Chapter 104: Prelude to the Training Camp
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: Prelude to the Training Camp
“Is today your last day of volunteer work?”
The elderly security guard asked.
I signed the confirmation sheet and nodded with a happy expression.
“Yes.”
“That’s a shame. It was nice not being bored.”
“I’m sad to see it end, too. I’ll come visit from time to time.”
“I’d appreciate that. I’ll make sure to give this to the student council member when they arrive.”
“Thank you.”
“Alright, good work.”
After saying my goodbyes to the guard, I walked toward the school gate with a light heart.
Now I no longer needed to carve out time during my commute or lunch break.
In other words, it meant I could do a lot more of that sort of thing with Miyuki at the academy.
Should I start trying all the things I’ve only ever imagined, one by one?
Lost in these pleasant thoughts, I was about to step through the school gate when—
“Matsuda, wait...!”
Hearing Renka’s voice from behind, I turned around.
I could see her approaching me with quick steps.
Where was Chinami? She had sent me a message saying she was on her way to school with Renka and that the train was too crowded. She must have gone in ahead.
“Hello, Captain.”
“...Right. Hello.”
Her expression was far from pleased, but at least she returned my greeting.
Feisty one.
“What’s up?”
“Did you... by any chance, give Chinami a massage or something on Friday...?”
I knew Chinami would have told her.
It was only natural, seeing as those two have no secrets from each other.
I gave a slight nod and answered.
“I did.”
“At a hotel?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I thought she’d fly into a rage, but she was surprisingly calm.
Still, it was obvious she was angry.
In Renka’s eyes, I must look like a villain who lured innocent Chinami to a hotel.
“Why do you think? Because I was grateful.”
“Grateful?”
“She’s a very kind teacher who saw me for who I was even before I joined the club, and even put up with my stubbornness when I suddenly said I wanted to learn the high stance. As her student, I believe I’m allowed to show my gratitude.”
“...It sounds like you’re taking an indirect jab at me...”
The fact that you think so must mean you feel guilty about something.
“That wasn’t my intention. In any case, is it a problem that I gave her a massage?”
“The massage itself isn’t the problem. Like you said, I think a student can show that much gratitude. But the location is the problem. A hotel... Are you in your right mind?”
“Why?”
“Chinami might think it was just a regular hotel, but... I’ve never heard of a hotel with a massage room in the guest suite. The place you went was definitely...”
My dear Renka... you know about love hotels?
No, Chinami is just too innocent. This is the normal reaction.
“A love hotel.”
“Right... a love hotel.”
“So what about it?”
“What do you mean, ‘so what about it’? Your intentions were impure...!”
True. I’ll admit that.
“But so what? I went there because it happened to be a good spot. It’s not like I did anything of that sort with Nanase-senpai; I just gave her a massage and left. Is that really something to ask if I’m in my right mind over?”
As I laid out my seamless excuses, Renka glanced around.
She seemed worried that other students might overhear.
A sense of relief crept into her voice after she confirmed no one was around.
“I apologize for speaking so rashly. But...”
I knew full well what Renka was worried about.
You’re going to slowly open up to me as I tame you anyway, so can’t we just take the easy route?
Swallowing those words, I said, “You can rest assured. Not that you’ll believe me, Captain.”
“...When you first joined, you performed the bow properly and were so quiet... but you’ve changed as time went on, haven’t you?”
“I haven’t caused any trouble, and I even gave you a ride home out of kindness... yet someone I know has only gotten colder to me over time.”
“Of course, I’m grateful for that. I also recognize that my attitude just now was wrong. But I can’t agree with you not having caused any trouble.”
“What did I do?”
“The time you intimidated your opponent with a pointless attack during the friendly match, or when you joked around mentioning some kind of breathing technique during a sparring session that should be observed in silence. Don’t you think my reaction is justified, considering your flippant attitude?”
“I’ve really gotten on your bad side, haven’t I?”
“Do you remember what the coach said right before you joined? Kendo is a martial art. The most important mindset in practicing a martial art is etiquette, and that naturally includes respect for your opponent. But your actions so far have shown no such etiquette. Even if you have talent...”
“Is that so? Thanks for the compliment.”
“Let me finish. What good is talent if your words and actions are inappropriate? I don’t know what you think of kendo, but... if you keep this up, the coach is going to get angry too.”
“Aren’t you asking too much of a club member who joined only a month ago? I’m trying my best, you know.”
As if she had been waiting for me to say that, Renka’s eyes lit up.
“Are you really trying?”
“Yes. I told you I am.”
“I’ll help you, then. The week after midterms end.”
She was saying something completely out of the blue.
When I tilted my head in confusion, she crossed her arms and continued.
“We’re going on a training camp to a mountain lodge by a nearby valley. It’s for three days and two nights, starting the Friday evening after midterms. Keep that in mind.”
It seemed she’d suddenly brought it up with the intention of whipping me into shape during the camp.
By the way, has the date finally been set?
A mountain lodge by a valley... That’s not the location I originally knew.
The date has been moved up, too.
But it didn’t matter. In fact, it was even better.
