Chapter 76: Interferer
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: Interferer
Tetsuya walked on with a light spring in his step.
Watching his back, I quietly asked Miyuki, “Is it because you gave him that souvenir? He’s in high spirits today, isn’t he?”
“‘That guy’… You could be nicer.”
“Are you nagging me this early in the morning?”
“Well, don’t give me a reason to. And you should clean your house. It’s not like you live in a pigsty… Eek!?”
Miyuki jumped out of her skin.
I had poked her butt, then given it a light squeeze.
At the sound, Tetsuya, who had been humming as he walked ahead, turned around.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Oh, n-no… a b-bug… there was a bug… A cricket suddenly jumped out at me…”
Miyuki rattled off the excuse, forcing the most awkward smile imaginable.
Anyone else would have found her clumsy acting incredibly suspicious, but Tetsuya, of course…
“Really? Right… you’ve always hated crickets. Are you okay? Did it scare you that much?”
…didn’t notice a thing.
“Yeah… I’m fine… It just startled me for a second… I’ve calmed down now.”
“Your face is red.”
“W-Well, of course it’s red, I was startled… Thanks for worrying…”
Tetsuya nodded and started walking toward the school gate again. Miyuki held her breath and glared at me.
After a quick glance to make sure Tetsuya wasn't looking, she grumbled, “Why are you doing this…!”
“Because you were nagging me. But you did this last time, and now again today. Do you think I’m some kind of bug?”
“No… Ugh… Matsuda-kun. Do you really want to get in trouble?”
“If you’re going to hit me, use a whip.”
“……”
Miyuki’s lips pressed into a thin line.
My shameless attitude seemed to have left her dumbfounded.
Slowing her pace to match mine, she said with a pout, “I’m really going to hit you with a whip…”
“Great. I’ll get some rope, then.”
“Rope…?”
“So you can tie me up before you hit me.”
“...Ugh… I shouldn’t even bother talking to you…”
“Or should I tie you up? Want to try a tortoise shell tie?”
“Wh-What…! Stop saying such weird things…!”
“I’m just saying it because I like you.”
“What’s there to like…! You’re just teasing me to make things difficult…!”
She said that, but it was obvious she was secretly pleased to hear I liked her.
I brought my face right up to Miyuki’s and puckered my lips.
“Wh-What are you doing…?”
I silently tapped my lips. Realizing what I wanted, Miyuki panicked and glanced around.
Then she grabbed my wrist and pulled me between the cars lined up in the parking lot.
“Okay… Now sit down…”
Miyuki crouched down, her voice tinged with embarrassment, and gestured for me to do the same.
I let out a soft laugh at her cute behavior and bent my knees. Miyuki hesitated for a moment before trying to press her lips against mine.
Seizing the opportunity, I stuck out my tongue and slipped it past her upper lip.
Before she could even react, I curled the tip of my tongue like a hook and pulled her lip from the inside.
Flinch.
Her shoulders trembled and her closed eyes flew open.
The surprise was written all over her face, but it soon melted into a deep, sultry gaze.
Miyuki liked to start her expressions of affection with this kind of teasing skinship, testing the waters.
She preferred to build anticipation, acting as if she might kiss me at any moment, before gradually raising the intensity.
Simply put, she was the type to warm up slowly.
You could say that about any woman, but it was especially pronounced with Miyuki.
“……”
Miyuki bit her lower lip, a look of contemplation on her face.
She was hesitant because we were outdoors, but she clearly wanted to continue our physical contact.
In times like these, all she needed was a little push.
I moved my face so close that the tip of my nose touched hers, then placed a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her toward me with the slightest pressure.
Her eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck, then stilled.
The corners of Miyuki’s eyes gradually curved into a beautiful crescent.
It was proof she had decided to give in to her instincts.
And so, revealing our feelings for one another again, we began a sweet kiss.
First, our lips met a few times, making soft pecking sounds.
Then, we tentatively extended our tongues, licking and tasting each other’s lips and gums.
After that, we pressed ourselves so close our noses squashed against each other’s cheeks, our tongues rolling together in a sticky dance…
We spent a minute or so exploring each other like that, until—
“Miyuki! Matsuda! Where are you?”
Hearing Tetsuya’s questioning shout, we pulled our faces apart.
I flicked my tongue to break the string of saliva stretching between us and swallowed, then gestured with my chin in the direction of the voice and gave a bitter smile.
“I wish he’d learn to read the room.”
At my words, Miyuki shivered as if she’d felt a chill. She came to her senses and scolded me.
“...Don’t say that… You shouldn’t…”
But as she said it, her expression was full of disappointment.
He’s bothering you too, isn’t he?
Our Miyuki… she’s grown so much, hasn’t she? Good girl.
I gave a magnanimous smile to Miyuki, who was trying so hard to pretend otherwise, and pointed to the phone she was clutching in her hand.
“He’ll get suspicious if we just show up. Text Miura before he calls you. Tell him you went to the school store with me.”
“O-Okay…”
“What a pain, all because of some interferer…”
“Matsuda-kun…! That’s enough…”
Miyuki lightly slapped my knee before she started tapping frantically at her phone.
* * *
Dojima Goro, the kendo club coach, set a serious tone as he began to speak.
“I’ve been observing you for a while… and I’ve decided it’s time you became an official member.”
Sitting across from Goro and sipping my tea, I glanced at Renka standing beside him.
Her expression was impassive. I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
“Understood.”
“From now on, you may participate in activities in the club room, but if you wish to continue volunteering as a manager, I won’t stop you.”
That was welcome news.
“How could I let Nanase-senpai do all that work by herself? I’ll continue as manager.”
