Chapter 148

Everyone Has a Secret

"Ah! Matsuda! Hanazawa!"

At the energetic voice calling from behind, Miyuki, Tetsuya, and I turned around.

Chinami trotted over. She must have been on her way to the cafeteria, judging by the two peach-flavored drinks in her hands.

Renka was right behind her.

She looked tense, unable to even meet my eyes—probably thinking about what had happened yesterday.

Chuckling inwardly, I watched Miyuki offer a polite bow with a bright expression.

"Hello, sunbae-nim."

As soon as Chinami reached us, she exchanged a nod with Tetsuya before pressing one of the 500-milliliter drink cartons into Miyuki's hands.

Miyuki took it absentmindedly, tilting her head.

"Is this for me?"

"Yes. It looks like you just finished eating, so have it to wash down your meal."

"Weren't you going to drink this, sunbae-nim?"

"I can give up this much for a junior. I'll just go buy another one."

"Then I'll enjoy it! Thank you!"

Did Chinami take a liking to Miyuki's endlessly bubbly vibe?

She completely forgot about heading to the cafeteria and burst into giggles, striking up a conversation with her.

Meanwhile, Renka stepped closer and exchanged a wave with Miyuki. Making sure no one else noticed, I shot Renka a mocking smirk.

"Ugh...!"

She scrunched up her face like she'd just seen something repulsive.

Moving over to her side, Tetsuya asked in a concerned tone.

"Is something wrong?"

"N-no... I just feel a little sick to my stomach..."

"Ah... Shouldn't you skip the meal and get some rest, then?"

"It's just because I saw something disgusting."

"Something disgusting...?"

"There's just something like that. How's the food today?"

"It's the same cafeteria food as always."

"Haa... I should have packed a lunch box. I've lost my appetite anyway..."

As she said that, her eyes were fixed right on me.

Why did she keep piling up bad karma? What did she plan to do later?

It would be a disservice not to teach her a lesson, wouldn't it?

"Well then, we'll get going! See you during club activities!"

Chinami wrapped up her chat and gave a refreshing wave before walking away.

Miyuki watched the two upperclassmen enter the cafeteria, then spoke.

"Senior Nanase is always so energetic, huh...? And for some reason, I just want to take care of her. If I leave her alone, it feels like she'd trip and fall."

Chinami really did trigger people's protective instincts.

I was glad she liked her.

Please hold on to that fondness for a long time.

Whenever Renka enjoyed a series, she would write a review on an anime community forum.

She usually left a short review along with a star rating, though sometimes she would post a very long, detailed review or a full column.

Because she had been active for a very long time, always wrote clean reviews without bashing a work unless there was a major issue, and acted kindly, she was a well-known user in the community. The vast majority of users loved her posts.

Pulling out my Cell Phone, I accessed the massive community site AnyShare, registered an account, and browsed the review section.

Since I already knew the nickname Renka used, I had no trouble finding her most recent post.

[The journey of the protagonist, Tanjiro, was deeply moving.]

[Rating: ★★★★☆]

[Upvotes: 5,102] [Downvotes: 121]

It was a brief review of an anime that had recently been popular.

The author was [Run Ino-chan]—the cute online nickname Renka used for her activities.

Her profile picture featured a cute female character smiling with one hand reaching up. That must have been Ino.

Renka had definitely shortened her family name, Inoo, to create that nickname, but...

It was obvious she'd laid a trap—tricking people into thinking she just loved that character, ensuring no one would ever deduce her real identity.

I could confidently say that no one would look at that nickname and profile picture and associate it with the surname Inoo.

Except for me, of course.

Sitting on a bench by the small hill, I glanced around to see if anyone was nearby.

Then, I left a comment on Renka's post.

[That guy isn't the protagonist; he was just carried. Rengoku and Zenitsu are the true main characters. Did you even watch it properly? You don't know the first thing about manga.]

Would Renka read the comment when she went home after club activities?

Or was the post too old for her to bother checking every notification?

If that was the case, it might be better to just send a direct message.

Right as that thought crossed my mind, a direct message arrived in my personal inbox.

[Hello, MK. It's wonderful to have a character you cherish, but putting down other characters will only provoke a backlash from their fans. I added a note at the very bottom of the review stating it was just my personal opinion, and I hope you'll take that into consideration. Looking at your join date, it seems you're new here! Let's enjoy the community together! q(@‘7°@)]

It was a reply from Renka. She'd swallowed the bait immediately.

She must have been taking a quick break, logged on to pass the time, and spotted my comment... Seeing how perfect the timing was, we were definitely meant to be.

But why was she acting so tame here?

I was expecting a hearty stream of curses, yet she sent a long, gentle message trying to educate me. That just made me feel a little guilty.

And what was with that innocent little emoticon? Take off the mask, you fierce little wildcat.

Licking my lips, I tapped away at my Cell Phone.

[I'm sorry.]

[It's okay. Back when I first got into the fandom, I used to be heavily obsessed with a single character just like you, MK, so I understand how you feel. Welcome to AnyShare. If there are any manga or anime you've enjoyed, feel free to introduce them. Do you have any recommendations for me?]

