Chapter 233

Renka constantly fiddled with her hand—the same one that had been intertwined with mine right up until she got off work. She didn't realize she was doing it, though. It was a completely unconscious habit. If she were aware of it, she never would have shown me that side of herself.

"Do you know a place to eat?"

Renka asked after she changed clothes and got into the car with me. I watched her carefully fasten her seatbelt, then replied.

"I do."

"Okay..."

"What should we do after we eat?"

"What do you mean, what should we do... We have to go Home..."

"Do you think you can just leave?"

At the sudden threatening tone, Renka flinched and whipped her head toward me.

"Wh-what...?"

"I'm joking. There's a small Park near your neighborhood, isn't there, President? You know it, right?"

"I know it."

"Let's take a little walk there after dinner before you go."

"....."

"Why the sullen face? Do you hate being with me that much?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"That hurts."

"Don't lie. You always say you're hurt, but your expression says the exact opposite."

"I mean it. Anyway, let's head out."

I drove to a pasta specialty shop downtown, parked, and got out. Gesturing for the hesitant Renka to come to my side, I went inside and let the clerk guide us to a table.

"What do you want to eat?"

"I'll..."

Trailing off, Renka looked over the paper menu.

"Just Neapolitan."

"Should we order a Gorgonzola pizza too?"

"Do what you want... It's not like I have a choice anyway."

Hmm... That self-deprecating tone of hers, fully aware of her situation, is incredibly hot.

"I just gave you a choice by asking what you wanted to eat, so what do you mean you don't have one?"

"....."

"You tried to evoke sympathy and failed."

".... Shut up."

"What about drinks?"

"Grapefruit ade."

"Is there a reason it has to be grapefruit ade?"

"Because I want to drink it."

"Are you still going to say you have no choice?"

"Shut up...! Just order the food...!"

Her huffing is cute. Enjoying her defensive reaction, I called the clerk and ordered our food.

Renka spent the time waiting for our food crumpling an innocent napkin. Chuckling at the sight, I spoke up.

"Why are you playing with a napkin you aren't even using? You're being a nuisance."

"Excuse me...? I only touched one. And it wasn't even in the dispenser, so why are you making such a fuss?"

"I only said it because I care about you."

"Don't make me laugh. You're clearly just trying to tease me..."

Swallowing the words, 'How can I not tease you when your reactions are so fun?', I looked around.

"There are a lot of people."

"Of course there are. It's the end of the workday."

"You have a slightly grating way of speaking, President. Are you the type to ask a Convenience Store clerk if they expect you to just carry everything in your hands when they ask if you need a bag?"

"Not at all. I only act like this with you."

"Well, that's a relief."

"What's a relief about it?"

"It means you treat me special. Like I said before, I'm glad."

"You really are crazy..."

She shook her head as if she were sick of me. I continued my lively banter with Renka, chuckling when I saw her unconsciously smack her lips as the food arrived. After that, we spent a rather cozy time together, even though Renka scowled and demanded to know what I was grinning at.

The drive back to Renka's Home after eating our pasta. Just like I had mentioned at the restaurant, I didn't take Renka straight Home. Instead, I pulled into the Parking Lot of the Park near her Home.

"I just want to go Home..."

I gave the grumbling Renka a stern look and spoke.

"Let's walk for just a bit."

".... It's so dark outside, why do you want to take a walk...?"

"The sun hasn't even fully set yet. What do you mean it's dark? Stop complaining and get out."

"No."

"Are you going through puberty? Why are you being so cranky?"

"It's cold. What do you expect?"

"Is that so? Understood."

Was she surprised that I accepted her complaints so easily? Renka shot me a suspicious glare. But it only lasted a moment. When I unbuckled my seatbelt and leaned my upper body toward her, she freaked out and threw open the passenger door.

"I'm getting out...! I'm getting out, okay...!"

"See how nice it is when you listen right away?"

"Shut up...! Haa... I'm really going to go crazy..."

Renka cursed in a fit of rage before muttering to herself. Did she find herself pathetic for reflexively tucking her tail? After getting Renka out of the car, I walked into the Park with her while she made her displeasure completely obvious.

Except for a few middle-aged and elderly couples, the Park was practically empty. It seemed there was little foot traffic because the neighborhood was inherently quiet, and busy modern people rarely went out of their way to visit a Park.

A naked walk is always more thrilling in places filled with young people... I'll have to look for another location. Making her do it inside the Academy might not be a bad idea, either.

I asked as I walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Renka along the well-maintained trail.

"The atmosphere here is nice. Have you been here often?"

"No."

"Was this Park here when you were young, President?"

"It was."

"Was it the same back then?"

"I don't really know."

"Why are you only giving short answers?"

"Just because."

