Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 254: Fiancée.

Fiancée.

At present, it was as if Mayumi-san had claimed the entire stage for herself, passionately singing my praises with no sign of slowing down.

And how did things end up like this in the first place, you ask…?

It all started with one simple question from my mom:

“He hasn’t been causing you any trouble, has he?”

That was the spark.

From there, Mayumi-san launched into a relentless wave of stories and compliments—and to make matters worse, Sara-san jumped right in, amplifying the momentum even further.

The part about my part-time job was something Mom didn’t know about at all (since I never told her), and Sara-san, who’d been away on the school trip, only had a vague idea. Which probably made Mayumi-san even more fired up to fill in the gaps.

“Even though he was clearly exhausted from working multiple jobs, he never once slacked off. He worked so diligently, even with his body worn out and a wound on his hand… all because he wanted to make Sara-chan happy. Seeing him like that—it was just so earnest, so adorable…”

As she said this, Mayumi-san wiggled in her seat as if overcome by emotion, enthusiastically extolling my virtues. I had no idea why she was twisting around like that, but at least it was clear that she was genuinely praising me.

“My, I never knew Kazunari had such dependability in him,” Mom remarked.

“Mother,” Sara-san said with a gentle smile, “Kazunari-san is a man who holds his own sense of pride and purpose. I’ve seen that side of him many times—and each time, I find myself falling for him all over again.”

Sara-san, who had been listening intently to Mayumi-san’s story about my part-time work, now seemed a little carried away by her own emotions.

“Well, hearing that makes me happy as a mother, but… in reality, he still relies entirely on you, you know?”

“Not at all. In fact, I prefer it that way,” Sara-san replied without hesitation. “Because when it matters most, Kazunari-san always shows me how reliable he can be as a man. That’s why… I want him to lean on me without hesitation the rest of the time. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“When he does lean on me like that… he’s just so adorable. It makes me happy too.”

As she spoke, Sara-san looked into my eyes, her cheeks faintly flushed, her expression filled with warmth.

Hearing both Mayumi-san’s and Sara-san’s words made me genuinely happy—but being showered with praise all evening, and then having the woman I love look at me like that… well, no man alive could sit through that without feeling embarrassed.

“Kazunari-san, your face is completely red.”

“W–well, that’s because…”

“Fufu… you’re so cute.”

Sara-san (and Mayumi-san, for that matter) often called me cute. To be honest, being called that as a guy feels… complicated. But, if I’m being honest with myself, a part of me can’t help but be happy when she says it.

“Oh, by the way, Kazunari-kun,” Mayumi-san suddenly interjected, “what ever happened to that injury of yours?”

She seemed to have remembered it out of the blue and started glancing at my right hand.
The scar was still faintly visible, but the pain was long gone. It was a little stiff, but otherwise completely healed.

Whether it will fade completely or not, I don’t know—but to me, that mark feels like a medal of honor.

The proof of the first time I ever worked for Sara-san’s sake. Even if it stayed forever, I wouldn’t mind.

“It’s fine, really. Doesn’t hurt at all anymore.”

“Kazunari-san, may I see your hand?”

As she said that, Sara-san gently took my right hand from the table, cupping it softly between her palms. She brought it closer to her, spreading my fingers open with delicate care. Her fingertips traced slowly over the faint scar, as if checking its condition.

It… tickled a little.

“How is it, Sara-chan?”

“It’s healed quite a bit… though the scar’s still there.”

Ever since that day, Sara-san had been tending to my hand every single day. Even after I told her it was fine, she refused to stop until she saw me move it freely without issue.

Maybe seeing it again today brought those memories back.

“Sara-san, like I said before—this scar…”

“Yes, I know. It’s something precious to you. I’d never be so tactless as to think of it any other way. But still… I love even this scar. Because it’s proof of how deeply you cared for me.”

She understood my feelings completely. Maybe I was the only one who’d misunderstood, thinking she was worried about it.

Lovingly, tenderly, she caressed the scar several more times before slowly leaning down toward my hand—

Chuu…

Before I could react, her lips brushed softly against the scar.
A warm, delicate kiss.

