Be careful with the laid-back beauty who took a liking to me. Otherwise, it will be too late! - Chapter 53 (Final Chapter) - I Will Always Be By Your Side

Chapter 53 (Final Chapter) – I Will Always Be By Your Side

At the same time that Hinata was returning with Maihara, Sayo was at the café “rate” with Akari.

“Delicious… No, it’s not just delicious. The fluffy dough with the gooey custard… This custard is a total favorite of mine!”

Sayo took a bite of the custard cream puff and shared her long-winded thoughts. Akari nodded in agreement, as if to express her own sentiments.

On the table were three types of mini cream puffs: matcha, strawberry, and the custard Sayo was currently enjoying.

The set menu featuring three types of mini cream puffs was quite popular at this café. You could have all the same flavor, but with so many options available, having all the same felt a bit boring, so Sayo decided to try different ones.

“By the way, what happened with the stalker? Have you not heard anything since?”

“Stalker? You mean Hagiwara-kun?”

“Yeah…”

Not too long ago, there had been an incident, but Sayo hadn’t told Akari about how Hagiwara tried to frame her during the cultural festival. Some things were better left unknown.

“I haven’t had any trouble. Thanks for worrying about me, Sayo-chan. You have this cute side along with a coolness that’s really impressive.”

“Cool… really?”

Feeling a bit bashful, Sayo blushed at the compliment. Akari responded, “Of course,” while holding her teacup.

“I think it’s really nice watching you and Hinata together. You have something special that I don’t.”

“You have your own strengths, Akari-chan.”

“Is that so? But thank you.”

Akari clenched her right fist against her chest and smiled brightly.

A year flew by in the blink of an eye. It had already been a year since Sayo and I met.

During this year, so much had happened. That’s why I could say it was a fulfilling year.

As I reminisced while looking at the cherry blossoms in full bloom, Sayo quietly murmured beside me.

“We’ll only be able to be together with everyone for one more year, huh?”

“…Yeah. Sayo, have you decided on your future path?”

“I’m going to university. What about you, Hinata? How about going to the same university?”

I had heard the name of the school she wanted to attend before, and it was a prestigious one. But I wanted to go there with Sayo. I wondered if I could make it if I really tried.

“I want to go to the same school as you…”

“Really!? Then let’s study hard for the entrance exams together… If we both pass, we can live together.”

“Wait, together?”

I had caught the part about studying together, but I hadn’t thought much about living together.

“I live in a pretty big house for a single person, so I’m sure Hinata can live there too…”

“Hmm, I wonder if your parents will allow it.”

Sayo’s dad, Souma, and her mom, Aya, both seemed like they wouldn’t easily give their permission, even if they had a cheerful image.

“Don’t worry. They’re indifferent to me… Plus, they recognize you.”

“…I don’t think they’re indifferent. They come to check on you sometimes because they’re worried.”

“You don’t understand, Hinata. Well, we can talk about living together later. For now, let’s enjoy our date, okay?”

“…Got it.”

If Sayo didn’t want to talk about her parents, then I’d respect that. I’d only bring it up when she wanted to discuss it.

“Hey, Hinata. How about we go to the crepe shop where we first went together?”

“Sounds good. I’ve been wanting something sweet.”

“Yeah!”

We left the spot where the cherry blossoms bloomed and headed toward the crepe shop. It had been a while since we last visited.

As we approached the store, Sayo’s eyes sparkled, and she suddenly ran ahead, stopping in front of the menu board.

When I caught up to her, Sayo turned around.

“Hinata, there are so many kinds, I’m getting overwhelmed…”

“I feel like I’ve heard that before…”

Feeling a sense of déjà vu, I chuckled at the nostalgia.

Five minutes later, after much deliberation, she finally made her choice.

“I’ve decided…”

Sayo chose the matcha custard crepe, while I went for the chocolate marshmallow crepe. After buying them, we moved to a nearby park to eat.

The park was almost empty of children, and there was an available bench, so we decided to sit there and enjoy our crepes.

“Let’s eat… Hmm, it’s so good!”

