Chapter 422

[What fight? Who said that?]

[Huh? No one. It's just something I say sometimes.]

[Like a greeting?]

[Right. Something like that.]

She was protecting the Vice Representative who'd acted as the whistleblower.

Miyuki, who ought to be honest with me, was dodging the question just to protect her friend?

I couldn't just let this slide. I would have to give Miyuki a harsh punishment today.

[I'm planning to head over around nine. Can you let your parents know?]

[To my house? You're coming over?]

[Yeah.]

[Are you coming over to touch my breasts?]

[That's right.]

[Those impure intentions make me hesitant.]

[How about I come over to celebrate the championship?]

[Earlier you said it wasn't you who won, Matsuda-kun.]

[Are you talking back to me?]

[I am.]

[Alright. Keep it up. I'll text you again when I leave.]

[Okay.]

Finishing my chat with Miyuki, I looked at Chinami sitting next to me.

She was receiving some well-cooked shabu-shabu from Renka, who sat across the table.

Judging by the pile of meat in her bowl, Renka had been constantly passing food to her.

"Why do you keep giving her more when she hasn't even finished? The meat won't taste good if it gets cold."

I stopped Renka as she tried to transfer another piece of meat to Chinami's bowl, making her furrow her brow at me.

"Well, it just looked delicious... And Chinami is fine with it."

"Master is just too nice to refuse when someone gives her food. Isn't that right?"

I looked at Chinami, prompting her to agree. She tilted her head and blinked.

"Yes...? Not exactly...?"

What an incredibly awkward answer.

Since I hadn't been direct, the innocent Chinami probably didn't understand what I meant.

I would back off for now, but I swore to corrupt Chinami one day.

"She says she's not. Do you want to die?"

Renka's childishly honest, triumphant expression was cute.

I was gripped by the urge to pinch her bulging, food-stuffed cheeks, but barely held it in. Instead, I gave a wide smirk to Renka, who was avoiding my gaze—likely feeling a pang of guilt over her harsh words.

"What are you grinning at?"

Renka immediately snapped back.

It seemed like she was dying to be disciplined. I would have to give her what she wanted.

With the tournament over and time on my hands, there was nothing holding me back anymore.

"I'm telling you to eat up."

"I was going to anyway."

Perhaps emboldened by the presence of others, Renka made a sarcastic retort, snorted, and shoved meat into her mouth.

Watching her munch on her food was quite a pleasant sight.

Later, I would have to make her eat mine too.

"Mmm? Where are you going in the middle of eating?"

Chinami asked as I stood up from my seat.

Looking down at her gentle expression, I told her the air felt a bit stuffy and that I was stepping out for a moment. Once outside, I gave Hiyori a call.

"Hello, Matsu-matsu."

Her voice echoed quite a bit.

She must have been in the bathroom.

"What are you doing?"

"Showering."

"You picked up the phone while taking a shower?"

"I'm soaking in the tub. Do you need a picture by any chance?"

"What picture?"

"You begged for one last time."

"I never went as far as begging."

"Ah, so do you need it or not?"

"I'll look at it if you send it."

"You sound like a total pervert. No way."

"Then why make a fuss bringing it up?"

"I was just testing the waters. How did the tournament go?"

"The women's division won the championship, and the men's division placed fifth."

"Oh, really? Winning is amazing, but is fifth place good too?"

"It is."

"Everyone must have been thrilled."

A splashing sound came through the Cell Phone.

It sounded like Hiyori, submerged in the tub, had pulled her leg out of the water.

That seductive image played out in my mind, but it wouldn't be long before I could see it for myself.

"They were."

"Aren't you happy, sunbae-nim?"

"I guess I'm... glad too."

"Then why don't you sound happy at all?"

"Don't start cooking up conspiracy theories."

"Okaay. Should we work out tomorrow to celebrate the championship?"

"You could just say you want to work out. Why tack on an excuse?"

"It makes it look better. I'll come over in the evening, so be ready."

"Not in the morning?"

"I have plans then."

"Stop..."

"Don't tell me to stop hanging out."

She had reached the point where she could predict what I was going to say.

Then again, it made sense considering how much conservative nagging I had given her.

"Alright. Text me before you leave."

