Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 290: Facing Things Head-On.

Facing Things Head-On.

In the end, dinner turned into quite the commotion, but once the lively meal finally wrapped up, we settled into our usual relaxed post-dinner tea time.

School topics had run their course, and the hour was growing late. Just then, as if the thought had suddenly occurred to him, Masaomi-san changed the subject.

“Ah, yes—that’s right. About the meeting with Kazunari-kun’s parents… It looks like we’re settling on the Sunday two weeks from now. How does that work for your schedule?”

“Uh, I’m free. Sara-san…?”

Right… So the formal meeting had been decided.

It felt like the final step, yet at the same time everything between us was already settled. So maybe the actual face-to-face greeting wouldn’t be as nerve-wracking as I’d feared?

“I’m available as well. Fufu… I’ll finally get to greet Otou-sama properly, and meet Okaa-sama too. I’m looking forward to it already.”

“I’ve only spoken to them over the phone, so I’m a little nervous… but mostly I’m just excited to meet the parents who raised such a wonderful boy.”

“Come on, they’re just ordinary parents. Nothing special.”

They didn’t hold positions like Masaomi-san, and they weren’t stunning beauties who turned heads like Mayumi-san. Truly average, everyday mom and dad.

“Haha, in that sense we’re the same. But watching you, Kazunari-kun… it makes me genuinely want to meet them.”

“H-Huh…”

“Nfufu. It means your parents must be wonderful people, since they raised such a good boy like you.”

“N-No, ‘good boy’ is…”

I knew it wasn’t the same “good boy” Sara-san (and Hanako-san) always teased me with, but still—I wasn’t used to being praised like that. And it felt a little like they were idealizing my parents more than they deserved.

“I spoke with Fuyumi-san during the parents’ observation day. She was a truly lovely mother. She doted on Sara-chan so sweetly too.”

“Yeah… Okaa-san really adores Sara-san.”

“Fufu… I adore Okaa-sama too. I want to hear more stories about Kazunari-san, and learn some of her cooking secrets as well.”

Sara-san seemed to hold Okaa-san in especially high regard, and the feeling was mutual—Okaa-san had taken to Sara-san right away. Of course that was wonderful, but I still couldn’t quite get over the fact that Okaa-san had that side to her.

“You—don’t start thinking anything strange like you did with Kazunari-kun. This is an extremely important occasion.”

“I-I know! I felt bad about that too, you know.”

“If you cause any trouble for Kazunari-san, I absolutely won’t forgive you.”

“S-Sara, at least trust me that much…”

There wasn’t a hint of jest in Sara-san’s expression.

This was a 100% serious warning.

But honestly… after everything today, I was pretty sure Masaomi-san was already fine.

“Sara-san, it’s okay. Masaomi-san truly accepts us now.”

“…Kazunari-san?”

“So you don’t have to worry—he’ll support us properly. And my parents aren’t the type to fuss over small details anyway.”

Maybe because of what happened earlier, I felt an unusually strong urge to back Masaomi-san up.

Before I realized it, the words had slipped out naturally.

“Kazunari-kun…”

Masaomi-san looked incredibly pleased… but even more than that—Mayumi-san! Mayumi-san was—

“Kazunari-kun!! How can you say something so adorable!?”

Mayumi-san lunged toward me (or at least moved like she was about to)—

…but of course, Sara-san stepped in even faster, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me safely away from Mayumi-san.

“Honestly… not a single moment of peace.”

“Nnnh, Sara-chan…”

“Hahaha. I can understand how Mayumi feels, but Kazunari-kun is Sara’s fiancé. Let’s keep it at that.”

“…Dear?”

“…Otou-san?”

This…

Masaomi-san must have felt the same way I did after what happened earlier.

If so… no, it had to be.

And that made me happy.

“Sorry, Kazunari-kun. Anyway, rest assured about the meeting. I’ll make sure to greet your parents properly so you won’t be embarrassed.”

“Yes, I’m fine with it. Please handle explaining things to them, Otou-san.”

