“By the way, Mayumi, what brought you two here? I believe I told you to wait over there.”
As the Managing Director and his group departed and the atmosphere finally settled, Masaomi-san returned to his usual tone and questioned Mayumi-san. Now that he mentioned it, I wondered why Sara-san and Mayumi-san were even here.
“Hmm, I just followed after Sara-chan because she took off so suddenly… I had a bad feeling about it, I suppose.”
“I sensed the presence of unscrupulous individuals harboring ill intentions toward Issei-san, so I hurried over,” Sara-san added.
“Ill intentions… Do you mean the Managing Director just now?”
“No, that was something else entirely.”
“…You don’t mean.”
“Oh? Does Masaomi-san happen to have something in mind?”
“Eh!?”
Faced with the scornful looks directed at him by Sara-san and Mayumi-san, Masaomi-san quickly averted his eyes. Unfortunately for him, the reaction was completely counterproductive.
But wait, if they were talking about that…
“Hmm? I thought it was strangely noisy out here, and look—Mayumi! Oh, and Sara is here too!”
The door opened once more, and the one who poked his head out just as Masaomi-san had earlier was, of course, the Sawa Group President, Shoji-san—or rather, my Great-uncle.
He seemed unable to hide his joy at Sara-san’s unexpected presence, but the timing was a bit… awkward.
“It has been a while, Uncle Shoji.”
“It has been a long time, Great-uncle.”
“Yes, yes, it’s been a while, you two. My… even so, hasn't Sara become even more beautiful since I last saw her? She already surpasses Mayumi in her youth…”
“Oh, Uncle, whatever could you mean by ‘in my youth’?”
“Ugh… N-no, that was just a figure of speech. Or rather, you’re still plenty you—I’m sorry.”
Faced with Mayumi-san’s smiling face, which radiated a tremendous and mysterious pressure, the Great-uncle quickly raised the white flag and bowed his head. Yeah, bringing up age with women is a definite no-go. Better to leave well enough alone.
“By the way, Uncle, there’s something I’d like to ask you. Is that all right?”
“Hmm? What is it? Why such a troubled look on your face?”
“There are a few things that have been bothering me for a while now. But putting those aside for a moment…”
“It seems my father has some idea of who the unscrupulous individual was that thought up a strange plot against Issei-san… What about you, Great-uncle?”
“A-A strange plot?”
“Yes. I intend to take a firm stand against any unscrupulous person who would trouble my precious Issei-san.”
“T-Trouble him…?”
Whether the Great-uncle had an inkling or not in the face of Sara-san’s pressure—which was every bit the equal of Mayumi-san’s, and with a dead serious expression to boot—his face looked as though she had hit the nail right on the head. He looked like a man with far too many things coming to mind.
“Oh my… I hope it isn't what I think, but you wouldn’t happen to have tested my cute son, would you, Uncle? For instance, seeing how serious he was about Sara-chan… or something like that?”
“Testing him… That is something I cannot ignore. You wouldn’t happen to be saying something as ridiculous as doubting Issei-san, would you, Great-uncle?”
“N-No, well, the thing is… S-Sara? When did you become so… sca…”
“Just answer the question.”
“Y-Yes, ma'am!!”
Cornered head-on by Sara-san and Mayumi-san, the Satsukawa Family's Two Great Heroines, even the Sawa Group President was completely flustered and on the defensive. He was casting pleading glances at Masaomi-san and me for help.
I mean… Sara-san, if you really guessed it, that’s seriously amazing.
“W-Well, about Sara, of course, but I also wanted to hear directly how seriously he was thinking about his future path…”
“Issei-san has already begun putting in the effort toward his future path without needing any confirmation, hasn't he?”
“I believe we reported that to you as well. Did you not trust us?”
“N-No, putting that aside, I simply wanted to confirm it for myself.”
“…I see. And what sort of things did you say while trying to test Issei-san?”
“It seems we really need to question you in earnest, doesn't it? Depending on what was said, I might have to report this to Mother as well…”
“What!? P-Please, spare me from Yukie-san!?”
At the mention of “Mother,” the Great-uncle showed his most intense agitation yet. He was truly flustered… no, he looked terrified.
“Great-uncle?”
“Uncle?”
“S-Sara? M-Mayumi?”
Sara-san, whose eyes were fixed with an intensity that transcended "serious" and reached "expressionless," and Mayumi-san, who radiated a mysterious pressure with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, drove the Great-uncle into a corner. His appearance held not even a shred of dignity now.
