Chapter 131: Second Wish #2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 131: Second Wish #2
“Long time no see, Matsuda.”
The security guard greeted me warmly.
I bowed my head to him in return.
“Hello, Mister.”
“Hey there. Did you make up with your friend?”
“My friend? Ah…”
He was talking about Tetsuya.
But calling him a friend…
A wicked thought flickered through my mind before vanishing.
“I don’t know about making up, but I did apologize for what I did.”
“I see. So what brings you here today?”
“I didn’t have anything else to do, so I came to help out.”
The truth was, I was here to see Chinami and Renka on their way to school, but helping sweep the front gate would boost my reputation and make things easier for the guard. A win-win.
The guard let out a hearty laugh and nodded.
“Is that so? Well then, I’ll gladly accept your help.”
“Yes, sir.”
And so, I grabbed a broom and began sweeping the fallen leaves in front of the school gate.
“Ah! Junior!”
From a distance, Chinami waved her hand cheerfully, and I returned a bright smile.
Renka was… right next to her.
Her expression soured instantly. Seeing her react like that already… it made me look forward to the future.
I met Chinami’s eyes as she trotted over.
“Good morning, Master. Did you have a good weekend?”
“It was the same as always. How about you, Junior?”
“Me? Well… I think I kept busy with one thing or another.”
After speaking, I glanced over at Renka.
She flinched and froze, having tried to subtly walk past Chinami and me.
I let out a short, sharp laugh through my nose and gave a slight bow.
“Hello, Captain.”
“…..”
She didn’t even return the greeting, instead biting down hard on her lip.
She must be confused about how far she’s allowed to go back to normal.
I did tell her to use formal speech at all times, except inside the club room.
She could have gotten away with speaking informally here, but she’s so unnecessarily detail-oriented… Tsk, tsk…
“Friend? What’s the matter? Your junior just greeted you.”
Chinami’s gentle admonishment was directed at the tight-lipped Renka.
Caught in a bind, Renka chose her next move.
“...Cough!Ahem!”
She started coughing.
At her sudden act, Chinami’s eyes widened.
“Huh…? What are you doing…?”
“Cough!Cough! My throat suddenly… cough! I’ll… go on ahead…! Cough!”
Putting on a ridiculously flimsy act, Renka even staggered away from us as if she’d come down with a fever.
Chinami stared blankly at her retreating back and muttered.
“Did something go down the wrong pipe?”
“Who knows. She did seem a little frustrated.”
“Hmm… I should probably buy her some peppermint candy from the school store.”
“My master has such a kind heart. How admirable.”
“Talking with you makes me feel strange, Junior. It’s like I’m the student.”
“But it’s not so bad, is it? Thinking of us as a close master and student.”
“That’s true. But didn’t you say you were done with your volunteer work? Why are you holding a broom?”
“I had some time before first period, so I was helping out.”
“You’re the one with a kind heart, Junior. I’ll have to give you a reward during club activities today.”
It would be peach-flavored ice cream, obviously.
Maybe I should tell Renka to eat it for me, since she’s so aware of her status as a slave.
I just kept smiling pleasantly. When a slightly blushing Chinami said she had to go, I gave a single nod.
“I’ll be looking forward to it. You should head in.”
“Okay…”
She scurried away, getting mud all over her shoes.
Chinami is so clumsy, it’s a problem.
I guess I’ll have to look after her every step of the way.
* * *
“Captain.”
Flinch.
Hearing my voice from behind her, Renka’s shoulders visibly jumped.
She had been drinking from the water fountain. Now she hastily wiped her mouth, trying to scurry away. It was amusing to watch.
“Stop.”
When I gave the firm command in a low tone, Renka froze in place before turning to look at me.
“What do you think you’re—!”
She started to raise her voice in anger, then startled at her own actions and glanced around nervously.
Reassured that we were alone, she continued in a voice barely above a whisper.
“What are you doing…!”
“Why are you speaking informally?”
“Gh… Wh-what are you doing…”
The dejected voice of a prideful girl, like a pitiful little puppy that had been thoroughly cowed.
Ahh… this is what I wanted to hear. I instantly got hard.
“What am I doing? What do you mean?”
“Why are you… no, why are you following me…”
Renka’s expression was filled with humiliation as she forced herself to speak formally.
She was clenching her fists so tightly they were trembling. She looked so cute I wanted to push her down and pounce on her right then and there.
“It was a coincidence.”
“Don’t lie… please… Hardly anyone comes here…”
“I came to get a drink of water and happened to see you, Captain.”
“N-no, that’s not… it…”
You’re right. I saw you leaving the cafeteria and followed you immediately.
“Think whatever you want.”
After taking a quick drink from the fountain, I strode toward her as she stood there, unsure of what to do.
A rustling sound was followed by the scrape of shoes on the sandy ground.
Renka had reflexively taken a step back.
“Don’t come any closer…”
Her warning came through gritted teeth.
I took another large step forward, my brow furrowing.
“Informal speech again?”
“S-sorry… Please don’t come any closer…”
Thud.
Renka, who had been steadily backing away, hit the wall of the cafeteria storage room.
