That night...
Seeking to wash away the day's fatigue, I decided to soak in the bath for a bit longer than usual.
Originally, I was the type to take a "crow's bath"—not quite that extreme, but I usually finished up fairly quickly. The fact that I had started properly relaxing in the bathtub every night was undoubtedly thanks to Sara-san.
I had found it a hassle to fill the tub when I first started living alone, and since I wanted to save on living expenses as much as possible, I had finished my business even more quickly and easily than when I lived at my family home.
But ever since I started living with Sara-san, I naturally couldn't do that anymore. Or rather, I couldn't subject Sara-san to such a lackluster lifestyle.
Well... considering Sara-san had started barging into the bathroom lately, you could say the habit was somewhat forced upon me... including today.
Regarding our living expenses, I currently didn't need to worry about them at all. (That didn't mean I had suddenly become rich, though.)
The allowance from my family home hadn't changed, but now there was support from the Satsukawa family on top of that. Furthermore, Sara-san was so surprisingly good at managing our finances that our savings were actually increasing.
Of course, since it wasn't personal pocket money, I had considered that if it was too much, I should return it, but...
When I lightly touched upon the subject before, my Mom gave a response entirely focused on Sara-san, saying, "Either use it for Sara-chan or save it for Sara-chan." As for Mayumi-san, she went as far as fake crying—probably—and saying, "Even though your Mother-in-law wanted to give Kazunari-kun some pocket money... you're being so standing on ceremony... sniffle, sniffle." In the end, I reached the conclusion that I would simply accept the funds with gratitude.
Click.
"Phew... sorry to keep you waiting."
While I was lost in thought, the door to the changing area opened, and Sara-san emerged wearing her pajamas. This wasn't unique to today, but Sara-san right after the bath was... well, how should I put it... she was strangely... actually, never mind.
"A-Are you sure you're finished already? You must be tired after today, Sara-san, so you could have taken your time..."
"Fufu... thank you. I've already relaxed quite enough, so I'm fine. More importantly, Kazunari-san, please put something on. If you're dressed that lightly, you'll catch a chill."
Currently, because the lingering warmth of the bath remained, I was dressed lightly—pajama bottoms were fine, but I only had a single shirt on top. Since the air conditioner was running, I wasn't cold at all, but I usually dressed properly, so I had simply been careless.
"Sorry, I'll put them on right away..."
"Yes, here you go."
Opening the dresser before I could, Sara-san quickly pulled out my pajamas.
I thanked her and took them, sliding my arms through the sleeves of the pajamas, which were folded as crisply as if they were brand new.
"Now then, Kazunari-san, won't you come over here?"
Meanwhile, Sara-san sat down on the bed and lightly patted her thighs, staring at me with a beaming smile.
This was, without a doubt, an appeal for a lap pillow. Occurring right after the bath, it was a situation with a level of danger twice as high for me... That said, the option to refuse didn't even exist.
Because... it made me happy.
"I-If I may..."
"Fufu... welcome♪"
I sat down beside Sara-san and slowly lowered my body, finally resting my head on her thighs.
This was always the moment I felt the most nervous. The exquisite sensation that followed was so blissful that it was almost terrifying, in a way...
"♪~"
Stroke, stroke...
But...
As if to soothe my tension, Sara-san began gently and carefully stroking my head. She seemed to be in a wonderful mood, humming a tune as she ran her fingers through my hair over and over.
Stroke, stroke...
Stroke, stroke...
"Phew..."
"Fufu... what is the matter?"
"No, I just felt so relieved that all the strength left my body..."
"I suppose so. A lot happened today, after all."
"Yeah."
To be more precise, it was just that Sara's lap pillow felt so good that all my pent-up stress had evaporated... but it wasn't exactly wrong, so I didn't see a need to correct her.
"Ah, that's right. I received a message from my mother on RAIN earlier."
"From Mayumi-san? Come to think of it, what happened with that whole thing in the end?"
Given how things had played out, it was unlikely she'd say cohabitation was no good now. But since we had technically made it a "contest," I couldn't exactly leave the result a mystery.
"The conclusion is that she will no longer interfere in our lives more than necessary. She said we may continue our life together just as we have been."
"I see. So that means you won, Sara-san?"
"Most likely. There was no explicit talk about winning or losing, but given my mother's personality, she would never say such a thing if I had lost."
"I see. Well, that's a relief. To be honest, I was more worried about that than the results of the Miss Contest..."
I hadn't expected Sara-san to lose, but the contest had been rigged with the disadvantageous condition that it wouldn't count as a victory unless Mayumi-san acknowledged it. Regardless, if the matter was settled, I could relax.
