Chapter 220

"Of course not. Since I'm being so considerate of your position, President, shouldn't you do me a favor in return?"

At those words, Renka glared at me with a look that said 'I knew it'.

"Not even if it kills me."

"You don't even know what I'm going to ask."

"It's obvious. Cosplay. You're definitely planning to humiliate me by making me wear some magical girl outfit like the one you saw last time."

"It's not a magical girl... but if you really want to, President, we could go with that."

"I said I won't do it. And you... don't tell me you're thinking of making Chinami cosplay just because I refused..."

"What kind of trash do you think I am? Doing something like that to Master?"

"You are trash."

"I have nothing to say to that."

"Wait, hold on a second... You hold back with Chinami, even calling it 'something like that,' so why are you doing this to me...?"

"I said that because I want you to do it, President. I never had any intention of asking anyone else to wear it in the first place."

Renka's lips pressed tightly together.

Was she feeling a little conflicted because it seemed like she was getting special treatment?

Or was she flabbergasted by how brazenly I had said it?

Hoping it was the former, I continued.

"Just do it this once, and I'll never mention cosplay again."

"I have no reason to do that for you..."

"Why not? I'll fix my tone, and I won't bother you with this kind of stuff anymore. Don't just reject it flat out. At least give it some thought."

"...Do you know you're really detestable?"

"I know."

"You perverted bastard."

"I know that too."

If I had exploited Renka's hardcore otaku tendencies, I could have handled this much more easily.

Like promising to keep it a secret from everyone if she cosplayed for me just once.

But that was practically blackmail, and doing so would have sent her affection level plummeting.

Sure, I was still half-forcing her, but since Renka was the one making the final decision, I figured it was much better than a threat.

"You'll think about it, right?"

Did she detect something suspicious in my suddenly gentle tone?

Renka's eyes darkened as she stared at me intently.

After staying like that for a moment, she finally spoke.

"Are you on drugs or something...?"

"Why would you say that?"

"I mean... your attitude keeps changing constantly... Anyway, I might... think about it... Just think about it..."

Just getting a positive response out of her like this was a success.

It felt like all my efforts up to this point were bearing fruit.

Cheering inwardly, I smirked.

"That's all I need. Shall we change the subject a bit?"

"What subject?"

"What anime is that RZ-78 figure you bought yesterday from?"

"..."

Renka slowly closed and opened her eyes.

It was the look of someone realizing the inevitable had arrived.

Blowing a heavy breath through her nose like someone steeling her resolve, she spoke.

"The Mobile Knight series..."

"Oh, I know that one. It's a really old mecha series, right? Which installment is that from?"

"The first one... The protagonist's mecha..."

"Can I take a look at it too?"

"W-Why do you need to look at it...? You can just look it up on your Cell Phone..."

"Is that so? Understood. But President."

"Ah, what now...!"

"Do you remember what you told me back in the Club Room?"

"What did I say?"

"When you told me not to bewitch Master with some weird breathing technique. You actually knew exactly what kind of move it was but pretended not to, right? To hide your otaku hobbies?"

"..."

I could see cold sweat trickling down Renka's temple.

It seemed like teasing Renka with these otaku discussions every now and then would be highly entertaining.

It was time to make her pay for the bad karma she had piled up until now, wasn't it?

"Matsuda-kun...!"

Miyuki, who had just entered the cafe, spotted me with a bright, welcoming expression blooming across her face.

She lowered her voice, mindful of the few customers present. I waved a hand at her and spoke.

"You're here?"

"Yeah. Should we sit in the corner?"

"Why the corner, of all places?"

"I'm worried we'll get in the way of your work."

"You won't. Sit wherever you want."

"That's a relief then. Hello! Inoo-sunbae!"

Miyuki bowed politely to Renka, who had just stepped out of the restroom at that exact moment.

Surprised to run into a familiar face, Renka's eyes went wide as she bewilderingly accepted the greeting.

"Hello, Hanazawa. How did you know to come here?"

"Matsuda-kun told me. Did you not know I was coming today?"

"I didn't..."

"Are we intruding, by any chance?"

"Not at all. I'm glad you came."

Behind Miyuki stood the Vice Representative and the Bread Girl.

While Miyuki and Renka chatted, I offered a lukewarm nod to the Vice Representative before gesturing with my chin toward the Bread Girl.

"Long time no see?"

"Cough?"

"I've been doing well. Go have a seat."

With a choking sound, the Bread Girl bobbed her head and soon went to sit down alongside Miyuki and the Vice Representative.

Renka, who had been watching them, turned to look at me with an utterly dumbfounded expression.

"What did you just do...?"

"What do you mean?"

"That timid-looking girl coughed. Why did you pretend to understand her...?"

She seemed utterly bewildered after witnessing a conversation that didn't even sound like one.

Then again, to a third party, it probably looked like pure nonsense.

"Because I did understand her. If you spent time with her, President, you'd know exactly what she was trying to say too. The pitch of her coughs is different."

