Chapter 88: Twitching Chinami
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 88: Twitching Chinami
Bzzzz...!
A phone vibrated from under the tatami mat.
I, who had passed out alongside Miyuki, was about to fumble for it when—
“...That's my phone...”
Miyuki, waking up, scrunched up her face as she grabbed the phone and answered the call.
“Hello...?”
[Were you sleeping?]
A faint voice came from the other side of the phone—decent enough, but timid.
It was Tetsuya.
Miyuki rubbed her eyes and answered.
“Yeah...”
[Did I call too early? I'm sorry.]
“No... But what's up...?”
[I was bored, so I just called. You usually wake up around seven.]
Is he curious about what we did yesterday?
Well, I guess he can't help but be curious about what his childhood friend of fifteen years, the one he has a crush on, did alone with me.
That's why you should've acted right.
I've said it time and again, but it's because you're so dense that you get your precious people stolen from you.
The same will happen with Renka, and with Hiyori.
Don't get your hopes up.
After thoroughly mocking Tetsuya in my head, I perked up my ears and continued to eavesdrop on the call.
“It's the weekend, so I was planning to sleep in...”
[Oh, really? Then get some more sleep. Call me when you're up.]
“Okay... Sorry.”
[No, I'm the one who's sorry. I'll hang up now.]
“Mhm...”
Still half-asleep, Miyuki pressed the end call button and let out a long sigh through her nose.
Then she snuggled into my arms, curled up like a shrimp, and shivered.
“Cold...”
I held her close and said.
“Why are you so nice?”
“What do you mean...”
“Calling so thoughtlessly this early in the morning. If it were me, I would've cursed him out.”
“Why would you curse someone out over something like this... Tetsuya-kun just called because he knows I'm usually up by now...”
“I should probably punch him a few times soon.”
Chomp.
A sharp, heavy pain flared up in my chest.
Miyuki had bitten me.
She must have gotten angry when I said I'd hit him... It hurts.
I quickly pulled her head away and calmed her down by massaging the nape of her neck.
“Why'd you bite me? Are you a dog?”
“It's because you said something so harsh...”
“I only talked about it, but you actually used violence.”
“.....”
After a moment of silence, she burrowed deeper into my arms.
She had nothing left to say, so she was trying to smooth things over with a cute gesture.
I patted her bottom and let out a low chuckle.
Miyuki herself might not be aware of it, but this kind of behavior came out because she was incredibly comfortable with me.
Far more than with Tetsuya.
To the point where there was no comparison with that guy anymore.
* * *
Swoooosh-!
The car cut smoothly through the harsh downpour.
Miyuki, pulling her cardigan tighter, turned to me and spoke.
“Matsuda-kun, do you want to come too?”
“No. It's a family gathering. How could I possibly intrude?”
“Mom and Dad would be happy to have you.”
“Even so, I can't. I wasn't invited, so I'd feel uncomfortable.”
At my firm refusal, Miyuki pouted.
We were currently on our way to Miyuki's house.
Midori had called unexpectedly, telling her to stop bothering her friend and come home for a family meal.
“I definitely told her I was staying over for two days...”
I took the grumbling Miyuki's hand, interlaced our fingers, and soothed her in a gentle voice.
“It's only natural for a mother to worry about her daughter. You usually stay quietly at home, but lately you've been away for several days a week. Anyone would be concerned.”
“...Even so...”
“We're here. Get inside safely, and text me.”
The car stopped in front of her house.
Miyuki let out a long, disappointed sigh through her nose, then suddenly brought my hand to her chest and pressed her lips firmly against the back of it.
Then she quickly opened the door and ran off as if escaping.
I chuckled at the sudden show of affection. I was about to drive home when I thought of Chinami and pulled over to the side of the road.
I then opened my chat app and looked for Chinami.
Her profile picture was still that dazed-looking Momo-nim.
I entered the chat room and quickly tapped on the keyboard that appeared on my phone screen.
[Master.]
Contrary to my expectation of an immediate reply, the phone remained silent for over a minute.
Just as I was wondering if she was meeting someone,
[Hello, Junior. It's raining quite a lot, isn't it?]
Chinami's reply came.
[It is. What are you up to?]
[I just finished showering.]
[Looks like you have plans?]
[I'm supposed to meet Renka in the evening, but I showered because it got cold and I wanted to warm up with some hot water.]
Come to think of it, I hadn't paid attention to any events where those two appeared together...
Maybe I should check it out this time?
The place they're meeting is set, but since it's raining, it could change. I should subtly probe Chinami.
[I see. So you're free for lunch?]
[That's right.]
[If you're free, would you like to see a movie with me? We said we would last time.]
[What kind of movie?]
[I haven't decided yet. Is there a genre you'd like to see?]
[Then when should we meet?]
No, I asked what genre you wanted to see.
What am I supposed to do if you skip steps?
I let out a laugh at Chinami's still-quirky reply and tapped the screen.
[How about now?]
[How long will it take you?]
[About 15 minutes?]
[Hmm. Okay.]
