Chapter 323

"W-what are you doing...?!"

Renka buried her face in my chest and let out a flustered shout.

I held her tight and replied.

"Just because."

"Let me go...! You Trash...!"

Renka struggled out of my grasp and shot me a highly suspicious look.

"Why are you acting so out of character...?!"

It was exactly the reaction I expected. It was funny how her first instinct was always suspicion.

I feigned ignorance, staring at Renka with an innocent expression.

"What's the fuss about?"

"Did you eat something weird today...?"

"Why would you say that? That hurts my feelings."

"Hurts, my ass...! Drop dead...!"

Hmm. Since her training was already complete, maybe spanking would be better than a hug?

If so, I should just smack her butt like she wanted.

No, wait, that would look... like I was taking my anger out on Renka after getting beaten up by Hiyori.

I needed to cherish our Renka.

But if I didn't tease her mercilessly, Ino-chan wouldn't send me a message...

It was a huge dilemma. Should I just do both?

She might actually like it if I teased her first and then comforted her.

"Do you want some candy?"

"...Now?"

She stared at me with wide, rabbit-like eyes, a look that suited her perfectly.

I pulled a Blueberry Candy out from inside my Kendo Uniform top and nodded.

"Now."

"W-why are you pulling it out from there...?!"

She should be glad I didn't pull it out of my underwear.

"Are you not going to eat it?"

"..."

"Here."

I carefully unwrapped the packaging and held the candy up to Renka's lips. She rolled her eyes, then opened her mouth just a tiny bit.

I popped the candy inside and slipped my thumb in slightly, pulling it back out the moment Renka bared her teeth.

"I knew you'd do something like this... You piece of trash..."

She was cursing at me, but seeing her roll the candy around in her mouth like she was enjoying it almost made me burst into laughter.

I put on a relaxed expression and opened my arms.

An invitation for a hug. Renka scoffed as if the very idea was absurd, her ponytail swishing as she turned to leave the Drying Room.

"Stop."

I lowered my arms—now an awkward, empty gesture—and spoke in a low voice. Renka flinched, pausing her reach for the doorknob.

"What is it now...?!"

"Why are you getting annoyed?"

"Because you're being annoying...!"

"What did I do that was so annoying?"

"Do I really need a reason? You're just annoying."

I knew she didn't mean it, but I still needed to fix that habit of hers.

Lately, thanks to Hiyori giving me a taste of my own medicine, I had been acting pretty docile, but strict discipline was still the best answer for Renka.

In fact, wasn't she secretly hoping I'd spank her?

I hadn't touched her for the past few days, so it felt like she was protesting, begging me to hurry up and smack her.

Having made up my mind, I strode over to Renka and slapped her thigh before she could even react.

Smack!

A crisp sound echoed as the air trapped inside her Training Uniform pants rushed out.

"Hyak!"

Renka's entire body jerked sharply. She let out a cute shriek and gritted her teeth.

"Ah, what are you doing...! Stop doing things like this...!"

"I told you I bought a present last time, right?"

"..."

"I'll give it to you soon."

Renka's eyes darted around anxiously at my words.

Her gaze was filled with intense apprehension over what kind of play I might try, mixed with a subtle sense of anticipation.

Noticing this, I flashed a grin.

"Are you curious about what it is?"

"...I-I am curious."

"You'll see for yourself later. You're going to like it."

"Then why were you blabbering on like you were going to tell me...?!"

"Sorry. Is the candy good?"

"Shut up. It tastes awful."

"You keep rolling it around in your mouth for something that tastes awful."

"I'm just eating it because it's already in my mouth. Stop bothering me. I have to go teach the club members."

"It looks to me like you're using the club members as hostages to avoid being disciplined."

"What kind of bullshit is that...?!"

"It is bullshit. Go on."

"Don't give me orders!"

Renka shot me a glare in a coy display of rebellion before storming out of the Drying Room.

Whenever I saw Renka acting like an angsty teenager, I found myself picturing how she used to be.

If she had said those things back when she was hostile toward me, I would have been genuinely offended, but now it was just funny.

Clack.

While I was reflecting on Renka's refreshing new attitude, the door that had just closed popped open, and a head of pink hair poked through.

It was Chinami, holding a Black Plastic Bag in her hand.

Her face lit up the moment she spotted me.

"Ah, there you are! Hurry, come over here."

Even though we were the only two in the Drying Room, she kept glancing around nervously as she grabbed my wrist and dragged me into the corner. I wondered what it was all about.

I let Chinami pull me along, and when she crouched down, I tilted my head and asked her a question.

"What's going on?"

"My mother recently managed to get her hands on the most delicious variety of spring peaches."

"Ah... So, is that a peach you're holding?"

"Yes. I brought them to share with my junior. Hurry up and take a seat."

Our Chinami... She had such a kind heart, but I was honestly getting sick of peaches.

No matter how delicious they were, I didn't exactly want to eat them.

