Chapter 311: On a Rainy Day, Under a Tree #2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 311: On a Rainy Day, Under a Tree #2
“Oh my gosh... oh my gosh...! How can it be raining this much...! I feel like we've had bad luck since the first day of our third year...!”
Chinami said, fussing as she gathered the laundry.
As I took the martial arts uniforms she handed me, I said, “I think we'll have to leave the dehumidifier on when we go.”
“You're right. I'll have to come in first thing tomorrow when we get to school and do the laundry.”
“Then you can do the laundry, Master, and I can hang it up during break time.”
“It won't be easy to hang all the laundry in such a short time. It would be better to set the machine on a timer so it finishes during lunch.”
“Should we? Alright. Then let's hang it together at lunch.”
“Okay. I have to accept applications from the new club members, so why don't you go rest, Junior?”
“No. I'll help you move the desk.”
“Oh, y-yes...!”
Happy, Chinami and I opened the door to the drying room. I picked up the desk from the corner of the club room and moved it next to the entrance.
Chinami tilted her head and asked, “Are you putting it there?”
“Yes. I thought it would be good for the new students to see you right away when they open the club room door, Master.”
“Aha. In that case, could you place it a little further back from the door? So they'll be face-to-face with me as soon as they take a step inside.”
“I think that would startle the new students.”
“Why is that?”
“Well... wouldn't anyone be surprised if they opened a door and found someone staring at them from very close range?”
“Hmm... That makes sense. It's rare to be preparing to greet new students on a rainy day, so I was a bit clumsy. I really feel more at ease when you're around, Junior.”
Chinami patted my back a few times and made a gesture with her hands.
She drew a large, upside-down triangle in the air and gave me a thumbs-up.
I wasn't sure what it meant, but it seemed like she was complimenting me for being dependable.
It felt like a novel expression of affection, and the corners of my mouth turned up on their own.
I let out a small laugh, moved the desk into position, and placed the pre-prepared sign-up sheets for the new students on top.
It would be nice if Hiyori joined the kendo club too, but that's just wishful thinking.
During the orientation period, she'd collected several pamphlets and showed interest in the Swimming and Archery Clubs, but she's more likely to join an arts club like the Art Club or the Fashion Design Club than a sports club.
So I shouldn't get my hopes up.
“Now, I'll be here, so you should go rest, Junior. You can even go to the lounge and snore away.”
Chinami said, tapping the desk quietly.
Such specific instructions for resting. She's consistently quirky, which is cute.
“I don't snore.”
“Mufufu... That's a lie.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Ye-yes...?”
She had been smiling as if she knew something, but then she flinched in surprise and lowered her head.
I must have dozed off last time at the hotel while Chinami was in the shower. She must have seen me snoring then.
“You're right. If you say so, Master, it must be true.”
“R-right... Go on and rest.”
I wanted to check out the new club members—or to be more precise, the female members—but well...
It's raining and I feel gloomy, so I might as well just crash.
“Alright.”
I left a glass of water for Chinami and headed for the lounge, cutting across the club room. As I walked, I watched Renka shouting commands as she moved between the club members, who were training in neat rows and columns.
She's still strict in front of others.
She has the dignity of a captain. In front of me, though, she's just a neurotic puppy pretending to be tough.
“.... Matsuda! If you've got nothing better to do, grab a shinai and get in line.”
Renka, having noticed me staring at her, called out to me in a chilly tone.
It was obvious she planned to push me around in front of everyone.
It seems she's trying to get the kind of revenge she's only allowed on AniShare and in public like this. I'm not going to let her.
“I'm about to take a break.”
“A break from what?”
“Cleaning.”
“You're taking a break for some...?”
“I worked hard.”
“.....”
I made a wronged gesture, but my eyes were dead serious. Seeing this, Renka seemed to get a little scared and averted her gaze.
She must have decided that she'd face retaliation if she pushed it any further.
Thanks to her various experiences so far, it seemed she'd established her own set of standards for provoking me.
“Really...? Then go rest.”
Suppressing the laugh that threatened to burst out at Renka's somewhat timid words, I opened the door to the lounge.
No one was there, but it smelled like guys, which was gross.
I want to sleep in the girls' lounge. The female members would like that, too...
But Goro would have a fit if he found out, so I'll have to try it on a day when the coach isn't here.
* * *
“Huhu...”
Chinami headed to the coach's office, letting out a sinister laugh as she held a stack of application forms.
She must be in a good mood because a flood of students wanted to join on the very first day.
“The rain has gotten all mushy.”
That was Chinami's description of the weakening downpour as she approached me.
Just as she said, it was still raining outside, but it wasn't pouring like before.
