It was lunch break.
I had finished every last bite of Sara-san's exquisite bento and was currently savoring a relaxing moment with some post-meal tea.
Our casual conversation was in full swing, and eventually, the flow of talk shifted to what had happened the day before.
"So, what was the final verdict?" Natsumi-senpai asked.
"I believe we already reported the details on RAIN?" I replied.
"I know that! But there’s a difference between reading a text and hearing it straight from the source!"
"Hehe... I understand. Please, Natsumi, try not to get so worked up," Sara-san said.
"Guh... you..."
Natsumi-senpai grimaced with frustration while Sara-san giggled, wearing a mischievous, rolling smile. I couldn't help but let a smile of my own slip out at the heartwarming sight of her.
"Hey, do something about your wife," Natsumi-senpai snapped, suddenly shifting the target of her ire toward me after spotting my reaction.
"Whoa! W-Wife...?"
But for me, seeing Sara-san looking so happy was a source of personal bliss. Stopping her was simply out of the question.
"Ugh, you Stupid Couple."
"Why the sudden insult?!" I cried.
"Natsumi. I will not permit you to trouble Kazunari-san," Sara-san stated firmly.
"Don't you start! You’re the one who started it!"
Sara-san nonchalantly framed Natsumi-senpai as the perpetrator and immediately moved to follow me up. As for Natsumi-senpai, she radiated frustration at being toyed with yet again, shooting me a glare that screamed, Fix this! I figured I should probably wrap this up before things got ugly later.
"Umm... well, as we reported on RAIN, the meeting between our parents ended without a hitch. We’ve all agreed to support one another, and the engagement between Sara-san and me is now official."
"Ehehe, that’s wonderful, Takanashi-kun! Satsukawa-senpai, congratulations to you too!" Marina-san rejoiced as if it were her own good news. As always, her pure, radiant smile was so infectious that it made everyone else feel like smiling too.
"Congratulations, Kazunari," Hayato added. "With this, you're on a straight shot toward the future."
"Thanks, Hayato. Though, to be honest, it doesn't really feel like anything has changed personally."
"Well, obviously. You guys are already like an old married couple. Hearing that your engagement is 'official' now feels a bit late to the party," Natsumi-senpai remarked.
"Hehe... you won't get anything from me no matter how much you praise us, you know?" Sara-san replied.
"I wasn't praising you! A screw really has come loose in your head, hasn't it? Did you turn into a total klutz once you got with Takanashi-kun?"
"Even if I did, if it is a change brought about by Kazunari-san, then it is my heart’s desire."
"This one’s a lost cause."
"Hehe..."
It was completely futile. In front of Sara-san, for whom everything involving me was transformed into joy, Natsumi-senpai's sarcasm was entirely wasted. Having been defeated again, the senior glared at me once more. Sara-san gently pulled me toward her, already shifting into a defensive stance. It was a bit chilly out, so her warmth felt nice.
"But speaking of the future," Natsumi-senpai continued, "Kazunari, you're going to university, right?"
"Yeah. I've already decided on my school. Now that the formal introduction is over, my future path is basically set. All that's left is for me to buckle down and study."
I never imagined my path would be settled so quickly, but for the sake of a future with Sara-san, I was prepared to give it my all.
"Ugh... 'buckle down and study.' That’s a line I never want to say as long as I live. Great, now you've made me remember the term-end exam."
"Honestly... haven't I always told you that you wouldn't have such a hard time if you just studied regularly?" Sara-san chided.
"I'm in a sports club! It’s impossible!"
"Sigh..."
Sara-san let out a heavy sigh at Natsumi-senpai's typical logic. It was true that sports clubs were busy, but there were plenty of athletes who maintained solid grades. I’m pretty sure I’d had this exact same thought before.
"If you aren't going to study... what will you do about your future path, Natsumi-senpai?"
The one who finally joined the conversation was Hanako-san. She was the last one still working on her cute bento; she always ate at a slow pace, so she was usually the last to finish.
"Hmm? I'm aiming for a sports recommendation. As long as I can maintain the bare minimum grades, I'll be fine."
"A sports recommendation... I see."
"Heh. It definitely sounds like a viable option for someone like Natsumi-senpai," I noted.
"Hehe... actually, that conversation has already started for Natsumi," Sara-san added.
