The final weekend of the year had arrived, and New Year’s Eve was finally just around the corner.
Today was the day of the Sawa Electronics All-Group Joint Party. Masaomi-san had mentioned it a while ago; apparently, it was a massive event in the business world. Guests included not only affiliated companies and business partners but even the President of the Nishikawa Group, with whom the family had maintained a relationship for generations.
I tried to sound knowledgeable by parroting Masaomi-san’s words, but in truth, the "business world" meant nothing to me. Far from being familiar with it, I felt completely out of place. The truth was, I still felt a lingering sense of anxiety, wondering if an ordinary person like me—a mere high school student—was really allowed to attend such a prestigious party.
At the very least, Sara-san, Masaomi-san, and Mayumi-san would be there, as would Nishikawa-san. I could at least hope to avoid feeling like a total outcast.
"Do you have everything?" Sara-san asked.
"Uh... yeah, I think I'm good."
With that, Sara-san and I set off for the Satsukawa residence. The plan was to meet up with Masaomi-san and the others there before splitting up. We would visit various shops that had been reserved in advance to finish our preparations, then finally regroup at the hotel venue.
Because of the busy schedule, I had woken up earlier than usual and finished breakfast quickly.
"Well then, shall we go?" I said.
"Yes. We still have some time to spare, so let’s take it slow. We can enjoy a morning walk on the way... Hee-hee♪"
A flicker of unease crossed my mind whenever I thought about the party, but Sara-san’s smile was as calm and healing as ever. Seeing her act so completely normal helped me find my own composure.
And so, my long day finally began.
"Welcome home, Kazunari-kun, Sara-chan."
The moment Sara-san opened the entrance to the Satsukawa house, Mayumi-san was there to greet us. Her timing was impeccable, as if she had been lying in wait.
It shouldn't have surprised me anymore, but I really wondered if she had a sensor installed somewhere... Wait, bloodthirst!?
"Mmm-hmm~ Now, Kazunari-kun, a 'Good Morning' Hug from Mother to her beloved son~"
"Guh!?"
Taking advantage of the opening I left while still being half-asleep, Mayumi-san closed the distance with her arms wide open.
But in the fraction of a second before her hands could touch me—!
"I won't let you!!"
Two hands suddenly reached out from behind me and pulled me back with force. As I stumbled, I fell against something incredibly soft. Sara-san had swiftly swapped places with me, shielding me with her entire body.
"Oh, Sara-chan, you're so mean."
"Honestly... I can't let my guard down for a second around you in the morning."
"Mmm-hmm... A mother's love is available twenty-four hours a day, year-round, you know?"
"That's a shame. The only person who pours love into Kazunari-san twenty-four hours a day, year-round, is me."
Cutting off Mayumi-san’s playful remark with a sharp rebuttal, Sara-san hugged me tightly, as if asserting her exclusive privilege.
The only thing that could stop this Mother-Daughter Battle without Honor was... well, it certainly wasn't me. Whenever I tried to move...
"Hee-hee... Please don't worry, Kazunari-san. I will protect you♪"
Pet, pet...
"Ah~!? Sara-chan, that’s not fair!!"
See? This was how it always went.
"Er, well... is it about time we got moving?"
An awkward voice broke in. Although I couldn't see his face—and I was a bit afraid to look—the atmosphere loosened up thanks to Masaomi-san’s intervention.
However, Sara-san didn't seem ready to let go yet.
"Sara-san."
"Yes?"
I called her name and lightly patted her back. Sara-san gave me one last lingering squeeze before slowly releasing her arms.
Despite feeling a bit of reluctance at her sweet behavior, I steeled myself and turned around. As expected, Masaomi-san was standing there, watching us with a strained smile.
"Good morning, Kazunari-kun."
"G-Good morning, Masaomi-san."
We exchanged a somewhat forced greeting.
"For now... shall we head inside?"
"Yes..."
I wondered why we always ended up having these exchanges at the entrance... though I knew it was because Mayumi-san kept instigating them.
"Mmm-hmm~ Well then, let's have some tea right away."
The culprit who caused the commotion acted entirely unbothered, proceeding at her own pace.
The Satsukawa house was peaceful today, as always.
After a brief meeting at the house, we split into two groups as planned and climbed into the cars that had come for us. Masaomi-san and I headed to a menswear boutique, while Sara-san and Mayumi-san headed to a separate destination for their hair salon appointments.
The plan was for everyone to meet up at the hotel venue later.
"Good work. Please be careful as you step out."
"Thank you. Well then, Kazunari-kun, shall we go?"
"Y-Yes. Thank you very much."
After about thirty minutes in a shiny black sedan that looked brand new, we reached our destination.
