An Unexpected Visitor.

“So, what are you planning to do once everyone you’re waiting for shows up? You’ve already decided on a schedule, right?”

Uesaka-san suddenly asked, his eyes shifting back and forth between me and Nishikawa-san.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t really explained that part to him.

“Yes. Until Kazunari-kun and Sara finish their lunch break, we were thinking of having everyone who arrives walk around and look at the stalls together for a bit.”

“I-I see… And lunch? Is that already decided too? Were you planning to eat at one of the food stalls, or maybe buy something and… ah, you’re welcome to use the student council room, you know… so…”

I probably shouldn’t be the one saying this, but it was written all over Uesaka-san’s face in huge letters: I want to eat lunch together with Nishikawa-san.

I could understand the feeling, but we were looking forward to our own lunch too… so it wasn’t exactly something I could just hand over with a cheerful “Here you go!”

“Thank you very much. But lunch is already decided, so we’re fine. Right, Takanashi-kun?”

“Eh—y-yes. We’re all bringing our own bentos and eating together.”

Nishikawa-san passed the conversation to me with a bright, beaming smile that practically overflowed with cheerfulness. I knew she didn’t mean any harm, but the way she phrased it was practically guaranteed to make Uesaka-san misunderstand again…

“Bentos…? So Takanashi-kun too…?”

“Yeah… well, in my case, Sara won’t even let me stand in the kitchen. Speaking of which, Nishikawa-san, your bento…”

As we talked, I suddenly realized something. Nishikawa-san’s luggage consisted of nothing more than one cute little pouch. Nothing else.

“Eh? Ah, yes. I made one properly too. I asked someone to bring it later, so I don’t have it with me right now.”

“I see… By the way… Nishikawa-san, cooking…”

For some reason, I had the vague impression that she was the type who could do just about anything competently. She gave off the same kind of aura as Sara—probably the all-rounder type.

“Of course I can cook. I may not be on Sara’s level, but I’m confident I can do better than Natsumi-senpai.”

“Really? That’s something to look forward to!”

“Yes. Takanashi-kun will probably have his hands full with Sara’s and Hanako-san’s bentos, but please try at least a little of mine too, okay? It’s my first time having a man eat something I made, so I put in extra effort for today’s bento.”

“Ryouka…”

“F-First time!?”

Uesaka-san latched onto Nishikawa-san’s casual remark with abnormal intensity… but putting that aside.

It was true that Sara’s and Hanako’s bentos would probably be overwhelming for me, but I had already mentally prepared myself for that much. No problem there.

Besides, Sara had even reduced the portions a little, anticipating that I’d be eating other people’s food too…

“—!?”

While I was lost in thought, my vision suddenly went pitch black.

It wasn’t that night had fallen, nor was there anything wrong with my eyes. Someone had simply covered them from behind.

I had noticed earlier that Nishikawa-san and the others kept glancing not exactly at me… but more precisely, behind me. So that was what it was.

“Fufu… guess who~?”

A voice that carried a playful, mischievous lilt—different from usual—came from directly behind me.

There was no way I could mistake it.

“Sara.”

“Fufu, correct♪”

For a split second I considered pretending to hesitate, but Sara’s adorable little prank made me so happy that I answered instantly.

Even though we had already agreed on it beforehand, being suddenly separated from her right at the start of the fun school festival… honestly, I had felt a little lonely too.

“Welcome back, Sara.”

“I’m home. And before anything else—here’s a reward for Kazunari-kun for getting it right♪ Nn…”

Chuu…

The moment Sara leaned in close, a soft, blissful sensation pressed gently against my cheek.

Even that light touch was enough—Sara’s gentle kiss filled me with overwhelming happiness!

“Thank you, Sara.”

The kiss ended quickly, but somehow I still wanted to stay in contact with her a little longer…

I unconsciously started to reach out with my own hand—only to suddenly notice the stares pouring in from all around.

Looking properly, I saw members of the newspaper club watching from a distance, along with various other people…

But more than any of that, Nishikawa-san’s gloomy, darkened gaze was growing particularly intense… no, this was getting bad.

“…W-Wait!? W-What just… happened…!?”

“…H-Haha, no way, no way, it’s gotta be a hallucination… otherwise I’m in trouble, haha, I’d be in serious trouble!!”

“…W-What the hell was that just now…!?”

“…No way… no way, that’s definitely a lie…”

“Kyaaaa! Did you see that!? Did you see it!?”

“I saw it!! What what what!? Was that Satsukawa-san!?”

“Kyaaaaaaa!! The rumor that she’s dating the vice president was actually true!?”

“Idiot, that Satsukawa-san just kissed someone in public!?”

