Chapter 335: The Scent of Youth #2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 335: The Scent of Youth #2
The image of Hiyori shimmers before my eyes, refusing to leave.
The sight of her sitting by the pool, finishing her warm-ups before splashing into the water, laughing and having fun with Miho... I'll probably be thinking about that for at least a week.
But her swimsuit was a little small. It was more revealing than the other students' swimsuits, almost indecent.
My Hiyori's education on modesty... I need to start it as soon as possible.
“Senpai! Are you heading to club activities?”
As I was trudging toward the club room, I heard Hiyori’s voice from behind me.
Speak of the devil. I like it.
“Yeah. Where’s Mitsushima? Are you alone again?”
“Miho already went to the club room.”
“Weren’t you two close?”
“We are.”
“Then why have you been walking separately lately?”
“It just happens sometimes.”
“Did you have fun in swimming class?”
“It was super fun, but it was also tiring.”
“From swimming too much?”
“More like from holding onto a kickboard and kicking for too long. It was kind of boring...”
“Sounds like the teacher made you warm up thoroughly.”
“I guess so.”
The top button of Hiyori’s shirt was undone.
She’s already starting to show some skin just because the weather’s gotten a little warmer. I don’t like it one bit.
She should only show that side of herself to me.
I clicked my tongue and said, “Button up your shirt.”
“Nooo. It’s hot.”
“Button it.”
“You said the same thing last time. Why are you being so conservative? Are you my grandpa or something?”
“Hurry up.”
Did my stern voice awaken her rebellious spirit?
Muttering something to herself, Hiyori reluctantly fastened the button.
“There. Happy?”
“Yes. A student should look like a student.”
“Ugh... you’re so stuffy.”
“I’m only saying this for your own good.”
Hiyori’s expression turned incredulous.
She seemed dumbfounded by the old-man tendencies practically oozing from my entire body.
Chuckling, I gestured with my chin toward the building where the indoor clubs were located.
“Aren’t you going?”
“I am... but why do I feel so annoyed right now?”
“Your attitude is all wrong. When someone gives you advice, you should say, ‘Thank you.’”
“I’m starting to get really irritated.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“You’re so mean...”
Hmm. Her reaction isn’t half bad.
It feels like after being on the receiving end all the time, I finally landed a punch.
From now on, I should unleash my inner boomer when dealing with Hiyori.
“I’m kidding. Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad. But Senpai, can I use this?”
Hiyori pulled a rectangular piece of paper from her uniform pocket.
What she handed me was the coupon with five stamps on it... the one she got when I was working my part-time job at the cafe.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen that. Fond memories with Renka come flooding back.
“You can use it. Just fill it up to ten stamps first.”
“Can’t I get it for half price?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“How is that ridiculous? If ten stamps get me a free drink, five should get me one for half price.”
“That’s the logic of an entitled customer.”
“Just do it.”
“How am I supposed to do that? Go ask the owner yourself.”
“Just do it for me.”
She’s pretty, even when she’s pouting playfully like this.
“Fine, give it here.”
“You’ll do it?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re lying, aren’t you? You’re just going to take the coupon and use it yourself, right?”
“Damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Just go away now.”
I waved my hand as if shooing away an annoying mosquito, and Hiyori, grinning, pretended to dodge it.
Then she swung the backpack on her back to her front, pulled out a Suichu, and held it out to me.
“I’m paying you back the 100 yen I borrowed.”
“You’re really paying me back with a Suichu?”
“You said I could do whatever I wanted. If you don’t take it, I’ll eat it.”
“Gimme.”
The long wrapper zipped out of Hiyori’s hand.
Having the Suichu snatched away in an instant, Hiyori’s eyes went wide.
She seemed surprised by my quick hands.
“How are your hands so fast...?”
“I used to be a pickpocket.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me...”
She’s so lovable, reacting to every one of my stupid jokes.
I just noticed her backpack looks a little plain. Maybe I should buy her a keychain or something.
How about a lemon keychain? It would match her image perfectly.
But wait, haven’t I had this thought before?
I feel like my mind has been all over the place lately. I need to get it together.
“What are you thinking so hard about?”
Hiyori asked.
I shrugged and replied, “You don’t need to know.”
“You’re thinking about something dirty, aren’t you? I can tell.”
Acting all worldly when she doesn’t even know what “dirty” really is.
You never should have worn that swimsuit.
You’ve ignited my passion, so I’m going to devour you soon.
Then again, the push-and-pull with Hiyori isn’t exactly easy.
