Chapter 320: Karma #2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 320: Karma #2
“Matsu... senpai...”
A listless voice called out from behind me. I turned my head and flinched.
Hiyori, wiping her nose with an apricot-colored handkerchief, spoke with a hint of disappointment.
“You won't catch my cold...!”
“It's instinct. How can I not be startled when you sneak up on me and call my name? It can't be helped.”
“If someone sneaks up and calls you, you're supposed to just turn around with a confused look, not recoil like you're afraid of germs... right?”
“That depends on the person. Anyway, did you go to the nurse's office?”
“Yes...”
“Do you have a fever?”
“A little... I was going to take some medicine and rest in the place you told me about...”
“It's probably dusty there, which will only make it worse. Didn't the school nurse tell you to rest in one of the beds?”
“She did...”
“Then you should have stayed there. Why did you come out?”
“Because I have to eat...”
“They bring food to the nurse's office, you know. They'll have someone deliver it.”
“Oh, really...? Now that you mention it, I think the nurse did say something about that...”
She must have been too out of it from being sick to hear properly.
It's pitiful to see a girl who's usually so energetic acting like a dying old dog.
She'll go back to her usual mischievous self once she's better, but for now, I should be nice to her.
“Hurry up and go back inside.”
“By myself...? All lonely...?”
“.... Follow me.”
I pretended to be reluctant as I led the way, and Hiyori trailed right behind me.
Thinking the sound of her sniffling was actually kind of cute, I glanced at Hiyori and asked.
“What about Mitsushima?”
“She said she's on her way from the classroom...”
“And your other friends?”
“Same...”
“Contact them and tell them you'll be in the nurse's office.”
“Okay...”
With Hiyori shuffling her feet behind me, we arrived at the nurse's office. I knocked, and after hearing a voice tell us to come in, I opened the door.
“Hello.”
“Oh, it's Matsuda-kun. Hello. Did you get into another fight?”
Hmm. The school nurse is being mischievous.
A paizuri punishment is in order.
“Nope. I was busy catching a runaway student.”
“A runaway student?”
“Right here.”
I stepped aside from the doorway, revealing a completely drained Hiyori.
The nurse's eyes widened as she looked back and forth between Hiyori and a corner of the room hidden by a partition.
“Asahina Hiyori? When did you leave?”
So she did sneak out.
It makes sense. There's no way the nurse would just let a sick student walk out.
“About ten minutes ago... to get food...”
Hiyori's slightly deflated reply made the nurse's brow furrow.
“I told you I'd have food brought to you. You must not have heard me. Go lie back down. And use the hand sanitizer.”
“Yes...”
Hiyori gave the nurse a small bow and trudged limply toward the partition.
She weakly pushed the curtain aside, flopped onto the bed like a worm, and sprayed sanitizer on her hands from the bottle on the side table.
She's so obedient. I wish she'd listen to me like that.
“You went to a lot of trouble. Thanks for finding her.”
The nurse thanked me.
I gave an awkward smile and replied.
“It was nothing. I'll be going now.”
“Alright. If you ever feel sick, come straight here.”
Hmm. That's an unbelievable thing for the usually business-like school nurse to say.
That, and her teasing question about me fighting again...
I did give her a vitamin drink during the winter semester to thank her for her help, and I've been greeting her politely every time I see her. I guess that earned me some points.
“Understood.”
I glanced at Hiyori and was about to leave the nurse's office when she beckoned me over from the bed.
I sauntered over to her and asked with feigned annoyance.
“What is it now?”
Hiyori glanced at the nurse before whispering quietly.
“What did she mean by 'another fight'...?”
Her memory is unnecessarily sharp.
I clicked my tongue and, with an indifferent expression, pulled the blanket up to her chin.
“You don't need to know. I'm leaving.”
“Bye-bye...”
She raised a hand above her head and pressed her thumb to it.
It reminded me of when I saw Hiyori saying goodbye to her friends on the way to the kendo tournament.
Back then, the day I'd actually meet Hiyori felt so far away, but now here I am, talking with her face-to-face.
It feels incredibly surreal.
If I stuck a thermometer in that small mouth of hers, she'd be the perfect sick heroine from a classic rom-com... I'm tempted to try it.
“Yeah, yeah.”
I sprayed some of the hand sanitizer Hiyori had used onto my own hands and rubbed them together, ignoring her whining about whether I was scared of catching her cold as I walked out.
* * *
“Fufufu...”
Chinami emerged from the coach's office, letting out a suspicious laugh like a villain who had just hatched a scheme.
She was walking, staring intently at the paper in her hand, when—
Thump.
