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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
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“Matsuda, come here for a second.”
During club activities, I had changed into my kendo uniform, excited to see Chinami again, but Renka’s callout made me frown.
Seeing my expression, Renka bristled and challenged me.
“D-Do you have a complaint?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then what’s with that look on your face…!?”
“What about my face?”
“You just looked at me like I was bothering you…!”
It was good to see Renka becoming more conscious of my reactions. If this continued, she would soon be craving my attention.
“I didn’t do anything like that.”
I approached Renka, feigning innocence, and continued,
“Why did you call me? Do you have something to say?”
The wrinkles on Renka’s nose disappeared. She seemed to have realized that throwing a tantrum wouldn’t get her anywhere.
That’s right, a slave should know their place. I’ll give you a gold star for good behavior.
“I… I just wanted to ask if you were training well.”
“I’m learning a lot from Master.”
“Do you practice on your own at home?”
“Not too much recently, to be honest.”
“The tournament is right around the corner.”
“I’ve been a little busy.”
“…Hey. I know everyone’s different, but I think the Senpou is the second most important team member after the captain. If you get complacent and don’t perform well, it won’t just affect you, but the whole team.”
That kind of thing only happened to supporting characters or villains. As the protagonist, I was exempt from such things.
That being said, I should still practice. Talent was useless without effort.
I answered honestly and seriously, thinking the kind of thoughts that would come out of a passionate shonen sports drama.
“I understand. I’ll work hard with Teacher.”
“…Good.”
“By the way, Captain.”
“What?”
“What did you and Master eat yesterday? Peach yogurt?”
“You can ask her yourself.”
“That’s true. But… Why did you make me look like a liar yesterday?”
“…A liar?”
“You said I was lying when I said it snowed.”
Renka’s expression turned awkward.
“Y-You overheard that…?”
“You said it loud enough for anyone to hear.”
“Well… neither Chinami or I saw it…”
“But I saw it, so I was asking if you or Master had seen it too. And you shouldn’t judge people so easily just because you didn’t see it.”
“…”
“You’ve got nothing to say for yourself? I’ll remember this.”
I could use this as leverage to ask for a reward from Renka during the kendo tournament. Like, if I won the vanguard match without losing a single point, I would ask for something. She would obviously refuse, but I could just bring up how she had slandered me and called me a liar.
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“Beginners like you don’t usually participate as the vanguard. It’s a position second only to the captain, so they usually put forward a very strong kendoist.”
Chinami said, popping a piece of peach into her mouth. She was parroting what Renka had said. So they both agreed on the importance of the vanguard and captain positions.
“Is that so?”
“Usually, yes. Would you like a bit of peach?”
“Yes, please.”
“Here.”
Chinami rummaged through the sealed container decorated with Momo-chan using a small plastic fork and offered me the largest piece of peach. I popped it into my mouth and chewed, prompting a giggle from Chinami.
“It’s nice to see you eat so well. But be careful, you might end up putting up weight.”
“If I become a pig, I’m counting on you to take care of me, Master.”
Chinami’s cheeks flushed. She seemed to have interpreted my words as a suggestive double entendre.
“P-Please refrain from saying such things… It’s not appropriate to say such things in a place like this where someone might hear…”
Her reaction confirmed my suspicions. I had just made an innocent joke… Chinami was becoming a pervert. Or rather, was her true nature finally awakening?
I smacked my lips, trying to get rid of the lingering taste of peach, and brushed my finger against Chinami’s lips. Before she could say anything, I licked the peach juice off my finger.
“Eek…!”
Chinami flinched and covered her eyes. She looked adorable pressing her palms against her eyelids. The Momo-chan container on her lap somehow made her look even cuter.
I was starting to become obsessed with Momo-chan myself.
“M-Matsuda-kouhai…! Such indecent behavior…”
I chuckled at Chinami’s grandmotherly tone and pulled her hands away from her face.
“What’s so indecent about it?”
“I-I don’t know…! That’s not important right now! We need to think about our strategy for the tournament and focus on training…! And you’re distracting me…!”
“I was listening, but you were the one who offered me a peach first and complimented me on how well I was eating.”
“…Did I…? A-Anyway, let’s start again. Really… sigh…”
Chinami fanned herself as if to cool down her flushed face and let out a strange sound. After composing herself, she continued,
“So, I think it’s best to launch a preemptive strike as soon as the match starts. Take a stance and then strike downwards.”
Right. The first strike was crucial.
“I see.”
“However, since your posture, swordsmanship, and spirit aren’t refined yet, your opponent will likely block your attack and counterattack. In that case… wait a moment…”
Chinami set the Momo-chan container aside and stood up. She clasped her hands together as if holding an imaginary shinai, took a step back, flicked her wrist, and looked at me.
“In that case, you step back half a step like this, and strike back, aiming for your opponent’s wrist. Do you understand?”
“Your explanation is so clear, it’s easy to understand.”
“Heh heh… You flatter me. Practice this attack and counterattack repeatedly until the tournament so you can master it.”
Chinami, her ego boosted by my compliment, sat back down and resumed eating her peach. I stared at her and asked,
“Is that all I need to practice?”
“Of course, you’ll also practice other basic techniques.”
“Alright.”
“Okay.”
“Yes.”
“…”
“…”
“…Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Give me a piece of peach.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I ate it all by myself.”
She hurriedly offered me the container. Seeing her apologetic expression, I realized she hadn’t intended to eat it all by herself.
It was a funny yet sweet situation. Not bad.
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*clack!*
Renka and Tetsuya clashed shinai and quickly retreated. Renka maintained her balance and posture perfectly, while Tetsuya stumbled, losing his footing. Seizing the opportunity, Renka lunged forward again, taking a large step.
“Head!”
*thwack!*
A heavy thud echoed through the room, and the third-year senior acting as the referee raised a flag.
“Ippon!”
Tetsuya, having taken the hit to the head and lost the point, patted his men dejectedly and walked to the center of the court. He and Renka bowed to each other, their shinai tips touching, then retrieved their shinai and stepped back out of the court, making eye contact.
“Good job. Much better than yesterday.”
Renka praised Tetsuya after their short match.
Struggling to remove his men, Tetsuya said,
“No, I still have a long way to go.”
“It’s good to have a lot of matches before the tournament. It’ll give you more experience. Come here, I’ll help you untie your straps.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.”
Seriously… What the hell?
Here I was working my ass off, and that fucker was getting pampered by Renka like that?
Why was Renka taking care of that hanger-on? And without my permission, no less… Since when did slaves have free will?
She needed some discipline. I’ll have to punish her later.
“Captain! Could you look over here for a second?”
I called out to Renka in a fairly loud voice. She flinched and looked over at me.
“What?”
“I have something to tell you.”
“…Wait a moment.”
Renka glanced at me suspiciously, then finished carefully untying Tetsuya’s men straps before walking over to me.
“What is it…? Is there a problem?”
“No problem. Just help me fold these towels.”
I pushed half of the towels towards Renka. She chuckled and crossed her arms.
“Are you crazy? That’s incredibly shameless of you.”
“Let’s fold them together.”
“No. Why should I?”
“Because I told you to.”
“Don’t be absurd…! I’m teaching the others right now…!”
“Together.”
“…I’m going. Do whatever you want.”
“Go ahead and try leaving.”
“And what’s stopping me?”
“Let’s go then.”
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Thanks Neko!!!
Thx for the chapter ❤️