Chapter 111

“Ugh... I'm dying...”

“This is seriously so fucking exhausting...”

Groans echoed from all over the Lodging.

They came from the club members, who had just finished washing up in the communal showers after training.

The sun set incredibly fast here in the mountains. By the time we finished dinner and stepped outside, it was already pitch black, giving the area a bleak, eerie atmosphere.

The weather wasn't just chilly; it was downright freezing.

But Goro seemed to enjoy this drastic shift in the mountain environment, working us to the bone in a dirt clearing that had absolutely no lighting other than a single large lamp installed by the lodge.

The training had been light during our simple stretches and digestion period, but he gradually ramped up the intensity after that. The last forty minutes were absolute hell.

What drove me even crazier was that Goro was exceptionally good at adjusting the intensity to match each member's physical condition.

Thanks to that, while it was exhausting, every single person managed to finish the session safely without anyone passing out.

“My legs hurt... my legs...”

Beside me, Tetsuya was sprawled on his back, gasping for air.

Why this bastard had laid out his bedding next to mine, I couldn't understand.

Was he hoping to find some excuse to tattle on me to Miyuki?

Whatever his reason, it was fucking annoying.

As I finished toweling the dampness from my hair, bzzzt—!

The Cell Phone I'd left on the shelf vibrated. I checked the screen.

A picture had arrived. It showed Miyuki in her pajamas, beaming brightly with a hand resting against her cheek—a gesture signaling she was about to go to sleep.

Staring at it, I sent a reply.

[You look pretty. Got any others?]

[Like what?]

[Anything.]

[Tell me exactly what you want.]

She was clearly thinking about the conversation we'd had on the Rooftop.

It was amusing how she tried to play tug-of-war with me by beating around the bush.

[I really mean anything.]

[Yeah? Just a second...]

Not long after Miyuki sent that meaningful reply, a new picture arrived.

Looking at it, I furrowed my brow slightly.

Blood rushed to my lower half.

She had sent a picture subtly exposing her belly button by lifting the hem of her pajama top just a bit.

Sitting cross-legged, she had straightened her back so the twin lines framing her navel were clearly visible...

It was a highly commendable photo, showing her pulling the hem taut with a single thumb.

She didn't blatantly show off her breasts or her lower half, but it was far more stimulating than if she had.

[I'm going to sleep now.]

Miyuki's follow-up message.

I could practically feel the coyness radiating from the text itself.

[What about a call?]

[I have to wake up early tomorrow to go hiking with my family.]

[What does that have to do with a phone call?]

[If I get on the phone with Matsuda-kun, it's obvious we'll be talking for a really long time.]

[We can just keep it short.]

Bzzzzzt—! Bzzzt—!

Suddenly, a long vibration buzzed against my palm.

The caller was none other than Miyuki.

Pressing the accept button, I brought the Cell Phone to my ear.

“Hello.”

And then, “Good night.”

With that single phrase laced heavily with embarrassment, Miyuki hung up.

She must have been incredibly flustered after sending me that picture.

“What was that? Why'd you hang up right after answering?”

Tetsuya's question to my chuckling self shattered the sweet atmosphere, making a surge of annoyance bubble up.

“None of your business.”

Answering callously, I stood up and grabbed my coat.

Tetsuya looked baffled.

“Where are you going?”

“A walk.”

“A walk...? Aren't you tired? It's freezing outside, too...”

“That's my choice, you punk. You wanna come?”

“No way. I can't even move. I heard the seniors are playing cards, so I'm just going to join them.”

“Is that so? Got it. Better massage your legs well if you don't want them cramping up during tomorrow's independent training.”

“Yeah... Ah, about the independent training... Do you have any idea how it's going to go?”

Since the bastard brought up the training himself, I decided to lightly scratch at his pride.

I shrugged and answered.

“Well, I don't really know.”

“The President said she'd let you spar like you wanted. Are we going up against each other?”

“I doubt it.”

“Why?”

“Are you kidding? There's a massive skill gap between us. What kind of sparring would that be? The President will probably just step in herself.”

“Skill gap? Are you seriously implying you're better than me?”

Tetsuya took the bait hook, line, and sinker.

His reaction was a bit fiercer than I expected. He must have had a lot pent up inside.

Scoffing to mock Tetsuya's scrunched eyebrows, I indirectly tore down his skills.

