Chapter 208: Winter Break #2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 208: Winter Break #2
[Top of the Class, Hanazawa Miyuki]
[Second Place, Natsume Honoka]
I scanned the top of the rankings posted on the hallway bulletin board. The results were exactly as I’d expected. Figures.
Miyuki and the Vice Class President, always sharing first and second place so nicely... They have a serious monopoly.
Bread Girl is 5th? I don't really remember how she did last time, but she did incredibly well.
For the future of humanity, isn't it my duty to plant my superior seed in these three girls with such intelligent genes as soon as possible?
After that eugenic thought, I let my eyes wander down the list.
[10th Place, Matsuda Ken]
I found my name sitting pretty in 10th place and grinned.
I had a good feeling about this, and I landed exactly in 10th.
It wasn't as thrilling as the midterms, though. I'd expected to rank higher, but I guess the feeling is less intense since I just barely scraped by.
But Miyuki seemed to think differently.
"Matsuda-kun! Look!"
Not only was she jumping up and down, but she was also shaking my arm wildly, pointing at the board with her long index finger.
My arrogant expression, which had been saying, "Of course this was the result," began to crumble under her enthusiastic fussing.
"I know, I know. Calm down. We already self-scored, didn't we?"
"Still...!"
Miyuki looked up at me, her eyes beaming with pride.
And the gazes from those around us, filled with envy and jealousy... I like it.
It seems tonight is going to be a very enjoyable one.
[11th Place, Miura Tetsuya.]
Right below me was Tetsuya.
This is why a man has to be humble.
Look at the results after he strutted around, so sure he'd be in the top 10.
Not only did he fail to reach his goal, but he also ranked lower than me.
Miyuki, who had been clapping her hands in delight, flinched for a moment when she saw Tetsuya's name below mine, then turned around.
Just like after the midterms, she gently patted the shoulder of Tetsuya, who wore a face like he'd just chewed on shit.
"Tetsuya, you did great too!"
Tetsuya forced an awkward smile at Miyuki's sincere praise and opened his shit-smelling mouth.
"Next time... I'll definitely get into the top 10."
Not "I'll try to get in," but "I will get in"?
You shouldn't make promises you can't keep... Just like a guy who runs his mouth.
"Yeah, I believe in you, Tetsuya. 11th place is amazing, too. Don't be so down."
"I'm sorry for disappointing you."
"I'm not disappointed at all. I know you both worked incredibly hard, so I'm just happy, that's all."
"Thanks..."
He might be happy about the encouragement, but ranking lower than me must be a blow to his pride.
Still, for Tetsuya, is this considered doing well?
Fine, I'll praise you too.
* * *
"Everyone! Move your desks and chairs into the hallway! Be careful not to get hurt!"
Miyuki went to the front of the class, clapped her hands, and gave instructions. A clatter of noise immediately filled the classroom.
It was the sound of students, excited for the start of winter break, moving quickly.
Helping the obviously thrilled students, I silently moved desks and chairs into the hallway, then exchanged simple goodbyes with the groups of students leaving the classroom.
Afterward, I approached Bread Girl, who was munching on bread behind Miyuki as she talked with the Vice Class President.
"Hey, Bread Girl."
"Cough."
Bread Girl answered with a single, neat cough.
I held out my phone to her and asked.
"What are you doing for the break?"
"I'm... cough! Going to the countryside..."
So many people are heading to the countryside. It's expected since it's the New Year, but how is a family-less person like me supposed to endure this sorrow?
I need to hurry up and get the heroines pregnant to build a big family.
"Is that so? Have a good break. You have my number, right? Call me if you're bored."
"Cough."
"Alright, give me a piece of bread."
"I have cream bread, soboro bread, and condensed milk bread... Keck...! Which one do you want...?"
She carries a shit-ton around with her.
Is she perhaps made of flour?
"Why do you carry so many? Give me the soboro."
"Okay..."
"Do I have to pay?"
"N-No... You've bought me a lot from the school store until now... Cough!"
Coughing is an inseparable part of Bread Girl, I see.
A timid Bread Girl, coughing 'Kuhup! Kup!' with a dick in her mouth, gulping down sticky fluid... for some reason, that's hot.
"Why are you bullying Masako?"
Miyuki scolded me after finishing her conversation with the Vice Class President.
I shrugged my shoulders and said.
"Bullying? What are you talking about? Are we all done now? Can we go?"
"Not yet. Let's go after I finish my student council meeting."
"You have those even during the break?"
"It's just a short one about the plans for the third semester. It'll take about 30 minutes. You'll wait for me, right?"
"Of course."
At my matter-of-fact reply, the Vice Class President standing next to her stared at us with curiosity.
"Weren't you two at each other's throats just a few months ago? Especially you, Miyuki... you hated Matsuda-kun's guts."
Did that bring back old memories?
Miyuki gave a faint smile as if reminiscing, then shook her head.
"You never know with people."
"That's true... but it's still so unexpected. The more I see it, the more I can't get used to it."
For someone who can't get used to it, you sure say everything on your mind.
I scratched my head with a bored look and cut into the conversation.
"Stop talking nonsense. If you're done, hurry up and disappear."
"What the... so annoying. Have a good break."
"Yeah, yeah. You have a good break or whatever."
The Vice Class President grumbled without any real malice at my teasing, joking reply and left the classroom with Bread Girl.
Miyuki let out a small laugh as if to say she couldn't be helped. Once we were alone in the classroom, she started picking a piece of dust off my uniform jacket.
Then she said.
"Come over to my house for a bit tomorrow morning."
"Why? I thought you were going to your family home in Numazu with your family."
