Chapter 323: Run Ino-chan, Run Renka
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 323: Run Ino-chan, Run Renka
“Wh-what are you doing...!!”
Renka cried out in bewilderment, her face buried in my chest.
Holding her tight, I answered.
“Just because.”
“Let go...! You piece of trash...!”
Renka struggled free from my grasp, her expression deeply suspicious.
“Why are you doing something you never do...!”
Her reaction was exactly as I'd expected. It's funny how her first instinct is to be suspicious.
I looked at Renka with an innocent face, pretending I didn't know a thing, and said.
“What's all the fuss about?”
“Did you eat something weird today...?”
“Why would you say that? You're hurting my feelings.”
“Hurt your feelings? My ass...! Just die...!”
Hmm. Has her training progressed so far that she prefers spanking to hugs?
If so, I should give her what she wants and spank her ass.
No, wait. That would look like... I'm taking out my frustrations on Renka after getting beaten by Hiyori.
Our Renka needs to be cherished.
But if I don't relentlessly tease her, I won't get a message from Ino-chan...
It's a huge dilemma. Should I just do both?
She might even like it if I comfort her after teasing her.
“Want some candy?”
“.... Now?”
She stared at me with wide, rabbit-like eyes, a look that I thought suited her perfectly.
I pulled a blueberry-flavored candy from inside my kendo top and nodded.
“Now.”
“Wh-why are you pulling it out from there...!”
Be glad I didn't pull it out of my underwear.
“You don't want it?”
“.....”
“Here.”
I carefully unwrapped the candy and held it to Renka's lips. Her eyes darted around before she opened her mouth just a tiny bit.
I popped the candy inside, then slid my thumb in slightly, pulling it back quickly when Renka bared her teeth.
“I knew you'd do something like this... You trashy bastard...”
She was cursing, but seeing her roll the candy around in her mouth, as if she found it tasty, made me want to laugh.
With a relaxed expression, I opened my arms.
A gesture for her to hug me. Renka snorted as if the idea was ridiculous, and turning to leave the drying room, she whipped her ponytail around.
“Stop.”
I lowered my arms, which had suddenly become an awkward gesture, and spoke in a low voice. Renka flinched and froze, her hand hovering over the doorknob.
“What is it now...!”
“Why are you so annoyed?”
“Because you're annoying me...!”
“What did I do that was so annoying?”
“Do I need a reason? You're just annoying.”
I know she doesn't mean it, but I need to fix this habit of hers.
Lately, thanks to Hiyori, I've been getting a taste of my own medicine and acting all gentle, but with Renka, firm discipline is clearly the answer.
In fact, she might even be hoping for me to spank her.
I've left her alone for the past few days, and it feels like she's protesting, begging me to hit her already.
My mind made up, I strode toward Renka and, before she could react, slapped her thigh.
Paang-!
A crisp sound as the air was forced out from inside her uniform pants.
“Hya!”
At the same moment, Renka's whole body shuddered violently as she let out a cute shriek and gritted her teeth.
“Ah, what are you doing...! Stop doing things like this...!”
“I told you I bought you a present the other day, right?”
“.....”
“I'll give it to you soon.”
At my words, Renka's eyes shifted nervously.
Her gaze was filled with anxiety about what kind of 'play' I might attempt, but also a subtle hint of anticipation.
Noticing this, I grinned.
“Curious what it is?”
“.... I-I'm curious.”
“You'll see for yourself later. You're going to like it.”
“Then why did you blabber on like you were going to tell me...!”
“Sorry. Is the candy good?”
“Shut up. It's gross.”
“For someone who thinks it's gross, you're still rolling it around.”
“I'm only eating it because it's in my mouth. Now stop bothering me. I have to go teach the club members.”
“It looks like you're using the club members as hostages to escape your education.”
“What kind of bullshit is that...!”
“It is bullshit. You can go.”
“Don't order me around!”
After a prim act of defiance, Renka shot me a glare and left the drying room.
Every time I see Renka act like a girl going through puberty, I try to imagine what she used to be like.
If she'd said those things back when she was aggressive toward me, I would have been genuinely offended, but now, it's just funny.
Click.
While I was mulling over Renka's refreshing attitude, the door that had just closed opened again, and a head of pink hair popped in.
It was Chinami, holding a black plastic bag.
Her face lit up when she saw me.
“Ah, there you are! Come over here, quickly.”
Even though we were the only two in the drying room, she glanced around furtively before grabbing my wrist and pulling me to a corner. I wondered what was going on.
I let Chinami pull me along. When she bent her knees and squatted down, I tilted my head and asked.
“What's wrong?”
“My mother recently acquired the most delicious variety of peach that can be harvested in the spring.”
“Ah... so are those peaches in your hand?”