"Got it."

"Don't just say 'got it' and then randomly show up unannounced like always."

"Have a little faith in me."

Finishing my brief call with Hiyori, I looked up at the darkening sky and glanced around.

Tetsuya hadn't followed me out this time.

I wondered if he was doing some soul-searching after I called him petty.

Interlocking my fingers and stretching my arms high into the air, I headed back inside the restaurant.

After that, I hung out with everyone until quite late.

Until the team dinner ended, I had no further clashes with Tetsuya.

Some of the Kendo Club seniors picked up on the tension between Tetsuya and me and pulled us aside individually to ask what was wrong, but since both he and I acted like nothing happened, they just let it go.

The label of being in the same class was such a pain.

I hoped that in our Third Year, Tetsuya would be the only one split into a different class.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

A booming greeting rang out from the main gate of the Academy.

Startled by this, Goro put on a stern face and told them to be quiet, but there was no stopping the Kendo Club members. Their energy was through the roof after achieving great results in the tournament and having a blast at the dinner.

In truth, if Goro really intended to scold them, he wouldn't have just left them be.

He probably would have disciplined them.

The fact that he only told them to keep it down meant he was incredibly happy as well.

Seeing him cradle the trophy so preciously made that obvious.

"You all worked hard too. Those who competed really gave it their all, and those who didn't worked just as hard cheering until your throats gave out. My phone is always on, so if you have any questions about Kendo, reach out anytime. Have a great vacation. And don't cause any trouble."

"Yes, Director!"

"You guys are usually so slack, but now you're screaming because you're happy... Dismissed. Nanase and Matsuda, please handle the cleanup."

After finishing his brief speech and dismissing the members, Goro walked toward the Kendo Club with delicate, careful steps that completely didn't match his appearance, as if terrified of dropping the trophy.

He might have talked tough, but the director was probably the happiest person here right now.

Along with Chinami and Renka, I unloaded all the luggage from the bus's storage compartment and handed it out to the members.

I watched the members scatter as they exchanged their goodbyes. When Tetsuya approached, I grabbed his bag and held it out to him.

"This is yours, right? Take it."

"...Right."

I wanted to ask if he wasn't going to thank me, but since Renka and Chinami—who had nothing to do with the tension between us—were right there, I decided to let it go for now.

Actually, no. Renka was slightly involved.

I remembered how Tetsuya had tried to flirt and get close to Renka at the beginning of last year's semester.

That bastard had a strong tendency to act completely devoted to Miyuki while secretly trying to dip his spoon into every other bowl.

If he didn't have the skills, he should just stay quiet and lay low. Seeing him go out of his way to chase other girls just proved how incredibly shady he was.

"What was that...? What just happened?"

Renka asked, having picked up on the sudden, heavy mood between Tetsuya and me.

After handing the last member their bag, I picked up a box destined for the Club Room and shrugged.

"It's nothing."

"Are you sure it's nothing?"

"I told you it's nothing. Anyway, the tournament is over, so it's time to keep the promise you made me, right?"

Going to the Hotel with Chinami.

When I indirectly brought it up, Renka's face flushed a deep, furious red.

Glancing sideways at Chinami, who was bowing politely to the bus driver, Renka lowered her voice and snapped angrily.

"What are you saying...! What promise...! I'm not doing it. I'd rather die...!"

Her resistance was still strong, but if that was the case, I had a plan.

I would start by giving her the silent treatment to make her anxious, burning her up inside until she had no choice but to accept my offer.

I would begin first thing tomorrow.

"Just grab that stuff on the floor."

"Who are you to order me around? I'll do it myself...!"

"Suit yourself, then."

Giving a nonchalant reply, I finished moving the luggage to the Club Room, briefly cleaned the equipment with the two of them, and stepped back outside.

"I'll take you home."

"No need. My dad said he's coming to pick me up."

"Master too?"

"Yeah. Chinami's house is close to mine anyway, so don't go out of your way. Just go home."

"Since when did your voice get so sweet?"

"I mean... it's just... you worked hard."

"What did I even do?"

"Oh, come on...! If I say you did, then you did. Just accept it quietly."

Whenever Renka made that fake pouting face, it meant she was actually thankful to me for something...

