Chapter 125: Plum, and Peach
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 125: Plum, and Peach
I was relaxing at home, just about to get into bed, when the sound of the front door opening made my ears perk up.
‘Miyuki?’
It was past ten. What was she doing here so late?
Opening the window, I stepped out onto the veranda and spotted her hopping over, carefully sticking to the stone path to avoid the grass.
“What are you doing?”
“You weren’t asleep?”
“I just lay down to sleep and got up. Hurry up and come here.”
Miyuki quickened her pace and stood before me.
There was something that looked like sand in her hair.
I gently brushed it off and chided her.
“I told you to call if you were coming over.”
“I thought you might be sleeping...”
“Didn’t I tell you last time to wake me up even if I am? Don’t you remember?”
“I remember, but I didn’t want to wake you.”
“That’s so you. What’s all this stuff stuck to you?”
“I think it’s sand. I was at the playground.”
“The playground?”
She must have met Tetsuya there... Did she come straight here after?
I tilted my head, and as a cold breeze blew by, I ushered Miyuki inside.
Miyuki sat by the portable heater next to the TV, blowing on her hands.
I plopped down beside her and asked.
“What do you mean you came straight from the playground?”
“Well... I was originally just going to go home, but Tetsuya-kun’s head was bleeding...”
“Huh...?”
What did I just hear?
His head was bleeding? Tetsuya’s?
Did Miyuki smash his head in with a hammer?
As I stood there with my mouth slightly agape, dumbfounded, Miyuki sighed and began to explain.
Here’s what happened.
Miyuki had called Tetsuya to the playground to confront him about today’s events. While Tetsuya was listening to her on a swing, he suddenly fell backward.
His head hit a rock hidden in the sand, causing him to bleed. Tetsuya was now in the emergency room.
Miyuki had helped him home, then went to the emergency room with his parents, and had just come back now.
She’d told Midori that she was near a friend’s house and would just sleep over.
“...It was probably a rock some kids left behind while playing. I should put up a warning sign or something.”
How the hell does something like that even happen?
So that bastard Tetsuya was just born unlucky, huh.
I let out a dry laugh and said.
“Is Miura okay?”
“He bled quite a bit, but the cut was just wide, not serious at all. The doctor told him to come back tomorrow morning, so he’s probably gone home by now.”
“Really? But why did he fall?”
“It looked like he lost his balance and fell off.”
I wrapped my arm around the waist of a worried-looking Miyuki and pulled her close.
“Still, it’s a relief it wasn’t anything serious.”
Miyuki leaned her head on my shoulder and looked up at me with her big eyes.
“Matsuda-kun, I have something to ask you.”
“Go ahead.”
“...Never mind. I’ll tell you later. For now, I want to apologize first. I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Just... for a lot of things.”
Does she think she’s also responsible for what Tetsuya said?
Or is there something about her attitude toward me earlier that’s bothering her?
Either way, it’s cute how it clearly shows her delicate feelings.
I stroked Miyuki’s arm and gave her a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry, too.”
“Hmph...”
She suddenly let out her characteristic nasal hum and squirmed.
She looked quite moved; it seemed she hadn’t expected me to apologize back.
Or maybe she just liked the sound of my late-night, husky voice.
“You couldn’t even bring your bag... so you’ll have to stop by your house early tomorrow morning, right?”
“Yeah...”
“Are Miura’s parents taking him to the hospital?”
“Probably.”
“Alright. Want to shower together?”
“.....”
Miyuki must have smelled the shampoo in my hair.
Even so, without saying she’d shower alone, she just shyly nodded her head.
It makes me happy to see her feelings for me growing stronger right before my eyes.
I stood up to run the water, and smirked when Miyuki grabbed my wrist and wouldn’t let go.
“What is it?”
“Oh, I’m tired today, so we should just shower... Matsuda-kun is a pervert, so... if I don’t say it beforehand...”
“I get it. Who said anything?”
“.....”
When I shrugged as if it were no big deal, Miyuki pouted and let go of my wrist.
I chuckled softly, gave her a light kiss on the forehead, and headed to the bathroom.
* * *
Something with a slightly blunt tip pushed its way between my lips.
Warm, moist, and tasting of plum, it soon traced the soft flesh inside my upper lip, brushed against my gums, then slipped out. A moment later, it repeated the same action.
My eyes fluttered open at the sensation of my defenseless mouth being violated.
“.....”
I burst out laughing when I saw Miyuki quickly turn away.
“What are you doing...?”
“.....”
“Hey, what are you doing...”
I gently poked the butt of Miyuki, who was pretending to be asleep with her back to me. She slowly turned over, a look of dismay on her face as she asked.
“You’re awake...?”
“Who wouldn’t wake up from that? What time is it?”
“Six-thirty...”
The time we’d agreed to wake up yesterday.
Using this as an alarm... Miyuki’s sexual curiosity is growing by the day.
I slowly sat up, then grabbed Miyuki’s outstretched hands asking me to pull her up too.
This fresh, innocent feeling... it’s been a while.
We ate the vegetable bento I had at home, brushed our teeth together, and showered separately.
After getting ready, we went out, got in the car, and stopped by Miyuki’s house.
After she snuck out with her bag, we headed to the academy together.
