Chapter 271

"Thank you. Have a good day."

After handing a warm latte to the customer, I turned my attention to the corner table. Renka and Chinami had been talking for a while, but I couldn't quite see what they were doing.

Just as I thought about going over to eavesdrop and started to move, Renka stood up and strode over to the counter. She stopped in front of me and crossed her arms.

"No matter how much you like Chinami, isn't doing that during work hours going a bit too far?"

"I do it to the President all the time, you know."

"W-Why are you bringing me up all of a sudden...! Besides, that was before we opened..."

She had confidently tried to scold me, only for her attitude to flip in an instant. Chuckling, I spoke playfully.

"I touched you under the counter after we opened, though?"

"Are you actually bragging about that...?"

"I'm not criticizing, just correcting a factual error. If you're done talking with Master, shall we switch?"

"Switch what?"

"Switch conversation partners."

"N-No...!"

Renka hurriedly shook her head and shot a glance toward Chinami before blocking my path. She seemed worried I would do all sorts of lewd things to her.

"Why? I want to talk to Master too."

"It won't just be a talk, it'll be a physical conversation...!"

"I'll save that for later."

"W-What...?"

When I confidently declared that I planned to do exactly that, Renka grew visibly flustered. She also looked a bit dumbfounded. My willingness to swing my dick around between the two of them must have struck her as absurd. Regardless, her timid reaction was cute.

"What did you talk about with Master?"

"...It's none of your business."

"You weren't badmouthing me, were you?"

"I-I didn't...!"

"You look pretty guilty."

"I'm not...! I really didn't...!"

I smoothly stroked Renka's waist and pelvis as she vehemently denied it. She flinched and instinctively looked toward Chinami, which made me chuckle. It was obvious she was walking on eggshells since she hadn't told Chinami about our relationship yet.

I felt a sense of camaraderie, as I was in the same boat, having not told Miyuki either. Renka's situation was quite similar to mine—though of course, I was the cause of everything. Well... shouldn't people with the same struggles comfort each other?

Smack.

"Hyaek!? Hup...!"

After lightly smacking Renka's butt, I walked past her as she stifled a moan and covered her mouth, heading toward the corner seat.

Chinami had her bright pink lips pressed to the tip of a straw, sipping her iced tea. Her face was still flushed red, as if she were still embarrassed about Renka catching us being affectionate.

I sat down right beside her and asked a question.

"What did the President say?"

"Yes...? Ah... She didn't say much in particular..."

"Is that so? How's the iced tea?"

"Same as last time..."

"Average?"

"Yes... Would you like a sip...?"

It was a somewhat old-fashioned line, unsuited for such a bashful situation. But coming from Chinami, it fit perfectly.

"No, I'm fine. Is your body feeling stiff?"

"Yes...? All of a sudden...?"

"Yeah."

"No...?"

"It should be."

"Huh...? Aha...!"

Letting out a gasp as if she'd realized something, Chinami scanned our surroundings. Seeing that the cafe was completely empty of customers, she looked relieved and spoke in a fading voice.

"M-My shoulders... might be getting a little stiff..."

"Is that right? Then I should massage them for you."

"Hey now...! You have to listen until the end...! They might be showing signs of getting stiff, but not right now..."

Stiff was stiff; what did she mean by "showing signs"? I gently massaged the back of her neck as she roundaboutly told me not to fool around during work hours, and recalled what had happened the last time I gave her a massage.

The image of Chinami stomping her feet and asking me to hug her surfaced in my mind. She had been cuter and prettier than anyone else back then. I would probably never forget the sight of her actively acting cute when she was usually so passive.

"Why are you staring at me like that...?"

Chinami glanced at me with an impossibly shy expression. I beamed at her and asked a question of my own.

"Should I hug you?"

"Y-Yes...? Why...?"

"Because I want to hug you."

"I-Is that so...? Then please hug me..."

Hearing Chinami's answer, I spread my arms wide. She hesitated for a moment before burying her face in my chest.

Her petite frame tucked neatly into my embrace. She was the perfect size for hugging. It didn't have the exact same flavor as last time, but this was nice too. I felt like I was being healed.

As I held Chinami, taking in the sweet peach scent drifting into my nose— "Matsu... Eek...!"

I let out a hollow laugh when I saw Renka, who had approached the table unguarded, cover her face just like before. Why did she keep showing up at the worst possible timing? Was it out of jealousy? She probably wouldn't act like that this early on... I figured she had just come over innocently.

Anyway, I knew Renka had a somewhat uncharacteristically girlish side to her, but it was a bit funny to see her react like that over a mere hug. Sensing Renka's presence, Chinami tried to pull away from me, but I held her tight and just turned my head to answer.

"What is it?"

"Um... you got... a phone call..."

"A call?"

"...Your Cell Phone... was on the counter..."

"Really? Who is it from?"

"I don't know... It's an unsaved number..."

"Some kind of loan ad?"

"How should I know...!"

"Why are you getting annoyed?"

"When did I...! A-Anyway, I'm going... It's about time for customers to start swarming in, so don't overdo it... Ahem... figure it out yourself."

Perhaps finding the sight of Chinami and me hugging too cheesy, Renka hurried away. Even as she worked behind the counter, she kept glancing over, apparently extremely curious about what Chinami and I were doing.

