Chapter 73: Seating Arrangement
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 73: Seating Arrangement
It was the day we rearranged our seats, so the classroom was buzzing with noise despite the early hour.
The emotions on everyone's faces were varied.
Some were excited, some were indifferent, and others were simply annoyed.
As for Miyuki, she was standing at the teacher's desk, trying to quiet the chattering students.
“Everyone, could you please quiet down? The professor is coming.”
She lightly tapped the desk with the corner of her notebook.
Once the noise died down a little, she looked satisfied. Her eyes scanned the room before landing on me, slouched casually in my seat.
“Matsuda-kun. Your feet.”
She pointed a long index finger down, flicking it once. For some reason, it looked provocative.
I had my feet propped up on my desk. I snorted.
“My shoes aren’t touching it.”
“Just putting your feet on the desk is the problem.”
“It’s comfortable. You wanna try?”
“Get them down. Now.”
I grumbled under my breath, my expression full of annoyance, but I obediently took my feet off the desk.
After I pulled my chair in and sat down properly, Miyuki looked around at the students.
Drrrk.
A balding professor came in and looked around the classroom.
After a brief conversation with Miyuki, he got straight to the point.
“Anyone 175cm or taller, stand in the back.”
Five of us guys, including me, got up and went to the back.
Among them was Tetsuya, who had just barely made the height requirement.
He couldn't hide his excitement, his eyes full of anticipation.
Is he hoping to sit next to Miyuki? Dream on.
“First... Matsuda.”
“Yeah.”
“You, back row by the window.”
I grinned at the professor's words.
The corner seat by the window, with one side against the wall, was the perfect spot to get up to all sorts of things with your seatmate.
I scurried over to the window side.
I sat down, leaving one empty seat next to the window—the true corner spot—and started snickering. The professor chuckled dryly.
“You that happy?”
“Yeah, well... it's nice.”
“Just because you're in the back doesn't mean you can doze off like before. Or I'll move you to the front, got it?”
Go ahead and try.
If you want to see my pale seed splattered all over the wedding photo in your bedroom.
“I've been working hard lately. Please let it slide if I doze off sometimes.”
The classroom erupted in laughter.
It seemed they found it funny that I was openly declaring I'd slack off.
The professor, who had been dumbfounded by my bold response, just shook his head.
“That's you, alright. Igarashi and Miura in the middle, Takeda and Ozawa on the aisle side.”
Tetsuya, who sat down next to me with one seat in between, grinned.
“That's a pretty good spot. Looking forward to sitting near you, Matsuda.”
Come to think of it, Tetsuya and I just swapped places.
I nodded and pointed to the desk I was sitting at.
“Let's switch these after first period.”
“The desks? Do we really need to? Yours and mine are both equally clean.”
Who the hell knows if you've been wiping your boogers under the desk, you fucker.
“I like my desk. I've grown attached to it.”
“Attached...?”
“Yeah. So we're switching.”
“Fine... okay. But your desk smells kind of weird...”
“What smell, you bastard?”
“No... wait a sec...”
Tetsuya raised one hand like a private detective and started sniffing the air, his nostrils flaring.
“Is this an apricot scent...? No, is it peach?”
Hearing his guess, I snorted inwardly.
Tetsuya was smelling Miyuki's plum scent.
The scent had transferred to my uniform from Miyuki's clothes hanging in my closet, and now it was faint, leaving only a sweet and sour fragrance.
Somehow, the guy had managed to notice it.
Though he hadn't identified it correctly.
“Do you have any idea how weird you look right now?”
My pitying tone made Tetsuya flinch and scratch the back of his head.
“Sorry. That was a little pervy, wasn't it?”
“Don't talk to me. You're gross.”
“That's harsh.”
While we were having this pointless conversation, the other students swarmed the teacher's desk and formed a line.
They each took a slip of paper from a bag the professor had prepared.
It was quite amusing to watch the faces of the students who ended up in the front rows twist in despair.
Before long, the students who would be sitting in front of me came over.
People I knew well.
They were Bread Girl and the vice class president.
“Ah, hello... Matsuda-kun...”
“Looking forward to it, Matsuda-kun.”
Having acquaintances gather around the main character is a cliché in all school-life stories, including romantic comedies.
I let out a satisfied laugh and said.
“Looking forward to it, Bread Girl.”
“U-uhm...”
“You too, Glasses Girl.”
Hearing the nickname, the vice president said in disbelief.
“Glasses Girl...? My name is Honoka. Natsume Honoka.”
That's a pretty name.
I'll probably forget it in ten minutes, but I'll remember it until then.
I gave a half-hearted wave as an apology and looked over at Miyuki, who was standing blankly next to the professor, waiting for the lottery to finish.
Does she pick last because she's the class president?
Seeing as the seat next to me is still empty, it seems likely Miyuki will take it...
But there are still a few creatures... no, people, left, so I'm a little anxious.
Just as I was thinking that, Miyuki made eye contact with the professor, gave a small nod, then grabbed her bag and walked over.
And then she placed her bag on my desk.
“Move this to the side for me.”
Her tone was nonchalant, but there was a hint of aegyo in it.
I grinned, showing my teeth, and asked.
“So we're sitting together?”
“.... Yeah. I talked to the professor. I told him you've been improving a lot lately... so I'd keep a close eye on you to make sure you don't cause any trouble.”
Those were the words I'd used last time.
She said it would be cheating if she intervened... It seems her desire to be with me far outweighed any guilt or pressure she felt.
I moved Miyuki's bag to the side, and she sat down demurely, telling Bread Girl and Glasses Girl that she looked forward to sitting with them.