Why? Because it felt like the event was starting to revolve around me.
“We have training camps?”
“It’s an annual event.”
“Is it mandatory?”
“No, it’s not. You can skip it if you have a reason, of course. But no member has ever missed it. It’s a camp that greatly helps with training and unity. If you’re thinking of skipping, would you mind telling me now?”
She was speaking provocatively, but I’ll let it slide.
“You said you’d help me. I guess I’ll participate. But do we spar there too?”
“It’s the most important part of the training camp. Of course we do.”
“I’ve been itching for some action lately. That’s great. I’ve been wanting to use my new armor in a real match, too.”
As I deliberately acted cocky as if it were no big deal, an incredulous smile spread across Renka’s lips.
“So you are interested in kendo, then?”
“It’s fun. The feel of a clean hit is satisfying. Would I have joined if I wasn’t interested?”
“...You have a point. I’ll let you have as many matches as you want. Make sure to break in your armor well.”
Please, let me fight you.
Don’t even consider things like dan or kyu ranks. Step up yourself with the full intention of crushing my pride.
Judging by Renka’s expression, it seemed likely to happen...
I took my indoor shoes out of my locker, dropped them on the floor with a thud, and asked, “Can I go now? I think I’ll be late for class.”
“Go on.”
After parting with Renka, I clenched my fist as I headed up to the first-year hallway.
No matter how talented the main character is, Renka is genuinely skilled at kendo.
To avoid being humiliated, and for the sake of my own goals, I’d have to ramp up my training intensity starting today.
* * *
“Matsuda-kun. Is your studying for midterms going well?”
It was the vice class president, who sat in front of me.
With a bored expression, I rested my arm on the desk and replied, “So-so.”
“You don’t seem nervous at all. You’re not going to get last place again like last semester, are you?”
“What will you do if I score higher than you? Is that a challenge?”
“There’s no way that’ll happen.”
“Wanna bet?”
“What kind of bet?”
If I beat you, you have to put out.
To be honest, I wasn’t confident I could win.
The vice class president was as good at studying as Miyuki.
“Just kidding. How could I ever beat you?”
“You said it so confidently, though...”
She must have gotten a lot more comfortable around me lately, to be striking up conversations so freely.
I glanced at Masako, who was munching on bread next to the vice class president.
Come to think of it, I think Masako was a good student, too.
If she just had dark circles under her eyes, she’d be the gloomy beauty side character from a rom-com...
It was a shame her under-eyes were surprisingly clear.
I tapped her on the shoulder and said, “Hey, Bread Girl.”
“Cough! O-Oh...?”
“What kind of bread is it today?”
“Th-This... is a cream cheese soboro... D-Do you want one...?”
“Nah. But isn’t your throat getting dry?”
“I-I have milk...”
I was teasing Masako when I froze as Miyuki secretly started touching my thigh.
“Matsuda-kun. Stop distracting others and review the material I taught you.”
“I was just trying to cool my head, and you can’t even wait a second before nagging...”
I turned to Miyuki and started complaining as if I was fed up, but then...
Sliiiide...
Miyuki’s hand delved even deeper, and I clamped my mouth shut.
I could feel the warmth of her slender hand through my thin uniform pants.
I shouldn’t be getting turned on at the drop of a hat like this... This is worrying.
But who wouldn’t get hard in this situation?
I gently pushed Miyuki’s hand away, then looked at Tetsuya, who was studying with his eyes fixed on his desk, and spoke.
“Miura.”
“Yeah?”
“They said we’re going on a training camp. Did you know?”
“I know. The captain told us via text today. How did you find out?”
“I heard it from the captain today, too.”
“Really? Are you going to participate?”
Of course I have to.
I need to do the sparring, which is an essential part of conquering Renka, and I might get a chance to legally beat the crap out of you.
“I’m planning on it.”
“It’s my first training camp... I’m getting nervous for some reason.”
“It’s the middle of the semester, so they probably won’t push us too hard.”
“I’d rather it be so intense that I collapse from exhaustion. That’s what makes training rewarding, right?”
Is he some kind of masochist?
Suddenly, I’m getting scared.
After finishing my conversation with Tetsuya, I turned my eyes back to my notebook. Miyuki poked my side and asked quietly, “Training camp? What are you talking about?”
“The kendo club training camp. They said we’re going for three days and two nights, starting the Friday after midterms.”
“Three days and two nights...? Why so long?”
“Isn’t that rather short? Aren’t training camps usually four days and three nights at a minimum? Sometimes they even last a week.”
“Is that so...?”
Miyuki’s expression was a little stiff.
She hated the idea of not being able to see me for the entire weekend.
Reading her mind, I took out a notebook, wrote in the corner, and showed it to her.
[It’s not like I’m leaving right now. I’ll contact you often while I’m there.]
Miyuki mumbled, seemingly displeased about something, and wrote a reply underneath.
[Contact me whenever you have a spare moment. And I can’t read your handwriting. You should have joined the calligraphy club, Matsuda-kun.]
She’s just being prickly. She read it just fine.