Translator: RaidenTL
"...Tsuda-kun..."
A voice, still heavy with sleep, tickled my ear.
Something warm was squirming in my arms.
"Ngh..."
Letting out a sleep-drunk groan, I lifted my heavy eyelids to see Miyuki trying to slip out of my embrace.
"What are you doing...?"
Did she like my voice, deep and slightly hoarse from sleep?
A shiver ran through Miyuki's body.
"It's five... We have to get up now..."
"Is it that late already...?"
"Yeah... I set an alarm, didn't you hear it...?"
"Didn't hear a thing."
I pulled Miyuki's body tight against mine so she couldn't escape.
Her body, just after waking, was incredibly soft.
It felt like touching mochi. Dangerously addictive.
"I-I said we have to get up..."
"But isn't it cold?"
"Don't change the subject... Hurry up and get up... Ah, why are you so strong..."
Miyuki whimpered, unable to budge an inch.
I let out a weak laugh at the sight, released her, and sat up.
Lowering my heavy head and blinking my eyes, I listened to the sound of insects chirping from the darkness outside, which cleared my head a little.
The sound of rain had stopped, but it seemed a light drizzle was still falling.
I turned my body toward the open window, when—
Thud.
Miyuki rested her head on my shoulder, and I turned my head slightly.
Her messy hair tickled my cheek.
A bold show of affection, for Miyuki.
I let out a soft laugh and said, "Let's stay like this for five minutes, then go wash up."
"Okay..."
We enjoyed the ambiance of the dawn for a short while before heading to the bathroom sink.
Afterward, like a couple who had just started living together, we met each other's eyes and exchanged silly smiles. After washing our faces and brushing our teeth, we gathered Miyuki's things, went outside, and got in the car.
Was it because the car had soaked up moisture all night? It felt chilly inside.
Miyuki seemed to think the same thing. After buckling her seatbelt, she rubbed her shoulders.
Then, perhaps feeling self-conscious under my gaze, she started to fix the stray hairs sticking out here and there.
"Hey."
I called out to Miyuki in a casual, almost cocky tone. Her head turned stiffly toward me.
"What...?"
"Let's get something to eat before we go."
"Food...? All of a sudden...?"
"We have time, right?"
"Is there any place open at this hour...?"
"There's one a short drive away."
"Well, then..."
Miyuki trailed off, nodding her head.
I gave a grin to the girl who was tucking her hands between her thighs, and drove to a ramen shop that was open 24 hours.
The shop was quiet, with only a few customers who were on their way to work early.
Miyuki sat at a long, straight table in the corner and looked around, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.
"The atmosphere is nice... I didn't know there was a place like this nearby. But..."
Miyuki pointed to the Post-it notes stuck all over the shop's walls.
"Because of the Post-it notes, the traditional interior is..."
"Distracting?"
"Nooo... I was going to say it looks colorful... I didn't mean it in a bad way, I was about to say it looks more youthful and nice... Stop jumping to conclusions..."
She was clearly about to say it was distracting. What an act...
I chuckled as I watched Miyuki answer in a voice no louder than a mosquito's buzz, glancing nervously at the shop owner.
Seeming embarrassed by my reaction, she waved her hand and continued.
"I'll wash your clothes and give them back. And..."
She hesitated again. She must be wondering what to do with the underwear I bought her.
I decided to help her out.
"You can keep the underwear."
"...Do you have to say it so bluntly...?"
"Isn't it better than beating around the bush?"
"I guess so... Anyway, okay... Thanks."
"So, was it comfortable?"
"What was...?"
"The underwear. The package said it was super comfortable."
"Oh, come on...! Matsuda-kun...!"
A complaint escaped Miyuki's lips.
She seemed embarrassed by my sly teasing.
And yet, she didn't seem upset at all.
In fact, her expression soon softened, and she even broke into a smile that said, You're impossible.
I returned her smile to move on, then ordered two bowls of miso ramen from the owner and propped my elbows on the table.
Miyuki was closely examining the Post-it notes stuck around the shop.
Her eyes were sparkling.
"What? You want to write something too?"
"I'm just... a little intrigued...? Do I have to bring my own Post-it notes?"
"Nope. They're behind you."
I pointed over her shoulder. She whipped around and came back with a Post-it note and a pen.
Then, with fluid hand movements, she began to sketch something.
A picture slowly took shape.
In less than three minutes, Miyuki had drawn two characters, a boy and a girl. She picked up a pushpin from a container in the shop and stuck the Post-it in the farthest corner of our table.
It was a cute, charming drawing of two characters sitting side-by-side, looking at something with expressions of wonder.
It had a similar feel to the doodle I saw at school the other day...
But unlike last time, this one had capital letters above the characters' heads.
H.M. and M.K.
They were the initials from the English spellings of Hanazawa Miyuki and Matsuda Ken.
It was nice to see, like a glimpse into her current feelings.
The characters were cute, too... I liked it.