"Phew...! I-I should get going now... It's almost time for the store to open..."

Meanwhile, Chinami pulled away from me, fanning her face with her hand and sipping her iced tea. She seemed to be trying to cool down her flushed body. I lightly patted her back and spoke.

"Are you going to buy your merch and come back?"

"No. I plan to go home..."

"Why? Didn't you say your shoulders were scheduled to get stiff?"

"T-That won't be today, but probably tomorrow or the day after...! Maybe even three or four days from now...!"

Our Chinami could even foresee the future. What an outstanding talent. After our quirky exchange, she quickly gulped down the rest of her iced tea. Then, suddenly scrunching up her face, she started frantically pressing her palm against her forehead.

"Muaah...!"

She must have gotten brain freeze from drinking the cold liquid too fast.

"D-Don't laugh...!"

She shot a glare at my face, which was barely holding back laughter, and grew even more embarrassed as a bonus. Having shown me all sorts of cuteness in such a short time, Chinami stood up. I got up with her and placed her tray on the counter while she exchanged goodbyes with Renka.

"Well then... good luck, you two."

Bowing her head, Chinami left the cafe. She waved frantically at Renka and me before scurrying away.

Savoring the tranquil atmosphere I had shared with her, I let out a long breath through my nose and stepped behind the counter. Then, I lightly tapped Renka's rear and spoke.

"Shall we work now?"

"...Yeah. We have to work... but..."

"But what?"

"Stop touching my butt."

I had thought she was going to express her disappointment, asking why I was so gentle with Chinami while being so overbearing with her. When would that time come? I wondered if we'd have to have a threesome for that to happen.

"No."

Ignoring Renka's warning with simple ease, I went to the sink, which had quite a pile of dishes, and put on rubber gloves. Then, enjoying the piercing glare I felt on my back, I turned the faucet and let the water run.

The sun set, and the sky began to darken. Having finished my shift, I waited for Renka in the car. As soon as she finished showering, opened the door, and sat in the passenger seat, I shoved my Cell Phone in her face.

"W-What is this...?"

Startled by my sudden action, Renka's eyes fell on the Cell Phone. It was a video of a woman with a slender waist, her erector spinae muscles moving flexibly in a belly dance. Frowning at the sight, Renka asked a question.

"What do you want me to do about it...?"

"Have you ever thought about learning how to belly dance?"

"Belly dance...?"

"I think it would be really nice if the President danced to it."

"What did you say, you bastard...!? Are you completely crazy...?"

"Why?"

"Why are you telling me to learn that...! Am I your plaything!?"

"I was just asking."

"No...! I'm not learning it...!"

"All right. It's about time I quit this part-time job, anyway. School starts soon."

Renka was left speechless by the sudden change in topic. Blinking her large eyes as she studied me for a moment, she nodded in agreement.

"...I suppose."

"It's a shame."

"I didn't know you had that much passion for the job."

"I mean it's a shame that I won't be able to spend time with the President."

"..."

Perhaps embarrassed for misreading the context, Renka brought a hand to her mouth and coughed to clear her throat. Yet, seemingly secretly pleased by my roundabout confession, she stroked the back of her neck.

Feeling the mood beginning to dip slightly, I raised my hand and gently struck Renka's thigh. Slap! My palm wrapped perfectly around her leg with a crisp sound.

"Hyaak!!"

Startled by the unexpected spanking, Renka shrieked and glared at me.

"Ah, why the hell are you hitting me again...!! Do you really want to die?"

"It was only loud this time. It didn't hurt at all."

"That may be true, but you still hit me...! Why are you only violent with me!"

"How is this violent? It's an expression of affection."

"Oh really? Is that right?"

With a look that said 'I've got you now', Renka swung her fist at my arm. Smack! I felt a heavy impact, but there wasn't an ounce of pain.

"Can I hit you like this too? Since it's an expression of affection?"

"Did the President just call it an expression of affection out of her own mouth?"

"...I'm not saying I like you; I was just making a hypothetical...!"

"I'll let it slide. And don't act like this in the future."

"Why? It's okay when you hit someone, but you hate it when someone else hits you? Isn't that too much of a double standard? You selfish bastard?"

"No. That's not the reason."

"Then what is it!"

"A slave shouldn't raise a hand against their master."

At my incredibly solemn tone, Renka's mouth fell open slightly. While she sat there bewildered, sensing the sincerity in my voice, I slowly moved my hand resting on her thigh and continued.

"I'll let it go this once."

"W-What are you saying, you crazy..."

"Refrain from swearing, too. Should such words be coming out of a pretty mouth?"

"...Because you make me swear..."

Looking at Renka talking back to me, I sucked in the air sharply, letting out a strict hiss. Intimidated, Renka shut her lips tightly. She looked like she had a lot to say, but seeing my stern expression, she decided to back down for now.

The training was proceeding quite well. I felt satisfied. I would have to meet up with Chinami to make it three of us sometime soon. A threesome might still be premature, but staging a subtly erotic scene should be fine, right?

Sliding my hand between Renka's tightly pressed thighs, I started the car, enjoying the sensual touch of her soft skin.