Chapter 219: Yeah! I'm an Otaku!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 219: Yeah! I'm an Otaku!
“Don’t use the coffee cubes in the second freezer compartment. They’re still freezing. That’s all.”
“Yeah, got it.”
I handed over the shift to the next worker, who was practically dripping with annoyance. By the time I’d changed and come out, Renka was already standing next to my car with her arms crossed.
“When did you get here?”
“Just now.”
“Did you stop by that figure shop I told you about?”
“Nope.”
What do you mean, ‘nope’? You’re clutching your coat shut as you say it.
It was obvious she’d bought a small figure and tucked it inside.
“Alright. Get in.”
Apparently displeased by my smug tone, Renka shot me a fierce glare as one corner of her mouth twitched, and got into the passenger seat.
I chuckled watching her carefully buckle her seatbelt and asked, “I’m bored. Want to go see a movie?”
“No.”
“Dinner?”
“Don’t want to.”
“So decisive. Understood.”
The car was dead silent as I drove straight toward Renka’s house.
Perhaps the awkwardness was getting to her?
Renka shifted in her seat and looked at me.
“Hey.”
“What is it?”
“Did you hear about the group reservation for ten people tomorrow?”
“I did. They said they’re coming before lunch.”
“Right. You need to put a ‘Reserved’ sign on the corner table. Do that first thing when you get in tomorrow. We can’t have people who are studying at the cafe taking that spot.”
“Got it.”
“And make a lot of ice in the morning.”
“Yep. Don’t worry.”
“How can I not worry?”
“Are you trying to boss me around?”
“Only with you.”
“You’re saying you only boss me around?”
“Uh-huh.”
Renka shot back retorts without batting an eye.
But it’s incredibly easy to fluster her when she’s determined not to back down an inch.
Just then, the car stopped at a red light. I hit the brakes and turned to look at Renka.
Then I said, “That makes me happy.”
“What does?”
“That you give me special treatment.”
“That’s not it at all.”
“I’m just trying a little shift in perspective.”
“You’re awfully positive.”
“Right?”
“That wasn’t a compliment. It was sarcasm.”
“Well, I can just take it as a compliment.”
As we exchanged pointless banter, the car arrived at Renka’s house.
Clutching her coat just as she had at the cafe, she started to unbuckle her seatbelt. I watched her for a moment before speaking.
“See you inside.”
“Yeah.”
“Your thank you?”
“I waited for you today, so I think we can skip it.”
“Is that so?”
“But I’ll say thanks anyway.”
“How am I supposed to take it when you say ‘thanks’ with a face that’s screaming you hate it?”
“You complain either way… Just take it positively like you did before. I’m going now. See you tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
Renka closed the passenger door and walked quickly away from the car.
I let out a dry laugh watching her back, hoping for a message from her on AniShare as I took my foot off the brake.
* * *
[MK, I left a review. Go check it out.]
When I got out of the shower, a message from Run Ino-chan was waiting for me.
I went to the review section on AniShare, found Renka’s username, and tapped on her most recent post.
[My Girlfriend’s Training Diary]
[The second BDSM title I’ve read after ‘My Master’s Secret.’ The story involves training between two people who are purely in love, without any Netorare or Netorase play, so I quite enjoyed it. It’s a little harder than ‘My Master’s Secret.’ If you’re interested in this sort of thing, you’ll probably have a lot of fun.]
[Rating: ★★★☆☆]
A short and simple review.
The rating was a bit harsh, though. She was being completely objective.
It was a 6 out of 10, score-wise. I guess I should be glad it was over a 5.
[You said you enjoyed it, so what’s with the three stars? You did this last time, and now you’re doing it again?]
I sent a message pretending to be angry, and a reply came back from Renka almost immediately.
[Three stars is the highest score by my standards. I was even being generous.]
[I downvoted your review.]
[(Ծ‸Ծ,,)]
I always think this, but Renka is pretty cute online.
Where did she even find an emoticon so full of pathetic disappointment?
It fit the situation perfectly.
[You have terrible taste in manga. We’re not a good match.]
[My taste is probably better than yours, you know? Now, recommend me another training-type story.]
[How to Make the Widow Next Door My Own.]
[Is that the title of the manga?]
[Yes.]
[You’re real trash, MK. Not even recyclable.]
[Hey, you asked for a recommendation, so I gave you one. What’s the problem?]
[Don’t you have anything else? What’s the most interesting manga you’ve read recently?]
Is she hoping I’ll bring up Asagao-san’s Household Finances?
This isn’t a game of Twenty Questions… How ridiculous.
[Just read that one first. I’ll recommend something else after.]
[Fine. How explicit is this ‘Widow Next Door’ one?]
[More than ‘Girlfriend’s Training.’]
[Are there any gory scenes?]
[Nope. You’d have to look for a gore story for that.]
[That’s a relief.]
She wasn’t pestering me to tell her my last name today.
Looks like she’s switched to a strategy of getting closer slowly.
Just as I finished messaging Renka, I heard the front door open. A moment later, Miyuki came in, and I greeted her.
“You’re here?”
“Yep.”
She walked into the bathroom as if she owned the place, washed her hands, and even her face.
After meticulously drying her face with a towel, she crawled into my arms as I lay on the futon and asked, “Matsuda-kun, can I visit the cafe where you work?”
“Sure.”
