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

https://ko-fi.com/senna2003

Chapter 36 – Special Day

After moving from the Koga household to Sayaka’s home, I was led to the living room by Sayaka.

She mentioned that there was something she wanted to do because it was a special day, but I wondered what was about to happen.

After sitting on the sofa and waiting for a while, Sayaka came back holding something and sat down beside me, spreading her arms wide.

“Sorry for the wait! First, how about a hug to welcome you home?”

“You were already hugging me before asking…”

“I’ve been lacking in you lately, so it’s okay, right?”

“Lacking in me…? That’s fine, but if you’re going to do that, then I will too.”

“Hehe, so you’re lacking in me too, huh?”

The phrase “lacking in Sayaka” made me chuckle a bit.

I gently wrapped my arms around her. She was so small that I felt I could break her if I held too tightly.

As I savored her warmth, feeling blissful, Sayaka pulled back slightly and brought her face close to mine.

“Hinata… Let’s kiss?”

“…Okay.”

It seemed like she wanted me to take the lead, so she slowly closed her eyes.

Although I wasn’t quite used to kissing yet, I recalled our previous kiss and leaned in to kiss her.

“Hehe, I’m so happy…”

“Me too… By the way, you brought something earlier, right? What is it?”

Before sitting down, Sayaka had something in her hands, and I was curious about it.

With a small laugh, she handed me what she had brought.

“It’s a present! Happy birthday, Hinata!”

“…Oh right, it’s my birthday.”

It was the first time I realized today, August 1st, was my birthday, thanks to her saying that.

“Thank you, Sayaka. Can I open it?”

Since I was curious about what was inside, I asked, and she nodded.

With her permission, I looked inside the paper bag. It contained a mug and a keycase.

As I took out the mug and the keycase, Sayaka began to explain.

“The mug is a pair with mine, you know?”

“Wow, it really is matching. I’m so happy… Thank you, Sayaka.”

“Hehe, I’m glad you like it!”

A matching mug with Sayaka. And the keycase contained a key that resembled mine.

“This key is…?”

“Yep, it’s the key to my house. You can come over anytime.”

“…Are you sure I can have it?”

“I want you to have it. I trust you, Hinata.”

“…Alright, I’ll accept it. Thank you.”

I placed the keycase in a safe spot so I wouldn’t lose it, and I decided to use the mug right away.

“Next is cake time! I’ll prepare the cake, so can you wait for me? I want to use the matching mug for tea.”

“Oh, I’ll make the tea; in fact, I want to. Can I leave the cake to you?”

Since I felt uneasy leaving everything to her, I suggested, and Sayaka smiled brightly.

“Well then, I’ll leave the tea to you.”

We stood side by side in the kitchen, preparing the cake and tea.

“Look, the cake!”

“It looks delicious! Did I mention my favorite cake is cheesecake?”

I realized I had never told Sayaka that my favorite cake was cheesecake.

“No, but I thought it would be that! Seems I was right.”

Once the cake and tea were ready, we carried them to the table and sat facing each other.

“Hmm, we only have one candle… Seventeen is going to be tough…”

I had cut a quarter of a whole cake, so there wasn’t enough space for multiple candles.

“One candle is fine.”

“Ugh, I’m sorry…”

“It’s okay. Should I light it?”

“Yeah.”

Once I lit the candle, Sayaka smiled at me.

“Happy 17th birthday, Hinata.”

“Thank you, Sayaka. Today is indeed a special day, just like you said.”

As I blew out the beautifully lit candle, I reflected on my past birthdays. I had been celebrated by family and friends, but this year felt different.

“Shall we eat the cake?”

“Yeah, let’s eat! Before that, I want to drink the tea you made, though.”

Sayaka said that while sipping cold tea from the matching mug I received.

“Hmm, it’s delicious.”

“…I’m glad. Is it okay if I leave this mug here?”

“Of course! I’d prefer having your things at my house.”

“Thank you.”

After celebrating my birthday at Sayaka’s house and spending some quality time together, we decided to head home. As we walked, holding hands toward the station, we unexpectedly ran into someone unpleasant—Houshou.

“This is the worst…”

Sayaka hid behind me and shouted at the person in front of us.

“Are you still dating her? I can’t believe you can be around Koga.”

“Hey! About Sayaka—”

“Houshou, you’re just jealous of me, aren’t you?”

I was about to retort since Houshou seemed to be badmouthing Sayaka again, but she interrupted me.

“Wha-what!? I’m not jealous!”

“Your reaction is so childish… You and I are in different schools now, so it doesn’t even matter if you’re jealous, right? If you want to be popular, then go for it.”

When Sayaka said that, Houshou seemed irritated and reached for her.

“Stop, what are you trying to do—!?”

“Hinata…”

Before he could lay a hand on her, I grabbed Houshou’s arm to hold him back.

“What do you want to do to Sayaka?”

“…I-I just don’t like her.”

“Just because you don’t like her, does that mean you can say hurtful things?”

“…!”

“Thank you, Hinata… Can you leave me alone with Houshou for a moment? I want to talk to him.”

“What? But…”

I couldn’t just leave Sayaka alone with someone who might resort to violence.

“It’s fine. We’re just going to talk.”