“It's still coming down, but it's let up a lot. I think it'll stop by the end of the day.”
“One never knows. The weather is truly fickle.”
“You're right. How many people came today?”
“Twenty-seven little sprouts stopped by the kendo club.”
That's about the same as the total number of members when Tetsuya and I joined.
Did what happened during the winter semester help a little?
Whatever the reason, as long as Chinami's happy, that's all that matters.
“That's a relief. Since it's raining, should I give you and the captain a ride home?”
“What about Hanazawa?”
“She said she has student council work and will be late. She told me to go ahead, but I can't just leave her, so I'm going to wait.”
“Oh, so you have some free time then?”
“That's right.”
“In that case, I'd shamelessly ask for a ride, but unfortunately, I have a long meeting with the coach today.”
“Because of the new members?”
“Yes. And after that, I'm going peach shopping with Renka.”
Peach shopping? What's that?
Are they going to look at the peaches coming into the supermarket?
I want to ask, but I'm afraid I'll get some nonsensical answer... like an auction or something.
So I'd better not try to find out.
“Should I be in the coach's office too?”
“There's no need for that at all. Of course, you can stay if you'd like, Junior.”
I'm already drained from the rain. Hearing the coach's booming voice would just exhaust me even more.
We'll be taking applications tomorrow too, so I'll just join the meeting then.
“Then I'll sit this one out. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes. Get home safe.”
After leaving the club room, I wondered what to do.
After a moment's thought, the conclusion was: there was nothing to do.
Renka and Chinami were going off to do their peach shopping or whatever, and Hiyori must have already left.
Miyuki was still at the student council, so I couldn't see her.
I'm so lonely. Maybe I should call Bread Girl or the vice class president to kill some time.
Plink, plonk.
Listening to the song of the raindrops hitting my umbrella, I was walking to the parking lot when I spotted someone standing under a large tree across the gloomy, cloud-covered field.
They were too far away to make out clearly, but I could definitely recognize the blonde hair that fell past their waist.
There was only one person in the academy with that feature.
‘It's Hiyori.’
I can't believe Hiyori is here when I thought she'd gone home... This is a huge stroke of luck.
Of course, an event like this has to happen around the main character.
Forcibly suppressing my sudden excitement, I slowly approached her.
As I got closer, I could see the expression on Hiyori's face.
A gentle smile bloomed on her lips as she took shelter from the rain under the tree.
It was a puzzling smile, one that seemed to say she couldn't help the situation... but was enjoying it nonetheless.
What could it mean? Does Hiyori like rainy days, too?
I don't remember any information about that from when I played DokiAka.
Judging by her smile right now, she doesn't seem to mind the rain... I should ask her.
‘Where's Miho?’
Did she go to buy an umbrella? Or did she have something else to do?
Whatever the case, this is a great chance to talk with Hiyori.
But... Hiyori's skirt is incredibly short.
It's completely different from the length I saw at the school gate.
There's no way she shortened it just now, so she must have brought the one she wore during the winter semester.
What's she going to do if Miyuki or someone else from the student council catches her?
She seems to have something up her sleeve... Could the smile she showed me at the gate this morning be related to this?
If she gets caught, I bet she'll pretend to be wronged, bringing up how Miyuki said at the gate, ‘I checked it today, so you don't have to worry anymore.’
The possibility is high. It's definitely something Hiyori would think of.
The wind and rain blew sideways, making Hiyori's skirt flutter.
Her pale white thighs were visible beneath the hem.
Everyone knows her legs are pretty even without shortening her skirt... I don't like the thought of other people seeing them.
It's not too much, but it's revealing.
You only need to show that side of yourself to me, Miyuki, Renka, and Chinami.
There's no need to show it to anyone else.
Our Hiyori needs a lesson in the 'art' of mind, spirit, and body.
“Asa...”
I was about to call out Hiyori's last name but stopped.
It was because I could faintly see the skin underneath her uniform top.
The cardigan she was wearing had also absorbed some rainwater, making it a slightly darker shade.
It looked like water collected on the leaves had poured down on her.
Perhaps sensing my slow, deliberate footsteps, Hiyori's gaze turned directly toward me.
Her vision was blurry because of the weather, so she didn't recognize me at first.
“Huh?”
As I got a little closer, she squinted, made out my face through the gloom, and raised her hand in a cheerful greeting.
“Matsuda-senpai!”
Seeing her energetic greeting and beautiful smile, I felt like the gloomy weather was clearing up.
It even felt like her lemon scent was wafting over.
The black underwear Hiyori was wearing was visible, drawing my eyes, but I had to pretend I didn't notice.
Having made my resolve, I walked up to Hiyori and asked, “What are you doing over there? Where's your umbrella?”