Chapter 190: A Sexy Christmas Memory
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 190: A Sexy Christmas Memory
“What are you doing? Trying to build an igloo?”
From behind me, as I was shaping the snow into a block, Renka asked a curious question.
I looked at her with a puzzled expression, as if to ask what she was talking about, and replied.
“No. I’m making the snowman’s head.”
“You think a snowman’s head is supposed to be square?”
“It can be.”
“No, it can’t.”
“Yes, it can. Right, Master?”
Just then, Chinami came rolling a round snowman body toward us. I spoke as if seeking her approval, and she nodded her head emphatically.
“Snowmen should have their own personalities. We should make the body square-shaped, too.”
At her words, Renka let out a disbelieving scoff.
“The body, too?”
“Yes. Let’s make a completely angular snowman. Like a block of tofu.”
“I want a round snowman. Snowmen are supposed to be round.”
What’s with that weird stubbornness?
You’re just picking a fight because you don’t like the head I made, right?
I’ll remember this.
Chinami gently patted the pouting Renka on the back to soothe her and said, “Then we can just make a new snowman after we finish this one. The coach told us to take it easy today, so we have plenty of time. Right?”
“...I guess so... but a square snowman would look so hideous...”
“It won’t be hideous if we make the face well. I’ll leave the entire face design up to you, my friend.”
“Hah... How am I supposed to save this... Poor snowman...”
I think she’s trying to mess with me on purpose... I’ll let it slide.
I considered making a snowball and throwing it at Renka, but quickly decided against it.
If we were wearing puffy clothes, I’d do it, but since we’re just in our martial arts uniforms, I’ll let it go.
“Junior, could you please bring some fallen twigs from up there? Please don’t break any off the trees.”
At Chinami’s polite request, I readily agreed and climbed up the hill, brushing away the snow on the ground to search for twigs.
From up here, I could see a few other club members outside besides us.
Tetsuya wasn’t there. The tournament must be getting close, so he was probably inside, focused on practice.
It’s refreshing without any nuisances around. Such a peaceful atmosphere.
I hope this mood lasts through the night, and even into the early morning.
By the time I came back down with twigs for the snowman, its once-round body had been transformed into a rectangle.
And Renka was on top of the body, placing the head I’d made and diligently drawing its eyes.
The corners of her mouth were twitching.
Despite all her complaining, it seemed Renka was enjoying making the snowman, too.
“Should we take a picture with Junior Matsuda after we’re done?”
“A picture? Do we have to?”
“We worked so hard on it; we can’t just remember it with our eyes.”
“Is that so? Alright.”
“But the snowman’s eyes look so sharp. And with one corner of its mouth turned up like that, it looks incredibly sinister.”
“The head was made by a sinister guy, so I’m drawing a face to match.”
“Oh, my! My friend...!”
“Just kidding.”
Watching her chatter away with Chinami in the middle of the pure white snowfield, I could feel a distinctly girlish charm.
Suppressing the sudden urge to hurry up and win Renka over, I walked toward them.
* * *
Even if it wasn’t a public holiday, there was no doubt it was a special day. The streets were aglow with the colorful lights of various Christmas trees set up by each store.
After having dinner with Miyuki at a restaurant with a nice atmosphere, I walked down the street with our arms linked, looking at them.
“You guys have a tree at your place?”
“Us? No.”
“You didn’t decorate?”
“Nope. Usually, my family and I go to the playground...”
“Why the playground?”
“The people in our neighborhood bring a big Christmas tree there and decorate it.”
“Guess you can’t go today since you’re meeting me.”
“Right.”
“Is it still going on now?”
“It is. Why? You want to go?”
Why would I go there?
There’s probably some nuclear waste there I don’t want to see or even think about.
“Nah.”
“So firm. It’s fun, though...”
Next year, it’ll just be me, Miyuki, Chinami, Renka, and Hiyori... just the five of us.
Picturing that brilliant future, I unlinked my arm from Miyuki’s, wrapped it around her shoulder, and pulled her closer.
“Let’s find a decent bar and head inside first.”
“Is Nanase-senpai still a ways off?”
“Yeah. Still got some time.”
“Really? Then let’s go somewhere that sells skewers, too.”
“You want some yakitori?”
“Yep.”
“I thought so.”
“Why’d you think so?”
“You were looking up skewer places on your phone while we were waiting earlier.”
“You saw that?”
“Yep. Over your shoulder.”
I pulled the beige scarf wrapped around Miyuki’s neck up just below her lips, and we found a bar with a dim interior that also served skewers.
I was worried we’d have to wait since it was Christmas, but luckily, there was a corner table for four available.
We quickly snagged the spot and looked at the menu, ordering some yakitori and a few other snacks.
Afterward, as I was about to choose our drinks, Miyuki asked with a bright smile.