"Fufu... even if my own mother is the opponent, there is no way I would lose in something concerning Kazunari-san. If there is anyone I potentially cannot defeat, it would only be your Mother-in-law."
"Haha... that's true. I also thought it was impossible for you to lose, Sara-san. Honestly, I think you could win quite easily even against my Mom."
I wasn't saying this out of bias; as my honest evaluation, the win would undoubtedly go to Sara-san.
Or rather, it was just that Sara-san was too incredible.
"Thank you. In order to live up to your expectations, Kazunari-san, I will continue to redouble my efforts from here on."
From my perspective, Sara-san was already more than enough, and I felt like no further effort was necessary... but saying that would be tactless.
In that case, I should just be honest.
"Really, thank you as always. I can only express my gratitude with words, though..."
"No, for me, those words are the greatest reward of all. I am truly happy that I could make you glad, Kazunari-san."
"Sara-san..."
"Besides, I have even received a proof of engagement... so it would be impossible to tell me not to be enthusiastic after that, wouldn't it? Fufu..."
"Ah—... that's..."
Indeed, there was no way Sara-san, who was a stranger to the word "compromise," would accept an engagement ring and say she'd just keep doing things the same as before.
If that was the case, then my role was to accept whatever Sara-san wanted to do with a smile. It came down to that.
"But... it is a strange thing, isn't it? Our engagement is a fact, and we have already begun preparations for the future... and yet, just having a visible form like this engagement ring makes that realization feel so much stronger all at once..."
"...That's true. Even for me, just seeing you wearing the ring I gave you makes me feel something different than before."
"Yes. When I wear that ring, I feel as though my confidence as Kazunari-san's fiancé overflows even more. Also, in an external sense..."
"Yeah. To tell you the truth, one of the reasons I prepared that was for that exact purpose. To show everyone that you're my fiancé, so other men shouldn't approach you. That's why I was honestly relieved to be able to give it to you there without any issues."
The ring also served as a man repellent effect, signaling to the world that she was already taken. To maximize that effect, I had wanted to give it to her on that stage no matter what.
I wanted to believe that after such a public display, there wouldn't be anyone left at school who would try to hit on her.
"Fufu... thank you, Kazunari-san. I am truly happy that you would think that far for my sake. Let me thank you once again..."
"Sara-san, that goes for both of us. I received a necktie, after all."
"No, a necktie and an engagement ring are not even comparable. I really..."
"If you're going to say that, then for me, the present from you was just as..."
"Kazunari-san..."
For me, the value of that necktie wasn't inferior to an engagement ring in any way.
Besides the obvious reason of it being a precious gift from Sara-san, the act of giving it in that place was synonymous with me proposing to her. In other words, its value was equal.
"Fufu... I understand. Then, as you say, Kazunari-san, I shall consider that necktie to be synonymous with the ring as well."
"Yeah, please do. That necktie is proof that I am Sara-san's fiancé."
"Yes! Since that is decided, from next time, I shall put even more of my feelings into it when I tie that necktie for you!"
At my answer, Sara-san showed a beaming smile and resumed stroking my head. I could feel her joy transmitted through the movement of her hand.
"Sara-san..."
That said, the lines I was about to say wouldn't look right while I was still getting a lap pillow. I felt quite reluctant to leave such a wonderful spot, but steeling my resolve, I slowly sat up.
If I was going to convey this properly, I wanted to at least straighten my posture.
"Once again... I look forward to our time together. As lovers, and as fiancés..."
"Yes, likewise. I may be inexperienced, but please treat me well. As your fiancé... and as your future wife, I will continue to redouble my efforts to become a woman you can be proud of."
In response to my somewhat formal greeting, Sara-san unexpectedly shifted into seiza and bowed deeply.
It was certainly like her, but it was actually a bit panicky for me when she acted that formally!!
"S-Sara-san, please stop!! That's my line!! If anything, I'm the one who needs to... to become a man worthy of you..."
"No. I am the one who must become a woman worthy of being Kazunari-san's life partner..."
"Sara-san, you're perfectly fine exactly as you are!! More importantly, I'm the one who—"
"Kazunari-san, this is my—"
"No, no, I'm the one—mmgh!?"
The moment I thought the exchange felt like deja vu, my lips were suddenly sealed by Sara-san, who had launched a sudden assault.
Once again, a scene of deja vu... or rather, was this Sara-san's special move to forcibly silence me?
"Nnh..."
Smooch...
With my mouth forcibly sealed, I couldn't say another word. The sensation of Sara-san's lips felt good... wait, no!!
