Chapter 366

"Are you not planning to participate in the National Athletic Meet, junior?"

Chinami asked, holding a basket filled with the Training Uniforms the club members had worn.

I took the basket from her and answered.

"Not particularly."

"Why is that?"

"I'd just be a nuisance entering such a large tournament when I don't plan to make a living off Kendo. I think it's better to give the opportunity to others."

"Hmm...!"

Chinami let out an exclamation and was about to say something, when...

"Don't make me laugh. You just don't have any drive."

Renka's sharp voice rang out from behind her.

"My close friend, you shouldn't make such assumptions. It is incredibly rude."

"I just stated a fact."

"Hey now...!"

"I'm leaving."

Perhaps sensing that Chinami was about to scold her, Renka playfully stuck her tongue out at me with a haughty expression before walking away.

Chinami watched her go with an affectionate, helpless sigh before speaking.

"Getting back on topic, I think your answer was very considerate. However, the majority of the male club members learn Kendo as a hobby just like you, and since there are other juniors who look up to you, how about participating in this tournament?"

"There are juniors who look up to me?"

"Of course. When you sparred using the Upper Stance last week, some of the juniors were watching with sparkling eyes. A few even came to ask me about you."

"Really? Are they girls?"

"The ratio of girls was higher, but does that matter?"

It matters a lot. It's a matter of motivation.

"I misspoke. I won't be participating in the tournament. It would be better to put in a friend who is more passionate about Kendo than I am."

"Are you saying you have no passion for Kendo?"

"I just think I need a little rest right now."

"Hmm... You certainly worked hard during your first year."

At that, Renka, who had reappeared behind Chinami at some point, snorted and retorted.

"What rest when you've never even practiced properly? Chinami, you're too soft on him."

"Hyaak!? When did you get here...!"

"Just now."

"Are you bored?"

"B-bored? Who said I'm bored...!"

Chinami really hit the nail on the head.

Anyone could tell she was loitering around here because she had nothing to do.

Come to think of it, the club members did seem to be taking it easy today.

Because the weather outside was just too hot.

"The National Athletic Meet is right around the corner, yet it seems the President is getting complacent."

I tossed those words out as I shoved all the Training Uniforms into the washing machine and dumped in the detergent. Renka flared up and raised her voice.

"Don't be ridiculous...! There's still plenty of time until the National Athletic Meet! Why are you just assuming things...!"

"You interpreted my words however you wanted earlier too, President."

"..."

Perhaps recalling her own snappy behavior just now, Renka pressed her lips tightly together.

Thinking her flustered expression was quite a novel sight, I asked.

"Nothing to say, right?"

"No...? I..."

"You were just stating a fact?"

"...Right."

Renka was the textbook definition of a double standard.

Usually, that kind of attitude would make you frown. But coming from Renka—who showed all her emotions on her face instead of acting shamelessly—it just looked cute.

"Fufu... It's nice to see you two getting closer as time goes by. I'll go fetch the peach syrup I left in the Lounge refrigerator, so let's all drink some cold peach tea together."

Having started the washing machine, Chinami bustled off toward the Lounge.

Was she reluctant to drink that overly sweet peach tea again after having it just yesterday?

Or was it because she was worried about what might happen if she were left alone with me?

Clearing her throat a few times, Renka pointed outside the laundry room.

"I'm going to go teach the club members now."

"You aren't going to have any peach tea?"

"I had some yesterday... I'm sick of it."

"Then you can just tell her you don't want any."

"Ah, shut up. I'm going."

"Keep your schedule clear this weekend."

Renka, who had been about to walk out with a swish of her long ponytail, flinched.

"...Why? What are you trying to do...?"

"I didn't like your attitude just now, so I'm going to punish you."

"What punishment...! You're trying to do that, aren't you...!"

"Do what? The plug?"

"See...! I told you I'd rather die than do that, so keep dreaming...!"

"Got it, just keep your schedule clear. And don't leave; let's drink the peach tea the Master is bringing together."

"Does 'got it' mean you aren't going to do it? Or that you are?"

"Is that important?"

"It's incredibly important...! Don't try to change the subject, answer me properly."

"I'll just... decide depending on the situation."

"Why are you the one deciding that! I'm the one who decides...!"

Then what was the point of asking for my intentions just now?

I was about to say that to Renka, whose submissive tendencies were already fully rearing their head, but instead, I decided I would just secretly try it during foreplay this weekend. Right then, I welcomed Chinami, who returned with the peach syrup, paper cups, and ice.

"Here are your clothes, sunbae-nim."

Hiyori held out the neatly folded clothes.

Taking them from her, I caught a faint whiff of the fabric softener scent that often lingered around her. I pressed my nose to the clothes and took a deep breath.

"Why are you smelling them?"

