Chapter 201

I stood up, slung Miyuki's heavy bag over my shoulder, and nudged Tetsuya, who was chatting with a friend about games.

"Hey. I'm heading out."

"Where? Miyuki said we're going to a cafe today. To grade our exams..."

"I'm going to drop Miyuki's bag off in the car and stop by the Club Room for a bit."

"The Club Room? We don't have club activities today."

"We have club activities tomorrow. I want to fold a few towels to prep."

"You're so diligent. Need some help?"

"No thanks. It won't take long... I'm off."

"Yeah, see you."

This was exactly why I was stealing all his heroines—he only thought on the surface level.

To capture a heroine, wasn't it essential to explore even empty locations?

You might stumble across a heroine and get a chance to raise her affection level through conversation, yet you won't even put in the legwork. You're completely disqualified from being a protagonist.

That's a relief. A real relief.

In the quiet Club Room, empty of even the coach, I went through some simple manager duties.

After checking the condition of the Bogu, I gathered the towels hanging in the Drying Room and started folding them. It wasn't long before Renka walked in.

"What, it's just Matsuda?"

I had figured either Chinami or Renka would show up if I waited here.

This was why I'd come to the Club Room.

If it had been Chinami, I planned on getting into a few things with her alone in the dim Club Room... It was a bit of a shame that Renka had shown up instead.

Thinking this, I offered a lukewarm greeting.

"Hey."

"Now you're not even bothering with a proper greeting."

"Where's Master?"

"She's sleeping in the Lounge. Said she used her brain too much and needed to rest."

"Couldn't she just go home to sleep?"

"We're supposed to hang out today, so she's just getting some shut-eye."

Renka emphasized the part about them hanging out.

It seemed like she was telling me not to even dream about hanging out with Chinami today. Was I imagining things?

"Did you do well on your exams?"

"So-so. Probably better than you, though."

"Are you trying to provoke me? You might regret it."

"...Can't I make a joke?"

It was cute how quickly her confidence deflated.

"I thought you hated joking around with me."

"I mean... I can try..."

"It's not that you were joking. Aren't you just tucking your tail because I brought up grades?"

"Are you always this delusional?"

"I was just trying out a joke myself. Where are the second-years going for their school trip?"

"Okinawa."

Okinawa in winter... It would be quiet, which is nice for sightseeing.

I should ask Chinami to send me some photos.

Nodding, I gestured for Renka to come over.

She flinched, her eyes darting nervously.

"...What's with that gesture?"

"Help me fold towels."

"No."

"Help me out."

"I said no, didn't I? Oh, right. I have something to show you."

Saying so, Renka went into the coach's office and came out holding a thin strip of gray paper about the size of two palms.

She placed it on top of the towels I had just folded.

"What's this?"

"Look."

It was a neatly clipped newspaper article.

And it featured a photo of me.

Wondering what it was, I looked closer. Beneath a rather cringeworthy headline that read, [A Supernova Appears to Send Shockwaves Through the Kendo World!], there was a glaringly obvious photo of me receiving the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards simultaneously.

"This is me?"

"Yeah. It's you. The coach clipped it out of a local newspaper and told me to pin it to the bulletin board."

So that was why Renka had come to the Club Room.

It wasn't front-page news, just a passing article in a local paper, but it didn't feel bad.

If it was enough to get an article published, it meant the tournament officials had been keeping a close eye on me.

Taking it in stride, I spoke.

"Nice. Be careful not to tear it when you pin it up."

"...Listen to you. You're really obnoxious."

Grumbling, Renka walked over to the bulletin board in the center of the Club Room and pinned my article with a thumbtack.

Very, very carefully.

No matter what she said, she seemed proud that one of her club members had made it into the newspaper.

Chuckling at her cute behavior, I quietly went back to folding towels, thinking about the memories I'd build with Renka over the winter break.

After comparing my mock exam results with Tetsuya's, Miyuki spoke.

"You both did well."

She didn't announce who won, but judging by her consistently bright expression as she looked at us, our scores were likely neck and neck.

Nothing was certain until the official results came out, but we were close enough to go toe-to-toe.

If the point difference wasn't significant, this match was practically my loss.

Why? Because I had received far more tutoring from Miyuki than Tetsuya.

My pride took a sudden hit. It looked like I'd have to prepare even harder for our second-year midterms.

"This is beyond my expectations. With these scores, you're practically guaranteed to be near the top."

Under Miyuki's continuous praise, Tetsuya scratched his head sheepishly.

"It's all thanks to you, Miyuki..."

Acting all sweet. It made me sick.

Clasping my hands behind my head, I leaned back in my chair.

"If we're done, let's go."

Taking a sip of the coffee in front of her, Miyuki asked:

"Already?"

"I'm suddenly exhausted. I want to hurry up and drop you guys off so I can go home and sleep."

"Oh, really? Should we get going then?"

With that, Miyuki started clearing the table.

After cleaning up the empty cake plates and scattered papers, we stepped outside and got in the car.

Maybe it was because it had been a while since Tetsuya rode with me, but the smell inside the car was terrible.

I had just gotten the interior detailed, but it looked like I'd have to do it again.

Pretending to drive safely while speeding to Tetsuya's house as fast as possible, I glanced at the backseat the moment I parked.

"We're here. Get out."