As I felt a light panic from the suddenness of it, Sara-san slowly pulled her lips away, her expression wearing a mischievous look that seemed to say "gotcha."
Darn it...
Even though I lost, it was frustrating that I didn't feel frustrated.
"Fufu... then, shall we work hard together?"
"Yes..."
"Good boy♪"
When she wrapped up the conversation so beautifully with such a dazzling smile at the end... I could no longer say anything. It was a complete defeat.
But I had no regrets.
If Sara-san would smile like this, that was the greatest happiness for me.
"Sara-san... I'll work hard. For your sake, and for my own."
"Yes. I will also do my very best to help you. Supporting you, Kazunari-san, in both your public and private life as your wife and partner is my mission. Besides..."
Having said that, Sara-san gently pulled me close and hugged me, enveloping me. I surrendered my body to her movement.
"I want to heal you like this when you are tired. That is my most important and happiest role."
"...Thank you. If I can receive a reward like this, I can work as hard as it takes."
"Fufu... I will heal you with all my might from now on, as well."
"Yes..."
If I sought affection, Sara-san would be happy. That was an undeniable fact, and if that was the case, there was no reason to hold back. Rather, I knew that holding back would only make her sad.
Of course, because of my "manly brakes," I couldn't exactly seek affection without limit, but I couldn't help but want to, at least a little more...
"...Kazunari-san, shall we go to sleep now?"
"Eh? A-Already?"
Checking the clock on the wall, it was only just past 9:00 PM. Far from being a bit early for bed, it was nearly two hours earlier than usual. I wondered what had brought this on.
"Yes. Since yesterday and today were busy, you must be tired... and besides,"
"And besides...?"
"...I'm just in the mood to 'there, there' you as much as I possibly can inside the futon today..."
"...S-Sara-san?"
"...Is that not allowed?"
"Ugh..."
T-That was cheating!!
When Sara-san said something like that... while looking up at me with that slightly embarrassed look during her pleading, how could I possibly refuse? There was no way!!
"A-All right..."
"Fufu... you should also seek plenty of affection from me, okay? Holding back... is a no-no, alright?"
"Yes..."
In the face of Sara-san's whisper, which was sweet through and through, I couldn't help but feel a premonition of an unprecedentedly fierce battle.
Yes... my lonely battle... no, the premonition of a man's battle that I absolutely could not lose!!
But it was fine. I wasn't making any mistakes or misunderstandings. This was a purely Sara-style way of spoiling and pleading; I knew there were no deep meanings or impure motives involved.
There was only one thing there: Sara-san's incredibly kind wish to pamper me and have me rely on her.
If that was the case... I would definitely overcome today's battle as well. If I could see Sara-san's smile looking this happy, I could work as hard as I needed to.
However...
I couldn't help but wish she'd understand a man's heart—how it was happy but also a struggle—just a little bit... Sara-san.
………………
………
…
"Kazunari-san, please come closer."
"Y-Yesh."
When I crawled into the futon, Sara-san pulled my head toward her without letting me say a word. In the blink of an eye, I was led to the Heaven that was My Position, and I felt something soft through the thin pajamas... something quite large!?
No matter how much this happened every day, it was impossible for me to get used to it...
"Fufu... holding you like this, Kazunari-san, really puts my mind at ease. I feel so full of happiness that even my fatigue blows away."
"I-I see, me too..."
"Yes♪ Now, Kazunari-san, just as I promised."
"Y-Yes..."
She immediately began stroking my head and started a combo of patting my back.
Occasionally, she would let out a happy "Fufu..." near my ear, and each time she would squeeze my face into Heaven—hug me—trying to pamper me with all her might just as she had declared.
Surrounded by that all-too-comfortable embrace, I felt as though I was about to melt...
"Sara-san..."
I also wrapped my right hand around Sara-san's back and pressed my body against her as if to hug her back. I knew that doing that would cause my face to sink even deeper into the depths of Heaven... but Sara-san herself let out a happy sound at my action.
"What a good boy..."
Squeeze. Sara-san tightened the force with which she held my head, and my face became embedded in the depths of Heaven like never before.
At this point, moving past panic, I felt like a certain kind of alarm had started ringing loudly in my head... but.
"Kazunari-san... good boy... there, there."
Stroking, stroking...
Pat... pat... pat... pat...
Wrapped in Sara-san's limitless kindness and sweetness, as I quietly surrendered my body to her, I could hear her heartbeat—thump-thump, thump-thump... no, that wasn't my imagination.
But I wondered why... I'd felt this before, but when I heard Sara-san's heartbeat, it felt as though my heart rapidly regained its calm.
