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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
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“So, have you completed all your volunteer hours today?”
The elderly security guard asked.
I nodded cheerfully, having signed the confirmation form.
“Yes.”
“That’s a shame. It was nice having you around, you’ve been keeping things interesting.”
“I’ll miss it too. I’ll come visit often.”
“I’d appreciate that. I’ll give this to the student council when a student arrives.”
“Thank you.”
“You did a great job..”
After exchanging farewells with the security guard, I walked towards the school gate with a light heart.
I no longer needed to squeeze time in during school hours or lunch breaks.
This meant I could do all sorts of things with Miyuki on the academy grounds.
Should I try out, little by little, all the things I’ve only imagined?
Lost in happy contemplation as I was about to enter the school gate,
“Matsuda, wait…!”
Hearing Renka’s voice from behind, I turned around.
She was approaching me quickly.
Was Chinami not with her? She had texted me that they were on their way to school together, and that the train was crowded, so Chinami must have gone in ahead.
“Hello, Captain.”
“…Yes. Hello.”
Her expression was displeased, but she still accepted my greeting. How prickly.
“What’s up?”
“Did you… by any chance, give Chinami a massage or something like that on Friday…?”
As expected, Chinami must have told her. It was only natural, since they shared everything.
I nodded slightly and replied,
“I did.”
“At a hotel?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I thought she would explode, but she was unexpectedly calm. However, it was clear she was angry. In Renka’s eyes, I must have looked like a villain who lured the innocent Chinami to a hotel.
“What do you mean, why? I did it to thank her.”
“Thank her?”
“She’s a very kind teacher who has accepted me for who I am since before I joined the club, and even listened to my stubborn insistence on learning jōdan from the start. As her student, I think it’s okay to show my gratitude.”
“…That sounds like a subtle dig at me…”
If you think that, it means you feel guilty.
“I didn’t mean it that way. Anyway, is there a problem with me giving Nanase-senpai a massage?”
“The massage itself isn’t the problem. As you said, as a student, I think it’s okay to show that level of gratitude. But the location is the problem. A hotel… are you out of your mind?”
“Why?”
“Chinami probably thinks it was just a regular hotel… but I’ve never heard of a hotel with a massage room in the guest rooms. The place you went must have been…”
Did our Renka… know about love hotels?
No, it was Chinami who was too innocent, and this was a normal reaction.
“A love hotel.”
“Yes… a love hotel.”
“So what?”
“So what…? Your intentions were impure…!”
That was true. I admit it.
“But so what? There was a good place available, and I didn’t do anything else with Nanase-senpai. I just gave her a massage and then we left… is it that crazy?”
As I rattled off my excuses without hesitation, Renka looked around. She seemed worried that other students might overhear. Relief washed over her voice after confirming that no one was around.
“I apologize for speaking carelessly. But…”
I know what you’re worried about, Renka. Anyway, you’ll eventually open up to me while I train you, so why don’t you just relax?
I swallowed those words and said,
“You don’t have to worry. You wouldn’t believe me anyway, Captain.”
“…When you first joined, you were polite and quiet… you’ve changed over time, haven’t you?”
“I haven’t caused any trouble, and I even gave you a ride home out of kindness… some people become colder towards me over time.”
“Of course, I’m grateful for that. And I realize my attitude this time was wrong. But I can’t agree that you haven’t caused any trouble.”
“What do you mean?”
“Like when you demoralized your opponent with unnecessary attacks during the friendly match, or when you joked about breathing techniques during the practice match when you should have been quiet and observant, or your flippant attitude… don’t you think my reaction is natural?”
“I must have made a very bad impression.”
“Do you remember what the coach said right before you joined? Kendo is a martial art. The most important mindset in practicing martial arts is courtesy, and that naturally includes respect for your opponent. But your actions so far have lacked that courtesy. Even if you have talent…”
“Really? Thanks for the compliment.”
“Let me finish. What good is talent if your words and actions are inappropriate? I don’t know what you think about kendo… but if you keep going like this, the coach will get angry too.”
“Aren’t you expecting too much from a member who’s only been here for a month? I’m trying my best.”
As if waiting for me to say this, Renka’s eyes lit up.
“Are you really trying your best?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I’ll help you. The week after midterms.”
She said something unexpected.
When I tilted my head, she continued, arms crossed,
“We’re going on a training camp to a mountain lodge near a valley. For two nights and three days, starting Friday evening the week after midterms. Keep that in mind.”
It seemed she brought this up suddenly with the intention of properly guiding me during the training camp.
So, the date had finally been set? A mountain lodge near a valley… That wasn’t a place in this world I had known before. The date was also earlier than I had anticipated.
But it didn’t matter. It was actually better. Why? Because it made it all feel like the events were revolving around me.
“We have training camps too?”
