Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 49: The Person Who Always Appears Suddenly

Chapter 49: The Person Who Always Appears Suddenly

“Hinata…”

When Saya suddenly hugged me, I was taken aback but quickly realized she was seeking help.

“Aya-san, Saya and I are about to watch a play, so we should stay here.”

“A play? Oh… since I’ve greeted Hinata, I guess I’ll head home. Let’s talk more when we have time.”

“Y-Yeah. Saya, let’s go.”

I gently spoke to Saya, who nodded slightly and then took my hand.

After parting with Aya-san, we headed toward the gymnasium, even though we had no plans to watch any play.

“Thanks, Hinata.”

“I didn’t do anything. Aya-san was calling out to you.”

I was a bit surprised that Saya wanted her mother to come to the cultural festival. This was unexpected since she didn’t think very highly of her mother.

I thought Saya had invited her, but she shook her head.

“I didn’t call her. I think she heard the schedule from Dad. I told him.”

“…I see.”

“By the way, isn’t your mom, Kaori-san, here?”

“My mom is—”

Just then, I felt a gaze from behind. I turned around quickly to see someone waving at me. It was my mom.

“Saya-chan, hello! You’re as cute as ever. Can I hug you?”

Is it really okay to ask someone if you can hug them right after meeting them?

And I wish she wouldn’t hug her in front of so many people.

“Saya wouldn’t allow it even if you asked.”

“Eh~? Hinata, you’re so possessive.”

“Sorry for being possessive. But seriously, I wish you had told me you were coming to the cultural festival.”

“Oh, didn’t I mention it? I came because I heard from Hinata that Saya-chan would be wearing a maid outfit, but I guess I was too late.”

My mom looked disappointed when she saw that Saya wasn’t wearing a maid outfit and touched her cheek with her right hand.

It seemed she really wanted to see it. If Saya allows it later, I’ll show her the pictures I took.

“Since we’ve met, can I join you?”

I didn’t mind, but I wanted to check with Saya first. However, she was just staring blankly and didn’t respond.

“Saya, are you okay?”

“…I’m fine. I was just thinking how nice it is to see you and Kaori-san together.”

When Saya said that, my mom and I exchanged glances. My mom then walked over to Saya and hugged her tightly.

“Saya-chan is like a daughter to me. So if you want to be spoiled or join us, don’t hesitate to come over.”

“Kaori-san…”

“We were talking about it the other day, so how about staying over tonight? I want to talk a lot with you, Saya-chan.”

“…I-I’d like to talk with Kaori-san too.”

“Fufu, then it’s settled. As for your clothes, we can manage that.”

After my mom released Saya, she gently patted her head.

After a while, the three of us headed toward the gymnasium. When we arrived, the play had already ended, and the light music club’s performance had begun.

“What a lovely performance…”

Saya murmured next to me while clapping her hands. Then, she glanced at me repeatedly.

“Yeah… Are you hungry by any chance?”

“…Yeah, I want to eat a hot dog.”

“Hot dog…”

I checked the cultural festival pamphlet to see if any class was selling hot dogs.

Ah, there it is… Could it be that Saya knows all the food stalls at the cultural festival?

In any case, since Saya wanted to eat a hot dog, I decided to go buy one. I thought it might not be good for my mom to be alone, so I took her along…

I felt a bit guilty about interrupting her enjoyment, but I told my mom we were going to get hot dogs.

As we quietly left the gymnasium, Saya started walking ahead of me.

(Saya really switches on when it comes to food…)

I found it cute, but then I noticed that my mom, who had been walking beside me, was no longer there.

(Huh? Did she get lost?!)

I quickly turned around and saw my mom and Maika, who we had just parted ways with.

“Oh, isn’t that Maika-chan? Shall we go together?”

“Kaori-san, long time no see!”

Although Maika had previously spoken to my mom casually, she had grown nervous lately since they hadn’t shared dinner together or hung out as much.

“Hinata, is it okay if Maika joins us?”

“Uh, Kaori-san… I… Hinata, you don’t mind, do you?”

After Saya told me no, Maika was checking if it was alright.

“…I don’t mind. If Maika is okay with it, let’s go eat hot dogs together.”

“Thank you! By the way, where’s Koga-san?”

“Saya should be over there…”

When Maika looked in the direction of Saya, she murmured, “Oh, right,” and walked over to her. Maika startled Saya by talking to her from behind.

“Koga-san, do you like hot dogs?”

“Ah! You scared me… I like hot dogs. But I like sweet desserts the most.”

“I see. Maybe I’ll buy one too…”

“Yeah, they’re delicious.”

“You’ve already started eating…”

By the time I arrived, Saya was already eating her hot dog, which surprised Maika.

(It’s hard to tell if they’re getting along or not…)

“Saya, Maika decided to join us. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. More importantly, Hinata, you should eat too; it’s super delicious!”

“Really? Then I will.”

I thought I might be told I couldn’t go with Maika, but I was relieved it went well.

“This is delicious.”

“Right?”

“Well, you didn’t make it, Koga-san.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. Kaori-san, do you want to try?”

“Everyone looks like they’re enjoying their food, so I think I will. I’ll buy one for you too, Hinata.”

My mom said that and went off to buy two hot dogs—one for herself and one for me.

“Hinata, I’m back!”

“Thanks, Mom.”

After receiving the hot dog from my mom, I took a bite.

“Mmm, this is good.”

“Hehe, Hinata, you’ve got ketchup on your face.”

Maika giggled softly and pointed to her own mouth with her index finger.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

As I reached to touch the spot she indicated, Maika leaned in closer. She then wiped it off with a tissue.

“There you go, all clean.”

“Ah, thanks…”

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