After finishing my chat with Chinami, I turned the car around.
Just because I suddenly have free time, going home to rest would be a sin.
Our dear God is helping me out. I can't afford to waste this free time.
* * *
Click.
Chinami opened the passenger door, folded her umbrella, and clambered in with a slight struggle.
Shorts and sandals, a thick sweatshirt, and a cap worn slightly to the side.
It seemed like a mismatched outfit, but because it was Chinami, it worked.
It was kind of hip in a cute way.
“Hello, Junior.”
She gave a polite nod.
I returned the nod and asked,
“You said you were cold, but you came in shorts?”
“My long pants would get wet from the rain. I brought a blanket, so it's fine.”
Chinami confidently spread out a blanket.
It was that very pink blanket I'd seen before, with a large picture of Momo-nim in the center.
After covering her lap with it, Chinami turned to me with a beaming smile.
Then, just as she was about to say something, she suddenly sniffed the air.
“Hmm... It smells like plums. Come to think of it, I feel like you've been smelling like plums lately, Junior. It was the same in the club room last time...”
“You smell my body odor?”
“Ah...! I didn't mean I was trying to smell you, I just meant you were giving off the scent.”
A flustered Chinami.
I gave her a soft smile and said,
“I'm kidding. Do you like plums?”
“Of course. Though not as much as peaches.”
Then she'll get along well with Miyuki.
A thought suddenly occurred to me.
A picture of Chinami growing distant from Renka, her closest friend, and spending more time with me and Miyuki...
Renka getting Chinami NTR'd from her...
That's kind of hot.
“Why did you decide to meet with Inoo-senpai?”
“We decided to go shopping for clothes together.”
A clothing store...
I already know the places they frequent.
If I hang around nearby, I'll probably run into them.
Chatting idly, we went to the movie theater and chose a movie at the kiosk.
An action blockbuster that was getting reviews for its spectacular directing.
I'd wanted a quiet movie, but there were none showing at our time, which was a real shame.
Maybe because it was the weekend, it was crowded, so the only seats left for walk-ins weren't very good.
For me, however, they were perfect.
Because the remaining seats were in a corner where no one else could sit next to us—perfect for doing... certain things.
I soothed the disappointed Chinami, printed the tickets, and asked,
“Want some popcorn?”
“Ah, yes! I have some peach powder.”
“...Peach powder? Are you talking about iced tea mix?”
“No. It's a delicious seasoning powder you can sprinkle on potato chips or popcorn. It's hard to find, so I was saving it, but I brought it specially to share with you, Junior.”
Such a seasoning powder actually exists in this world?
It sounds like it would have a wicked taste that couldn't even compare to peach ice cream... but she brought it for me, so what can I do.
I'd rather die than eat it, but I have to.
Our showtime was approaching, so we bought popcorn and drinks and immediately went into the theater.
The drinks, of course... were peach iced tea.
I desperately want to corrupt Chinami's taste buds back to normal.
At this rate, I'm going to develop a complex about peaches.
I had Chinami sit in the very corner seat. I flinched when she took a packet labeled [Peach Bomb!] out of her crossbody bag.
The name is so sinister.
“Is that the peach powder?”
“Yes. Aren't you excited? Once you try it, Junior, you'll be hooked.”
Chinami said a line worthy of a villain in a movie, luring a woman with something like a date-rape drug.
She tore open the packet, sprinkled the powder lightly over the popcorn, shook the container, and then picked one up and offered it to me.
“Here, try one.”
It was the piece with the most powder on it.
Trying my best to hide my fear, I took it and cautiously brought it to my mouth.
And then,
‘Oh...?’
My eyes widened at the sweet, luscious flavor that exploded in my mouth.
I hadn't had a single expectation, but the savory taste of the popcorn and the sweet flavor of the powder went incredibly well together.
How on earth can this be delicious?
“How is it?”
Chinami looked at me, her eyes full of anticipation.
I answered by picking up another piece of popcorn and eating it.
At that, Chinami's lips curled up and she let out a meaningful chuckle.
“Huhu...”
For some reason, my pride feels a little hurt...
I'm worried that at this rate, I'll be the one who gets corrupted, barking that I'll do anything for more peach powder.
I need to get a grip.
After eating another piece of popcorn, I shifted in my seat and subtly moved closer to Chinami.
So close that my side was touching the armrest between us.
“Oh...?”
Seeing me like this, Chinami flinched.
She seemed to think the distance was too close.
Observing her reaction, I reached out and took a napkin from her lap.
“I-If you had just asked, I would have given it to you...”
She chided me in a voice so quiet it was barely audible.
I nonchalantly wiped my hands, grinned, and said,
“It's just because I'm so comfortable with you, Master. I apologize if it made you uncomfortable.”
“Hmm... It's not exactly that... ahem...”
The atmosphere grew tender.
Whenever I try some subtle physical contact like this, the air always softens right up.
Will I get a chance to touch her neck during the movie?
Looking at Chinami now, she seems really tense. The moment she relaxes her shoulders, I'll pretend to help her relax and gently touch her.