“It’s an annual event.”
“Is it mandatory?”
“No, it’s not mandatory. If you have a reason, you can skip it, of course. But so far, no member has ever missed it. It’s a training that greatly helps with practice and unity, so if you’re thinking of skipping, would you please tell me now?”
She spoke provokingly, but I’ll let it slide.
“You said you’d help me. I’ll participate then. But do we have practice matches there?”
“Of course, it’s the most important part of the training camp.”
“My body has been itching for action lately, so that’s good. I also want to try out the new armor I bought in a real match.”
As I deliberately bragged as if it were nothing, a bewildered smile spread across Renka’s lips.
“You seem to be interested in kendo.”
“It’s fun. It has a nice feel to it. Would I have joined if I wasn’t interested?”
“…That’s true. I’ll let you do it as much as you want. Break in your armor well.”
Please, let’s have a match. Disregard ranks and levels, and come at me with the intention of crushing my pride. Judging by Renka’s expression, it seemed like that would happen…
I dropped the indoor shoes I had taken from my locker onto the floor and asked,
“Can I go now? I think I’ll be late for class.”
“Go ahead.”
Parting ways with Renka, I clenched my fist as I walked up to the first-year hallway. Even if the protagonist was talented, Renka was really good at kendo. I needed to intensify my training starting today, both to avoid embarrassment and to achieve my ulterior motives.
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“Matsuda-kun, how’s studying for midterms going?”
It was a question from the vice class-representative sitting in the front seat.
Resting my chin on my arm on the desk with a listless expression, I replied,
“So-so.”
“You don’t seem nervous at all. Are you going to end up last again like last semester?”
“What are you going to do if I do better than you? Why are you provoking me?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Want to bet?”
“What kind of bet?”
If I beat you, you’ll give me a blowjob.
Actually, I wasn’t confident I would win. The vice-class representative was as good at studying as Miyuki.
“Just kidding. How could I ever beat you?”
“You said it so confidently…”
I must have become much more comfortable around her lately if she was talking to me so casually.
I glanced at Masako, who was munching on bread next to the vice-class representative. Come to think of it, Masako was also good at studying.
If she just had dark circles under her eyes, she’d be the gloomy, beautiful supporting character in a rom-com… It was a shame her under-eye area was so clear.
I tapped her shoulder and said,
“Hey, bread girl.”
“Cough! Uh, yes…?”
“What kind of bread is it today?”
“Th, this… cream cheese soboro bread… D, do you want one…?”
“No. But doesn’t your throat get clogged?”
“I, I have milk…”
As I teased Masako, I paused when Miyuki secretly touched my thigh.
“Matsuda-kun, stop distracting others and review the material I taught you.”
“I’m just trying to clear my head, and you can’t even hold back your nagging…”
I turned to Miyuki and grumbled at her with a tired expression, but then,
*slide*
I shut my mouth as Miyuki’s hand slid further up my thigh.
I could feel her delicate touch and warmth through my thin uniform pants.
It was troubling how easily I got turned on… But could anyone not be turned on in this situation?
Subtly brushing Miyuki’s hand away, I looked at Tetsuya, who was studying with his eyes on his notebook, and said,
“Miura.”
“Yeah?”
“I heard we’re going to a training camp. Did you know?”
“Yeah, the captain texted me today. How did you know?”
“The captain told me today, too.”
“Really? Are you going?”
Of course, I was going. I had to participate in the practice matches, which were essential for my Renka strategy, and there might even be a chance to legally beat him up.
“That’s the plan.”
“It’s my first training camp… I’m kind of nervous.”
“It’s during the semester, so I doubt they’ll make it too intense.”
“I’d rather it be so intense that I collapse from exhaustion. That would make the training worthwhile.”
Was he a masochist? He was suddenly scaring me.
After finishing my conversation with Tetsuya and turning my attention back to my notes, Miyuki nudged my waist and quietly asked,
“Training camp? What are you talking about?”
“The kendo club training camp. Two nights and three days, starting Friday the week after midterms.”
“Two nights and three days…? Why so long?”
“Isn’t that rather short? Usually, training camps are at least three nights and four days, aren’t they? Sometimes they even last a week.”
“Really…?”
Miyuki’s expression hardened slightly. She didn’t like the idea of not seeing me for the whole weekend.
Reading her mind, I took out my notebook and wrote a message in the corner for her to see.
[It’s not like I’m leaving right now. And I’ll contact you often while I’m there.]
Miyuki pursed her lips, seemingly dissatisfied, and wrote a reply below it.
[Contact me whenever you have a chance. And I can’t read your handwriting. You should have joined the calligraphy club.]
Come on, you read that just fine! You can’t help but nitpick at me whenever you have the chance, can you?
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lmao thank nekorune!
Tyftc