After slipping easily through the crowded reception—I’d been waved right through thanks to Takenaka-san—we successfully made our way into the venue. Our first priority was finding seats, though since this was a buffet-style party, there were few to be found. We eventually managed to secure a corner of one of the rare sofas lining the walls.
Taking another look around the room, the first thing that caught my eye was the massive chandelier. Hanging near the center of the hall with an overwhelming presence, it was a lavish piece that looked as if it were studded with countless jewels. Its brilliant light cast a radiant glow that further enhanced the room’s splendor.
Further back, a grand staircase stood like a set piece from a Hollywood film. It split into two flights at a wide central landing, the stairs curving elegantly as they rose to meet the balcony seats on the second floor. The design practically begged to be used for some kind of dramatic performance.
To rent out a hall like this... this really was a massive event.
"Phew... I’m glad we were able to secure a spot more easily than I expected."
"Me too. But it’s so crowded in most places; I just hope we can meet up with Sara-san and the others without any trouble..."
From where I sat, my field of vision was fairly limited. With people swarming everywhere, I felt like it might be better to head deeper into the room when the timing was right. It would probably make it easier for both sides to find each other.
"Oh, you needn't worry about that," Takenaka-san said. "There are information staff stationed over there as well. If we have any trouble finding them, we can communicate via radio."
Takenaka-san tapped the earpiece in his ear before pulling a small terminal-like device from his pocket. I see; I’d assumed he was just wearing a hands-free set for his smartphone, but it was actually a transceiver.
"Still... haha, it’s quite a strange feeling."
"Takenaka-san?"
Takenaka-san let out a sudden chuckle, turning a curious look my way.
"I never imagined the day would come when I’d reunite with that high school student in a place like this. And to think I’d be calling you 'Young Master'... fate truly works in mysterious ways."
"Ahaha... I could say the same. I thought that incident was the last I’d ever see of you or Masaomi-san."
I’d simply returned a lost wallet to the police, and the owner and his associates had come to say "thank you." Normally, that would have been the end of it. To think that one of those men was Sara-san’s father, and that he would eventually become my father-in-law... The odds of such a bizarre twist of fate were astronomical. Yet, it was because of that connection that I was standing here, talking to Takenaka-san again.
"When I first heard the story from the Senior Managing Director, I seriously doubted my ears. But seeing the Young Master standing here now... I suppose this really is reality."
"Ahaha... I guess it was a shock?"
"Shock doesn’t even begin to cover it. After all, winning over that young lady... Oops, my apologies. I shouldn’t let that slip just yet. Regardless, let's just say I was stunned for four or five different reasons."
"Four or five... that many?"
"Yes. For anyone with even a vague understanding of the situation, the weight of this development is impossible to miss."
"I see..."
I’d already seen plenty of people who knew the old Sara-san react with total shock to my existence, so that wasn't exactly news. For someone like Takenaka-san, who worked directly under Masaomi-san, the fact that I was becoming his adopted son was likely startling enough—but was there something more?
"In any case, now that you’ve become the Young Master, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. I look forward to working with you."
Takenaka-san offered his right hand with a refreshing smile. I reached out and took it.
"Yes. I look forward to working with you as well."
I shook his hand firmly, giving a short but clear greeting. If I eventually took a job at Sawa, I was certain I’d end up in Takenaka-san’s care.
"Hehe... Takenaka-san, is something going on with that boy?"
"Hmm? ...Ah, Ueyama-kun."
A young woman suddenly approached us. She wore a white party dress and glasses, and her brown hair was cut into a semi-long style. I’d never met her before, but she seemed to be a colleague of Takenaka-san’s.
"Good work, Takenaka-san."
"Good work. Where are the others?"
"Tanabe-san and the rest should be here shortly."
The woman stepped to the side opposite Takenaka-san. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity behind her glasses as she looked back and forth between the two of us.
"So, Takenaka-san, what’s the story with this boy?"
"Stop calling him 'this boy.' Don't blame me if you get in trouble later, okay?"
"Eeeh? What’s with the cryptic warning?"
Takenaka-san flashed a mischievous grin at her. I realized then that he could be quite playful. Based on our conversation and the general atmosphere so far, I’d imagined him as someone a bit more buttoned-up.
"Well, I was going to wait until everyone was here, but I suppose I should introduce him to you now. This is Kazunari Takanashi-san, today’s..."
"Huh...? T-Takanashi... Kazunari-san...?"
At the mention of my name, the woman’s head turned toward Takenaka-san with movements so stiff they practically creaked.
"U-Um, Takenaka-san? By any chance... could this person be...?"
"Haha, it’s exactly that 'by any chance.' I told you, didn't I? Don't blame me when you're in trouble later."
"Wait, hold on! Why didn't you tell me sooner?! N-n-n-nice to meet you, Sa... no, Takanashi-san!! I-I am Sanae Ueyama. I work in the same department as Takenaka-senpai..."
