"Well then... Satsukawa-san, shall we get started?"
Even though the Miss Contest had been completely derailed, Minamin checked in with Sara to confirm the next steps. There had been several meaningful remarks along the way, but it seemed she had intended to aid Sara's plan from the very beginning.
"Yes. But before that..."
As she spoke, Sara turned away from the audience and toward the other contestants on the stage, bowing her head politely.
"I apologize to everyone here for bringing my personal matters into the Miss Contest, an event you are all participating in so seriously. Furthermore... I am aware that what I am about to do will cause even more trouble, yet I intend to see it through regardless. Once again, I am truly sorry."
"Satsukawa-san..."
"P-Please, raise your head!"
"That's right! At the very least, I joined this contest knowing you would win anyway, Satsukawa-san..."
"Me too! I didn't think I could win from the start, so I just wanted to make some good memories..."
"We're interested in what you have planned, Satsukawa-san. So, please, don't hold back on our account."
"Everyone... thank you very much."
Sara bowed deeply once more. Then, she turned her gaze toward the President and the stuck-up woman. However, she merely looked at them, showing no intention of saying anything. Or rather, by obtaining consent from the other contestants, she seemed to be exerting a silent pressure that said, "You have no complaints, do you?" In any case, as long as those two remained frozen in silence, they didn't seem likely to pose a problem.
Personally, I was more concerned about Mayumi-san...
"Ahem... Everyone! Actually, it's a little earlier than planned, but we have a significant announcement from Satsukawa-san!"
"Fukazawa-sa—"
"Minamin!"
"Minamin-san, 'significant announcement' is a bit of an exaggeration..."
"Oh, really? But from our perspective, anything about your private life is a pretty big deal... Ah! Wait, did you actually intend to talk about the cohabitation matter all along!?"
"No, as I said earlier, I had no intention of touching on the cohabitation matter from the start. I saw no need to expose my private life to that extent."
"Right... Wait, that's right! I'll ask again, are you really living with Takanashi-kun!?"
"Yes. There is no point in lying in this situation."
"Whoa! It's for real! That Satsukawa-san is actually living with a man... I can't believe it..."
While expressing surprise at Sara's statement, Minamin's gaze darted back and forth between us. I hoped her reaction wasn't a judgmental "Why is she with a guy like him?"
"...Aaaargh, I wanted to believe it was just a dream! You crushed my hopes so easily!"
"...Cohabitation, that means... it means... aaaaaaaaaaagh!?"
"...Uwaaaaa, don't say another word!"
"...Aaaah, stop! I don't want to think about it!"
"...It's a lie, right!? Tell me it's a lie!"
"Well, once people hear you're living together, that's naturally what they're going to think," Minamin noted.
"True. But in reality..."
"The story isn't a lie," Hanako's voice cut through from the crowd. "Even if Kazunari were to try and lie, I would know immediately."
"Ah, if Hanako-san says so, there's no mistake. But it's incredible, isn't it? Takanashi-kun... well, I don't know if 'incredible' is the right word."
"It just shows how much he treasures Sara," someone else added. "Anyway, let's stop this talk. Two people over here have entered the danger zone."
"Eh? ...Whoa, Nishikawa-san, please don't look at me with those eyes!"
"............"
"...Auuu."
"A-Are you alright, Marina-san?"
The audience seats seemed rather rowdy, but I decided to put that aside for a moment. In any case, it appeared that even Minamin didn't know the full details of what was coming. It was so rare for Sara to take this kind of public action that I couldn't predict her next move at all.
"Hmm, I'm super interested in that topic too, but I feel like digging any deeper would be dangerous for my health, so I'll pass. But still... Hehehe... To think 'that' Satsukawa-san is actually...?"
Wearing a massive smirk, Minamin directed her gaze solely at me. There was no doubt she was making all sorts of assumptions. Not many people would believe that nothing happened between a man and a woman living under the same roof.
But I swear, absolutely nothing has happened... Seriously.
"Is something the matter?" Sara asked.
"No, no, it's nothing! More importantly, shouldn't we get to the main point soon?"
