"Then… they used their connections to start harassing us indirectly. But we found a different lead of our own, which gave us the opening we needed to strike back at Yamasaki and his group."
"I see… and that was Nishikawa Eri-san?"
"Yes. A best friend who had charged in with me before kept investigating on his own even after that incident. He managed to get information from a contact, and we realized that Yamasaki’s real target was Nishikawa-san."
"Ah, so that’s why Sara stepped in. Even if she transferred schools, Eri-san is one of the few friends Sara has, after all."
"Saying she’s 'one of the few' is uncalled for, Father. I simply make it a point to be selective with my social circle."
"Oops, my apologies."
Well, to begin with, there were probably very few people who could build a relationship close enough to be called a friend by Sara-san… especially by the Sara-san of that time. But putting that aside.
"And then, did you actually make contact with Eri-san, Kazunari-kun?"
"We spent some time gathering information after that. A new best friend I made at my current school helped out, too, by making contact with Yuzuha's group… and then…"
"You arrived at that story… I see."
"Yes. But the scale of it was so large that, honestly, I seriously struggled with what to do. If I attacked that, it wouldn't be a matter that stayed on an individual level anymore…"
"I imagine so. Yamasaki Industries isn't a small company, and the risk of clashing socially with an opponent who carries out illegal acts with such nonchalance is normally far too great…"
"Yeah. Even though I started out thinking about it as a strictly personal matter, before I knew it, it involved their entire company. It turned into something on the scale of pursuing a social evil. But that’s exactly why I thought it might be the way to definitively crush him…"
What kind of catastrophe would be caused by carrying that out? Thinking about that, the truth was that I often felt more afraid than just hesitant. But I couldn't run away.
And because Sara-san… because everyone told me they would shoulder the same burden as me… that was why I was able to do it.
"…I’m impressed by the guts it took to make that decision, but to think a group of high schoolers could overcome a situation like that on their own… I’m truly struck with admiration. It’s quite a feat."
"No, that was only possible thanks to everyone. I didn't really do anything myself…"
I wasn't saying this out of modesty. The biggest reason we were able to handle the matter in the first place was that Yuji and Hanako-san discovered Yamasaki’s weakness.
Furthermore, it was thanks to Todo-san and Tachikawa-san that I was able to get in touch with the crucial Hanako-san, and it was thanks to Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai that I could contact Nishikawa-san. The fact that we could draw information out of Yuzuha's group later was thanks to Hayato, and finally, being able to deal with Yamasaki along with his company was only possible through Nishikawa-san's power.
And above all… the reason I didn't lose my nerve and was able to face those people head-on was because Sara-san was always there to support me.
In other words… I was the only one who did nothing.
"That goes without saying, doesn't it? It’s true that it was the result of everyone fulfilling their respective roles… but who was it that connected those points into a line?"
"That’s…"
"Yes. You understand it yourself… or perhaps someone has told you before? That’s right. Because you were at the center, all those elements were united into one."
I had been told that before by Sara-san and Nishikawa-san.
The things each person can do are limited, but by gathering those efforts around me, they became a single force for the first time.
That was my…
"Each person has their own role, but if they just move separately, it amounts to nothing. That’s why someone is needed to unite them… a person who can assemble that power and wield it. And you, despite being a high school student, managed to embody that perfectly against a social entity like a company. This is undoubtedly your own power, you know?"
"Masaomi-san…"
"So, hold your head high. Leading this matter to a resolution was undoubtedly your strength as well. And that’s one of the big reasons why I have such high expectations for you. And of course, President Nishikawa does as well."
"Kazunari-san… no matter what anyone says, you are our leader. Every one of us is part of a group that gathered around you and acts with you at the center…"
"Sara-san…"
Masaomi-san’s gaze, filled with confidence, and Sara-san’s unwavering, straightforward gaze seemed to appeal to my heart with something more than just words.
That’s right… even if I couldn't go as far as saying I had full confidence, at the very least…
"…I understand. It doesn't change the fact that it’s thanks to everyone, but it is true that I settled things with my own hands."
