Chapter 274: A Secret Rendezvous in a Different Place
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 274: A Secret Rendezvous in a Different Place
“If I order a cake, can I still get a stamp on my coupon card?”
Hiyori, her large eyes wide with the question, was as pretty as a character straight out of a shoujo manga.
If I hadn't already been involved with Miyuki, Chinami, and Renka, I might have felt like I’d just met my soulmate.
I wanted to strike up a conversation with Hiyori, but excessive attention was off-limits.
To win over someone with her sharp intuition and personality, it was best to get to know her slowly.
I needed to build up her affection level through various events, just like I did with Miyuki.
For now, maintaining the simple relationship of a clerk and a customer was the right move.
“Yes, we can stamp it for you.”
“Then I’ll have one cheesecake and one chocolate cake, please.”
“Would you like to add any drinks to your order?”
“Nope.”
Every time she answered with that upward inflection, I felt an urge to pull her into a tight hug.
Forcibly suppressing the feeling, I waited until Hiyori paid and returned to her seat before pointing Renka toward the transparent dessert display case.
“Could you get the cakes out?”
“Cheesecake and chocolate, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t be so informal.”
“Okay.”
Renka shot me a glare for my nonchalant reply before taking out the cakes.
I stopped her as she was about to serve them herself, taking the plates from her and placing them on Hiyori’s table.
“Enjoy your meal.”
““Thank you.””
Their thanks came in unison.
Hmm... Hiyori’s friends are very polite.
Just like the saying goes, "a pretty girl next to a pretty girl," they were also beautiful... If they came to our academy, they’d probably be very popular.
Flashing a practiced business smile, I returned to the counter and asked Renka.
“When are you planning on going to the club room?”
“W-Well... I’m not sure... For now, get the protective gear ready...”
Some of the club room equipment was with a vendor, while Coach Goro had taken the rest home.
Since there was no one to manage it during the break, it was being stored separately.
“Do I need to bring all the gear? Are you planning on sparring?”
“That’s the idea. You’re not a beginner anymore, and since these are private lessons, it’s for the sake of faster progress...”
“Sounds more like you’re going to use the lessons as an excuse to relieve stress. You’re planning to beat me mercilessly like at the training camp, aren't you?”
“What are you talking about... I wasn’t thinking that at all. And back then, you were also...”
“I was also what?”
“...You were good at it...”
During the training camp, Renka had said the exact same thing.
That I was good.
But the atmosphere was completely different from back then.
At the time, it felt like a genuine acknowledgment of my skill, but today, Renka’s compliment was filled with a shy embarrassment directed at me.
Every time Renka reacted like this, I was struck by how much things had changed.
I liked this change in her, this girl who once had no romantic feelings for me. It was a turn-on, too.
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
“Anyone could tell it was a compliment. If you deny it, how am I supposed to react?”
“Don’t react at all.”
“Alright. How are your uncles doing? Is the business going well?”
“They said it’s... doing alright, I guess.”
“That’s good. Did they say anything about me?”
“They did, but it was nothing special. They didn’t ask you to come back or anything, so don’t get a big head.”
So they did say something like that.
It might not be a bad idea to help them out for a bit after I quit my part-time job here and before school starts.
It would be volunteering for more hard work, but I liked those uncles. They were so hearty and cheerful.
Besides, the more good connections you have, the better.
“Got it. So, when are we going to the club room?”
“I told you I don’t know.”
“Should we go today?”
“...Today?”
“We don’t have as many customers as yesterday, so I have plenty of energy left. Since we’re on the topic of lessons, wouldn’t today be a good time?”
“That’s a bit... We haven’t prepared the equipment in advance...”
“You think? Well, the academy took back all the bedding from the lounge, so we’d need things like a portable mattress... It’s probably better to go prepared.”
Renka’s body jolted.
The mention of a mattress seemed to have sparked a lewd thought in her head.
“A-A mattress? Why...”
It was funny how she feigned ignorance, even though she knew exactly what was going to happen.
“Because the hard floor hurts my back and hips.”
Even with just that much, Renka, with her perverted imagination, was probably picturing all sorts of things.
As expected, I could see her face gradually turning red.
It seemed the idea of having sex in an unusual place had piqued her interest, at least a little.
If she was this worked up after we’d only had sex a few times, I could probably push the envelope even further than I’d planned.
Her eyes started darting around. I placed a hand on her waist and spoke.
“Want to go to the club room tomorrow?”
