Chapter 38: Not Matsuda-kun, but Ken-kun.

Chapter 38: Not Matsuda-kun, but Ken-kun.

Chapter 38: Not Matsuda-kun, but Ken-kun.

Miyuki, who had been closely following Matsuda from behind, sneakily examined his back in detail.

Could she be mistaken, or did she just glimpse the lean muscles under his white uniform shirt?

His broad back naturally gave off a dependable aura.

.....

Until not long ago, she truly despised Matsuda. She even exaggeratedly wished hed get expelled.

Who would have thought she would share such a relationship with him now?

It was an unexpected turn of events.

Miyuki lightly bit her lips.

Their second kiss inside the classroom It was brief, their lips merely touching for about ten seconds, but... it felt wonderful.

Frankly, she felt this kiss was sweeter than the first one.

Perhaps, unlike that time, because she was prepared and had initiated the kiss, she felt it more genuinely.

It felt as if she had discovered an entirely new world.

She yearned for another, but... was that it for today?

Would Matsuda possibly suggest a goodbye kiss when he drops her off at home?

Miyuki, who had been stealing occasional glances at Matsudas back, abruptly stopped in her tracks, incredulous at the absurd thought that had crossed her mind.

She had been the one always calling Matsuda a pervert; now, wasnt she acting like one herself?

Im going insane...

Chastising herself internally, Miyuki continued walking, her head hung low.

And then,

Thump.

Ah!

She bumped her forehead into Matsudas back and wobbled, losing her balance. The impact was strong enough to disrupt her balance entirely.

Just as she was about to fall backward, Matsudas arm shot out with incredible reflexes to catch her, his brows slightly furrowing.

What are you doing? Lost in thought?

Unable to meet Matsudas eyes properly, she responded.

Wh-Why did you stop all of a sudden, Matsuda-kun?

She wanted to say thank you, but why did her words come out as petulant complaints?

She was exceptionally awkward at expressing these new emotions. What would Matsuda think of her now?

Because weve arrived at the changing room.

Ah... already?

Its a short distance, so of course wed get here quickly. Are you both dumb and tiny?

...I didnt know.

A short puff of air escaped from Matsudas nose.

With a light laugh, he spoke.

Go ahead and change, too. Im going in.

Saying this, the corners of Matsudas mouth stretched outwards, forming a bright, refreshing smile that seemed to light up the area.

These days, she saw that smile quite often when she was with him.

Her heart began to beat faster.

It was a smile she felt she could never tire of seeing.

Was it too greedy to wish that hed show that smile to only her?

Okay... I wont take too long.

Why are you talking as if youll be alone? Ill change first and wait, so take your time coming out.

Upon closer inspection, it felt like Matsuda could read her heart.

Even now, he was saying the very things she had hoped to hear.

Although their personalities could almost be described as polar opposites...

She felt like she and Matsuda were strangely compatible.

Okay...Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

So timid...

Matsuda gently pressed down on Miyukis bangs with his large hand before heading into the mens changing room.

Placing her hand where he had just touched, Miyuki, her face flushed, whispered the words shed been holding back.

I like you, Ken-kun.

Even though shed only said it in her mind, her heart pounded wildly.

Her vision narrowed, her head dizzying with emotion.

Could she actually say those words out loud?

And what would it feel like to hear Matsuda say the same?

The inability to predict the outcome actually cleared her mind.

Miyuki headed toward the womens changing room, praying that Matsuda would once again read her feelings, all while trying to steady her racing heart.

***

Im going to check some new equipment weve brought in, so Junior Matsuda, you keep practicing your pushing technique with the shinai.

Should I come with you?

Junior Matsuda, youre already falling behind. Starting today, were ramping up the practice sessions. Just focus on your training. What did I say is the key when practicing footwork?

Alright. Ill call you. Thanks again, Matsuda.

As Tetsuya gave his farewells and headed toward his house, I gave a nonchalant nod and pressed down on the accelerator as soon as he was out of sight. Miyuki then began fiddling with her phone and asked,

The day before yesterday, before our movie started, there was an advertisement for a comedy movie starring Hayato at the theater, right?

Uh.

Didnt it look interesting?

Tsk, tsk... Miyuki.

Let me give you a life lesson.

You know how sometimes movie trailers will use phrases like a pleasant rebellion featuring so-and-so?

If thats the case, then theres a good chanceat least 50%that the movie is crap.

And that word popped out right from the opening of the trailer for the movie you mentioned.

It looked boring just from that alone.

But if you really want to see it... I suppose I can bear it.

Because I truly love you.

Do you really want to see it?

Its not like that... I was just thinking we could go if we have some free time...

Lets pick a date then.

Okay... I guess I should go...? Thanks for the ride...

As we arrived at her house, Miyuki took her timevery slowlyunbuckling her seatbelt.

Watching her, I spoke.

Hey.

Hmm?

You said you were tired from carrying heavy stuff today. Do you want me to massage your arm?

I noticed that Miyuki slightly shook at my words, as if on cue.

She caught on. That Id mirrored Tetsuyas words exactly.

She briefly rolled her eyes before-

...

-Extending her arm towards me with a shy expression and turning her head to look out the window.

With a meaningful, sly grin, I grabbed her slender wrist and pressed gently, applying just the right amount of pressure as I moved from her palm up to her forearm.

As always, Miyukis body was warm.

I wonder how good it would feel to sleep while cuddling her.

While silently massaging her arm, I asked,

Does it feel good?

...Yes... It does...

Her voice had a slight quiver.

It seemed like she was nervous.

Tsk. Miyuki, if you are nervous from such a light skinship, what would you do in the future?

When our relationship deepens, we could go to a drive-in theater.

We could park the car facing the screen and lie next to each other in the trunk to watch the movie.

And when the atmosphere heats up... we could do this and that.

Would you be so shy even then?

Done. You can go now.

Having sufficiently completed the massage, I gently released Miyukis wrist to indicate that I was done.

Um... Do you want to come in for dinner? You could also say hi to my mom and dad...

Next time.

.... Why? Is it because you feel uncomfortable?

No, its not that. Itd be rude to drop by without giving prior notice. When you get inside, just ask if its okay to visit soon.

Oh, okay... So, its a promise?

Uh.

Miyuki, looking half-convinced, opened the passenger side door.

Holding her bags straps with both hands, she said,

Take care... Ken-kun.

She glanced back at me to say what she hadnt managed to earlier, cautiously closed the car door, and nearly sprinted towards her home, clutching her always-heavy bag.

Hearing my name at such an unexpected moment, I paused for a while.

I could see Miyuki, frantically trying to unlock her front door and looking back several times.

She dropped her keys, then crouched down in surprise, looking utterly embarrassed.

Seeing her like that snapped me out of my daze, and I couldnt help but burst into laughter.

So its not Matsuda-kun anymore, its Ken-kun now?

Given Miyukis personality, she probably wont call me by my first name every day, but it seems like Ill hear it now and then.

Thank you for mustering the courage today.

Next time, I hope youll just call me Ken, dropping the honorific.

Thinking so, I kept chuckling at Miyuki, who looked exceedingly flustered.

After a few moments, Miyuki was finally able to open the door successfully and quickly disappeared into her house. Only then did I lift my foot from the brake.

*