—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Thirty minutes had passed since Miyuki and I started walking in silence.
We were on a quiet street, and the only sound was our footsteps.
I wanted to break the silence, but Miyuki’s expression was too serious.
She didn’t seem to mind that I had touched her breast…
Was she feeling conflicted about the incident where I saved her from falling?
“Ha…”
I let out a long sigh and tried to scratch my bandaged head.
But Miyuki grabbed my wrist and stopped me.
“Don’t touch it… And why are you sighing?”
She was finally opening up the conversation.
She should have done that sooner.
“This is so awkward… I’m really sorry about touching your breast.”
Miyuki’s face flushed red as I bluntly brought up the indecent incident. She clutched the books the bookstore owner had given us for free and shook her head.
“I-It’s not because of that…”
“Then what is it?”
“…I’m just… a little embarrassed…”
“So it is because of that. I think this is the first time I’ve seen you lie like this.”
“I-I’m not lying…?”
“Don’t lie… It’s obvious…”
As I grumbled and interlocked my fingers behind my head, Miyuki pouted and suddenly stuck out one leg, then quickly retracted it.
I stared at her, slightly dumbfounded by her strange behavior.
“What are you doing?”
“I was going to trip you… but then I remembered you’re covered in injuries.”
“I’m perfectly fine, except for my noggin.”
“Is your nog… ahem… I mean, is your head okay?”
You’ve reached the point where you’re even mimicking my speech patterns, huh?
It must have been unconscious, but I’m proud of you.
I chuckled and replied,
“Doesn’t hurt at all. And it’s already a stupid head, so what does it matter if it gets a little banged up?”
“Don’t say that… Why are you always selling yourself short like that?”
“I’m joking. Why are you always so serious when I’m joking?”
“I-I just didn’t expect you to joke around even in this situation…”
“Are you going to report me?”
“Huh…?”
Miyuki blinked a few times, her eyes wide.
Realizing I was talking about the incident, she scolded me,
“Matsuda-kun, I’m really not bothered by it. You shouldn’t be bothered by it either.”
So can I touch them again, then?
I wanted to say that, but this wasn’t the time for lighthearted sexual jokes.
I had to restrain myself, considering the circumstances.
“Alright. But isn’t it hot?”
“Not really…? Are you hot, Matsuda-kun?”
“Not really. I was just asking.”
“Ah… okay.”
Silence fell again after Miyuki’s reply.
We continued walking at a leisurely pace, eventually reaching her neighborhood.
I wanted to go to the playground and chat with Miyuki, but it wasn’t an evening for sentimental conversations.
I would just let her go home today.
So she could quietly reflect on what had happened.
“This is my house.”
Miyuki stopped in front of a small, two-story detached house.
I looked up at the house and commented,
“Nice house. I like the orange roof.”
“It’s much smaller than your house, right?”
“It doesn’t feel that small. How many people are in your family?”
“Four, including me. I live with my mom, dad, and older sister.”
So I could have a sisters sandwich, a mother-daughter sandwich, and even a four-way with the whole family? Got it.
“It must be fun living in such a nice house with your family.”
“Ah…”
Miyuki looked flustered.
She was clearly trying to be considerate of my situation, living alone.
I chuckled and lightly patted her back.
“Why are you so restless? You know, you’re kind of selfish.”
“What…?”
“You dragged me all the way here, treating me like your personal bodyguard. And you’re not even letting your injured bodyguard rest?”
“B-Bodyguard…! That’s not it at all…!”
“Geez, I’m joking! You’re taking things too seriously again. I’m off. Get some rest.”
I waved my hand dismissively and turned around. Miyuki called out to me from behind.
“M-Matsuda-kun…!”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you… for… saving me today.”
“You’re thanking me for everything these days. See you later.”
“Get home safe…!”
I smiled lightly at Miyuki and left the neighborhood, thinking to myself.
Miyuki’s attitude was too reserved for someone who was grateful.
She wasn’t acting that way because she was embarrassed about me touching her breast.
Then was she feeling guilty for inconveniencing me?
Of course, Miyuki was a kind girl, so she might have felt that way, but one thing was certain…
‘She was conscious of me as a man.’
Maybe not now, but in the moment I saved her and immediately after, she definitely saw me as a man.
There was no other explanation for her behavior.
It was a good situation.
However, considering my past actions, my affection points would plummet if I let my guard down even for a moment.
To prevent that from happening, I had to continue taking care of Miyuki.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I’m home.”
Miyuki’s mother emerged from the kitchen at her listless greeting.
“You’re back early. Did you buy the books?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Are you feeling okay? You seem a little off today…”
“What do you mean off… I’m fine. I’m going upstairs.”
“Turn on the AC and maybe give Tetsuya a call.”
“Did Tetsuya-kun call?”
“No, but I ran into him at the market earlier. He looked worried.”
‘Worried? Was he struggling with his studies?’
‘I’ll take a short break and then go meet him.’
With that in mind, Miyuki made her way to the second floor.
“Ha…”
She threw herself onto her bed and replayed the incident at the bookstore in her mind.
