Chapter 419: What Happened at the National Competition
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 419: What Happened at the National Competition
“Haaah...!”
Miyuki squeezed her eyes shut, taking a sharp breath.
Seeing her about to sneeze, I quickly dodged to the side, just like that time at the beach when I avoided the seawater she'd swallowed.
“Ugh...”
But nothing came out.
The sneeze retreated as quickly as it came, and she just sniffled, letting out a cute little groan.
Feeling a bit awkward, I smacked my lips. Miyuki took a deep breath in and out, then spoke.
“Am I that disgusting? It’s not like you haven’t tasted it before.”
My, my, Miyuki has become quite the pervert.
To say something like that so casually.
“My reflexes are just so good, it was pure instinct.”
“Oh, really? So you’re saying you won’t dodge if I sneeze again?”
“I’ll take it. Bring it on.”
“Whatever...”
Miyuki let out a weak laugh and gently pushed my arm.
She must have been feeling worse than yesterday; there was no strength in her hands at all.
I had Miyuki lie down on the bed and, just like yesterday, let her rest her head on my lap.
Then, I placed my hands on her slightly warm forehead and stomach.
“Are you running a bit of a fever?”
“I checked, and it was normal. But why haven’t you caught it, even though we’ve been together so much?”
“You want me to catch it?”
“Yeah.”
Yesterday, she was worried I’d get sick before the tournament, and now she was saying something so terrifying.
Of course, I knew she was joking, so I smiled and brushed off her cute complaint.
“I don’t get sick because I wash up well.”
“Are you saying I don’t?”
“That’s why you caught it.”
“I guess so. Oh, right. Tetsuya called yesterday.”
“A call? Doesn’t he call often?”
“Yeah. He wants to set a date to study together after I get over my cold... What do you think?”
“Go for it.”
Surprised by my ready agreement, Miyuki’s eyes went wide.
She looked up at me, her eyes watery from her sickness, and said in a tone of disbelief.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I don’t mind. He’s your friend.”
That’s what I said, but I had no intention of studying with Tetsuya.
If that bastard tried to set a date, I’d come up with any excuse to get out of it.
Letting that piece of shit into my house last vacation was more than enough.
“He’s your friend too, Matsuda.”
“Sure, whatever.”
“Why are you being so lukewarm about it?”
“Quiet.”
I covered Miyuki’s mouth to silence her, and she stuck out her tongue, licking the palm of my hand.
The sensation of her tongue slowly tracing circles, clockwise, was incredibly stimulating. I stared down at Miyuki, savoring the pleasure that was slowly building, then gently touched my forehead to hers.
With a soft thump, Miyuki’s eyes fluttered open.
Looking into those lovely eyes, a fond, fatherly smile spread across my face.
I don’t know what to do with this little devil.
“You’re driving me crazy.”
As the feelings bubbling up inside me slipped out, Miyuki’s eyes crinkled into a smile.
She knew my affection was directed at her, and she was enjoying it.
When I removed my hand from her mouth, the area around her lips was slightly red from the pressure.
Even that was incredibly beautiful, so I leaned down and pressed my lips against hers.
After that embarrassing yet sweet time with Miyuki, I returned home to a message.
[Leaving now.]
She said she wanted to work out in the evening, but she’s coming at lunchtime.
Does she miss me that much? Even after the humiliation she suffered yesterday?
No, maybe she’s become addicted.
I figured it would take her about thirty minutes and was about to wait for Hiyori leisurely inside.
But less than five minutes after her message, the doorbell rang. No way, I thought as I went outside.
“Greetings.”
There was Hiyori, raising one hand above her shoulder like a robot.
She must have sent the message right after getting off at the nearby station.
Isn’t she a little too thoughtless? Even I’m not that reckless... I was dumbfounded.
“Do you even have a brain?”
“You told me to let you know, so I did. What’s the big deal?”
“That’s what you call letting me know... Never mind. Just come in.”
“No. I’m not going in.”
“I’m not going to ask you to stay the night, so just come in.”
“Don’t wanna.”
“Didn’t you come here to work out? How are you going to do that in those clothes?”
Just as I said, Hiyori was wearing a skirt.
A fluttering tennis skirt that revealed half of her thighs.
For her, the design was rather modest, but it didn’t stop my blood from boiling.
“I’m wearing undershorts.”
“Don’t say that so proudly. Isn’t that normal when you wear a skirt?”
“That depends on the person.”
“But not for you?”
“Nope.”
“But you’re wearing them now.”
“I felt like I should today.”
Her comment seemed to be very conscious of what happened yesterday, and one corner of my mouth twitched.
Hiyori, seemingly displeased, pouted and continued.
“Anyway, why are you saying perverted things as soon as we meet?”
“Saying you wore a skirt is perverted?”
“It feels that way when you say it. I guess I’ll have to wear a chastity belt.”
“Do you even know what that is?”
“Why wouldn’t I? It’s a sacred object for protecting my precious parts. Don’t tell me you were thinking of something weird? Are you into stuff like S&M?”
“I don’t dislike it.”
“Really?”
A flicker of curiosity appeared in Hiyori’s eyes.
Was she getting interested in that sort of thing? So now Hiyori was trying to usurp Renka’s position too.
Renka had better watch out.
“Let’s get you changed first.”
With a fed-up look on my face, I gestured toward the house. Hiyori’s ears turned bright red.
She must have remembered me touching her yesterday.
“I’ll change outside.”
“Stop being stubborn and come in. I won’t do anything.”
“Really?”
“You don’t trust me?”
