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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
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“Let’s call it a day. Good work, both of you.”
As soon as the lesson ended, I flopped back in my chair and glanced at Tetsuya.
He’d been fishing for compliments about his new haircut the entire break. I might as well indulge him, if only to earn brownie points with Miyuki.
“It’s nice not having that mop on your head anymore.”
Tetsuya, looking pleased, rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
“It’s the first time I’ve cut it this short since I was little, so it still feels a bit strange.”
Allow me to bestow upon your clueless self a piece of wisdom.
Not that it would make much of a difference, but still…
“Try using some wax to flatten the sides.”
“Ah, should I? Any recommendations?”
“Go for something with no gloss, with a strong hold.”
“I’ll look into it.”
“Good.”
“Mind if I use the bathroom?”
If you wanna take a dump, you can do so in the train station’s toilets.
“You don’t even have to ask. Just go.”
“Thanks.”
As Tetsuya got up and headed towards the bathroom, I moved to help Miyuki pack her bag.
Miyuki, her eyes fixated on me, spoke.
“Thanks, Matsuda-kun.”
“Just trying to get this over with quickly.”
“Don’t lie, I know you better than that. By the way, why were you glued to your phone during break?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, really… It’s just not like you to be so absorbed in your phone.”
She’s been observing my usual behavior, huh?
I appreciate it.
“I’m thinking of buying a car. So I can drive to school after break.”
Actually, so I can drive to school while groping your thighs and breasts.
And take you on trips. Without Tetsuya, of course.
Miyuki blinked her large eyes and gave me a nervous laugh.
She seemed taken aback by my casual mention of buying something as expensive as a car.
Money was definitely a factor when it came to attractiveness.
But if I flaunted my wealth too much, Miyuki would probably think I was just a superficial jerk.
Best to play it cool.
“A… car?”
“What now? Are you going to lecture me about it? There’s no rule against driving to school.”
“I-I wasn’t going to lecture you… But do you even have a license, Matsuda-kun?”
“Yeah. It’s expired, though.”
“When did you even get it…?”
“I found some time before starting at the academy.”
“I see…”
With Miyuki’s bag all packed, I glanced towards the bathroom.
Tetsuya was taking his sweet time.
He better not be stinking up the place.
A quick glance at the calendar told me it was almost August.
Which meant it was time to trigger a certain event.
And there was one crucial condition for it to occur: I needed to go on a date with Miyuki.
I was certain our little photo session from the other day had sparked a positive change in her.
She had even texted me first yesterday. And we had a surprisingly pleasant conversation.
Time to make my move.
“Hey, Hanazawa.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t you get tired of tutoring me?”
“Not at all. Why?”
“It’s just… a thought.”
A small smile played on Miyuki’s lips.
“It seems like I’ve been seeing a lot of new sides to you lately. But I don’t mind at all. You’re putting in the effort, and it makes teaching you more enjoyable.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. So don’t worry about it. If you feel that bad, how about you buy me some ice cream tomorrow?”
“Ice cream? Any particular flavor you’re craving?”
“Anything is fine.”
That elegant smile of hers was breathtakingly beautiful.
She was the epitome of grace and elegance.
The urge to make her mine was getting stronger by the day.
“Then how about we watch a movie together after tomorrow’s session? I’ll buy you ice cream on the way back.”
“A movie? Sure, but… Shouldn’t we ask Tetsuya-kun…”
“What are you talking about…? I meant just the two of us.”
“Huh…?”
Miyuki’s jaw dropped slightly in surprise.
Her eyes were wide with astonishment as she stared at me, speechless.
I gave her a playful smirk and continued.
“There’s a movie theater not too far from your place. I’ll come to your neighborhood. You just relax at home after our lesson. Would 8 PM. work for you?”
“Uh… 8 PM…? That… works…”
To prevent her from saying anything more, I shoved her bag towards her.
Still looking slightly dazed, she took it from me and slung it over her shoulder.
I got up and headed towards the bathroom.
“Great. It’s settled then. Thanks for the lesson. I’m gonna go freshen up. You two can head home whenever.”
＠＠
“Ugh…!”
Miyuki, who had been burying her face in her pillow, finally came up for air and rolled over.
It was as if a giant boulder had been dropped into the calm waters of her mind, creating ripples that turned into waves.
Lately, Matsuda had been messing with her emotions.
‘A movie…? Tomorrow…? Just the two of us?’
Was this… a date?
But knowing Matsuda’s nonchalant personality, it couldn’t be… Could it?
Then why say ‘just the two of us’?
This was a first for her. And his almost too-casual approach made it hard to decipher his true intentions.
The thought of it made her frustrated.
‘Why couldn’t he have asked more… normally…?’
Muttering to herself, Miyuki reached for her phone.
She opened their chat, about to text him, but hesitated.
What should she say?
She couldn’t exactly ask, “What did you mean by ‘just the two of us?’” That would be too embarrassing.
But beating around the bush wouldn’t work on someone as clueless as Matsuda.
What to do…?
