Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 213: Surrounded on All Sides + Covering Fire.

Surrounded on All Sides + Covering Fire.

Amazing…

What’s so amazing is that I’ve never seen such a textbook example of shock before. It’s as if she’s embodying the phrase “a picture-perfect expression.”

Meanwhile, with a mischievous grin, Mayumi-san waves her hand back and forth in front of Masaomi-san’s face, checking something.

Please… please stop that…

“Kazunari-san, leave the rest to me. Let’s end this conversation quickly and go home, shall we?”

!?

Masaomi-san’s eyes suddenly widened in shock.

I-I was startled too.

Even Mayumi-san, who had been playfully waving her hand, pulled it back in surprise.

“S-Saraaaa!? What was that just now!!!??? W-Wha-What was that, was I dreaming!? And what do you mean, go home!? Sara’s home is here, isn’t it!? Ahhh, just now, what was that!!??”

He was so panicked that his words became slightly incoherent as he rapidly questioned Sara-san. In contrast, Sara-san gazed back with an icy calmness.

“This is home? A place where someone brings up such worthless arranged marriage talks is no longer my home. And besides, you’re noisy.”

Gaaaan!!

It felt as though I could hear a dramatic shock sound effect. Seeing Masaomi-san like that almost made me feel sorry for him. His expression turned vacant, and he looked as if he might collapse to his knees at any moment.

“Oh my, oh my. To think your cute daughter finally referred to you as ‘someone.’ But well, you reaped what you sowed, didn’t you… Anyway, Sara-chan, you’re late, aren’t you?”

“……”

…Something feels off. Mayumi-san, who had been playful just moments ago, was now looking at Sara-san with an unusually stern gaze.

“I understand you hated the arranged marriage talk, and I know you were scared thinking you might be separated from him.”

No, this isn’t just “something feels off.” Mayumi-san is clearly angry… Mayumi-san… angry?

“The day you ran away from home, he contacted me, saying he was determined to come here alone… And yet, what have you been doing until now? Don’t tell me you were just running away?”

“…That’s…”

“Pathetic… But at least you came here in the end, so you must have found your answer. So, what is it?”

A tense, prickly atmosphere filled the Satsukawa living room. I hadn’t expected this development, and I certainly didn’t expect Mayumi-san to get angry.

But although Sara-san faltered in her words, her gaze was strong and unwavering.

“I plan to talk to him. Not just about the arranged marriage, but also about our future. First, I will make sure he absolutely acknowledges my relationship with Kazunari-san. Then, I’ll have him consider how to handle the company matters. After I hear his answers, I will make my decision.”

Sara-san spoke clearly and firmly.

It seems she had been thinking about this before coming here. As for Masaomi-san, being called “that person” had dealt him another blow… no, this was beyond just a blow at this point…

“I see. Knowing you, I figured your answer would include the company’s future too – that you’d make sure he acknowledges it no matter what. Well… I suppose that’s a passing grade.”

Hearing those words, Mayumi-san finally relaxed her expression, and I felt relieved as well. Though, there was something in their conversation I didn’t fully grasp… but the two seemed to understand each other.

“And so, Masaomi-san, you heard everything, didn’t you?”

The conversation returned to Masaomi-san, who had been silently left out. Realizing his name was called, he snapped his gaze back to us.

“Y-Yeah. I-I heard… It was so shocking, I almost doubted my own eyes and ears.”

He barely managed to respond, as if he was standing at the edge of collapse. If he heard just one more thing, he might actually fall over.

“Well then…”

“Please wait, I will speak. This is something I must do myself.”

“…I see. Then, do your best.”

Perhaps satisfied with Sara-san’s strong resolve, Mayumi-san stepped back with a smile. Sara-san then stood beside me, placed her hand on my arm, smiled up at me, and then turned her gaze firmly towards Masaomi-san.

Sensing something in her demeanor, Masaomi-san’s expression also tightened.

“…Father, as you can see. I love Kazunari-san… No, I love him with all my heart. I don’t need anyone else. Therefore…”

“Please acknowledge our relationship!! Sara-san is the most important person in my life. I’ve thought about the future as well before speaking today! I know I’m not dependable right now, but for Sara-san’s sake, I’ll study, I’ll work hard. I’ll do everything I can so you will approve of me someday!!”