“Kazunari-san…”

“Kazunari-kun…?”

It might sound inappropriate, but… somehow I felt that the older brother or sister Sara-san never got to meet had given Masaomi-san and me a little push—a gift that brought us closer.

***

Night.

The eventful day had finally come to an end. All that remained was sleep.

As usual, Sara-san slipped into the futon first, and I followed right after.

Immediately she pulled me into her arms and began gently stroking my head.

“Kazunari-san, thank you for your hard work today.”

“You too, Sara-san. It really was… a lot today.”

“Yes. Quite an intense day. Though I have no intention of brushing off what happened this morning with just ‘it was intense.’”

“Right… I hope something like that never happens again.”

Honestly, all I’d heard from our homeroom teacher was that everything was “taken care of.” I had no idea if there’d been any punishment or consequences, but at this point I had to leave it to the teacher.

Besides… for some reason, I vaguely remembered the teacher saying something supportive about us before.

“For now, it seems Sensei handled it somehow, so let’s keep an eye on things. If they ever show up in front of you again, I won’t hold back.”

“Sara-san, if that happens, I’ll deal with it. So please don’t put yourself in danger by standing in front. That kind of thing… is a man’s responsibility.”

It might not carry much weight coming from someone who’s always been protected by Sara-san, but…

If something like this escalated, the consequences could be unpredictable.

So if anyone had to stand at the front, it should be me.

Besides… things would probably be settled soon anyway.

“Kazunari-san, I appreciate the sentiment, but I also—”

“Then at least stay behind me. Support me from behind. That alone would be enough for me.”

I knew it sounded a little cheesy, but if it convinced Sara-san, that was fine.

If our positions were reversed, I doubted I could easily say “just leave it to me” either.

“Understood. Then, as my true wish, I will support you from behind. But right now…”

She tightened her embrace.

I wasn’t entirely sure what she meant by “as my true wish,” but if it satisfied her, that was enough.

As long as Sara-san had my back, I knew I could never lose.

“By the way, Kazunari-san… did something happen with Father today?”

“Eh!?”

“I see. So something did. The two of you were clearly different from usual.”

Crap…

She hit the nail on the head, and I overreacted.

Now she was definitely going to ask for details…

But maybe if I framed it as something that started from the present, she’d accept it?

Above all, that one thing—I absolutely couldn’t tell her yet.

“Was it… really that obvious?”

“Yes. Even considering you gave Father a present, your relationship suddenly grew closer—your distance shrank. Of course, if you’ve become closer with Father, I’m happy about it. There’s no problem with that.”

From Sara-san’s perspective too, it must have looked like Masaomi-san and I had grown dramatically closer.

It was flattering that it showed even to others… but surely one present alone couldn’t explain that much change.

“I guess… honestly, I feel it too. So I’m happy about it.”

“If it’s not too much trouble… may I ask what happened?”

Well… of course it would come to this.

If I said it was a secret, Sara-san would probably respect it and not press.

But since the opportunity was here—maybe I could at least tell her that Masaomi-san truly cherished her?

Hearing it directly from him might make her guarded, but if it came from me…

“When I gave Masaomi-san the present, he was really happy. So while we were talking about the part-time job, we ended up discussing a lot. About the time Sara-san was born, and how he felt about me… things like that.”

“Wh-When I was born? He talked about that too?”

She clearly hadn’t expected the conversation to go that deep; her surprise was genuine.

I tended to be easy to read, so if I tried to hide things clumsily she’d notice right away. Better to just say the parts I wanted to convey directly.

“Yes. How overjoyed the two of them were when Sara-san was born… how Masaomi-san had wanted a girl… things like that.”

“Father did? I-I see… That’s a little embarrassing… I don’t even know what to say…”

Talking about the moment she came into the world—yeah, that would feel embarrassing.

If Sara-san told my parents similar stories about me, I’d probably feel the same.

