CH 21

Chapter 21 – Is Dozle the Cupid of Love?

How many times have I already met Urushibara-san with Dozle?

In fact, Dozle seems to have identified Urushibara-san as an enemy, and even now he often threatens Urushibara-san.

I guess it wasn’t good that she KOed me with a roundhouse kick that one time.

The other day, when Urushibara-san reached out to pat Dozle on the head, he tried to keep his guard up and counter with a bite. She was able to avoid it easily because she is a karate expert, but if it had been a normal person, she would have been gutted.

So, since she had said before that she was jealous of how well Dozle and I get along, I started a big operation to reconcile Urushibara-san and Dozle…

The first thing was that Urushibara-san held the lead on the path from the park to the Urushibara residence.

On the first day, Dozle showed resistance and refused to move, but he started walking reluctantly when I asked him to, and stopped after making a few silly connections along the way. From the second day onwards, Dozle didn’t even try to move unless I called out to him.

Next, I tried to get Urushibara-san accustomed to touching Dozle so that he would not get angry or run away when she tried to touch him.

However, Dozle was also stubborn and would not let Urushibara-san touch him at all.

So we had a strategy meeting.

“I think the most important thing is to show Dozle that Urushibara-san is not an enemy.”

“I see. So what do I do?”

“Play with him, feed him?”

“I’ve already tried all of them and they didn’t work…”

“Hmm…”

“Um… I was thinking…”

“Yes?”

“If he thinks I’m an enemy because I injured Moriyama-kun, then if we show that Moriyama-kun and I are good friends, wouldn’t that make Dozle-kun less wary?”

“I see. That certainly makes sense. So what exactly do we do to show that we’re good friends?’”

“Well…holding hands…hugging…lap pillows…or maybe k-k-k-k-kissing.”

“If you’re so red-faced and embarrassed, you shouldn’t have said it.”

“Mmm~~ Mou~! You bully! Moriyama-kun’s a bully!”

While angry, she hit me warmly.

I know she’s not really mad at me, because I know that if a karate master really wanted to hit me, it wouldn’t be like this…

“Urushibara-san, if you hit me in front of Dozle, Dozle won’t like it, remember?”

“Yeah.”

“For now, let’s leave the kissing and lap pillows for now and try the others.”

“Hiya!”

Soon after that day, the two of us walked hand in hand along the path from the park to the Urushibara residence.

Urushibara-san is a person who usually has a lot of physical contact when she is in high spirits.

So holding hands shouldn’t be a big deal.

Yes, this is one of Dozle and Urushibara-san’s reconciliation strategies in work.

I tell myself that and take Urushibara-san’s left hand with my right hand.

“Well then, let’s go home.”

“…Yes…”

As we walked, I glanced at Urushibara-san.

She’s looking down, her face is red. Even her ears are red.

Hmm…

If you make a face like that at me, I’ll be conscious and feel embarrassed.

I mean, the parties involved are embarrassed, what about from the perspective of others?

I started this weird situation as a reconciliation strategy, but isn’t it too risky?

If someone from the school sees us like this, we’ll be in deep trouble.

“Urushibara-san, holding hands is too super-dangerous, after all. Let’s stop.”

When I said that and tried to let go of her hand, Urushibara-san put all her strength into the hand she was holding and wouldn’t let go.

“Ouch, ouch! My hand hurts! You’re gripping it too tight! My hands will break!”

What a grip! Urushibara-san’s grip strength is lethal!

“Uuu… They say…Samurai don’t go back on their words…”

For some reason, Urushibara-san is shy and stubborn today.

In case you’re wondering, Dozle is only looking ahead and doesn’t seem interested in me and Urushibara-san holding hands.

Then we arrived at Urushibara-san’s house.

“Well, we’ve arrived. See you tomorrow.”

When I let go and tried to leave quickly, she grabbed my clothes and pulled me closer.

“WHAA!? My neck! What is it!? Do you still need something?”

“…Hugs… We still have hugs left…to do…”

“What? We’re still doing that?”

“S-S-S-Samurai don’t go back on their words!”

“When did you become a samurai, Urushibara-san? You are a karate fighter, aren’t you?”

Urushibara-san wouldn’t let go of my clothes even after hearing my tsukkomi.

“Ah, fine! I get it! I’ll do it! Come on! Welcome!”

Then I opened my hands.

Urushibara-san released the clothes she was holding on to and spread her hands in the same way as I do.

We faced each other and embraced tightly.

It’s a very physical hug.

I glanced at Dozle.

He’s not looking at us.

“Urushibara-san, I’m sorry, but Dozle isn’t looking at us.”

“♡Fu~♡ Moriyama-kun’s smell♡ Hah~♡”

She’s not listening.

I don’t think the purpose has changed, but I guess these things add up. If it doesn’t work today, there will be another time.

I pulled away half-heartedly from Urushibara-san, who would not stop hugging me even after all this time.

“See you tomorrow. Good night,” I said and left quickly.

When I went home to bathe Dozle, he wouldn’t go near me.

“Ah! Is it because my clothes have Urushibara-san’s scent on them!?”

The fearsome Urushibara Smell.

From that day onwards, it became a custom to hold hands on the way home from the park and hug in front of Urushibara-san’s house before going home.