"I-Is that so...? How fascinating... Are they all your classmates?"

"Yeah."

"Why didn't you tell me Hanazawa was coming?"

"Did I need to?"

"It's not that, but it wouldn't have been hard to just mention it. And you're awfully kind to Hanazawa, aren't you?"

"I'm kind to Master too. The same goes for you, President."

"To me too...? Are you being serious right now...? You always..."

"I always what?"

"...Never mind. I feel like I'm exhausting myself just talking to you, so I'll stay quiet."

"Are you jealous, by any chance?"

"Don't make me laugh, you delusional bastard. What do you mean, jealous?"

Renka snapped at me with a straight face, but the moment Miyuki approached to place an order, she put on a bright smile.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Yes. Matsuda-kun told me to drink the Caramel Honey Latte because it's the best, but do you happen to have any drinks you'd recommend?"

"The Chocolate Chip Frappuccino or the Chocolate Ice Blended are much better than the Caramel Honey Latte."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Or should I make you one of each?"

"We'd be grateful if you did, but... we were worried it might be too much of a hassle for you to make..."

"You're customers, so why would it be a hassle? You don't need to be so considerate."

"Then we'll order one of each, three drinks total."

"What size do you want?"

"Regular, please."

"Got it. You don't have a stamp card, do you? You get one free drink of your choice if you collect ten stamps, so I'll give you one."

"Oh, really? Then I'll gladly accept it."

Having taken their order and finished the payment, Renka pressed a Pager into Miyuki's hand.

Afterward, watching Miyuki return to her seat, Renka spoke to me.

"Get the espresso cubes out."

"Could you not order me around?"

"Get them."

"The problem with you, President, is that your personality is way too strong."

"Shut up. Are you just going to half-ass Hanazawa's drink?"

"I'm not."

"Then get to work."

It had been a while since she left me speechless like this.

Just wait until later.

"Matsuda-kun, I can just leave this here, right?"

Miyuki asked as she placed the coffee tray on the return counter.

Helping Miyuki, I shook the leftover ice from the empty cups into the sink strainer and replied.

"Put the straws in the top-left bin."

"Okay."

"Was it good?"

"It was better than I expected. Honoka and Masako said they liked the Chocolate Chip Frappuccino more."

"Of course they would. What about you?"

"I preferred the Caramel Honey Latte."

Miyuki really was deeply considerate.

Could we just pop into the storage room and do it for a bit right now?

"That's a relief."

"Can I come here often?"

"Of course you can, why wouldn't you?"

"I was just worried I'd be a nuisance... I'll have to get all ten stamps on this card, then."

She waved the card, which now had three stamps on it, with a playful smile.

Chuckling at Miyuki's adorable behavior, I checked my surroundings before gently patting her head.

"Do whatever you want. What are you going to do now?"

"We're going out to hang out."

"With them?"

"Yeah. I won't head home too late. You didn't forget we're studying together tomorrow, did you?"

Tomorrow was my day off.

Miyuki hadn't forgotten that, yet she was still saying something like this to me.

Appalled, I wrinkled my brow.

"Ugh, why are we already studying? Would it kill us to rest at home on my first day off?"

"Then we can just study at home. And we promised to do this before vacation started, remember?"

Just look at her, staring straight at me with the eyes of a class monitor managing her students.

It was endearing, but the thought of studying made me feel bleak.

But it was fine. I had a way to overcome this situation.

"Alright. Let's do it."

"Good choice. Well, I'm taking off now."

"Go on."

Completely oblivious to my scheme, Miyuki offered a bright farewell to Renka and led the Vice Representative and the Bread Girl out.

Watching through the window as Miyuki waved a hand and walked away, Renka spoke up.

"I simply can't understand why a nice girl like Hanazawa is so close to you."

Seeing her throw out sarcastic jabs in her usual joking manner, it seemed she hadn't caught me patting Miyuki's head earlier.

If she had seen it, she definitely would have bombarded me with questions about our relationship.

"Are we not allowed to be close?"

"It's not that you're not allowed, it's just unexpected."

"Why are you talking back again?"

"W-What...? Are you just going to spout nonsense...? You're the one talking back...!"

Renka's face instantly turned bright red.

I don't know why she bothered messing with me when she couldn't even handle the pushback.

Was it just natural because she had a rebellious streak?

"Let's say you're right. By the way, tomorrow is my day off. Think you can handle things on your own?"

"...Why wouldn't I be able to? The Boss will be helping too... I'll probably do even better than when I'm working with you, right? I'll be more at ease too."

"I guess I'll have to come in as a customer tomorrow."

"If you do, I'll spit in your drink."

"Really? That actually sounds great."

"W-What...?"

"Please spit in it as much as you can."

"...You absolute perverted bastard."

"Is that the only insult you know? It's starting to sound like a compliment at this point. Try to be a little more creative."

"..."

Renka, pouting at my sarcasm... She's so pretty.