Chapter 406: Vacation Life with Hiyori
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 406: Vacation Life with Hiyori
After finishing our... cleanup in a bathroom swirling with an incredibly awkward atmosphere, Renka and I stepped outside.
She was examining her now-clean hands, turning them over and over.
I couldn't tell if she was checking for any remaining liquid or if she was savoring the unfamiliar sensation of receiving it for the first time.
“What are you doing?”
Renka’s shoulders flinched at my question as we returned to the training room.
Though there was no need to, she hid her hands behind her back and answered.
“W-What...?”
Her reaction was a funny, honest reflection of her current state of mind.
So she was curious. If I had sent her to wash her hands alone, she might have even smelled them.
Or maybe even had a taste.
“It’s nothing.”
“...Stop smirking like that, will you? It’s annoying.”
“When was I smiling?”
“You’re smiling right now...!”
If I had my way, I’d pin Renka down right here and have some fun.
But it was probably about time for Riko to call us for dinner, so I held back.
Bzzzt-!
Just as I thought that, Renka’s phone vibrated.
She checked the screen, let out a deep sigh, and said.
“She says dinner’s ready, so we should come.”
How could the world unfold so perfectly according to my predictions?
I must be omniscient.
“What’s with that shitty look on your face?”
Most people use their hands when they make a comeback, but I like that Renka only uses her words.
I shrugged at her retort and said I understood before leaving the training room.
When we got back to the house, a savory aroma wafted through the air.
It smelled so good I knew it would be delicious.
It’s an absolute cliché that the heroines’ mothers are great cooks.
But Momoka seems to be the exception to that cliché.
Still, she’s as cute as Chinami, so it’s fine.
“Renka told me you like meat, Matsuda-kun, so I focused on meat dishes. I’m not sure if they’ll suit your palate, though.”
Riko said to me as Renka and I sat down side-by-side at the dining table.
I shot Renka a look as if to ask, You said that?, then put on a bright smile.
“I enjoy everything.”
“Oh? That’s a relief, then. Let’s eat.”
“Thank you for the meal.”
I picked up my utensils only after Riko had picked up her chopsticks. At my words, she beamed, expressing her satisfaction.
The family meal at Renka’s was incredibly quiet.
It wasn't because there was nothing to say; the moment the meal began, the entire atmosphere shifted. I could tell right away that this was just their family culture.
Was it because they valued tradition? We ate without a single word at the dinner table, which was different from Miyuki’s house—quiet, but with occasional conversation—and Chinami’s house, which was naturally lively.
Would the mood have been even heavier if Renka’s father were here?
I respect it, but I prefer a more lively atmosphere...
Which is why I need to seduce Riko and bring her to my house.
The lack of conversation naturally made the meal go by faster.
After neatly finishing off Riko’s delicious cooking with two bowls of rice, I bowed my head slightly as she refilled my handleless ceramic cup with water.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. Did you enjoy the food?”
“It was honestly so delicious.”
Did my heartfelt praise make her happy?
The corners of Riko’s mouth crept upward.
She’s usually so graceful, but that face she makes, turning into a girl when she’s complimented, is just so beautiful.
Maybe Renka will have that kind of style when she’s a full-fledged adult?
I allowed myself to hope.
“Thank you for the meal. What should I do with the dishes? Should I take them to the sink?”
“Just leave them there. I’ll clean up.”
In situations like this, it’s better to just listen rather than overstep by insisting on doing the dishes.
Having made my decision, I quietly pushed my chair back and stood up with Renka.
* * *
“My mother said you’re very polite.”
Renka’s pouting compliment came as she walked me to the parking lot.
Standing by the driver’s side door, I grinned and said.
“Please tell her I said thank you.”
“But you’re not. I know it’s all an act.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because of what I’ve seen.”
“And what have you seen?”
“The weird things you did to that Asahina girl today, and the way you torment Chinami and me... You really are trash.”
“Torment? Don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?”
“It’s the truth.”
Renka was setting the stage for her own neglect play.
When she talks like that, it makes it incredibly easy for me to come up with a reason later.
For instance, I could apologize for tormenting her all this time, promise it won’t happen again, and then cut off all my attention to her...
I could naturally create a situation like that and make Renka burn with anxiety.
A very happy dilemma is approaching.
Maybe I could even start right after the tournament.
Then, when I invite Chinami and Renka over to my place after it’s all over, I might get to see an even more proactive Renka.
“Think whatever you want.”
“See? Now that it’s just the two of us, you’re showing your true colors.”
“What did I do? The problem is that you’re negative about everything, Captain.”
“Just get lost already.”
“I’ll come again next time.”
“Don’t.”
“But your mother told me to come again.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“You don’t have a choice, Captain.”
“.....”
She backed down at my forceful tone.