But if I let her dig too deep here I might slip up, so better move on quickly…

“And then… he told me that since Sara-san—the person so precious to him—chose me, he was prepared to accept me no matter what. Even if he didn’t say it out loud, the answer was already decided from the beginning.”

“…I see…”

“Yes. Because it was the person Sara-san chose, he said there couldn’t possibly be anything wrong with me. He could trust me completely. So he was always going to accept us.”

“………”

I couldn’t tell exactly what Sara-san was feeling, but… at the very least, I hoped she understood how much Masaomi-san treasured her.

That was what I believed.

“After today, he said he realized once again that he truly thinks of me as his real son—not ‘like’ a son, but his actual son. So I was happy… and I felt, truly, that I’d become part of the Satsukawa family.”

“Kazunari-san…”

“That’s why I think what you sensed was our feelings drawing closer. Masaomi-san called me his real son, and I… of course Mayumi-san too… I can now see them as my real father and mother. I really feel like I’ve become family.”

There hadn’t been any real distance between us before—I already loved both Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san. Things had been fine as they were.

But after today, both Masaomi-san and I could say “real” instead of “like real.”

That subtle shift must have been what Sara-san picked up on.

“I see… So that’s what happened. Father… saying those things… that Father…”

It wasn’t exactly shock, but she was clearly surprised—taken aback in a big way.

But that just meant she’d properly understood what I said.

And that she was thinking seriously about Masaomi-san.

“Yes. So after today, I feel even closer to him. Now I can call him Otou-san with complete sincerity.”

“I see…”

“Yes. So Sara-san… please try to trust Masaomi-san a little more. About the arranged marriage too—he just didn’t know about me yet. And he said because it was the person you chose, he was ready to accept me unconditionally. He treasures you so much, trusts you so completely—that’s why he believed in me right away.”

“…………”

She hugged me tighter.

Sara-san squeezed me with even greater strength, as if pouring out some deep emotion.

My words had reached her. She understood Masaomi-san’s feelings… I could feel it.

Surely…

“Thank you, Kazunari-san. To think Father was thinking that much about me… I never noticed. No—I simply never tried to face him.”

“Sara-san…”

“I think… I’ll try facing Father a little more. Especially since the person most important to me is asking me to… Though I can’t promise unconditional trust just yet… fufu.”

“Haha, that’s fine. Family getting along well is what matters most.”

Good…

Even a small step forward was enough for now.

But Sara-san had decided to face him more earnestly than I’d expected—a little surprising, but definitely a good thing. No need to worry about that.

Now if only their relationship could improve even a little…

“Yes. Thank you… truly. But…”

Sara-san cradled my head and gently pressed my face into the heavenly softness of her chest—deeply, deeply—while her hands stroked my hair with tender care.

“…Kazunari-san, really… how far will you make me fall for you all over again? How many times do I have to fall in love with you, how many times do I have to wish to be united with you?”

“S-Sara-san?”

“I love you. From the bottom of my heart, I love you. I was born to be united with you… I truly believe that. No—I know it absolutely. And when I think that way… gratitude naturally wells up toward the parents who brought me into this world… toward Father.”

Sara-san really never wavers…

Finding a reason to be grateful to Masaomi-san through her feelings for me.

But whatever the reason, if it became the trigger for her to face him—Otou-san—then that was fine.

If anything, if I could be that trigger… that might actually be an honor.

“You’re right. But then… in the sense that they brought Sara-san into the world, I also want to express the greatest gratitude to Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san.”

“Fufu… but the same goes for you, doesn’t it?”

“Huh?”

The same for me?

There didn’t seem to be anything in our conversation that led to that.

“Kazunari-san… I would like to visit your family home… to go to your hometown, if I may put it a little dramatically.”

“…My…?”

“Yes. So… please speak properly with Otou-sama and Okaa-sama. The fact that you almost never talk about your family home, that you rarely contact your parents, that you’ve never gone back even once…”

“—!?”

So that’s what she meant…

Just as she’d found gratitude toward Masaomi-san and decided to face him…

She was telling me to do the same.

