December 24th, Christmas Eve.
It was a special day for lovers, and of course, for families and friends as well. Even if the original meaning of the holiday was largely overlooked, that was how society at large recognized it.
For someone like me—who had never had any connection to the holiday—this year was different. Actually, starting this year, Christmas finally held a real meaning because I had a special woman like Sara-san whom I loved with all my heart.
However...
That memorable first Christmas together began like this:
"Nishikawa-san, is it okay to put this over here?"
"Yes. Please arrange them on that table. Follow layout number five in the documents..."
"Kazunari, where should this decoration go?"
"It’s best placed where it’s most visible from the entrance, so use that shelf over there."
"Roger!"
This was the first Christmas since Sara-san and I had become a couple. As promised, we were throwing a party for Mio-chan. Preparations had started early this morning. Under the leadership of Nishikawa-san and myself, everyone was bustling about. The indoor decorations and figurines—Nishikawa-san had provided quite a few extra—were being set up at a rapid pace.
Furthermore, an oversized Christmas tree provided by Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san had been delivered. The venue was far exceeding our original plans; it was transforming into a full-scale professional party space that looked like something else entirely.
"Young Lady, the exterior decorations are complete."
"Good work. Gather everyone for a moment, please."
"Understood."
A woman in a suit gave a bow that was the very model of perfect form before heading outside with a brisk pace. I had seen her during the School Festival... and during "that incident" as well. She was a company associate close to Nishikawa-san.
Actually, for today's setup, she had come to help along with the people who had formed the human wall at the Miss Contest. Right now, they were diligently working on the exterior decorations, creating artificial snow, and building snowman figurines. It was such a professional operation that I honestly wondered if they needed to go quite that far. I planned to go check on their progress later, though I was halfway looking forward to it and halfway intimidated by the scale.
I was also secretly afraid to ask about the costs. Is this really okay?
"Takanashi-kun, Satsukawa-senpai said she wants to see you whenever you're free."
Peeking her head in from the entrance of the hall was Todo-san, showing off her cute, frilly chick-patterned apron. She was our group's healing role (?).
Today, she had been assigned to the kitchen along with Hanako-san to assist Sara-san, our Cooking Lead.
"Sara-san wants me?"
"Yeah. It seems she wants you to do a taste test."
"I see. I'll be done here in a minute, then I'll head over."
"Thanks! Well, I’d better get back to it."
As she spoke, her gaze flickered elsewhere. Naturally, it landed on Hayato, who was busy with the task I had assigned him. It seemed he had been watching her as well.
"Marina-san, keep it up. Also... that apron is, uh, really cute."
"A-Ah, H-Hayato-kun... Ehehe, thank you! You keep it up too, Hayato-kun!"
At Hayato-kun’s bashful compliment, Todo-san's face flushed red as she gave a shy smile. She gave a small wave and hurried out of the room with pitter-pattering steps. It was heartening to see those two acting as fresh and innocent as ever.
"Takanashi-sama, is there anything I can assist you with?"
"Eh? Ah, u-um..."
Before I knew it, the female employee had returned. Standing with her back perfectly straight, she addressed me with deep respect.
She had been formal when we spoke before, but her attitude today was even more deferential. To be honest, it was a bit overwhelming. It felt awkward to be treated with such gravity by someone older than me.
"I-In that case, please help the others. Also, I’d really appreciate it if you could be a bit more casual with me..."
"My apologies. Given my position, I cannot treat Takanashi-sama, of all people, with such an attitude."
"I mean, what do you mean 'of all people'? I'm just Nishikawa-san's friend."
"While being the Young Lady's best friend is one factor, there are other reasons why I must treat Takanashi-sama with the utmost courtesy... I apologize, but I must ask that you allow things to remain as they are."
"I-I understand. If that's the case..."
"I am grateful for your understanding."
I didn't quite grasp what that "reason" was, but if she was that insistent, I couldn't exactly force her to stop. Pushing the issue would only trouble her.
But why me? Is it because of the connection to Sara-san?
"T-Then, for now, could you help Yuji and Hayato over there?"
"Understood. Everyone, follow me."
The female employee bowed deeply at my instruction and gathered the other staff members who were waiting nearby, leading them all toward Yuji and the others.
With this many people, the work would finish in no time. Regardless, I was grateful for the help.
"Sara-san, sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, your timing is perfect."
Lured by the delicious aroma wafting through the hallway, I stepped into the kitchen. Various dishes were crowded onto the central table, and the room was filled with a scent so appetizing it made my mouth water.
"My, my... to see your eyes light up like that, Kazunari-kun really is a boy after all."
"E-Eh, well, I didn't mean to stare... More importantly, was Yukie-san helping too?"
The person who spoke to me with a light, pleasant chuckle was the mistress of the house, Yukie-san. Since she was wearing an apron like everyone else, it seemed she had been helping out.
"Grandmother, please don't tease Kazunari-san."
"Oh dear, I'm sorry. I only meant it as a joke."
