Chapter 43: A Sultry Date #2

Chapter 43: A Sultry Date #2

Are you taking some sort of supplementary classes?

After finishing my shower and rejoining Chinami in the common area, I responded to Tetsuyas question.

Yeah. Looks like Ill have to head out before you today. Do you have an umbrella?

I decided to borrow one from the common area. Then, should I go back with Miyuki?

Go back with Miyuki?

Isnt that impossible?

Your destiny on a rainy day is not to be sipping makgeolli in a pancake house. Rather, its to indulge in okonomiyaki and sake.

Sure.

Thanks for your effort. Nanase-senpai, you worked hard.

Tetsuya bows politely.

Chinami waves goodbye with a cheerful smile.

Take care, Junior Miura.

After Tetsuya leaves and the last remaining club members finally exit the common area, Chinami who had been eyeing the coachs office, heaves a sigh of relief. She then fetched the shinai I had been using from the storage room.

Shall we start practicing right away?

Before we start, I have a question. Grasping the handle of the shinai, I spoke.

What is it?

Renka-senpai mentioned that your preferred technique is Sangdanse. Is that true?

Thats correct.

Would you teach me?

Uh...?

She blinks her large eyes, clearly taken aback. After a moments hesitation, she flatly refuses.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Its not possible.

Why?

You have to learn Jungdanse before you can effectively learn the Sangdanse. So no, I cant teach you that.

But still, teach me.

I cant.

You can.

...Junior Matsuda, are you playing word games with me? Its amusing, but still, I cant.

Im telling you, you can.

As I slowly approach Chinami, a smile forming at the corners of my mouth, her head gradually lifts.

Instead of being intimidated due to my closing large frame, now, with her head fully raised to meet my gaze, she crosses her arms confidently and says,

Even if you push, what cant be done cant be done.

Is it strange for a disciple to follow in the footsteps of their master?

Your enthusiasm is commendable, but learning Sangdanse will completely ruin your stance.

Isnt that based on the assumption that one learns Jungdanse first? If I start with Sangdanse, it could be a different story. Thats why, I want to be taught by you, a master of Sangdanse.

Flattering words wont change my mind. Could you step back a bit? Youre so tall, my neck is starting to hurt.

Would you like me to massage it?

Um... No.

Seems like she was a bit tempted?

Shes more straightforward with her emotions than Miyuki, making her easier to read.

Either way, pressing any further here would be fruitless.

Best to gracefully give up and wait for the next opportunity.

Stepping back from Chinami, I adjust my stance, staring into the large wall-mounted mirror in the corner of the common area.

***

Patter! Drip-!

Staring at the relentless rain that showed no signs of stopping, Chinami alternated her gaze between the last remaining umbrella and my face before speaking.

You should use the umbrella. Ill take a taxi instead. But lets share it until we get to the main gate.

A taxi? How far is your home?

About a 15-minute drive.

Is that so? Would you like me to give you a ride then?

Wha...?

Chinamis mouth falls open in surprise.

I cant help but want to stick it in there.

Do you have a car, Junior Matsuda?

Yes, I drove here today.

Is, is that so...?

Lets head to the parking lot together. Ill hold the umbrella.

After finishing my sentence, I immediately open the umbrella and head out the door.

Glancing back at her, I pointed to the umbrella under the seat, which was dripping rainwater.

Dont forget your umbrella.

Yes! Please be careful on your way back as well, Junior Hanazawa! Im really glad we met today, and that we got to talk about so many things!

At her spirited farewell, the face of Miyuki, who had been sitting in the front seat, lit up.

Im also glad we met Nanase-senpai. I look forward to seeing you in the future.

With that, Chinami got out of the car, holding an umbrella that looked somewhat large in comparison to her, and waved goodbye to us once more.

She then entered through the gate of her house.

Miyuki, who had been watching her retreating figure, turned her head to look at me as the car began to move.

Does she always speak so formally like that?

She does that with everyone, whether theyre older or younger than her. She always uses respectful language.

Really...? Shes incredibly kind... and also adorable... But Matsuda-kun.

What.

You couldve given me a heads-up, you know.

Miyukis voice takes on a slightly cold tone.

Although the situation was cleared up thanks to the explanation Chinami and I provided in the car, and while she holds no ill-will towards Chinami, Miyuki cant help but feel a subtle form of jealousy.

Its natural for any normal person to feel uncomfortable about another woman encroaching on their territory.

Provided, of course, that they have normal tastes.

I was planning to tell you when I called you.

Then why didnt you?

You said you were on your way, so I thought Id tell you in person.

Is it that hard to just say it? How long could it possibly take?

Just then, a traffic light turns red.

Easing the car to a stop with a leisurely press of the brake, I turn to look at Miyuki.

Are you angry?

She avoids my gaze, flinching slightly.

Why would I be angry? Theres no reason to be

Her voice trails off.

Miyuki clenches her lips shut and gives a shuddering jerk, almost as if shes suppressing a sob.

Its because my slowly approaching hand had grasped her wrist.

Looking intently at a tongue-tied Miyuki, I curl one corner of my mouth upward and apply a gentle force to my hand, pulling her closer to me.

As I do, Miyukis body shifts slightly... ever so slightly, pressing closer to mine.

Well... come to think of it, there might be a good reason for it.

... What do you mean?

Dont pretend you dont understand.

No matter how awkward you might be with romantic relationships, youre not clueless about what Im implying.

Instead of verbalizing my thoughts, I answer by pulling Miyukis hand toward me and resting it on the console. Then, I gently run my finger through the gap between her index and middle fingers, deliberately changing the subject.

What are you cooking for me today?

... I dont know.

Should we just grab anything from the grocery store?

Ill pick something myself...

Though she pretends to be irked, her cheeks are flushed.

Its evidence that she finds this light yet subtly charged touch rather pleasant.

Her visible reaction to just this makes me both curious and excited about how shell respond once I am not just touching her.

Casting a sidelong glance at Miyuki, I asked.

Should we also get some beer?

Beer...? Its not good for your health.

Its made from barley. Tastes good too. So it must be healthy.

At my blithely nonchalant comment, Miyuki lets out a hollow laugh.

Should I drop you in the middle of a barley field then?

Usually, she wouldve reprimanded me for making such an absurd statement, but this time shes playing along. Maybe she felt bad for taking things too seriously before.

Anyway, it seems like she hasnt considered the fact that if we drink, I cant drive. Shes not planning to cook dinner for me and go back alone, is she?

Maybe I should use the beer as an excuse to suggest spending the night?

I guess Ill have to gauge the mood before making a decision.

*

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