After much deliberation, she ended up sending a meaningless message.
[Ah, it’s hot…]
Thirty seconds passed, but her message remained unanswered.
Just as she was starting to feel a tinge of disappointment, her phone pinged.
Matsuda had replied.
[Really? I’m cold.]
So typical of him. And yet, it somehow made her smile.
Chuckling softly, she typed back.
[You’ll catch a cold sleeping with the AC on.]
[I have a thick blanket, it’s fine. What are you doing?]
[Just hanging out at home. Have you chosen your car yet?]
Now that he mentioned it, she might as well ask…
No, it might make him uncomfortable. Best not to push it.
[Not yet. What movie do you want to watch?]
[Something fun.]
[You haven’t decided yet?]
[I’ll figure it out. Any genres you like?]
[I’m not picky. I’ll leave it up to you. Did you review today’s lesson?]
[I’m going to sleep.]
He was avoiding the question. Clearly, he hadn’t reviewed it.
Tomorrow, she would give him a surprise quiz. And if he scored low, she’d scold him in that calm, collected tone he found so unbearable.
[You promised you’d study before our next session. Go review.]
[Give me a break, why are you so cruel?]
[It’s for your own good.]
[Doesn’t everyone deserve a day to rest their tired brain?]
[Didn’t you just have one over the weekend?]
[… You really want me to review that badly?]
He sounded like he would actually do it if she pushed it.
Part of her wanted to make him suffer for playing with her emotions earlier. But she decided to let it slide, for now.
[It’s okay, you don’t have to. Just focus during our next lesson.]
[If you keep messing with me, I’m coming over right now. Be prepared for a showdown. At the playground.]
[Okay. I’m always ready, just let me know when you’re on your way.]
Miyuki spent the next while exchanging lighthearted banter with Matsuda.
Even the most mundane conversations were somehow entertaining when it was with him.
Time flew by. Too quickly for her liking.
Ending their chat, her eyes drifted towards the ceiling, dotted with glow-in-the-dark stars.
She and Tetsuya had put them up when they were younger.
A random thought crossed her mind: What if Tetsuya was more assertive, like Matsuda?
The image of him nonchalantly asking her out to a movie… it felt out of character.
What about Matsuda? What if he possessed Tetsuya’s innocence and naiveté?
That, too, felt off.
It dawned on her then, just how different they were. Polar opposites, in many ways.
And yet, despite being like oil and water, they were getting along surprisingly well.
It was probably due to Matsuda’s genuine efforts.
Just like her opinion of him had changed, she was sure the same would happen with Tetsuya.
She hoped that, in time, they could all become closer, letting go of any lingering animosity.
As she drifted off to a peaceful future, a sudden thought made her open her gallery.
Their photo from yesterday appeared on the screen.
She tapped on it, zooming in on his face.
‘He’s handsome…’
She wasn’t just saying that. He genuinely was.
His lips, full and slightly upturned in a small smile…
He looked radiant, captivating.
If he looked this good smiling, why did he always walk around with that grumpy look on his face?
Unconsciously mirroring his smile, Miyuki swiped to the next picture.
It was the photo she had taken with Tetsuya at the salon.
He was handsome too, although not quite on the same level as Matsuda.
But just as she had thought before, his previous hairstyle suited him better.
She scrolled through her gallery, surprised to find that, aside from a few pictures with her female friends, it was filled with photos of her and Tetsuya.
They really had taken a lot of pictures together.
Next time, she should suggest taking a photo together, all three of them.
‘I’m sleepy…’
Miyuki’s eyelids fluttered closed as sleep slowly washed over her.
The gentle hum of the fan filled the room.
With it as her lullaby, she drifted off to sleep.
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“Miyuki, want to go to the arcade before heading home?”
Tetsuya asked as their lesson ended the next day.
Miyuki, checking her watch, snuck a glance at me before answering.
“Sure, why not…? We can hang out for an hour or so…?”
So she was mindful of our appointment.
Judging by their awkward exchange, it seemed she hadn’t told him about our plans.
Miyuki and Tetsuya shared everything with each other.
But lately, there have been a few secrets kept under wraps.
For example, my actions at the festival.
If things were as they used to be before, she would have confided in Tetsuya, dissecting my every move and speculating about my intentions.
But she hadn’t.
And now, she was keeping our movie date a secret too.
It was proof that, deep down, she sensed their relationship with me was anything but ordinary.
She might not be consciously aware of it yet, due to her lack of romantic experience, but once school started again, it would become crystal clear to her.
“Well then… I’ll get going, Matsuda-kun.”
Miyuki said, her farewell laced with an uncharacteristic awkwardness.
I gave her a reassuring smile.
“See you later. Take care, Miura.”
After they left, I stepped inside.
As I was about to grab a shower, my phone buzzed.
A quick glance at the screen brought a smile to my face.
It was a message from Miyuki.
[I’ll be there on time. Don’t worry.]
What a worrywart. As if I’ve ever doubted you…
That’s my Miyuki, so kind and considerate.
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