I hurriedly cut in, and Sara-san looked at me with wide, surprised eyes. I’m sorry, but this was something I intended to say myself from the beginning. I couldn’t let her say it before me.

“K-Kazunari-san? What are you…?”

Realizing what I meant, Sara-san’s face turned bright red.

“I’m sorry, Sara-san. But this is something I had to say…”

“No… I’m happy that you said it, but… um… th-the meaning of what you just said…”

Blushing deeply, Sara-san began fidgeting. She was probably conscious of what I meant by “approval for the future.”

“Mm!”

Masaomi-san, who had been watching us with a stern face, suddenly let out a sharp sound like a cough. Reacting to it, Sara-san turned to glare at him.

Now… what will his answer be?

“…L-Let me be honest. I never imagined that Sara, who hated men so much, would go as far as to say she loves someone. Even seeing and hearing it with my own eyes and ears, part of me still can’t believe it. But… the shock is so great that it’s actually made me calm. So… I understand now that there’s no room for doubt.”

Though he still sounded stunned, Masaomi-san managed to give us his answer. I almost felt overjoyed, but his phrasing caught my attention, and I decided to wait for the rest before reacting. Sara-san seemed to have made the same judgment and remained silent, waiting.

“After seeing this, I have no intention of doubting your relationship. Part of me still wonders if I’m dreaming, but I have to accept it as reality. However… don’t forget, this is the Satsukawa family.”

As expected, the conversation was shifting to the next stage.

In other words, to gain approval for my relationship with Sara-san, we now had to talk about the company. Masaomi-san was implicitly telling us that. The only saving grace was that it seemed, at least as an individual, he approved of us.

“Takanashi-kun, may I speak seriously with you?”

“…Please.”

His expression turned deadly serious as he locked eyes with me. It seemed we were finally about to have a true, earnest conversation. I braced myself.

“Takanashi-kun, you said earlier you want my approval in the future. Does that mean you said so fully understanding what this family entails?”

“…Yes. But I don’t intend to claim I understand it all. That would be presumptuous. However, no matter what it entails, I will not waver if it means being with Sara-san. Whatever is necessary, I will do it.”

I returned his gaze firmly, showing my unwavering resolve.

I likely have no idea how many challenges lie ahead, just as with Mayumi-san. But I won’t speak as if I know; I will just respond with my honest determination.

“…I see you’re serious. But that alone won’t…”

Ding dong…

………A guest? At this timing?

It couldn’t be worse. Our conversation came to a complete halt.

“…Please excuse me for a moment.”

Mayumi-san stood up with a wry smile and walked over to check the intercom monitor, only to let out a startled, “Eh!?”

“Mayumi, open the door for me.”

!?

That voice… could it be…

“…Grandmother?”

Indeed, it was Sachie-san.

[TL: Sachie-san is the grandmother, in previous chapter I tled her name as ‘Yukie’. So from now on, I will use Sachie]

Of course, it wasn’t unusual for Sachie-san to come to this house. But… this timing, was it really just coincidence?

Neither Sara-san nor I had told her. Sara-san shook her head slightly, confirming she hadn’t either… so was it truly by chance?

Mayumi-san hurried to the entrance, her slippers flapping on the floor. Shortly after, she returned, followed by Sachie-san.

“It’s been a while since I’ve visited this house.”

“M-Mother, what brings you here? If you needed anything, we would have come to you.”

Apparently, even Masaomi-san didn’t know about her visit. He asked her with a surprised expression.

“I came because there’s something we need to discuss.”

Sachie-san looked at me and Sara-san, smiling gently.

“I’m sorry, Takanashi-san, for arriving so late. And Sara-chan, I must have frightened you.”

“N-No, but… how did you…”

“Grandmother…?”

It was clear now that she fully understood the situation.

But how… neither of us told her…

After bowing slightly to us, Sachie-san turned to face Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san.

“Mother-in-law, you know about Takanashi-kun?”

“Of course. I’ve known about him since before he started dating Sara-chan, and he’s been very helpful. He’s a very good young man.”

Hearing her say that made me feel shy, but more than that, I wondered about her purpose here.

“By the way… Do you both remember what I told you before?”