Maybe she was acting up like this because she wanted me to be forceful? Entertaining the thought, I spotted a nearby bench and sat down in the middle. Then, I patted the spot next to me for the feisty Renka to sit as well.

"....."

Renka furrowed her brow as if she were reluctant, but she still obediently sat down beside me. Watching her shove her hands deep into the pockets of her gray trench coat, I brought up what had happened at the cafe.

"Don't forget you promised to behave properly from now on."

As if that reminded her of what had happened in the Changing Room, Renka's face rapidly flushed with color.

"Th-that was a threat, so it's invalid."

"A threat?"

"A total threat. You should be glad I didn't report you..."

"That's strange. I thought we had reached an amicable agreement."

"Anyone could see there was coercion involved. An agreement? Aren't you being incredibly delusional?"

"So, this promise is off?"

"Exactly. No matter what weird things you do, I won't break."

Isn't that a line straight out of a corruption or NTR story? It sounds exactly like she's saying she'll break if pushed just a little further.

Flashing a derisive smile, I pressed my hips flush against Renka's. Then, before the startled Renka could say a word, I backed her into the corner of the bench and planted my hand on the armrest, blocking off any escape route.

"Could you stop doing this kind of crap?"

Renka scolded me in a resolute tone. Had she already gotten used to this behavior of mine, or was she just desperately trying to act calm? I'll find out if I dig a little deeper.

Actually, there probably was no need to dig deeper. The tension on Renka's face was painfully obvious. If I touched those reddened cheeks, would they be cold? Or warm? Likely the latter.

"M-move your head..."

Perhaps finding my silent, unblinking stare overbearing, Renka tucked her tail yet again. At some point, her thighs had clamped tightly together, her calves splayed outward. Is she feeling aroused? No, it's more likely because she's embarrassed.

I smirked at the discouraged Renka and spoke.

"Should we reach a new agreement right now? From now on, you're forbidden from talking to any men besides me."

"Wh-what kind of crazy talk is that...! So I can't even talk to my dad...?"

"I'll give you a pass for that."

"What about my part-time job...!? What am I supposed to do there...?"

"I can take care of the male customers."

"Th-then do I take the female customers?"

"No. We both take the female customers."

".... I'm not allowed to talk to men, but you can talk to women?"

"That's right."

Renka's eyes narrowed fiercely. Even under pressure, she must have felt a surge of rebellion against such an unreasonable restriction.

"What kind of..."

"Selfish bastard I am, you mean?"

"....."

"That's just how the master and slave dynamic works. I'm still guaranteeing you a certain level of freedom, though. Look on the bright side."

"F-freedom? You're restricting me, so why are you trying to dress it up nicely! And who said anything about being a slave... Hyah!?"

Renka jolted violently, cutting off her own argument. The hand I had been using to grip the armrest had smoothly slipped inside her coat.

As I brushed against the black fleece turtleneck Renka wore, feeling its soft texture, I laid my hand upon the curve of her pelvis. Panting short, rapid breaths as if she were hyperventilating, Renka shouted urgently.

"Take your hand off me...!! I'll hit you...?"

"Go ahead and try. See what happens."

"Ugh...! Wh-why are you doing this to me...! Just get lost...!"

Her words were rebellious, sounding as though she would strike me at any moment, but her body was docile. I want to wrap my arms around Renka's waist and pull her onto my lap right now, but our slave wouldn't be able to handle it if I increased the physical intimacy too quickly. I'll hold myself back.

"You're the one breaking our promise, President. Do you think that makes me angry? Or not?"

"I just told you, that was..."

"Coercion, not a promise?"

"Exactly...!"

"I'd tolerate your stubbornness if it were reasonable... but you're being far too obstinate. I'm tired of arguing about this, so I'll trust you to behave yourself properly, President."

"B-believe whatever you want...! I'm going to do as I please..."

She said that, but Renka would definitely be mindful of our promise. Judging that this was enough, I gave her pelvis one last light tap before pulling my hand away. I spoke to Renka, who was sighing in relief like someone who had just survived a major disaster.

"Shall we head back?"

".... I was going to, even without you telling me..."

Always tacking on unnecessary remarks.

"Understood. Call me ten minutes after you get Home."

"Why should I...?"

"Because I'll be Home around then too."

"What does that have to do with..."

"I want to talk to you, President, so just do as I say."

"....."

She pressed her lips tightly together at my subtly expressed interest. Convinced that it was a silent agreement, I stood up and held my hand out to her.

"Let's go."

Whipping her head away, she stood up on her own and began to stride ahead with her long legs. I've solidly advanced our relationship again today. I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.

I followed behind her as she walked away, almost as if she were fleeing. I saw a food stall on the way here earlier... On the way back, I should buy a whole bunch of the yakitori that Miyuki likes.