I felt a little sorry for him.
“Sara, Mayumi-san, the Great-uncle was just worried about me, so he only said those testing things to hear my true feelings. I didn't think it was troublesome or a nuisance at all; in fact, I’m rather grateful for his concern…”
This wasn't just a lifeline; it was how I honestly felt. While the fact that I was tested was true, I believed the Great-uncle was ultimately worried about my future, even if he wanted to confirm things for himself.
“Darling… Fufu, I understand.”
“Sara?”
“Since you have gone so far as to say that, I cannot interfere any further… And besides.”
“…And besides?”
“Fufu… It’s a secret♪”
“Eh?”
Her demeanor shifted instantly. She looked strangely pleased, showing a very happy and somewhat mischievous expression. The way she smiled at me was, to be blunt, too cute for my own good.
“…W-What… was that?”
“…Uncle, is something wrong?” Mayumi asked.
“…N-No, to think he could… in an instant, stop Sara in that state…”
“…Hehe, Sara-chan is head over heels for Issei-kun, after all.”
“…I-I see. However, to call him ‘Darling’ even though they aren't married yet…”
“…Isn't it fine? It’s up to them.”
“…You’ve changed too.”
“…Maybe so, hehe.”
“A-Anyway, about the Great-uncle…” I started.
“Yes. I will follow your wishes, Darling.”
“No, you don't have to put it so grandly…”
“Fufu♪”
I was a bit bewildered because Sara-san was suddenly too cheerful, but since she wasn't in a bad mood, I figured I’d just roll with it. I didn't quite understand the reason, though.
“A-Alright then, now that the matter is settled…”
“Oh, we’re putting Issei-kun’s matter on hold, but there’s still something else I want to ask, you know? Masaomi-san is curious about it too, right?”
“Y-Yeah. There are certainly things I want to confirm.”
“W-What is it…?”
It seemed Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san were concerned about another matter. Since nothing else came to mind on my end, I found their meaningful looks a bit concerning.
“I see. I will leave that matter to you then… Great-uncle, could you lend us a room?”
“Hmm? A room? You’re welcome to use this one… Did something happen?”
“No, I thought I would have Issei-san rest for a bit.”
“Eh? Sara?”
Did she just say she was going to let me rest? Why so suddenly…
“Let him rest? Well, there’s a bed, so that’s fine, but… surely not the two of you together?”
“Oh, Sara-chan, that’s unfair! In that case, Mother will also…”
“Mother has things to discuss with the Great-uncle, doesn't she? Please don't mind us and go ahead and talk to your heart’s content. Besides, I believe I have always said that taking care of Issei-san is entirely my role.”
“Ugh… Sara-chan, you’re so mean.”
“I wouldn't know anything about that.”
“Haha…”
I couldn't help but laugh at their usual exchange. Setting that aside, why did Sara-san suddenly suggest this… Ah. Don't tell me…
“…M-Masaomi-kun, are Mayumi and Sara always like this?”
“…It’s embarrassing to admit,” Masaomi-san replied.
“…Hmm, it seems you’ve found quite a big shot in another sense.”
“…Haha, certainly.”
“S-Sara? I’m not particularly tired…”
“Darling, do you really think I wouldn't notice?”
“Ugh…”
As I suspected, she had noticed it. As expected of Sara-san, she could see right through me.
“…I don’t quite understand, but anyway, if you want to rest, use that room. We’ll talk in the Separate Room for Meetings… Is that alright with you two?”
“Yes. Any place where we can talk calmly is fine,” Mayumi-san said.
“Yes. Thank you very much.”
Masaomi-san and the others nodded at the Great-uncle’s kind proposal. Meanwhile, Sara-san was already trying to drag me into the room—or rather, trying to let me rest—as she squeezed my hand and pulled me along.
“There’s still some time, so take it easy, alright? At the very least, you just need to be back by the time the next guest arrives.”
“Yes. Then, if you'll excuse us.”
“Sorry, Great-uncle.”
I gave a light bow to the Great-uncle, who had considerately looked out for us with a bright smile, and followed Sara-san into the room as she opened the door to the Special Room.
The first thing I needed to do was take my medicine before the pain got any worse.
“Darling, here you go.”
“Thank you.”
I accepted the glass Sara-san had prepared and swallowed a pill I took from my portable pill case—my migraine medicine. To be honest, it hadn't reached the level of “pain” yet, but they say it’s better to take this kind of medicine before the symptoms peak.
