Chapter 233: A Fruitful Day
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 233: A Fruitful Day
All the time, right up until she was about to clock out, Renka kept fiddling with the hand I had held, our fingers intertwined.
She didn't seem to realize she was doing it, though.
It was a purely unconscious act.
If she had been aware of what she was doing, she probably wouldn't have let me see it.
"Do you know a good place to eat?" Renka asked, having changed her clothes and gotten into the car with me.
I watched her carefully fasten her seatbelt and answered.
"I do."
"I see..."
"What should we do after we eat?"
"What do you mean, what should we do... We should go home..."
"You think I'll just let you go home?"
At my sudden, threatening tone, Renka flinched and whipped her head toward me.
"Wh-What...?"
"Just kidding. There's a small park near your neighborhood, you know the one?"
"I know it."
"Let's take a little walk there after dinner before we go."
"....."
"Why the long face? Do you hate being with me that much?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"I'm hurt."
"Don't lie. You always say you're hurt, but your expression says the exact opposite."
"It's true. Anyway, we're off."
I drove to a pasta restaurant in the city, parked the car, and got out.
After gesturing for a hesitant Renka to come stand by my side, I led her into the restaurant where a waiter showed us to our table.
"What do you want to eat?"
"I'll have..."
Renka's voice trailed off as she peered at the paper menu.
"Just the Neapolitan."
"Should we get a Gorgonzola pizza, too?"
"Do whatever you want... It's not like I have a choice, anyway."
Mmm... that self-deprecating tone, fully aware of her own predicament. It's a huge turn-on.
"What do you mean you don't have a choice? I just gave you one by asking what you wanted to eat."
"....."
"Your attempt to evoke pity has failed."
"...Shut up."
"And for drinks?"
"Grapefruit Ade."
"Is there a particular reason it has to be Grapefruit Ade?"
"Because I want it."
"And you still say you don't have a choice?"
"Shut up...! Just order the food...!"
She's cute when she's fuming.
Enjoying Renka's stung reaction, I called the waiter and placed our order.
While we waited for the food, Renka fidgeted with an innocent napkin.
I let out a small laugh and said to her, "Why are you messing with a napkin you're not even going to use? You're being a pain."
"What are you talking about... I only touched one, you know? And it's not like I took it out of the holder, so what's the big deal?"
"I was just saying it because I care."
"That's bullshit. It's obvious you're just trying to tease me..."
How can I not tease you when your reactions are this entertaining?
I swallowed the words and looked around.
"It's crowded."
"Of course it is, it's rush hour."
"You're kind of disagreeable, you know that? You're the type of person who, when a convenience store clerk asks if you need a bag, would snap back, 'What, am I supposed to just carry it in my hands?'"
"Not at all. I'm only like this with you."
"Well, that's a relief."
"What's a relief about it?"
"It means you treat me specially. Like I said before, I'm happy about that."
"You really are a fucking lunatic..." she muttered, shaking her head as if she were utterly done with me.
As I continued our lively banter, the food arrived. I chuckled when I saw her lick her lips without even realizing it.
Then, I spent some quality time with Renka, who shot me a glare and snapped, "What are you grinning at?"
* * *
On the way back to Renka's place after eating pasta.
Just as I'd said at the restaurant, I didn't take her straight home. Instead, I pulled into the parking lot of the park near her house.
"I just want to go home..."
I gave the muttering Renka a stern look and said, "Let's just walk a little."
"...Why would we go for a walk when it's this dark...?"
"The sun hasn't even fully set yet, what do you mean it's dark? Stop complaining and get out."
"No."
"Are you a teenager? Why are you so prickly?"
"It's cold, what do you want me to do?"
"Is that so? Alright."
Was she surprised that I gave in to her whining so easily?
Renka shot me a suspicious glare.
But that was only for a moment. As soon as I unbuckled my seatbelt and started to lean my upper body toward her, she freaked out and threw open the passenger-side door.
"I'll get out...! I'm getting out, okay...?!"
"Wouldn't it be nice if you just listened sooner?"
"Shut up...! Ugh... I'm seriously going to lose my mind..."
An agitated Renka started cursing before trailing off into a mumble.
She must feel pathetic for tucking her tail so instinctively, huh?
After getting Renka out of the car, I entered the park with her, even as she made it painfully obvious she didn't want to be there.
The park was nearly empty, save for a few middle-aged and elderly couples.
The neighborhood was quiet to begin with, and it seemed busy modern people didn't often come to parks, so there were few people around.
A nude walk is more thrilling where there are lots of young people... I'll have to find another spot.
Though, having her do it inside the academy might be good, too.
Walking side-by-side with Renka along the well-maintained path, I asked, "The atmosphere is nice. Have you been here often?"
"No."
"Was this park here when you were a kid?"
"It was."
"Was it the same back then?"