"Ah, it was a joke?"
I had been worried I’d looked a bit too gluttonous in front of everyone, but it was a relief that she was just teasing.
"Fufu... I've been scolded by Sara-chan. I really am no match for her beloved husband, am I?"
"A-Ahaha... S-So, Sara-san, you wanted me to taste something?"
"Ah, yes. The cooking is mostly finished, so I wanted Kazunari-san to be the first to taste it."
"She says that, but she just wants Kazunari to be the first one to eat her food," Hanako-san interjected.
"Is there a problem with that?"
"Urgh... there she goes being shamelessly open about it again."
"Fufu..."
Sara-san effortlessly brushed off Hanako-san's retort with a proud smile, while Hanako-san looked slightly defeated. Those two really made for an entertaining duo.
"Ufufu... For Sara-chan to bring so many friends over, really, nothing but good things have happened since she met Kazunari-kun♪"
"That’s true. The greatest turning point in my life was meeting Kazunari-san... In other words, everything that makes up who I am now is rooted in Kazunari-san."
"Ahaha, that's the same for me, you know?"
Sara-san's sentiment was exactly my own. My entire life had reached a turning point because of her. It was no exaggeration to say that everything I was now was because of Sara-san.
In fact, I preferred it that way.
"My, my, thanks for the treat. You're as lovey-dovey as ever."
"These two are like this all year round," Hanako-san added with a sigh. "They flirt the moment they find an opening, and they don't hold back in front of people at school either."
"A-Ahaha..."
To Yukie-san's heartwarming observation, Hanako-san added her own cynical commentary. While Todo-san didn't say anything, her subtle, knowing smile seemed to speak volumes.
"Fufu... There are absolutely no obstacles to our expressions of affection. Right, Kazunari-san? ♪"
"...That's right. Nothing can stop the way I feel about Sara-san."
"Me too. No matter who or what stands in my way, nothing can stop my feelings for Kazunari-san."
"Sara-san..."
"Kazunari-san..."
No matter what else was happening, in the end, it all came down to our feelings. I could never stop loving Sara-san, and I knew she felt the same.
"...Stupid couple."
"...They really are a stupid couple, aren't they?"
"...What a stupid couple."
"Hey!?"
To be called a stupid couple even by Yukie-san was a shock... actually, maybe it wasn't. I was self-aware enough to know the label fit, so I had reached a state of total acceptance.
"Here, Kazunari-san... say 'ahhh'."
Ignoring the three unimpressed gazes, Sara-san took some potatoes from the frying pan—cooked with bacon and sausage, likely German potatoes—and held them to my mouth while cupping her left hand underneath to catch any drips.
"Amm... mngh mngh."
I took the bite without hesitation. The fluffy texture of the potatoes and the perfectly balanced saltiness spread through my mouth. As expected of Sara-san!
It was perfectly delicious and tailored exactly to my taste... wait.
"Sara-san, this..."
"Fufu... Since I am the head chef, I decided on the seasoning based entirely on my own discretion♪"
I see. In other words, today's dishes were also made entirely based on my specific preferences. That made sense.
"I want to say this is a gross abuse of power for private gain... but I'll let it slide this time," Hanako-san grumbled. "Thanks to this, I've learned a bit more about Kazunari's tastes too."
"Well, I have no intention of teaching you the vital parts. This is a level of perfection I reached only after repeatedly studying Kazunari-san's specific tastes."
"It's impossible anyway. Her hands moved too fast; I couldn't tell what she was doing at all... It's frustrating."
"It's true," Marina-san added. "Yuzuki-senpai often said that Satsukawa-senpai's wife power is on a different dimension... but seeing it in person is incredible."
"Nfufu, I've been training Sara-chan thoroughly since she was a little girl," Yukie-san said. "She learned everything perfectly without ever complaining."
"I simply thought it would be more constructive to do something beneficial for myself rather than wasting time playing around with boring people."
"..."
At Sara-san's casual remark, I swallowed hard. Knowing what her life had been like from childhood until she met me, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
"Fufu... please don't make such a face. It may not have been for a positive reason at the time, but now the day has come where those skills are truly useful for Kazunari-san... and by extension, for myself. Looking back, I can honestly say I had great foresight."
"Sara-san..."
Sara-san placed her chopsticks on the table and gazed at me with a smile full of affection. She gently reached out and pulled my head toward her. I gave myself over to her embrace without resistance.
"My past is for Kazunari-san. Kazunari-san's past is for me. None of it was a waste; it was all a precious accumulation... We talked about this, didn't we?"
"...Sorry, I just..."
This was a conclusion I had reached myself, and we had confirmed it many times... and yet, I still felt for her.
"When I think that everything I've learned has borne fruit and is now serving our life together... and being of use to Kazunari-san... I feel that all those years were worth the effort♪"
"Sara-san... thank you."
Even if they were just words, when I thought about the years Sara-san had spent in solitude, I was truly grateful.