Still, even after taking it…
“Phew…”
“How is the pain?”
“I’m still okay. It’s just starting to throb a little. But… how did you know?”
“Fufu… I can see through everything when it comes to you♪”
“Haha, you’re right. I’m grateful for that.”
“Yes♪”
When I gave a small bow, Sara-san flashed a joyful, beaming smile.
“Now then…”
As if she had thought of something, she looked around and began walking toward the sofa where she had been talking with the Great-uncle just a moment ago, leading me firmly by the hand.
“Here, Darling… please?”
Sara-san sat down right where I had been sitting earlier and lightly patted her thighs. I knew exactly what that meant, but today…
“Sara, if we do that, you'll get wrinkles…”
Today, she wasn't in her usual clothes; she was wearing a glamorous purple long dress. If I used her lap as a pillow, it would definitely ruin the fabric.
“Darling… No-no, alright?”
“Ugh…”
But as I expected, Sara-san gently rebuked my hesitation. When I got a “No-no,” I couldn't resist. I was truly weak against her when she acted like that.
“…I understand.”
“Yes, good boy♪”
I easily raised the white flag, and Sara-san happily patted her thighs again. That was just like her—she wouldn't care about the dress if it were for my sake.
“Then, excuse me…”
“Fufu… go ahead.”
I muttered my usual phrase and lay down on the sofa. Sara-san immediately placed both hands on my head and gently guided me to her lap. As I relaxed, I felt a sensational, almost unfair softness against my cheek.
“Please stay lying down until the pain goes away, okay? If you get sleepy, you can just be a sleepyhead and stay like that.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As she gently stroked my head, her sweet voice tickled my ears. I felt all my strength drain away at once.
“…Darling, thank you for your hard work.”
“No, I haven't really done anything yet.”
“No. You must be tired after everything that happened—when I arrived here, the discussion with the Great-uncle, and the confrontation just now. It’s been one thing after another, hasn't it?”
“Ahaha… True, when you put it like that, I might be a little mentally drained.”
On top of the anxiety about the party itself, there had been a non-stop barrage of events. The discussion with the Great-uncle had kept me tense, so a migraine was almost inevitable.
“It’s just the two of us here, so please rest your mind and take it easy for now, okay?”
“I guess so… Then, I'll take you up on that.”
“Yes♪ Darling, please look this way.”
“Umm…”
I was currently lying with my back to the sofa's backrest, so “looking this way” meant turning toward Sara-san. On a sofa that wasn't exactly wide, our degree of closeness was intense to keep me from falling off.
“Hup…”
Since it had come to this, the option of not following her instructions didn't exist. I turned over slowly, being careful about my positioning.
“There♪”
“Mmph!?”
When I settled my head, Sara-san pulled me tightly toward her. Suddenly, something soft—so soft it made me panic—pressed against my face from every direction.
“It’s easier for the pain to subside when it’s dark, isn't it?”
“Y-Yes, it is.”
It was true that I felt the pain settle down more when it was dark. I realized Sara-san was doing this on purpose to block out the light… though she’d probably do this anyway, as usual.
“…Darling♪”
“What is it?”
“Fufu… I just wanted to call your name♪”
“Umm…”
Sara-san looked incredibly happy. While I was glad she was so blissful, her being this cheerful was almost embarrassing.
“Darling… about what you said earlier, I was so happy.”
“Sara?”
“That you spoke firmly to that person… you said clearly that you’re the only one allowed to call me by my name.”
“…I’m sorry, that was just my possessiveness coming out too strongly…”
That was simply me being jealous that he called her “Sara-san,” and my territorial instincts had taken over. Asserting that I was the only one who could call her “Sara” was pure possessiveness.
“Please don't apologize. I’m truly happy that you felt possessive, you know? Because I feel the same way…”
“Sara…”
“I also have the desire to boast to those around me that I am your number one, and that often shows in my actions. But that is simply because you are dear to me… because I love you so much that I can't help it, I…”
She leaned forward slightly and wrapped her arms around my head, embracing it as if to convey her feelings with her whole body.
“If you feel you want to monopolize me, please don't hold back and say so. That is what I desire, and it is certainly nothing to apologize for, alright? If anything, it is nothing but a joy for me… fufu.”
“Sara… thank you.”
“Yes, well done♪”
Sara-san, who had completely accepted my embarrassing possessiveness, stroked my head. When I honestly thanked her, she tilted my face upward slightly.
“Mnh…”
She gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead.