With nowhere left to run, she desperately looked for a way out.
I moved in until our bodies were almost touching.
“Hhk—!?”
She sucked in a breath like a hiccup, and I could see her pupils trembling rapidly as if she was overwhelmed.
I’ve never seen Renka this flustered before… It’s fun.
Truthfully, Renka didn’t need to be this intimidated.
This was simply her re-establishing the hierarchy between us on her own.
It seemed that ever since I told her to call me ‘Master,’ a master-slave relationship had been cemented deep in her mind… As expected, Renka has the makings of an excellent slave.
“Get lost… Get lost, please…!”
Still feisty, though. Even cursing at me.
Then again, I only told her to use formal speech. I never said she couldn’t curse.
Without a word, I simply twitched an eyebrow and looked down at her.
A look of dismay crossed her face, which was cast in the shadow of my frame.
“I-it was a slip of the tongue…”
Renka hastily corrected herself.
It seemed the potential consequences of her outburst had her worried.
“Apologize properly. Do it right.”
“I’m… sorry… It was my fault…”
“And the title?”
“…..”
Renka tucked her lower lip inward and turned her head slightly to the side.
The look on her face made it clear she really didn’t want to call me ‘Master’ to my face.
I should probably give her a little break here. If I only ever use the whip, she’s bound to rebel.
With that thought, I changed the subject in a slightly softer tone.
“My phone was quiet from first period through lunchtime. Why didn’t you report in?”
“...Do I have to report during class time, too…?”
“I said everything, didn’t I?”
“Th-the scope is too confusing… I’ll do it from now on…”
“I’ll let it slide this once. Where is Nanase-senpai?”
“She said she was going to the school store to buy ice cream…”
“I see. Understood.”
“…..”
“…..”
An awkward silence followed.
Renka turned her gaze to the wide athletic field in front of the cafeteria and asked cautiously.
“May I go…?”
“Yes. No, wait a moment.”
I rummaged through my pocket and pulled out a strawberry-flavored caramel I’d bought for a snack, holding it out to her.
Renka took it without thinking, and then her face flushed bright red.
She had just realized she had politely accepted it with both hands.
“Eek…!”
Her pride wounded, she scowled deeply.
I smirked, one corner of my mouth lifting.
“You’ll enjoy it, won’t you?”
“...Yes…”
“You can go.”
I gestured with my chin toward the field. As Renka fled, her ponytail flying behind her, I let out a small chuckle.
Is it because her legs are long? She’s just walking, but the distance between us is growing so quickly.
Her reactions today were so good, I was sorely tempted to use my last wish on this, but I have to hold back.
* * *
“Matsuda!”
Renka’s voice was somewhat cross.
A few people inside the club room turned to look at us.
“What is it?”
“How could you fold the towels like this?”
She pointed at the towels I had just folded, chiding me. Her intentions were so transparent it just made me laugh.
I walked confidently toward her and lowered my voice so the others couldn’t hear.
“What’s wrong with them?”
“They’re a mess! It’s so obvious you rushed it…! I know it’s a small task, but you can’t just cut corners.”
“You’re finding fault where you normally wouldn’t. If you want revenge, you have to be fair about it. This is unbecoming of a captain. You know you look pretty pathetic right now, right?”
“Gh…!”
“And what are you going to do when club activities are over? Are you thinking about that?”
“...Are you threatening me right now…?”
“I’m just worried, since you’re getting on my nerves.”
I subtly hinted that there was no telling what I might do, and Renka’s bravado faltered slightly.
“Getting on your nerves… I’ve been reporting properly since lunchtime…”
“I was joking. Shall we stop here?”
“St-stop? But it’s true that you folded the towels carelessly…”
“Not that. I’m talking about the wish. I’m asking if you want me to end it for you.”
“What…?”
Hearing my unexpected words, Renka’s eyes widened.
“Watching you today, you look like you’re about to die from frustration, so I was thinking of ending the wish. What do you say?”
“…..”
A hint of suspicion crept into Renka’s eyes.
She seemed to be trying to gauge the true meaning of my words.
I gave a slight smile and continued.
“I won’t say anything like, ‘I didn’t use the whole wish, so I’ll continue it later.’ If you just say the word, I’ll end it right now.”
“...Really…?”
“Yes.”
“You won’t find fault with me later…?”
“Like you’re doing right now?”
“…..”
“Just kidding. I won’t.”
“Th-then end it.”
“Alright. It’s over.”
Did she find it hard to believe the wish had ended so simply?
Renka blinked a few times and asked.
“So… I don’t have to report anymore…?”
“That’s right. It was tough, wasn’t it? You did well.”
“…..”
“I’ll re-fold the towels.”
“...No. It’s fine. Go do something else.”
She must have been grateful that I ended the wish early.
It’s important to apply the right amount of pressure, and then, when the time is right, to loosen up and be warm.
This is all for the future.
So that later, when Renka is struggling with her training, she’ll anticipate my gentle nature and crave my affection.
Besides, I need to give Chinami her heart-pounding massage today, which means I’ll have less time to talk to Renka. It’s also a good way to make her feel like she owes me, so this was the right move.