Chapter 362: Shameless but Shy
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 362: Shameless but Shy
She started race walking in the posture I’d shown her, chattering away, but after a little while, she began to quiet down. About twenty minutes into the workout, her mouth was firmly shut.
Her smooth face, gradually becoming slick with sweat.
Watching the scene unfold in real time, I matched Hiyori’s slowing pace and grinned.
“Tired?”
“No...? Why would I be tired...?”
What do you mean, no? You’re already panting.
I let out an amused scoff.
“Pick up the pace.”
“...Okay.”
“Fix your posture.”
“L-Like this...?”
“I told you to pull your stomach in.”
“Like this...?”
“Yeah, like that. But your form is starting to break again, isn't it?”
“Hey! It’s fine if it breaks a little...! I don’t have to do it by the book...!”
The way she shrieked and whined at the same time was cute.
“You have to get the basic posture right so it’s less tiring later. That way, you can do it properly when you exercise alone, too.”
“I’m not going to do it alone! This is my last day exercising! I’m just going to go to the gym!”
“You’re just saying that in the heat of the moment, right?”
“No, I’m not.”
“But I want to keep exercising with you.”
“...Huh?”
Hiyori, who had been throwing a fit, suddenly looked puzzled. In an instant, her attitude became completely demure.
I clicked my tongue inwardly, then furrowed my brow and spoke in a stern voice.
“Widen your stride a little more.”
“Haaah... It’s so hot...”
Hiyori sighed deeply, scratching her disheveled hair. With a look of utter exhaustion, she widened her stride.
She should have brought a hair tie... She looks even hotter like that.
Well, now that she’s experienced it, I bet she’ll come with her hair tied up tight next time.
Was it the physical exertion that was waking up her mind?
Or was she just excited that we were finally talking?
Even while huffing and puffing, Hiyori chattered away just as she had at the beginning of the workout.
But after another ten minutes, her plump lips sealed shut once more, and she looked even more exhausted than before.
“I-I can’t do it...”
No longer caring about her posture, she leaned against a nearby streetlight as if she were melting.
To top it off, she threw all dignity to the wind and plopped down on the asphalt.
Shaking my head, I chided her as she stared up at the sky, catching her breath.
“What are you doing? Get up.”
“I’m tired... I’m done for today...”
“Isn’t it a waste to come all this way just to work out for thirty minutes and go back?”
“It’s not a waste at all, okay? Aren’t you tired, senpai?”
“Not really. Now hurry up and get up.”
“Can’t you see my legs are shaking? How am I supposed to stand up in this state...!”
“I’ll help you.”
At my words, I held out my hand. Hiyori wiped her own hand on her t-shirt before quickly taking mine and pulling herself up.
Isn’t there a cliché where she stumbles forward, unable to support herself, and falls into my arms?
What a shame.
“Your hands are so big...”
Hiyori’s awe-struck comment snapped me out of my thoughts. I playfully placed my hand on top of her head.
Then, I pressed my five fingertips firmly into her scalp.
At the same time, a long breath escaped from Hiyori’s small nostrils.
It seemed she was enjoying the light massage.
“Feels good?”
“No...?”
Her eyelids had fluttered for a second. What did she mean, ‘no’?
After giving a decent massage to the obvious liar, I pointed in the direction of my house.
“Let’s head back now.”
At that, Hiyori’s eyes lit up.
“Workout’s over?”
“Why? Want to do more?”
“No! I don’t. I want to take a shower, quick.”
“Was that thirty minutes? Let’s add another five next time.”
“Not shorten it?”
“Who shortens their workout time?”
“Me, right here.”
“Stop talking nonsense and let’s just go. It’s getting dark.”
“I’m tiiired.”
“Isn’t it better to take a shower and drink some water than to dilly-dally here?”
“Well, you have a point.”
And so, with Hiyori walking as slowly as a turtle, I returned home, feeling refreshed by the cool breeze for the first time in a while.
Hiyori, for her part, seemed quite pleased with my house. As soon as she climbed over the wooden platform and through the window into the house, she let out a quiet gasp of admiration.
“This house is nice...”
She looked around, from the kitchen connected to the living room to the bathroom door with its large tub, nodding her head emphatically before continuing.
“It looked huge from the outside, but it feels cozy inside, huh?”
“You think so?”
“Yeah. Is it because of the parking lot and the garden?”
“Could be. Hold on a sec.”
I went to the fridge, took out a bottle of cold water, and poured half a mug for Hiyori.
She took the cup and gulped the water down.
She should drink a little slower... Just as I was thinking that, she flashed a bright, satisfied smile and gestured with her eyes toward the half-open bathroom.
“Can I shower in there?”
“Yeah. There’s a soaking tub, too, so let me know if you want to use it.”
“A soaking tub? Not a bathtub?”
“It’s a soaking tub.”
“What kind of house has a soaking tub...?”
“Some houses do.”
“I mean... I guess so... Should I shower first?”
“Go ahead.”
“What about you, senpai?”
“There’s a small bathroom, so I’ll use that one.”
“Aha... Then we can shower together, right?”
She didn’t particularly emphasize it, but why did the phrase ‘together’ sound so damn arousing?
There was just something about Hiyori’s vibe that had that effect.
“Stop talking and go shower before you cool down.”
“Okay. But, senpai.”
“What now?”
“Can I borrow some pants? I don’t have a change of clothes.”
Come to think of it, Hiyori had come empty-handed.
I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that.
That means she doesn’t have any panties either... Could she have done it on purpose?