As I watched Sayo blissfully savoring her matcha custard, I realized I hadn’t heard her say “it’s so good” in a while.

I had never tried a dessert that combined matcha and custard, but I wondered how it would taste.

Though I was curious, I didn’t want to show it, but Sayo presented her crepe toward me.

“Do you want to take a bite?”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course…”

“Thanks! Do you want some of mine?”

“Sure.”

“Right away with that answer… Well, let’s swap.”

We exchanged crepes, and as I took a bite, I noticed something.

(Huh, did I eat that much…?)

The chocolate marshmallow crepe that returned to me was considerably smaller than when I had given it to Sayo.

“Sayo…?”

“…I’m sorry! I devoured it in no time!”

“Oh, you devoured it, huh… That’s understandable.”

Yeah, it was fine. I wouldn’t get angry if Sayo enjoyed her food.

Sayo finished her matcha custard crepe, and I finished mine shortly after.

“I’m satisfied…”

“I’m glad to hear that. Is there anywhere else you want to go?”

“No, I don’t… I just want to relax like this with Hinata.”

Sayo gently placed her hand on mine.

“Then let’s just relax here.”

“Yeah.”

While going out and having fun with Sayo was enjoyable, there was something nice about spending a quiet time like this. Just being together made me happy.

She softly held my hand and turned her body toward me.

“Hinata, please stay by my side from now on.”

“I don’t need to be asked; I’ll always be by your side.”

Since we were at the edge of the park, and I didn’t think anyone would see, I gently kissed her.

Three Years Later

Having graduated high school, both Sayo and I became university students. Living together would be a bit later, but we were attending the same university.

Today, we were meeting up with everyone for the first time in a while: Maihara, Asahi, Maruyama, Shiina, and Kousaka for some cherry blossom viewing.

“It’s been a while, everyone. I see Sayo-chan often, but…”

The one who seemed the happiest about the reunion was Shiina. She had long hair in high school, but now she had cut it all off. I thought the short cut really suited her.

“Akari-chan, you cut it all off, did you break up with someone!?”

“Ahaha, everyone keeps saying that. But no, I didn’t break up with anyone. I just felt like cutting it.”

Shiina chuckled at Maruyama’s comment and played with her hair.

As everyone chatted happily, Maihara spoke to Sayo.

“Hello, Koga-san. It’s been a while.”

“Yeah, it’s been a while… Ohara-san.”

“How are things with Hinata?”

“Going well.”

“…I see. I will definitely be happier than you, Koga-san.”

Maihara declared, thrusting her fist forward. Sayo bumped her fist against Maihara’s in response.

“Good luck… I’m rooting for you.”

“Thanks!”

After finishing her conversation with Maihara, Sayo came over to me and sat down beside me.

“I thought I had no place to belong… I didn’t like my home, and I didn’t really like school…”

She paused for a moment and then looked at me before continuing.

“But I found it. My place is here now.”

“…I’m glad you found it.”

“Yeah… Hinata, thank you for meeting me.”

“Thank you too.”

If I hadn’t met Sayo, my future would likely have been very different. I couldn’t imagine how it would have turned out, but right now, I was happy.

Author’s Note

Thank you for reading this far! Initially, I planned for this to be a 40-chapter story, but somehow it ended up being longer. Writing this work allowed me to discover a lot about custard sweets, thanks to Sayo. I received many recommendations from readers on various custard desserts in my recent notes. Thank you to everyone who left comments.

Lastly, I appreciate the follows, comments, and reviews for this work. I’m currently serializing a new work, so I hope you’ll enjoy that as well.

“Angel of White”

→ Link to Work

Translator’s Note

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Be Careful with the Laid-Back Beauty Who Took a Liking to Me; Otherwise, It Will Be Too Late. I am grateful for your support and enthusiasm as we followed the heartfelt story of Hinata and Sayo.

I hope you enjoyed the blend of romance and lighthearted moments, along with the unique charm of the characters. Your feedback and encouragement have meant the world to me.

Stay tuned for my upcoming works, and once again, thank you for being a part of this adventure!