Chapter 169: Do You Like Cats?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 169: Do You Like Cats?
“Ahem... I suppose it's time to clean the gear...”
Chinami muttered, humming in an unnatural tone, and quickly slipped into the gear storage room.
She did that the moment she saw me. It seemed she was too embarrassed to face me.
Letting out a chuckle, I grabbed the handle of the now-closed storage room door.
Click.
But the knob only turned; the door wouldn't open.
Realizing Chinami was blocking the door with her body from the inside, I leaned my shoulder against it and pushed.
Swoosh.
“Mmmph...!”
There was only a slight resistance as the door opened easily.
From the crack, I could hear Chinami's strained voice.
I held back a laugh and, maintaining just enough pressure, slipped my hand through the gap to touch Chinami's shoulder.
“Master, please open the door.”
At that, Chinami flinched and looked at me with the wary eyes of a kitten.
“Why...?”
“We have work to do. You said it was the day to clean the gear.”
“Is that so...?”
“It is.”
“I suppose it can't be helped... Please, come in quickly...”
After confirming that Chinami was hesitantly backing away, I opened the door and stepped into the storage room.
Then, I gazed at the fidgeting girl and asked.
“What couldn't be helped? And why are you avoiding me?”
“Huh...? Did I say that...? And avoiding you? I've done no such thing...?”
Right, I'll play along.
Nodding, I took a large step toward Chinami.
Then, as she let out a surprised ‘Heup!’, I placed my hands on her shoulders and began to massage them.
“Ngh... Junior... you said you came to work, so why are you giving me a massage...?”
“I'll just loosen up your muscles a bit, then we'll work.”
“I-Is that so...? My shoulders are fine, though...”
“I'm going to massage you all over.”
“Ah...”
“Turn around.”
“Okay...”
Chinami obediently turned, offering me her back.
After gently rubbing her entire back, starting from her protruding shoulder blades, I wrapped my arms around her waist and slowly pulled her toward me.
“.....”
Chinami flinched at my action, but she didn't resist.
Relieved, I naturally guided her to a corner of the storage room, sat down, and leaned my back against the wall.
Then, I spread my legs, had Chinami sit between them, pressed her back against my chest, and began to gently knead her thighs.
“Heek... That hurts...”
As she said that, she placed her hands on her waist in pain, and her upper body pressed deeper into my chest.
At the same time, the rich scent of peaches wafted into my nose.
Like a pervert, I secretly took in her scent and spoke.
“Were you in a lot of pain?”
“A-Actually, a little...”
“Then you should have said so. Why try to hide it?”
“.....”
“It looks like it'll last a few days, so I'll do the work by myself until you can move comfortably.”
“No...! I can't let you do it all alone, Junior... Hieeek...!”
She shrieked the moment I pressed her inner thigh. What does she mean she can't let me?
I patted the abdomen of the trembling Chinami, who was curled up, to calm her down.
“That'll make it hurt more. Relax.”
“Hwaaah... O-Okay...! But aren't you pressing a little too hard...?”
“I'm not pressing hard. I just touched you.”
“Th-Then don't just touch, please stroke it.”
Asking me to stroke her... Chinami really is sensual by nature.
The words she says without thinking sound so suggestive.
Replying that I would, I pulled Chinami closer and carefully rubbed the inside of her thighs.
A large hand rubbing her skin, almost but not quite touching her groin.
As if she liked the sensation, Chinami's posture became much more relaxed.
“Mmmphn...”
Letting out her characteristic little moan, she pressed not just her back but her buttocks tightly against my body. The more I touched her, the more I could feel her body temperature rising.
Resting my chin on her shoulder, I placed a light kiss on her cheek, which was flushed pink like a peach.
“Hieeek!?”
At that, Chinami, who had been quietly receiving the massage, jolted.
Jerking like that when she has muscle soreness must hurt... That was a mistake.
“Hwaaah...”
As expected, Chinami cried out in severe pain.
I placed a hand on her abdomen to hold her still so she couldn't flail around anymore and quickly apologized.
“I'm sorry. Are you okay?”
“Hnngh... Yes... I was just surprised because you did that so suddenly...”
Her muscle soreness is worse than I expected.
Renka told me. She said Chinami pretended not to be in pain today.
If so, she must have been walking around with her muscles all tensed up, which probably made it worse.
I wonder if it hurt when she changed into her uniform pants.
“I'm sorry. I'll be more careful from now on.”
“N-No... that's not it... I'm just saying you should give me a warning...”
“Is that what you meant?”
“Yes... I'm worried your comprehension skills might be a bit lacking, Junior...”
She has such a fresh way of putting me down.
Still, I'm happy she seems to have become a little more assertive.
I let out a small laugh, resumed the massage, and told Chinami.
