—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“What’s with the get-up today? You look nice.”
That was my greeting to Miyuki when she arrived for our lesson.
Unlike her usual frumpy attire, today she looked… different.
She was wearing high-waisted, dark blue denim shorts that stopped just above her knees, paired with a tucked-in white T-shirt and white sneakers. A light cream-colored, short-sleeved shirt, meant to be worn open, completed the look.
The only eyesore was her usual bulky black bag, but overall, it was a refreshing summer outfit.
It suited her image well, emphasizing her innocent charm.
The sight of her long, slender legs sparked a possessive urge within me.
I couldn’t wait to leave my mark on those knees.
Maybe she dressed up to impress me? It wouldn’t hurt to think that, would it?
Yes, let’s go with that.
“Thanks, Matsuda-kun,” she replied with a cheerful smile, stepping inside.
As I moved aside to let her pass, I noticed Tetsuya staring at me with admiration.
He envied my boldness, my ability to say things he couldn’t.
Tetsuya would never be able to give a compliment like that. He’d just think to himself, ‘Miyuki… you’re so beautiful…’ Like a pathetic loser.
Or, if Miyuki were to ask, ‘How do I look?’ he’d muster a dry ‘Oh, it suits you,’ and that would be the end of it.
“You used wax today?” I asked, noticing the flattened sides of Tetsuya’s hair.
“Yeah. Does it look okay?”
“Better than last time. But you need to brush the sides forward as you flatten them, not just press them down.”
“Like this?”
“Yeah, something like that. And don’t use too much, it looks a bit greasy right now.”
“Got it. Thanks, Matsuda.”
Don’t mistake this for kindness.
If it were just the two of us, I wouldn’t have bothered teaching you anything.
As always, Miyuki made a beeline for the plants before heading to the living room.
“I’ll have to get more fertilizer soon,” she said. She seemed pleased with their progress.
“Maybe you should be the one taking supplements,” I quipped.
“Why?”
“Just looking out for you.”
Miyuki’s lips formed a pout, realizing I was teasing her about her height again.
I knew I had to be careful not to push it too far.
While it wasn’t her biggest insecurity, height was a sensitive topic for most people. I wouldn’t want to make her feel bad.
This was as far as I could go for now.
I stifled a chuckle and extended my hand towards her.
“Give me your bag.”
“It’s fine… I’m about to head inside anyway.”
“Already? Shouldn’t you take a break? You still need to tend to your precious plants.”
“It’s time for your punishment. Both of you.”
“Punishment? What did Miura ever do to deserve this?”
“Being friends with someone like Matsuda-kun is a sin in itself.”
Tetsuya and I weren’t friends. We were rivals.
Predator and prey, to be precise.
Though, to be honest, I wasn’t sure if he even considered me a rival.
What about you, Tetsuya? Do you see me as a friend?
“It’s fine, I actually study more thanks to Matsuda,” Tetsuya replied with his usual airheadedness.
His cluelessness was both infuriating and advantageous.
Muttering to myself, I sat down at the table and opened my textbook.
Miyuki took a seat between Tetsuya and me, sighing casually,
“It’s getting hotter by the day… I want that mango ice cream I had yesterday…”
We had ice cream after the movie.
The girl who spilled her drink had caused quite a stir, and Miyuki had burst out laughing.
So, she was reminiscing about our date. But, dear Miyuki, you’ve just had a little slip-up.
“Mango ice cream?” Tetsuya asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Miyuki’s face paled.
Tetsuya didn’t know about our little outing.
She needed a good excuse, and fast, unless she planned on confessing.
I watched her with amusement, curious to see how she’d handle this.
Her eyes darted around before settling on Tetsuya, a nervous smile plastered on her face.
“Ah, that… I had some after we parted ways at the arcade yesterday… It was really good.”
“Really? I’ve never had mango ice cream before… We should go get some together sometime.”
“Y-Yeah, sure…”
The lie was proof that her feelings for Tetsuya were still stronger.
She was probably worried about making him jealous.
But it also meant that my presence was slowly making its way into her heart.
If she had truly seen me as just a friend, she wouldn’t have hesitated to mention our movie date and the ice cream.
This little tug-of-war wasn’t something to be upset about; it was a welcome development.
This ambiguous situation would only add to her inner turmoil.
She’d be forced to confront the reason behind her lies, the reason she was choosing to spend time with me despite her feelings for Tetsuya.
And that was when she would truly realize her true feelings.
I flashed her a knowing smirk, enjoying her obvious discomfort.
“Hmm…”
Clearing her throat, she took out her textbook, trying to regain her composure.
“English today, right? We’ll start with a quick review of yesterday’s grammar lesson.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Today, I couldn’t bear the thought of letting her leave so soon.
It was the first time she dressed up for me. There was no way I was letting her go just yet.
As soon as our lesson ended, I pretended to be busy on my phone and sent her a message.
[Want to go get ice cream again today? You, me, and Miura.]
Buzz!
Miyuki’s phone, resting on the tatami mat, vibrated.
She glanced at the message, her head tilted slightly in my direction.
Then, her eyes returned to the screen.
[Tetsuya-kun probably thinks I went to an ice cream shop near my house, right…?]
[The shop is near your house, though.]
[But what if the cashier asks, “Here with your boyfriend again?” What then?]
I deliberately mentioned Tetsuya, knowing she would overthink it.
Besides, I already knew he wouldn’t be joining us.