"Yes♪"
"Good. That’s fine for now. It’s also important not to forget humility."
"Hehe… that’s so like Kazunari-kun."
"R-Really?"
Being told it was "like me," I felt like anyone who could be full of confidence after hearing all this would be the strange one… but well, whatever.
"At any rate, I generally understand the story up to this point. I mostly understand the problems you were carrying, and the fact that you told even us this much… it might be insensitive to say, but I’m happy."
"Um… Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san are like another Dad and Mom to me."
"Haha, I see. I’m happy to hear you say that. And being called 'Dad' isn't bad either. Will you call me that from now on?"
"Ah, Masaomi-san, that’s not fair! Then call me 'Mom' too!"
"W-Whaaa?! No, Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san don't really fit that image…"
I couldn't explain it well, but Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san definitely didn't fit the image of "Dad and Mom"… so I wanted them to spare me from that.
"Hey, Kazunari, what’s that supposed to mean?"
"Yes, I’d certainly like to hear about this 'image' of yours."
"E-E-Err… S-Sara-san!!"
I couldn't explain it well as it was, and if they pressed me on it, I was at a loss for an answer.
Which was why… as pathetic as it was, I had no choice but to rely on the one person these two couldn't talk back to…
"Fufu… Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, since that's Kazunari-san's way of expressing affection, please don't tease him any further, okay?"
"Ugh… when Sara-chan says it like that…"
"W-What is this… she looks like she’s just smiling normally, but I feel a sort of pressure that absolutely refuses to allow any counterargument…"
As expected, the two who couldn't stand up to Sara-san—especially Dad—fell silent as if cornered.
And Sara-san happily patted my head with a broad smile. Could it be that she was happy I relied on her?
"Ha-Haha… W-Well, we'll leave what you call us up to Kazunari-kun. So then, as for the story."
"Yes, that’s about the end of my story. After that, my Dad and Mom…"
"Yeah, I generally understand the circumstances on this end, too. If I consider that you did something outrageous and that it led into this matter, then the rest of the story makes sense…"
"I see. In that case…"
"Just one thing… though."
"…What?"
When he said that, Dad closed his eyes and made a gesture as if he were thinking about something… or rather, as if he were calming his feelings.
"…Even though you were carrying all of this, the fact that I couldn't do anything for you as a parent is entirely my own failing. I’m sorry."
And with his eyes still closed… my Dad bowed his head to me.
"Huh?! N-No, wait a second!! The reason you guys didn't know anything was because I kept quiet in the first place!"
Dad’s behavior, so completely different from his usual rowdiness, left me bewildered. But even more than that, a sense of guilt welled up.
Regarding this matter, while I could be blamed for not saying anything, there was absolutely no reason for my parents to apologize.
"Even so, it's a fact that I could do nothing for you back then. Not only that, but I contributed nothing to the catalyst for you to recover like this…"
"No, that’s why, I…"
This was bad. I couldn't find the right words.
It was really just my fault for keeping quiet, and my parents hadn't done anything wrong.
"If I may be so bold… the perception that Father-in-law and Mother-in-law did nothing is incorrect. At the very least, Kazunari-san does not think so."
"Sara-san…?"
"S-Sara-chan… but you see."
Everyone’s attention gathered on the words Sara-san suddenly spoke. But Sara-san herself kept that same smile on her face.
"It overlaps with what Kazunari-san said earlier, but the ones who prepared the foundation for him to start his life here were none other than his parents. Without that, he wouldn't even have been able to stand on the starting line to recover, would he?"
"No, that much is only natural, or rather…"
"No. There are not many parents who value their son’s autonomy enough to accept such things without a second thought. And it was because of the kindness of you two that Kazunari-san was able to fight through to the end without breaking."