“I'm going to increase the intensity a little now, so it might hurt a bit. If it does, tell me. I'll massage you more gently.”
“...You could just stroke me, you know.”
“Just stroking won't loosen the muscles. This is necessary so you'll be in less pain tomorrow.”
“Is that so...”
Letting out a deep sigh that sounded vaguely disappointed, Chinami glanced at the kendo gear in the storage room.
Then she continued.
“We have to clean the gear... This is a problem.”
“I don't think it's a bad idea to take it easy. We already did a preliminary cleaning yesterday.”
“Mmm... Then I'll have to make time for it tomorrow morning or during lunch...”
Chinami fell for the temptation completely.
It looks like she's planning to get a massage here until club activities are over. She must have completely succumbed to my touch.
“I'll do it by myself. You rest, Master. If you really can't sit still, then just supervise and make sure I'm doing it right.”
“Ahem... Well then, I'll decide tomorrow after seeing how I feel.”
“That works too. Shall we start again?”
“Ah... um... I'd like you to massage my lower abdomen this time. It's a little tight here, too...”
She's embarrassed, but she's still asking for what she wants.
She has conviction. I like that even more.
Placing my fingers on Chinami's lower abdomen, I pressed gently and asked.
“Here?”
“...A little lower...”
“Here? Near your waistline?”
“Yes, there...”
Judging by her tone, she means even lower than that.
But since going any lower would be a rather sensitive area, it seems she compromised.
I'm dying to have a secret rendezvous right here, but I'll hold back.
There will be plenty of other chances. I'll have to try when Chinami has recovered.
“Understood.”
And so, with Chinami—who was still shy but more assertive than before—I spent a strange yet sweet and intimate time in the storage room, closing the distance between us even more.
* * *
After club activities ended.
I walked over to Renka, who was waiting for Chinami in front of the changing room. She had a sullen look on her face, and I gave her a grin.
“What do you usually do, Captain?”
“What do you mean, what do I usually do?”
“I mean, what do you like? Hobbies and such.”
“Didn't I tell you before?”
“I don't remember that.”
“Really? It's kendo.”
“That's your specialty.”
“Then let's just say it's movies.”
Don't lie. You watch manga and anime. And collect merchandise.
Isn't it about time you were honest? Did you watch the second manga I recommended?
“What genre?”
“You don't need to know.”
“Are you going to hurt my feelings again?”
“Good, I'm glad you're hurt.”
“If you keep this up, you're going to get punished.”
“...Who's going to punish me? You?”
“Who else would it be?”
“Go on, try it. See if I even bat an eye.”
Considering what I've done so far, it's been more than just batting an eye.
Anyway, she's full of rebellious spirit today.
Is she getting cocky because I haven't ‘educated’ her recently?
Scoffing, I took a large step toward Renka.
“Wh-What are you doing...? You're too close, back off...!”
She frowned, glancing around nervously.
The way she tried to lift her chin to protect her pride was both pathetic and cute.
“What are you going to do when you get home today?”
“I don't know...!”
“You don't know? No plans?”
“I'm going to hang out with Chinami...! We decided to get ice cream...! Just go away, please...!”
She can't yell at me, but if she just gets annoyed, she'll look petty...
It's obvious she's caught in that dilemma.
I chuckled at Renka, who was practically whining, and obediently stepped back.
“I'll come with you next time.”
“What are you talking about... No.”
“Why not?”
“How many times do I have to tell you not to use informal speech?”
“You're being so stiff. Alright, I get it.”
“It's not being stiff, it's basic manners.”
“So, did you treat me worse than trash because you have such basic manners, Captain?”
“...That's too harsh... Trash... It's true I didn't treat you well, but I never thought of you that badly.”
“Even if you don't mean it, thanks for saying so. I'd like to give you a reward...”
At the word ‘reward,’ Renka's shoulders twitched and her expression soured.
“I-I don't need it...! A reward, my ass...”
“I'll give it to you anyway. By the way, do you like cats?”
“...Cats?”
Renka tilted her head.
As if trying to figure out if there was any malice in my question, she fell silent for a moment, blinking, before asking back.
“Why...?”
“Just wondering.”
“N-Not really...?”
She does like them, but she's answering the opposite because she's worried about what I might do.
I can see right through her.
“I see.”
“...What is it? Why did you ask?”
“I told you, just because.”
“There's no way you'd ask for no reason... Answer me properly.”
Click.
Just as Renka was pressing me, the changing room door opened and a red-faced Chinami came out.
Our conversation was naturally cut short.
Raising one corner of my mouth at the tight-lipped Renka, I thought about a cosplay outfit that would suit her.
I'm not planning on making her wear it anytime soon, but if I don't prepare it in advance, there's a high chance it'll be out of stock by the end of the year. I should probably order it soon.