Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late!

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Chapter 22: Do You Think I’m Clingy?

“Huh, Sayo?”

Shiina and I exchanged glances, wondering what Sayo was up to after saying she had something to take care of and chasing after Hagiwara.

If she was going to do something dangerous, we should go to her. Even though she had told us to stay put, Shiina seemed to have the same thought as me, and we hurried after Sayo.

“Shiina, could it be that Hagiwara did something to you?”

“Huh? Oh… yeah, lately, Hagiwara’s been following me around… I didn’t think he’d even follow me on my day off.”

(That sounds like stalking…)

She must have been scared until she met up with me. Nobody feels good being followed around.

Wait a minute, did Sayo realize that and go to warn Hagiwara? Maybe she’s telling him not to stalk her friend anymore.

“Um, I think it’s around here…”

As we searched for Sayo, we found her standing in front of a nearby back alley. Hagiwara, who was backed into a corner, was sitting on the ground with a tearful expression, while Sayo stood towering over him.

(What on earth happened here…?)

“Oh, Hinata and Shiina. I’m done with what I needed to do, so let’s go. I’m hungry…”

Sayo, acting like her usual self, left Hagiwara behind and walked over to us.

I had a lot of questions, but it felt like we should move to a different place, so we headed to the food court.

Once we reached the food court, everyone bought what they wanted to eat and sat in an available spot.

“Um… you two are on a date, right? Is it okay for me to be here?”

“It’s fine. I can’t leave Shiina alone right now. Right, Hinata?”

“Yeah.”

If I remember correctly, Shiina had come to the sweets buffet with Hagiwara. Maybe something happened that day, and that’s when he started stalking her.

“Thank you, Koga, Kawai.”

“I was just giving Hagiwara a scolding earlier… I told him to stop following Shiina around.”

Sayo said it gently, but that was probably not the case. If she hadn’t seriously scolded him, Hagiwara wouldn’t have been sitting on the ground with that expression.

“He won’t bother Shiina anymore. If he tries anything, I’ll protect her.”

“Shiina, thank you so much.”

(Sayo is so cool…)

“By the way, did you know, Koga? That I was being followed by Hagiwara?”

I had been wondering about that, too. If Sayo hadn’t known what Shiina was struggling with, she wouldn’t have gotten mad at Hagiwara.

“I saw Hagiwara acting suspicious at school from time to time… but following you on your day off? That’s just scary… Oh, this is delicious!”

Though Sayo had looked angry, her face changed to one of bliss as she ate her omelette rice. Her ability to switch expressions so quickly is one of her most endearing qualities.

“Koga, you really seem to enjoy your food. It makes me happy just watching you.”

“Call me Sayo. Can I call you Akari?”

“Of course, Sayo-chan. First names are more casual and comfortable.”

I smiled, watching the two of them become fast friends.

After we spent a relaxing time together at the food court, we parted ways with Shiina. Sayo and I were looking at the floor map, wondering where to go next.

However, since we had visited a lot of stores in the morning and spent the last two hours chatting with Shiina, Sayo seemed a little tired.

“Sayo, how about coming over for dinner?”

When I asked her this while she was looking at the floor map, her face brightened instantly.

“I’d love to! Will your parents be there?”

“My mom will be, but she’s hoping you’ll come.”

“Really? If it’s okay, I’d love to go.”

“Great, it’s settled.”

I sent my mom a message saying, “I’m coming home with Sayo,” and she quickly replied.

“Success! I’ll be waiting at home!”

(Success, huh…)

As I read the text, Sayo tugged on my sleeve. I put my phone in my bag and looked at her, seeing her smiling brightly.

“Hinata, I found a place I want to go. Will you come with me?”

“Wow, it’s so refreshing… This is my favorite spot.”

The place Sayo had wanted to go to was a nature-filled park outside the shopping mall.

It just so happened that no one else was there, leaving just the two of us in the quiet park.

“This place is nice. I like it.”

“I love it too.”

“By the way, earlier when we were with Shiina, you said something like ‘je…’ What was that?”

“Oh, that was just me being a little jealous of you and Akari-chan.”

“I see.”

(That killing intent didn’t seem like ‘just a little’ though…)

Hanging out with Sayo is always fun, but spending quiet time together in a peaceful place like this never feels boring.

We naturally intertwined our fingers and held hands, enjoying the serene atmosphere.

“Hinata… could you close your eyes until I say it’s okay?”

“Close my eyes? Sure, but…”

As I did as she asked and closed my eyes, something soft pressed against my forehead. While I was trying to figure out what it was, Sayo whispered in my ear.

“Hinata, I love you.”

“!”

“You can open your eyes now.”

When I opened my eyes, Sayo was looking at me with her beautiful eyes.

Gazing into her eyes, I felt the urge to touch her, so I leaned in and kissed her cheek in return.

“A-An ‘in return’ kiss…”

Feeling shy, I muttered, and Sayo looked surprised, then hugged my arm tightly.

“Hinata, you can’t leave me. I’ll make sure you’re happy.”

“…Yeah, thank you. I won’t leave you. I’ll make you happy too.”

“Mm… Hey, Hinata… do you think I’m clingy?”

Clingy? Ah, maybe she’s worried her affection is too much?

“No, not at all.”