Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 5: The Place You Want to Go Together

Episode 5: The Place You Want to Go Together

After school, I tried to talk to Koga-san, who had promised to walk home together, but she was lying on her desk as usual, seemingly asleep.

(Is she sleep-deprived?)

I felt bad about waking her up, but since I didn’t know when she’d wake up, I called her name.

“Koga-san.”

“Hmm…?”

She raised her head abruptly, giving off an aura of “I wasn’t sleeping just now.”

Well, even though she had that kind of vibe, her way of speaking was still too relaxed, and she still seemed half-asleep.

“Are you still going to sleep? If you are, I can stay here with you…”

Since I didn’t have any plans after this, I was considering accompanying her if she wanted to sleep.

“Nah, I’m not gonna sleep… I have somewhere I want to go with you. Shall we go home?”

Saying that, Koga-san slowly got up from her chair and grabbed her bag.

I felt like some of the boys who were still in the classroom were looking at us, but I closed my eyes and muttered to myself that it was just my imagination.

I know that having me by her side might attract such looks, but if I keep worrying about it, I won’t be able to be with Koga-san.

I wanted to walk home with her. Let’s enjoy this time after school with her.

Leaving the school, I followed her, and we arrived at a shopping street near the station.

This shopping street had everything from old-fashioned shops to new ones, and it was thriving.

I’m not from this area, so I’ve only been here once. There’s no particular reason why I’ve only been here once, but usually after school, I just pass by here on my way to the station.

As we walked along the shopping street for a while, a good smell wafted into the air.

Since I was a little hungry after school, I couldn’t help but be curious about this smell.

As I looked around, Koga-san grabbed my sleeve and pulled me along.

“Kawai-kun, today’s detour is here!”

“Here… a taiyaki specialty shop?”

She introduced me to the shop, and although we could have taken it to go, we decided to eat inside. The source of the enticing smell turned out to be taiyaki.

The interior of the shop was like a stylish cafe, a calm and quiet place.

“I didn’t know there was a shop like this on the shopping street.”

I probably wouldn’t have known if Koga-san hadn’t brought me here. I love taiyaki, so I was very happy to know that there’s such a shop here.

“Hehe, I wanted you to know more about the goodness of custard…”

Saying that with a smile, Koga-san looked at the menu and started to ponder, just like she did when we had crepes last time.

There were several types of taiyaki, and there were three with custard.

“Custard, caramel custard, strawberry custard… I’m torn…”

As she hesitated, I also looked at the menu and thought about which one to choose.

Since Koga-san said she wanted me to know more about the goodness of custard, I decided to choose from the three types with custard.

“Shall we go with caramel custard? Have you decided, Koga-san?”

“Hmm… yeah, I’ve decided.”

After agonizing for a long time, she seemed to have made up her mind, and she raised her hand neatly.

Then, a staff member came over immediately. It’s amazing how they noticed even though we didn’t say anything…

“What will you have?”

“I’ll go with caramel custard.”

Since Koga-san said it was okay earlier, I ordered while looking at the menu. Then, it was Koga-san’s turn to order.

“I’ll… have all three of the custard ones here.”

(Huh!?)

To my surprise, she ordered all three types of taiyaki with caramel.

When we finished ordering, Koga-san looked at me with a triumphant expression.

(Why the triumphant look…)

“If you want to try the others, I’ll feed you.”

“U-Um, sure…”

While waiting for our order to arrive, Koga-san and I talked about our likes and dislikes.

Things like liking custard, liking chess, liking reading. I learned things about her that I didn’t know before.

“Your order is ready.”

“Custard!”

When our order arrived, Koga-san’s eyes sparkled, and the sleepy look she had when lying on her desk disappeared, replaced by wide awake eyes.

(Her gap is so amazing and cute…)

Seeing her sparkling eyes when she had her favorite things in front of her, I couldn’t help but smile softly, and Koga-san blushed.

“I might have gotten a little too excited. Sorry…”

“It’s okay. Koga-san, you really love custard, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Ah!”

When she said she loved it, she looked straight at me, making my heart skip a beat.

(She loves custard, not me…)

“Shall we eat now?”

“Y-Yeah…”

Koga-san took a bite of the taiyaki, and she had a happy expression on her face, so I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by it.

“You always eat so happily, Koga-san.”

“Do I…? Maybe it’s because I’m happy when I eat what I like.”

Watching her eat, I decided to eat what I ordered.

(Mmm, it’s delicious!)

Today, I learned for the first time how well custard and caramel go together.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yeah, it’s sweet and delicious. Thank you, Koga-san, for bringing me here.”

“You’re welcome… Next time, I want you to take me to your recommended place.”

Recalling her words about wanting to share what she loves, I nodded.

Yeah, next time, I want to show Koga-san something I love.

“I’ll think about it. Let’s go eat like this after school again sometime.”

“Yeah, let’s go!”

Koga-san’s smile, full of happiness, is truly angelic. I’ve talked to girls before, but talking to her makes my heart race.

(But still…)

“This one is delicious, and this one too… Maybe ordering all three was the right choice after all…”

I was surprised at how quickly Koga-san finished eating all three types of taiyaki.

I didn’t know. Koga-san is quite the eater.

Seeing me staring at her, Koga-san noticed and smiled, then spoke to me.

“Hey, Kawai-kun. What are you doing for dinner tonight?”

“Dinner?”

I wondered why she was asking about dinner, but I answered.

“I was thinking of cooking and eating at home… My parents are coming home late.”

Since I didn’t have plans to eat with Maika today, I’d be eating alone at home. As I thought that, she opened her mouth.

“In that case, why don’t you come to my house and eat together?”