"Oh, really? That's impressive."
I didn't know exactly what level was required for a sports scholarship, but for Natsumi-senpai—whose name appeared in the national high school tennis rankings—it seemed entirely plausible.
"Um... Yuzuki-senpai, what kind of goals do you have for the future?"
The question came from the other "angel," Marina-san, who had been listening in silence until now. Now that she mentioned it, I realized I hadn't heard much about Natsumi-senpai's specific long-term plans either.
"...I'm curious about that too. What's the plan, Natsumi?" Sara-san asked.
"Eh? N-No... well, I have a general idea," Natsumi-senpai stammered, fidgeting and looking uncharacteristically shy.
Wait, could it be...?
"Is it possible, Natsumi-senpai... are you getting marri— with Yuji...?"
"I'm not like you two! There's no way I'd be thinking that far ahead yet!"
"T-True."
Yeah, I figured as much. Even I knew that my own situation and perspective were far removed from that of a "normal high school student."
"...Is thinking about marriage with one's beloved such a strange thing?" Sara-san mused.
"Thinking about it in high school is what's weird! Besides, I don't want to hear that from you, considering you hated men until about six months ago!"
"Hehe... when you put it that way, I suppose I can't really talk," Sara-san conceded with a laugh.
"Ah... Natsumi-senpai, are you perhaps considering a corporate team?" Hayato interjected. As a fellow tennis club member, he seemed to have caught on to her line of thinking.
"A-Ahaha... I guess you figured it out?"
"Yeah. If you're going to keep playing tennis, that seems like the most realistic path. Or you could aim to go pro."
"Pro is... well, I'm not that confident in my skills. I think aiming for a future where I can balance work and tennis is the most realistic goal for me."
"In that case, there is no need to be embarrassed," Hanako-san said, firmly affirming the idea. "You should hold your head high and state that goal proudly."
She was being genuinely supportive without a hint of teasing. It was very like Hanako-san. Those two were quite close, so I'm sure she really did want to see Natsumi succeed.
"Hey, Hayato-kun, what do you have to do to become a pro tennis player?" Marina-san asked.
"Yeah, I'd like to know that too," I added. "It's probably not like pro baseball where you just get scouted."
In sports like baseball or soccer, you often hear about scouts recruiting from high schools. If you make a name for yourself at a national tournament, the path to a professional team is fairly clear. But since tennis is primarily an individual event, I assumed the process was different.
"Well, to put it simply," Hayato explained, "you take courses established by the tennis association, and then you submit a pro application. If you're approved, you're a pro."
"Wait, that's it?"
"Yeah. The 'if you're approved' part is the tricky bit, but the actual procedure is relatively straightforward."
"I see," Marina-san said. "But then, wouldn't it be quite possible for Yuzuki-senpai too?"
I agreed. Even if the approval process was an unknown variable, I believed it wasn't an impossible dream if Natsumi-senpai worked for it. But of course, she knew her own situation best.
"Ahaha... thanks, Todo-san. But being able to become a pro tennis player and actually making a living as one are two very different things."
"How so?"
"For example, a pro baseball player gets an annual salary the moment they join a team. Even if they're a developmental player, the team pays them a salary and provides a dormitory, so their life is stable. But pro tennis players are basically independent. Unless you sign a contract with a company, you won't even have activity funds. And for that to happen, you have to be an incredibly famous player."
"Wait... then how do the others make money?"
"That's the thing. Until you reach that level, you have to secure your own income, which includes finding personal sponsors. Or you work as a coach somewhere. Either way, you have to work hard at things other than tennis just to keep playing. If I had those kinds of connections, I might be able to clear some of those hurdles, but..."
So that was the reality. Being a pro and surviving as a pro weren't the same. Since it was mostly an individual effort, you had to find your own sources of income.
"There are people who dive in and make it work as pros regardless," Natsumi-senpai continued, "but for me, as long as I can keep playing tennis, I'm happy. Plus, with a corporate team, you get a regular salary."
"Oh, I see. So it's about combining your hobby with practical benefits?"
"Exactly. A corporate team is basically like a company club, but if you join a big one, you don't have to worry about funds. Some players even sign pro contracts while belonging to a corporate team. The environment is night and day compared to just playing as a hobby."
"Whoa... I see. I've learned something today!"