"You're right. Well then, once again..."
As she spoke, Sara straightened her posture until her back was perfectly upright and faced me head-on.
"Kazunari-san, I have something I wish to tell you, using this occasion."
"To me?"
"Yes."
Sara stared intently into my eyes, nodding once without averting her gaze for even a second. So, when Sara said she "needed my cooperation," she meant she wanted me to listen to her here? I had assumed she literally meant she needed me to help her with some task... Oh well.
"Understood. But when you're finished, there's something I want to tell you too."
"You too... Kazunari-san?"
"Yes. But I can go later. Please, Sara-san, you go first..."
"In that case, please let me hear your story first, Kazunari-san. Mine can wait."
"No, if anything, I'd like mine to be the very last thing..."
"No, given the nature of the conversation, I would prefer to go after you..."
Shoot... this was an unexpected turn. I had gotten too carried away with the theatricality and accidentally blurted out something unnecessary. I didn't know what Sara had to say yet, but I was certain it would be better if I went last.
"Sara-san, if possible, I—"
"Kazunari-san, there is no way I could prioritize myself over you, now is there...?"
"Ugh... I know that... but this time, please just let me... mmph."
Munyuh.
Munyuh?
Oh... what was this? This incredibly soft sensation? My vision was suddenly plunged into darkness; I couldn't see the stage or Sara's face. And yet, far from feeling uneasy, I was enveloped in something that felt like a very familiar heaven—a place overflowing with peace and comfort... Wait!?
"S-S-Sara-fhan!?"
"Honestly, Kazunari-san... that's a 'no-no,' okay?"
"Mgh!?"
This was it—Sara's specialty. It was the literal, full-body Kazunari-exclusive mouth-sealing. It wasn't that I couldn't breathe, but the exquisite pressure made it impossible to form words. It was a suffocatingly happy sensation that rendered me utterly speechless.
""W-W-W-What the hell is thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!!!""
Moreover, when she did this to me, my other senses seemed to sharpen to compensate for my loss of sight. Even through our school uniforms, Sara's warmth and softness were transmitted directly to me. I could even hear the steady thrum of her heartbeat. Curiously, the sound was incredibly grounding, making my heart feel at ease.
Pat, pat...
"Kazunari-san, I only compromised my principles to participate in this farce of a Miss Contest because I had a clear objective. It's true that thanks to you, Mio-chan, and everyone else, I enjoyed it more than I expected... but even so, I've come this far for this very moment."
Pat, pat...
As Sara hugged me and gently stroked my head, I lost all power of speech. The feeling of happiness was so overwhelming it felt like I was being turned into jelly. Sara surely knew I would end up this way, which is why she unleashed this move at such a critical juncture.
"That is why, for this one occasion, I cannot yield. But you must know well... just how painful it is for me to refuse your request, Kazunari-san. And yet... you're being mean, Kazunari-san."
"Ugh..."
It was true. I had hoped that if I made a serious request, she might let me have the final word. Ordinarily, I would never dream of being so manipulative, but given what I had planned, I felt like I couldn't back down this time.
This was a problem... What should I do?
"Kazunari-san. This is my selfishness, and I am fully aware that you have your own thoughts as well. However... won't you yield to me this time, setting that aside? I am asking you..."
In Sara's quiet voice, I felt a sense of unwavering resolve. It was truly rare for her to speak to me this way, which allowed me to easily imagine just how important this moment was to her. If Sara was going this far, I couldn't continue to be stubborn. It couldn't be helped.
"...Understood. Then, please, go ahead of me."
"Yes, thank you! Kazunari-san... I love you... mwah."
Chu.
The moment she pulled my face away from Sara-san's heaven, I felt a soft sensation and a warm breath on my cheek. Just as I realized it was a kiss, her lips pulled away, leaving me with a sense of longing. When our eyes met, Sara gave me a soft, delighted smile.
"Hehe... Honestly, Kazunari-san. We'll continue this once we're home, alright?"
"Y-Yes."
"Good boy♪"
When I nodded obediently, Sara pulled my head toward her once more and began to stroke the back of my head slowly and carefully. It was so gentle that I wanted to surrender myself to the comfort forever. A profound sense of happiness enveloped me...
""GUOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!""
The roar of the bastards in the crowd shattered the beautiful atmosphere. Right, I forgot—we were still on stage!
...Well, whatever. It was too late to worry about public displays of affection now.
"Umm, you two? I think we all get that you're close, so can we move the conversation along? If you flirt any more, the audience will literally drop dead, and things will get messy..."
"You're right. I want to hear the story soon as well," Sara said, "and I can save hugging Kazunari-san for when we're back at the house."
Even as she said that, she secretly tightened her hug on me. When she did that, my resolve to pull away weakened. But seeing her this happy made me certain that I'd made the right choice.
"...W-W-Why a guy like that... Satsukawa-saaan!"
"...That's not the Satsukawa-san I know! The Satsukawa-san I know wouldn't kiss a man in public... A KIIIIIIIIISSSSS!?"
"...What are you going to do when you get home!? Hey, what are you two going to do together!?"
"...Stop it! Don't say another word!"
"...Aaaaaaaaaah! I don't want to imagine it!"
"Haa... I noticed it during the Sports Festival too, but Satsukawa-san's personality has changed way too much."
"Is that so? I haven't been particularly conscious of any change," Sara replied calmly.
"So this is Satsukawa-san's true self, huh... I was completely fooled."
"Is there a problem?"
"No, no, it's nothing! More importantly, have you decided who's speaking first?"
"Yes. Kazunari-san will go first—"
"I will speak first," I corrected.
"Roger that! Okay, staff, microphone please~"
Following Minamin's call, female staff members came rushing from the wings with a stand microphone. They set it up right next to me and left after giving me a mysterious thumbs-up. They didn't have to put it so close—at this distance, even a whisper would be broadcast to the entire school.
"All right, preparations are complete! Takanashi-kun, go for it with all your might!"
""BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!""
I was greeted by a wave of booing that rivaled a professional match as I finally stepped away from Sara. When we looked at each other again, Sara had a tense expression as she waited for my words...
"Be quiet!" she suddenly thundered. "I will not forgive anyone who interferes with Kazunari-san's story!"
The crowd fell instantly, deathly silent. The sweet atmosphere from moments ago had vanished, replaced by Sara's sudden, lightning-like roar. She glared over the audience one last time to ensure they were sufficiently cowed before returning her gaze to me.
Sara-san... you're terrifyingly intense...
"Now that it's quiet... go ahead, Kazunari-san. Tell your story."
"Y-Yes!"
"Hehe... what's the matter? Ah, if you're still nervous, I can hug you until you've calmed down..."
"Eh!? N-No, I'm okay now! Please, just listen!"
"As you wish. But if you need it, you must say so, okay? It's a 'no-no' to hold back, you know?"
"Y-Yes!"
I knew I was being completely swept along by her pace, but I didn't hate it. To be honest, it made me happy. But for now, I had to focus on my goal. I took a deep breath and centered myself.
Okay!
"Sara-san... It's been about six months since we met. I don't know if I should say it's only been six months or already six months, but without a doubt, it's been the most meaningful half-year of my life. I left that town and its hateful memories behind to come to this city. I started living alone, and I went to this school where I didn't know a soul... In the end, I was in despair, thinking I would never escape being alone. That's why meeting you, Sara-san, was such a salvation for me..."
"...It was the same for me. Meeting you, Kazunari-san, completely transformed my life. I was exhausted from being hounded every day by men who brought me nothing but annoyance and disgust. To me, your existence was a succession of surprises. I never imagined a man would appear whom I actually wanted to know, whom I wanted to be close to..."
"Thank you. Knowing you felt that way was the greatest happiness I could ever ask for. That's why you are so precious to me... more precious than my own life. Back then, I didn't even think about a romantic relationship; I just wanted to do something for you, to be the person you needed. I felt that from the bottom of my heart."
"Yes. I know that well. You always supported my ignorant self, Kazunari-san. You accepted everything. And yet, I drowned in my own joy, never seeing the true nature of my actions... Even so, you just silently supported me."