Her demeanor shifted, the atmosphere sharpening instantly as she fixed her gaze on them.

“I told you both that if anything happened involving Sara-chan and the company, you were to inform me immediately. I let my guard down, thinking it was still too soon… But this arranged marriage talk, yes?”

So she knew… but how? Neither we nor her parents had told her…

“W-Where did you hear that…? Well, yes, but… we thought it would end as just a conversation…”

Masaomi-san faltered, unable to form a proper excuse.

“Mother, I had some countermeasures in place…”

“I see. And did they resolve the issue?”

“U…well, not yet. Masaomi-san said they’d only acknowledge the two if the company issues were handled first, so…”

For once, Mayumi-san was on the defensive.

It seemed even she couldn’t stand up to Sachie-san.

“…Honestly. Very well. I will join this conversation. There are things that must be said. Understood?”

“Y-Yes…”

Seeing this rare dynamic, it became clear to me that the hierarchy in the Satsukawa family was: Sachie-san > Mayumi-san > Sara-san > Masaomi-san. It was surprisingly straightforward.

“On my way here, I ran into Marinna-chan and the others. Your friends are all gathered, waiting to hear the outcome. You’re lucky to have such good friends. Also, Nishikawa’s daughter was there, and I heard some very interesting things.”

She suddenly changed the topic and began speaking of everyone else. I had heard from them that Yuuji and Hanako-san were waiting nearby, and if Toudou-san was there, then Hayato was likely around too. If Nishikawa-san was there, then so was Natsumi-senpai. And if Tachikawa-san was present as well, then everyone had gathered…

“Masaomi-san, it seems that regarding Yamazaki Industries, you worked with Nishikawa’s father, yes? Eri-san told me.”

“Y-Yes… Our company wasn’t directly involved, but Sara reported it to me, so I…”

This was news to me. I knew Nishikawa’s father pressured Yamazaki’s father, but I didn’t know Masaomi-san was involved. Or that Sara-san had acted as well.

“I’ve heard that Takanashi-san was at the center of it all. In other words, even your success, Masaomi-san, was thanks to him. Don’t you think you should express your gratitude?”

“Eh!?”

Masaomi-san looked at me in shock. It was probably Nishikawa-san who told her that, but honestly, they were exaggerating my contribution…

“N-No, everyone worked on that…”

“Indeed. But it was Kazunari-san who planned it all and led us to success.”

Before I could finish, Sara-san spoke firmly, supporting the claim.

Sachie-san nodded and continued.

“Yes, all of your friends spoke highly of him. Especially Eri-san, who said Nishikawa’s father wants to personally thank Takanashi-san soon.”

“He wants to thank me…?”

Hearing that, Masaomi-san turned to me with an even more astonished expression. Meanwhile, Mayumi-san, unaware of the story, stayed silent and listened intently.

“And Masaomi-san, I also have a message from Nishikawa’s father via Eri-san.”

“Eh!? From Nishikawa-san!?”

He seemed overwhelmed by how many unexpected things were happening at once. To be honest, I was equally confused.

“He said, ‘It is truly delightful to see such promising youth. We can expect further development for both companies.’ He will contact you with more details later.”

“Next generation… development…?”

The words sounded vague, but given “development,” I could only assume it was positive. I wondered if Masaomi-san understood.

“Fuh… fufufu… hahahahaha!!”

!?

Suddenly, Masaomi-san burst out laughing.

I didn’t see anything laughable in that conversation, so both Sara-san and I were startled by his reaction.

“Hahaha… I’m sorry, Takanashi-kun!”

Laughing between words, he spoke to me. Honestly, I had no idea what was happening.

“Masaomi-san, what’s wrong?”

Even Mayumi-san asked, concerned. But he continued laughing.

“I never imagined I wouldn’t be allowed to say a single word. After all this, I have no choice but to admit defeat! Alright, I understand. This is my complete loss!! For Mayumi, for Mother-in-law, and now even Nishikawa-san to get involved… Takanashi-kun, you’ve truly surprised me. There is nothing left I can say. There are still issues remaining, and I hope you will help resolve them. But first and foremost…”

Smiling, he stepped closer to me and extended his right hand, as if seeking a handshake.

“Please, take care of Sara for me.”

With those powerful words, he entrusted me with something truly precious.