Chapter 431: Renka Training Log 5 #3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 431: Renka Training Log 5 #3
After buying popcorn, iced coffee, and a Coke at the concession stand, I saw Renka approaching and gestured to the tickets in her hand with my chin.
“What movie is it?”
“Action.”
“What’s the rating?”
Instead of answering, she pointed to a poster on the wall.
Beneath the image of a handsome man and a beautiful woman standing back-to-back, there was an R15+ sticker.
Meaning it was a somewhat violent and provocative movie.
I nodded and glanced at the coffee in my left hand.
“Here, take this.”
“Yeah.”
Renka answered curtly, took the coffee, and showed the tickets to the employee at the entrance to the screening room.
We entered the theater and sat in the corner seats.
Renka had booked them knowing my preference.
“Give me the popcorn. I’ll hold it.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Just give it.”
With that, Renka snatched the popcorn tub from my lap and placed it on her own.
Damn it, I’m supposed to be enjoying this neglect play, so why do I feel guilty?
Is it because Renka’s making it so obvious she’s watching my every move?
No, it’s more likely because her usual sharp-tongued self is nowhere to be seen today.
This neglect play was my own selfish idea.
Of course, it also served the purpose of “educating” Renka, who had been all sharp edges and no affection lately, but that still fell under the category of selfishness.
That’s why I had to end it before she got too hurt, but drawing that line was tricky.
If I acted too cold, Renka would get extremely anxious.
Knowing her personality—tough on the outside, soft on the inside, and with a strong sense of pride—she’d probably suffer in silence.
But if I let up, she'll just keep being all tsun-tsun... It was a tough dilemma.
“Hey.”
While I was lost in thought, my elbow propped on the armrest, Renka called out to me.
“What is it?”
“Don’t get any weird ideas. Just watch the movie.”
Heh. Just when I was about to feel a pang of sympathy, she hits me with a sharp comeback.
I almost went soft... Pathetic.
This is how Renka should be.
Steeling myself, I let out a dry laugh without even looking at her.
“I won’t.”
“Why?”
“Because you told me not to?”
“You’re not that kind of guy.”
“What kind of guy am I?”
“...Never mind. Anyway, it’s a relief to hear you won’t.”
“Yep.”
The armrest I was leaning on was the outer one.
Because of that, my body was naturally angled away from Renka.
It looked like I was deliberately creating distance.
It wasn’t on purpose; it just happened as I tried to get comfortable.
“So childish...”
But it seemed Renka didn’t see it that way.
She muttered the words in a sulky tone.
She seemed to think I was pouting and distancing myself because she told me not to get any weird ideas.
“What is?”
“Nothing. Aren’t you going to have any popcorn?”
“I don’t really feel like it right now.”
“Then why’d you buy it?”
“In case I wanted some later. And to feed you, Chief.”
“Feed me? Don’t talk like you’re giving a baby formula.”
“Sorry if it sounded that way.”
In a situation like this, my usual response would be to ask if she was paranoid.
I had a tendency to push back whenever Renka challenged me, and she knew that well.
So for me to back down and apologize?
Nothing could be more suspicious.
“...Hey, are you crazy?”
As expected, Renka’s reaction was quite strong.
I finally turned to her, putting on an innocent, nonchalant expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“What’s with you? Are you in a bad mood today?”
“I’m in a great mood.”
“Then why do you seem so listless?”
“Do I look that way?”
“Yeah. Very.”
“Nothing’s wrong... but thanks for worrying.”
“See! You’re acting in ways you never do...!”
“I’m trying to fix my personality.”
“Don’t make me laugh.”
“You were always pointing it out as a problem, Chief. I figured it’s time I became more docile.”
“Stop lying.”
“Try believing me for once.”
“I would if you were believable.”
Giving Renka, who was consistently refuting my words, a faint smile, I pointed to the screen as the theater lights dimmed.
Renka muttered something in a tone full of dissatisfaction before turning her gaze away.
I watched the movie with three fingers pressed to my cheek to support my head, one leg crossed over the other.
As I watched the screen, occasionally sipping my Coke, I could feel Renka’s gaze on me, and I had to struggle to hold back my laughter each time.
The loud crunching of popcorn was an added bonus that made it even harder not to laugh.
Around the time the movie passed its midpoint, I shifted in my seat.
Then, I turned to Renka, extended my hand, and spoke in a polite voice.
“Could I have some popcorn, please?”
“Get it yourself.”
“Okay.”
I obediently reached for the popcorn tub, but Renka suddenly turned her body away from me.
Then, she grabbed a handful of popcorn herself and held it out to me.
I barely managed to stop myself from bursting out laughing at her apparent change of heart and asked.
“What’s this?”
“You asked for some, so I’m giving it to you.”
“But you told me to get it myself.”
“So?”
“So? Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?”
“Shut up. Just take it and eat.”
Her expression, her gesture, and the popcorn overflowing from her fist...
All of it came together to make Renka look incredibly cute.
It made me want to pinch her barely-there cheeks.
“Alright.”
I turned my hand over, and as Renka carefully placed the popcorn on my palm, I gave her a warm smile.
“Your hand must be all dirty now.”
“So you don’t want to eat it?”
“Who said that? That’s just you being paranoid.”
