Chapter 248: Renka's Embarrassing Fantasy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 248: Renka's Embarrassing Fantasy
“Thank you, have a good day!”
When I came back from lunch, Renka was seeing customers off with a bright smile.
Holding a neatly packed lunchbox, I walked over to her and said, “I brought you food, so eat up.”
In an instant, her expression did a complete one-eighty. Her smile vanished, replaced by a scowl.
“I told you I don't have an appetite.”
“Wasn't it that you were just embarrassed to let anyone see you in a skirt?”
“.....”
Renka flinched.
I grinned at her and continued.
“I like that attitude.”
“Attitude...?”
“The attitude of refraining from exposing yourself to anyone other than your master.”
“Wh-What...! Stop your fantasizing...! I wasn't thinking about you at all, not one bit...!”
“Let's just say that's true. Now eat. You're hungry, aren't you?”
“.....”
With a sulky look, Renka reached for the lunchbox in my hand.
I pulled my hand back slightly and shook my head.
“What are you supposed to say in a situation like this?”
“...Th-Thank you.”
This time, she thanked me obediently instead of snapping.
It's nice to see the progress of her training.
“There you go.”
I placed the lunchbox in Renka’s hands. As she hesitantly started toward the back door, I asked, “What are you doing?”
“...What do you mean? I'm going to eat.”
“Where are you planning to eat?”
“The changing room.”
“Why the changing room? That's so pathetic. Go eat at a corner table. There aren't many customers yet.”
“B-But if the smell gets into the cafe...”
“Then I'll move a table for you, so just sit down and eat.”
“You don't have to go to all that trouble...”
“Just listen to me. Don't be annoying.”
“W-Who's the one being annoying right now?! And are you the owner or something...!?”
“Not the owner, but I am the captain’s master.”
“Grr...!”
Gritting her teeth, Renka’s eyes darted around.
My voice had been quite loud, so she was glancing around, worried the customers might have heard.
Fortunately for her, the customers in the cafe were all absorbed in their own business.
She let out a long sigh of relief and muttered in a voice so quiet it was barely audible.
“I'm seriously going to lose my mind...”
“Why?”
“...You heard that too?”
“I have good ears. Anyway, I'll move a table for you, so eat and come out.”
After stating my decision, I moved a one-person table and chair from the main hall into the changing room.
Then I gestured for Renka, who was standing idly behind the counter, to go in.
“.....”
Her expression softened a little, perhaps grateful for my consideration.
She mumbled something, as if wanting to say something to me, but quickly reverted to her usual frosty expression, snorted, and opened the changing room door.
She’s trying to act all high and mighty, but she just looks cute.
I stared at Renka as she deliberately put on a prim and proper act. She flinched as if I'd seen right through her and quickly shut the door, causing me to let out a laugh.
* * *
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Sure.”
Was she annoyed by my smug, magnanimous tone?
After getting out of the car, Renka turned back to me, closed her eyes, and said her farewell.
“Bye.”
“Why are your eyes closed?”
“Because I don't want to see your face.”
“You could just turn your head, you know.”
“No, I’m showing you so you can feel it too.”
“Feel what?”
“That I really, really hate you.”
Says the girl who's been acting like a tsundere, insisting she doesn't hate me today, yesterday, and the day before.
“Those are some harsh words. Are you prepared for the consequences?”
“...Don't threaten me.”
“Open your eyes.”
When I spoke in a stern, commanding voice, Renka’s eyes slowly opened.
She always has to be difficult at least once, even though she's going to listen in the end.
“Can I go now...?”
She was acting like she was about to leave at any moment, but now she’s asking for permission.
I guess that's part of her charm.
“Yes. Wear a skirt tomorrow, too.”
“What...? No way...!”
“This isn't a request.”
“I said no...!”
“Go on inside.”
“I made myself clear, so don't you dare give me a hard time...! I'll kill you if you do...!”
“Say that again, but nicely.”
“.....”
“Again.”
“...If you give me a hard time, I'll hit... Ah, what am I saying...!?”
Unable to withstand the pressure, Renka corrected herself, then yelled in frustration and slammed the passenger door shut.
Wait, no. She’s throwing a fit, but seeing her close the door so gently makes my affection for her grow even stronger.
When I got home, I found Miyuki sound asleep, buried under the covers up to her head.
She said she was going to hang out on the outskirts of town with Bread Girl and the vice class president, but she came back pretty early.
Did she tell Midori she was staying out overnight?
I tiptoed into the bathroom and took a shower, then grabbed some water from the fridge and chugged it down.