[Do you like adult manga too?]

[I wouldn't say I love it, but I don't avoid it either.]

[Have you heard of a work called The Master's Secret?]

[That's the first time I've heard of it. Is it a manga? Or an anime?]

[A manga.]

[Thanks for the recommendation. I'll give it a read this weekend.]

Would she really read it? It's a pretty hardcore piece in the training genre.

Her post history was mostly shonen manga reviews, but as she went through all sorts of things with me, her adult reviews would gradually increase...

Eventually, she would be completely corrupted into exclusively reviewing works in the training genre. Renka, the once diligent and pure user...

Oddly enough, that really turned me on.

I was also dying to see the look on her face when she realized that not only had I discovered her community account, but we had even exchanged messages.

Indulging in my dark fantasies, I deleted the comment I had written and headed down toward the Club Room. On the way, I spotted Renka walking out while fiddling with her Cell Phone, and I called out to her.

"President."

"Gasp...!"

Renka hurriedly hid her Cell Phone behind her back.

That was quite an extreme reaction. Don't tell me she was already looking up the manga I mentioned?

"What...? Aren't you working? Stop slacking off..."

"I finished everything and was taking a quick break. What about you, President?"

"I-it's break time for us too, so..."

"Is that so? Then why did you come outside?"

"Just to get some fresh air..."

"Is that so? By the way, President."

"What...!"

"During lunch, you said I was disgusting, didn't you?"

At my low voice, Renka flinched and stood up straight.

Glaring fiercely to keep from being overwhelmed by my momentum, she replied.

"That's right. Because you are disgusting."

"Are you going to keep hurting my feelings?"

"...So what do you want me to do..."

"Treat me kindly."

"You're a guy it's impossible to be kind to... Just look at the things you do to me..."

"You liked it too, President."

"L-liked it, my foot...!"

Tap. Tap. Tap.

As she snapped back at me, a soft tapping sound came from near her waist.

Wondering what it was, I looked over and saw the arm she'd hidden behind her back fidgeting.

Being alone with me was apparently so awkward that she was taking it out by nervously tapping on the back of her Cell Phone.

Was she still thinking about how I'd subtly told her I liked her yesterday?

Is that why she was so embarrassed? How cute...

I took a long stride right up to Renka. As she flinched and stepped back, I stared intently at her and spoke.

"President..."

"What...!"

"When are you going to ask for your final wish?"

"I don't know...! There's still plenty of time left, so don't rush me...!"

"I never rushed you. Why are you misunderstanding me?"

"..."

"But for the last wish, couldn't you do a cosplay for me? Maybe as a bunny girl or a nurse this time."

"...You are truly shameless... It's my wish, not yours, you know...? Stop spouting nonsense and hurry up with your work."

"President."

"Ah, jeez... Why do you keep calling me...!"

She was about to go back into the Club Room but spun around, huffing with anger. Raising both hands to show I had no intention of fighting, I spoke casually as I walked by.

"No reason. I'll get back to work now. Good luck with yours, President."

"...Hurry up and get lost."

Stop cursing at me. Do you want me to punish you with a confession?

Flashing a grin at Renka, I headed up the hill and collected the dried laundry.

The weather was cold. My dick was cold, too.

I needed to warm it up fast.

Poke. Poke.

Feeling a cute little poke against my back, I turned around.

"Kuhek!"

Chinami let out a bizarre shriek and stumbled forward.

Her body had been pushed by my arm, so I quickly grabbed her waist, stood her upright, and dusted off her bottom.

"Are you okay?"

"Uht...? Um... Matsuda, I didn't fall..."

Surprised by the sudden physical contact, Chinami's voice grew so quiet it was softer than a mosquito's.

I just shrugged calmly and replied.

"It was just a habit. But what is it? Do you have something for me to do?"

"No. It's not that... I came to tell you in person that the massage this week might be difficult."

"Why is that?"

"The weather suddenly got so cold, so I have to go buy winter supplies with my parents."

Haha... Well, this is a problem.

To my future second father-in-law and mother-in-law, if you interfere like this... I might just start getting some wicked ideas, you know?

I wonder how their marital relationship is...

No. Let's not think such nasty things.

I should think positively. Before enjoying a massage and sleeping with Chinami, God was just reminding me not to rush things and that I still had tasks to finish.

"I see. Then is next week okay?"

"Yes... Anytime from next Monday is fine. But um..."

Trailing off, Chinami turned her head and looked down at her own behind.

With a flushed face, she stared at my hand—which was still patting her butt—and continued.

"I told you I didn't fall..."

"It got dusty, so I'm just dusting it off for you."

"...Is that so...?"

"Yes, that's it."

Giving Chinami's butt two final, light pats, I stood back up straight.

Then, as she stood there completely flustered, I pressed both of my hands firmly against her cheeks and gently bumped my forehead against hers.

"Whad ah you dooing..."

What was I doing? Charging up my energy, of course.

I needed to absorb plenty of stamina before Renka came along and interrupted.