Chapter 414: Cleaning Up Poop, the Beginning
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 414: Cleaning Up Poop, the Beginning
“Leaving already?”
Midori asked as I came down to the first floor.
She looked incredibly elegant, drinking tea with Wataru in the living room.
“I should get going. Should I just leave the empty plate in the sink?”
“Yes, that would be great. But what about Miyuki?”
“We’re meeting up in the evening. She seemed sleepy.”
“She told you she was going to sleep after inviting you over?”
“Not exactly. She was dozing off while we were talking. She also seemed to have a bit of a cold, so I’m going to check on her again tonight.”
“A cold? In the middle of summer?”
“Yes. Her voice sounded a bit nasally, and I think she was running a fever…”
“Wasn’t she fine just a little while ago?”
“She was, but the symptoms started showing after some time.”
“Really? I wonder if she caught it from one of our relatives…?”
I wondered why Midori looked so alluring as she murmured to herself, stroking her cheek.
It was enough to make me feel jealous of Wataru.
“So, you’re heading home?”
Midori’s next words snapped me back to reality, and I nodded.
“Yes. I was thinking of doing some overdue cleaning.”
“You’re so diligent. I heard you’re keeping your test scores up, too… You’re a really good kid, aren’t you?”
Miyuki must have told her family a lot about me.
I did well on my exams, so how about a paizuri reward?
I swallowed the words and answered with a smile.
“It’s all thanks to Miyuki. I’m learning a lot from her.”
“I’m glad to hear that. There’s a small bag on the dining table, you see? Take it with you. They’re snacks from the countryside, and they’re delicious.”
“Really? Thank you, I’ll enjoy them.”
“Of course. Come over for dinner often.”
Hmm… what should I do about Midori, who exudes such purity despite being married?
I desperately want to conquer her, but… it’s about time I cut back on these wicked thoughts.
Still, fantasies like these definitely get me going, so I won’t cut them out entirely.
“I’ll be on my way now. See you later.”
“Alright.”
I grabbed the snacks and returned home after the two saw me off.
Opening the bag that gave off a savory smell, I found several traditional snacks of the sort that grandmothers and grandfathers would like.
The taste was so-so, just as I’d expected.
But for some reason, I couldn’t stop eating them.
Did they lace these with drugs or something? They were seriously addictive.
As I was munching on the snacks with the TV on, my phone vibrated. I checked the screen.
[Matsumatsu.]
A message from Hiyori.
She’d changed my nickname again. She calls me whatever she wants; I wonder how many names I’m going to end up with…
I just hope she doesn’t write something like that when we fill out our marriage registration in the future.
[Don’t call me by a snack’s name.]
[It does look delicious, though.]
[That’s a strange thing to say.]
[What is?]
[Nothing.]
[You were thinking something perverted, weren’t you?]
[I think you were thinking something similar.]
[No, I wasn’t?]
[If you say so.]
[I said I wasn’t.]
[Alright, I get it.]
[What are you doing?]
[I’m at home.]
[Weren’t you meeting with Hanazawa-senpai?]
So she knew. I bet if I’d said we were still together, she would have shown up to interfere.
[We met, and I just got back.]
[Why are you back so early? Did you two fight?]
Did I just catch a glimpse of Hiyori’s true feelings, or was I imagining it?
[There you go with the weird assumptions again. What are you up to?]
[Hanging out with my friends. Do you want to come, senpai?]
[No.]
[Because it’s awkward?]
[Not for me. Your friends would find me awkward.]
[They’re all really friendly, so I doubt that would happen?]
[That’s what you think.]
[It’s true.]
[Even if it is, they’d be thinking something else. Just have fun and don’t stay out too late.]
[Nag, nag, nag.]
[You’re the type who needs to be nagged.]
[Okay. I’ll send you a picture later.]
What’s this about sending a picture?
Is Hiyori’s concept for today a girlfriend reporting to her boyfriend to reassure him?
It wasn’t particularly burdensome, so I replied, telling her to send a dirty one, and then tried contacting Renka.
[Captain.]
[Fuck off.]
An immediate curse.
Just for calling her name, I get hit with harsh words. My desire to teach her a lesson flared up.
I’ll have to give her a little taste of the neglect play that’s in store for her after the tournament.
I didn’t reply, simply picking up a honey-coated pretzel stick and leisurely watching TV.
About three or four minutes later, a message from Renka arrived.
[You’re not thinking of anything weird, are you?]
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
It perfectly revealed Renka’s current state of mind.
I waited a few more minutes without replying, and then a call came from her.
I couldn’t hide the smile spreading across my face, chuckling to myself.
I could just picture Renka worrying herself sick because she saw the read receipt but got no answer.
Knowing her personality, she was probably tormenting herself with thoughts like, Did I do something wrong? I was just being my usual prickly self, but maybe he’s in a bad mood today? Should I not have told him to fuck off? before finally calling me.
Very leisurely and calmly, I wiped my hands with a tissue, took a sip of water from my cup, and finally pressed the answer button after about the sixth ring.
“Hello.”
-What is it?
“What do you mean?”
-Why did you call my name and then say nothing?
Ahh… this was just a small taste, but it’s already so delightful.
What will it be like when the real neglect play begins? My heart pounded with anticipation.