“No.”
“Then why did you come?”
“To work out.”
“Didn’t you come to work out with me because you trust me?”
“I’m just using you. Because you’re useful.”
“You’re driving me nuts... Get in here before I have to drag you in.”
“Okay.”
It was funny seeing her step inside the gate with a triumphant look, as if she’d won the argument.
I watched as Hiyori strutted around the living room as if she owned the place, drank some water, and grabbed her clothes before heading into the bathroom on her own. For a moment, I seriously considered just pouncing on her right then and there.
Then, Hiyori came out in baggy workout clothes, and I opened the window.
“Let’s go.”
“You’re not going to be too rough, are you?”
Why does she keep saying such suggestive things?
Of course, it could be taken as a perfectly normal request not to push her too hard during the workout, fitting the situation...
But because it was Hiyori who said it, it felt loaded with impure intentions.
I try to be gentle with her, but when she acts like this, it just fuels my competitive spirit.
If she mouths off one more time, I’ll give her a good smack on the butt, I thought, then replied.
“I’ll be gentle.”
Did she not expect such a direct counterattack?
Hiyori’s lips pressed into a thin line.
Seeing the area under her eyes gradually turn pink, she was definitely having lewd thoughts.
She never wins these exchanges, so why does she keep trying...
Still, from my perspective, I liked it when Hiyori acted this way, so I decided to let it slide.
And this little conversation we just had would be fun to reuse on the night of her first time.
Vowing to return all of Hiyori’s accumulated karma to her on that day, I went for a light run with her.
I should enjoy this kind of peaceful life for the next few days.
* * *
“Matsuda, how’ve you been?”
A Kendo Club senior approached me with a friendly air and slung an arm around my shoulder.
I scowled openly and replied.
“Not great.”
“This bastard’s at it again. We were on the same team at the tournament, don’t you have any affection for your seniors?”
Come to think of it, I vaguely remembered being on the same team as him at last year’s national tournament.
What was his name again? Yamazaki?
No, that guy already graduated... I couldn’t remember at all.
“Who are you?”
I was being serious, but the senior must have thought I was joking.
He suddenly started slapping my back and burst into a hearty laugh.
While I was stuck with the guffawing senior, I missed Renka as she walked by. I seriously contemplated whether or not I should steal his girlfriend before heading over to help Chinami.
Even on the day of the tournament, she was dedicated to her duties as manager.
She could have left everything to me and the coach today, but she was such a responsible person.
I took all the bags from her arms as she trotted along, clutching them to her chest.
“Isn’t the Captain helping?”
“Ah, you’re here. Renka was the first to offer help, but I told her to go back. We can’t have anything affecting her condition.”
“Doesn’t the same apply to you, Master?”
“For me, this is part of my routine. Working actually helps me get in the right mindset.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll help too.”
“In that case, please give me about half the bags.”
“Why?”
“What do you mean, why? If you carry all my bags, then you’ll be the only one working, Junior.”
“That’s true. Here, you can carry this one then.”
I gently placed the smallest women’s handbag from the top of the pile onto Chinami’s outstretched hands.
She stared at me, dumbfounded, her mouth hanging open.
“Is this all you’re giving me?”
“Yes.”
“Why is that? I believe I asked for half.”
“From my perspective, this is half the load.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. You’re just being difficult.”
“Just go with it.”
“Hmm. Very well, I’ll let it pass this one time.”
Talking with Chinami sometimes felt like entering a different dimension.
I’d get swept up in her way of speaking and find myself acting just as quirky.
After we moved all the luggage onto the bus we’d be taking, I watched Chinami doing a wave with her arm, complaining that the food she ate today was all mushy.
She was like this on our date, too. It was nice that our Chinami hadn’t changed one bit.
I gently poked the bridge of her nose with my index finger. Her eyes widened, and she let her arms fall limp as she looked up at me.
“What was that for?”
“I’ve bestowed some good luck upon you.”
“Oh, my. A scene straight out of a romance manga.”
Sometimes, Chinami shows this incredibly worldly side of her.
Feeling embarrassed, I was about to scratch the back of my head when Chinami beamed and expressed her thanks.
“I feel so energized. Thank you, Junior.”
Mm-hmm. It was a smile so bright it could light up the room.
Just looking at Chinami was so healing.
“Don’t mention it. I’ll be cheering for you more than the Captain.”
“Now, now. It’s only proper to cheer for all the participants equally.”
“Then I’ll cheer for everyone equally, but I’ll cheer for you just a little bit more, Master.”
“No. You must give your support equally.”
“You’re very firm. Understood.”
Once we finished our work and boarded the bus, the first thing I saw was Renka, sitting in a front seat with her arms crossed.
“Ah...”
An annoyed gasp escaped her lips when she spotted me.
I’m sure she looked at me with a pleased expression just a moment ago... How pathetic, seeing her school her features so quickly.
“Hello, Captain.”
Renka just gave a curt nod in response to my greeting, which I delivered with a wide grin that showed my teeth.
I secretly tapped her on the shoulder and said.
“Come to the back before we leave.”
“Oh, why...? What for...?”
“I brought some jelly for you. It’s only for you and Master.”
“Ah... so that’s what it was?”
“Why? Were you worried I was going to try something funny?”
“What are you talking about... What would I... I’ll come by when I have time, so just go away.”
How cute, changing the subject with a look that clearly showed I’d hit the mark.
Just wait until this tournament is over. I’ll make you beg for my love.
Swallowing those words, I quietly passed Renka and sat down next to Chinami in the back.