Of course Sara-san had noticed…

“The family meeting will be the perfect opportunity for that too. Today’s conversation was completely unexpected, but because it happened, I finally found the resolve to tell you this. For your sake as well, I’ve decided to face Father. So Kazunari-san… if you need a reason, then please—for my sake—face your parents too.”

Honestly… it was like scales falling from my eyes.

But she was right.

In any case, I’d already planned to talk with my parents during the meeting—to some extent, at least. I wasn’t sure how far I could go, but I’d intended to try.

But if it was also for Sara-san’s sake…

Then I felt no fear at all.

And those words just now.

If I was going to thank Masaomi-san and Mayumi-san for bringing Sara-san into the world…

That meant I, too, was born to meet Sara-san.

If that was the case, then I wanted to thank the parents who brought me into this world—for that alone.

And thinking about Masaomi-san’s feelings toward Sara-san…

The joy her parents felt when she was born… surely my own parents felt the same when I was born.

When I thought of it that way, for the first time I felt I could face them with entirely new emotions.

“Thank you, Sara-san!”

“Kazunari-san?”

“I was already planning to talk with them during the meeting. I wasn’t sure how much I could say, but I wanted to try. But if it’s not just for me—if it’s for you too—then I’m confident I can face them properly. So…”

Without realizing it, I’d lifted my face from her chest.

Perfect timing.

To convey my feelings, my resolve, I gazed steadily into Sara-san’s beautiful eyes.

She looked back without shifting her gaze even a fraction—soft, overflowing with kindness.

“Soon… I promise I’ll definitely take you to my family home. I want you to see the house where I was born, the town where I grew up, all the places full of memories. So I—”

Mmm…

A déjà vu, but once again I couldn’t finish—Sara-san stole my lips.

The moment I saw her expression overcome with emotion, she was already kissing me.

But I’d already said almost everything I needed to…

“…Kazunari-san, you’re so unfair. Saying something that wonderful… I… I… Kazunari-san, one more time… mm.”

Mmm…

Her expression didn’t calm; instead she kissed me again. With my head cradled in her arms, I was completely at her mercy.

“Kazunari-san… I’m looking forward to it. But please don’t rush.”

“Yes—I promise. Absolutely.”

“I’m so happy. I love you… from the bottom of my heart, I adore you… my darling.”

“Me too… Sara.”

“Mm…”

Mmm…

The third kiss from Sara-san…

It felt like our feelings, our bond, had taken another step forward.

A kiss filled with boundless gentleness, leaving me wrapped in pure happiness.

***

After school, on the way to the student council room.

Today I’d come to school carrying the brooch especially to give to Hanako-san. So I could give it anytime… which ironically made the timing tricky.

But if I didn’t do it now, there wouldn’t be another chance today.

Handing it over in front of Sara-san would be far too tactless—I absolutely wouldn’t do that.

Which meant… now was my only shot.

“Kazunari… what’s wrong? You’ve been fidgety.”

“Eh!?”

“You’re acting all restless. If something’s bothering you, you can talk to your big sister, you know?”

Hanako-san tilted her head adorably and asked me curiously.

I knew I was acting suspiciously, so her word “restless” actually felt gentle—proof of her kindness.

Besides, it wasn’t like I was confessing or anything major. Why was I so nervous?

Okay…

“Hanako-san, it’ll be quick—just bear with me for a minute?”

“Right now?”

“Yeah. It really won’t take long.”

“Okay. If it’s Kazunari’s request, Onee-chan is happy to listen. Hug? Kiss? Anything goes.”

“No… that’s a bit…”

Was that a joke…?

But the way she said it so casually, so naturally—it didn’t sound like one.

If I actually asked for a kiss as a joke, she’d probably do it.

No… she definitely would. No doubt.

“Fufu… If Kazunari asks nicely, Onee-chan will do it right away.”

“………”

No good. Even as a joke, I couldn’t say that.

Better not say anything extra and just get to the point.

***

Before heading to the student council room, we took a small detour to our usual stair landing.

