Chapter 119: First Wish #2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 119: First Wish #2
“Tetsuya-kun, why are you so quiet today?”
At Miyuki’s question from the passenger seat, Tetsuya, who had been sitting in the back silently staring out the window, flinched before answering.
“I just have a lot on my mind…”
“A lot on your mind? Like what?”
Through the rearview mirror, Tetsuya’s gaze shifted toward me.
I could see right through him.
It’s about me, so it’s hard to talk about it here, right? I know.
“…Just stuff. I have to think about the final exams…”
“Wow, what a diligent student. Should I tutor you over a video call tonight?”
“Huh? You’d do that for me?”
“Of course. I can’t go out because of my mom, but I can definitely do that much.”
“Then please do. It’s been a while since you tutored me.”
Tetsuya’s expression brightened instantly.
What a sight, seeing him so happy that Miyuki, a girl now beyond his reach, was willing to spend time with him.
After dropping Tetsuya off at his house, I graciously accepted the shameless bastard’s thanks and drove off.
Miyuki’s eyes widened as she asked.
“You’re being unusually kind today. What’s the occasion?”
“You call this kind?”
“For you, Matsuda-kun, this is incredibly nice…”
“Is that so? But you’re the one who’s been acting delinquent today.”
“Why?”
“Don’t you remember first period?”
Miyuki’s face flushed red.
She had remembered groping my groin.
Biting her lower lip, she spoke.
“Th-that was because you were teasing me…! You kept putting me in a difficult spot…”
“So you decided to get even?”
“Well, no… there was that, but…”
“Do it again sometime.”
When I hinted that I had enjoyed it, Miyuki quickly turned her head to look out the window.
She seemed embarrassed by her own childish, impulsive act.
Chuckling, I drove quietly until we arrived at her home.
“We’re here.”
“……”
Without a word, Miyuki grabbed her bag, opened the passenger door, and looked back at me.
She was truly beautiful, with delicate features arranged on skin so flawless it made me marvel every time I saw it.
“What are you looking at?”
I tilted my chin up with a blunt tone, and Miyuki suddenly stuck her tongue out at me.
Then she scrambled out of the car, and as soon as the door was shut, she bolted for her front door.
If she was going to act all prim and proper, she should have stuck with it. Seeing her scurry away like that was just funny.
Miyuki opened her door, went inside, and then poked just her head back out. Seeing my car still there, she stuck her tongue out again.
This time, she even squeezed her eyes shut.
I chuckled at the cute gesture. After waving one hand frantically, she closed the door. I then headed for the city—or more specifically, to the Hotel Rafia, where I'd given Chinami that heart-pounding massage.
I parked near the entrance and walked into the lobby, where a familiar scene greeted me.
The dim, gloomy atmosphere of a lobby run entirely by kiosks.
I wonder if Renka would tremble with anxiety if she came in here. The thought amused me.
* * *
The room I got was a standard one.
A room meant purely for relaxation, with none of the props for concept plays.
Neither small nor large, it was similar to a room in a three-star hotel. I flopped down on the bed and called Renka.
After three or four rings,
—Hello?
Renka’s polite voice came through the phone.
From the noise in the background, it sounded like she was out…
Probably in Akihabara. I don’t even need to see to know.
“It’s me.”
—Who… ah… Matsuda?
Her tone immediately turned curt. How disappointing.
Or wait, should I be grateful she recognized my voice through the modulator?
“Yes. You didn’t save my number?”
—No… I did, but I answered without checking the caller ID.
“I see. Where are you right now?”
—Out.
“Out where?”
—Out is out.
Does she really not want to tell me?
Later, I’ll make it so you report to me on your own.
I snorted and got to the point.
“You have time now, right? Come to the location I’m sending you.”
—What… Why should I?
“I’m using one of my wishes.”
The phone went silent, filled only with the sounds of what seemed to be an advertisement and people talking nearby.
It seemed Renka was at a loss for words.
A moment later, she asked in a deeply troubled tone.
—You’re using a wish now…? It’s only been a day since we got back from the training camp…
“When I use it is up to me.”
—I’m busy right now… If-if you had at least given me a heads-up…
But that wouldn’t be any fun.
I want to see you drop everything you’re doing and come running at my command.
“If it’s something important, I can let it slide. But in that case, I get one extra wish.”
—What!? What kind of nonsense is that…! That wasn’t part of the deal…!
“You said you’d grant me anything, except for what we agreed on beforehand. Was I wrong?”
—W-well, that’s true, but…
“That’s why I didn’t say anything… but this is already becoming a problem. Should I just let it go? Should I pretend the wish never happened?”
Renka hates to lose when it comes to anything involving me.
By gently prodding her like I was doing her a favor, I knew she'd take the bait. Her pride had already been crushed once at the training camp, and she wouldn't want to back down again.
—Pretend what never happened…! I’ll go! I’ll go, alright…! Where do I need to go!?
Just as I expected, Renka’s reply was rather heated.
She’s so easy to read. Just like Chinami.
I put the phone on speaker and sent Renka the location.
“Check your messages. How long will it take you to get here?”
—…About… 30 minutes, I think. If the train is late, it might take another 10 minutes.
“So, 40 minutes. I’m starting the timer now. Call me when you arrive.”
—Fine.
Click.
The call ended abruptly.
Was it just my imagination, or could I picture Renka clenching her fists and trembling with rage?
