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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
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“It would have been better if we played together as three instead of just two… You should have called me.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll contact you next time.”
Miyuki and Tetsuya were having a hushed conversation.
Although they were whispering, I could hear the pathetic obsession in Tetsuya’s voice.
“Did you come straight here after you met?”
Instead of trying to lead the answer like that, just ask directly what we did together, and what kind of relationship we have, you little twerp.
That’s why I want to keep messing with you.
I finished paying for the protective gear that Renka had chosen for me, and before Miyuki could answer, I approached the two and joined the conversation.
“What are you two whispering about?”
Then, Tetsuya, who had flinched, turned his head.
“Ah, Matsuda… are you done paying?”
“Yeah. Where’s yours?”
“Over here…”
Tetsuya pointed to a corner of the shop.
There, along with a box containing the protective gear, was a long, wrapped box.
“Looks like you bought a shinai too?”
“I’m thinking of participating in a competition if I get the chance… So I bought this one so I could start getting used to its grip from now on.”
“Really? I’m rooting for you.”
“Thanks. Did you only buy the protective gear?”
“Yeah. I’ll buy a shinai later.”
It’s contradictory that I came all the way here to do proper training, but didn’t buy a shinai, which is arguably the most important thing… but it couldn’t be helped.
Why? Because I was planning to buy the shinai with Chinami.
I was watching the two as they were getting ready to leave, and then I approached Renka, who was talking to the shop owner, and gave a nod.
“Thanks for helping me pick them out.”
“It’s nothing. It wasn’t difficult. Don’t forget to fold the hem at an angle to break it in.”
It seemed like she was doing me a favor because I was a club member, even though I was a disliked junior.
If she truly hated me, she wouldn’t have even helped me pick out the protective gear.
“Thanks. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Okay.”
I went closer to Renka, who was nodding silently, and asked.
“And what was the name of the shop you told me about back then?”
“What shop?”
“You know, the one where I bought the figure.”
“That one? Act… hmm… I don’t know… I can’t remember well? Was it Action Mania…?”
Renka, who was about to naturally tell me the name of the figure shop, quickly mumbled.
Her unguarded appearance is funny.
I told you to always be on guard so you can counter when I come at you.
“Ah, that’s right. Action Mania. I remember now.”
“You want to buy another figure?”
“I was just thinking of going to look around. Shall I buy you something as a reward for helping me pick out the protective gear?”
“N-no, it’s okay… I’m fine.”
For a moment, she looked tempted?
If you keep building up your karma like that… you’ll be very embarrassed when you get caught.
I know the anime Renka likes by heart, so I’ll drop by sometime tomorrow or the day after and buy her a simple gift.
I went outside the shop and put the box in the trunk of the car.
Then, I called out to Tetsuya.
“Hey, Miura.”
“Huh?”
“Where are the things you bought?”
“I asked them to deliver them to my house.”
“Really? You could just put them in my trunk.”
“I was going to…”
He was going to?
I was just saying that as a formality.
“You were going to what?”
“The manager asked if we could eat together before we went our separate ways…”
Renka sure takes good care of her diligent juniors.
What’s so good about this kind of guy?
I should increase the intensity of his training as a punishment.
“Is that so? Okay then, we’re off.”
“Okay.”
I thought he would be clingy and say he would contact us after he finished eating, but he was surprisingly cooperative.
Of course, he’ll probably contact Miyuki in the evening and ask her in detail what we did together.
“Goodbye, Tetsuya-kun. Goodbye Inoo-senpai. It was really nice to meet you today.”
Miyuki bowed her upper body politely, just like when she said goodbye inside the shop.
Renka, who had a warm smile at her graceful farewell, waved her hand.
“It was nice to meet you too. Let’s say hi when we bump into each other at the academy.”
“Yes, senpai!”
After saying goodbye to Renka, we got into the car.
After that, I was about to put the address into the navigation and start driving when Miyuki, who had her seatbelt on, put her hand on my arm.
“Somehow, it feels like senpai doesn’t like you, Matsuda-kun… Did you two perhaps fight?”
“What do you mean fight? She looks like she just doesn’t stand me.”
“Without any reason?”
It’s not like there was no reason at all.
I was arrogant and blunt in front of Renka, and I’m trying to extend my grasp to Chinami, whom she cherishes the most… so she must be anxious about me.
However, Renka still has a bad first impression of me, so she’s also cold towards me because of that.
“I don’t know. But why do I feel like you’re going to nag me? I thought you were on my side?”
“Of course I’m on Matsuda-kun’s side… but still, senpai chose the protective gear for you with good intentions today, right? I just thought it would be good if you had a feeling of gratitude for that. Then, the relationship between the two of you will naturally get better.”
“Does our relationship have to get better?”
“Inoo-senpai is the captain of the kendo club, it’s good if you two get along.”
She’s right.
But I’ll get along in my own way.
“I already said thank you, so that’s enough for now.”
“Yeah, I know. Good job.”
Miyuki patted my arm as if she was dealing with a teenager who was going through puberty.
I let out a hollow laugh and said.
“Do you want to go home? Or should we eat out too?”
“Let’s eat out. It’s raining, so I want to go there.”
“Ramen?”
“Yeah.”
“You told me to think about my health, but it seems like you like greasy food more these days?”