For better or worse, that spot had become our secret place—convenient in all sorts of ways.

“Kazunari, in a place this deserted… what exactly do you want Onee-chan to do for you?”

“W-Word choice!”

“Sorry. But seriously, what’s up all of a sudden?”

Worried she might get the wrong idea (even though I knew it was a joke), I quickly pulled the clumsily wrapped brooch from my bag.

“Kazunari?”

“Hanako-san, this is for you.”

When I held it out, she stared at it blankly.

She didn’t quite grasp the situation yet, but she seemed to understand the gesture—her expression was a mix of confusion and budding joy.

“…For me?”

“Yeah. Um… thank you for everything. From your little brother.”

Once I said that, realization finally dawned.

Hanako-san took it in both hands, her face blooming into an excited, delighted smile.

“Th-thank you… I’m… really, really happy.”

She cradled my gift like a treasure. She was already thanking me before even opening it—completely overcome with emotion.

But she was clearly dying to see what was inside, so I decided to nudge her.

“Hanako-san, we don’t have much time. Better open it soon if you’re going to.”

“Eh… y-yeah, open… I’ll open it!”

A little flustered, she carefully peeled away the wrapping with slightly trembling fingers.

The moment the brooch came into view, her movements froze.

By the way—unlike the one made especially for Sara-san, this brooch didn’t have any special custom piece.

That one was Sara-san exclusive.

This wasn’t about favoritism or distinction; it was just my own way of drawing a line—making sure I wasn’t treating Sara-san’s gift as something I handed out casually to everyone.

Even so…

I chose this one thinking of Hanako-san’s image.

A cluster of small, adorable flowers gathered together—a piece that had actually been quite difficult to make. My own labor of love.

“A brooch…”

“Um… I tried to pick something that suited Hanako-san’s image and everything. So…”

“I’m… happy…”

“—!?”

Hanako-san had been staring at it in a daze, but then she looked up at me… and at my face… tears gathering at the corners of her eyes…

“I’m happy… so happy… A present from Kazunari… really, truly… happy. You made it for me… you chose it thinking of me… Kazunari’s brooch…”

“…Hanako-san.”

Tears shimmering at the edges of her eyes, she gazed at the brooch with pure bliss.

To see her this happy…

“This is my treasure. The first important treasure… from my little brother… from Kazunari. I’ll cherish it… forever and ever.”

She cradled the brooch gently in both hands, her smile so radiant, so happy, that just looking at her filled me with warmth. She wiped the tears from her eyes with a delicate finger, yet never stopped smiling.

“…Thank you.”

“Why is Kazunari thanking me? That’s my line.”

“No… seeing you this happy makes me happy too.”

The words slipped out, but even I felt they were exactly right.

It was handmade, far from perfect—crooked in places, nothing anyone would call beautiful.

Yet Sara-san, Mayumi-san, Masaomi-san, and now Hanako-san—they had all rejoiced from the heart. They’d smiled genuinely.

How precious that was.

Thinking that, the thanks came naturally.

“Kazunari.”

Tug, tug.

Hanako-san gently pulled at my sleeve—the silent signal that she wanted me to lower my head so she could reach it for petting.

No reason to refuse.

I obediently bent down, bringing my head to the perfect height for her hand.

Stroke, stroke…

“Kazunari… thank you. I’m really happy. This brooch—I’ll treasure it forever.”

“If it made you this happy, then I’m glad too. But since I made it for you… feel free to use it whenever.”

“Mm. But it’s too precious, so I’ll think carefully about the right moment.”

“Got it. Then… once again—thank you for everything… Onee-chan.”

“…One more time.”

“Hanako-san?”

“Call me Onee-chan… one more time?”

Somehow her voice felt like it was right against my ear.

Being begged like this was a little embarrassing, but…

In a moment like this, I figured it was okay to give her what she wanted.

So…

“Thank you for everything… Onee-chan.”

“Mm. Kazunari… thank you. I love you ♪”

Mwah…

And then… a soft little kiss on my cheek from Hanako-san.