Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 23: Let\'s Bathe Together

Chapter 23: Let’s Bathe Together

“I’ve been wanting to see you, Sayo.”

“K-Kaori!?”

When Sayo and I returned home, my mom immediately hugged her.

Although she didn’t seem to mind, Sayo looked a bit troubled, so I gently separated her from my mom.

“I know you’ve missed her, but Sayo seems a bit uncomfortable.”

“Oh, sorry about that. Welcome, Koga.”

“Th-thank you for having me…”

Sayo politely bowed, smiling warmly at my mom. Struck by her smile, my mom wobbled a little, seemingly flustered, before heading toward the kitchen.

“Your mom is so kind, Hinata… It’s fun talking to her. Sometimes we even chat about cooking through messages.”

I only recently found out that Sayo and my mom had exchanged contact information.

“And about you, Hinata…”

“Me?”

“Oh, um, never mind! Kaori-san, I’ll help in the kitchen!”

Sayo quickly headed to the kitchen, where my mom was. What was she about to say about me? There’s a good chance my mom and Sayo have been having some strange conversations.

While I was still by the door taking off my shoes, I heard the sound of the front door opening behind me.

“I’m home, Hinata. Were you out somewhere?”

Turning around, I saw my dad, who had come home early from work.

“Welcome home, Dad. I was out with… Koga at the mall. She’s here now.”

As we headed to the kitchen, I saw my mom and Sayo cooking dinner. My dad, making sure he wasn’t interrupting, called out to Sayo.

“Good evening, Koga.”

Noticing my dad, Sayo put down the chopsticks she was holding and gave a light bow.

“Good evening, Shu-san. Thank you for having me.”

“You’re very polite. Please, feel at home and relax.”

“Thank you very much.”

Since we’d only be in the way of their cooking, Dad and I moved to the living room. When I offered to help, my mom said I could assist when it was time to serve, so I decided to quietly wait with my dad.

Sitting on the sofa, my dad turned to me in a calm voice.

“How’s school going, Hinata? Are you enjoying it?”

It was unusual for him to ask this kind of question, so I was a bit surprised.

“Yeah, it’s been fun. I’m still close with Asahi, and I’ve made some new friends.”

There’s Sayo, Maruyama-san, and even Shiina, although I’m not sure if I can call her a friend yet, but we’ve been talking more.

I used to think one friend was enough, but now that I have others to talk to besides Asahi, I’ve realized it’s nice to have more.

“That’s great to hear. I’m glad to know you’re connecting with others besides Asahi.”

My dad was aware that I hadn’t been very proactive in engaging with people before.

“Hinata, can you come help now?”

“Sure! Thanks, Dad, for checking in.”

Before heading to the kitchen, I thanked my dad, and he smiled at me.

After dinner with the four of us, I told my parents that Sayo and I had started dating. They exchanged joyful glances.

“I knew it! I had a feeling this was going to happen.”

So they had already suspected it.

“Sayo, please take good care of my son. You’re welcome to speak your mind or consult with me if you ever need to.”

It felt like a conversation one would have before getting married.

“Thank you. I’ll definitely rely on you when the time comes.”

“Oh, what a heavenly smile! Hinata, you better take good care of Sayo.”

“Of course, I will.”

There’s no way I wouldn’t take care of the first person I ever loved. I’m determined to make her happy.

I glanced at Sayo, who was sitting beside me, and when our eyes met, we smiled at each other. Then, under the table, Sayo gently placed her hand on the back of mine. Since my parents couldn’t see, it felt like we were doing something we shouldn’t.

“By the way, Sayo, why don’t you stay over tonight?”

“Stay over… is that alright?”

“Of course, we’d love to have you. Right, Shu?”

“Yes, as long as you’re comfortable with it, Koga.”

My parents seemed totally okay with having my girlfriend, whom I’d only just started dating, stay over.

“Well… then, I’d like to stay.”

“Great! I’ll lend you some of my clothes, or Hinata’s. Whichever works.”

“Thank you very much.”

I couldn’t believe an overnight event was happening so soon after we’d started dating.

(My heart’s already racing…)

“Sayo-chan, the bath is ready. Here’s what you can wear.”

“Thank you.”

Receiving my mom’s pants and a T-shirt that I used to wear, Sayo prepared to go to the bath. But not knowing where the bathroom was, she came to me.

“Hinata, where’s the bathroom?”

“Oh, I’ll show you.”

“Thanks… Do you want to join me? Let’s bathe together.”

Bathe together…? If we bathe together, that means we’ll… No, stop thinking about that.

“N-no, I think you should relax and enjoy the bath by yourself.”

“…Y-yeah, you’re right.”

She looked a little down, her expression saddened. So, I gently patted her head. In response, Sayo gave a crinkled smile.

Feeling overcome with affection, I suddenly wanted to hold her. Since we were at home, there was no reason to hold back, so I embraced her tightly.

“Hinata…?”

“Sorry, I just felt like hugging you…”

“! That’s okay, I like hugs… Let’s hug a lot before we sleep. I’ll miss you, but I’ll go take my bath now.”

“Alright, have a good bath.”

After showing her to the bathroom, I returned to the living room.

After Sayo finished her bath, I took mine. When I came out, she ran up and hugged me.

Fresh from the bath, she smelled wonderful.

“Welcome back, Hinata. You smell just like me.”

“Yeah, we used the same soap.”

Her chest pressed against me, making it hard to look down. And seeing her in my old clothes was surprisingly powerful.

(Isn’t this what they call the “boyfriend shirt” thing?)

“Oh, I got permission from Kaori-san. Let’s sleep together tonight?”

“Sleep together?”

How did she get my mom’s permission for that?

“You don’t want to sleep together?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just… my bed is small, so we’ll have to sleep on the floor with futons. Is that okay?”

I figured when Sayo said “sleep together,” she meant literally beside each other, not just in the same room.

“That’s fine.”

“…Shall we go to bed now?”

Though I wasn’t tired yet, Sayo seemed sleepy, so I suggested it. She gave a small nod.

There were futons in the Japanese-style room, so I brought them to my room. After laying them out, Sayo flopped down, waiting for me to lie down next to her.

(Will I even be able to sleep tonight…?)