Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 225: Sara’s Chosen Path.

Sara’s Chosen Path.

A press table, spotlights, and even a host had suddenly appeared, turning the entire situation into something that, frankly, I couldn’t begin to make sense of. No explanation had been given, but since the host had begun proceedings, it seemed clear that I was expected to give my report as-is.

The only saving grace was that the people in front of me were all familiar faces—people I could trust.

“Well then, I’d like to begin the report, if that’s alright…”
The host glanced back and forth between me and Sara-san, unsure of whom to call upon.

Looks like I have no choice but to go with the flow.

“I’ll speak,” I said.

I had already decided that I would be the one to do the talking, so that wasn’t an issue. Still, the atmosphere was so contrived and unnatural that it threw me off completely. I should just get this over with quickly. No doubt there’d be a barrage of questions later anyway.

“Umm… First, the most important point. During our recent discussion, Sara-san’s father acknowledged our relationship and gave us his blessing. I owe it all to everyone here—truly, thank you so much!”

We hadn’t coordinated beforehand, but just as I bowed my head, Sara bowed as well. Even though I was the one speaking, it felt like she was standing right beside me in spirit, and that made me happy.

“There were a lot of twists and turns, and things went in directions we hadn’t expected, but the conclusion didn’t change. So… Sara-san and I are, for now at least, officially engaged.”

Toudou & Tachikawa: “Kyaaaa!!”
Everyone: “Congratulations!!!”
Clap clap clap clap clap!

Cheers erupted from Toudou-san and the others, followed by a wave of loud applause. While I was happy—of course I was—the whole setup still felt far too staged. It just didn’t sit right with me… and honestly, it made it hard to respond naturally.

Why did it suddenly feel like I was at a press conference?

Sara: “…Eri, I think that’s enough. Kazunari-san looks rather troubled. You’re pushing things a bit far now, even for me.”

Nishikawa: “Ugh…”
Natsumi: “Told you it would turn out like this.”
Hanako: “Trying to be clever was pointless. You should’ve just braced yourself and gone with it.”

Sara-san’s voice, laced with quiet fury, caused Nishikawa-san to visibly flinch. Judging from what Sara-san and Hanako-san said, this whole setup was Nishikawa-san’s doing—though her exact intentions remained unclear.

Nishikawa: “Fine, I get it. I’ll do it properly. Sorry, it’s a bit early, but let’s move on to the next arrangement!”

As she called out into the room, staff members appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Before I knew it, the room’s layout had completely transformed, and a table had been set up at the center where food was already being prepared. They even set up what looked like a kitchen station by the wall, and a chef appeared.

…What is even happening?

Me: “Uh…”
Natsumi: “Ahaha, sorry, Takanashi-kun. For Eri’s dignity, please don’t ask why.”

Me: “R-Right. I guess I won’t.”

I didn’t understand—but I decided to pretend I did.

One thing was clear: Nishikawa-san had orchestrated this.

Nishikawa: “Natsumi, don’t make it sound worse than it is!”
Toudou: “Still, with how awkward everything was earlier, this might’ve made it easier for us to talk.”
Hayato: “Toudou-san, you probably shouldn’t say that out loud.”

Huh? What did they mean by that?
I was curious, but I had already promised not to ask.

Nishikawa: “We still have a bit of time before the food is ready, so let’s open up the floor for free conversation. And… please, be gentle.”

Despite not having said much yet, Nishikawa-san already looked as though she feared what was coming. That in itself was suspicious… but maybe I shouldn’t ask.

Yuuji: “Kazunari, what did your parents have to say about all this?”

Me: “They’ll give a formal response when we have the meeting with Sara’s parents. But my dad said he has no intention of objecting, and my mom told me not to hesitate.”

Hayato: “Sounds like things will go smoothly, then. Congratulations.”
Toudou: “Once again, congratulations, Takanashi-kun!”

With everyone now speaking normally, I could finally relax and express my thanks freely.

Me: “Thanks, everyone. Also, Toudou-san—I want to thank you separately for helping with Yukie-san.”

Sara: “And from me as well. Thank you for reaching out to my grandmother.”

Toudou: “Eh!? W-Well… when you put it like that… I feel like maybe I overstepped…”

Thanks to Yukie-san’s appearance, convincing Masaomi-san had gone smoothly. We were deeply grateful. Toudou-san, though, seemed unaware of just how helpful her actions had been, and was clearly flustered by our gratitude.

Nishikawa: “Yes, and thanks to meeting Yukie-san, I was also able to convey my father’s message.”
Tachikawa: “You were amazing, Marina!”
Toudou: “Ugh… I appreciate it, but please stop! I’m seriously dying here…”

Complimented from all sides, Toudou-san turned bright red and darted behind Hayato in embarrassment—a rare reaction from her. What surprised me more, though, was that she instinctively turned to Hayato for cover. Judging by his stunned but pleased expression, he hadn’t expected it either.

Hanako: “So, you’re becoming a son-in-law, right? Did your parents say anything else?”

Hanako-san tugged on my sleeve, signaling that she was changing the topic to help Toudou-san out.

Me: “Well… we also talked about my future plans. If I want to join Saba Corporation, I’ll need a good academic background, so I was told to work hard.”

Hanako: “I see. So, are you going to join Saba?”
Me: “Once I’m in university, I’m supposed to help out with Sara’s father’s work while I study.”