“I'll admit your fundamentals are better than mine... but you're weak in real matches. You even ended up rolling on the floor during your first sparring session...”

“That was when I was a beginner who didn't even know footwork. I did pretty well in the second match.”

“So, you're saying you're different now?”

“I am. I don't think I'd fall behind even if I went up against you.”

Right now, Tetsuya was probably picturing the classic youth drama cliché, imagining himself beating my arrogant self and knocking down my pride.

But that wasn't going to happen.

Not because I was the true protagonist of Doki-Aka and received some weird divine protection, but simply because that was reality.

The gap in skill between him and me was vast.

That was an obvious fact to any third party watching.

The wall was far, far too massive to scale with passion alone.

If I were overly confident, he might somehow land a single hit.

But I intended to crush him with everything I had.

I would do my absolute best, just so his inferiority complex would violently explode starting from that day.

“Ah... is that so?”

“You might think it's absurd, but honestly, I don't think it's out of the question. Sorry if that offended you.”

“No, not at all. I'm actually sorry for misunderstanding. I didn't realize your skills had improved enough for you to be so confident.”

“Do you want to spar tomorrow? You can see for yourself.”

I was so grateful he was moving exactly as I'd anticipated.

You really are the quintessential protagonist who gets everything stolen from him.

“Sure, let's do that.”

“Great.”

Looking down at Tetsuya, who was clenching his fists and solidifying his fighting spirit, I gave an indifferent nod and walked out of the room.

“Junior, take a look at this.”

Chinami, who was walking steadily along the trail, tilted her head up slightly.

“Haaaa...”

She let out a long breath into the empty air.

A faint, cloudy puff of breath appeared.

Watching it scatter and vanish instantly in the wind, she spoke in an excited voice.

“It's early in the year to see our breath, isn't it fascinating?”

Both of her cheeks were flushed red from the cold as she looked up at me.

She looked incredibly cute, making me suddenly wish winter would come faster.

I wanted to see Chinami wrapped up tightly in a coat, blowing puffs of breath toward the sky while wearing mittens.

“It's proof that the Master has a warm heart.”

“Is that true?”

“It's a joke, but since it's true that the Master is warm-hearted, you could say I'm being serious.”

“Uwah...! Is that so?”

Chinami twisted her still-damp hair around her finger, twirling it in circles.

It was obvious she was happy about it, and watching her made a laugh threaten to escape my lips.

Chuckling, I pointed at a streetlamp casting an orange glow.

“Doesn't the light look similar to the lighting in the massage room we went to last time?”

“Ehh...? No...? It's completely different...? It's much brighter than it was then...”

She immediately returned to her shy self and started stammering.

Her ever-changing expressions were truly charming.

Her body was probably a bit stiff from the cold wind, right? I'd soften her up quickly.

“Training was tough today, wasn't it?”

“Umm... Since Kendo is a martial art mostly practiced indoors... it was exhausting. But I personally do basic physical conditioning every day, so it was manageable.”

“Do your legs hurt?”

“They don't hurt, but I've lost a bit of strength in them. At this rate, they might turn into squishy squid legs.”

“Then, should I give you a quick massage?”

At those words, Chinami's entire body flinched.

“A m-massage...?”

“Yes. There's training starting from the morning tomorrow as well. We're also scheduled to do independent training with the President in the afternoon. It would be troublesome if your muscles cramped, so I should loosen them up.”

“F-for tomorrow's independent training, I was planning to teach... focusing mainly on you and Junior Miura...”

“I even found a good spot to give you the massage. Is it not a good idea?”

“No... It's not that... Ahem... Where is this good spot...? Indoors? Or outdoors...?”

Her ears perked up.

She must have been tempted by the opportunity to experience a massage again for the first time in half a month.

Smiling brightly, I answered.

“Indoors. A place where we can be completely alone. I didn't bring oil massage supplies, so I'll just give you a regular massage.”

“Mmm... I understand. But will you do a facial massage too...?”

“Of course.”

“...Hmm... In that case, should I let you massage me a little...?”

She was trying hard to hide her emotions, but it showed all over her face.

Our Chinami... She'd been looking forward to it.

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes...”

The place I brought Chinami to was the parking lot.

More precisely, an empty bus with its doors open.

Getting inside with her, I hit the switch to close the door.

Pshhh—!

Chinami, who had worn a bewildered expression up until then, asked:

“Why are you closing the door? Weren't we just coming here to grab massage supplies?”