“Sara!? Do you even realize where we are right now!?”

“Welcome, Eri. You’re early. So… you were saying something about where we are? This is the main tent, but… is there a problem?”

“That’s not the issue!!!! This is in front of people!! If it was just in front of us, fine—but in public like this…! And Takanashi-kun must be troubled too, right!?”

“Huh?”

I understood what Nishikawa-san was saying, but honestly… I wasn’t troubled or bothered in the slightest.

All I felt was plain happiness—and how incredibly precious Sara was to me.

“Ah… I see, I see. So Takanashi-kun is the same as Sara. Yes, yes, of course you are, you hopeless lovey-dovey couple…”

Nishikawa-san’s utterly deadpan, exasperated stare stabbed straight through me.

And I hadn’t even said anything yet…

Why did everyone always read my mind like this…? It was honestly baffling.

At this point, maybe it wasn’t that I was too simple—it was that everyone around me was just too sharp.

“Eri, I don’t mind what you say about me, but I will absolutely not forgive you if you speak about Kazunari-kun in a way that mocks him.”

And just like that—the moment it concerned me, Sara’s sense of humor vanished completely. She immediately turned on Nishikawa-san.

“Hey, Sara… are you actually serious right now?”

“Of course I am. I would never joke about anything concerning Kazunari-kun.”

“Ohhh, I see… So that’s how it is. Female friendship really is nothing once a guy enters the picture…”

“That’s one thing, this is another. But isn’t it only natural that I, as the woman who will become Kazunari-kun’s wife, prioritize my future husband above all else?”

“Guh…! This—this normie!!”

…Being called a normie by Nishikawa-san felt strangely off.

Even when talking about romantic relationships, there was already a high-spec guy right in front of her, harboring feelings for her—she just hadn’t noticed.

“Um… sorry to interrupt your conversation. May I have a moment?”

A voice suddenly came from another direction, and only then did I realize a customer had arrived at the reception table.

Crap… I’d been so caught up in Sara and Nishikawa-san’s exchange that I’d completely neglected this side…

…Ehhhhh!?

W-Why is she here!?

“Ah, sorry. Excuse me… Is something the matter?”

Uesaka-san immediately switched on his refreshing smile and began handling the situation, but I was honestly in no state to follow suit. It wasn’t exactly a problem, and I wasn’t troubled, but… it was just so sudden that I was stunned.

“Um, Kazunari-kun, what should we—”

“Ahh, it really is Kazunari-kun! Long time no see~ You doing well?”

“““Kazunari-kun?”””

The person calling me “Kazunari-kun.”

A hearty, motherly smile that somehow reminded me of Okan. A slightly plump build, and a huge cloth headband that stood out just as much as her trademark hat—even from far away.

Her appearance was as unmistakable as ever.

“…Eh, Okaa-sama…?”

It seemed Sara had vaguely realized too. To anyone who knew her, the resemblance in atmosphere was unmistakable.

“Auntie, it’s been a while.”

“““Auntie!?”””

“Long time no see, Kazunari-kun. Well, we haven’t actually met face-to-face, but I did come check on you up until around May.”

“Eh!? You came!?”

That was news to me!

Did that mean she’d known Sara since back when she started coming to my house!?

“Ahaha, I didn’t go inside the house. I just occasionally checked on you after school. But since you never contacted me, I was seriously considering showing up unannounced at one point.”

“After school…? I never noticed at all.”

“I was being sneaky. But after Fuyumi started going to check on you directly, I held back… though…”

For some reason, Auntie’s smile turned deeply meaningful…

That was exactly the face Okan made whenever she was plotting something mischievous—or something I personally would not enjoy.

So… I had a very bad feeling about this.

“Mom, don’t just disappear like that. What are you doing here… oh?”

“Ah, Shinya-kun! Long time no see!”

“Kazunari! It’s been forever!”

The man who appeared following Auntie was Shinya-san… her son, in other words, my cousin.

A university student who had left home, so it had been quite a while since I last saw him.

“Shinya-san, you came back?”

“Yeah. A few things came up. I heard you were at this school, and since I’m an alum, I tagged along with Mom. Seriously, it’s been ages.”

“Yeah. You look well—that’s the important part.”

“Yep. I heard you were going through some rough stuff, so I was worried. But judging by how you look, you’re doing fine now?”

“Yeah. Sorry for worrying you. I’m okay now.”

“Looks like it. Good to hear. So, what are you doing here… wait…!?”

While talking to me, Shinya-san’s gaze suddenly froze on one spot inside the tent.

A very bad feeling… no, this wasn’t just a feeling anymore.

Which one was it?

Only two possibilities came to mind.

Surely not… both!?