I chuckled at her, now silent with her lips jutting out in a pout, and got in the car to start the engine.
Then, I rolled down the window and asked Renka, who was holding onto her own arm, in a voice much softer than before.
“I had fun today. How about you, Captain?”
“I didn’t.”
“Don’t be like that. Tell me honestly.”
“...It was so-so.”
“Really?”
“It was fun. Happy now?”
Though she pretended to say it reluctantly, it was obvious she was admitting that she’d had a good time herself.
Even if she was a little nervous.
“So, what should you do?”
“What do you mean, what should I do?”
“If you had fun, what are you supposed to do?”
“...What do you want?”
She’s known me for a while now, but she’s still so clueless about these things.
Then again, that’s part of her charm.
I tapped my cheek, looking at Renka, who was frowning as if she didn’t understand.
When she finally realized what I wanted, she recoiled in horror.
“No way...! Just hurry up and go...!”
“If you don’t, I’m sleeping over tonight.”
“A-Are you crazy?”
“Hurry up.”
“Haa...”
A sigh escaped Renka’s lips as she shuddered.
She wasn’t reluctant to show affection; she was just embarrassed.
It was similar to when she told me she liked me that one time.
“.....”
After hesitating for a while, she glanced at me—still staring straight ahead, not even thinking of moving the car—and then, with a look full of annoyance, she walked over.
She slowly leaned down and pressed her lips against my cheek.
The soft, moist sensation touched my cheek and vanished in an instant...
Feeling it, I grinned at Renka’s face, which was clearly flushed red even under the night sky.
“Well done. I’ll get going now.”
“...Go home safe, or don’t. Whatever.”
“Did you really have to add the ‘or don’t’?”
“Ugh, just go already...!!”
If she was that embarrassed to look at my face, she could have just turned and left... but it’s endearing that she’s still standing there, determined to see me off.
A steamy encounter in the training room, followed by a heartwarming dinner, and ending with a sweet moment of skinship.
Isn’t this the true essence of a romantic comedy? It was a very fulfilling day.
“I’m leaving.”
“Go...”
“I’ll text you when I get there.”
“Don’t.”
“Why? Are you busy organizing your hidden figures?”
“I’m seriously going to kill you...”
Why do I find Renka so adorable when she’s trembling, her two fists clenched?
I want to kidnap her and take her to my house right now.
Suppressing that impulse, I ended the first day of vacation with a monumental visit to Renka’s house.
* * *
The next day.
I woke up shivering from the cold air of the air conditioner I’d left on all night. I pulled the covers over my head and tried to fall back asleep.
Just as my eyes were closing and I was about to drift off again,
Ding-dong!
The cheerful sound of the doorbell was accompanied by a heavy, thudding sound.
A wave of irritation washed over me, and I covered my ears with my pillow. Then, it suddenly occurred to me that I’d experienced this before.
No way, I thought. I peeked my head out and listened to the sounds from outside.
“Matsumatsu! You’re home, right!?”
Hiyori’s distinct, bubbly voice hit my ears.
She came unannounced again. I’ll have to give her a piece of my mind.
Still, I was happy that she had come to see me first, so I quickly got up and, in a daze, slowly made my way outside to open the gate.
Click.
The gate swung open with the sound of the latch disengaging.
Through the gap, I saw Hiyori’s refreshing face and pale white limbs. I threw the gate wide open and immediately began to scold her.
“What are you wearing?”
“What’s wrong with it? It’s not revealing at all.”
If a spaghetti strap top and shorts so short they revealed the flesh beneath her butt cheeks weren’t revealing, then I wondered what kind of outfit would be.
“That’s what you think. I told you to dress modestly.”
“I dunno. Anyway, were you sleeping just now?”
“What time is it?”
“11 AM.”
“Really? I guess I slept in a bit. But didn't I tell you to call before you come over?”
“I did call, Senpai. You just didn’t answer.”
“You did?”
“Yep. I sent five texts and called twice over the last two hours.”
“For two hours? What have you been doing until now?”
“I came downtown to buy something, and your house happened to be nearby, so I stopped by.”
“What would you have done if I wasn’t home?”
“I would’ve just gone back.”
Still as carefree and reckless as ever.
She had shown some improvement under my careful tutelage, but now that vacation had started, it felt like she had reverted to her old self.
Deciding I needed to thoroughly remodel her ideology once again, I watched Hiyori’s cute ahoge sway in the gentle breeze and moved my body to the side of the open gate.
“Come on in for now.”
“Okay!”
Hiyori happily darted inside.
She walked along the stone path, her sandals—a combination of white straps and light brown soles—swinging back and forth.
As I watched Hiyori from behind, her thighs on full display, I followed her, trying to remember if I had any clothes at home that she could wear.