I was greeting my classmates and getting ready for class when the classroom door opened and Tetsuya walked in.
A bandage was wrapped around the head of the guy who was trudging in with the same dazed look in his eyes.
It made his already shaggy hair stick up, and he looked just like the Kappa he’d dressed up as during the cultural festival. I had to stifle a laugh.
“Tetsuya-kun, what did the doctor say?”
Miyuki rushed over to Tetsuya, who was now the center of everyone’s attention.
He gave a weak smile and answered.
“Just the same as yesterday. They told me to be careful not to get it wet.”
“You’re not dizzy or anything?”
“Not yet? Oh, right, Mom and Dad said to thank you. They want to treat you to a meal sometime... you have to come.”
“Okay. Anyway, be careful. How does a grown man fall off a swing?”
“I have nothing to say to that...”
“Still, I’m glad you’re okay...”
Relieved, Miyuki pointed at me sitting at my desk, said something to Tetsuya, and then came back.
She then started poking me in the side.
Seeing her urging me to make up with him, I clicked my tongue as if I had no choice. I walked over to Tetsuya, who was surrounded by students curious about his bandage, and gestured toward the hallway.
“Can you come out for a second?”
“Ah... sure.”
Tetsuya excused himself and followed me into the hallway.
I looked down at the fidgeting guy and said.
“I’m sorry.”
“Uh...?”
“I said I’m sorry. For slapping you yesterday.”
“Th-that... I’m sorry, too. I should have apologized first...”
I thought he’d continue to act pathetic, but he’s actually apologizing.
Did getting a hole knocked in his head bring some of his senses back?
I gave a perfunctory nod and gestured to the bandage with my chin.
“Is your head okay? Heard you fell off a swing.”
“...It’s fine. Did you hear from Miyuki?”
So I was wrong.
The way he mentioned Miyuki shows he’s still at rock bottom.
And the way he emphasized the word ‘have to’ when he invited her over for a meal...
What was I even expecting from this bastard? I need to reflect on that.
“Yeah. Think you can still do club activities? Aren’t you supposed to avoid sweating?”
“No. The doctor said light training is fine.”
Right, for a guy like you who loves getting attention from girls, you’d have to go no matter what, if only to get some comfort from Renka.
Wait a minute... if I think about it that way, this bastard Tetsuya...
Could he have cracked his own head open on purpose?
I gave Tetsuya a light pat on the back and said.
“Let’s go back in.”
“Okay...”
* * *
As expected, Tetsuya received Renka’s heartfelt sympathy during club activities.
It was a little annoying to see him whining about how much it hurt, but my mood improved a little when I imagined Renka, who would first distance herself from Tetsuya after being conditioned by me, and then eventually come to despise him.
I did my usual manager duties, and as soon as club activities were over, I headed to the parking lot with Chinami.
I didn’t even glance at Tetsuya.
It was to create distance. From now on, I had no intention of carpooling with him either.
I’d given him enough rides. If I kept acting like a pushover, the back seat would start to stink of him.
“Is there anything Junior Hanazawa likes?”
Lost in thought as I walked, I turned my head at the sound of Chinami’s voice beside me.
“She likes all books.”
“Hmm... Junior Hanazawa is good at her studies, isn’t she?”
“Yes. She’s never lost the top spot.”
“That’s amazing. In that case, it might not be a bad idea to talk about schoolwork.”
Why is she trying to talk about such a normal topic? That’s unexpected.
Come to think of it, Chinami was a good student.
If Miyuki and Chinami have my children, their intelligence won’t be an issue.
“She’ll like whatever you talk about.”
As we chatted on our way to the parking lot, Miyuki, who was already waiting, saw Chinami and bowed her head.
“Hello, Nanase-senpai!”
Her cheerful tone was enough to brighten anyone’s mood.
Chinami, a broad smile on her face, returned Miyuki’s greeting with a bow of her own.
“Hello, Junior Hanazawa! I look forward to today!”
The first real step toward building a smooth-sailing harem doesn’t look too bad.
The atmosphere suggests they’ll get along quickly.
Right, it’s much better for them to be close than to have a threesome with someone you’re awkward with.
I hope the two of them build a deep friendship.
Watching the two of them already chatting away, I unlocked the car with my smart key.
“Get in.”
“Ah... yes!”
Miyuki took the passenger seat, and Chinami the back.
As soon as they were in, a fragrant scent filled the car.
The harmony of plum and peach... very nice.
“The place we’re going to has the best Yogurt Peach.”
At Chinami’s words from the back seat, Miyuki turned her head and gave a fresh smile.
“Then should I try the Yogurt Peach too?”
“You should get whatever flavor you want, Junior Hanazawa. I would never insist. I’m only offering a recommendation.”
She probably said that because they’re not close yet, meaning she wouldn’t force her own tastes on her. But when she’s with me, she doesn’t even ask my opinion and just makes me get three scoops of Yogurt Peach. Giving Miyuki a choice...
How utterly unfair. This is bad behavior that cannot be easily overlooked. I’ll have to punish her with a massage.
“By the way, Junior Hanazawa, do you know about a character named Momo-nim?”
“Momo-nim? Of course, I do. I heard she’s very popular.”
I glanced at Chinami in the rearview mirror as she began to reveal her wicked true colors, and silently drove toward the ice cream shop.