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 rely touching for about ten seconds, but... it felt wonderful.
Frankly, she felt this kiss was sweeter than the first one.
Perhaps, unlike that ti, 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 ho?
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 et 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 co 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 seed 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 ti 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...
So timid...
Matsuda gently pressed down on Miyukis bangs with his large hand before heading into the ns 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 sa?
The inability to predict the outco actually cleared her mind.
Miyuki headed toward the wons changing room, praying that Matsuda would once again read her feelings, all while trying to steady her racing heart.
***
Im going to check so new equipnt weve brought in, so Junior Matsuda, you keep practicing your pushing technique with the shinai.
Should I co 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?
Natural movent.
Nodding approvingly, Chinami strolled away, her legs playfully bobbing with each step.
She looks adorable, like a squishy rice cake in motion.
Chuckling to myself, I gripped the shinai and aid it at empty air.
From that position, I moved the foot in the direction I wanted to go, dragging the other foot behind as I practiced the pushing technique. Doing this alone makes feel like a bit of a lunatic.
Just as I was diligently practicing,
Your shinai is trembling. Keep your center balanced.
Renkas dry voice ca from behind .
Startled, I was about to lower the shinai when Renka gesturedwhich seed to say, Its alright.
I heard from Chinami. Shes been coaching you separately. Just be careful not to get caught by the coach.
Ah, yes
I thought youd quit if the Coach doesnt teach you for a few days, but surprisingly, youre still here.
Ill stick around even if you tell to quituntil you accept in your heart.
Just... whatever.
Murmuring, I took my stance to resu practice. Renka then ca to face and crossed her arms.
Assu your stance. Let take a quick look.
Okay.
Try to place the sharp edge of the shinai straight to your solar plexus, and the end of the hilt at your navel.
Like this?
Exactly. From there, think of your thumb and index finger rely as guides for balance. You should be applying force with just the remaining three fingers.
Renka curled her thumb and index finger while bending and extending the other three fingers.
I gave her a half-hearted nod and did as she instructed.
Good. Now maintain that stance and begin your pushing moves.
Under Renkas watchful eyes, I tried the pushing technique again, moving up, down, left, and right.
I wasnt passionate about it.
I displayed only just enough enthusiasm to avoid irking Renka.
Matsuda Ken is skilled but lacks enthusiasm for competition, treating club activities rely as a way to pass the ti.
I aid to cultivate such an assessnt from Renka.
Of course, behind the scenes, Id be practicing diligently, improving to the point where theyd have no choice but to include in competitions.
Stacking my efforts quietly until, one day, Id make a dramatic revelation, flipping Renkas assessnt of entirely.
After all, a stark image transformation tends to leave a lasting impression.
With this blueprint for the future in mind, I put on a show for Renka until Chinami returned.
**
Tetsuya and I headed for the parking lot after finishing our club activities.
While we were having so idle chatter and waiting for Miyuki, we saw her approaching us quickly from a distance, the student council badge displayed on her chest.
Youre here?
Tetsuya greeted Miyuki cheerfully. Miyuki, taking a quick glance at as I sat on the cars hood, responded while looking at Tetsuya.
Yeah. But Tetsuya-kun, why do you keep touching your arm? Is it hurting?
Ah... We learned overhead strikes during todays practice. Swinging the shinai over and over made my muscle kinda...
Or... hmm... did you get hit by KeMatsuda-kun?
She seed like she intended to say Ken, but stopped short.
If only she were a bit braver... what a pity.
Trying to divert my disappointnt, I scowled.
Hey...
As I raised my fist as if to threaten, Miyuki, laughing softly, spoke to Tetsuya.
You shouldve been more careful. Youll feel it tomorrow.
I guess... I shouldve exercised more. Could you massage it for ?
At Tetsuyas request, Miyuki briefly glanced in my direction. She then shook her head apologetically, her face conveying her discomfort.
I too had a tough ti carrying heavy stuff today. Im sorry.
Then, do you want to massage your arm?
No need. I appreciate the thought. Lets get going quickly though. Matsuda-kun might get mad.
Miyuki brushed off Tetsuyas words with a smile and got in the car.
Miyuki, youve been particularly adorable today. As a reward, maybe I should place a dildo in your panties?
How about you attend class like that? Sounds fun, right?
Miyuki took the passenger seat as if it was natural and fastened her seatbelt.
Tetsuya, watching her, tilted his head in confusion.
But he didnt ask why she took the passenger seat again. Probably thinking that such a question would make him seem very uncool.
Seems like you caught the hint this ti... but its too late.
I silently mocked Tetsuya and as soon as the guy got in the back seat, I started the car.
The atmosphere was warmThe three of us shared various conversations as we drove to Tetsuyas house.
As he got out of the car, Tetsuya headed to the passenger side and spoke to Miyuki.
How about a walk tonight?
A walk? Sure, lets do it.
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 advertisent for a cody movie starring Hayato at the theater, right?
Uh.
Didnt it look interesting?
Tsk, tsk... Miyuki.
Let give you a life lesson.
You know how sotis 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 ntioned.
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 so free ti...
Lets pick a date then.
Okay... I guess I should go...? Thanks for the ride...
As we arrived at her house, Miyuki took her tivery slowlyunbuckling her seatbelt.
Watching her, I spoke.
Hey.
Hmm?
You said you were tired from carrying heavy stuff today. Do you want 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 with a shy expression and turning her head to look out the window.
With a aningful, 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 seed 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 co in for dinner? You could also say hi to my mom and dad...
Next ti.
.... 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 to say what she hadnt managed to earlier, cautiously closed the car door, and nearly sprinted towards her ho, clutching her always-heavy bag.
Hearing my na at such an unexpected mont, I paused for a while.
I could see Miyuki, frantically trying to unlock her front door and looking back several tis.
She dropped her keys, then crouched down in surprise, looking utterly embarrassed.
Seeing her like that snapped 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 by my first na every day, but it seems like Ill hear it now and then.
Thank you for mustering the courage today.
Next ti, I hope youll just call Ken, dropping the honorific.
Thinking so, I kept chuckling at Miyuki, who looked exceedingly flustered.
After a few monts, 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.
*
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