"Me too," I said. "But if that's the case, your future path..."
I felt like I understood the future Natsumi-senpai was aiming for, but to make it happen, she needed to be hired by a company that offered those conditions.
"Right. So with that in mind, I'm planning to go to a university that's strong in tennis first to build up a record."
"And that's why you're aiming for the sports recommendation."
"That's the plan."
"So, are you going to a sports university...?"
"Actually, no. I'm not going to a sports university. I've already picked my target, keeping future employment connections in mind. It turns out they have a quota for tennis recommendations."
"Huh... out of curiosity, which one is it...?"
I didn't quite follow the part about "employment connections," but if she was looking for a school that met all her criteria, there probably weren't many options. I wondered if she’d have to go somewhere far away.
"Hehe... the university Natsumi is aiming for is the same one we’re attending, you know?" Sara-san revealed.
"Wait, what?"
"Hey! Dammit, Sara! Why did you have to be the one to say the most important part?!"
"It’s your fault for being needlessly mysterious, Natsumi. I won't allow you to keep Kazunari-san in suspense."
"...You husband-supremacist."
"I’ll take that as a compliment. After all, I have nothing more precious to me than Kazunari-san."
"Ugh, sarcasm doesn't even touch you. You really are a piece of work."
"Hehe... when it comes to Kazunari-san, I have no openings."
"E-Err..."
Natsumi-senpai was clearly glaring at me, but I had no idea how to react. Obviously, I was happy about Sara-san's feelings, but if I said that out loud, we'd just be officially branded as the Stupid Couple again... though I guess that’s just our normal state.
"No openings, but plenty of 'love'..." Hanako-san muttered.
"Who asked you to be clever?" I retorted instinctively, though I immediately regretted it when I saw her annoying smirk return.
"Actually, that’s not quite right," Sara-san added.
"How so?"
"If I were to describe my feelings for Kazunari-san, 'love' wouldn't even begin to cover it."
"Okay, that’s enough. Shut up, you Stupid Couple."
Great. If we were going to be treated as a Stupid Couple anyway, I should have just joined in from the start.
"Getting back to the topic," I said, "does that mean Natsumi-senpai is aiming for the same school as us?"
"Pretty much. I was torn, but I figured it’s better to choose a university that gives me an advantage later on."
"Later on...?"
She’d mentioned that before. Did she mean she was already thinking about her career after graduation? Whatever the reason, I was genuinely glad she was planning to stay with us.
"I see. So Natsumi-senpai is aiming for Sawa's..."
"Bingo! As expected of the first-year ace, Yokokawa-kun!"
"Well, the Sawa corporate team is incredibly famous. But I see, that’s a possible route too..."
"Hayato?"
Hearing her answer, Hayato suddenly fell into deep thought. What was up with him?
"T-Then, in other words, Satsukawa-senpai and Yuzuki-senpai are going to the same university? And Takanashi-kun too..." Marina-san trailed off.
"That's the plan," Sara-san confirmed. "Kazunari-san and I are committed to following the same path. If Natsumi joins us..."
"Oh, by the way, I intend to go to the same university too," Hanako-san declared.
"Hanako-san?!" I shouted in surprise. I hadn't realized she was considering the same school. But that would mean...
"Don't worry. This is a decision I made after thinking carefully about my own future. There’s no need for Kazunari to feel responsible."
"Umm... Takanashi-kun hasn't even said anything yet?" Marina-san pointed out.
"This is a passive skill possessed by a big sister," Hanako-san stated bluntly.
"I... see..."
No, that's definitely not it! That skill doesn't exist for normal sisters!
"I have one as well, you know?" Sara-san added. "However, mine is a strict upgrade, so no one can hope to imitate it."
"Of course you do..."
"Um... Sara-san?"
Sara-san's insight regarding me was already at the level of a supernatural Kazunari-exclusive skill, so maybe it wasn't so strange for her to claim that. Between her and Mayumi-san, these skills were becoming a bit of a theme.
"Hehe... I won't lose to anyone when it comes to Kazunari-san."
"That’s true," I said. "Sara-san understands me better than I understand myself."
"Yes♪"
Sara-san nodded proudly and beamed with a radiant smile. Being loved so purely by her made me feel like the luckiest guy in the world.
"Setting the Stupid Couple aside... Hanako-san, you've already decided your path?" Natsumi-senpai asked.