"No, that was my happiness too, so it was a win-win. Besides, we've talked about those early days many times before."
We had discussed our past and our feelings for each other extensively. Talking about it now was just the foundation—the preparation for what I truly had to say. And, secretly, I wanted to make everyone in this venue realize just how unbreakable our bond was.
"I got a little sidetracked, but so much has happened in these six months. Every memory is irreplaceable, and I can still see them all vividly. Among them, the day I confessed my feelings to you stands out the most. It was the moment I shared the greatest emotion I'd ever felt. That's why it remains so bright in my memory."
"Indeed. For me as well, the day you confessed to me is my greatest treasure. It was the first time such a precious feeling ever budded within me, and the day I shared it with you... It will always be an emotional memory for me."
"Yes. And that's exactly why... I have one lingering regret."
"A lingering regret...?"
I was worried about whether I could convey my feelings properly without a script, but I'd managed to find the right flow. Now, I just had to put my heart into words. Don't lose focus, me!
"If that confession was the first big stage of my life, then the next one is the most important. For a man, it's the ultimate highlight. But when I did it before, I ended up finishing it in a sort of haphazard way, without any preparation or mood. That vital 'something' was missing. And when I thought about it, I realized that this moment is just as vital for you as it is for me."
I wasn't ready to use the word "proposal" yet, so I kept my phrasing a bit roundabout. Sara seemed to understand perfectly, however, nodding along without a word.
Now, finally. I hadn't felt this tense since the night I first confessed to her. My body was trembling slightly, but this was too important to mess up. I steeled myself.
"Come to think of it, my first confession took two tries. This time is the same... though a man should really get it right the first time..."
"Kazunari-san, that was my fault, so please don't say that. No matter what anyone else says, to me, you are the most reliable, most manly, most wonderful person there is."
"Thank you. Anyway, I wanted to resolve that lingering regret. I have other reasons, too, but the biggest one is simply that I have feelings I need to convey to you. That's why... I stepped onto this stage."
I thrust my trembling right hand into my blazer pocket and felt the object inside. Its hard edges were a distinct presence, almost as if it were telling me to hurry up and bring it out. But the moment I did, Sara would know exactly what I was doing. The tension reached its peak.
Calm down... it's okay. Here I go!
"Sara-san... I... this..."
Determined, I pulled the object from my pocket. It was a simple, modest small red box. But its shape was unmistakable—anyone would know what was inside at a single glance. Sara's eyes widened. She gasped, pressing her hands to her mouth as she saw it resting in my palm.
"Since I met you, Sara-san, every day has been full of joy. I'm so happy I can't even put it into words. You are so dear to me... and that's why I want to be with you from now on, through the future, for the rest of my life. I want us to walk the path ahead together, just the two of us."
This was difficult. It wasn't that I was moved by my own words, but my feelings for Sara were overflowing so much that I was losing my coherence. Not only that, my eyes were starting to sting... no, I couldn't cry now! This was the big moment! Endure it... you're a man!
"I want to be with you forever, Sara-san. Always, always... So..."
I stepped a little closer and slowly opened the small box. Inside sat the ring I had chosen—the half eternity proposal ring, shining with a quiet, certain brilliance. Sara caught her breath.
"This is still a story for the future, and I don't know specifically when that day will be yet. But that day will definitely, certainly come. I know it. So, even if people say it's too early, I want you to have this, Sara-san!"
I stared into her eyes, pouring every ounce of my emotion into my words. I'd already asked her to be my fiancée once before, so it felt a little redundant, maybe even a bit silly... But I had to share the feelings I couldn't fully express that night because of the shock.
Sara watched me in silence, her hands still over her mouth. And then, at the corners of her eyes... more brilliant than any gemstone, more dazzling than the ring in my hand, beautiful tears began to form.
"Sara-san, please accept this. And... with me..."
Seeing her tears nearly made me break. If I wasn't careful, I would start sobbing right along with her. But I had to finish.
"In the future... please... marry me..."
"!?"
I squeezed out every bit of my soul into those words, savoring each one as I spoke them.