“Darling… I love you.”
As our eyes met, she whispered those words with a heat in her gaze and a voice so sweet it felt like I was melting. My consciousness began to drift.
“I also… mmgh.”
Driven by my love for her, I tried to sit up, but Sara-san pinned my lips down with hers.
“Mnh…”
“Ngh…”
With the soft sensation on my lips and the warmth of her body pressing against me, I simply surrendered.
“Fufu… No-no, it's not time to get up yet, alright?”
“Ugh…”
She looked at me with a sublime smile and poked my forehead with her index finger. This gesture tickled my heart intensely. I couldn't win this. Not that I wanted to.
“Darling… let's sleep just a little bit like this.”
“Eh?”
“You should feel refreshed even with just a little sleep… please be a good boy and stay like this, okay?”
“S-Sara… waph.”
Sara-san tucked my head against her stomach again, and this time she began to sway her body slightly, gently and rhythmically patting my back with a light “pon… pon.”
“♪〜♪〜”
She began to hum a peaceful melody, like a lullaby. The beating of her heart was transmitted to my right ear, which was pressed against her.
“Ngh…”
As I surrendered to that comfort, my mind and body rapidly regained their composure. In fact, aided by the relief from the pain as the medicine took effect, I felt like I could leave everything entirely to her.
“Sara…”
“Good boy, good boy… what a good boy you are… fufu.”
“Ngh…”
The repeated stroking on my head and her sweet voice penetrated to the core of my body. My heart was filled with love and peace. I couldn't think of anything else. Gradually… I…
“Sa… ra…”
“Good night… Darling.”
“Ngh…”
My voice never became words. Leaving one final, happy sensation of a kiss on my brow, my consciousness slowly drifted away.
Side Sara
“Zzz… zzz…”
“Fufu… He has fallen asleep.”
As I stroked Issei-san’s head and back while he breathed peacefully in his sleep, I savored this moment of happiness to the fullest. I am truly happy.
Thinking about it, since I arrived at this venue, Issei-san has faced one hardship after another. I feel apologetic, but seeing him struggle so hard for my sake makes me so proud and joyful. I reconfirmed once again that I am indeed a woman for finding such delight in his protection.
The joy of being a woman is all because of my most beloved Issei-san. This is indeed nothing but happiness. Truthfully, I would like to stay immersed in this moment forever, but unfortunately, there are still many critical moments ahead. Since we are approaching the grand finale of the evening, I must let him rest while I can.
“Darling…”
“Ngh…”
“Fufu…”
I don't know if Issei-san has realized it, but he has been calling me “Sara” without honorifics ever since that conversation earlier. That makes me so happy that I’ve also ended up calling him “Darling”… and it seems he has accepted that without any sense of incongruity.
If Issei-san continues to call me by my name like this… what should I do? Of course, if he allows it, I intend to call him “Darling” whether at school or anywhere else, as promised… fufu♪
“Muu.”
“Hyan!?”
Issei-san suddenly shifted restlessly against my stomach, and I let out a sound in spite of myself. Thank goodness, it seems he didn't wake up. While this posture is efficient for letting him rest, it has the drawback of being a bit ticklish at times. My stomach is somewhat sensitive—a fact I never expected to realize through a lap pillow.
“Honestly, Darling… no mischief allowed, okay?”
“Zzz… zzz…”
When I spoke to him in a whisper, he began to breathe softly in his sleep as if in response. Showing such a cute appearance makes me want to kiss him again, even though I went to the trouble of holding back earlier.
“About ten more minutes, I suppose…”
If he falls into a deep sleep, it might cause problems later, so I can't let him sleep too soundly. Just like a break during studies, it should be for a short time. That alone should be enough to refresh him, and I can also regain my own strength. It is an ideal rest time for both of us.
“♪〜♪〜”
I began humming the lullaby my Grandmother used to sing to me when I was small. Issei-san seems to have taken a great liking to this song. When I hum it, he listens with a happy, adorable smile. And if I continue for a while, he falls asleep before I know it. That appearance is so heart-wrenchingly cute that I secretly end up kissing him over and over again.
I mean… it’s his fault for being so cute, isn't it?
“♪〜♪〜”
Another minute passed. The remaining time is short, but until that final second arrives, I will be a source of peace for him. I will enjoy this happiness.
“I adore you… I love you… Darling… nnh…”
For now, while humming the lullaby, I will cherish his warmth. For a little over eight more minutes… please rest well, my Darling♪