Chapter 313: Kindred Spirits
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 313: Kindred Spirits
"Why am I so tired today?"
Miyuki sighed, sprawled out on the mattress.
It seemed like her Student Council work had been busy.
"What were you doing at the Student Council?" I asked, my hand toying with her slender waist.
"This and that. Dealing with problems that came up over the break, looking over the students we need to keep an eye on..."
Miyuki trailed off, her gaze turning to me.
Her eyes grew distant, as if reminiscing about the past.
She seemed to be comparing the me of before with the me of now.
"Am I on that list?"
"No. We're only checking the new freshmen."
"Really?"
"Your name doesn't even come up these days."
That was a little disappointing. I like getting attention.
I wonder how the glasses-wearing student council president is doing.
Lately, she's been wearing her hair in pigtails like a sub-heroine in a rom-com. She looks perfect for grabbing and taking from behind.
Should I tell Miyuki that Hiyori was wearing a short skirt?
No, I'd better pretend I don't know.
If I meddle unnecessarily and Hiyori finds out somehow, her Affection Level will drop.
"It's raining today, so I was thinking of going to that shop, but since you're tired, maybe we shouldn't."
"What are you talking about... Going there is what gives me energy."
"Is that how it works?"
"That's how it works."
"When do you want to go?"
"Now is fine... later is fine too."
"Sounds like you're planning to stay the night."
"Hmm..."
Miyuki looked so beautiful, tilting her head to one side as she pondered what to do.
I wanted to jump her right now, but I held back since she was tired.
After a moment of thought, Miyuki's lips parted.
"Maybe?"
"What do you mean, 'maybe'? Just stay the night."
"Why? Too lazy to drive?"
"Yeah. It's a pain in the ass."
Miyuki grinned softly at my feigned indifference.
Having already seen through my lie, she said, "I'm going home. Take me."
"Alright."
"Actually, I'm not going."
"I know."
Why is even this silly wordplay so much fun?
Does Miyuki feel the same way? From her expression, it seems so.
I moved closer and lay down beside her.
"So, were there any freshmen on the watchlist?"
"Hmm... there are a few. The ones with bad rumors..."
Bad rumors? Then Hiyori probably isn't on the list.
Though it might be a matter of time.
"Kids who were delinquents at their old schools?"
"Yeah. The student council president said one of them is a real handful."
"Sounds like he got into a lot of fights. He must be one of the kids who got in through the lottery, right?"
"That's right. But I'm trying not to be prejudiced."
It's because of me.
Seeing how I've turned over a new leaf, a world of difference from before, she's trying not to judge... It's nice to see.
But that problem kid probably isn't someone who can be easily fixed.
People have a hard time changing. My soul and body literally changed, but he's not the same.
I don't know what kind of trouble he causes, but if he's anything like I used to be, they'll be horrified and try to expel him.
"Let's go now."
I tilted my head at Miyuki's words and asked, "Where? The ramen shop?"
"Yeah. Since I'm tired today..."
"I can just carry you to the car, right?"
She beamed at me for finishing her sentence.
She stretched both arms into the air, wiggling her fingers to hurry me up. It was adorable.
I took Miyuki's thin wrist and gently pulled her up, then crouched in front of her and pointed to my back.
"Hop on."
Miyuki wiggled like a worm, placing her hands on my shoulders and leaning her upper body against my back.
With her legs still on the mattress, I said, "How am I supposed to carry you like this?"
"Just figure it out."
"At least get a little closer so I can reach your legs. Put your arms around my neck."
"Too much effort."
Thinking she was acting like a baby, wanting me to do all the work, I slowly straightened my knees, lifting her body.
Miyuki then stood up on her own, placed her feet on the floor, and leaped onto my back.
Ignoring her whining as she wrapped her legs around my waist like a frog, I carried her out through the living room's sliding glass door.
* * *
"I have to go again. You'll be okay in class by yourself today, right?"
The next day, Miyuki asked as she got out of the car.
Her voice was so gentle, it felt like I was being dropped off at preschool.
Unlike Chinami, who felt like a bubbly, energetic teacher, Miyuki was more like a teacher who was a bit stern but also good-natured.
"Am I a kid? I'll be fine."
"You talk like one..."
Miyuki giggled and patted my lower back before saying she'd go on ahead and quickening her pace.
She must be in a good mood after we ate ramen in that cozy atmosphere while it poured rain yesterday.
Feeling like today would be a good day, I greeted classmates as I saw them and headed toward the building alone.
Then, in the distance, I spotted Hiyori entering through the school gate.
Unlike her first day yesterday, it seemed Hiyori had already formed a group in just one day. She was with Miho and several other girls.