The scent of plums spread through the air. Things were about to get really interesting.
“Hi, Tetsuya-kun.”
Miyuki peeked her head out and gave Tetsuya a bright greeting.
Tetsuya waved back awkwardly and returned the greeting.
“Hey, Miyuki.”
His face was as bright as Miyuki's.
He seemed happy to be close to her.
But his eyes were a little dead. He was clearly disappointed that Miyuki wasn't sitting right next to him.
And he must be especially bothered that she's next to me.
“Matsuda-kun, if you mess around in class, you'll be in trouble.”
Miyuki warned me, raising an index finger.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I laced my fingers behind my head.
“I'm already getting tired.”
“Let's study hard together.”
“Just don't be annoying.”
“I'm going to be super annoying... If you don't like it, go tell the professor you want to move to the front. I'll even go with you.”
Miyuki and I put on a ridiculous act, pretending to be annoyed with each other, then secretly met each other's eyes and giggled quietly.
My heart is already pounding.
Miyuki probably feels the same way.
All sorts of things are going to happen here from now on. I really hope she enjoys it.
“Anyone have trouble seeing the board?”
A few students raised their hands at the professor's question.
The professor listened to their opinions and adjusted their seats accordingly. When there were no more complaints, he spoke in a stern voice.
“Everyone, take out your books. Class is starting.”
I pulled my chair in close, almost shielding Miyuki from view, and as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and opened her book, I slyly placed a hand on her thigh.
“.... Hmph...!”
Miyuki let out a small cough and nudged me with her shoulder.
She seemed to find it absurd that I was starting this already.
I gave her a mischievous smile, scribbled something small in my textbook, and pushed it over to her desk.
[I'm going to keep doing this, so if you don't like it, go ask the professor to move you.]
Was she annoyed that I was throwing her own words back at her?
Miyuki bit her lower lip, lowered the hand holding her mechanical pencil under the desk, and lightly poked the back of my hand, which was still on her thigh.
Then she started focusing on the lesson as if nothing had happened.
Until we changed seats, I can't deny that I'd been forcing myself to come to the academy just to see Miyuki, Renka, or Chinami...
But starting today, I might actually enjoy coming to school every day.
* * *
“Matsuda-kun...! Stop touching me all the time...!”
Afternoon classes were over, and it was time for club activities.
Miyuki scolded me in front of the stairs leading to the rooftop.
Her face was flushed.
The result of me touching her inner thigh and waist whenever I got the chance during class.
Looking at her slightly flustered state, I put on an innocent expression and said.
“But I do it because I like you.”
“Like me, my foot...! You just kept doing it because you thought my reactions were funny...”
“So you want me to stop?”
“.... Stop. What if someone sees...? If the professor finds out, we'll definitely get demerit points... There's more than enough reason...”
“Really? You want me to stop?”
I leaned in, bringing my face close to hers, and asked again with a sly grin. Miyuki averted her eyes and answered in a barely audible voice.
“D-do it when I tell you to... Until then, don't...”
Judging by her words, she must have liked my touch after all.
She probably even felt a little thrill, right?
She'll be sensitive like this at first, but if I start with light touches to get her used to it and gradually lower her guard, she'll be the one initiating contact instead.
She'll get even bolder when winter comes and we're wearing thick coats.
“But having to ask for permission is so cruel.”
“Cruel...? Am I a bad person?”
“You know I can't stand it, but you're telling me not to. So what does that make you?”
“How am I supposed to know you can't stand it, Matsuda-kun...! You never said anything...”
“Do I really have to spell it out for you? Anyway, I'll try to control myself.”
“Please do... It was really hard for me...”
“What part was hard, and how?”
“.... You're unbelievable...”
Miyuki gave a soft smile, gently smoothed the wrinkled sleeve of my uniform, and changed the subject.
“I don't think I can come over to your place tomorrow, Matsuda-kun. My family is going on a trip.”
What is this, a bolt from the blue?
The family trip event isn't supposed to happen until winter, though?
“A family trip?”
“Yeah. Yesterday, my dad suddenly said he wanted to go to Nikko and suggested we all go together. But we're leaving Friday and coming back Saturday evening... so I'll stop by then.”
Father-in-law, I was starting to think well of you, so why are you doing this?
If you keep this up, I might just have to get some bad ideas, you know?
Nikko is close, but I didn't want this kind of unexpected situation... What a shame.
No, I should think positively.
This is a sign that I should take care of the event with Chinami.
I've been stuck to Miyuki all the time and haven't had a chance to go get ice cream. I should use this opportunity to meet up with Chinami.
“Can't be helped then. Have a good trip. Text me when you have time, and video call me before you go to sleep.”
“Okay... Now go to your club activity... you'll be late.”
Miyuki pulled my hand toward her and began to fiddle with the spaces between my fingers.
She looked like she didn't want to part ways just yet.
Saying one thing and doing another... she's just like a naive girl going through puberty.
I silently enjoyed Miyuki's expression of affection disguised as a massage, then pointed to the top of her head with my other hand.
“A few strands of your hair are sticking up. Looks like static.”
“.... Then fix it for me...”
She took a step closer, looking up at me with those big, dewy eyes.
Is she doing this on purpose? I feel like I'm being bewitched.
I carefully smoothed down Miyuki's hair and said.
“Contact me as soon as you get back from your trip. I'll come pick you up.”
“.... Okay. I'll buy you a present...”
A present... I hope it's something like a bracelet.
So I can show it off right in front of Tetsuya.