Ueyama-san began bowing frantically. Her face wasn't quite pale, but her expression was so desperate it made me feel awkward just watching her. Why did she have to react like that so suddenly?
"Young Master, allow me to introduce her. This is Ueyama-kun. She’s a junior of mine working on a different team within the department directly under the Senior Managing Director."
"A department directly under Masaomi-san... so that exists? Um, nice to meet you, Ueyama-san. I’m Kazunari Takanashi."
"Y-Yes!! Thank you for your kindness!! I’ve heard about you from Senior Managing Director Satsukawa, so many congratu—"
"Ueyama-kun, stop right there. Don't say another word yet."
"Ah?! M-My apologies, it just slipped out..."
Ueyama-san’s shoulders slumped visibly after Takenaka-san’s sharp rebuke.
I had plenty of questions about the things they’d already said, but for now, I just wanted her to stop being so formal and treat me more normally. It was also making me wonder about Takenaka-san’s actual rank. Was he actually a high-level executive?
"B-By the way, why are you here alone, Takanashi-san? I was certain you’d be with Senior Managing Director Satsukawa..."
"Um, Masaomi-san had some urgent business..."
"The Senior Managing Director is busy handling a sudden visitor, so I’m acting as his escort instead," Takenaka-san explained.
"Oh, I see... Still, to think I’d meet you so suddenly. I wasn't mentally prepared at all..."
Ueyama-san seemed incredibly fixated on me; she kept glancing my way even while talking to Takenaka-san. It made me feel a bit restless. As for being mentally prepared... meeting me really shouldn't be that big of a deal.
"Yo. Takenaka-san, Ueyama-chan, good work~"
"Good work, Lead. I just got a report that the car carrying Senior Managing Director Satsukawa’s wife and daughter entered the underground parking lot."
"Man, I’m really looking forward to seeing the Senior Managing Director’s daughter today. I couldn't even catch a glimpse of her last year or the year before."
"I know, right? A beauty like that is a rare find. It’s a real perk of the job at times like this."
"Wait, since when did you become a lolicon...?"
"Shut it. You can't call someone a lolicon for wanting to see that young lady."
"But still, I wonder why that man-hating young lady would suddenly—"
"Shhh!! Shhh!!"
Ueyama-san frantically held a finger to her lips, shushing the group that had just arrived. As they looked at her in confusion, their collective gaze shifted sideways—and landed right on me.
"Huh? Ueyama-chan, who’s the kid?"
"He’s not Takenaka-san’s... right? He’s single."
"A relative or something?"
"All of you, stop that flippant talk right now. Don’t blame me for what happens next... Wait, are the wife and young lady entering the hall...?"
"Eh?"
Just as Takenaka-san was about to scold them like he had Ueyama-san, he pressed a finger to his earpiece. After muttering something under his breath...
""Oooooooooh!""
A massive roar went up from the far end of the venue. People around us began to scramble, and a wall of spectators formed almost instantly. What was going on?
"It seems they’ve arrived."
"Whoa... talk about a presence."
"Well, of course. The wife rarely shows her face, so this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the people who want to suck up to the founding family. And then..."
"Then there are the countless guys who want to target the only daughter of the next president. People are swarming for two different reasons."
"Exactly."
Setting aside the commentary from the group, I realized what their conversation meant. If they were right, then the people on the other side of that crowd were...
"What do you think, Takenaka-san? I’m sure the staff over there are handling it, but should we go help?"
"Good point... What will you do, Young Master? We’re going to head over to welcome the ladies now..."
"""Young Master?"""
The group, which had been eyeing me with suspicion, looked utterly bewildered to hear Takenaka-san call me that. Ueyama-san looked more anxious than ever, but I didn't have time to worry about that.
Sara-san and the others were the priority!
"I’m coming too!"
If Sara-san was on the other side of that crowd, I didn't have a second to waste. And if what I’d just heard was true, then the guys surrounding her were... No way. I wasn't having any of that!
"Understood. Follow me."
"Right!"
Takenaka-san nodded with a smile and stepped forward to lead the way. I followed right behind him, with Ueyama-san hurrying to my side. The rest of the group trailed behind us, looking like they still didn't quite grasp what was happening.
"I’ll clear a path. Stay close, Young Master."
"Got it."
"H-Hey, Ueyama-chan, who is this kid?"
"T-Tanabe-san, stop being so disrespectful! This is Kazunari Takanashi-san, Senior Managing Director Satsukawa’s..."
"...Eh."
"Ta-Takanashi...?"
""Whaaaaaaaaaat?!""
I heard the shocked outcries from the people behind me and thought, not again. But right now, Sara-san and Mayumi-san came first. I’d leave the rest of them to Ueyama-san and focus only on that.
"Wait, you've gotta be kidding me!"
"Why is he over here?!"
"I didn't hear anything about this!"
"Crap, I haven't even greeted him yet!"
"Alright then, Young Master. Shall we?"
"Yes."
I gave a firm nod to Takenaka-san’s final check. Staring straight ahead at the wall of people, I braced myself.
Sara-san, I’m on my way!