No, it would be more accurate to say that students were naturally flocking to her.
There were no guys.
It's probably because the semester just started, but I hope you continue to keep other guys at a distance.
Hiyori's skirt was longer than yesterday.
It looked like she was planning to wear it like that for her commute and then change before class or around lunchtime.
She should just bring a change of clothes and switch after school.
Does she like the uniform? If so, I have nothing to say.
I should at least say hello.
Just as I was about to approach her, she spotted me and broke into a wide smile, waving her hand by her head.
She was mumbling something, and looking closely at her lips, it seemed she was saying "Hi."
I'm happy you spotted me so precisely among all these students.
Her eyes were openly filled with delight at seeing me.
She must have been really grateful for yesterday.
At her gesture, I saw her friends' eyes follow her gaze and fix on me.
They were whispering amongst themselves, but they were too far away for me to hear.
I don't like her new friends. They're pretty, but they reek of delinquency.
They don't suit the fresh and bubbly Hiyori. I'll have to punish them with my dick.
"Wait! Don't go!"
I was about to give a quick greeting and leave, but I stopped when Hiyori suddenly ran over, raising her voice.
She mixed in some subtle informal speech. It's proof that we've gotten closer, which feels good, but for some reason, I think I also understand how Renka feels.
It's not that I'm angry or confused, it's just... how it is.
I should be a little nicer to Renka. But she's still going to have to wear the tail plug.
"What is it?"
I asked with a jerk of my chin as Hiyori approached. She flashed her pearly whites in a bright smile and pointed toward the school store.
"I said I'd buy you something tasty yesterday. Let's go to the store."
"You want to treat me today?"
"Should I treat you next time, then?"
"No, today's fine, but I don't like crowded places..."
"Crowds? Ah..."
Hiyori, who had tilted her head, looked behind her and let out a small gasp.
"Of course, it'll just be the two of us. You haven't met my friends, senpai. Oh wait, should we go with Miho, too? You know her."
"Won't your friends feel left out if we just take Mitsushima?"
"Ah, is that so?"
Hiyori scratched her soft hair.
Nodding as if my words made sense, she continued, "Then I'll go tell Miho. Can you wait here?"
"Sure."
"But... hmm..."
Hiyori trailed off, her eyes narrowing as she studied me.
She seemed to have noticed something.
"What now?"
"Nothing. It's just that your personality seems a little different from yesterday..."
"Who? Me?"
"Yep."
"What do you think is different?"
"Somehow... you seem to be in a good mood... and you also seem full of confidence."
I'd decided to be a little more proactive and put it into action, and she noticed right away.
As expected, Hiyori's intuition is sharp.
I wonder if she can maintain that intuition when our first time together is just around the corner.
We'll just have to wait and see.
"Were you in a bad mood yesterday because it was raining?"
I shook my head at her follow-up question and answered, "No. I like rainy days."
"You do?"
A hint of disappointment crossed Hiyori's face as she lightly licked her lips.
Are you sad that there's one less thing to tease me about?
"Aren't you going to talk to Mitsushima?"
"Oh, right. I'll be right back!"
Reminded of her task, Hiyori went over to Miho and, while looking at me, began to say something.
Does she have to look at me even when she's just saying she's going to the school store?
She's so bewildering. You shouldn't be like that.
A moment later, Hiyori loudly told Miho and her friends she'd see them later and came back.
Then she took a cardigan out of her red bag and held the bag's strap out to me.
"Can you hold my bag for a sec? I need to put this on."
Hiyori's actions and tone were so natural that I took the bag without thinking, then mentally kicked myself.
I just got played by Hiyori. For her, it was probably a natural, unconscious action... but I need to be careful about this.
If I let my guard down, I feel like I'll lose the upper hand in an instant.
"Thank youuu."
She thanked me in her characteristic high-pitched tone and took the bag back.
Snapping back to my senses, I said, "So, are we good to go now?"
"Yep. What do you want to get?"
"You're the one treating, so I'll have whatever you pick."
"Then should we get Suichu?"
Suichu was a new sour, caramel-like jelly that had just come to the school store this semester.
I'd seen Miyuki holding one yesterday after she finished her Student Council work and had a bite. It was pretty good.
It was the kind of flavor that would be really popular with girls.
It was even lemon-flavored, so Hiyori would probably love it.
Though not as much as Chinami's fanatical obsession with peaches.
"Sure, why not."
"I'll buy you two."
I wanted to say thanks, but Hiyori's mischievous expression as she showed me her index and middle fingers spread wide made me not want to.
Letting out a dry laugh, I finally thanked Hiyori, and we headed to the school store together.