When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 58: The Takamine Family's Lively Gathering.

The Takamine Family’s Lively Gathering.

“Cheers!”

The following evening, the Takamine family—plus me and Mikage—had gathered in the living room.

The table was packed with party-style dishes: chirashi sushi, sukiyaki, and an extravagant sashimi platter.

Of course, it made sense. After all, this was a celebration— a party to commemorate my relationship with Ayame.

“I wasn’t sure how things would turn out for a while, but it all worked out in the end!”

“Ayame, Tetsu-kun, congratulations.”

Gen-san, Yuri-san, Ayame’s father, and her grandmother all showered us with their congratulations.

I appreciated it, but honestly, being celebrated by my girlfriend’s entire family was beyond awkward. The embarrassment was almost unbearable.

Meanwhile, Ayame sat beside me with a radiant smile, as if the very words pure happiness were etched on her face. How was her mental fortitude this unshakable?

“What are you getting all shy for, Tetsu? Come on, lighten up!”

Just as I was trying to shrink into myself, Gen-san slung an arm around my shoulders. Maybe it was the alcohol, but he was even more energetic than usual.

“You did well responding to Ayame’s feelings! That’s the kind of man I knew you’d be! Take good care of her, alright?”

“Yes. I’ll do my best to support her.”

“Now that is a good answer!”

Gen-san grinned in satisfaction.

Seeing him so elated, Yuri-san let out a small sigh and smiled wryly.

“You say that now, but weren’t you all fired up yesterday, ready to carve Tetsu-kun into pieces?”

“…Huh?”

I froze in place.

“What’s in the past is in the past! As long as it ends well, that’s all that matters!”

“You’re so conveniently optimistic…”

Gen-san laughed heartily, while Yuri-san chuckled gracefully beside him.

As their laughter echoed around the room, I could barely keep myself from trembling.

W-Wait… was I actually this close to being murdered by Gen-san? I mean, I get it—I made his granddaughter cry, after all. It’s understandable. Completely understandable.

My forced smile stiffened, my face paled, and my hands shook as I gripped my glass.

“I’m not convinced just yet.”

Mikage, who had been quietly observing, narrowed her eyes at me.

“If you ever make Ayame-sama cry again, I will personally carve you up in Gen-sama’s place.”

Her tone was chilling, and her black pearl-like eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.

Everything about her demeanor made it clear—she was dead serious.

Even as a shiver ran down my spine, I met Mikage’s gaze head-on.

“She chose to be with someone like me. I won’t ever make Ayame cry again. I promise.”

“…If you break that promise, I won’t let you off easily.”

The overwhelming pressure radiating from Mikage suddenly dissipated.

At the same time, Gen-san and the others erupted in excitement.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about! That’s the spirit of the next Itamae of HanaMori-uchi!”

“Wait, what!?”

“When should we plan the wedding? After high school? No, no, as soon as you both turn twenty sounds perfect, right?”

“Hold on a second!?”

“I may not be fully convinced yet, but when Ayame-sama has children, I would like to serve as their nanny.”

“Isn’t this conversation escalating way too fast!? It’s way too soon, don’t you think!?”

Yes, we had started dating.

But we hadn’t gotten engaged or anything!

Yet here they were—Gen-san, Yuri-san, and even Mikage—talking as if my marriage to Ayame was already set in stone. They were absolutely determined to make me their son-in-law.

“It’s not too soon at all. It’s bound to happen anyway.”

“…Huh?”

I blinked in confusion as Ayame leaned in close.

Caught completely off guard, I could only gape as—

Soft.

Something warm, something impossibly soft, touched my cheek.

I froze, unable to process what had just happened.

When Ayame pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes shimmered with emotion.

Her gaze—sweet, heated, and undeniably seductive—spoke louder than words.

That something soft that had touched my cheek…

It was Ayame’s lips.

She had kissed me.

The moment I realized it, a scorching heat spread through my entire body.

Ayame watched me turn beet red, then smiled in satisfaction.

“Didn’t I tell you? I’m never letting you go.”

“Ha… eh…?”

Completely thrown off by the surprise kiss and the lingering warmth on my cheek, my mouth just opened and closed uselessly.

With that single act, the excitement around the dinner table soared to its peak.

Ayame had thoroughly sealed my fate.

At this point, escaping from the future of becoming a part of the Takamine family seemed impossible.

And yet…

A part of me didn’t mind that future at all.