“…………”

Shinya-san was staring fixedly at one point, seemingly unable to tear his eyes away.

If it was Nishikawa-san, that would be one thing—but if it was Sara… that gaze was far too dangerous.

Shinya-san was, after all, my cousin. For the sake of future family relations, I didn’t want any bad blood between him and Sara.

So maybe I should take the initiative and introduce them right now.

“Um, Auntie, Shinya-san, I’d like to introduce someone first—”

“Yes, yes, that’s exactly what I wanted to talk about. I heard a little from Fuyumi that thanks to a wonderful girl appearing in your life, Kazunari-kun, you managed to recover. She’s from this school, right? I’d love it if you introduced us.”

“W-What? Kazunari, you already have a girlfriend? Damn… Well, I’ve been ‘focusing on university studies,’ you know. I haven’t really had the time until now, but lately I’ve been thinking it’s about time I got myself a girlfriend too.”

Shinya-san kept flicking glances behind me while strangely emphasizing certain words.

Better introduce them quickly before things got even more complicated.

“…Sara.”

“Yes!”

The moment I called her name, Sara responded with obvious delight, as though she’d been waiting for this. She stepped right up beside me and gave a deep, extremely polite bow.

Auntie’s expression froze like she’d been shot with a peashooter… while Shinya-san remained stuck with a strange, twitching smile.

So it really was Sara he was staring at…

“Pleased to meet you… My name is Satsukawa Sara.”

“M-My, how polite… I’m Mizutani Kazumi.”

This was the first time I’d ever seen Auntie speak so formally. She looked unusually stiff—perhaps even a little overwhelmed by Sara.

“I apologize for the late introduction. Kazunari-kun and I are dating with the intention of marriage. I look forward to your kind support in the future.”

““…Huh?””

After hearing Sara’s impeccably polite greeting, the two of them let out dumbfounded noises and froze…

Still staring at Sara in a daze, each wearing a completely different expression…

“……Ma”

“……Ma… iag…”

Different expressions…

“‘M-Marriiiaaaaaage—!!!???’”

“ “‘Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh————————!!!!??’” “

W-What the hell!?

As if in response to Auntie and the others’ shock, an enormous, chorus-like scream erupted… and when I looked properly, a huge crowd had gathered around the tent!?

W-When did that happen…?

“M-M-M-Marriage!?”

“No way no way no way no waaay!?”

“But wait, would Satsukawa-san really lie about something like that!?”

“Shut uuuup!! If it’s a lie then say it’s a lie!!”

“Uooooooohhh!! I hadn’t even confessed yet!!!”

“Goddammit!!!”

“Wait, wait, wait—hold on, Kazunari!! Marriage? You’re still high school students!!??”

“D-Does Fuyumi and the others know!? And what about that young lady’s parents!?”

“Marriage isn’t something you just casually say like that!!”

The chaos inside and outside the tent had spiraled completely out of control.

People outside were arguing over whether to believe it or not, while Auntie and Shinya-san fired question after frantic question.

Their momentum was so intense I could barely get a word in…

“We are formally engaged. My parents have given their approval, and Kazunari-kun’s parents have also accepted. We are planning to have a formal meeting between families soon!”

“ “ “ !? “ “ “

At the perfect moment, Sara cut into the conversation with overwhelming conviction, stating everything clearly and decisively.

She included all the necessary explanations, and both the people around us and the two in front of us fell completely silent… so at least for now, they seemed to understand.

“K-Kazunari-kun… is it really true?”

“R-Really… you’re engaged… to her?”

“Y-Yes. Sara is my fiancée. Wait—didn’t Okan tell you?”

“N-No, she didn’t go that far… That Fuyumi, how could she leave out something so important…”

“Uooooohhh, for real…? That’s way too enviable…”

Even though the shock still lingered, it seemed they had properly understood Sara’s explanation. Still, the way Shinya-san dramatically hung his head was almost comical…

“” “Aaaaahahhhhhhhhhh…” ””

And just like Shinya-san, the group of guys who had also hung their heads let out bizarre shrieks and bolted off in the same direction at full speed…

Was there something over there?

“…Uesaka-san… those two seem weirdly used to this kind of chaos…”

“…Yeah. It’s just another day for them.”

“…Haa… What exactly are they doing at school…?”

“…Well, from their perspective, they’re just acting ‘normally’ and getting along. It’s everyone else who makes a fuss.”

“…I see… So it’s just ‘normal’ for them… Completely normal…”

On our side, they were somehow managing to have a normal conversation using us as the topic…

Uesaka-san looked strangely happy about it too.

Actually—he was grinning way too much.

***

“Kazunari-kun, a girl like this doesn’t come along often, you know?”