The ticklish sensation made me flinch a little, which made her giggle—but she didn’t stop.

Chuu… Chuu…

Two, three times, she moved her lips, planting gentle kisses here and there, as if cherishing each one.

It was sweet—too sweet—and I was already reaching my limit from the mix of embarrassment and tingling warmth.

“S–Sara-san!”

“Does it tickle?”

“Eh? Y–yeah, a little… and, um…”

“Fufu… then, just one last time…”

Chuu…

Her final kiss lingered a little longer than the rest.
Warmth spread through my palm, and when she finally lifted her face, she wore such a wistful, tender expression that my heartbeat quickened all over again.

…What am I even supposed to do with this hand now?

“Forgive me,” she murmured softly. “I got carried away while looking at your scar.”

Her cheeks were pink, and she looked at me with those gentle eyes—but she still didn’t let go. Her fingers kept playing with my hand, stroking, pressing softly… almost like she was toying with it.

“Ah… eh…”

“Wh–wh–what…”

“…”

“…Hieee…”

“W–what was that just now…”

“Jeez…”

“M–Mayumi-san… I’ve heard rumors from the other girls in the student council room, but… are they always like this?”

“Nfufu~ yes, Sara-chan’s the very forward one, you see. I’m as surprised as you are.”

Despite her words, Mayumi-san didn’t look surprised in the slightest. In fact, she was clearly enjoying the show, smiling mischievously the entire time.

Mom, on the other hand, was completely frozen—her face a perfect portrait of bewilderment as she stared at us.

***

“Thank you for waiting~”

The food we ordered finally arrived, breaking up the increasingly dangerous flow of conversation. Honestly, it was a relief. Being praised nonstop like that had already pushed me to my limit.

Once the meal began, the conversation turned to harmless topics—daily life, recent events—and the mood softened. Sara-san and I joined in here and there, and the atmosphere stayed warm and cheerful.

But just when I thought things had finally calmed down…

The parents started another “discussion” about their children.

Deciding not to get dragged into it, I focused instead on the cake in front of me.

Sara-san, doing the same, neatly cut her slice into bite-sized pieces.

I found myself watching her without really meaning to—and when she happened to look up, our eyes met perfectly. After a brief moment of surprise, she smiled sweetly and held out her fork toward me.

“Here, Kazunari-san. Say ahh~.”

Nom.

…Yeah. Delicious.

“““———!?!?”””

Huh?
Was it just me, or did the whole restaurant go silent for a second?

Anyway, I hadn’t meant to stare at her because I wanted a bite, but apparently she’d misunderstood. Sara-san, looking quite pleased, watched me chew while smiling happily.

I felt a little bad, though—after all, that was her cake. I’ll let her have some of mine later to make up for it.

“Fufu… don’t move, okay?”

Once I’d swallowed, she took a napkin and gently wiped around my mouth. Maybe a bit of cream had gotten on me.

She leaned in close, carefully dabbing at my lips—far closer than necessary.

“Guhhh…”

“Wh–wh–what—”

“…”

“Ahh… between the kiss earlier and this, there’s no mistaking it—those two are totally in love.”

“She looks so happy fussing over him…”

“Look, their friends over there just gave up and faceplanted on the table.”

“S–Sara-san…”

“Ah, don’t move yet.”

I think she’d already wiped every possible spot, but she was still at it. Maybe she just wanted an excuse to keep touching me.

“Honestly… how long are you going to let her dote on you like this?” Mom sighed, glaring at me.

“It’s not like I’m—”

“Kazunari-san, bad.”

Caught off guard, I moved slightly—and Sara-san immediately scolded me with a gentle “me!”

“S–sorry…”

“Fufu… it’ll be done soon. Be a good boy, alright?”

Even as I blushed furiously, I could feel countless eyes from nearby tables drilling into me. But Sara-san, completely unbothered, looked as cheerful as ever.

“All done!”

“I’m sorry, Sara-chan. My son’s always causing trouble for you.”