I snickered, stripped off my clothes, and headed for the bathroom.
@@
‘What is this place…?’
Arriving five minutes early, Renka looked up at the tall building before her.
A building named [Hotel Rafia] stood there… What was going on?
Renka squeezed her large eyes shut, then opened them again, comparing the location on her phone with the building in front of her.
“This is the right place…?”
No matter how many times she checked, it was the location Matsuda had sent.
Tilting her head, Renka thought for a moment before opening her browser and searching for Hotel Rafia.
And then,
[Hotel Rafia]
[Category: Love Hotel]
[Rating: 4.8/5]
Her eyes widened at the search result that popped up.
‘A-a love hotel…?’
Was Matsuda really calling her to a place where… men and women engage in sexual acts?
Stunned for a moment, Renka’s eyes grew cold.
She immediately called Matsuda. The moment the ringing stopped, she spoke.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
—What do you mean?
“Why did you call me to a love…”
Renka, about to lash out, quickly covered her mouth.
She was worried her raised voice would attract attention.
Glancing around hastily, she lowered her voice.
“Why did you call me to a love hotel…? Don’t tell me you’re…”
—You keep jumping to strange conclusions. It’s not like that, so don’t worry.
Hearing Matsuda’s incredibly calm and cheerful tone, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she might have misunderstood.
Even though the location was suspicious to anyone.
“H-how can I trust you…?”
—As reckless as I am, I’m not that much of a degenerate. I seriously just came here to rest.
“If you want to rest, go home… or…”
—You’re so difficult. Just type 503 into the kiosk, and a card key will come out. Come if you want, or leave if you want.
“Wait… Matsu…”
Click.
The call ended just as she was about to say something more.
Renka let out a few hollow laughs and shoved her phone into her pocket with irritation.
Fine, I’ll go.
I’ll go in, grant Matsuda’s wish with my head held high, and leave.
If he tries anything, I’ll just kick him where it counts.
Suppressing her boiling anger, Renka hesitated for a moment before stepping into the building.
A dimly lit lobby greeted her.
For some reason, it had a gloomy atmosphere, and the air was thick with the smell of cheap air freshener.
Feeling inexplicably unsettled, Renka looked around until she found the kiosk Matsuda had mentioned.
After fumbling with the unfamiliar machine to enter the room number, a card key popped out from a slot below with a soft click.
‘Why is the security so lax…?’
They were probably watching through security cameras, but wasn't it too much to not have a single person stationed here?
Even if it was a love hotel, it was still a hotel… Or maybe there was an employee behind that translucent glass partition?
Mulling over these thoughts, Renka got into the elevator, trying her best to hide her nervousness as she pressed the button for the 5th floor.
She followed the sign in the middle of the hallway to find room 503. Taking a deep breath, she held the card key to the lock.
Beep.
The door unlocked with an electronic sound.
As she carefully pulled the handle, a bright light spilled out, contrasting with the dark hallway.
Renka hesitated for a moment, peering into the silent room. Then, hearing Matsuda’s voice from around the corner, hidden by the bathroom wall, she clenched her teeth.
“You’re here? Come on in. There are slippers, so take off your shoes.”
“……”
Renka obediently changed into the slippers and moved her long legs.
Striding into the room, the first thing she saw was Matsuda, lying casually on the bed with his wet hair on the pillow, looking as if he had just showered.
This is absurd, but don’t let it show.
With that thought, Renka opened her mouth.
“I need to add another condition.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden? We settled that yesterday.”
“No… so I’m just supposed to live in constant anxiety, not knowing when you’ll call me? I was lucky I didn’t have anything urgent this time… And try to see it from my perspective. What if I called you when you had an unavoidable situation?”
At her words, Matsuda stroked his chin.
“Hmm… I suppose that would be a problem.”
“See…! What I’m asking for is simple. From now on, don’t just summon me out of the blue. Tell me in advance where and when to go. If I ever make a wish like this, I’ll consider your situation too. This way, it’s fair for both of us. Right?”
“I’ll think about it positively.”
He’s actually listening. I thought he’d be stubborn.
Renka let out a sigh of relief internally and asked.
“So… what’s your wish?”
“Before I make it, I have one thing to ask.”
“Go on.”
“What time do you have to be back?”
“Back where?”
“Home.”
“I have to leave here by ten.”
“And if I say I’ll drive you?”
“…Then I could probably stay until 11:30.”
“Is that so? Alright. Stay right there.”
Matsuda nodded, then fiddled with the TV remote and turned on an entertainment channel.
He then settled into a very comfortable position and began to watch.
Wondering what on earth he was doing, Renka said.
“What are you doing…? Make your wish.”
“I already did.”
“When?”
“Just now. I wished for you to stay right there.”
“……”
Renka’s mouth fell slightly open.
His wish was for her to just stand there?
What kind of a simple wish was that?
Just as she was about to ponder Matsuda’s incomprehensible behavior, he glanced at his phone screen and continued.
“And you can’t speak until I speak to you first. It’s seven o’clock now… so you’ll just have to stand there for about four and a half hours.”
“…What? What is that supposed to…”
Stunned, Renka gasped.
Matsuda had brought his index finger to his lips in a gesture for silence.
He looked up at her steadily. When her lips snapped shut, he gave a satisfied smirk and turned his eyes back to the TV.