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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
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“Matsuda-kun, why did you buy a laptop?”
Is that the first thing you ask after waking up?
Curious about what’s on it, are you? You’ll find out eventually.
I wiped the sleep from Miyuki’s eyes, rubbed my own, and replied, “It’s good to have a computer.”
“That’s true, but… it’s so sudden, isn’t it? You didn’t even mention buying one.”
“I don’t think it’s that sudden.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Did you have a good time at your relatives’ place?”
“Yes. I brought back some yakiniku meat; let’s eat it at my place later. Mom said she wants to have it with you.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, and Mom said something strange. When I…”
Miyuki told me about what had happened at her home before she came over. I listened to her story, half-asleep, and then grinned smugly.
“See? I told you she knew. How could she not, with you being so obvious?”
“…You have such a punchable face…”
“So, what are you going to do now?”
“What can I do? She knows now, so I’ll just act natural. I just hope she doesn’t interfere.”
Unsolicited relationship advice was the most annoying thing, unless you specifically asked for it. So, it was officially family-approved now? It was about time.
I smoothed Miyuki’s messy hair and said, “I don’t think she will. But it seems like she knows about you staying over, too. It’ll be awkward when you go back, won’t it?”
“I think Mom didn’t bring it up because she was being considerate. I’m not going to mention it either.”
“Good idea.”
*pitter-patter*
I was having a leisurely conversation with Miyuki when the sound of rain caught my attention. It was the same for Miyuki, as she opened the window slightly, welcoming the rain.
“It’s been a while since it rained this much. The forecast didn’t mention anything about rain.”
Miyuki said, her face brightening as she stood up. I massaged her calves through her jeans and nodded in agreement. Miyuki looked at me incredulously and scolded me.
“What are you doing as soon as I get up?”
“Massaging your calves.”
“Why are you massaging my calves…?”
“I’m hungry. Want to go out for food? How about that ramen place?”
The ramen shop with the sticky note featuring chibi versions of Miyuki and me. Miyuki’s face lit up.
“I like that place.”
“Let’s go then.”
“Okay.”
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The rain, which had started yesterday, was so heavy it felt like the rainy season had returned. It showed no signs of stopping, even today. It would have been a perfect day to stay in with Miyuki… It was a shame that this couldn’t be the case today.
I sat through my classes in the humid classroom. When lunchtime arrived, I headed to the cafeteria with Miyuki and Tetsuya. We had a normal lunch, and then,
“Miyuki, come with me to the store for a bit. I’ll buy you strawberry milk.”
“Oh? Okay.”
“Want to share my umbrella?”
“No. I have one.”
“Oh, okay…”
I smirked as Tetsuya, who had tried to get close to Miyuki, was flatly rejected. He wasn’t even competition anymore, so why did I feel so satisfied seeing him flustered? He was a mystery.
“Matsuda-kun, want to come too?”
Miyuki asked, moving closer as if to share her umbrella with me, unlike how she treated Tetsuya. She had become more assertive lately, which was a most welcome change.
I waved my hand.
“No. I have to go to the clubroom with Nanase-senpai to turn on the dehumidifier. The bogu can’t get damp.”
“That’s a lot of work. Okay, see you later. Say hello to Nanase-senpai for me.”
“Sure.”
I watched them walk away, my eyes gleaming. They were together, but not as close as before. Of course, it could be because they were using separate umbrellas… but Miyuki had also flatly rejected Tetsuya’s offer just now. I liked that she was putting up a wall between them.
I tilted my umbrella slightly, looked up at the gloomy sky, inhaled the earthy scent, and turned to go back to the classroom. But then I spotted Renka coming out of the cafeteria and changed my mind.
“Hello, captain.”
I greeted her casually as I walked towards her. Renka grimaced.
“Ugh…!”
Her face contorted as if she had been stabbed by her worst enemy. It was quite a sight. But why hadn’t I seen her in the cafeteria? Chinami and Renka were always noticeable together. Did they eat in a corner? Probably.
“Nice weather, isn’t it?”
“…What’s nice about this heavy rain?”
“You don’t seem to like rain.”
“I hate how gloomy it is.”
We stood facing each other, each under our own umbrella, like a scene from a youth drama, but our conversation was anything but.
“I like it.”
“So what…?”
“I wish you liked it too.”
“That’ll never happen.”
Then I’ll make you like it.
“When are you free for the cosplay?”
Renka frantically looked around. She was trying to hide her face with her umbrella, but with her long hair, it was pointless. She could be so clueless sometimes.
The area around the cafeteria was deserted, only the sound of rain filling the air. Relieved that no one was around, Renka took a step closer and hissed,
“Shut up…! Why are you bringing that up now?”
“It’s better than talking about it in the clubroom. I’m doing this because no one’s around.”
