Chapter 273

For the final heroine to appear exactly when Tetsuya walked in... I could only call it a cruel twist of timing. Was it because he was still the protagonist of Doki-Aka?

It was filthy, truly filthy. I was running around until my feet were on fire, but women just naturally flocked to that bastard even when he stood completely still. Of course, Hiyori wouldn't have any interest in a guy like Tetsuya, but it still felt far too unfair.

"Welcome."

I smiled and greeted Hiyori, who was once again leading her group. She flashed a bright smile and lined up behind Tetsuya. Seeing this, Tetsuya stepped aside and offered her a slight bow.

It was completely out of nowhere. Flustered, Hiyori blinked her large eyes before offering an awkward smile and returning his greeting.

"Hello..."

I already felt a cramp in the back of my neck. Why the fuck was Tetsuya pulling stunts that didn't even suit him...

"Please, order first. I'm having a hard time deciding."

"Ah, is that okay?"

"Of course."

Stop acting sweet, you motherfucker. He was a loser who couldn't even talk to women other than Miyuki, so what had gotten into him today? Was he trying to copy me? Or were his shoulders puffed up with confidence just because he knew people at the cafe? Whatever the reason, watching him put on this pathetic act irritated me.

Hiyori thanked Tetsuya for his consideration once more, exchanged a glance with her friends as they took their seats, and quickly skimmed the menu. Then, she spoke up just as fast.

"One caramel macchiato, one matcha latte, and one chocolate chip frappuccino, please. Oh, and I brought my coupon, and it has seven stamps on it. Since I'm ordering three drinks, that makes ten, so is one of them free?"

She must have looked up the cafe's menu beforehand. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to rattle that off so smoothly.

"That's right."

"Then I'll add one strawberry cheese frappe as well."

"Understood. Let me ring that up for you."

"Okay."

Hiyori replied cheerfully and pulled her wallet from her bag. Was she not going to pay with her Cell Phone this time? Had she been banned from doing so by her parents for overspending?

As she pulled out some bills and handed them to me, her slender fingers and the red nail polish adorning their tips stood out. If she gently scratched my chest and stomach with those nails, I felt like I could cum without even getting hard.

Hiyori flashing me a foxy smile as I experienced both ticklishness and pure pleasure at the same time, asking me, "Does it feel good?"... Just imagining it made me crazy horny.

After finishing the payment and stamping her coupon, I handed Hiyori her Pager and change. Tetsuya then approached the counter again and spoke to Renka.

"I'll just have an iced coffee."

Why was he ordering from Renka instead of me when I was closer to the counter? Did he just not want to talk to me? No, she was the one paying for it, so of course he would direct his order to her. I shouldn't overthink it. It would only build up my stress.

"Is that all? Got it. I'll make it for you right away."

"Yes, President. Should I take a seat?"

"Yeah. I have to make the previous customers' drinks first, so it might take a little while."

"Of course. I understand."

Out of all the available seats, Tetsuya went out of his way to plant his plump ass in the chair two seats down from Hiyori. He was probably doing it so he could sneak glances at her because she was pretty. Truly fitting for a perverted bastard. I was a pervert too, but that guy was on another level. It was the difference between being insidious and being sacred.

"Why aren't you talking to Miura?"

Renka asked as she brought the milk to the steamer. Tossing frozen milk cubes and strawberries into the blender, I answered nonchalantly.

"Is there any real need to?"

"Aren't you glad to see him? You didn't even know you were both working at cafes."

"You were the one who told Miura about that, President. Besides, I see him often enough when we study with Miyuki, and we talk plenty then, so it's fine."

"The three of you study together?"

"We do. You should learn a thing or two about studying from Master too, President."

"Ah, why are you steering the conversation there...!"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry."

I stealthily patted the upper part of Renka's buttocks where no one could see. I then started making drinks alongside her as she sulked and grumbled. While we worked, I kept an eye on Hiyori's table, listening closely to their conversation.

"Asahina. Let's play Apex together."

A guy whined as he called out to Hiyori. He stretched his arms out on the cafe table and rested his head on them, trying to act cute. I felt like I was going to vomit.

If you catch my eye again after today, you're receiving the death penalty. Even setting aside the fact that he was flirting with Hiyori, his behavior was just plain repulsive.

"Apex? I'm already playing it, though?"

Hiyori took a sip of her caramel macchiato before answering, prompting the guy to ask in a surprised voice.

"What...? Since when?"

"Since the day before yesterday. Rihito taught me how to play, so I've been playing it, and it's pretty fun. But I keep dying after getting just one kill. Rihito gets like seven kills a match."

"Oh, really? You should've learned from me. I'm way better than Rihito."

"Rihito said the exact same thing."

"Don't believe him. His rank is way lower than mine."

Seeing the guy get worked up was somehow hilarious. Judging by the situation, this guy was interested in Hiyori, and since Rihito was the same way, the guy was feeling jealous that the two of them were playing a game without him.

Hiyori covered her mouth and giggled before nodding.

"Got it. I'll send you a friend request when I have time, so text me your ID later."

"Sure."

"It would be fun to play as a trio with Rihito. By the way, what gun should I use after I finish looting?"

"There's an assault rifle called the Carbine, and it's great because the recoil is forgiving. If you just soften them up for me, I can wipe them all out."

"What does softening them up mean?"

"Chipping away their shields and HP is softening them up, and as for other terms..."

