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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
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*squeak!* *screech!*
The sound of friction echoed as athletic shoes with good grip met the gym court.
Sitting on a low vaulting horse at the corner of the gym, I watched as the female students played volleyball.
“Block!”
“Got it!”
Responding to a female student’s urgent cry, Miyuki, who was playing as the libero, skillfully saved the ball flying in her direction.
*thump!*
The volleyball slowly bounced up.
It was at just the right speed and height for the setter to toss.
She excels in academics and is athletically gifted too…
What can our Miyuki not do?
She’s the perfect realization of a “childhood friend” kind of heroine.
“Nice block!”
At Tetsuya’s cheer, who was sitting beside me, Miyuki flashed a bright smile and raised one hand to wave.
It briefly looked like she was responding to Tetsuya, but…
That greeting was undoubtedly meant for me.
“Hey, Matsuda, doesn’t Miyuki seem in good form today?”
Tetsuya asked, his face beaming with a smile.
This is what I replied:
“Well, I don’t know…”
“She seemed pretty talkative in the car today. Seems like something good must have happened?”
This guy was being more meddlesome than usual, making it so that my hand was constantly against my forehead.
“I have no idea. I’m going to leave soon, why don’t you go play basketball or something?”
“The weather is so muggy…”
As much as I dislike Tetsuya, I couldn’t help but agree with what he just said.
It was one of those days when the rain poured non-stop, and the humidity made it unpleasant to sweat.
Has the rainy season arrived late?
Still, I wouldn’t have been so irritated because of it, but having Tetsuya next to me made things more annoying.
I stepped away from him and casually lay down in a corner of the gym.
Normally in a gym like this, getting hit by a stray ball would be a cliché event…
Classmates would glance over, their faces flushed as they gauged my reaction…
Then Miyuki would rush over to check on me, pleading for me not to get angry…
Though not thrilled, I would swallow my temper upon hearing Miyuki’s words…
This could easily pass as a love comedy-style redemption scene.
As the sound of balls bouncing around the gym grew fainter and the chatter of the students gradually subsided…
I kept daydreaming about such cliché events until I eventually drifted off to sleep.
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“Matsuda-kun.”
A pure voice tingles my ears.
How strange.
I’m someone who enjoys his sleep, yet at the sound of Miyuki calling me, I wake up straight away.
*poke, poke.*
Feeling something sharp prod my shoulder, I pretended to still be asleep and turned restlessly.
Lying on my side with my back to where the voice was coming from—
*whoosh…*
I shivered as a warm breath suddenly entered my ear.
Startled, I vigorously shook my head and jolted upright.
And there I found Miyuki, her face flushed, looking back at me in disbelief.
“What are you doing?”
“I blew air into your ear, Matsuda-kun. To wake you up.”
She’s so nonchalant about it… She’s really changed.
Is she becoming more like me?
I massaged my ear vigorously with my finger and said,
“Why are you waking me up during lunchtime?”
“I woke you up because it’s lunchtime. We need to clear out the gym. Let’s get up and go eat.”
Feeling your breath against my ear nearly got me rock hard.
How was I supposed to get up like this?
I looked around, and there was not a single person in sight.
Seems everyone left as soon as the class ended.
With a long sigh to shake off my fatigue, I grumbled.
“What’s up with those guys? Leaving me here to sleep…”
“They were afraid you’d get angry if they woke you. You were just about to snap at me, weren’t you?”
“That’s because you were doing something weird.”
“I woke you up that way on purpose. I wanted to see how much Matsuda-kun, who used to throw punches at anyone, has changed.”
What a convenient excuse.
“Where’s Miura? Why are you here alone?”
“Tetsuya-kun was called by a teacher, so he’ll be at the faculty office for a little while.”
“A teach, huh? Which one?”
“A ‘teacher.’”
Letting out a hollow laugh, I leaned my head against the gym wall.
Then, with a soft chuckle, Miyuki sat beside me and began smoothing out the folds of her uniform skirt.
The unique aroma of apricot from Miyuki, fresh out of the shower, dissipated the gym’s muggy and musty smell.
Her still-damp hair wafted a scent of mint, refreshing not just my nose but also my soul.
*drip* *drop*
The sound of raindrops against the gym window served to further mellow the gradually lowering atmosphere.
“It’s raining a lot… isn’t it?”
“Uh, it’s pouring down hard.”
Times like these are perfect for sleeping at home with the sound of rain as a lullaby.
The overcast sky, veiling the sun, would feel comforting too.
“Are you going to wait for me…?”
Miyuki’s question came as she gathered her legs and curled them together.
I turned my head to counter-ask.
“It doesn’t look like the rain is going to stop anytime soon. What do you want to do today?”
Did she like the fact that my answer was hidden within my own question?
Miyuki’s face brightened.
“I’m not sure either. Maybe go to the arcade?”
“No.”
“How about a café, like yesterday?”
“No.”
“…Then… let’s watch a movie?”
Is that all you can think of for a date spot?
Have you become so unoriginal from hanging out with Tetsuya all the time?
Indoor activities are fine, but they lack excitement.
I really need to broaden your horizons.
“No.”
“Huh… Then you decide, Matsuda-kun.”
Miyuki’s tone sounded a bit offended.
Suppressing a smirk, I grabbed her wrist and lay her on my lap.
I then began to gently stroke her smooth fingernails.
“Ah, what are you doing…?”
Her tone was slightly petulant, tinged with a hint of cuteness.
She was showing no signs of pulling away.
Silently stroking Miyuki’s nails, I deepened the already enigmatic atmosphere. As she unconsciously brought her hand up to her forehead, I finally spoke.