"Fufu... every time Kazunari-san thanks me like this, I feel my efforts are truly being rewarded. That's why..."
Sara-san stopped speaking and ceased the gentle stroking of my head. Instead, she wrapped her arms around me, embracing my head deeply and gently. I felt her breath close to me, her small whisper of a laugh, and her warmth. It was as if she were radiating joy.
"Please continue to rely on me to your heart's content, okay? Because that is my joy and my wish... you aren't allowed to hold back, okay?"
Her voice was purely sweet, making me feel like I was going to melt. Her "spoiled mode" voice tickled the depths of my heart. I found myself further enveloped in the comfort of Sara-san's heaven.
"How long is this stupid couple going to keep this up? I don't care if it's Christmas; don't get all worked up over a taste test."
"Auu... ugh..."
"My, my, it was just getting to the good part... what a shame."
The person who cut in to destroy the atmosphere was, predictably, Hanako-san. Her voice was full of irritation. Since I was still buried in Sara-san's embrace, I couldn't see her face, but she was surely giving us a scornful look.
"Kazunari-san is finally being honest and letting me spoil him; I’d appreciate it if you wouldn't make unnecessary interruptions," Sara-san said.
"The fact that you can say that with a straight face is terrifying."
"Natsumi, when did you get here?"
"Around the time you two started flirting as usual!!" Natsumi-senpai shouted.
"My, my, ufufufu..."
"Yukie-san, this isn't the time to be laughing," I muttered.
Despite Natsumi-senpai's sharp retort, Yukie-san's gentle laughter didn't stop. I thought it was about time to lift my head, and Sara-san finally let go of me.
"Nfufu, I'm sorry. It's been a long time since it's been this lively here. I'm just very happy..."
"A-Ah... I see."
"Grandmother..."
At Yukie-san's heartfelt murmur, Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai shared a soft look. I, too, felt there was something deep behind those words.
"Ufufu... but with the two of you being this close, it seems it might be better to at least get the marriage registration over with early?"
"Huh?"
"G-Grandmother?"
Suddenly, Yukie-san took on a mischievous expression and dropped that bombshell. Marriage registration?
"Because, you know... if a child is born before marriage, there will be all sorts of complications..."
"Pffft!?"
"Wha!?"
At Yukie-san's outrageous statement, I nearly choked. I turned to look at Sara-san, who was just as shocked. Her face was rapidly turning a deep shade of crimson.
If she was going to react like that, I was going to get embarrassed too!
"F-First Mother and now Grandmother! Why does the conversation always go there!?"
"My, this is a very important matter, you know? Especially for Sara-chan..."
"I know that! You don't need to worry; such things will only happen after we are formally married and our life is established..."
"Nfufu... could it be that you've already discussed it with Kazunari-kun?"
"We haven't!!! This is just a matter of mental preparation; there's no way we'd be discussing something so far in the future yet!"
"S-Sara-san is right!! We haven't talked about anything that far ahead!"
I couldn't just leave Sara-san to deny it all on her own. I mean, between Mayumi-san and now her grandmother, why were they bringing up such sensitive, premature topics? If Sara-san became too conscious of this, I wouldn't even be able to relax in bed when we were cuddling!
"Haa... why does everyone keep feeding the stupid couple..." Hanako-san sighed.
"S-Satsukawa-senpai and K-Kazunari-kun's b-baby..." Marina-san stammered.
"Marina, don't over-imagine things."
"I-I'm not over-imagining anything!"
"Ufufu... since the conversation went off track, shall we get back to business? It's about time to finish the tasting..."
"The one who took the conversation off track was Grandmother!"
"Oh? I wonder who it was that started flirting with Kazunari-kun while ignoring everyone else?"
"Urgh..."
Faced with Yukie-san's innocent tone, Sara-san fell silent in frustration. I wanted to say something to back her up, but since it was true, I couldn't exactly argue.
"Now then, Kazunari-kun, continue the taste test."
"Kazunari, after that's done, you have to try mine too."
"Yes, yes! I'll help with the tasting too!" Natsumi-senpai cheered.
"Natsumi, that was your goal from the start, wasn't it?"
"Ah, I guess I've been found out."
"Of course you have."
"Ufufufu♪"
Seeing us all becoming lively again, Yukie-san let out another happy laugh. When our eyes met, she gave me a very gentle smile and a small, respectful bow.
I felt like I understood what that bow meant.
"Ah, since we're at it, I'll give Kazunari-kun an 'ahhh' too..."
"You will not. Even if you are my grandmother, I absolutely cannot permit that."
"Oh honestly, Sara-chan, your possessiveness is too much."
"It's not just possessiveness; this is a special privilege granted only to me. Right, Kazunari-san?"
"Haha... that's right."
"My, my, ufufu."
Even as Sara-san got stubborn about her "privileges," Yukie-san just kept laughing happily. I felt like I could sense the deep affection behind that smile, which made me feel even warmer toward her.
It was a beautiful, comfortable moment—a brief, happy oasis in the middle of our busy day.