No, while it was true Hiyori was somewhat open, she wasn’t the type to appeal to her sensual side like that.
I figured she was just so excited to work out with me that she forgot to pack anything.
Either that, or she came without a single thought in her head.
On second thought, the latter seemed more likely.
I let out a disbelieving laugh and said, “Alright. Pants with a drawstring should be fine, right?”
“And a t-shirt, please.”
She asks for so much.
It couldn’t be helped since she brought nothing, but if we lived together, I feel like the whole house would be in an uproar.
* * *
“Senpai.”
“What.”
“This is too big.”
At Hiyori’s words from the bathroom, I, who had already finished my shower and was lying on the futon, turned my head to look at her.
She was wearing a pair of oversized khaki shorts that looked like they would fall right off if the drawstring wasn’t tied properly.
They were capri-length, designed to end at the calf, but the difference in our leg thickness made them look ridiculously baggy on her.
And on top of that, an oversized black t-shirt that looked even bigger...
Seeing her looking so utterly disheveled, I bit my lower lip hard.
If I didn’t, I felt like I would burst out laughing.
“It suits you. You look like an older sister who just threw on whatever to go to the convenience store down the street.”
“Are you teasing me for looking old?”
Surprisingly, she didn’t seem too upset. My Hiyori shows this kind of good-natured side sometimes.
As I was thinking that, Hiyori started whining that her legs hurt, so I got up from the futon.
“Let’s go. I’ll walk you home.”
“Can we rest for just a little bit? I’m tired.”
“Fine by me.”
Hearing my answer, Hiyori grinned and immediately came over to claim the futon.
She flopped down and sprawled out in a star shape.
It was such a natural act that for a moment, I was confused about whether this was my house or hers.
I looked down at her and let out a bewildered laugh. I was about to scold her, but I had to stop myself.
It was because I saw her breasts, nestled inside her t-shirt, jiggle and spread slightly to the sides as she moved.
I had thought about her bra while she was showering.
I’d considered buying one at the convenience store, but it was quite a distance, and I had just showered myself, so I decided against it, figuring I wouldn’t have enough time.
Of course, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see her like this.
That was also why I’d prepared an oversized black t-shirt.
If I gave her a light-colored one, she would obviously be embarrassed.
While I was lost in thought, Hiyori stretched her arms straight up over her head.
She let out a lazy yawn in that position, and the pants, caught between the futon and her butt, tightened, subtly revealing the curve of her lower body.
What a pleasant sight.
They say that a subtle hint that stimulates the imagination is far lewder than blatant exposure...
But she didn't ask for Miyuki's underwear, even though it must be uncomfortable and on her mind.
She must have thought that wearing Miyuki's underwear would be going too far.
“You not leaving?”
At my question, which I managed to ask after barely escaping the temptation, Hiyori pulled the carelessly strewn blanket over her body, up to her chest.
“I’m just going to lie down for a little bit.”
Even though she’d only been lying down for a moment, the energy had already drained from Hiyori’s voice.
The warm shower and the blast of the air conditioner must have made her drowsy.
“Don’t fall asleep.”
“...Okay...”
Hiyori’s mouth slowly fell open as she replied weakly.
Was she already getting sleepy and about to drift off?
The way she used the pillow and blanket I had just used without any hesitation... How can a person be so defenseless?
It makes me want to pounce on her and snap her awake.
I did want to do something as long as she was stuck here like an earth-bound spirit... whether it was this or that. But seeing her just sprawled out sleeping, I thought maybe I should just let her be for today.
There would be plenty of other chances, after all.
Licking my lips in disappointment, I got up without a sound and went to the kitchen for a drink of water.
Afterward, I sat down on the tatami floor and started scrolling through my phone. That’s when I noticed, just over the top of the screen, Hiyori’s eyelids twitch.
Huh?
It felt as if... she’d been watching me and quickly shut her eyes when it seemed like we were about to make eye contact because of the direction I was sitting...
A strong suspicion arose. I held my palm over Hiyori’s eyes and waved it back and forth.
But Hiyori didn’t react.
Did she close her eyes for real this time?
“Hey.”
“.....”
No answer when I called her. In that case, I’d have to try touching her.
With that thought, I extended my index finger and gently poked Hiyori’s waist.
Poke.
And then,
“Hyaah!?”
Hiyori shot up, screaming as if she’d seen a ghost.
“W-What are you doing!? Why did you poke my waist!?”
Because it seemed like you were pretending to be asleep.
Hearing that sharp, clear voice confirmed my suspicion.
By the way, just like at the multi-purpose cafe last time, and now...
Is her waist an erogenous zone? I bet she’d really like it if I touched it gently, just grazing it.
“You weren’t sleeping, were you?”
“...I was asleep.”
She should at least wipe the awkwardness off her face before saying something like that... There’s a limit to how shameless one can be.
Hiyori, too, seemed to realize her excuse was ridiculous and scratched her cheek, embarrassed.
“I was worried you’d nag me if I kept dawdling...”
I let out a deflated sigh at her words and placed a hand on her still-damp hair.
Then, I started massaging it like before and opened my mouth.
“I won’t nag, so you can rest as long as you want. Just don’t be too late. Your parents will worry.”
Was she not used to my suddenly gentle tone?
Hiyori’s already large eyes grew even wider as she looked up at me.
“Okaay...”
The girl who chattered nonstop was giving such a demure answer.
A quiet Hiyori isn’t so bad either, I thought, as I continued to play with her hair until it was a complete and utter mess.