“We’ll be hungry if we stay out too late… Wouldn’t it be better to start with dinner?”
“…Hmm …What do you want to eat?”
“Let’s go eat at my place.”
“At… your place…?”
Her eyes widened, surprised by my unexpected suggestion.
“Yeah, let’s eat at my place and then decide where to go from there. What do you think?”
“…”
Miyuki’s face instantly flushed.
She had often come to my place alone before.
During vacations, she’d bring bentos, and when the weather started to heat up, she’d arrive early to bask in the cool breeze from the air conditioner.
It was a very casual thing for her.
I had also suggested that we start studying together, and each time, Miyuki had readily agreed.
But now, Miyuki was very shy and hesitant.
This was a result of how our relationship has developed.
Miyuki and I had already crossed several boundaries of physical intimacy.
Just yesterday, we had shared a kiss in a secluded space, creating an electric atmosphere even on the car ride home.
Given what we’ve been through, suggesting we go to my place alone would feel different, even if the words are the same.
And the weather, growing increasingly romantic, likely played its part as well.
In moments like this, a gentle nudge is often all it takes.
With that thought in mind, I flipped Miyuki’s hand over and clasped it in mine.
“Thought you were worried about my health. I can’t cook, you know.”
“…Are you trying to get me to cook for you right now?”
“I’m not trying to get you to do anything. Just asking how you’d feel about it. If you’re not up for it, we can always eat out.”
“I-I don’t mind it, but…”
“We don’t have any ingredients at home, so we’d have to go grocery shopping first.”
“Wait… I haven’t even decided whether to go or not yet. Let me think and I’ll tell you.”
Think positively.
It’s not like I said we’d be doing anything inappropriate, right?
Rather than giving a verbal response, I shook my head slowly and stood up.
“Let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”
“Ah, okay…”
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“Hmm…!”
Chinami examined the equipment seriously, her expression suggesting something wasn’t quite right.
She plunged her hand into it, then withdrew it to sniff at the scent lingering on her skin.
Then, she spread her hand open right in front of my nose.
“Take a whiff.”
I leaned in and sniffed her petite palm.
“There’s a faint smell of alcohol. Should I wipe it again?”
“No, this is good enough. Consider it a passing grade. This is me giving you praise. Keep it up like this from now on.”
If that’s the case, then why were you frowning just now?
Chinami’s mind is as hard to read as ever.
Just as I was about to leave the equipment storage room…
Chinami abruptly grabbed my wrist, forcing me to pause.
“What’s up?”
“Matsuda-kouhai, what did I say you should do when we’re cleaning the supplies on rainy days?”
“Ah, I forgot about the dehumidifier.”
“Exactly, exactly. On such humid days, you must turn on the dehumidifier.”
Chinami, hesitating for a moment, activated the dehumidifier tucked away in the corner of the storage room.
As she turned back to leave, she—
*bonk!*
“Ouch!”
—bumped her head right into my chest.
A scream that sounds like ‘ouch’? Somehow, that’s amusing.
It’s an overreaction peculiar to Japanese culture, but maybe because I’ve gotten used to it here, it now feels cute to me.
Suddenly, I find myself curious about what her moans might sound like.
Frowning and clutching her nose, Chinami scolded me.
“Matsuda-kouhai, what do you think you’re doing blocking the way?”
“I was going to turn on the dehumidifier.”
“Didn’t you see me turning it on just now?”
“No, I didn’t. I was checking on the cleaning supplies.”
“So you were distracted then…! It’s dangerous to get distracted in the storage room, so next time—”
Chinami abruptly stopped speaking.
It was because I had gently placed my hand on the nape of her neck.
“I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
Pretending to check Chinami’s condition in a concerned voice, I gently rubbed the back of her neck with just the right amount of pressure.
“Ahn~…”
Her eyes suddenly widened, and a languid moan escaped her lips.
So, she likes massages?
I should do this more often, then.
Chinami’s eyes, which had been feeling my touch for a while, returned to focus.
With a small grumble, she shook off my arm, brought her hands to her waist, and started to scold me.
“Matsuda-kouhai, what do you think you’re doing, touching someone like that?”
“No… I got worried because I saw your head snap back so suddenly, Master.”
“I’m glad that you’re concerned, but don’t you know it’s polite to ask first?”
“I thought I’d heard something snap… I’ll be more careful next time.”
“Did I really hit myself that hard? Well, whatever the case, be careful. We’re still within the Kendo Club’s grounds. If the Coach or Captain sees you disregarding etiquette, you’ll be in serious trouble. You get that, right?”
Yeah, right. Etiquette.
Soon enough, in this very storage room, not to mention the women’s locker room, and even the shower, Renka and I will be up to a lot more than just kendo practice.
The chair in the coach’s office seems to be pretty comfortable as well… That might be another good spot for some ‘practice.’
“Yes.”
“Good, then…”
Just as Chinami was about to speak,
“-Thank you for your hard work, Coach!”
Cheers from the club members outside the storage room filled the air.
Club activities must have ended.
Chinami, looking at the tightly closed door, licked her lips before speaking.
“It looks like the club activities are over. What’s our duty now?”
“To collect the training uniforms.”
“Correct. Shall we go?”
“Alright.”
“Oh, and Matsuda-kouhai.”
“Yes?”
“Could you stay a bit after we finish collecting? Since it’s raining today and we couldn’t practice, I plan to hold some practice sessions inside the club room. Of course, if you’re busy, you’re free to go.”
Spending time productively while waiting for Miyuki?
Sounds perfect to me.
I couldn’t help but flash a grin at Chinami.
“I’m not busy. I can stay for a while.”
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