Hanako & Nishikawa: “I see…”

They both seemed deep in thought, as if silently agreeing on something.

Sara: “I’ll be attending the same university as Kazunari-san. We’ll study hard together.”

Natsumi: “Wait, wasn’t your dream to become a preschool teacher?”
Nishikawa: “Yes, I recall hearing that as well.”

A preschool teacher? That was news to me. I’d never heard Sara mention it—not even once. It suddenly dawned on me that I’d never actually asked about her dreams for the future. I’d simply assumed she was aiming for college.

…Did she change her plans just to match mine?

If she had another dream, I didn’t want her to give it up.

Me: “Sara… did you want to become a preschool teacher? If so—”

Sara: “Please wait. Things are different now. It’s not something I was hiding from you.”

Before I could finish, she already seemed to anticipate what I’d say. Her expression was slightly troubled, but she met my gaze directly, as if silently asking me to trust her.

Sara: “Before I met you, Kazunari-san… I had no dreams. I was so focused on maintaining a façade that I couldn’t even consider the future.”

Her words, spoken with quiet self-awareness, reminded me that if I’d remained in the same situation as before, I too wouldn’t have had the luxury of thinking about the future.

Sara: “The only solace I found back then was in children. Kids who visited my grandmother’s shrine often played with me. They were so innocent and sweet—it was a healing time for me.”

She spoke slowly, as if revisiting distant memories. Children had likely been the only ones she could truly interact with, free of judgment.

Sara: “I realized I could connect with children without fear. So I thought maybe I should pursue a career involving kids. That’s why I considered becoming a preschool teacher.”

Thinking back, she had always been warm and gentle when with Mio-chan. No wonder Mio had taken to her so quickly.

Even if she called it a “simple” idea, it sounded like something she was well-suited for. If she still wanted to, I should support her.

Sara: “However!!”

Just as I was thinking that, she raised her voice to cut through the atmosphere and reset the conversation. Her earlier hesitation was gone, replaced by confidence.

Sara: “Meeting Kazunari-san changed me. I fell in love with him. Being with him gave me a new dream.”

Everyone fell silent, listening intently to her words.

Sara: “I sincerely apologize for not telling you about my plans earlier. I only changed my major, not my entire path. I’m not forcing myself to do anything. Since Kazunari-san is aiming for Saba, I want to support him—and that is what makes me happy.”

There was no trace of doubt in her eyes. I could tell, without question, that she meant every word.

Honestly, it wasn’t strange that her dreams had changed. She herself had changed.

Toudou: “But Satsukawa-senpai still loves kids, right? You were so sweet to Mio-chan. She keeps saying she wants to see you again!”

Given how Sara acted around Mio, it was only natural people saw her that way.

Sara: “That makes me happy. Please tell her I’d love to see her again too.”

Maybe I should ask Toudou-san to bring Mio over next time. They’d both be thrilled.

Natsumi: “Mio-chan? Oh, the girl from the convenience store, right? That was dangerous with Eririn around.”

Nishikawa: “What do you mean by that?”
Natsumi: “Well, Sara was holding the kid while Takanashi-kun was being all sweet with her, and…”

As Natsumi spoke, Nishikawa-san’s face grew darker. But why…?

Nishikawa: “Engaged already… married soon… they’ll be a couple… and me? Sara’s moving forward and I’m… what? The only person who ever confessed to me was that jerk…?”

She began muttering darkly, as if casting a spell. The air around her felt… ominous.

Nishikawa: “I’m going to end high school without romance, without youth? Sara’s getting engaged, Natsumi’s with Tachibana… and me?”

In that moment, Nishikawa-san overlapped in my mind with the dark version of her that once appeared at Sara’s birthday party. A reliable person, yes—but also prone to breaking down spectacularly.

Hanako: “Still got that dark streak, huh?”
Toudou: “Hanako-san, what do you mean?”

Tachikawa: “Honestly, when I see Satsukawa-senpai with Takanashi-kun, I can totally picture her as a preschool teacher. It just fits.”

Wait—why would that image make her seem like a preschool teacher? …They’re not calling me a kid, are they?

Sara: “Yes, I do love being around children. That hasn’t changed. But I don’t need to make it my profession. Someday, in the future…”

Her voice trailed off, and she blushed, tugging on my sleeve. I didn’t know what she was going to say—but it was clear that it embarrassed her.

Sara: “You see… back then, I never imagined I’d get married…”

Nishikawa: “Wait—stop right there, Sara!! Don’t say another word!! I get it, okay?!”

Though she had drifted into despair just moments ago, Nishikawa-san sprang back to life in a panic.

Hanako: “Ah, I see.”
Nishikawa: “Hanako-san, please don’t!! Don’t say anything more!!”

Hanako: “So in other words…”
Nishikawa: “Nooooooo!! I don’t want to hear it!!”

Nishikawa-san’s scream drowned out Hanako’s words, cutting her off. Neither I, Yuuji, nor Hayato said anything. We knew instinctively that any comment would only dig our graves deeper.

We didn’t know what Sara was about to say—not really.

But when I glanced at the blushing faces of Toudou-san and Tachikawa-san, and then at Sara, hiding shyly beside me, I had a feeling… that maybe I already knew the answer.