“Mother, please don’t apologize. Taking care of Kazunari-san is something I truly enjoy—it’s no trouble at all. Please, leave everything to me.”

“Haa… just make sure you treasure her, alright?”

“You don’t even need to say it,” I replied.

“Don’t worry, Fuyumi-san. Kazunari-kun really does cherish Sara-chan. Isn’t that right, Kazunari-kun?”

“Eh? Y–yeah.”

Something about the way Mayumi-san said cherish carried another layer of meaning, but…

There’s no need for anyone to tell me to treasure her.

For me, that’s already the most natural thing in the world—and something I’ll never forget for as long as I live.

***

“Well then,” Mayumi-san said, her tone suddenly turning serious, “shall we move on to the main topic?”

Once the meal and small talk were over, she straightened her posture, eyes calm and focused.

“We’ll discuss the details properly when my husband joins us for the formal meeting, but for now, we—our family—would like to welcome Kazunari-kun as our son-in-law.”

“Yes, you mentioned that before,” Mom replied. “I understand there are some circumstances behind it.”

“That’s right. There are company matters involved, and we’ll explain everything during the family meeting. It’s… quite a complicated issue.”

“I see. Then we’ll wait until then. Either way, my husband and I have already agreed that this decision is entirely up to Kazunari. It’s his life, after all. As parents, we won’t oppose whatever he decides. Honestly, I still think Sara-chan’s far too good for our foolish son, but… we’re grateful all the same.”

Given the gravity of the topic, Mom had shed her usual casual demeanor, speaking seriously with Mayumi-san. Seeing her like that was… honestly, rare.

“Thank you. Then, shall we consider the engagement unofficially settled for now?”

“Yes, that’s fine. He may be unreliable, but please take good care of him.”

And with that, it was official.

Sara-san and I… were now engaged.

I’d looked it up online before—apparently, “engaged” just means a promise to marry; there’s no legal paperwork or anything, just an understanding between two people.

Still, there are symbols of that promise—things to represent it.
I might not be able to prepare something extravagant right now, but… I want to give Sara-san something heartfelt, something that could serve as a small charm of sorts. A true gift, once the time is right.

After that… there’s the Miss Contest.

“Excuse me,” Sara-san said suddenly, “may I say something before we finish? And… would it be all right if I moved to Kazunari-san’s side?”

She had been listening quietly until now, but after Mom’s words, she spoke up with unusual resolve.

Mayumi-san, sensing her sincerity, nodded without her usual teasing.

Once Sara-san took the seat beside me, she faced Mom directly—and then bowed deeply.

“Mother, thank you so very much for acknowledging me as Kazunari-san’s fiancée. I’ll offer my formal greetings again when Oto-sama is present, but for now, please allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude. From this day forward—and for all the days to come—as the woman who will one day become Kazunari-san’s wife…”

“““EHHHHHHHHHH!?!?!?”””

“I will strive to become someone worthy of him. Please, continue to guide me.”

If we’d been at home, she probably would’ve been kneeling in formal seiza, hands neatly placed in front of her—it was that solemn.

“W–wife!?”

“D–does that mean… marriage!?”

“C–can we even talk about this at school!? Isn’t this like… a huge deal!?”

“Probably. The ones who just left the restaurant look like they’re in shock.”

“Ahaha, Sara-chan really is earnest,” Mom said with a laugh. “Never thought I’d live to hear words like that directed at me. Well then—allow me to say it too: I look forward to having you as family.”

“Yes! Thank you so much… Mother.”

When she finished, Sara-san exhaled softly, the tension melting from her shoulders.
I gently patted her head, and she happily linked her arm with mine, leaning against me with a contented sigh.

And with that, today’s purpose was fulfilled—our parents’ approval, and Sara-san’s formal greeting.

Now, it was my turn to step up.

To honor the promise I made with Masaomi-san about my future…
To keep the one I made with Mayumi-san in my personal life…

And when I’ve fulfilled both—
That’s when Sara-san and I will take the next step forward.

But for now…

First, the Miss Contest.

For Sara-san’s sake.