“Really…? Then shall we go to the supermarket? I’ll buy ingredients and cook for you.”
“Why bother cooking? Let’s go to the ramen shop.”
Miyuki, who had a clear intention, looked ahead without a word, with a curve forming near her eyes.
I could see Tetsuya and Renka walking somewhere in the distance.
The distance between the two… wasn’t close.
It was more like a kind boss and subordinate, so I could let that slide.
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The next day…
After finishing the boring classes, I went to the kendo club room and told Chinami about buying the protective gear.
“Are you saying that you bought personal protective gear?”
“Yes.”
“By yourself?”
“No. I went with Miyuki… and I met Inoo-senpai there.”
“Hmm… You’re saying that you went to buy kendo equipment with Hanazawa-kouhai, and met Renka there?”
“Exactly.”
“…Hmm hmm.”
Chinami, who was constantly clearing her throat, seemed to have a dissatisfied side.
She seemed a little upset that she didn’t go with me.
I bent my knees and met Chinami’s eyes.
“Master.”
“Yes.”
Judging by her slightly cold voice, my prediction was correct.
Our Chinami… I can’t help but love you if you’re already showing this jealousy.
I smiled at her and said.
“I heard that it’s good to have two sets of protective gear, one for training and one for competitions. Is that right?”
“That’s not wrong. Hmm. However, since protective gear is expensive, many people often just have two pairs of kote, which wear out relatively quickly. Hmm.”
She was mixing in displeased exclamations in every sentence, and it was incredibly adorable.
I suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out and soothed Chinami with a soft tone.
“The protective gear I bought this time is for training, but I also want to buy one for competitions.”
“Yes, so?”
“If it’s okay, I would like to go buy it with Master. And I didn’t buy a shinai. I was thinking about going to buy it with you, Master. As someone who is learning Jōdan, it’s natural to choose a suitable shinai with you, right?”
“Hmm…!”
She was letting out positive exclamations this time.
It’s so easy to read, which is good.
“I was wondering whether I should keep a disciple who would rather go buy protective gear with Hanazawa-kouhai and Renka, completely skipping over the Master whom he should be serving faithfully… hmm hmm…”
“Are you saying that you were thinking of going to the extreme of cutting ties with your disciple?”
When I feigned shock, Chinami flinched and put her hands on her waist.
“Oh no…! I’ve said many times that I’m very happy that you’re my disciple…! A veeeery slight doubt only appeared for a moment and then disappeared, so you don’t have to be too disappointed…!”
“That’s a relief. I’m also happy that you’re my Master.”
Did she like hearing that I was happy?
Chinami’s face turned slightly red.
She let out a few snorts and changed the subject while looking at the protective gear in the storage room.
“Then, shall we start cleaning the protective gear?”
“Let’s rest a bit first. I studied too hard today, and my head hurts.”
“Ah…! I also had a lot of class changes today, so it was hard. Then let’s sit down and rest for a bit. Come here.”
She went to the corner of the storage room and sat down, then patted the spot next to her.
Is it my imagination that she seems to be telling me to come and devour her?
I sat down next to Chinami, and then very naturally grabbed her thin and pale ankle and placed it on my leg.
“Huh…!?”
I looked at her, who was flustered, and then turned my gaze to her sole.
Her very white sole, with slight wrinkles, was very adorable.
Probably because she cleans the clubroom thoroughly every day, it was completely free of the dirt that is commonly seen on people who train barefoot. It even made me want to lick it.
“Master’s legs hurt, so I don’t think a disciple can just stand by. Isn’t that right?”
“N-nooo…? What is that…”
“Do you like foot massages?”
“I’ve, I’ve never received one before…”
“Then, shall I give you one now?”
At those words, Chinami flinched and curled her toes tightly.
How can a human foot be like this?
It’s so pretty and cute that I might even develop a fetish.
“I, I’m okay… I appreciate the gesture, though.”
“Hmm…”
Ignoring Chinami’s words, I grabbed the tip of her small big toe with my index finger and pressed it down.
“Mhyah!”
Then, she trembled like she was electrocuted and let out a sweet laugh.
I grabbed her thin ankle, which was trying to slip away, a bit more strongly and fixed it, then said.
“Master.”
“Hoooh…?”
“Are you free tomorrow or the day after?”
“T-tomorrow or the day after…? Why…?”
“We have to go see shinais and protective gear. And eat ice cream together.”
This time, I gently pressed on the arch of her foot in the center of her sole.
*prod*
Then,
“Eeek!”
Chinami had a short fit like she had seen a ghost, then stuck her arms to her ribs and shook her whole body like a poodle.
She’s very ticklish on her feet, huh? I understand.
“We’re going together, right?”
*prod prod prod*
I massaged her arches while making a soft offer, and Chinami’s head nodded quickly.
“Hyah…! I-I’ll go…!”
“You’ll go?”
“Nhhyeah…! I’ll go…! So stop that…!”
*prod prod*
“N-noo…! Nooo…! Matsuda-kouhai…! Stooop…!! I said I’d go…!!”
While watching Chinami’s face, which was blushing like a peach while saying strangely sensual lines, I continued the caresses disguised as a massage.
I was thinking that I should start setting a date soon.
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Chinami’s tsundere as always.
Thank you!