"Thanks. I'll call you, Miyuki."

That son of a bitch chased after women at every opportunity.

Wait, no. Tetsuya was just treating Miyuki normally. Was I just feeling awful because I was looking at him through tinted glasses?

I had that thought for a moment, but quickly brushed it off.

It was true that I despised Tetsuya, after all.

Besides, it was far more worthwhile to exchange even one more word with Miyuki than to waste time worrying about my pathetic feelings toward Tetsuya.

The moment he stepped out, I put the car in gear. Driving away slowly, I glanced at Miyuki, who was sipping the rest of her coffee through a straw.

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"Did I at least get close to the top ten?"

"Who? You, Matsuda-kun?"

"Yeah."

Was she proud that I was actually caring about my grades?

Her eyes curving into crescents, Miyuki smiled and answered.

"We won't know for sure until the results are out, but looking at your average score so far, the top ten is going to be a close call."

"So you're saying I might just make it?"

"Well... I'm not sure yet. But you still did incredibly well. Honestly, I told you to aim for the top ten, but I'm surprised you actually got this close."

"If I did well, I deserve a reward."

"Ah, what kind of reward this time...!"

"I need compensation to keep working hard."

"Haa... Let's just hear you out first. What kind of reward do you want?"

"Let's share a room on the school trip."

"W-what...?"

Miyuki's mouth fell open slightly.

She seemed flustered by my abrupt request.

Staring blankly at me as I drove, she swallowed hard and shook her head.

"I don't think we can do that..."

"Why not?"

"I mean... the rule is two people to a room... and boys and girls are in separate rooms..."

"I can just book one privately."

"...Are you serious?"

"It'll be nice. We can make it feel like a trip just for the two of us. Just let me know where the Lodging is beforehand, and I'll book a room there."

Miyuki began twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

She looked deep in thought.

She seemed tempted, but also somewhat worried about breaking the rules.

Glancing at her obvious wavering, I spoke in a slightly lower tone.

"Let's just spend a little time together at night."

"...Well, I mean... um... I don't really mind as long as we don't get caught... but if my roommate gets suspicious..."

"So you don't want to?"

"W-who said I don't want to...?"

"Then it's settled."

"..."

"Send me the name of the Lodging when you get home. I'll make the reservation."

At my words, Miyuki wedged both hands between her knees.

Then, with a bashful smile, she replied.

"Okay..."

She acted like it was a difficult decision, but it seemed Miyuki really wanted to enjoy the trip with me, too.

I'll have to get some warm sake ready to set the mood at night.

The next day, during club activities.

Chatting with Chinami inside the Bogu Storage Room about the school trip, I chuckled at her cute complaining as her shoulders slumped.

"It would have been much better if we were going to Okayama instead of Okinawa."

"Okayama?"

"Yes. Because it's the home of peaches."

"...I see. Are you really that disappointed?"

"Not exactly. We should make the most of it and have fun, after all."

"That's a relief. You'll be sharing a room with the President, right?"

"Of course."

"Send me pictures whenever you get the chance."

Chinami's face flushed a peachy pink.

She seemed to be having some dirty thoughts... Was she imagining naked pictures or something?

I felt like Chinami's pervertedness was growing day by day.

"Alright... By the way, did you see the newspaper article on the bulletin board?"

"I saw it yesterday. The President showed it to me."

"Ah, I see. I'm just so, so, so..."

"Proud of me?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. It's all thanks to Master's boundless grace."

"Mufufu... You're very good at sweet-talking... Hya?!"

Chinami let out her signature yelp, cutting her sentence short.

I had suddenly started groping her slender waist, and as her plump cheeks flushed bright red, I slid my hand down to her rear.

"Mmph...!"

It had been a while since I'd felt Chinami's skin, and she was still as soft and firm as ever.

I felt like I would never get tired of touching her.

Watching her reaction as I gently stroked the curve of her bottom, I asked:

"Shall I give you a quick massage here?"

"..."

Rolling her pink eyes to scan the Storage Room, Chinami gave a tiny nod.

Grinning at her silent consent, I pulled Chinami over to the corner of the Storage Room.

Then, I had her sit in front of me and began fondling her, focusing mainly on her legs.

"Hic...!"

She shivered violently every time my touch grazed over her Training Uniform pants.

Squirming, she bent and straightened her knees; she seemed to be enjoying my touch just as much.

Resting my chin on Chinami's shoulder, I planted light kisses on her incredibly soft cheeks, enjoying the steamy moment.

I needed to get my sugar fix like this to have enough energy for the school trip.

I better charge up completely today before I leave.

After driving everywhere, taking public transport felt stifling.

There wasn't any room to stand on the train, and the chubby salaryman right in front of me probably made it feel even worse.

Standing perfectly still, practically wedged into the crowd, I finally managed to squeeze my way out when the train arrived at the station near the Academy.

Then, I strolled over to the Academy's main gate, weaving through a swarm of first-year students until I spotted Miyuki holding the flag for Class 1-A in front of a red bus.

"You're here? The driver and the guide are by the luggage compartment. Give them your bag and get on the bus."

Miyuki said, having spotted me first.

Waving my hand in the air like someone completely devoid of any will to live, I threw out a joke.

"Should I hold the flag? You're so short the kids won't be able to find you."