“T-Tomorrow...?”
“Yeah. Is that a problem?”
“No... it’s not that, but why so soon...”
“Because I want to do it soon.”
“Huh...? Huh? Do... what?”
“The lesson.”
“Ah... the lesson...”
“I just need to bring the equipment and the mattress, right?”
“N-No... I haven’t decided yet... And you don’t really need the mattress...”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
I ended the conversation as if I were simply informing her of a decision, then turned to fiddle with the innocent POS machine to act natural while I observed her.
She rubbed the back of her neck, opened a cabinet, and took out some coffee beans, all while sneaking glances at me.
When our eyes met, she flinched as if she’d been caught and quickly turned away. It was cute.
Screech—!
While we were having our subtle, sweet moment, Hiyori’s group, who had been enjoying their time in a cheerful atmosphere, stood up from their seats.
I smiled brightly as I watched them meticulously place their used items on a tray and return it to the counter.
“Have a good day.”
“Thank you for the food!”
Hiyori, speaking for the group, led her friends out of the cafe.
She got another stamp on her coupon card, so she’ll be back, right? I hope I can see her one more time before my part-time job ends.
* * *
The next day.
I had my car parked in front of Renka’s house and watched as she came out the main gate.
Her outfit today was another high-defense ensemble: a hoodie, jeans, and a padded jacket, just like last time.
Was this her way of showing she wouldn't give in easily?
Or was she deliberately not wearing a skirt to provoke me, hoping for rougher foreplay?
It could be both.
In any case, a shinai case was slung over Renka’s shoulder.
She was also carrying a box containing her protective gear and a small shopping bag. That shopping bag caught my eye.
It looked like she’d packed a change of clothes for after we had sex... but why was it so stuffed?
It was filled far beyond its capacity.
The top of the bag was covered with a cardigan.
A shopping bag that thick, with the contents hidden by a piece of clothing as if she didn't want me to see?
Connecting what I’d said yesterday to this situation, the answer was obvious.
My eyes narrowed. Renka gestured for me to open the trunk, and I unlocked it.
Click.
“Hey.”
Renka greeted me through the open trunk and placed the box inside.
As she got into the passenger seat empty-handed and buckled her seatbelt, I watched her with a knowing smile and asked.
“Why is your shopping bag so thick?”
“You don’t need to know.”
“You brought a blanket, didn’t you?”
Flinch.
Renka’s whole body recoiled.
Proof that I had guessed correctly.
Because I’d said I was only bringing the equipment and a mattress, she had taken it upon herself to bring something to cover us with.
It was so funny I could die. At the same time, the thought that she had listened so carefully to my words made me happy.
“You should have told me.”
“T-Told you what...”
“To bring a blanket or a comforter.”
“.....”
Renka glared at me with a murderous look.
Her expression seemed to scream, How could I possibly say something like that?
She stayed like that for a long moment. As I chuckled and started the car, she glanced nervously at the glove box.
Then, she carefully began to speak.
“Hey... did you... did you bring... that thing?”
“What thing?”
“Last time... that thing... for my neck...”
“The choker?”
“...Yeah, that... I don’t want to wear it...”
The way she was making requests, already assuming we were going to have sex, made me want her right this instant.
Should we have a quickie in the changing room before the cafe opens?
No. There probably wasn't enough time. I had to hold back, hold back, and then let it all out in the club room.
“You don’t want to?”
“I-It’s not that I don’t want to... but the place is a little...”
Was she worried a security guard on patrol might hear the bell?
This was Renka’s first time having sex outside of a conventional place.
Until it actually happened, her psychological comfort was important.
Her worries were a bit excessive, but it was only right to grant her this much.
“Alright. I won’t put it on you.”
“Uh... and the... the towel...”
“Aren’t there still towels in the club room?”
“Just in case...”
“Really? Should I borrow one from the cafe? Or should we buy a new one?”
“T-Taking one from the cafe isn’t borrowing, it’s stealing... We should buy a new one...”
Renka’s eagerness to prepare all these things felt incredibly innocent.
At the same time, it filled me with anticipation. I could see she had steeled her resolve.
I had a feeling we could try various positions today. I needed to find out exactly what her preferences were.
“Okay. Is there anything else we need to prepare?”
“Other than that... not really...”
“Got it.”
I wanted to call Chinami, but today wasn't the right time.
This was something that required both of them to be mentally prepared, so I’d find the right day and take my time guiding them into it.