The guy started chattering away like a fish meeting water. He was clearly excited that Hiyori was playing along so well.

I finally realized why I felt so much hostility toward that guy. Part of it was because he was flirting with Hiyori, but the bigger reason was that seeing him get all excited over a little bit of pampering reminded me way too much of Tetsuya.

Tetsuya, who was sitting at the next table waiting for his drink, perked up his ears as soon as the game was mentioned. He was trying to act normal, but his uniquely goofy acting gave him away instantly.

Was he interested in the game Hiyori's friend brought up? Come to think of it, people were calling Apex a national game these days... Tetsuya might already be playing it.

But no way... Was there really a chance that Tetsuya played the game too, bumped into Hiyori by chance, and formed a connection with her... Something that ridiculous wouldn't actually happen, right?

It probably wouldn't. Since it was a battle royale game, the chances of them meeting through matchmaking were abysmally low, and even if they looked for groups in online communities, Hiyori was likely just playing it to kill time. I felt like my paranoia was getting too severe lately. I needed to stop worrying so much.

"Can't we talk about something other than games? I don't know a thing about that one."

At the whining of the girl sitting next to Hiyori, the guy playfully glared at her. In response, the girl raised one fist in a mock threat. It was a pleasant sight to watch. A picture of fresh youth.

"Matsuda, I'm going to start making the iced coffee now, okay?"

Renka spoke, having already finished making the matcha latte and caramel macchiato. Snapping back to reality, I patted the small of her back in place of an answer.

I wasn't jealous of Hiyori and her friends. I was enjoying my own version of youth, after all. Hiyori would step into my youth and become a part of it eventually anyway, wouldn't she? That was more than enough for me.

"Well then... I'll be going now."

Tetsuya placed his empty cup on the counter and bowed his head to Renka. He was finally leaving. The cafe's atmosphere, which had instantly grown dull the moment he arrived, was about to brighten up again.

"Leaving already? You should stay a little longer."

"No, I only dropped by because I was on my way somewhere else..."

"Really? Well, it can't be helped then. Your Kendo practice has been going well, right? If you'd like..."

Alarm bells started ringing in my head as I listened to Renka. She was planning to invite Tetsuya to the Kendo Club Room right now.

I was getting angry, so fucking angry. My slave had been crossing the line far too often lately. Why was she going out of her way to ruin our cozy time together? I couldn't put this off any longer. I needed to teach her a lesson.

Sneaking up to Renka's side, I poked her back with my index finger.

"Eep...!?"

Renka flinched, her chest puffing out slightly. Puzzled by her instinctive reaction, Tetsuya asked a question.

"Is something wrong?"

In that brief window, I quickly traced an 'X' on Renka's back. Catching onto my intentions immediately, she cleared her throat and shook her head.

"Ah, no... It's nothing..."

I stepped away from Renka again and began wiping down cups as if nothing had happened. Tetsuya, tactless as always, simply scanned me with a bewildered expression before speaking.

"Didn't you have something to say?"

"Kendo... I just wanted to say you can ask me whenever you have questions..."

"That's what you told me on the phone last time, right?"

"Yeah, it is... I'm just emphasizing it. So you don't forget."

"I certainly won't forget. Thank you for emphasizing it. May I drop by often?"

"Of course. You're welcome anytime."

"Thank you, President. Keep up the good work."

Tetsuya gave a sharp, formal standing bow, told me to keep up the good work as well, and left the cafe. I thought he would sneak a glance at Hiyori's group before leaving, but surprisingly, he left without a fuss. He really had grown up a little. Eavesdropping on their conversation earlier was pretty pathetic, but since I did the exact same thing, I was willing to let it slide.

I glanced over at Hiyori's quietly chatting group, crouched down, and motioned for Renka to do the same. Once she sank down next to me, I put on a serious face.

"The private Kendo Club Room lessons were a promise strictly between you and me, President. Did you really have to go and invite Miura too?"

"....It's not exactly some grand promise... As the President, I'm perfectly allowed to teach talented juniors... And besides..."

"And besides?"

"If it's just you and me going... It's obvious you're going to try something weird..."

So she backed down even though she knew full well what kind of things were going to happen? She even tossed aside her duty as President and abandoned a rather talented club member just for that? This was definitely worthy of praise. I'd have to stamp her lips with mine later.

"So you needed a human shield?"

"W-Why would you phrase it like that...!"

"Anyway, no, you can't do that."

"That's why I dodged the question...! But wait... You just said the Kendo Club Room, right?"

"I did."

"Then coming over to my house is canceled, isn't it? I just have to teach you in the Club Room?"

"Nope. We'll do it in the Club Room, and we'll do it at your house too, President."

"....Don't be ridiculous. If you're going to play word games, I won't go to the Club Room either."

I caught sight of the lower half of Renka's thighs as she tried to draw a firm line. Because she was crouching, her calf and thigh muscles were pressed together, making her flesh look much plumper than usual. It was incredibly appealing. She was wearing a skirt, yet she was acting so defenseless.

Sneaking my hand out, I ticklishly scratched the area. Renka freaked out in total silence, stumbling as she straightened her knees. I stood up alongside her. I was just about to keep touching her body as she blew a puff of air upward at her bangs when—

"I'm going to go order some cake."

Hiyori pushed back her chair and stood up. Hearing her voice, Renka frantically slapped my hand away with a smack! I clicked my tongue in disappointment.