Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 14: It\'s Not Good to Assume Before Anything Happens

Episode 14: It’s Not Good to Assume Before Anything Happens

Being with her, I realized it. I like Koga-san.

She said liking someone as the opposite sex involves feeling excited, wanting to be in a special relationship, and wanting to monopolize them.

Thinking carefully about those words, I realized they all applied to me. I feel excited when I’m with Koga-san, I want to be in a special relationship with her, and I want to monopolize her.

After much thought, I came to a decision. It’s impossible to keep hiding these feelings.

—

Exiting the train station’s ticket gate, I heard Koga-san’s voice from behind, causing me to stop in my tracks.

“Kawai-kun!”

“Ah, Koga-san, good morning.”

Facing her, my feelings swelled even more. Since I’ve decided, today is the day, without fail.

—

Now, let’s rewind two days. While Koga-san was consulting Shiina-san about love at the shopping mall, I was consulting Asahi.

We had gathered at the basketball court, our usual meeting spot, and were playing basketball.

We used to play in middle school club activities, but now it’s just casual play like this in the park.

“Oh, nice shot! So, you’re talking about love?”

After making a shot, I turned around and nodded at Asahi’s words.

“Don’t smirk like that. When you’re trying to have a serious conversation, your smirk makes it seem like you’re joking.”

“Come on!”

Ignoring his girly reaction, I sat on the bench. Asahi then approached me after taking a shot himself.

“So, you’ve fallen for Koga-san…?”

“I haven’t said anything yet. But… it’s not wrong.”

How did Asahi know it’s Koga-san, even though I haven’t said anything yet?

“Of course, if you like her, why not confess?”

If only it were that easy. I know I should confess once I realize I like her. But I’m scared to.

“What, are you afraid of being rejected?”

“How did you know…?”

“I’ve known you for a long time, Hina. If you keep saying you’re scared, Koga-san might get snatched away. She’s popular, you know.”

Asahi’s right. Being scared and thinking it’s fine as it is now is just running away. If Koga-san gets taken by someone else, I’ll regret it.

“Hina. It’s not good to assume before anything happens.”

“…You’re right.”

Mumbling that quietly, Asahi gave me a reassuring pat on the back.

“I’m rooting for you, Hina.”

“Thanks, Asahi. I’ll tell Koga-san how I feel.”

It’s not good to assume before anything happens. I don’t want to hide my feelings and regret it.

—

After parting ways with Asahi and walking home, I ran into Maika, who seemed dressed to go somewhere.

“Basketball… Were you playing basketball with Asahi?”

Maika knows that Asahi and I practice basketball on Sundays, so she figured it out from my attire and the basketball I was carrying.

“Yeah, as usual. What about you, Maika?”

“I’m thinking of going to buy my sister’s birthday present.”

“Oh, right, her birthday’s coming up soon.”

Maika’s sister is in middle school. Like her sister, she’s a serious and responsible girl.

“By the way… You haven’t been coming over for dinner lately. Are you eating properly?”

As Maika mentioned, I haven’t been going to Maika’s house for dinner lately.

It’s not because I dislike her or find it hard to face her. It’s just that I’ve been having dinner with Koga-san more often, and I started to wonder if it’s okay to go to other girls’ houses when I like Koga-san.

“I’m eating properly. Thanks for worrying about me.”

“…Okay, as long as you’re eating properly. Are you having dinner with Koga-san?”

“Sometimes.”

“I see. Do you like Koga-san?”

I didn’t feel the need to hide it, so I nodded in response to her question.

Maika’s expression seemed a bit lonely, just like last time.

“I’m planning to tell her on Monday.”

After talking to Asahi and thinking it over, I made a decision. I want to take action before I regret it.

“You’re confessing, huh. I’ll cheer you on as your childhood friend.”

“Thanks, Maika.”

After chatting a bit more with Maika, we parted ways.

“See you at school.”

“Yeah, see you.”

—

Arriving home, I checked my phone and noticed a missed call from Koga-san.

It was an hour ago. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to call her back now, so I sent a message asking if it was okay to call her back.

A few seconds after sending the message, she had already seen it.

(Fast.)

She replied that it was okay to call, so I immediately dialed her number.

“Koga-san?”

“Ah, Kawai-kun? Can you talk for a bit?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

I was planning to cook dinner with whatever was at home, but that could wait.

“Thank you… It’s about Monday, but can we go to school together?”

“Together? Yeah, sure, that’s fine.”

There was no reason to refuse. It’s enjoyable to chat with her and go to school together, so I agreed immediately.

“Alright! Let’s meet at that station.”

“Yeah, got it. Around 8 o’clock?”

“Yeah, that works. Sorry for the sudden call. Were you busy preparing dinner?”

She must have thought that because I hadn’t said anything, so I was a bit surprised.

“I see.”

“I just thought… it’s just a feeling. Anyway, good night, Kawai-kun.”

“Yeah, good night, Koga-san.”

—

On the day we promised to go to school together, I arrived early and waited for her to come.

We’ve had several meet-ups before, but today I felt different, perhaps because I had made up my mind.

“Kawai-kun!”

“Oh, Koga-san. Good morning.”

As I turned around, I saw her running towards me and waved my hand slightly.

Without catching her breath, Koga-san came running over and immediately started speaking.

“Um, there’s something I need to tell you, Kawai-kun!”

(Something to tell…)

“K-Koga-san, you should catch your breath first. You can tell me what you want to say after that.”

I said, and Koga-san nodded, taking deep breaths to calm herself down.

“I’m okay now… I’m calm…”

“…I also have something I want to tell you. Can we talk about it after school? There are too many people here.”

Feeling like what she wanted to say was similar to what I had in mind, I suggested, and Koga-san nodded.

“Yeah, after school is better for me too…”

“Then, shall we go home together today too?”

As I invited her, Koga-san nodded slightly in agreement.