Afterward, I lay down next to Miyuki, watching her breathe softly and evenly.
“Nngh...”
As if sensing my presence even in her sleep, she wiggled like a worm and snuggled right into my arms.
I chuckled at the adorable sight of her instinctively seeking out familiar warmth, then lay down on the futon and gently pulled her close.
I should spend some time with Miyuki this holiday.
* * *
Tiring-!
At the crack of dawn, an alarm rang from beside my head.
I was sleeping next to Miyuki. Relieved that she hadn't woken up, I fumbled for my phone.
There was a notification from AniShare.
A simple message that read, [Excuse me.]
The sender was Run Ino-chan, Renka's alter ego.
It was past two in the morning. Was she still awake?
A little worried, I minimized my phone's brightness and sent a reply.
[Why the message so late? Couldn't you sleep? Are you a night owl?]
[I woke up. What about you, User MK?]
[I was just about to go to sleep.]
[Then don't. I have something to ask you.]
[What is it?]
[User MK, do you think you're handsome?]
Why would she ask something like that all of a sudden?
[I'm very curious about the intent behind that question. Are you interested in me?]
[Not at all. ( -᷅_-᷄) Just answer.]
[I think I'm about average.]
[Really? Then what's your personality like in real life, User MK? Is it what I think it is?]
[And what do you think my personality is, Ino-chan?]
[Reckless, a dictator. And you have no manners.]
[Are you talking about yourself?]
[凸(｀0´)凸]
Seeing Renka's angry emoticon, I clamped a hand over my mouth.
If I didn't, I felt like I would burst out laughing.
Miyuki was sound asleep; I couldn't wake her.
Anyway, it seems Renka is bored.
For her to contact me at this hour, even if she is hiding behind her Ino-chan persona.
I should play along.
I stifled my laughter until my cheeks ached, then finally composed myself and tapped on my phone.
[Didn't you tell me before to enjoy the community with good manners? But you're doing the exact opposite.]
[That was a mistake. Now answer. What's your personality like in real life, User MK?]
[I'm very considerate and on the quiet side.]
For a moment, Renka’s messages stopped.
She couldn't have fallen asleep. She must be dumbfounded by my shameless reply.
I could almost see Renka scoffing in disbelief.
What kind of face is she making right now? It makes me want to video call her.
[There's no way.]
Renka's reply finally arrived.
It feels like she's really angry. Am I imagining it?
No, I'm probably right. Renka must be cursing me out for being so fake right now.
[Why are you so sure?]
[The answer is obvious just from how you treated me when we first met, User MK.]
[How did I treat you, Ino-chan?]
[You left a malicious comment on my review, even though we'd never met.]
[And I said I was sorry. I'm being nice to you now, aren't I?]
[You only apologized reluctantly because I called you out. The problem is that you left a comment like that in the first place. Do you have any idea how hurt I was when I saw it? Please, try to have some consideration for others.]
So she's venting all her pent-up sorrow.
No, that's not it. It's more like her usual pathetic attempt at revenge... but whatever it is, it's cute.
[But you're hurting my feelings right now, too, Ino-chan.]
[I'm delivering punishment on behalf of everyone who has suffered at your hands.]
[That's just sophistry.]
[Think whatever you want, but I hope you'll take my sincere advice to heart.]
[It's not something I can hear, it's something I see. How do you listen to a message?]
[Stop talking back. Just say you understand.]
It seems Renka is starting to resemble me online.
Her way of speaking is similar.
[I understand.]
[Why so obedient all of a sudden? Are you just trying to get through the situation by playing along? How pathetic.]
[You're good at coming up with strange ideas, just like a true paranoid. But why did you ask about my looks and personality?]
[I was just bored and wanted to chat. I'm going to bed now.]
[Suit yourself.]
[ㅗㅗ]
I snickered at Renka's pathetic curse. I considered calling her, but decided against it.
We'd be seeing each other again in a few hours. No need to make her nervous and ruin her sleep.
And I felt a sense of relief.
If she was still capable of trying to get revenge on AniShare after going through something today that was on a whole other level than a first kiss, it meant her mental state was fine.
She'll probably be back to her stuttering, flustered self tomorrow anyway.
What kind of sweet, youthful time will I have with Renka tomorrow?
It's only right that I repay her for pretending to be someone else and cursing out her master, right? With something a little more intense.
As I was thinking that, I heard Miyuki's sleep-muttering, full of aegyo.
“Matsuda-kun... I'm cooold...”
She's probably planning to have a lot of fun during the break; she can't be catching a cold.
I put my phone down, pulled Miyuki back into my arms, and closed my eyes.