She had never seen the usually nonchalant Matsuda act so urgently.
His expression, filled with genuine concern, was unforgettable.
She could still vividly remember how he protected her from the falling books, even at the expense of his own safety.
To be honest… She found it a little cool.
‘W-Well, he is handsome…’
His short hair suited his sharp, defined features perfectly.
And she liked how he was slowly changing for the better…
Miyuki closed her eyes, picturing Matsuda’s unfamiliar side, so different from his usual self, then shook her head.
It was just a momentary feeling, nothing more, nothing less.
Any man would have looked like a knight in shining armor in that situation.
Still, she was grateful, and she felt like she had to do something for him.
She browsed through an app and purchased a gift card for a convenience store in Matsuda’s neighborhood.
Then, she sent it to Matsuda with a message saying ‘Enjoy!’ and a cute emoji.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The following Monday…
I spent the weekend diligently studying the material Miyuki had given me. When Miyuki and Tetsuya arrived, I opened the gate.
“You’re here.”
Miyuki’s expression was… neutral, but with a hint of amusement.
“Yes. Did you review?”
“I did, but… there’s a lot I don’t understand.”
“Then you should have asked.”
“I wanted to try my best on my own first.”
“That’s a good attitude, but it’s better to ask than to struggle with something you don’t understand at all. Do that next time. Anyway, can we go inside? It’s really hot out here…”
She was right, it had rained yesterday, so the humidity was unbearable today.
I stepped aside so they could enter easily.
Miyuki naturally walked past the stone path and towards the flower bed. She smiled as she looked at the plants, their leaves slowly regaining their vibrancy.
Leaving her to her plants, I went inside with Tetsuya and brought out the pre-cut melon.
“Here.”
Tetsuya thanked me and started devouring the melon.
This guy was a bottomless pit.
I sat down across from him and asked,
“Isn’t it hot?”
“Yeah, it’s crazy today. It feels so much better here…”
“Why don’t you cut your hair then?”
Miyuki, who had just entered the living room, chimed in,
“Tetsuya-kun, how about cutting your hair short like Matsuda-kun? Isn’t it uncomfortable with this heat?”
Miyuki liked Tetsuya’s shaggy hair.
So the fact that she was suggesting he cut it…
That was pretty significant.
Tetsuya, who had been stuffing his face with melon, looked at Miyuki with a puzzled expression.
“What’s with the sudden suggestion? You’ve never said anything about it before.”
“No… I’m just worried because they said this summer is going to be extremely hot.”
“Really…? Then maybe I should get it cut. Matsuda, where do you get your hair cut?”
He looked so happy just because Miyuki suggested it… Tsk tsk…
I scoffed internally and replied,
“There’s a place a little further down the street. We can go together after studying.”
“Thanks, I’ll take you up on that.”
Tetsuya’s face suited longer hair better than short hair.
I was happy to see one of his defining features disappear.
I nodded and thanked Miyuki,
“Hey, thanks for the gift card by the way. I had a delicious lunch with it.”
Tetsuya stopped eating and looked at Miyuki.
“Gift card?”
“Ah… Didn’t Matsuda-kun tell you he saved me at the bookstore?”
“Yeah.”
“So I sent him a gift card to show my gratitude. Matsuda-kun, you didn’t just buy greasy food, did you? They have healthy salad lunch boxes these days.”
It was a normal conversation, but it felt like Tetsuya was being excluded somehow.
No, I shouldn’t overthink it.
Miyuki wasn’t the type to do that.
I should be grateful that I was the main subject of the conversation.
And from what I could tell, she hadn’t mentioned the ‘accidental’ breast grab.
Well, it wasn’t really something that needed to be shared.
It was a good thing that there was now a secret between the two of them, who were always so honest with each other.
“I only bought a fried chicken lunchbox.”
“You should eat salad too, for your health.”
“I’m eating fruit, though?”
“…Okay, do whatever you want. Today’s lesson is math, right? We’re having a quiz.”
Tetsuya and I exchanged dismayed looks.
Miyuki chuckled at our reactions and continued,
“I’m giving you ten questions, just like last time, but Tetsuya-kun, you have to get at least seven right this time. Matsuda-kun… I’ll let you off with five.”
“Hold on, why does Miura only have to get two more right than last time, while I have to get four more right? This is discrimination.”
“Aren’t you embarrassed that you only got one right last time?”
“Embarrassed? I’m so proud of myself for getting even one subjective question right that I’m going crazy.”
“Then aim for at least five right this time to boost your self-esteem even more.”
Miyuki took out two folded A4 sheets and a thick notebook from her bag and placed them in front of Tetsuya and me.
“The questions are tailored to your levels. You have 40 minutes. That’s a lot of time, right? So don’t give up if you get stuck, try different formulas.”
“We’re doing this now?”
“No. After you finish your melon.”
Miyuki smiled sweetly and sat down.
She took a bite of the melon with her fork and let out a sigh of contentment.
Her gaze, filled with warmth, seemed even stronger than before.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