"Just checking if they've been washed well."

"They smell like me, right?"

"Yeah. They smell good."

One corner of Hiyori's mouth curled up.

She seemed pleased by the nonchalant compliment.

"Should I take a picture of the fabric softener and send it to you?"

"There's no need for that."

"Why not?"

"Because my fabric softener is good too."

"It's better to have two good things. You'll get sick of it if you use the same fabric softener every day."

"Don't you use the same one every day too?"

"No, I don't?"

"Is that so? Did you actually bring a change of clothes?"

"Right here."

Hiyori lifted the regular-sized shopping bag in her hand.

A gesture telling me to look. I glanced inside without a second thought and couldn't help but flinch.

Right at the top of the shopping bag lay Hiyori's underwear.

It was a basic underwear set, with a brand logo emblazoned across the bottom band of the bra and the waistband of the panties.

However, its bright orange color was incredibly eye-catching.

I tore my eyes away from the bag with a dumbfounded expression and asked.

"Why would you put your underwear right on top? Don't people usually hide it underneath?"

"You can't see it unless you purposely peek, so it's fine, isn't it?"

"What do you mean you can't see it? If you lower your arm, anyone looking from above could see everything. Don't tell me you came here like this?"

"I did."

"On the subway?"

"That's right."

"Didn't you think to tape the opening of the bag shut or something?"

"I don't know about things like that."

Flick!

As soon as I heard her irresponsible reply, I flicked Hiyori's broad forehead. She let out a yelp and covered the struck area with her hands.

"Ah, why did you hit me...!"

"Because you deserved it. Does it hurt?"

"Of course it hurts...! Didn't you hear the sound?"

"Glad to hear it. Please, just try to be a little more careful in public."

"Now that you've resorted to violence, I don't want to listen to you anymore."

"Come here."

She took a step closer to me, her lips thrust out in a deep pout.

I brushed away the hands clinging to her forehead and gently rubbed the spot with my own fingers.

Then, seeing Hiyori's still-sullen expression, I grabbed her head entirely and shook it vigorously back and forth.

Her small face bobbed along perfectly with the direction of my force.

It was pretty and hilarious how she completely surrendered her body to my hands, yet still glared daggers at me.

After shaking Hiyori's head a few times like that, I snatched her shopping bag away and set it in the living room.

"Now, let's stretch."

"We're only going for a power walk, so can't we just go?"

"Stop acting like a green frog and listen to me. Your body is incredibly stiff, so stretching is a must."

"How do you know if my body is stiff or not?"

"I can tell just by looking."

"No, you can't."

"Yes, I can. Stand facing me and follow along."

At my firm tone, Hiyori stood in front of me, grumbling as if unconvinced.

And then, she suddenly started moving her hips in a cross pattern.

Up and down, then left and right.

I blinked as I watched her vigorously thrusting her creaky pelvis in a way that was obviously intentional. Then, I asked.

"What are you doing?"

"Stretching. I'm flexible, aren't I?"

"Are you asking me that seriously?"

"Yes."

"Stop doing that. Keep your legs firmly together, bend your upper body forward, and reach your arms down."

"Are you testing my flexibility? Like this?"

Hiyori obediently bent at the waist.

The sight of her fingertips barely making it past the middle of her shins looked quite pitiful.

Answering yes, I walked over to Hiyori, placed a hand on her back, and pushed down with force.

"Ah...!"

The short shriek that burst from her lips immediately transformed into the wailing of someone on the brink of death as her upper body was forced closer to the floor.

"Aaaaaaah!!! It hurts!! sunbae-nim!! It hurts!! I'm in pain...!!"

Hiyori's voice grew louder as the muscles from her calves up to her thighs were stretched taut.

Thinking her involuntary flailing to alleviate the pain by spreading her feet apart was hilarious, I released the pressure on her back.

She instantly snapped her upper body upright like a coiled spring and glared at me with resentful eyes.

"What are you doing, seriously...!! If you were going to do this, you might as well have told me to spread my legs to my limit!"

Spread her legs? That was an incredibly arousing line.

I should try doing exactly that for our next stretch.

"You really are stiff. Try to build up some flexibility."

"Isn't it fine as long as I don't have any issues exercising?"

I'm saying this because it could cause problems when we try out various sexual positions.

Swallowing those words, I somehow managed to finish the stretches with Hiyori, who kept rubbing the backs of her thighs and grumbling.

Just as we stepped out of the Main Gate together and were about to start our power walk in earnest...

"Hm? Matsuda-kun?"

Miyuki's voice, who by all rights should have been eating out with her family today, pierced my ears.

Turning my head toward the sound, I saw Miyuki approaching Hiyori and me with a bewildered expression. She was dressed in a casual outfit—a short-sleeved white t-shirt, a long skirt, and flip-flops.