Still, she had brought them all the way here just for me, so I ought to be grateful.

"Did you give some to the President?"

"I just ran into her and gave her a few."

"Secretly, like you're doing now?"

"Yes. I took her to the Women's Lounge and secretly handed them over."

"I see. And you said the Master's mother was the one who got these?"

"That's right."

Chinami's mother, huh... I had thought about wanting to meet her before, so maybe I should make time to visit her soon.

Would she be as cute as Chinami? I was sure she would be.

I wondered just how eccentric she might be, or if she was surprisingly normal.

"What are you doing? I told you to sit down."

Chinami's urging snapped me out of my thoughts, and I crouched down just as she wanted.

Then, I watched as she fumbled around and pulled a plastic airtight container out of the bag.

[MK. It's been a while.]

After returning home, taking a shower, and lying down on my mattress, I checked the message I received on AnyShare and burst into laughter.

I had expected her to send me a message, but I hadn't thought she'd send it today of all days.

It seemed that dropping a little bait in the Club Room had paid off.

Should I just expose her identity right now?

No, I should hold back just this once. Since Renka had already sent a message first, I could take control of the flow at any time.

[It has been a while.]

[You're just as rude as ever.]

[How am I being rude exactly?]

[It just feels that way.]

[If you don't have any business with me, let's end this conversation. I'm busy.]

[What are you so busy doing? Are you watching something dirty?]

[Think whatever you want.]

[Fine. The thing is, I've recently taken an interest in SM play. By any chance, what kind of play do you enjoy, MK?]

Why was she asking about something like this out of nowhere?

The answer came to me instantly.

She was trying to fish for clues about the present I was going to give her.

Renka's true intentions were incredibly obvious. It felt like I was inside her head.

[Isn't that the same question you asked last time?]

[Last time I asked what kind of play you liked, and now I'm asking what kind of play you actually do. It's a completely different context.]

[Are you making fun of me for being ignorant?]

[Your persecution complex is severe. But that's just how people like you are.]

Ino-chan's tone felt a bit rigid.

It wasn't that she was being cautious because we hadn't talked in a while, but... I wished she would use those cute emoticons she used to spam so often.

[Just hurry up and answer the question.]

I chuckled at Renka's continuous urging and tapped away on my Cell Phone.

[Aren't you lacking a bit of manners for someone asking a question?]

[I'm sorry.]

For her to apologize so meekly, she must have been incredibly curious about that present.

The present I had prepared was a cat tail plug, but there was no way I could tell her that right now.

It was better for the current Renka to experience a variety of emotions right now... like the anxiety, anticipation, and thrill of stepping into unknown territory.

[I just like all of it. I'm busy today, so can we talk next time?]

[Can't you just give me a short answer? I'm not going to contact you anymore after this.]

[See you next time.]

[I told you there won't be a next time, didn't I?]

[I didn't mean see you here, I meant see you in real life.]

[What is that supposed to mean? Why would I ever agree to meet you, MK?]

I didn't answer that question and stayed quiet.

Not long after, Renka began bombarding me with a barrage of messages.

[Hey.]

[You there.]

[MK.]

[The read receipt is showing, so why aren't you answering?]

I had only tested the waters just a little... a tiny bit, but her reaction was immense.

She might be acting like that out of anger because I ignored her messages, but my thoughts were a little different.

I could vividly picture Renka growing frantic, feeling a prick of guilt as she wondered if my words had something to do with her real identity.

Not long after I ignored her messages and turned on the TV, my Cell Phone began to vibrate.

The name displayed on the screen. The moment I saw it, I couldn't hold back the loud laughter threatening to spill out.

It was because Renka was calling me.

Our Renka... What was I going to do with her showing her honest feelings so transparently?

It was just one worry after another.

I forcefully suppressed the infectious urge to laugh, pressed the answer button, and brought the Cell Phone to my ear.

"Hello."

—...Hey.

"What is it?"

—What are you doing.

The tone of Renka's voice clearly revealed her intent to probe for information.

"I'm just at home."

—Is that so...?

"Why? Are you bored?"

—Well... a little.

"What about the Master? Did you say you weren't meeting her today?"

—That's why I called you...

"Is that right? Should we meet up then?"

—N-now?

"Do you want to meet up and watch a movie or something?"

—I... don't mind.

In truth, she probably hadn't planned on meeting me, but she had called at an incredibly coincidental time.

She must be thinking that if she hung up now, I might notice the connection between her and Ino-chan.

And that was likely why she agreed to meet me—to cover it up.

She had racked her brain, but that was as far as it went.

She shouldn't have called me in the first place.

"Then I'll head over in thirty minutes, so get ready."

—A-alright.

It had been a really long time since I met up with Renka alone after the new semester started.

Since it turned out this way, I should subtly bring up the topic of Ino-chan when we meet.

I would decide what to do next after seeing Renka's reaction.

After hanging up the phone, I chuckled to myself and started changing my clothes.