Chapter 175: Renka Training Log 1 #3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 175: Renka Training Log 1 #3
Renka was being quite cute today.
I don't mean her face, but her actions.
She was hugging the disposable shopping bag full of merchandise to her chest, staring straight ahead. Anyone who saw her would have thought the same thing as me.
When I stopped at a red light, I glanced over at the still-unmoving Renka.
Then, in a somewhat subdued voice, I asked.
"Are you tired?"
"...Not really?"
"Then would you like to go get some coffee?"
"Coffee?"
"Yes. Coffee."
"I... um..."
Renka, who had been hesitating, glanced at me.
"I guess one cup would be fine. I have work to do today anyway, so I'll buy."
She agreed without much hesitation.
Compared to when she'd insisted on going home alone earlier, her current response was quite surprising.
Was she trying to pay off her debt for the extra merchandise I bought her?
Whatever the reason, it was good for me, so I drove to a nearby coffee chain.
As soon as we entered the cafe, Renka greeted the staff and skillfully customized her order.
"A Green Tea Cream Frappuccino, but please switch the syrup to White Mocha, and add caramel sauce and extra powder."
While I was momentarily dumbfounded by this unexpected side of her, she finished her order and turned to me.
"What about you?"
"Um... I'll just have an Iced Americano."
"You sure? Alright."
After paying for the coffee, Renka took the vibrating pager, and we sat down at a corner table.
She looked like she didn't have much to say, but she seemed to dislike the awkward atmosphere itself.
Reading her thoughts, I asked.
"Do you order like that often?"
"What? Oh... yeah. I always order this when I come to this chain."
"You must come here a lot with Master, then?"
"Chinami doesn't really come here. She says no even if I ask."
"Why? Is it because there's nothing peach-related?"
"That's right. Chinami wants to add peach pulp, but they don't have it here. So when I go to a cafe with Chinami, we usually go somewhere else."
That's Chinami for you. She never disappoints.
"Then who do you come here with?"
"I often come alone, or sometimes with another friend..."
"Which friend?"
"...Someone you don't know."
She glared at me, her face asking why I needed to know such a thing.
I chuckled. The vibrating pager on the table went off, and I pointed at it.
"The pager's buzzing."
"Should I go?"
Should you? Or should I, the one who paid, go?
The little devil...
"Want to go together?"
Perhaps feeling uneasy at my sly tone, Renka shivered and picked up the pager.
"No... I'll get it."
Then, letting out a loud sigh as if to make sure I heard, she brought back the rough-textured tray and carefully set it on the table.
"Thanks for the drink."
"Yeah."
"Can I have a sip of yours, Captain?"
"Of course not."
"Just one sip."
"No. Drink your own."
Renka stated her refusal firmly, then turned her body halfway, holding the Green Tea Frappuccino in her hands.
She looked like a child who didn't want her things taken away. She must be acting like this because she's gotten a little more comfortable with me, right?
Acting all prim and proper... I like it.
Smirking, I quietly sipped my Americano, passing the time with bits of small talk with Renka.
* * *
The next day, during lunch.
Miyuki had to stop by the faculty office and left first. I split up with Tetsuya and headed for the club room.
I wanted to get a head start on today's tasks.
It was better than wasting time on pointless chatter with Tetsuya.
This way, I'd have more time to be all cutesy with Chinami.
Just as I arrived at the club room and was about to unlock the door,
"Matsuda?"
I heard a familiar voice from behind me.
Wondering what it was, I turned around to see Renka standing there with a frown.
Maybe because I saw her in civilian clothes yesterday, seeing her in her uniform felt surprisingly fresh.
Isn't it usually the other way around? The human heart is a mysterious thing.
Tilting my head at Renka's sudden appearance, I asked.
"What's up?"
"What's up with you?"
"I asked you first."
"Are you going to be childish? In that case, I'm the captain."
"So you're going to pull rank on me?"
"Something like that. Anyway, what are you doing here?"
"I had nothing to do, so I came to work since I have some spare time. Why are you here, Captain?"
"Me? Well, I came to work too... to pay you back for the merchandise..."
Hmm... she's certainly clear about her debts and favors.
The voluntary service of a slave... How admirable.
"Didn't we call it even with the coffee?"
"I thought that wasn't quite enough... and I don't know what kind of weird complaint you might come up with..."
"What kind of weird complaint?"
"How should I know..."
She could just say she was grateful and wanted to help, but she had to attach all these useless reasons.