“Can I have a highball?”
A highball isn’t particularly strong since it has only a little whiskey, but it’s much stronger than beer.
Miyuki’s already a lightweight, so she’d get tipsy fast. Would that be okay?
Still, it’s not like a highball will make her pass out, and I figured she’d pace herself, so it should be fine.
“I don’t mind... but have you had one before?”
“Just a tiny bit when I’m eating out with my family...”
“Then go for it. Just make sure you pace yourself.”
“Okay.”
After I finished ordering, Miyuki took off her coat, looked around the bar, and gave a warm smile.
She seemed to like the noisy, bustling atmosphere.
“This is my first time drinking in a place like this.”
“Where did you drink when you went out with your family?”
“We usually drink in a hotel room. Or at a park.”
“Your mom and dad must like quiet places.”
“They do. That’s why my sister complains that it’s boring and stuffy.”
So Kana likes noisy places.
Then again, that seemed to fit her image.
A short while after chatting idly with Miyuki, the snacks we ordered filled the table.
The last thing to arrive was the clear highball with its fizzing bubbles. I picked it up by the handle and placed it in front of Miyuki.
She seemed unfamiliar with it for a moment, then shyly smiled as she gently clinked her glass against mine.
After our silent toast, as if on cue, we both took a sip of our highballs.
Did she like the sharp fizz of the carbonation going down her throat and the tangy taste of the diluted whiskey mixed with a hint of lemon?
Her face scrunching up prettily, Miyuki shivered and let out a pleasant sigh.
I held a piece of yakitori in front of her, and she naturally opened her mouth and took a bite of the meat.
Then, she wiped a bit of sauce from her lips with a wet wipe as she chewed.
“Is it good?”
She answered by nodding.
I chuckled and took another sip of my highball, starting to chat with Miyuki in earnest.
* * *
An hour after we sat down, one half-empty highball glass and one empty glass sat on the table in front of Miyuki.
And she was tilting her head, gazing at me intently.
“.....”
Her drowsy, unfocused eyes; her flushed, reddish face.
The combination of the two gave Miyuki a different kind of charm.
Her gaze was so incredibly suggestive that it made me think having a drink with her once in a while wouldn't be so bad.
Should we try drinking in our room, just the two of us without anyone watching, during the school trip?
Miyuki with her limits off... Just imagining it is a turn-on.
“What are you staring at?”
I asked without taking my eyes off hers. She tilted her head to the other side and replied.
“Because you were staring first, Matsuda-kun.”
So she’s not drunk enough for her tongue to get twisted.
I wanted to see Miyuki acting cute with that nasal tone in her voice, but I guess that’ll have to wait for another time.
We’ll have to stay here for a while even after Chinami arrives, so I can’t let her get any more drunk.
“I was not.”
“You were.”
“Was I?”
“Yep.”
Who cares who looked first? As long as it feels good, that’s all that matters.
I picked up one of the boiled edamame that came as a free snack and held it to Miyuki’s lips.
“Eat.”
“Why do you keep trying to feed me things?”
“You need to eat so you don’t get too drunk.”
“I’m not drunk.”
I’ve never met anyone who says that and isn’t actually drunk.
I pushed the thought down and held the edamame closer. Miyuki opened her mouth wide and took the end of the pod between her lips.
It’s nice to see her eating so obediently.
Maybe from now on, whenever Miyuki gets whiny, I should get her just tipsy enough to be docile.
Miyuki gave a silly grin, as if she found the salty beans delicious.
I lost track of time talking with her as she showed all sorts of reactions, when—
Vrrr-!
The phone on the table started vibrating. I checked the caller ID.
It was a call from Chinami. It seemed she’d arrived at the location I sent her.
After feeding Miyuki one more edamame, I pressed the call button and put the phone to my ear.
“Where are you?”
- I’ve arrived. Is this the place that looks kind of gloomy inside?
“That’s the one. Open the door, tell the staff you’re with someone, and come straight in. It’s crowded, but you shouldn’t have trouble finding us.”
- Yes, sir...!
Along with her stiff, disciplined reply, I could hear her panting as she tried to catch her breath.
She must be nervous. I don’t know if it’s because this is her first time at a bar, or because she’s about to have a three-way meeting with me and Miyuki, but... her nervousness is making me nervous, too.
If she’s too tense, I’m worried the atmosphere will get stiff, so I’ll have to help her relax.
- Okay, I’m coming in...! Please raise your hand when you see me.
“Got it.”
I hung up and watched the entrance of the bar.
A moment later, with the jingle of a bell, the door opened, and Chinami, her face half-hidden by a large scarf, stepped inside.
Is this the real beginning? I shouldn’t let my guard down. I need to read the mood carefully and act accordingly.
With that thought, I stood up so Chinami could find our table easily and waved at her as she scanned the room.