"It's the New Year. You shouldn't spend it alone, so let's have breakfast together."
"You'll be back at night, so I won't be alone."
"Let's eat together anyway. Mom and Dad said they'd like it if you came, too."
Midori and Wataru invited me over for the New Year?
Tetsuya would be crying tears of blood if he knew. He'd feel like his rightful place was being stolen.
"Well, in that case... I'll go."
"Okay. What are you going to do now?"
"I was thinking of stopping by the club room. There might be something I didn't finish, and I want to say hi to Inoo-senpai and Nanase-senpai."
"Really? Okay. I'll call you as soon as the meeting's over, so I'll see you later."
"Got it. By the way, where's Miura?"
"I don't know. Maybe he went to the bathroom?"
Poor Tetsuya... your presence is shrinking by the day, and now even Miyuki is starting to forget you.
The school trip, today's test results... it must be tough, right? I know exactly how you feel.
Still, try to muster up some more courage and make another bad play.
That way, I can slap you across the face again.
* * *
"Ah! Junior!"
Inside the club room was Chinami, dressed in her uniform.
She greeted me with a silly, beaming smile, then approached me with quick, short steps and moved her hands behind her back.
"Winter break is finally here."
"That it is. Are you heading to the countryside today?"
"Yes. We decided to take the highway down tonight. It's such a shame I won't be able to celebrate the New Year with you, Junior."
We can all spend it together next year, or the year after at the latest.
Hiyori included.
Swallowing those words, I nodded.
"I know. Send me lots of pictures when you get there."
"Of course. I'll send them as soon as I arrive."
"Okay. Did you come here with the captain?"
"Yes. Renka is in the storage shed outside right now."
"Is she? Then just a moment..."
My words trailing off, I strode over to Chinami, lifted her uniform skirt slightly, and slipped my hand inside.
"Myat!?"
After letting out her unique, cute exclamation, I gently caressed the underside of her buttocks.
"J-Junior...!"
Chinami, her face instantly turning bright red, glanced out the window.
She must be worried Renka might come back.
"D-Doing this so suddenly is a little... difficult..."
"I won't be able to touch you for a while, so I have to get in as much as I can now."
"Ah... is that how it is?"
"Yes."
"I see... I understand."
She just completely accepted it.
Our Chinami is so cute it's a problem.
Before long, the breath escaping from Chinami's nose grew heavier.
Her skin, which had felt slightly cool, had also warmed up.
It was proof that she was slowly getting aroused.
There were about 20 minutes left until Miyuki would arrive.
Isn't that enough time to have a round with Chinami?
Just as I was thinking that, an intruder appeared, right on cue.
-Chinami! I need to lock up, so come on out!
Hearing Renka's voice from outside the club room, I gave Chinami's inner thigh one last caress and pulled my hand out.
"Shall we go?"
"...I-I think I need to go to the bathroom for a moment...! You can go on ahead...!"
Chinami hurriedly straightened her uniform and walked toward the bathroom.
After watching her retreating figure with its quick steps, I headed out of the club room. Renka flinched when she saw me, and I raised a hand in greeting.
"Hello, Captain."
"Why are you always hanging around the club room?"
"Is it strange for the manager to check if everything is okay in the club room before the break?"
I looked Renka up and down as if to say, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?" She cleared her throat, embarrassed.
"...Right. Was Chinami inside?"
"She said she's coming after a trip to the bathroom. Let's wait together."
"I don't mind waiting, but can you keep some distance?"
"No. The final exam scores are out, right? What was your rank?"
At my words, Renka's expression darkened instantly.
"...And you?"
"I asked you first."
"I asked you back first."
"But I'm the one who brought it up first."
"And I'm the one who asked back first."
What is this weird wordplay? Is it like a 'rebound' or something?
Seeing her say that without batting an eye, it seems she's finally getting properly used to my words and actions.
"Don't be unreasonable."
"You too."
"Fine. Since today is a special day, I'll specially indulge your unreasonableness. I'm 10th."
"Wh-What...? Don't lie...!"
Renka's eyes grew twice as wide.
I grinned at her dramatic reaction and asked.
"Judging by your reaction, your rank must be lower than mine, right?"
"...Shut up."
"Looks like the wish from our bet is mine this time. Too bad for you, Captain."
"That's not fair...! I never agreed to a bet."
Finding Renka's excuse-making amusing, I said nonchalantly.
"Then what was that 'unreasonableness' you were just talking about?"
"Oh, whatever. I don't see any reason to grant a wish from you when you can't even consider the difference in exam difficulty between first-years and second-years."
She's really trying to talk her way out of it. Kinda cute.
Enjoying Renka's rapidly changing expressions, I decided to change the subject for her.
"I just have to be there by six-thirty the day after tomorrow, right?"
"...That's right. But wait, you... you don't have to go somewhere far for the New Year or anything and are skipping it because of me, are you?"
"If I had something, I would have told you I couldn't make it then. Don't worry about it."
"Then that's fine..."
"By the way, it seems you're not going to the countryside, Captain."
"Me? I'm just... spending it at home with my family. That's it."
"I see. Have a good New Year."
"Yeah... you too."
"It's okay if I contact you tomorrow if I'm bored, right?"
"No. Absolutely not."
"I'll text you."
"I won't reply."
She says that, but I know she'll reply.
After spending some time with the prickly Renka, I studied Chinami's face as she came out of the club room.
It was slightly damp. Did she even wash her face to cool down?
This makes me regret not being able to do it with Chinami even more... Since Renka was the one who interrupted, I guess I'll have to get my compensation from her instead.