Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 44: Everything Becomes Custard When She Thinks About It

Chapter 44: Everything Becomes Custard When She Thinks About It

The long summer vacation has ended. Today marks the beginning of the new semester. I reunited with my friends and talked a lot about what we did over the summer.

We shared stories about where we went and how we spent our time.

While chatting with my friends, I spotted Mai Sakura-chan entering the classroom. I had something I wanted to talk to her about, so I decided to approach her.

“Hey, everyone, sorry! I’ll be right back.”

“Okay, let’s chat later, Akari-chan!”

“Bye-bye!”

I left my friends and walked over to where Mai Sakura-chan was, sitting at her desk with her bag hanging beside her.

“Good morning, Mai Sakura-chan!”

“Oh, good morning, Shiina-san!”

Mai Sakura-chan looked surprised to see me. We had become friends during the summer festival, but we hadn’t talked much at school, so I guess she was a bit taken aback.

“I don’t have much time right now, but can we talk after the first period?”

“Sure, that’s fine!”

“Thanks! I’ll see you during the break.”

With a smile, I went back to my seat just as the bell was about to ring.

After the first period ended, I moved to a less crowded area with Mai Sakura-chan.

“Sorry for the sudden interruption. I wanted to confirm something…”

“Something you want to confirm?”

“Yeah, I was wondering if you might like Kawai-kun.”

“!”

During the summer festival, Mai Sakura-chan had asked Kawai-kun if he looked good in a yukata. She also seemed really happy when she was talking to him.

From those two observations, I figured that maybe she had feelings for Kawai-kun.

“Why do you want to confirm if I like Hinata?”

“If you say you like Kawai-kun, then I—”

＊＊＊

“Hey, Sayo-san?”

The new semester has started, and after the opening ceremony, we discussed the cultural festival and began forming teams.

I had approached Sayo to ask if she wanted to work together, but she was slumped over her desk.

(I haven’t seen this in a while…)

As I was wondering how to wake her up, Maruyama-san came over.

“Sayo-chan, wake up!”

“I’m awake… We’re talking about the cultural festival, right? Hinata, Yuina, Kubo-kun, let’s work together?”

Sayo lifted her head and invited me, Yuina, and Asahi, who had come over without me noticing.

It was the usual group, but we still needed one more person.

“The cultural committee needs a total of five members, right?”

I asked Asahi, one of the cultural committee members, and he nodded, saying we needed one more.

Finding one person would be challenging. Everyone already had their groups, and it would be tough to ask just one person to join us.

“Hey, is it okay if I join?”

Kousaka walked over to our troubled group.

“Of course, welcome, Kousaka. Is everyone okay with Yuina, Kuga-san, and Hinata joining?”

Asahi welcomed Kousaka and asked the rest of us if it was alright.

“I’m okay with it!”

“Me too! Welcome…”

“We were struggling with one less person, so thanks for stepping in.”

Everyone welcomed Kousaka, and finally, we had a group of five. We decided to figure out which roles to take from what was written on the blackboard.

There were seven roles in total. We had decided on a maid café for the cultural festival, which involved various tasks, like creating costumes and making signs.

As I was pondering which role to take, I caught sight of Shiina-san entering the classroom.

“Oh, did you already finish making teams?”

“Yeah, just a moment ago.”

“Oh no, I missed out!”

As Shiina-san looked around, trying to figure out which team to join, Kousaka noticed her.

“Akari, good job negotiating with the teachers.”

“Oh, Kousaka-kun. It went alright.”

“That’s great! Akari, do you want to join this team? I think they haven’t decided yet, right?”

Unsure if it was okay, I overheard Sayo’s voice nearby.

“Akari-chan, let’s work together! We can have six members since we already have five. We’re just deciding which roles to take.”

“Thank you, Sayo-chan!”

“Not at all! Oh, Yuina and Kubo-kun, what do you think the food team will be doing?”

Sayo asked Asahi and Maruyama-san, who had gone to inquire about the tasks from the cultural committee.

“They’re supposed to come up with a menu. They’ll also be making a menu board. Sounds fun, right?”

“Yeah, it sounds really fun… Oh, both of you, we just had a new member join us! This makes us feel stronger…”

Sayo shared with Asahi and Maruyama-san that Shiina-san was now part of the team.

“Wow, Akari-chan! This is reassuring. So, shall we vote on which roles to take?”

Maruyama-san took charge, and we decided to vote on the tasks. Surprisingly, we unanimously agreed to take on the role of creating the menu.

“Alright, I’ll go tell Sako-chan.”

“Thanks, Akari-chan!”

Shiina-san went to inform the cultural committee about our role preferences. A few minutes later, she returned with a big smile. Could it be…?

“There were other teams that wanted the role, but we won it in rock-paper-scissors!”

“Yay!”

We all applauded, happy to have gotten the role we wanted. Shiina-san showed us the note she received from the cultural committee.

“For now, we need to come up with a menu by tomorrow. Should we create a group chat?”

“I agree! The four of us can set it up. I’ll invite Akari-chan. Kousaka-kun, how about you?”

“I have a chat already, so I’ll add you guys.”

“Thanks, Hinata!”

It was only the first day of the second semester, but with the preparation for the cultural festival starting, I felt like things were about to get busy.

＊＊＊

“Matcha custard taiyaki, custard pudding, custard cream puffs…”

In the late afternoon, I chuckled as I read the message from Sayo in our cultural festival group about the menu ideas.

“All custard…”

Everything she thinks of seems to revolve around custard. At this rate, our maid café might just become a custard café.

I sent a message back, suggesting something I thought would be good, just like Sayo did.

(The cultural festival, huh… Last year I went around with Toshi, but this year, I really hope I can go with Sayo…)

I flopped back onto my bed, closed my eyes, and felt my phone vibrating in my hand. When I looked at the screen, I saw a message notification, so I tapped on it.

“Hey, about the cultural festival, want to go around together?”