All my unnecessary anxieties and other thoughts vanished, leaving me enveloped in nothing but a sense of security and a pure desire to just honestly be pampered...
At least for now, I felt like I could safely be spoiled without worrying about anything else.
"Fufu... you've finally become honest, haven't you?♪"
"...You're the one who told me to be."
"Kazunari-san... you're so cute..."
Sara-san gave my head an even stronger squeeze—gyuuuuu—and it became a state of close contact where her whole body was pressed against me.
Was this because my one sentence had touched Sara-san's heartstrings or something?
"S-Sara-san?"
"Saying such a cute thing... you're cheating, Kazunari-san..."
"I-I'm sorry, it just came out..."
"Please don't apologize. I am very happy, you know? But... what happened so suddenly?"
"No, a lot happened today, so I guess I just wanted to be spoiled by you, Sara-san..."
It wasn't just today; I felt like being spoiled by Sara-san every day, but with everything that had happened today, I was aware that the feeling was stronger than usual.
So that was just... a "it just happened" sort of thing.
"Fufu... I understand that feeling well. My own emotions were running high today... it must be because you proposed to me, Kazunari-san."
"Ahaha. I wonder if I went a bit too far with that. But if you're going to say that, I also didn't think you'd say something like that."
"Yes... I apologize for acting on my own without consulting you. To tell the truth, I had been thinking about that matter for some time... and I decided that if I was going to be used as a crowd-puller anyway, I would make the most of the situation. Besides, I could hardly use a school event for purely personal reasons..."
"Ah, I thought about that too. But I figured that if we did that, it wouldn't just make us look bad, but there was even the possibility that we'd be disciplined by the school. Even if we wanted to announce it grandly, this is ultimately a personal matter."
If we had wanted to make everyone aware of us at once, using a school event where students gathered or using the school broadcast would have been the quickest means... but we could hardly do such a thing.
If we had done something so audacious and made a grand announcement like "We are engaged!"... we would surely have been met with "Who do you guys think you are!?"
Even I would think that, so it would be even more so for those around us.
"Yes. Especially for you, Kazunari-san, we must avoid anything that would affect your internal records. In that case, this Miss Contest was... not exactly a godsend, but I thought I would have them pay the 'price' for dragging me into that farce."
"I see. By the way, for my part, I felt like I wanted to just crush the Miss Contest since it was making you feel bad, Sara-san. And I also wanted to reduce the number of people hitting on you by making a grand proposal... so as for the end of the Miss Contest being a mess, I'm actually quite satisfied with it."
"Fufu... you really are a bad boy, aren't you, Kazunari-san? But... I'm happy you felt that way..."
"S-Sara-san?"
Suddenly pulled away from Heaven and having my face guided upward with a light tug... there was Sara-san's smiling face, looking at me with a gentle gaze.
In the moonlight entering the dim room, that faintly visible smile seemed to have a somewhat mystical atmosphere... but I only thought that for a moment.
Smooch...
The next moment, I felt the gentle sensation of a kiss on my lips.
It wasn't pressed hard, nor was it just a light touch; it was a kiss filled with Sara-san's feelings, accompanied by a certain sensation.
"Kazunari-san... nnh..."
Smooch...
"Mmugh!?"
Just when I thought she had pulled her lips away slightly and called my name, my lips were stolen again in succession. I was surprised by the consecutive kisses, but since my head was being held firmly by Sara-san, I couldn't move. So, as I quietly surrendered my body, I eventually felt like the sensation of the kiss was spreading from my lips to my entire body.
With the sheer pleasantness and happiness, I felt like my whole body was truly about to melt.
"Fufu..."
As if finally satisfied, Sara-san let out a small laugh and slowly pulled her lips away.
She stared at me from point-blank range, and then, as if noticing something, a mischievous expression peeked through.
"Fufu... your face is bright red, Kazunari-san♪"
"Ugh... d-don't say that..."
I wondered if she could really tell in this darkness... but I'm sure Sara-san could. By the way, I was also aware that my own face was bright red.
Or rather, I'd like to see anyone who could stay composed after that!!
"Please show me more of your adorable face, Kazunari-san..."
"Wait, S-Sara-san...!?"
Sara-san placed her hands on both of my cheeks and, after fixing the position of my head, she peered intently into my face with a very happy smile. But her voice didn't have as much innocence as that expression; if anything, it sounded like a somewhat devilish pleading, full of a vast amount of sweetness and affection.
I mean...
When she whispered to me with such a sweet and mournful voice, my heart's pounding went out of control!!!
"Uuu..."
"Kazunari-san... so cute..."
"S-Sara-san, enough already..."