“I already told you I didn't bring them.”

“Then why did we come here?”

“To do it here.”

“Ehh...?”

Surprised by the unexpected words, she took a half-step back.

“I-it's so dark, how are you going to do a massage...? Plus, on a bus...”

“The light leaking from the main building makes it bright enough to see. And there's space to lie down.”

I pointed to the very back row of seats, which had no armrests. Chinami gulped nervously.

“That's true, but... if someone were to come...”

“I don't think that'll happen. It's late. Training was tough. They're probably all dead to the world right now. And so what if someone comes? It's just a junior giving the Master a massage.”

“I-I don't want the massage to be interrupted... I want to relax and enjoy it.”

She had conviction. I liked that.

Nodding, I turned on my Cell Phone's flashlight and pulled shut every curtain lining both sides of the bus.

Then, placing a hand on Chinami's back, I gave her a gentle nudge.

“I failed to read the Master's heart again. My mistake. I'll make sure to work extra hard to make up for it.”

“Ahem... Then I suppose I can play along and let you fool me...”

Pretending to be reluctant, she moved to the back seat, quietly took off her shoes, and lay face down.

Her fluffy peach-and-pink Momo-sama socks caught my eye.

“I'll start right away, then.”

Saying that in a soft voice, I squatted near her legs, rolled down the cuffs of her socks slightly, and wrapped my hands around her ankles.

The moment I did so— “Hyaa...?”

Startled by the icy coldness, she let out a tiny shriek.

As I gently stroked her calves up and down, I spoke.

“My hands are a bit cold, aren't they?”

“I-It's fine... I was just surprised...”

“Tell me whenever you feel uncomfortable.”

“Okay...”

It was a shame I couldn't touch her bare legs since she was wearing long pants... but considering where we were, it couldn't be helped.

With that, I massaged her legs quite diligently.

I didn't mix in any ulterior motives. I purely focused on soothing her calf muscles, which were fatigued from the arduous training.

When Chinami started letting out sluggish, satisfied sighs, slip.

I slid my hands up to her thighs and gently brushed her crotch with my fingertips.

Making it seem as if it were a complete accident during the massage.

“Nn...?”

Chinami's pelvis slowly and slightly arched upward, then settled down.

The sultry, questioning moan was a bonus.

Taking advantage of the moment, I firmly pressed down on the back of her thighs right where they connected to her glutes as she lay there flustered.

“Ngh...”

This time, her legs tensed up.

Resting my hands just under her bottom, I asked.

“What's wrong? Is something uncomfortable?”

“N-no... Mmm... It's good... It's a good massage...”

“That's a relief.”

“But Junior... I think my legs have loosened up enough... so how about we switch to my face...?”

“You want a facial massage?”

“Yes... Getting hit by the cold wind made my face feel very tight...”

Since I was touching her for the first time in a while, I'd wanted to get her a little more riled up, but oh well.

I'd only planned to give her a small taste of sexual tension today anyway, and since I'd achieved my goal, I decided to back off.

I just needed to slowly make her addicted. That's what I'd been doing so far, and Chinami's reactions were great.

So there was absolutely no need to rush.

“Understood. Then turn around and lie down facing me.”

As I sat down, leaning against the corner seat, Chinami grunted softly, pushed herself up, and then laid her head onto my lap.

So naturally, as if it were a given.

I flashed a fatherly smile at Chinami, who had folded her hands demurely over her stomach, and tapped the tip of her nose with my finger.

After that, I used the pads of all ten fingers to softly stroke the crown of her head.

“Hehe...”

Chinami immediately let out a contented breath and slightly parted her lips.

Her eyes were slowly losing focus; she must have been incredibly relaxed.

“Let's head back in a bit. It's gotten really late.”

After massaging her face for a period of time that was neither too long nor too short, my words made Chinami—who had begun breathing softly on the verge of sleep—open her eyes.

“Mmm... I want to sleep here...”

“The President will be worried.”

“I suppose... Please keep going...”

Was that an acknowledgment or a refusal?

Did she like the facial massage that much?

At this rate, she'd end up asking me to just touch her face even when we hung out privately later on...

I'd have to find the right timing and cut it off properly.

It was crucial to leave Chinami feeling a little bit regretful.

So that next time, she'd be the one begging me for a massage first.

I already knew from our conversation just now that she was showing signs of it... I just needed to pace myself.