Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 25: Is It Wrong to Become Close Friends?

Chapter 25: Is It Wrong to Become Close Friends?

That night, after being helped by Kawai-kun and Sayo-chan, I first sent a thank-you message to Sayo-chan and then to Kawai-kun.

Today, I realized something: Sayo-chan is not only cute but also has a cool side.

Although I didn’t witness how she lectured Hagiwara-kun, I know she acted on my behalf, even though the person she confronted was a boy.

(Sayo-chan was really cool…)

Sayo-chan is cool, but Kawai-kun is also someone I find easy to talk to, especially among boys.

Even though Kawai-kun has Sayo-chan, would it be wrong to become close friends with him?

“Hmm… Morning already…”

As sunlight peeked through the curtains, I woke up. I noticed that my arm wasn’t moving well. When I looked over, I saw that Sayo was clinging tightly to it.

Oh right, we had our date yesterday, and Sayo ended up staying over.

As I remembered what had happened last night, I felt a rush of heat spreading through my body.

If my mom hadn’t come into the living room at that moment, I probably would have kissed her.

A sudden question popped into my mind—when exactly should couples kiss after starting to date?

“Mmm… Hyuuga…?”

Sayo slowly woke up and stared at me groggily.

“Good morning, Sayo. Did you sleep well?”

We had stayed up talking until around 11 p.m., which was probably later than her usual bedtime.

“Yeah, I slept really well because you were next to me…”

While saying this, Sayo moved around under the blanket and then kissed me softly on the forehead.

“S-Sayo?”

“Hehe, it’s a good morning kiss. Yuna said that couples often do that.”

“Oh… I see.”

Yuna Maruyama sure knows a lot. But wait—if Sayo kissed me, does that mean I should return the gesture?

As embarrassing as it was to think about, it felt like Sayo was waiting for me to give her a kiss back. She was staring at me expectantly.

(I guess she’s making it pretty obvious…)

So I gently kissed her forehead in return. Sayo’s expression softened into a warm smile.

“Oh, by the way, about basketball—Sayo, you’re more than welcome to join. Yuna’s coming too.”

I had forgotten to tell her about the message from Asahi last night, so I informed her now.

“Yuna’s coming too? That sounds fun…”

As nice as it was to stay under the blanket together like this, we had to get ready to make it to the basketball game with Asahi.

After eating the sandwiches Mom had prepared for breakfast, Sayo headed home to change into more comfortable clothes, and we agreed to meet up at the station later.

About an hour later, we reunited at the station.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Hyuuga. I dressed in something easy to move in.”

“…”

Sayo’s outfit, though functional, was… let’s just say it was very revealing.

I found myself frozen in place for a moment, and Sayo, noticing this, looked worried and leaned in closer to check on me.

“Hyuuga, are you okay?”

“N-No… I’m not okay…”

Her outfit left little to the imagination, and with her hair in a ponytail, even the back of her neck was exposed, which made things worse. People were starting to stare at her.

Realizing this, I gently placed the light jacket I had brought over her shoulders.

“Um… It’s a little too… revealing. Could you wear this?”

“Too revealing…?”

Sayo slowly looked down at her outfit and blushed deeply.

“I didn’t think much of it… I don’t mind if you see me like this, but I don’t want other people staring, so I’ll borrow your jacket.”

“Yeah, feel free to keep it on until we get back home.”

“Thanks…”

I’m sure people were already staring during our train ride. Her outfit was definitely attention-grabbing, but once she had my jacket on, we headed off to meet Asahi and Yuna at the basketball court.

“Hyuuga, is that a basketball in your bag?”

Sayo asked, pointing at the ball peeking out of my sports bag.

“Oh, yeah. It’s the one I’ve been using for a while.”

“Ah, I see. You really like basketball, huh? Are you good at it?”

“Well, I think I’m decent. What about you, Sayo? Are you good at basketball?”

“Hmm… I’ve only played it in P.E., so I wouldn’t say I’m particularly good at it…”

Despite her modesty, I’d heard rumors that Sayo was exceptionally good at sports, and that in gym class, she outperformed everyone. There was even a story about her beating the basketball team in a match once.

“Did you join any clubs in middle school?”

“I was in the volleyball club. I’ve been playing since elementary school.”

“You didn’t continue in high school?”

“No, I didn’t… Oh, look, there’s Yuna and Kubo-kun!”

Sayo waved happily as we approached the two of them.

“Morning, Sayo-chan! Morning, Kawai-kun!”

“Morning.”

“Good morning, Maruyama-san.”

We exchanged greetings, but then someone came running over to join us.

“Sorry I’m late! Am I the last one?”

Turning around, I saw that it was Maoka. Asahi had told me Yuna was coming, but I didn’t know Maoka was, too.

“Hyuuga and Koga-san just got here too, so you’re fine. I ran into Maoka this morning, and when I told her about the basketball, she wanted to join as well. Hyuuga, Koga-san, is it okay if she joins?”

Asahi asked. Since I didn’t mind playing with Maoka, I nodded in agreement.

“I’m fine with it too—the more, the merrier.”

“Thanks, Hyuuga, Koga-san!”

Maoka flashed us both a bright smile. It had been a while since I last saw her.

As we started moving towards the basketball court, Asahi and Yuna took the lead, while I noticed Sayo and Maoka seemed to be having a private conversation.

(Should I call out to them?)

But it seemed like they were discussing something important, so I hesitated to interrupt.

“Koga-san, you only came because Hyuuga’s here, right?”

“…! That’s true, but is there something wrong with that? I know there’s no room for me between you two right now, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”

Maoka’s words were not just a confession of her feelings—they were a declaration of war. She wasn’t just telling Sayo that she liked me; she was also making it clear that she intended to win me over.

Hearing this, Sayo inwardly sighed, realizing her suspicions were correct, but she smiled faintly.

“I respect that you won’t give up. But just so you know, I won’t be showing any openings.”

I couldn’t hear their conversation, but Sayo, having finished speaking, walked over to me with a bright smile and clung tightly to my arm. She turned back and called out to Maoka.

“Come on, Oohara-san, let’s go!”