"It’s just as Sara-san says. I’m truly grateful to you both. The school of choice I decided on suddenly without consulting you, the living alone matter—you not only accepted them in silence but even gave me a push, right? And because you always treated me normally, I was able to get through my middle school years without rotting away… so…"
After dragging it out this far, and with the help of Sara-san’s support, I felt pathetic and sorry that it took this much to finally be ready to lay myself bare.
But that was why, if I didn't say this right here and now, I would feel that way forever.
"Dad, Mom, thank you so much for everything. The reason I was able to overcome what happened… the reason I was able to meet Sara-san, is because of you two. So, if you really think you had nothing to do with me recovering, you’re wrong. It’s true that the one who helped me recover was Sara-san… but the ones who built the foundation for that were undoubtedly you."
"…Kazunari."
"…!"
"That’s why I’m truly grateful to both of you. I’m sorry I couldn't tell you this story until now… but I’ve finally made up my mind. And I can't thank you enough for giving me the chance to meet Sara-san."
I was grateful for everything—for the chance to overcome the past, for their emotional support, and for the practical support they gave me.
But for me, the fact that they gave me the chance to meet Sara-san was the greatest thing of all.
"…I would also like to offer my thanks once again. Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, thank you very much. Thanks to you, I was able to meet the world's most wonderful man, Kazunari-san."
"S-Sara-chan…"
"Haha, this guy is the 'world's most wonderful,' huh?"
"Fufu… Kazunari-san is undoubtedly the most wonderful man in the world. And as the woman who will become his wife, I pride myself on being the happiest woman in the world."
Without a hint of hesitation or jest, her eyes—the ones I loved so much—were completely sincere, making it clear she truly felt that way from the bottom of her heart. Dad and Mom couldn't help but let smiles escape.
"Haha… if you go that far, I have no choice but to say you’re very welcome."
"Yeah. To think they’d drop such a blatant display of affection in the middle of a story like this, I feel like saying just do whatever you want."
"No, I wasn't particularly trying to show off…"
"It's even worse if you’re doing it unconsciously. Just explode already!"
"Wait, what!?"
I thought I was speaking quite seriously, so why did the punchline end up like that?
I was just honestly conveying what I was grateful for, but this was too unreasonable.
"Good. It looks like everything has settled down peacefully."
"It seems so. The parts we were curious about have been cleared up, and if we consider that he trusts us enough to tell us this story…"
"Hehe… Mother-in-law is happy, too. Now that it’s come to this, I’m going to dote on my son even more than before with all my might…"
"That’s why I told you to keep your sleep-talking for when you get home!"
"Sara-chan, you’re so mean!"
"Haha…"
"Honestly… fufu."
"Phew… this part feels less realistic, actually. Why are a beautiful mother and daughter fighting over Kazunari?"
The somber mood shifted instantly back to the start. A light atmosphere took over, and laughter spontaneously broke out.
Above all, now that I had finally been able to tell them everything… I felt a certain realization that the last lingering attachment in my heart had truly vanished this time.
"Well, in any case, you’ve just got to work hard from here on out."
"What’s with the suddenness?"
"It’s the path you chose… we can't follow you past this point. We’re far too much of outsiders for that."
"Huh? Well, I think the adopted child stuff and all that has to be left to Masaomi-san and the others, but…"
"That’s not exactly what I meant, but oh well."
"Sara-chan… please take good care of him, okay?"
"Yes, please leave it to me. I promise to support Kazunari-san with all my strength."
Full of confidence, truly dignified and proud, Sara-san nodded deeply at Mom’s words and gave me a soft smile.
That’s right. No matter what lay ahead, no matter what awaited, as long as I had this smile…
As long as Sara-san was by my side…
"Fufu… let's do our best, Darling?"
"Yeah… Sara."
No matter what it was, no matter the obstacle, I could overcome it if I was with Sara-san. I could walk forward. To me, Sara-san was that kind of existence, and that was exactly why I was able to overcome my past like this. I had become able to say with pride that I was okay now.
So next… it’s your turn.
I hope that this time, you, too, will find someone like that. I want you to recover.
Because I can't help but wish for that…
Right… Yuzuha?