I let out a dry laugh at her classic tsundere behavior.
"Did you give the present to your nephew?"
"...How could I give it to him in one day? It's not like we live together."
"Then when are you going to give it to him?"
"I'll have to do it over the weekend..."
"So you're going down there this weekend?"
"I-I could just mail it..."
"What if it breaks?"
Was my persistent questioning a bit much for her?
Renka's eyes darted to the side as she avoided my gaze.
"The keychain won't break, and for the stand, I'll wrap it well with bubble wrap... wait, why do I have to explain all this to you...?"
"Because I have a stake in it, too."
"Well, that's true, but... why do you keep..."
"Mixing in casual speech?"
"...You noticed... Can't you be a little more polite...?"
"Isn't this much okay?"
"It's not okay at all..."
"You're still a little uncomfortable with it?"
"W-Who said 'still'...? I never said that...!"
Why is it so fun just talking with Renka?
Is it because her reactions are so satisfying? It feels like I'm getting a different kind of enjoyment than I do with Miyuki and Chinami.
I'm dying to keep teasing her, but I shouldn't cross the line any further.
"Alright. I'm sorry."
"As long as you know... What should I do?"
"Am I supposed to give you orders?"
"If I'd come alone, I would've figured it out myself, but since you're here, I should do what you tell me to... I'm still very clumsy, but I'm the manager..."
"Very clumsy? Really? My master was so happy, saying you've become a respectable manager..."
"...In my opinion, you still have a long way to go."
I'm sure that in her heart, Renka acknowledges me as the manager.
Her saying I'm clumsy must be an excuse she's created so she can barge in when Chinami and I are alone.
"Is that so?"
"It is. So what should I do? Or should I just find something myself?"
"No. You can wipe down the shinai with me."
"With you...?"
"Yes. Why? Are you worried I'll try something funny?"
"That's not it... but there's so much else to do, why do you specifically want to do it together...?"
"It's more fun doing it together. Time will fly by, too."
With that, I opened the storage room door and gestured for Renka to come over, like I was calling a puppy.
After a moment of hesitation, Renka scratched her head and walked over.
A tamer Renka isn't so bad. Although, I do prefer it when she's defiant before becoming obedient.
* * *
Thwack—!
The heavy thud unique to a shinai echoed from my opponent's helmet.
Having landed a clean strike to the head, I was sure it was an ippon, but I didn't let my guard down, holding my stance and waiting for the referee's call.
"Ippon! Return to your positions!"
Goro shouted in a booming voice, raising the red flag.
Having scored a point and ended the match, I exchanged bows with my opponent, then walked over to Chinami, who was clapping enthusiastically, and smiled brightly.
"How was I?"
"You were wonderful. Your spirit was strong, and while your posture wasn't perfect, it was excellent. I'd say you have great potential as a vanguard. But you must never let your guard down. The tournament will be full of incredibly skilled people."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. Now, have a seat. I'll take off your helmet for you."
As I knelt before Chinami, she began to untie the helmet strings with meticulous care.
Feeling the urge to tease her, I started shaking my head around erratically.
Chinami put her hands on her hips and glared at me.
Thump—!
She tapped my helmet very lightly.
"Please stay still...! What are you doing?"
"A master who raises a hand to her student... I'm starting to feel a little sad."
"Ahem...! It would be disappointing if you thought of it as hitting. This is discipline, filled with affection."
"I'll take your word for it. But, Master."
"Yes?"
"Should I give you a massage tomorrow?"
"Ngh...?"
An exclamation escaped Chinami's lips as she paused, her hands stopping mid-motion.
She hastily glanced around before whispering in a tiny voice.
"A massage...? Do you mean an oil massage...?"
"Yes."
"Ahem... I'm not sure... Your sudden proposal has caught me off guard..."
"It has?"
"It would have been nice if you had told me in advance... Hmm... I'll go home today and think about it carefully before I give you an answer..."
"Understood."
"Yes..."
Chinami's face, as she squirmed, turned bright red as if it were about to explode.
I hadn't even said I'd do anything besides a massage, and she was already getting so worked up.
"Aren't you going to untie the strings now?"
"Ah... yes... Stay still... If you move, I'll scold you..."
"I wasn't moving."
"Yes... I know..."
I could feel the bashfulness radiating from her as she rambled on.
Judging by her reaction, I'll probably get a positive answer. In that case, I wonder if I could try... the lift and thrust?
Just trying wouldn't hurt, right? Right, Chinami?