“Mugyek!”
—she bumped right into me and let out her characteristic shriek.
It's been a long time since I've heard that sound.
Her small body tilted backward.
I quickly grabbed Chinami's wrist to steady her and said.
“You should be careful.”
“Ah, I'm sorry. Are you hurt?”
“Not at all. Are you okay, Master?”
“Yes. I am perfectly fine.”
“What has you in such a good mood that you weren't looking where you were going?”
“Ah, that's... a few of this year's new club members are quite famous prospects. There's no reason not to be happy about our team getting stronger.”
“Really? Who are they?”
“They are Junior Misumi Riko and Junior Korie Iroha. Here...”
Chinami showed me the paper she was holding.
It was just a simple application form, so there were no photos, but judging by the names, they were definitely girls.
Did they join because they admire Renka? Seeing the "10+ years" box checked for kendo experience, they must be skilled.
The Yebonie Academy girls' kendo club is already a strong team. At this rate, I wonder if they'll become the best in the nation.
Usually, when a team is the strongest, they're cast as the villains...
Well, from the perspective of other academies, the Yebonie Academy kendo club probably is the villain, so let's move on.
“So you have high hopes for these new members?”
“That is correct. However, that does not mean I intend to show favoritism. I plan to evaluate their skills fairly. By the way, Junior, what are you doing here?”
“The washing machine with my uniform has three minutes left, so I was taking a short break.”
“Is that so? The coach might scold you for being here, so it would be better to rest in the drying room.”
“I think the captain is more likely to do the scolding.”
At that, Renka, who had been correcting the members' stances and taking a sip of water, bristled and spun around.
“What do you mean, I scold people?”
First Hiyori, now Renka... I guess having sharp hearing is a trait of heroines.
No, that's not it. Let's just assume it's because she adores me and was paying attention.
I raised both hands to my shoulders in a nonchalant shrug and said.
“You heard that from all the way over there? Impressive.”
“It's probably because your voice is so damn loud. Don't talk shit about me.”
“I think you're the one talking shit, Captain...”
“When did I?”
“You just said 'damn loud'.”
“I didn't realize your ego was so fragile you'd take that as an insult.”
She's gotten a lot bolder lately.
If I called her over and gave her a little spank on the butt, would she get all upset and send me a message as Ino-chan?
I'm dying to expose her Ino-chan avatar already.
“Ahem. It is good that you two are close, but I would appreciate it if you would refrain from using such aggressive tones in front of the other members. This is especially true when the new members are joining.”
Renka, looking wronged by Chinami's intervention, protested.
“He's the one who started it, saying I scold people...! Why are you only telling me off...!”
“I will have a separate word with our junior later.”
“.... No. You shouldn't be near him.”
“And why is that?”
“Just because.”
It seems she knows that being with me makes Chinami all dazed and flustered.
I burst out laughing internally at Renka's reaction and placated Chinami, who was tilting her head with a look of confusion.
“The captain seems to be at the peak of her hysteria today, so it's probably best if we keep our distance.”
“Now, now. Hysteria? You shouldn't say such things.”
“Yes. My apologies. The laundry should be almost done. Shall we go to the drying room together?”
“Let's.”
I patted Chinami on the back and led her toward the drying room. As I opened the door, Renka followed us inside.
My brow furrowed, and I asked.
“Why are you here?”
“.... I had nothing else to do, so I thought I'd help.”
“The captain should be teaching the members.”
“The other third-years can handle it.”
Why can't you just admit you're here to watch me in case I try to lay my wicked hands on Chinami?
A dishonest girl needs a good spanking.
In any case, it's hilarious that Renka, who's been thoroughly debased by me, is stepping up to protect Chinami.
Besides, she wouldn't even be able to say anything if I tried to touch Chinami right in front of her... Our Renka is such a meddlesome and utterly helpless girl. I love it.
Or maybe Renka followed us because she wants some thrilling skinship from me?
With that thought, I shot a sideways glance at Renka, who was right behind me.
“.... W-what are you looking at?”
Renka flinched, as if she'd read the lewd intent engraved in my eyes.
I gave her a wide grin, baring my teeth, and said.
“Just looking.”
“Look away...!”
She glared at me, her voice so tiny that Chinami couldn't possibly hear. It was hilarious, like a frog's final, desperate struggle right before being eaten by a snake.
Anyway, the classic "What are you looking at?" followed by "Look away."
This repertoire never changes.
It must be Renka's own personal surefire... no, surefail pattern.
She's serving herself up on a platter. I'll have to give her lots and lots of affection.