Effort. More effort is needed.
* * *
“Myak.”
As I gently rested my arm on Chinami’s head while she was gathering the laundry, her unique, strange exclamation escaped her lips.
“What are you doing?”
“I just suddenly felt like putting my arm there.”
“I see. Renka does this to me often, too. Though she usually uses both arms, not just one like you are now.”
“The captain must really care for you, Master.”
“You have such a nice way with words.”
“Thank you for saying so. But, Master.”
“Yes?”
“Do you like swimming, too?”
“I do. But I’m not very good at it.”
Chinami likes to swim...
In that case, going to the beach with all the heroines this summer wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Come to think of it, I wonder if we’ll have a joint school trip for all first, second, and third years.
It’s not exactly a common situation for all three grades to go to the same place, so you can’t call it an essential cliché, but it is an event that pops up every now and then... I can’t help but get my hopes up.
“I’d like to see it sometime.”
“See what?”
“You in a swimsuit, Master.”
“Huh?”
Chinami flustered as I bluntly stated my preference.
I carefully smoothed down her pink hair, which was pressed under my arm, and continued.
“Let’s go to a pool or the beach together sometime.”
“Ah... yes... let’s do that.”
“That’s a promise, okay?”
“Y-Yes...”
Perhaps embarrassed by the talk of swimsuits, Chinami took the long towel she was holding and draped it over her head.
Why does she only do such adorable things?
In my opinion, people like Chinami should be designated as national treasures.
After making that vague promise with Chinami and spending the rest of a peaceful day occasionally teasing Renka, the next day arrived.
On my way to art class, I found Hiyori sleeping on the bleachers by the field.
She was completely knocked out in her short-sleeved gym uniform, a towel covering her eyes, seemingly oblivious to the world around her. It was a nice sight.
With that thought, I carefully approached Hiyori and observed her.
Her mouth was slightly agape as she let out soft, rhythmic breaths.
One of her legs was even dangling off the bleacher. She seemed to be in a deep sleep.
She’s got some nerve, especially with a PE teacher on the field.
She even had a small, portable pillow under her head that she must have brought from somewhere.
She’ll get demerit points if she’s caught... What a free-spirited girl.
Shaking my head, I gently poked Hiyori’s wide, smooth forehead with my finger.
“Ngh.”
Hiyori sucked in a sharp breath and slowly removed the towel from her eyes.
Then, she looked up at my face, which was looking down at her.
“Matsuda-senpai...? What is it...?”
“I saw you on my way to the art room. What are you doing? The teacher is right there.”
“Ah, why’d you wake me up just to nag me...!”
I like her voice, still laced with sleepy charm.
As she turned onto her side to go back to sleep, I said, “If you’re going to sleep, at least do it in a corner. You’ll get caught here.”
“Too much troouble... Just leave me alone...”
“Where’d you get the pillow? Did you buy it?”
“Yeah... 1500 yen... did a group buy with my friends...”
“What’s a group buy?”
“A group purchase...”
“I didn’t ask for the definition.”
“Ugh, stop bothering me...!”
I was about to sit down next to Hiyori, who was spouting lines like an adolescent girl in her sleepy haze, but I decided against it.
I felt bad. I felt like I had needlessly disturbed her sweet slumber.
“Just fix your skirt.”
“My skirt?”
“Your thigh is showing.”
Just as I said, Hiyori’s thigh was on the verge of being exposed.
Her skirt had ridden up as she moved in her sleep.
“Did you get a good look...?”
As she fumbled to pull her skirt down, she suddenly posed a meaningful question.
She was asking if I had enjoyed the view of her thigh.
I scoffed as if the idea was absurd and replied, “No, not at all.”
“Oh...”
“Go back to sleep. And don’t get caught.”
“Okay... If you have a blanket, give it to me.”
She held an arm out toward me as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Unbelievable.
I gently took Hiyori’s thin wrist and placed it on her waist.
“I don’t have one.”
“You should carry one around from now on...”
The guilt I felt just a moment ago is completely gone.
Should I just bother her some more?
No. I was the one who woke her up, so I’ll leave it at this.
“Alright, alright.”
I picked up the towel lying beside her and folded it neatly so the clean side was facing out.
Then, I placed it gently on Hiyori’s forehead and sauntered away from the bleachers.
Aside from the heat, it’s a very peaceful and uneventful day.
The weather is clear, just like yesterday. Looking at the vast, blue sky, I have a feeling something good is going to happen today.