"I decided recently. I looked into that university and found they have many employment recommendation quotas. It makes sense for my career. Plus, if I'm at the same school as Kazunari, I can follow and support him without any issues. There’s no better choice."
"Ah... the overprotectiveness is strong with this one too. But honestly, if Hanako-san isn't there, there won't be anyone left to keep these two in check."
"Setting aside the wife's rampage, you can leave the task of following Kazunari to me."
If Hanako-san had only picked that school to match my path, I would have objected. But since she had researched it and made a practical decision for her own future, I had no reason to complain. And honestly, I was happy she wanted to come along.
"Calling it a rampage is uncalled for," Sara-san huffed. "Are you suggesting I would ever cause trouble for Kazunari-san?"
"The fact that you're oblivious makes it worse. At least try to have some moderation in public..."
"That is a request I cannot fulfill. There is no reason for me to worry about the eyes of others when expressing my love for Kazunari-san."
"She’s a lost cause too."
Romance should be lived proudly, without a hint of shame. That was Sara-san's motto, which was why she always directed her feelings straight at me. She showed her love. She expressed it. And I loved her all the more for it.
"And I take it Takanashi-kun doesn't mind either? You two really are a perfectly matched couple," Natsumi-senpai sighed, sounding completely over it.
"Hehe... Kazunari-san and I share a mutual love, after all♪"
Sara-san didn't flinch for a second. This was just our normal stance.
"Hmm... if Satsukawa-senpai and Yuzuki-senpai go to the same university, and then Takanashi-kun and Hanako-san go there too... plus the future jobs..." Marina-san mused.
"Hey, Todo-san, why don't you aim for the same university too?" Natsumi-senpai suggested.
"Eh?! B-But my grades..."
"Hehe... it's only the second semester of our first year. If you start working hard now, you can definitely make it. A recommendation might be tough, but..."
I didn't know Marina-san's exact grades, but I'd heard they were average. As Sara-san said, even if a recommendation was off the table, the general entrance exam was a possibility.
"Marina-san, I'm going to work hard too, so let's do it together!" Hayato encouraged.
"Wait, Hayato-kun?"
"After hearing Natsumi-senpai's story, I want to aim for that university too."
"What?!"
"H-Hayato?!"
Even Hayato had decided on his school now? The momentum was getting out of hand. This had started as a casual chat—was it really okay to decide something so important like this? I thought these things required careful, long-term planning.
"A-Are you sure?" Marina-san asked. "I'd be so happy if we went to the same school, but..."
"Exactly, Hayato. You shouldn't decide on a whim..."
"It’s fine. I’d been thinking about it vaguely, but Natsumi-senpai's talk was really eye-opening."
"Wait..."
Eye-opening? Did that mean Hayato was also thinking about a corporate team?
"Ahaha... well, I think it’s a great option for Yokokawa-kun," Natsumi-senpai said. "But honestly, you should just go all out and aim for the pros."
"I don't want to hear that from you, Natsumi-senpai. Right back at you!" Hayato retorted.
He gave a refreshing smile and a wink. Whether it was a habit or unconscious, he was always doing things like that, which was exactly why the girls were always making a fuss over him. But that wasn't the point.
"Are you really okay with this?" I asked.
"Why wouldn't it be?" Hanako-san said. "If everyone has thought about their future and picked a school that fits, there's no problem."
"It would be an issue if we were just drifting," Sara-san added, "but since we all have goals, it’s fine. I have a very clear goal of supporting Kazunari-san for the rest of my life."
"And I finally have a clear target, so I can move forward without getting lost," Hayato said.
"I don't have a grand goal like everyone else," Marina-san added with a shy smile, "but I'd like to go if it helps my future career. And mostly... I’d be so happy if we could all stay together."
Marina-san's words summed up what we were all thinking, even if we hadn't said it. We all wanted to stay together like this forever.
"All right, with that settled, talk of the future is over!" Natsumi-senpai declared. "First, we have to deal with Christmas—"
"That’s important too, but first, Natsumi, you have the term-end exam..." Sara-san pointed out.
"I told you! Stop making me remember that!"
"Hahaha!"
"Hehe..."
It was still just a goal for most of us, but I felt more motivated than ever.
First things first: the term-end exam. I was going to give it everything I had!