"I don't really know."
"Why only one-word answers?"
"Just because."
Maybe she's acting up like this because she wants me to be more forceful?
With that thought, I spotted a bench nearby and sat down in the middle of it.
Then I patted the spot next to me, signaling for the sharp-tongued Renka to sit.
"....."
Although she scrunched up her brow in displeasure, Renka quietly sat down next to me.
I watched her shove her hands deep into the pockets of her gray trench coat and brought up what happened at the cafe.
"Don't forget you promised to conduct yourself properly from now on."
At that, her memory of the changing room must have resurfaced, because Renka's face instantly turned all sorts of colors.
"Th-That was coercion, so it's invalid."
"Coercion, you say?"
"It was total coercion. You should be glad I didn't report you..."
"That's strange. I was under the impression we came to an amicable agreement."
"Agreement? Anyone could see it was forced. Aren't you getting a little delusional?"
"So, this promise is off?"
"That's right. No matter what weird shit you pull, I won't break."
Isn't that a line straight out of a corruption or NTR story?
To me, it sounds like she's saying she's just about to break.
A condescending smile on my face, I pressed my hip firmly against Renka's.
Then, before a startled Renka could say anything, I cornered her against the end of the bench, planting my hand on the armrest to block her escape.
"Can you stop this crap?"
Renka chided me with a composed tone.
Had she already gotten used to this kind of behavior, or was she just trying her best to act calm? I'd find out if I pushed a little further.
But it seemed there was no need to push at all.
The tension was plain to see on her face.
If I touched that reddish cheek, would it be cold? Or warm?
Probably the latter.
"M-Move your head..."
Perhaps feeling burdened by my silent, steady gaze, Renka backed down again.
Her thighs had been pressed tightly together for some time now, and her calves were splayed outwards.
Is she feeling turned on? No, it's more likely she's just embarrassed.
I grinned at the now-deflated Renka and said, "Should we make a new agreement right now? From now on, you're forbidden from talking to any man other than me."
"Wh-What kind of crazy talk is that...? Are you telling me I can't even talk to my own dad...?"
"I'll make an exception for him."
"What about my part-time job...!? What am I supposed to do about my job...?"
"I can take care of the male customers."
"Th-Then I take the female customers?"
"Nope. We both take the female customers."
"...So I can't talk to men, but you can talk to women?"
"That's right."
Renka's eyes narrowed into a fierce glare.
It seemed that even in this intimidating situation, the unfair restriction was sparking her rebellious spirit.
"What the hell..."
"Are you going to ask what kind of selfish bastard I am?"
"....."
"That's just how the master-slave relationship works. Still, I'm guaranteeing you a certain level of freedom. Try to look on the bright side."
"Wh-Why are you trying to spin restricting my freedom as a good thing! And who said anything about being a slave... Hyat!?"
Renka's protest was cut short as her body jolted.
My hand, which had been on the armrest, had slipped inside her coat.
Brushing against the black brushed turtleneck she was wearing, I felt its soft texture as I placed my hand on the line of her hip.
At that, Renka took several short, quick breaths, as if she were hyperventilating, and cried out urgently, "Take your hand off...! I'll hit you...!"
"Go ahead. See what happens."
"Ugh...! Wh-Why are you doing this to me...! Just get lost...!"
Her words were defiant, as if she might strike me at any moment, but her body remained still.
I wanted to wrap my arm around her waist and pull her onto my lap right then and there, but I held back. Our little slave might not be able to handle it if I raised the intensity of our physical contact too quickly.
"You're the one breaking our promise. Now, would that make me angry, or not?"
"Like I just said, that was..."
"Not a promise, but coercion?"
"Right...!"
"There's a limit to how much stubbornness I'll entertain... You're too headstrong. I'm tired of arguing about this, so I'll just trust you to behave yourself."
"Tr-Trust me or don't...! I'm going to do whatever I want..."
She said that, but I knew she would definitely be conscious of the promise she made with me.
Deciding that was enough for now, I gave her hip one last pat before removing my hand.
Then, I spoke to Renka, who looked as relieved as someone who had just survived a major disaster.
"Shall we head back?"
"...I was going to go even if you didn't say anything..."
Always has to get the last word in.
"Alright. Call me ten minutes after you get home."
"Why would I...?"
"Because that's about when I'll get home, too."
"What does that have to do with..."
"I want to talk to you on the phone, so just do it."
"....."
She clamped her mouth shut at my subtle show of interest.
Confident that her silence was an acceptance, I stood up and offered her my hand.
"Let's go."
She whipped her head away, stood up on her own, and began to stride ahead on her long legs.
Our relationship developed quite fruitfully today. I'm looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.
I followed her as she practically fled.
I think I saw a street food stall on the way here... I should buy a bunch of yakitori for Miyuki on my way back.