[If you’re that worried, come alone.]
[I’ll think about it.]
[I’ll be leaving a bit later. Meet me there right after you drop off Miura and your bag.]
[I said I’ll think about it.]
[I’ll be waiting.]
Miyuki glared at me, exasperated by my pushiness.
She looked sexy even when she was glaring. Give me a blowjob with that look on your face.
“What are you two up to? You’ve been glued to your phones this whole time,” Tetsuya said, ready to leave.
Putting my phone away, I replied nonchalantly,
“Looking at cars.”
“Still haven’t decided?”
“Even I have to be careful when buying a car.”
Miura chuckled at my self-deprecating joke.
“That’s true. What about you, Miyuki?” Tetsuya asked.
“Huh…? I was just… talking to a friend.”
“Who? Nanase?”
“No, someone you don’t know, Tetsuya-kun.”
“You have new friends I don’t know about? Did you make a new friend at the academy?”
“Y-Yeah, something like that… Are you done packing? Let’s go.”
She stood up, slinging her heavy bag over her shoulder.
“Want to stop by the manga café?” Tetsuya asked.
Why was he always asking her to hang out?
Go play video games with your other friends, the few you have.
Miyuki hesitated for a moment. “Actually… Maybe not today. Sorry.”
She rejected his invitation outright this time, no lies.
It was a shame she didn’t make up an excuse, but at least she seemed intent on meeting me. I’d let it slide for now.
“Really? Okay then. Well, Matsuda, we’ll be going now.”
Tetsuya, looking disappointed, gave me a small wave.
I responded with a subtle middle finger, hidden from Miyuki’s view. He grinned and walked out. I headed for my closet.
What to wear…? A shirt, shorts, a belt, and loafers?
Too dandy, I didn’t like it.
I opted for something casual, something befitting our outing.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“It’s so damn hot… This is unbearable…” I grumbled, waiting for the pedestrian light to change.
Miyuki, walking beside me, looked up. “That bad?”
“Yeah. And it’s not even raining… At this rate, we’ll be cooked alive by August. What’s taking so long?”
“You’re so impatient, Matsuda-kun. Just wait. And by the way, Tetsuya-kun told me you flipped him off when we were leaving your place.”
“What?”
“You know, with your middle finger.”
That little snitch.
I’m sure he didn’t mean it maliciously, but it still irritated me.
As if you’re not spending your days fawning over the girls you’ll never have.
“Just messing with him. Can’t even joke around with a friend anymore? Might as well tell me to stop breathing while you’re at it.”
“I was joking too. I’ll let it slide this time, seeing as it was meant to be funny…”
It wasn’t a joke. It was a sincere expression of my feelings.
Scowling, I casually rested my elbow on Miyuki’s shoulder and crossed my leg, leaning into her.
She glanced back at me.
“Matsuda-kun, you’re heavy.”
She didn’t ask me to move or even try to dodge. Just a simple “you’re heavy.”
I guess my actions weren’t bothering her that much?
I’ll make sure to do this more often.
Suppressing a triumphant yell, I replied,
“Your shoulder’s the perfect height for resting my arm. It’d be a crime not to.”
“…Trying to make fun of my height again?”
“Don’t be so paranoid. I didn’t mean it like that. Just lend me your shoulder every now and then, okay?”
“No.”
“Oof, cold.”
“I learned it from you.”
The pedestrian light turned green as we chatted.
Miyuki, without a word, stepped forward, and my arm slid off her shoulder.
I stumbled, caught off guard by the sudden shift in weight.
Miyuki, chuckling at my clumsy attempt to regain my balance, turned her attention back to the road.
I caught up to her and complained,
“Taking off without warning? What if I fell?”
“I knew you wouldn’t. You’re athletic, after all.”
“Well, I am pretty good at sports.”
“Don’t get cocky over a fake compliment. You’re like a puppy.”
“Trying to pick a fight? Didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Against you? I think I’d win.”
“Oh, now you’re asking for a beatdown… Come here.”
As I slowly reached out to grab the collar of her shirt, she giggled and darted forward.
I knew you’d have more fun with me than with boring old Tetsuya.
I won’t let you down.
Her reaction told me she had forgotten all about the awkward situation at my place.
It was best not to bring it up again.
Let it go, and my image in her eyes might actually improve.
Time to ask something else, something to lighten the mood.
“What made you ditch that long skirt today?” I asked, matching her pace.
“Just… felt like it.”
“You should dress like this more often.”
“Are you saying that because you actually hate it and want me to get laughed at?”
“I’m serious, it suits you. I told you that this morning too.”
Did she sense the sincerity in my voice?
She turned her head slightly, avoiding my gaze. Her voice was barely a whisper, drowned out by the surrounding noise.
“…Thanks. You look… nice today too.”
That compliment, right there, just breathed new life into me.
I felt like I could fly.
Feigning confusion, I frowned.
“You think my outfit would suit you? Are you making fun of me?”
“That’s not… Sigh, never mind. Let’s just go.”
With an exasperated sigh, she quickened her pace.
She was embarrassed, that was cute.
Following close behind, I thought about the final summer break event, scheduled for August.
One more event to go, then all I had to do was hang out with Miyuki as much as possible until school started again.
And once I’ve finally quit the Supreme Circle, I’d make my move.
By then, it would’ve been almost three months of us seeing each other almost daily, building a connection.
That was more than enough time for love to blossom, right?
I have faith in you, Miyuki.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