“Will you make me a drink yourself?”
“Of course I will.”
“Which one are you most confident in making?”
“I’m confident in all of them, but get the Caramel Honey Latte.”
“What…? You said you’re confident in all of them, so why are you picking the menu for me?”
“Because that one’s the most delicious.”
“Oh, really? Do they sell food there too?”
“No cake or anything, but we have cookies and waffles.”
“That’s good enough. I’ll bring Honoka and Masako with me soon, then.”
“Who are they?”
“……”
Miyuki’s eyes narrowed.
She looked at me as if I were an idiot.
I chuckled at her expression and said, “I’m kidding. Bring them.”
“Are you really kidding?”
“You think I wouldn’t know the names of the vice president and Bread Girl?”
“You’ve forgotten them plenty of times before…”
“I’ve memorized those two.”
“I don’t know if I should be relieved or just call you an idiot… How is it working part-time with Inoo-senpai? Do you two get along?”
“I don’t think we’re getting along that well yet.”
“Really? Are you bickering like you do at the academy?”
“It’s not like that.”
I wrapped my arms and legs around Miyuki, pulling her into a full embrace, and buried my face in the crown of her head, which gave off a faint plum scent.
After the snappy back-and-forth with Renka, being with Miyuki felt peaceful.
It would be perfect if Chinami were here too… That was the only thing missing.
* * *
The next morning.
After getting ready, I went to the cafe for my shift and placed a ‘Reserved’ sign in the middle of the corner table.
Then, I finished up the tasks the evening part-timer hadn’t gotten to and served a few customers.
As I made coffee, sold the cookies the owner had baked, and flirted with the female customers who showed interest in me, I glanced at the clock.
Only thirty minutes had passed. Without Renka, it was so boring I could feel a yawn coming on.
Did he really have to schedule us with a one-hour gap?
He should have just let us come in together… I suddenly felt a surge of resentment toward the owner.
As I was unenthusiastically working, feeling time crawl by,
“Hey.”
The back door opened, and Renka arrived for her shift. I broke into a wide smile.
“You’re here.”
“Wh-what…? What’s with that look on your face…?”
Sensing something unsettling about my genuinely happy expression, Renka took half a step back.
She scanned me with incredibly suspicious eyes before continuing.
“Did you get into trouble?”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Well… you’re just acting so out of character… Or was it busy and you had a hard time?”
“Can’t you see how dead it is?”
“Then why are you smiling like that?”
“Am I not allowed to smile?”
“Don’t smile like that. It’s annoying.”
I guess that smile was right up her alley.
I should probably use it every now and then.
“Hurry up and go change.”
“What is with you…?”
Renka muttered to herself, tilting her head repeatedly as she went into the changing room. She came out in her uniform a moment later.
She changed pretty fast. Was she that eager to see me?
Indulging in a positive delusion, I showed Renka the notepad for memos as she hesitantly approached.
“The group that made the reservation today paid a deposit yesterday.”
“...Why are you telling me that? I can just go look myself…”
“Just felt like it.”
“You know you’re being super weird today, right?”
“Nope. I have no idea.”
Was my goofy, smiling face too much for her?
Renka subtly averted her gaze, cleared her throat, and started fidgeting with an innocent syrup bottle. Then, looking at the black, powered-off laptop screen, she asked, “Why isn’t there any music on?”
“I was waiting to decide on it with you.”
“Decide…? The music?”
“You don’t want to?”
“No… it’s not that I don’t want to, I just don’t see the need…”
“Isn’t it nice to do things together? Stop complaining and come here. Let’s pick something before it gets busier.”
“...Whatever…”
Looking awkward, Renka scratched her cheek and came over to my side.
At the same time, a sweet scent flooded my nostrils.
It was the kind of fragrance you’d get from blueberry bubblegum. I licked my lips without thinking and turned to look at Renka.
“Captain.”
“What.”
“You smell nice.”
“What…!? A-are you completely insane…?”
Her face flushed instantly as she cursed at me.
She must have been taken aback by the sudden compliment, but it seemed her embarrassment was even greater.
“What shampoo do you use? Or is that the smell of your conditioner?”
“What’s it to you…!”
“Your face is all red.”
“Shut up…! Just close your mouth and pick a song…!”
Her reaction was much more intense than I expected. She’s improving day by day.
But just carefully playing this game of tug-of-war was getting a little boring.
A refresh was needed. I figured it was time for a major incident to plant a powerful memory.
“...What are you staring at? Look straight ahead, will you…?”
Unable to handle my silent gaze, Renka’s eyes darted away.
I smirked at that, slowly nodding as I straightened my back.
“Alright. Did you pick a song?”
“How am I supposed to pick when you’re like this…!”
“We could just put on some anime music to make it easy.”
“...That kind of thing doesn’t fit the cafe’s atmosphere.”
Was that her indirectly admitting she’s a weeb?
No, that’s a bit of a stretch.
“You’re not going to pick, are you? I’m just going to play something random from the TOP100, then. That’s it…! Now get to work.”
Renka forcibly ended the situation and started washing the cups in the sink.
She was about to do it with her bare hands like yesterday, but then she seemed to remember my advice and quickly put on rubber gloves. How commendable.
Our Renka has the makings of a slave, but at the same time, she seems like a true rebel.
She’s just so damn headstrong. Maybe that’s why I want to conquer her even more.