At those words, Renka’s expression brightened slightly... almost imperceptibly.
She was relieved that I was talking like my usual self.
I have to “educate” her like this, giving her a carrot every now and then, so she’ll realize deep down just how much she likes and cherishes me.
I placed a wet wipe on the armrest between us, then turned my eyes back to the screen and slowly ate the popcorn.
After the movie ended, we got in the car and headed for Renka’s house.
The sun hadn’t set yet, and I didn’t like how bright the sky was.
I’m more active at night... I figured I should probably take a nap when I get back.
“Are you going straight home too?”
“Yeah. What about you, Chief?”
“Me? Uh... I don’t have anything to do.”
“Then get some rest.”
“Okay.”
We drove in silence, exchanging only brief words, and before I knew it, we had arrived in front of Renka’s house.
Renka opened the passenger door and got out. I followed her out of the car and stood before her with a warm expression.
“...What are you doing? You want me to say thank you? I was just about to.”
“That’s not it. Should we have a hug?”
“What the...”
“Come on.”
I opened my arms to a bewildered Renka, and after a moment’s hesitation, she averted her eyes and shuffled toward me.
She’s so quick on the uptake in moments like these.
Without any of her usual prickliness, she let me embrace her. I wrapped my arms warmly around her back, patting it slowly, and said.
“I had fun today.”
“...I didn’t.”
That didn’t sound like Renka’s usual irony, the kind she uses to hide her true feelings. It sounded like she genuinely didn’t have a good time.
“You didn’t? Then should I try harder next time?”
“Try harder at what?”
“I mean I’ll try to make sure you have fun, Chief.”
“Oh, forget it...! What are you saying such out-of-character things for...”
“I’m not sitting, I’m standing.”
“...Don’t make stupid jokes.”
“Sorry.”
“Move. I’m going inside.”
I let her go as she wished. She started to head inside, then hesitated and spoke.
“Thanks for the ride, and get home safe.”
I answered her thanks with a bright smile.
I deliberately didn’t say “see you next time.”
I was hoping she would be the one to contact me first.
She’d probably ask to meet today or tomorrow... but knowing Renka, it was highly likely she’d come up with some other excuse.
After returning home and showering, I heated up some instant rice and had an early dinner with the side dishes Midori had packed for me.
Afterward, I was about to pick up my game console to pass the time when my phone buzzed several times.
It was a call from Renka.
I’d expected this, but I thought she’d at least wait until tonight to call...
Looks like my Renka was getting pretty antsy.
“Hello.”
After a brief pause, Renka’s gruff voice came through.
-Hey.
“Yeah.”
-Do you remember my uncles?
“The twins who run a business? I remember them. Why?”
-I’m going to help them with work tomorrow... and I was wondering if you’d want to come with me. They said they’ll pay well for the day.
Had Renka really planned to help her uncles in advance?
Or was this a spontaneous idea she came up with just now to create a reason to see me?
I was strongly convinced it was the latter.
“It’s not like I’m short on cash... I need some time to think.”
-You have to tell me now.
“Why?”
-If you’re not coming, I have to plan the workflow accordingly. We’d have to reduce the number of menu items, too.
It was a tiny shop—what workflow was there to plan?
And they didn’t even have that many menu items. What a strange excuse.
Someone who can’t be honest needs proper discipline.
I decided to turn the question back on her, make the desperate one answer.
“Hmm... what do you want me to do?”
-I want you to help. My uncles also said you’re a big help...
She didn’t even play hard to get once.
But I didn’t quite like the part she added at the end.
“Say it clearly. Should I help, or not?”
-That’s... Ugh, just help me. It’s a request from your chief, so you have to listen...!
Pulling rank when she’s at a disadvantage. That’s so like her.
Knowing she didn’t actually mean to be authoritarian, knowing she was just flustered, all I could do was find it funny.
“Yes, well... I’ll do that. If the chief says so, then it must be so.”
-What’s with that tone...! You got a problem with it...?
“No. I don’t.”
-Aish... Sorry. That was a slip of the tongue. I want you to help.
I covered my mouth with my fist, trying to stifle my laughter.
Anyone would have done the same, hearing Renka’s voice as she admitted her mistake and tried her best to sound gentle.
-Aren’t you going to answer?
Suppressing another burst of laughter, I cleared my throat and answered Renka’s impatient question.
“I already said I would. So, what time are we meeting tomorrow?”
-Can you wake up early?
“Yep.”
-Then I’ll be at your place by 6:30.
“No need. I’ll pick you up, so just be ready by then.”
-No. I can’t trouble the person who’s helping me.
“Are you drawing a line between us now?”
-Come on...! That’s not it...!
“Why are you getting annoyed? I’ll go, and that’s final.”
-...Fine.
“See you tomorrow.”
-Yeah.
Click.
The call ended.
Seeing the red text indicating the call had ended, I flopped onto my futon with a huge grin.
I wonder what kind of face Renka is making right now.
An unstoppable smile? Or a scowl full of irritation?
Or maybe it’s an ambiguous expression somewhere in between.
The kind of face that’s happy to see me again, but also feeling a little wounded in her pride.
It’s been a long time since I’ve looked forward to tomorrow this much.
Should I just go to sleep and delete the time until then? Yeah, I should.