She must have kept my loud, throat-tearing cheers during the tournament in mind and was showing her gratitude now.

"Alright."

I nodded in agreement and then said goodbye to Chinami, who came out right after.

Afterward, I went to the Academy Parking Lot, pulled my car out, and was heading out through the main gate when the Vice Representative and several other members stepped off the Archery Club bus.

I parked nearby for a moment and waited for the Archery Club members to disperse. Once the area around the bus cleared out, I rolled down my window.

Then, I called out to the Vice Representative.

"Hey."

She looked around in confusion for a moment, trying to figure out where the voice came from.

I called out to the Vice Representative one more time. Only then did she turn her head my way, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Huh? Did you call me?"

"Heading home?"

"I am."

"Get in. I'll give you a ride."

"Really?"

"Get in before I change my mind."

With a look that said this was a stroke of luck, the Vice Representative sprinted over, opened the passenger door, and hopped into the car.

"Why isn't Miura-kun here?"

She asked, glancing around the interior of the car where it was just the two of us.

I released the parking brake, took my foot off the pedal, and spoke.

"Does he need to be?"

"Why? Aren't you two close?"

"I don't let guys in my car."

"That's not funny at all."

"I'm not joking."

"...Are you serious?"

Honestly, my rule used to be just barring them from the front seat, but I changed it as of today.

Because of that, any children I had with the heroines absolutely had to be daughters.

"Dead serious. By the way, was it you?"

"Was what me?"

"The one who contacted Miyuki and told her that Miura and I fought."

"...Did Miyuki tell you?"

"She didn't exactly say it. She texted me asking if we fought, and you were the first person who came to mind."

"You're pretty quick to catch on, aren't you...?"

"So you're a tattletale?"

The dark interior of the car, paired with my emotionless voice.

Perhaps feeling a spike of fear, the Vice Representative stammered.

"S-Sorry... I was just worried..."

"You'll have to be punished."

"Punished...? What kind of punishment...?"

The Vice Representative's hands tightly gripped her seatbelt.

Her reaction was surprisingly delicious.

It felt like teasing her like this every now and then would be fun.

"I'll think about it carefully later."

"Why are you being so scary...? You're joking, right?"

"Yeah, I'm joking."

"Oh, what the...! You scared me..."

Wasn't she a little too obvious about sweeping her hand over her chest in relief?

I would remember this. Later, I would mercilessly spray thick, white liquid all over her round glasses.

"Tell me your address so I can put it in the GPS."

"Got it."

After dropping the Vice Representative off at her house, I headed straight for Miyuki's place.

On the way, I got a text from Miyuki telling me not to go inside when I arrived, but to come to the playground instead.

Did she want to go for a walk? It had been a while, so I figured I would enjoy a fresh, innocent date.

With that thought, I arrived at Miyuki's house, only to see Wataru's car parked off in the corner of the Parking Lot.

He had thoughtfully left space to make it easier for me to park.

The more he did this, the harder it would be for me to conquer Midori... I couldn't let my heart grow weak.

I parked quietly and followed the dim glow of the streetlights to the small neighborhood playground.

As I passed the wall surrounding the playground and was about to step through the entrance, I heard noises coming from inside.

It was the sound of rusty, ungreased metal grinding together, mixed with the low murmur of people talking.

There were people talking while riding the swings.

Standing on my tiptoes to peek over the wall, I spotted two familiar silhouettes.

One was Miyuki, sitting on a swing. The other was Tetsuya, sitting quietly on the swing next to hers.

Instinctively, I quickly bent my knees, lowered my body, and pressed myself tightly against the wall to find a spot where I could hear clearly.

I had eavesdropped on their conversations like this in the past, and even recently during the school trip. It made me feel a little pathetic, but this was an unavoidable human instinct.

After giving myself that mental justification, I strained my ears as much as possible, and the faint sound of their conversation drifted into my ears.

"Miyuki, do you like Matsuda?"

Things were taking an interesting turn.

I would watch closely to see exactly how he projected his freshly exploded inferiority complex onto Miyuki.

I doubted it would happen, but if he tried to pull anything weird with Miyuki, I was going to rush in and beat him half to death.