“Good. Nanase will be pleased. I saw you sparring. You learned the high stance from Nanase, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I found the high stance interesting. Is there a problem with that?”
“It’s natural to be drawn to an intriguing stance… but make sure you pay attention to the mid-level stance as well. It’s the foundation of all kendo. I’m sure Nanase told you something similar.”
I thought he was just a stuffy old man, but he’s surprisingly flexible.
Coach Dojima Goro, your wife will be safe. Live happily.
“I understand.”
“Good. You may leave once you’ve finished your tea. No need to stand up just to say goodbye.”
“Yes, Coach.”
Goro grinned, his bushy beard stretching out to the sides.
His pearly white teeth stood out. Was I imagining the ching! sound effect as the light reflected off them?
I quickly finished my tea, stood up, gave a formal bow, and left the coach’s office.
As I stepped outside the club room,
“Wait, Matsuda.”
Renka, who had followed me out, called for me to stop. I turned around.
“What is it, Captain?”
She stood there with her arms crossed, glaring at me.
She opened and closed her mouth a few times, as if she had a lot to say but couldn’t figure out how to begin.
It seems she heard something from Chinami over the weekend…
“Why did you call me?”
Only after I asked a second time did Renka’s lips part.
“You…”
“Yes, go on.”
“……”
Her continued hesitation made it clear she was worried that whatever she said might cause trouble for Chinami.
Renka is thoughtful like Miyuki, so my guess was probably right.
“I asked what’s wrong.”
“...Never mind… I’ll be watching you…”
She phrased it as if she’d be watching me now that I was an official member, but it was a warning, one that meant she’d punish me if I tried anything with Chinami.
So she decided not to be direct.
Seeing Renka, who doted on Chinami, give only a calm, roundabout warning suggested that her conversation with Chinami hadn’t been too serious.
It was highly likely that Chinami had downplayed her own feelings and just brushed it off.
I gave a couple of nods toward Renka, whose intentions were so obvious, and retorted, “Do you think I’m going to cause trouble?”
As if I’d hit a nerve, Renka’s expression hardened.
“That’s not what I meant. You can go.”
“Yes, ma’am. Have a good day.”
I shot a smirk at the overbearing Renka, and after confirming that her eyebrow had twitched, I turned away.
I then walked over to the small laundry area behind the club room, where Chinami was hand-washing a stained uniform.
“Master.”
“Ah!? Y-Yes?”
Chinami jumped in surprise and shot to her feet.
Her reaction was even more dramatic than usual today.
I gave her a gentle smile and said, “The coach said I can be an official member now.”
“Ooh…? Really? That’s great!”
She started hopping on the spot and clapping like a seal, sending droplets of water from her hands flying onto my face.
When she noticed, Chinami’s face went pale.
“I-I’m so sorry…”
I wiped my face with my sleeve and grinned.
“It’s fine. I’ve decided to continue as manager, too.”
“You did…? Ah ha…”
What’s with the ‘ah ha’ when you’re clearly happy about it?
“Looks like you and I are inseparable now, Master. Aren’t you happy?”
“Hmmm… Of course I’m happy…”
She was trying her best to act calm, but I could see the corners of her mouth twitching.
I raised both my hands, took a step closer with a sly smile, and asked, “Should I give you a massage to celebrate?”
“Eek…!? I’ll just accept the thought…!”
She reflexively tensed her shoulders, hiding her neck like a turtle.
Her sharp reply was just too cute.
I wanted to make those pink-tinted lips let out little moans.
“It feels like you’ve been rejecting me lately. It’s sad… You don’t even understand your student’s feelings. I’m hurt.”
I let out a long sigh and grumbled in a self-deprecating tone. Chinami flinched and started patting my back.
“Ahem… Why wouldn’t I understand my junior’s feelings? I wasn’t rejecting you just now. My body isn’t stiff enough to need a massage yet, so I was just saying you shouldn’t waste your energy. There, there. Calm down. Good boy… good boy…”
Chinami would be a perfect kindergarten teacher.
No, wait, instead of teaching the kids, she’d probably just end up playing with them. Maybe not?
I straightened up and looked down at Chinami, then called her name.
“By the way, Master.”
“Yes, go on.”
“When are you going to buy me my second ice cream?”
“Ah, are you already addicted to the Yogurt Peach Triple Pop? It was delicious, wasn’t it?”
“Well… it was decent enough, I guess.”
“Decent…?”
Chinami’s expression turned serious.
I quickly corrected myself.
“No… actually, it was delicious.”
Only then did Chinami nod in satisfaction, looking proud.
“Hee hee… It’s good to see you confessing so honestly. Shall we set a date soon, then?”
“Sure. Can I pick the day again?”
“Of course you can. But you have to let me know in advance. The limited edition Momo-nim cushion is coming out soon.”
Do you really like that Momo-nim so much?
What if I snatched that cushion, sat on it, and just started grinding on it?
No, it might be fun to corrupt you into desecrating Momo-nim yourself.
Finishing my childish fantasy, I replied, “Got it. I’ll let you know.”
“Okay! Oh, and to celebrate you becoming an official member… I’ll increase the portion of today’s lesson dedicated to the high stance.”
“That sounds great. As expected, you’re a true master who understands her student’s heart.”
“Didn’t you just say you were hurt because I didn’t understand my student’s heart?”
“Did I? I don’t really remember.”
“Hmm… Junior, I think you should go to the hospital. How about eating some curry for a while? They say it’s good for your memory.”
I chuckled at Chinami’s genuine concern and thought to myself.
Next time we go out, I should suggest we see a movie, too.