“…”
“So, when are you free?”
“It hasn’t even been that long since the wish ended. Why are you in such a hurry…? Wait a bit.”
“I’m excited about it.”
“Wh-what…?”
She was visibly flustered by my blatant display of desire. She stumbled backward, her face paling.
“E-excited…?”
“Yes. I can’t wait.”
“Are you crazy…?”
“I’ve already ordered the outfit. It should arrive tomorrow.”
“Hey…! Why did you order it without asking me…!”
“We only need to discuss the date and time. I thought I had the sole discretion over the outfit.”
“That’s true, but… what did you order…?”
She looked up at me from under her lashes. It was cute. I smiled smugly.
“You’ll see. You’ll like it.”
“I doubt that… A-anyway, we can talk about that later… We can text.”
I’ll call you. I want to hear your voice.
I swallowed those words, wiped my mouth, and then smiled brightly as I saw Chinami walking towards us from the cafeteria. I rushed over and held my umbrella over her.
“Master, did you have a good lunch?”
Chinami smiled and nodded.
“Yes. How about you, Matsuda-kouhai?”
“I did, too. Oh, Miyuki said hi.”
“Oh! Hanazawa-san? I haven’t talked to her lately. I should give her a call.”
Renka, who had joined us at some point, was chuckling. She seemed amused by my unusually friendly demeanor towards Chinami, which was completely different from how I treated her. Would she get jealous later?
Chinami, noticing Renka’s reaction, tilted her head slightly.
“Hmm? What’s so funny?”
Renka waved her hand dismissively.
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“Okay. Why don’t you head back to the classroom first? Matsuda-kouhai and I need to prepare for cleaning.”
“I’ll help.”
“You don’t have to. We just need to turn on the dehumidifiers and check the shinai and bogu. It’ll take less than 15 minutes.”
“The more hands, the better, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
“Then it’s settled. Let’s go. We can share my umbrella.”
It was heartwarming to see Renka trying to protect Chinami from me. I hoped their friendship would last.
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Renka pretended to check the bogu while keeping a close eye on Chinami and me. She seemed much more wary after I “revealed my preferences” on Saturday. Did she realize she was only acting like this with me? I had specifically told her that.
I kept my eyes on the bogu, but my attention was on Renka. I gestured towards her with my chin.
“Captain.”
“…What.”
“That bogu you’ve been looking at for the past two minutes? I already checked it.”
“You still have a lot to learn. I’m just double-checking, since you’re still inexperienced.”
She was quick on her feet, coming up with a plausible excuse without missing a beat.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then teach me. I want to learn what to look for.”
I took a large step to the side, pressing myself against Renka. She gasped, her arms twitching as she momentarily lost her grip on the bogu. She tightened her hold just in time, gritting her teeth.
“G-get away from me…! Do you want to die…?”
She hissed, keeping her voice low so Chinami wouldn’t hear. She didn’t want her best friend to hear her cursing.
“Why? You said you’d teach me. By the way, what shampoo do you use?”
“Why do you want to know…?”
“It smells nice.”
Renka’s face rapidly turned crimson at my indirect compliment. Her flustered expression was adorable. I chuckled, about to tease her further, when,
“What are you two whispering about? Is there something wrong with the bogu?”
Chinami approached us, looking puzzled. I gave her a warm smile.
“I asked Renka to teach me how to properly inspect a bogu. You have taught me well, Master, but I think it’s important to see things from different perspectives to improve. Especially since Renka has more experience than Master… I want to learn from her as well.”
“Oh…! That’s a wonderful attitude…! I can see you growing as a kendoist, Matsuda-kouhai…!”
Chinami clapped her hands in delight. Renka sighed deeply at her innocent reaction.
“This is insane… There’s no other way to look at a bogu…”
Renka muttered under her breath, then abruptly picked up a kote and pointed inside.
“Stick your hand in. See if it’s damp.”
“Okay. But isn’t this yours, Captain?”
“Mine?”
“Yes. You just took it from the shelf with your name on it, ‘Inoo Renka’.”
“What…?”
Renka checked the name tag and the kote in surprise. I seized the opportunity and quickly slipped my hand inside, smiling smugly.
*slide…*
My hand entered the cool interior of the kote. It felt like I was inserting something into Renka’s soft, delicate skin.
“Hmm… it’s a little damp. I’ll clean it for you today.”
Did she sense something suggestive in my words and actions? Renka’s face turned red and then blue. I had intentionally spoken ambiguously, but her reaction suggested she was having lewd thoughts… She was quite the pervert herself.
Her reactions had become much more entertaining since that day. I looked forward to the days ahead.
I needed to give Chinami her last massage soon, too, so I’d have to be busy this week.
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Thanks for the chapters Neko
Nice chappie!