“Y-Yes, I know.”

After finishing the explanations (leaving out the cohabitation part), Auntie ended with a very classic, “you better treasure her” kind of line.

Rather than “doesn’t come along often,” I honestly couldn’t even imagine another woman like Sara existing… but even if one did, it wouldn’t matter—because I already had Sara.

“…No, seriously, a super beautiful girl who’s perfect at housework, has an amazing personality, and devotes herself completely to you—there’s no way anyone else like that exists… Kazunari, you’re way too lucky…”

Meanwhile, Shinya-san had been wearing a twitching smile this whole time, muttering something under his breath…

For some reason—even if not as intensely as Nishikawa-san—I could sense a faint dark aura flickering around him.

“Well then… our main goal is accomplished, and we shouldn’t keep bothering you while you’re working, so we’ll head out.”

Auntie quickly scanned the surroundings and abruptly declared that.

Perhaps she was reading the room, but honestly, I was grateful.

There was no way I could have said “Can you leave now?” myself.

And just like that, she half-dragged the still-muttering Shinya-san toward the school entrance.

For some reason, she had already put her phone to her ear…

…Yeah. Very bad premonition.

As I watched them go, the student council members began appearing one after another at the entrance, as though trading places with them. Looked like everyone had returned.

Among them were Hanako-san and Toudou-san… Had Hanako-san gone to help somewhere?

“Kyaaah! Nishikawa-san, long time no seeee!!”

“Yes, it has been a while.”

“Wowww, Nishikawa-san, haven’t you gotten even prettier?”

“Ahaha, I don’t think I’ve changed that much.”

While Nishikawa-san was happily reuniting with the upperclassmen, I felt a warm, fond sensation watching her.

On our side, we immediately began giving reports.

Then came the familiar “keeen…”—the distinct microphone feedback noise from the speakers.

Which naturally meant…

“Yahhooo~! Everyone having funnn? It’s Minamin’s recommended info timeeee!!”

“““Miiinaaamin!!!”””

The usual “Minamin call” echoed from inside the school building.

As energetic as ever.

The guests were laughing at them, though…

“Ah! Youko and Tachibana-kun are here!!”

Following Toudou-san’s unusually loud shout, I looked in that direction and saw Tachikawa-san jogging over while waving enthusiastically… and Yuuji walking at his usual relaxed pace behind her.

Looked like the two of them had come together.

“Sorry to keep you waitinggg~!!”

“Welcome, Youko!!”

Pan!

Tachikawa-san arrived at the tent one step ahead of Yuuji and immediately high-fived Toudou-san… then came straight toward me.

Guess I was next?

“Takanashi-kun, long time no seeee!”

“Yo, Tachikawa-san, welcome!”

Pan!

Along with our light greeting, a crisp, satisfying sound rang out around us.

Tachikawa-san was clearly in top form and excellent spirits today. She continued on, high-fiving Hanako-san, Nishikawa-san, and finally Sara in quick succession.

By the time that round was finished, Yuuji had arrived too.

“Good work, Yuuji.”

“Sorry, did I make you wait?”

“Come on, Tachibana-kun, stop acting cool and give me a high-five~!”

Tachikawa-san raised her hand cheerfully toward both me and Yuuji… She really was in an amazing mood.

“Fufu, things are getting lively.”

“Yeah. I’m starting to get excited too.”

“Me too.”

Sara and Hanako-san were both smiling happily, and just watching them made my own excitement grow even more…

Finally—the real fun of our school festival was about to begin!!

The anticipation was unstoppable!!

“—Ahem, this is a message from the broadcasting club. We’ve received multiple reports of strange behavior among several male students earlier, along with several tips about the suspected cause. I won’t say who, buuuut… a certain lovey-dovey couple near the school gate!! Your influence is way too strong, so please show some restraint!! …That is all~!”

Click

…Uh…

The moment the mic cut off, the excited atmosphere around us seemed to shut down too—falling into dead silence.

Mainly around me, that is.

And for some reason, everyone’s gazes had suddenly focused squarely on Sara and me.

Wait… surely that wasn’t about us… right?

“‘Couple’ implies lovers, but causing trouble for those around you isn’t good. Well, it has absolutely nothing to do with Kazunari-kun and me… By the way, everyone, why are you all looking at us like that?”

“ “…………” ”

Sara’s words weren’t a joke, nor was she waiting for a comeback.

And yet, the blank stares everyone was giving us almost seemed like they were trying to say something…

But we had no intention of bothering anyone—we were just getting along normally.

So surely Minamin wasn’t talking about us.

Everyone was just misunderstanding and staring at us… surely… probably… right?