The first day of Golden Week.
Yuzuru was visiting the Amagi household.
“It’s been a while, Amagi-san.”
At the entrance, he gave a polite bow to Amagi Naoki, who had come to greet him.
Yuzuru had come both to pick up Arisa and to properly greet Naoki.
Even if they were already engaged, it was only proper to show his face and ask permission before taking someone’s precious daughter.
“Ah, it has been a while, Yuzuru-kun.”
Naoki replied in a calm, businesslike tone.
Beside him stood Arisa, who gave Yuzuru a small bow.
“Since you’re here… please, come in.”
“Thank you. I’ll take you up on that.”
Yuzuru removed his shoes and stepped inside.
The last time he’d entered Arisa’s home had been when she was ill.
“Yuzuru-san… this way.”
“Ah, thanks.”
Arisa led him to the reception room, where he sat on the sofa as invited.
“Oh—right. Please, take this. It’s from my father.”
Strictly speaking, the sweets had been bought with money his father had transferred to him.
Yuzuru handed them to Naoki, who accepted them with his usual unreadable expression.
“Thank you, Yuzuru-kun.”
He spoke in that same cool tone.
At that moment, Arisa’s adoptive mother—Amagi Emi—entered the room, carrying a tray with tea for three.
“…It’s been a while.”
“Yes… it has. Thank you for always taking care of Arisa.”
After exchanging polite formalities, she set the tea on the table.
“Thank you very much.”
“Not at all… please, enjoy your time.”
With a small bow, she left the room.
Yuzuru watched her go, then took a sip of tea.
It was made with fairly high-quality leaves.
After some light conversation with Arisa included—
Yuzuru moved on to the main topic.
“Naoki-san. Thank you for allowing me to formally become engaged to Arisa-san.”
He bowed his head.
That was one of the main reasons he had come today.
Though, in truth… even if Naoki had refused, Yuzuru had intended to take her by force if necessary.
So this was, in essence, a formality.
“…If Arisa wishes to marry you, Yuzuru-kun, I have no reason to object. Please… take care of her.”
Naoki replied in his usual detached tone.
However, Yuzuru thought he saw the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Just then, a loud knock sounded.
Bang—the door swung open energetically.
A girl who looked around twelve or thirteen appeared.
She wore a bright, friendly smile, then gave a polite bow.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Amagi Mei. …Takasegawa-senpai—Ayumu-san—has always been very kind to me.”
Amagi Mei.
Arisa’s cousin, a first-year middle school student.
And a junior of Yuzuru’s younger sister, Takasegawa Ayumu.
“So you’re Mei-san… I should be the one thanking you for looking after my sister.”
As Yuzuru extended his hand, she smiled and shook it.
“…So, how is my sister at school?”
Since he had the opportunity, Yuzuru decided to ask directly.
As if she had expected the question, Mei answered without hesitation.
“Not just me—everyone admires her. She’s a truly reliable senpai.”
“Is that so? I thought she might be ordering her juniors around or acting like a queen.”
Yuzuru said this half-teasingly.
For a brief moment, Mei’s expression stiffened.
Then, after a slight pause—
“…Nothing like that.”
It seemed Yuzuru’s guess wasn’t entirely off the mark.
Given Ayumu’s personality and Mei’s position, becoming something like a subordinate was probably inevitable.
“Well… if it ever gets too much, let me know.”
Surely it hadn’t crossed into bullying.
At least, Yuzuru wanted to believe that.
But—
“There’s no need to worry. …I want to become like Takasegawa-senpai. She’s my role model.”
Mei smiled sweetly.
Apparently, she was aiming to take over as the next “queen” after Ayumu graduated.
Despite her friendly appearance, she seemed quite calculating.
She didn’t resemble Arisa at all—
and yet, that gap between outward demeanour and inner nature was something they seemed to share. As cousins, it made sense.
“…Yuzuru-san, you resemble Takasegawa-senpai quite a lot.”
“Hm. …In what way?”
For a split second, Mei looked like she thought, Oops.
It seemed she had let something slip.
In other words—she meant it in a less-than-flattering way.
“…Your eye colour. It’s very similar.”
A safe recovery.
Yuzuru narrowed his blue eyes—those inherited from his father.
He was about to press further—
but suddenly, someone tugged at his sleeve.
“Yuzuru-san… please don’t trouble Mei-chan too much.”
Arisa gently scolded him.
On the surface, it sounded like she was helping Mei—
but at the same time, it almost seemed like she was sulking a little, jealous that her fiancé was getting carried away talking to her cousin.
“You’re right, sorry.”
“…Please apologise to Mei-chan, not me.”
Prompted by his fiancée, Yuzuru turned back to his future sister-in-law, who looked visibly relieved.
“My apologies. …I’ll let my sister know she has someone who looks up to her.”
“…Thank you very much.”
Mei bowed politely.
It wouldn’t do to stay too long.
Yuzuru stood up and once again thanked Naoki.
Then he picked up Arisa’s carry bag—her overnight things—and headed towards the entrance.
“Ah…”
There, he ran into a young man.
The moment he saw Yuzuru, the man let out a small sound, then awkwardly twisted his expression.
It seemed he had just returned home for Golden Week.
“It’s been a while, Hiroto-san.”
“Ah—yeah… Yuzuru-kun. It has.”
Despite Yuzuru’s polite greeting, Hiroto responded vaguely.
He glanced at Arisa—and at the bag Yuzuru was holding—
his expression turning complicated.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
“Oi, Hiroto.”
Ignoring Naoki’s attempt to stop him, Hiroto disappeared further into the house.
Naoki frowned slightly.
Meanwhile, Mei let out a small sigh.
Then she turned to Yuzuru and Arisa.
“He’s a bit heartbroken right now. Please forgive him.”
Yuzuru and Arisa exchanged glances—
and, with nothing to say, simply gave a small shrug.
