Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 48: The Unchanging Me

Chapter 48: The Unchanging Me

After getting a break, I ended up enjoying the cultural festival with Sayo and Maiho, but I realized something now.

(Isn’t this going to turn into something bad?)

On my right was Sayo, and on my left was Maiho. From the outside, it probably looked like some kind of harem situation. I didn’t choose this, but why hadn’t I noticed this sooner?

“From our childhood memories of having fun at shooting games, I’ll turn that into a memory of losing to me.”

“Try if you can. I don’t think I’ll lose to you, Koga.”

I really wondered if these two would never get along. I didn’t want them to fight while sandwiching me in between. Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to hang out with both of them after all.

When we arrived at the shooting game booth run by the third years, it was empty, so we could play right away.

We had bought tickets before coming here, so I handed one to the staff member.

“Okay, you get five chances. By the way, if you drop this watch, you’ll get one of our cosplay outfits as a prize, so good luck!”

The senior seemed to be looking directly at me as he said that. Did I look like someone who wanted to wear a cosplay outfit? And why was a cosplay outfit a prize? Was there someone in our class with that kind of hobby?

Well, I didn’t care about the cosplay outfit, so I focused on the competition with Maiho.

“The winner is determined by how many hits you can get out of five shots. The loser has to buy juice for the winner, okay?”

“Sounds good to me… What do you think, Hinata?”

“I think that’s good. Let’s do it.”

Since there were two shooting booths, Sayo and Maiho decided to go first. I would just watch them in the meantime.

Since this was something students made, it looked easier than the shooting games you’d find at festival stalls.

The five shots ended quickly, and Sayo and Maiho both scored two hits.

At this point, I had to get at least three hits to avoid buying juice for both of them. It didn’t bother me to treat them, but I didn’t want to lose in the middle of a competition. I didn’t want to lose to either Maiho or Sayo.

“Hinata, do your best! If you win, I’ll give you a hug!”

“Wha—! If I win, I’ll give you some delicious sweets!”

When did this rule of rewards for only me winning come about?

Then it was my turn, and when I was done, I ended up losing and had to buy juice for the two of them.

“Thanks, Hinata. You must be thirsty, right? You drink too.”

Sayo handed me a café latte. I hesitated a bit because it was half-finished, but she looked at me expectantly, so I took a sip. A slightly bitter yet sweet flavor spread in my mouth.

“Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

She said this while glancing at Maiho, sporting a smug look on her face. Maiho puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms.

“Well then, since we finished the shooting game, Maiho will go her own way. Hinata and I are going on a date now.”

“Wha—! Then I’ll go too! The competition between me and Hinata isn’t just about shooting games. Right, Hinata?”

Maiho smiled brightly, urging me to nod with her eyes. Even though she was smiling, she looked terrifying.

I wanted to spend time with Sayo, but if I told Maiho not to follow us, it would feel like I was excluding her, so what should I do?

“No way, Hinata, let’s go.”

“Uh, ah, sorry, Maiho.”

Sayo pulled my hand, and after apologizing to Maiho, we left the spot.

Maiho, left alone with the prize she had won, looked at the apple juice can she had received.

“I guess I can’t win against Koga…”

“I’m sorry, I need to wash my hands.”

“Okay, I’ll wait here.”

After eating a cream puff with Hinata, my hands got dirty, so I headed to the restroom.

(That was delicious… What should I eat next?)

After washing my hands, I took out a handkerchief from my pocket and dried my hands. As I was about to return to Hinata, I caught sight of Hoshino-kun, who seemed to be lying in wait.

Then, unable to say what was in my heart, I murmured.

“Stalker.”

“What! You can’t just say that after seeing me!”

“You’re a stalker because you can’t get a girlfriend. What do you want coming all the way to the cultural festival? Don’t give me some lie about having a friend at this high school and being called here.”

“Wha—! I haven’t said anything yet!”

Realizing that even the lies he was thinking of had been exposed, Hoshino-kun fell silent.

(He’s too easy to read…)

“If you have something to say, just say it. I’m not that free.”

“Are you maybe dating someone?”

“Why are you asking that? I don’t think it’s any of your business what I do…”

“T-That’s…”

“Well, see ya…”

I had no intention of dealing with Hoshino-kun, so I left him and headed back to Hinata.

(In the end, I don’t even know what he wanted to say…)

As I was about to pass by the classroom, which had a sweet scent coming from it, I stopped to see what they were selling. Just then, I heard someone call my name from behind.

“Sayo, there you are! I’ve been looking for you.”

“!”

I didn’t need to confirm who it was with my eyes; just from the voice, I knew. I hadn’t invited anyone to the cultural festival, but when I turned around, my mother was there.

I thought my father would be with her, but it seemed like she was alone.

“Why…?”

“Why not? Is it wrong for your mother to come?”

“N-no, that’s not it… It’s just that I didn’t tell you the schedule, so I didn’t think you would come.”

I hated this. Why was I in such a rigid atmosphere when I should be enjoying the fun cultural festival? I wanted to escape this space that wouldn’t let me go.

I hated myself for having to behave in a way that wouldn’t upset my mother and for saying insincere words.

“I wanted to see what kind of school life Sayo is having. Is it Kawai-kun? If he’s around, I’d like to greet him.”

“Uh, H-Hinata is just around the corner there.”

“Okay, then let’s go together.”

“Yes, I’ll show you to where he is.”

I said this and led my mother in front of me toward Hinata.

As we turned the corner, there was Hinata waiting for me. He immediately noticed I had arrived, and then he saw my mother behind me.

“Ah, Sayo… and, um, Ayaka-san?”

“It’s been a while, Kawai-kun.”

“Y-yes! It’s been a while!”

This was scary. If it was just a simple greeting, that would be fine, but I could easily imagine my mother telling Hinata to break up with me. Thinking this, I suddenly hugged Hinata tightly, even with my mother right there.

“Hinata…”