Masaomi-san and I got out of the car after thanking the driver—whom I was meeting for the first time—as he respectfully held the door open. In front of us stood a boutique. Mannequins dressed in stylish formal wear were displayed in the show windows, and inside, the products were "exhibited" like works of art. It was an ultra-high-end store no matter how you looked at it.
I usually hesitated to step into brand-name specialty stores even in department stores. I couldn't understand why Masaomi-san and Nishikawa-san always chose shops that gave off such a heavy "aura."
"Welcome."
""Welcome.""
The shop clerk standing at the entrance opened the door for us with a polite greeting. Inside, a row of other clerks bowed in unison.
"Hello there," Masaomi-san said, walking between them as if it were the most natural thing in the world, completely unfazed.
I’d thought the same thing before, but really... how did he do that?
"Kazunari-kun, this way."
"Ah, yes!"
As I stood there stunned, Masaomi-san turned back and beckoned me over with his usual smile.
The surrounding clerks remained in their formation without moving an inch. I realized they probably wouldn't move until I entered the shop too.
"Welcome, Satsukawa-sama. We are delighted to have you with us today."
I summoned my courage and entered. We walked toward the center, where a female shop clerk—who clearly had a different air of authority than the others—approached us with a professional smile.
Judging by her appearance, she looked to be... no, guessing her age would be rude.
"Hello, Kisaragi-san. I’m counting on you today."
"Certainly. I will do my absolute best to assist you today, so please leave everything to me."
"Thank you. Well then, let me introduce him."
Masaomi-san lightly patted my back and laughed happily.
"This boy is Kazunari-kun, my beloved son."
"Oh... Is he your son? But... um, if you'll excuse me, I was under the impression that you only had a daughter, Satsukawa-sama..."
"Haha, well, it's true that Sara is my only biological child. However, I’d like to keep the details a secret for a little longer. For now, could you just treat it as 'that kind of situation'?"
"...I see, understood. We will be sure to conduct ourselves with the utmost discretion, so please rest assured."
"Yes, I’m counting on you. I asked this shop specifically because I knew I could trust you with that."
"Hee-hee... I am honored."
The two of them exchanged a meaningful look. Having seemingly reached an understanding, Masaomi-san nodded with satisfaction while Kisaragi-san bowed respectfully.
That was a very "adult" conversation just now.
"Ah, however, just one thing. Should I offer my sincere congratulations on this occasion?"
"Hm? Whatever could you be talking about?"
"Oh my... hee-hee, understood. Please leave it to me."
At Masaomi-san’s obvious feigned ignorance, Kisaragi-san nodded deeply as if she had confirmed her suspicions.
Given how much he had hinted at it, it was only natural for her to notice. Although he had said this wouldn't be made public until the party, the fact that he was sharing this much made me realize that his comment about choosing this shop wasn't just a polite gesture.
"Once again, Kazunari-sama, welcome to our store. My name is Kaede Kisaragi, and I am the owner and master of this establishment."
With a polite greeting, Kaede Kisaragi took a card—her business card—from her pocket and offered it to me.
Imitating what I’d seen before, I received it with both hands and a light bow.
"I-I'm Kazunari Takanashi. I’m sorry, um, I don't have a card yet..."
"No, no, please don't worry about that. All of us here are truly delighted to make your acquaintance, Kazunari-sama. We look forward to serving you from now on."
As Kaede Kisaragi bowed deeply again, I hurried to bow back, but the other shop clerks beat me to it, bowing in unison.
Was every shop like this?
"Haha, I often rely on this shop for my formal wear. They’re very flexible and helpful," Masaomi-san explained.
"I-I see. That's why they're so..."
"Yes. You’ll have more opportunities to need things like this in the future, Kazunari-kun, so please keep them in mind."
"Eh? B-But don't you only need one or two sets of those kinds of clothes...?"
I didn't know much about it, but setting aside work suits, shouldn't one set of formal wear be enough? Unless your size changed later on...
"Haha, formal wear isn't just for weddings and funerals. Besides, I'm hoping you'll attend various events with me from now on."
"Uh...?"
He wanted me to participate in various things? Did Sawa really have that many events?
But now that he mentioned it, my dad often went out for "work socializing." I’d never seen him in formal wear, though.
"Hee-hee... I’ve just overheard a very wonderful story," Kaede Kisaragi remarked.
"Hm? I didn't say anything, did I?"
"Please excuse me. That was just me talking to myself... hee-hee."
"Haha..."
The two of them shared another mysterious laugh and then looked at me together. I could more or less guess why they were being so suggestive, but was it really necessary to be so cryptic about me becoming their adopted child?