“That's right. I wanted to share them with you, Junior. Please, sit down.”
My dear Chinami... she's so kind-hearted, but I'm getting sick of peaches.
No matter how delicious they are, I don't really feel like eating them.
Still, she brought them for me, so I should be grateful.
“Did you give any to the captain?”
“I just ran into her and gave her a few.”
“Secretly, like this?”
“Yes. I took her to the women's lounge and gave them to her discreetly.”
“I see. And your mother, Master, is the one who got these?”
“That's right.”
Chinami's mother... I remember thinking I wanted to meet her once before. Maybe I should make some time to visit her soon.
Would she be as cute as Chinami? She must be, right?
I'm curious if she's just as quirky, or surprisingly normal.
“What are you doing? I told you to sit down.”
Chinami's urging snapped me out of my thoughts, and I squatted down as she wished.
Then I watched as Chinami rummaged inside the bag and pulled out a plastic container.
* * *
[User MK. It's been a while.]
Back home after a shower, I lay on my futon and burst out laughing as I checked the message that had arrived on AniShare.
I'd expected she might send a message, but I didn't think it would be today.
It seems the bait I dangled in the club room worked.
Should I reveal her identity today?
No, let's play with her a little. Since Renka's already made the first move like this, I can take control of the flow whenever I want.
[Long time no see.]
[You're as rude as ever.]
[How am I being rude?]
[You just feel that way.]
[If you don't have anything to say, let's end it here. I'm busy.]
[Busy with what? Watching something dirty?]
[Think what you want.]
[Fine. I've recently gotten interested in SM play, so I was wondering, what kind of play do you enjoy, User MK?]
Why is she suddenly asking something like this?
The answer came to me immediately.
She's trying to dig for information about the present I'm going to give her.
Renka's intentions are obvious. I feel like I'm inside her head.
[Didn't you ask this before?]
[Last time I asked what kind of play you like, and now I'm asking what kind of play you do. It's a completely different context.]
[Are you making fun of me for being ignorant?]
[You're so paranoid. People like you are always like that.]
Ino-chan's tone feels a little stiff.
It's not that she's being cautious because we haven't talked in a while... I wish she'd use those cute emoticons she always used.
[Just answer me already.]
I chuckled at Renka's continued prodding and tapped on my phone.
[For someone asking a question, aren't you being a little rude?]
[Sorry.]
Apologizing so meekly... she must be really curious about that present.
The present I prepared is a cat tail plug, but I can't tell her that now.
Right now, it's better for Renka to experience a variety of emotions... the anxiety, anticipation, and thrill that come from the unknown.
[I like everything. I'm busy today, can I contact you later?]
[Can't you just give a short answer? I'm not going to contact you again.]
[See you next time.]
[I said there won't be a next time?]
[I didn't mean see you here. I meant see you in real life.]
[What's that supposed to mean? Why would I have to meet you, User MK?]
I didn't answer her question and just stayed silent.
A moment later, a barrage of messages from Renka flooded in.
[Hello.]
[Hey.]
[User MK.]
[It says you read it, why aren't you answering?]
I only tested the waters a little... just a tiny bit, but her reaction is incredible.
She might be doing that because she's angry I ignored her message, but I think it's something else.
I could picture Renka getting flustered, pricked by the thought that my words might have something to do with her.
Not long after ignoring her messages and turning on the TV, my phone vibrated.
The name on the screen. Seeing it, I couldn't suppress a loud laugh.
It was because Renka was calling me.
My dear Renka... what are you going to do, showing your true feelings so obviously?
I'm so worried, so very worried.
Forcibly suppressing the virus of laughter bubbling up inside me, I pressed the call button and brought the phone to my ear.
“Hello.”
-.... Hey.
“What is it?”
-What are you doing.
Her tone clearly revealed her attempt to sound me out.
“Just at home.”
-Oh, really...?
“Why? Are you bored?”
-Well... a little.
“What about Master? Did you say you didn't see her today?”
-That's why I'm calling you...
“Really? Then should we meet up?”
-R-right now?
“Want to meet up and watch a movie or something?”
-I... don't mind.
She hadn't actually intended to meet me, but she had called me at a very tricky time.
She must be thinking that if she hangs up now, I might realize there's a connection between Renka and Ino-chan.
So she agreed to meet me to cover that up.
She used her head, but that's as far as it goes.
She shouldn't have called me in the first place.
“Alright, I'll be there in 30 minutes, so get ready.”
-O-okay.
It's been a really long time since I've met up with just Renka after the start of school.
Since it's come to this, I should drop a little hint about Ino-chan when we meet.
I'll decide what to do next after seeing her reaction.
After hanging up, I snickered to myself and started to change my clothes.