Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 12: Huh, Is This Love?

Episode 12: Huh, Is This Love?

After finishing dinner and relaxing for a while, when I left the house to accompany Koga-san to the station, I met my mom who had just returned home.

“Oh, Koga-san. Are you leaving already? You can relax a little longer, or even stay overnight if you want.”

It’s only the second time we’ve met, so being invited to stay overnight is a bit scary.

“Hehe, thank you. I think it’s too early for me to stay over, so I’ll go home today.”

“Oh, really? But if you ever want to stay over, just let me know.”

(How much does she want her to stay over… Mom…)

“Yes. Thank you for having me.”

She bowed lightly and said that before walking towards the station, so I told Mom that I would escort her and left the house.

“Kawai-kun, next time, let’s have dinner at my place. I’ll cook for you. Have you ever tried pork with gochujang stir-fry?”

“Maybe not. What kind of dish is it?”

“The ingredients may vary depending on the person, but I marinate pork belly, green onions, and onions in a spicy-sweet gochujang sauce and stir-fry them… Phew, I’m tired from talking too much.”

After explaining the pork with gochujang stir-fry, Koga-san seemed tired, so she leaned against me lightly, resting her shoulder on mine.

“I see. By the way, Koga-san, when did you start cooking?”

“I started when I was in middle school. The food cooked by the housekeeper was delicious, but since I decided to live alone when I became a high school student, I thought I should learn how to cook…”

“That’s amazing, Koga-san. I haven’t really thought about living alone yet… I do think I need to become independent, but it’s not easy.”

“Do you think so? I think it’s amazing to think about it. Thanks for walking me home.”

She waved her hand lightly and walked towards the station.

***

“I’m looking forward to it.”

On the day we went to the dessert buffet, she had been smiling since we met, and on the train, she talked about how excited she was about the custard.

It seemed she was so excited about being able to eat custard last night that she couldn’t sleep.

I was nervous not because of the custard but because I could go out with Koga-san again like this.

While I was thinking that, she turned towards me, reaching a little to touch my cheeks with both hands.

“I was looking forward to being able to eat custard, but more than that, I was looking forward to spending the day off with you, Kawai-kun.”

“!”

(That means Koga-san was also excited about being with me…?)

When she let go of my cheeks, Koga-san smiled gently.

“Let’s have fun today, Kawai-kun.”

“Yeah, let’s have fun.”

***

“Huh, Koga-san and Kawai-kun?”

When we arrived at the dessert buffet, we ran into my classmate Shiina Akari.

Shiina-san, with her long beautiful hair, has been friendly to both boys and girls in our class since last year.

“Are you two on a date… maybe?”

Recently, Koga-san and I have been spending a lot of time together, so it’s not surprising that people think we’re dating.

“A date… is that so? Kawai-kun and I just came to enjoy the buffet. Are you here alone, Shiina-san?”

“No, I’m meeting someone here. I love desserts with custard───”

“I love them too!!”

“K-Koga-san!?”

As soon as Koga-san realized that Shiina-san was alone, she grabbed her hand with both of hers.

Koga-san and Shiina-san became classmates this year, and this seemed to be their first time having a conversation like this. Yet, they were acting strangely close, just like with me.

Shiina-san showed a surprised expression but smiled.

“Koga-san loves custard too. I love it too!”

“I love it too!”

Koga-san and Shiina-san started talking happily about custard, and although they seemed to want to talk more, Shiina-san had someone waiting, so they had to part ways.

They exchanged contact information, and for some reason, they asked me to exchange contact information too.

“Well, see you at school.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

After saying goodbye to Shiina-san, Koga-san and I entered the dessert buffet shop.

I didn’t eat much this morning so I’m hungry.

“Wow, Kawai-kun, look, it looks delicious. I’m so happy…”

Koga-san, who was filling her plate with custard desserts next to me, had sparkling eyes.

Just seeing Koga-san’s eyes sparkle with joy over custard already fills me up.

I picked up some of Koga-san’s recommended custard sweets and some other sweets, as there were also other sweets besides custard, and brought them to the table.

“Mmm, delicious. Kawai-kun, try this custard cake. Take a bite.”

She said that and offered me a bite-sized custard cake skewered with a fork.

“Here, aaah.”

Since she seemed to want me to eat it, I took a bite.

“How is it? Delicious, right?”

“Yeah, it’s delicious.”

“Hehe, I knew it.”

Looking at her smile, I remembered what Koga-san had said before.

That feeling of excitement, wanting to be in a special relationship with someone, wanting to monopolize that person, that’s what she liked about romance.

Sometimes, I feel excited when I’m with her. If that’s the case, is this love?

“Kawai-kun, what’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing, just thinking.”

“Thinking? If it’s okay with me, I’m willing to listen to what you have to say.”

I want to clarify things, but it’s a bit embarrassing to consult Koga-san about it.

“No, it’s okay, it’s nothing important.”

When I said it’s okay, so as not to worry her, she looked disappointed.

“Is that so… I’ve been feeling nervous around Kawai-kun lately.”

“Huh, me?”

She said shyly in a small voice, but I heard it, so I asked her to confirm, and Koga-san nodded.

“I’m still nervous… or rather, I’ve been nervous the whole time we’ve been together… (Huh, is this love?)”

Like me, she seemed to remember those words and covered her mouth with her hand.