"Well then, time is precious. Shall we get started?"
"Certainly. I have already selected several candidates based on the information I received beforehand, so please leave the rest to us."
"Yes. I’ll go take care of my own business, so I’ll leave Kazunari-kun in your hands."
"Understood. Then, Kazunari-sama, please come this way."
"Y-Yes, please look after me."
"The pleasure is mine."
With a light pat on the back from Masaomi-san, I followed Kaede Kisaragi to a designated area. There was a large table covered in outfits, accessories, and brochures. Masaomi-san disappeared into a corner in the back of the shop, leaving me to handle things on my own.
I was starting to get really nervous.
"First of all, I would like to ask if you have any color preferences."
"Um..."
I glanced over the outfits, trying to give my own opinions while answering her questions.
And so, I began the process of choosing formal wear—a dress-up session that felt far beyond my station.
"Whoa... incredible."
As soon as we arrived at the hotel acting as the party venue—the biggest hotel I had ever seen—Masaomi-san had to leave for urgent business. Currently, I was sitting alone on a sofa in the lobby, people-watching to pass the time.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people arriving for the party. The anxiety about whether a kid like me really belonged here started to set in again.
"Oh, is that..."
Just then, some distance away, I saw a familiar figure. She was walking by, surrounded by a group of followers. It was the Stuck-up Woman, dressed in a glittering gown and looking very proud.
I didn't doubt the rumors, but seeing her like that reminded me that she really was a young lady of a wealthy family. Well, it didn't really matter to me.
"Ah, good. There you are."
"Huh?"
I noticed a man walking toward me, but I didn't expect him to speak to me.
Judging by his looks, he was around Masaomi-san’s age or perhaps a little younger. He had his hair slicked back and wore glasses, looking like a capable salaryman.
I had no recollection of him... No, wait.
I felt like I had met him somewhere.
"Um..."
"Haha, can't you remember me?"
"I-I'm sorry, I..."
"No, no. Well then... what if I said, 'Thank you truly for your help back then? You really saved me'?"
"...Ah!?"
That's right, I remembered!
If I recalled correctly, this man was...
"Um, the wallet...?"
"Yes, yes. Good, it seems you remembered."
"Y-Yes. I'm sorry about that."
"No, please, I should be the one apologizing for not being able to thank you properly back then."
"No, it's fine, I didn't do it for a reward..."
I had simply turned a lost item into the police. In fact, considering that act led to all the connections I had now, I was the one who felt grateful.
"And you are...?"
"Ah, my apologies. I haven't introduced myself properly. My name is Yasuo Takenaka."
"Ah, right, Takenaka-san! I'm sorry I forgot."
I said that, but truthfully, I hadn't remembered his name at all. Back then, I hadn't expected things to turn out like this, and I’d put his business card away somewhere and forgotten about it. I hadn't thrown it away, though.
"So, Takenaka-san..."
"Ah, yes. The Senior Managing Director told me to look after the Young Master..."
"Y-Young Master!?"
Wait a minute, what's with the "Young Master"!? Why would he suddenly—
"Haha, I’ve heard many things about the Young Master from the Senior Managing Director. To think that back then... oops, I shouldn't say any more just yet. Anyway, since I address Young Lady Sara as 'Young Lady,' I would prefer to address the Young Master that way as well, if I may."
"Ugh..."
He probably had his reasons, but calling me "Young Master" was a bit too much. I wished he would just use my name. Though, it seemed he had been briefed by Masaomi-san.
"Anyway, the Senior Managing Director instructed me to check on the Young Master’s condition."
"Check on me?"
"Yes. Since the Senior Managing Director won't be able to return for a while, he asked me to stay with you until the ladies arrive."
"Oh, I-I see. That would be a huge help."
Honestly, being left alone in a place like this was no joke. I was genuinely grateful.
"Well then, the party is about to start. Shall we head inside before the entrance gets even more crowded?"
"Eh? But Sara-san and Mayumi-san aren't here yet."
"Don't worry, arrangements have been made to guide the Madam and the Young Lady through a separate entrance. If they were to enter through here, it would cause quite a stir..."
"...Ah, I see."
Indeed, Masaomi-san had been swamped by people as soon as we arrived. If Mayumi-san and Sara-san appeared, the crowd would probably flock to them. And considering the arranged marriage situation, I had a feeling a lot of guys would try to swarm around Sara-san too.
"Well then, Young Master, this way."
"Um... okay."
"It's already quite crowded inside, so please stay close so we don't get separated."
"U-Understood."
I really wanted to tell him to stop calling me "Young Master," but right now, I was more worried about the size of the crowd.
I really hoped I’d be okay.