“I was just busy with something for a moment.”
-Really?
“Yes.”
-I see.
“Yep.”
-…Is that it?
“Is there something else you wanted to talk about?”
-Not really, but… I should at least know why you called.
Normally, I would have continued in a similar vein, but I couldn’t afford to unsettle Renka’s mind with the tournament just around the corner. So, I decided to stop here for today.
“I was just bored. Are your tournament preparations going well?”
-Yeah.
“That’s good to hear.”
-Right.
“Yeah.”
-Uh-huh.
“You can hang up.”
-…You’re not trying to pick a fight, are you?
“Do you want me to?”
-No. That’s enough. Good luck with your work.
The moment Renka finished speaking, the call ended with a click.
Hearing my voice treating her as usual must have reassured her, and it seems she got her nerve back.
The fact that she only hung up after getting permission was also cute.
She might not seem like it, but Renka has a lot of moe elements.
I don’t think there’s anyone else who could satisfy the various scenarios that pop into my head several times a day.
Since I’d spoken with Renka, I couldn’t leave out her soulmate.
With that thought, I immediately called Chinami.
-Oh, Junior. Hello.
She’s so lovely, always greeting me with that cheerful tone.
I wonder if Chinami was an angel in her past life, one who brought happiness to everyone.
Though, perhaps an angel who showed a bit of a naughty, succubus-like side at night.
“Hello, Master. What were you up to?”
-I just finished getting ready to go to Renka’s house.
“To train?”
-That’s right. Would you like to come too, Junior?
“I’m good. It’s incredibly hot outside, so be careful not to get heatstroke.”
-Thank you.
“Are you taking the bus?”
-I am.
“Want a ride? I’m free right now.”
-It’s okay. It’s a short trip anyway, and I have to leave right now to be on time.
“Alright. If any strangers talk to you on the way, ignore them.”
-D-Do I have to go that far? What if it’s a part-timer trying to hand out flyers?
Of all the examples, she picks a part-timer with flyers… How eccentrically Chinami.
“Then if they don’t have flyers in their hand, ignore them.”
-Okay.
“And send me a picture after you’re done training.”
-A picture? Okay.
“Tell the captain I said hello.”
-Couldn’t you just tell her yourself?
I already did, but I’m doing this to needle her one more time.
“Just pass it on for me. You can do that, right?”
-I will.
“Are you having dinner at the captain’s house too?”
-Yes.
“Make sure you eat a lot.”
-You have quite a lot of requests. I should write them down.
“I’m just saying it because I’m worried.”
-Hehe… It’s nice, I feel like I can sense your kind heart, Junior. I understand.
After finishing the call with Chinami, whose voice alone was healing, I played some video games at home. When evening came, I headed to Miyuki’s house.
On the way, I didn’t forget to buy various cold medicines and a fatigue recovery drink.
My car passed through familiar roads and entered Miyuki’s neighborhood, which felt more welcoming than my own.
Driving slowly, I parked in front of her house. As I opened the door to get out, I spotted a face I’d rather not see nearby.
A shaggy-haired guy, walking with his head hung low.
There was only one person in this world who could be the owner of that frustratingly stuffy hairstyle.
It was Tetsuya, who looked like he’d give off a rotten smell just by being near.
Come to think of it, he lived close to Miyuki. I’d completely forgotten.
His eyes were glued to his phone. Was he playing a mobile game or something?
Judging by the large basketball bag slung over his shoulder, he wasn’t heading to Miyuki’s house but was probably on his way to the boxing gym.
Best not to get involved with this piece of shit.
Just as I made that decision and quickly reached for Miyuki’s doorbell,
“Hi, Tetsuya-kun!”
A rather loud and gentle voice called down from slightly above.
Wondering what it was, I looked up to see Miyuki leaning on the windowsill, looking down this way.
I had texted her before leaving, so she must have been waiting for me and spotted Tetsuya.
“Huh? Miyuki?”
Hearing her voice, Tetsuya lifted his head, his gaze shifting between me and her.
Just as he was about to say something with a bewildered expression, Miyuki gestured for me to come over.
“The door’s unlocked, so you can just come in.”
Miyuki had unintentionally managed to really get under Tetsuya’s skin.
Good girl.
“Where are you going, Tetsuya-kun?”
Miyuki asked Tetsuya as she watched me open the front door.
He stared at me with a dazed look as I stepped inside without a hint of hesitation, then stammered out a reply.
“Uh… I was just going to the convenience store. To get something to eat…”
“Oh, really? It’s getting dark, so be careful.”
“Uh…? Oh…”
Miyuki waved brightly before disappearing from the window.
Before closing the door, I glanced at Tetsuya’s disappointed face and clicked my tongue.
Is he upset that she didn’t even invite him in?
It’s a thought I have every time, but that guy hasn’t changed one bit.
With a relaxed expression, I gave Tetsuya a shrug and a one-handed wave goodbye, then closed the door without even looking at his reaction.
Instead of just being a bystander, a little provocation like this will speed up the day he finally confronts me, and then I can get rid of him that much sooner.
I hope he tries to pick a fight with me on the day of the National Sports Festival.
With that thought, I erased Tetsuya from my mind and went inside.