"Ah, please don't hide. I want you to show me more of your adorable self, Kazunari-san..."
I couldn't hide my face with my hands, nor could I leave this spot.
In a situation that could be called a humiliation play, Sara-san stared at my face with an increasingly happy smile.
But...
But...
No matter how much it was for the sake of Sara-san's smile, I couldn't take any more than this!!!
"P-Please have mercy!"
"Eh... hyan!?"
And so, the only means left to me—the only place to escape—was...!!!
It was, of course, Sara-san's Heaven!!
Regardless of appearances, when I plunged my face in there of my own accord, Sara-san let out a voice that sounded surprised.
"K-Kazunari-san... nnh."
As if in protest, I moved my face just a little bit, and Sara-san let out a ticklish-sounding voice. I didn't quite know what I was doing anymore, but this was intended as an appeal to please spare me from the humiliation play.
"K-Kazunari-san... mischief is a no-no, okay?"
"Mmugh!?"
Then this time, I was squeezed into Heaven in that same position, losing even my last remaining means of self-assertion.
I mean... what exactly was I doing...
"Fufu... punishment for a bad boy who does mischief. Please reflect on your actions there for a while, okay?"
"Y-Yesh..."
As if it were intended as a punishment, Sara-san squeezed my face a little more strongly into Heaven.
When that happened, the soft sensation I felt through the thin pajamas was transmitted directly, and my heart felt as though it would start accelerating all at once.
But at the same time, Sara-san's heartbeat being transmitted seemed to be bringing even more of a sense of calm to my heart.
And besides...
"♪~"
With Sara-san's pleasant humming, which was almost like a lullaby, and having my head gently stroked and my back patted... I almost felt the illusion that I had returned to being a small child.
"Kazunari-san..."
The feelings of Sara-san, who enveloped me in such a way with nothing but sweetness and heartfelt kindness, were so blissful.
And so, I completely let her do as she pleased.
"Sara...san..."
Before I knew it, the urgency I'd felt earlier rapidly lost its momentum, and all that remained was the pure desire to be spoiled by Sara-san.
So I didn't resist that urge. Instead, I moved my body closer to Sara-san of my own accord and hugged her tightly with all my might.
"Fufu... such an affection-seeker♪"
"...Is a little more... not allowed?"
"No... not at all."
I thought I'd said something bold even for me... but I didn't think I could hide my true feelings of wanting to be spoiled by Sara-san any longer.
And Sara-san herself let out a happy sound at my seeking of affection, and hugged me tightly as if to cover my whole body with hers.
"Fufu... for you to make such an adorable plea, Kazunari-san..."
"T-That... I thought once in a while was okay..."
"Don't say once in a while; I'd like you to do this every day, you know?"
"N-No, if I did this every day, I'd be in trouble... I feel like I'd become more and more of a good-for-nothing..."
I already relied on Sara-san completely for everything on a regular basis, so if I did this every day, I was truly afraid I would fall into decadence.
Besides, although it seemed okay for now, there was no telling when something impulsive inside me might explode.
Thinking of that risk, seeking Sara-san's affection actively and without brakes wasn't something I could do so easily.
"I understand. It is a pity, but I shall leave the degree of moderation to you, Kazunari-san."
"Y-Yes."
"But... it is all right for today, then?"
"Ehh..."
"Kazunari-san, please tell me clearly..."
It was truly rare for Sara-san to plead with me for something like this. Her destructive power was so high that it was problematic.
She'd called me a cheat earlier, but from my perspective, Sara-san was the one who was cheating.
"Well... it's all right..."
"Yes♪ Then, at least for tonight... please become a good-for-nothing to your heart's content, okay?"
"Yes..."
"Fufu... it's all right. No matter how much you rely on me, you will never become a good-for-nothing, Kazunari-san. I am the one who knows that best. And besides... even if you did become a good-for-nothing..."
"...Even if I did?"
"I will take responsibility for you for the rest of my life♪"
"Haha..."
With Sara-san saying that much, I couldn't become a good-for-nothing even if I tried.
And in my heart of hearts, I could say with certainty that no matter how much I was spoiled, I would never cross the line at the very end. Because for the sake of the precious Sara-san, I had the firm confidence that I could work as hard as it takes.
"So please rest easy and rely on me with all your heart, okay? I will also cherish you to my heart's content tonight."
That said... I felt like I was facing a premonition of a crisis.
I wondered if I could overcome this overly blissful trial tonight...
"Kazunari-san... I love you♪"
Smooch...
It seemed that my lonely battle was just beginning.
Fight on, me!!
Don't lose, me!!
But please... at least have a little mercy!!