an Eden filled with peace and happiness... but Sara-san, your strength is a bit much!
“Mghmgh... Sa—Sara-san?!”
“Are you all right, Kazunari-san?! It’s okay now. I will protect you like this until Mother's threat subsides!!”
“Mmgh?”
Like a mother protecting her child from an outside enemy... or rather, it was the figure of the Goddess Sara-san guarding me with an absolute defense. While I felt pathetic being the only one being protected in this situation, I couldn't help but feel happy. I’m sorry.
“Sniff sniff... After all, Kazunari-kun prefers Sara-chan, doesn't he? Mother-in-law is sad...”
“Of course he does!! Kazunari-san's place is right here with me, not with Mother!!”
While emphasizing that to Mayumi-san, Sara-san pressed her "here" against me firmly.
“H—Hey, hey, wait a minute... The mother and daughter started a tug-of-war over Kazunari?! You’re kidding, right?!” Dad shouted.
“Haa... Even Mayumi-san, I wonder what she likes so much about that stupid son of mine,” Mom sighed.
“Ha—haha... My apologies, my wife is at it again... how embarrassing,” Masaomi-san apologized.
“Honestly... even though Kazunari-san was telling a serious story, why do you have to do something so unnecessary?” Sara-san chided.
“But... Kazunari-kun was so pathetic and sweet. When he says such cute things, Mother gets all fluttery inside...”
“Even so, the privilege of holding the lovely Kazunari-san like this is granted to me alone!!”
As if to further emphasize the "like this" part, Sara-san enveloped my head deeply and stroked it over and over. Every now and then, the sound of her whispering my name, “Kazunari-san...” lovingly tickled my ears. I felt like I might just entrust everything to her if I let my guard down... No good.
“...Come to think of it, Sara-chan knew this entire story, right?” Mayumi-san asked.
“Yes. Although at the time of Kazunari-san's reunion with her, I was absent... it is the height of regret.”
“Oh dear, what bad timing... so, did something happen again then?”
“She meddled with Kazunari-san for low and trivial reasons. And that scumbag got involved as well,” Sara-san replied coldly.
“I see... but I guess that’s how Kazunari-kun...”
“Yes... because of that, I decided to end my connection with them once and for all. Even if it were just me, I now have Sara-san... someone more important than my own life. That’s why, to make sure they never come sniffing around again, I have to make sure of it this time.”
Even if we tried to ignore them, as long as they kept meddling, there was nothing we could do. And if that were to ever affect Sara-san... that was the one thing I could never forgive.
“Kazunari-san... it’s the same for me, you know? To me, Kazunari-san is a being more important than my own life.”
“Haha, then I guess we’re even.”
“Fufu... I will not hand over the role of protecting Kazunari-san to anyone else♪”
Having said that... if anything should happen, I would still be the one to put my life on the line. This was an absolute resolution for me, so I could not hand it over to Sara-san either.
“Honestly... you two start flirting as soon as there's an opening,” Mom remarked.
“I wouldn't know. This is just how we are, and nothing will change in the future. Right, Kazunari-san?”
“Y—Yes, it's not like we’re intending to do it...”
However, I did think we should be a bit more restrained about doing it in front of people... But Sara-san was the type who basically didn't care about the public eye.
“So, how long do you plan on staying like that?” Mom asked dryly.
“It looks like you've joined that group of people, too. It’s starting to feel stupid listening to you seriously,” Dad added.
“No... um...”
“Ha—haha... Well, it's a blessing that the two are so close.”
“Your smile is twitching, Masaomi-san?” Mom noted.
“Guh... please overlook that.”
Since Sara-san wouldn't let go of me, I didn't know the situation around us very well... but I could tell it would be better to let go. I mean, I was quite something, too, being spoiled by Sara-san's Heaven right in front of both our parents... I’m sorry.
“Sara-san, it's about time...”
“Are you sure? You’re still...”
“I’m fine. Because Sara-san is here.”
“Fufu... I will be by your side for the rest of my life, so please rest assured♪”
Once more, Sara-san gave me a tight squeeze and then gently let go of her arms around me. I somehow knew that this act wasn't just a "hug"... Sara-san really was special.
“Haaa... You two really put in sweet nothings without a single gap. It’s so extreme that it’s actually refreshing,” Mom said.
“Fufu... thank you, Mother-in-law♪”
“No, I wasn't particularly praising you... well, whatever. More importantly.”
Setting aside Mom's Scornful Look, Dad's hostility, Masaomi-san's twitching smile, and Mayumi-san's winks—I tried to focus.
“K—Kohm... Well then, shall we return to the conversation?” Masaomi-san asked.
“Y—Yes.”
With Masaomi-san's word, the air of the room tightened up. For now, I took a deep breath... Okay, now for the final part.