I studied the drawing silently for a moment before asking, "Why is there nothing on the table?"
"Food is hard to draw... But still, doesn't it look better this way, more... abstract?"
"You think so?"
Miyuki smiled shyly as I tilted my head, then covered the Post-it note with one hand.
A signal not to look anymore.
She just keeps doing the cutest things. I was tempted to just tell her to stay over again tonight.
Anyway, leaving our mark like this is pretty nice. It makes me happy.
Before, I wouldn't have thought anything of seeing notes like these, but from now on, I think I'll be reminded of Miyuki whenever I see a Post-it note.
As I was lost in thought, gazing at Miyuki, the ramen arrived just as a blush began to color her cheeks. I licked my lips.
"Let's eat."
"Okay."
I have to come here again.
It seems like the perfect place to come the day after Miyuki and I do the deed.
"Son of a bitch..."
I scowled at the state of the main gate.
Not only were there fallen leaves, but also snack bags, cigarette butts, gum... there was even a shoe, and a broken liquor bottle.
All sorts of trash had washed up overnight and completely wrecked the entrance.
I know it rained a lot, but it's not like there was a flood. How could this happen?
I should just fulfill my hours with some other volunteer work.
Just as I was thinking that,
"Matsuda?"
I heard Renka's voice from behind me and instantly relaxed my expression.
I bowed to Renka, and after she returned the greeting, I asked, "You're here early. Where's Nanase-senpai?"
"She overslept, so she told me to go on ahead. Said she was up late watching a drama. Are you going to clean all this up by yourself?"
"No. I'll clean it with the security guards. Why? You gonna help?"
"No."
"That's such a sharp rejection, it hurts. You could have at least offered, even if you didn't mean it."
Renka snorted at my lighthearted grumbling.
"It's raining. Aren't you going to use an umbrella?"
The light drizzle from dawn had now turned into a mist.
This much was fine, so I smiled as if to say it was no big deal.
"Yeah."
"Alright, good luck."
After that cool encouragement, she turned and headed for the school gate without a backward glance.
I still have a long way to go, but I'm slowly but surely gaining their recognition.
First Miyuki today... and now Renka...
Their reactions are really good.
I watched Renka's retreating back as she walked away with her long strides. When the security guards came over with brooms, I started cleaning up while making small talk with them.
Later, I went into the classroom just in time for class. I gave a half-hearted reply to the classmates who greeted me, however awkwardly, and then slumped over my desk.
"Matsuda, class is about to start."
It's always on a good day that Tetsuya has to butt in and piss me off.
Without lifting my head, I stretched out a hand and raised my middle finger at him, savoring what little break time I had left.
"Matsuda-kun, thank you so much for yesterday."
Chinami's polite greeting.
Feeling playful, I picked up my bamboo sword as soon as she finished her bow.
"Then please teach me the high stance."
"I can't do that. I'm going to teach you step-by-step, starting with the mid-level stance, Matsuda-kun."
"Understood."
"Huh...?"
Chinami's eyes widened.
She seemed surprised that I'd given up so quickly, considering how I was going on and on about the high stance just yesterday.
After a moment, Chinami's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"You're not thinking of teaching yourself, are you?"
"Is there a problem with that?"
"Matsuda-kun...! You mustn't be impatient. There are steps to all learning."
She's certainly strict when it comes to teaching her student.
All I have to do is prove I have a talent for the high stance.
When are we going to spar? I'm eager to challenge someone.
I think a match with Tetsuya would be a good fight. I hope the coach recognizes me soon and accepts me as an official club member.
If that happens, would I have to quit being the manager?
I'm getting close to Chinami so quickly, I can't just throw cold water on that. Even if I become an official member, I have to continue as manager.
I already get a lot of time alone with Chinami. It would be foolish to throw that opportunity away myself.
I met Chinami's gaze as she stood with her arms crossed, and I shrugged.
"I heard from the captain that you overslept because you were watching a drama?"
"That's right."
"What drama was it? Can you tell me?"
"Hmm...! If you promise not to learn the high stance until you've mastered the basics, I'll tell you. You have to pinky promise, too."
A pinky promise?
That's what I said to Miyuki yesterday... What a coincidence.
"Are you that displeased with me trying to learn the high stance?"
"It's not that I'm displeased, I'm worried. Now, promise me."
Chinami held out her small pinky finger to me.
The sleeve of her kendo uniform slid down, revealing her thin, pale wrist.
Barely resisting the temptation to plant a hickey there, I moved my bamboo sword to my waist and changed the subject.
"First, I'm going to clean the hogu. I left the dehumidifier on yesterday, but the storage room must have gotten damp from all the rain last night."
"Matsuda-kun...! That's a commendable thought, but first, the promise... Hey! Where are you going!? I'm not done talking! W-wait...! Go a little slower...! You're too fast...!"
As I strode toward the hogu storage room, Chinami trotted after me.
It was like watching a panicked puppy run after its owner, terrified of being left behind...
Cute.