Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 31: The Person I Don\'t Want to Meet

Chapter 31: The Person I Don’t Want to Meet

“One, two, three! Oh, sorry!”

After the slide, we decided to play underwater volleyball together.

We set a goal to complete ten passes, but it was quite challenging.

“Shiina-san, are you in a club?” Asahi asked the girl next to him.

“I’m in the light music club,” she replied.

“Akari-chan is the vocalist. I went to see her live during our first year, and she sings really well!” Maruyama added, and Saya listened with keen interest.

In the midst of their conversation, Saya seemed to forget about the passes and missed a ball from Maruyama, causing it to plop into the water.

“Oh no, it fell… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry, let’s move on. The next person who drops the ball before we reach ten has to treat everyone to drinks!” Maruyama said, and everyone simultaneously placed one palm on the back of the other hand and wrapped their fingers around it, thumbs touching.

It felt a bit like a threat from Maruyama, but it seemed we were finally going to achieve our goal this time.

“Okay, here we go! Akari-chan!” Maruyama called, beginning our fifth attempt.

Everyone was serious about not wanting to treat anyone, and we successfully passed the ball ten times.

After that, we split into groups of two or three and played with the ball.

As we talked about borrowing some floats to go to the lazy river, Saya poked my arm.

“I’m hungry…”

“I’m hungry too, but it’s a bit early. Should we grab something to eat? What about you, Asahi?”

“I’m fine for now. Yuna and Shiina-san, how about you?”

“I think I’m okay for now. I’ll eat with Asahi later,” Yuna replied.

“I think I’ll eat with Saya-chan and Kawai-kun first. Is that okay?” Shiina-san asked, looking at Saya and me.

“Of course! Let’s go together!” Saya eagerly took Shiina-san’s hand.

So, the three of us—me, Saya, and Shiina-san—went off to have lunch, while Asahi and Maruyama continued to play and parted ways.

There was a place that served various foods like udon, curry, fried rice, and takoyaki, and we decided to eat there.

We agreed to order things we could share, splitting the cost for takoyaki and French fries, and then everyone got what they wanted.

“Takoyaki after playing so much is delicious…” Saya said, her face full of happiness as she savored one piece at a time.

“Hinata, do you want some?”

“Yeah, I think I’ll have one.”

I could really understand how amazing takoyaki tasted after playing in the pool, just like Saya said.

I remembered eating takoyaki with my family when I was little, and it tasted even better than usual.

As I reached for a piece of takoyaki with my chopsticks, Saya held one up to my mouth.

“Hinata, ahh—”

“Oh, thank you.”

I ate the takoyaki she offered, feeling it was strange how the takoyaki tasted better after playing at the pool.

“Hinata, how is it? Is it good?”

“Yeah, it’s delicious. Shiina-san, you should have some too.”

I moved the plate of takoyaki closer to her.

“Thank you!”

As she enjoyed a piece, Saya spoke up again.

“This is my first time at a pool like this, but it’s really fun. I think this summer break is going to be great.”

Since she mentioned it was her first time, it made me wonder if she hadn’t gone to places like this with her friends or family before.

I knew she had issues with her parents, but perhaps she hadn’t been able to come with friends because her parents wouldn’t allow it.

“What are we going to do after we finish eating?”

“I want to go on the slide again, but I also want to float around with a ring. What about you, Hinata?”

“After eating, I probably won’t be able to move right away, so I’d like to stay with Saya. Shiina-san, are you coming too?”

“Yeah, if everyone’s going, I think I’ll join too.”

After finishing our meal and taking a break, we decided to go to the lazy river.

The fun time passed quickly. After changing from our swimsuits into clothes, I noticed a message from my mom on my phone.

(Mom…?)

The message asked if I could meet her right away.

She usually only contacts me when she has something important to say, so I wondered why she was reaching out now. She usually messages me a few days in advance if she wants to meet.

Since I had no plans afterward, I replied that I was available, and when she asked where I was, I answered.

After not receiving an immediate reply, I put my phone away and exited the changing room with Yuna and Akari-chan.

As we stepped out, I saw Hinata and Kubo-kun waiting at the entrance.

“Thanks for waiting, you two! Alright, let’s walk to the station.”

Since Yuna, Akari-chan, and Kubo-kun were heading towards the station, I started to follow them, but I stopped to check my messages.

Hinata noticed I had suddenly stopped and hurried over with a worried look.

“Saya?”

“…I’m sorry, I have something to take care of, so I’m staying here.”

“Something? If you need to stop somewhere, I can come with you…”

“No, it’s fine. I can handle it on my own. Please tell everyone. See you later, Hinata.”

“Uh, okay… See you.”

I waved goodbye to Hinata and turned my back, walking toward the place my mom mentioned.

She said she would come by car. I felt nervous about what she might say and feared our meeting.

After waiting alone for a while, a black car pulled up nearby. The back door opened, and a woman in a suit waved me over from inside the vehicle.

“It’s hot, so come inside.”

“…Yes.”

I sat next to my mom and slowly closed the door. I wondered who was driving as I glanced at the driver’s seat and saw a woman I didn’t recognize.

(Must be a new servant…)

“I saw the first semester grades you sent over. It looks like you’ve been to the pool until just now, but you shouldn’t have time for play.”

I already knew what was coming. Whenever my mom calls me over, it’s always for a lecture or to push her desires onto me.

“…I’m sorry. But I promised to get first place, just like you said—”

“You’ve become far too free since living on your own. Getting first place is expected. If you get grades like those again, forget about living on your own and come back here.”

I had begged so many times to start living independently. I had wanted time alone because I felt restless at home, and now she wanted to take that away from me.

“Hah… What a hopeless child. I wonder who you take after.”

Listening to my mother’s words felt like I was being bound by something. I wanted to escape from this place. It felt so constricting.

“You mentioned bringing along your boyfriend, but the only time you’re free during summer vacation is next Saturday. Our talk is over, so get out of the car quickly. I need to get back to work.”

“…Yes.”