Chapter 72
Miyuki.
.....
Miyuki.
.....
Despite calling her na from right behind, Miyuki doesnt respond.
Her staggering walk seems precarious. As I pondered whether to reach out to her,
Hanazawa.
I called her by her surna I had used long ago.
The reaction was imdiate. Miyuki sharply turned her head towards .
...What? Why...?
It seems using her surna after such a long ti had the intended effect.
She rolled her eyes as if trying to figure out what she had done wrong. I shrugged my shoulders at Miyuki and said,
You just walked past the changing room.
I extended my thumb over my shoulder, pointing towards the changing room. Miyuki, stepping aside to look, scratched the side of her head.
Really...
Why are you so out of it? Was it that tough?
Its not that... I was just lost in thought about sothing else...
About what?
Ill tell you later...
Alright then.
Miyuki, hesitantly gauging my reaction, changed the subject.
I heard were switching seats this week. Did you hear?
Yeah, Miura ntioned it this morning. Is it going to be a draw?
I only heard were switching, no details on how. Usually, its a draw... so probably the sa?
Cant we use so sort of class president privilege?
What are you talking about?
Make a strong case to the teacher. There are plenty of excuses. Like, A problem child who is changing or Want to help directly... sothing along those lines?
That wont work... If I get involved, itll be considered cheating...
Despite saying that, she seed tempted.
I took a step closer to Miyuki, grinning as I spoke.
It would be nice if we could sit together.
Miyukis face instantly flushed.
I, I feel the sa way...
Are you really okay? Its gym class, can you make it?
Ive been sneaking in so rest, Ill be fine... But moving forward...
Miyukis voice trailed off. I could guess what she wanted to say.
Lets try to restrain ourselves on weekdays.
Yeah...
Im not sure if thats possible though.
Ah, what are you saying!
Miyuki playfully shoved my shoulder with a hand full of affection.
She let out a helpless laugh before heading into the changing room.
**
Hiyaaaa! Head! Wristlock! Waist!
In the garden behind the kendo club, Chinami was squawking as she demonstrated various attacks in the air, then turned to look at .
The energy gathered from your lower abdon should be expelled as you encourage yourself, infusing your body with strength, showing your will and spirit. Thats the essence of energy and kiai. Its only with this surrounding energy that your attack can truly beco a match.
She explained while lifting her bamboo sword to her waist, I wondered if it was heavy.
Scratching my head, I asked,
Do I really have to shout?
Its not just any shout, its a kiai. The more robust and sharp the kiai, the faster the attack becos. Huhhhhh... Headddddd...
Chinami suddenly drew out her shout, slackening her body. Seeing my mouth slightly open, she continued,
Do you think the sword would move faster if you just let out a kiai like that?
Well, I do agree to so extent but...
The importance of kiai is not just that. A kiai with will can clear away distracting thoughts. It can also suppress the opponents energy, making them feel intimidated.
Cant we just breathe shortly?
Like when you first showed that head strike, or when you attacked Renkas waist, you took a deep breath with a hup!?
Yes... sothing like that...
Thats fine, but it would be better to expel it more sharply and loudly. Shall we try? Kiai!
She clenched her fist and let out a short shout, which was quite cute.
Ill practice it alone at ho later.
Why? Are you embarrassed to do kiai in front of others? Mmm... Its understandable. Many beginners think that way, but no one will laugh at you, and I feel the sa. Give it a try. It might feel awkward at first, but youll get used to it.
Its not that... Im just feeling a bit sluggish today.
Oh, is that so...? Then, shall I give you a massage?
Like the last ti, she clenched and unclenched her hands, wearing a sly smile.
My response was to simply lie face down on the bench. This seed to perplex Chinami as she asked,
What are you doing...?
You said youd give a massage.
.... What? But...
You werent joking, were you?
Well, its just that...
I was actually looking forward to a massage from my master for the first ti... If it was a joke, this disciple would be truly disappointed.
I let out a deep sigh, making the earth seem to swallow , prompting Chinami to clear her throat awkwardly.
Well, for my one and only disciple, a massage is the least I can do... But...
But?
The truth is... I dont really know how to give a massage...
You dont?
So... maybe next ti...
Next ti?
Why are you doing this... Its scary...
Scary?
Hubae-nim... youre acting strange today...
Chinami began to back away.
It seed like the right ti to stop teasing her. I stood up, stretching out, and said,
I was just kidding. Please do give that massage next ti.
Ah, yes... Im sorry...
When shall we go for ice cream?
Huh? You said youd let know when.
Even so, there must be a day or ti thats convenient for you.
Im fine with any ti. Weekdays or weekends are good... Eek!?
As Chinamis voice trailed off, a peculiar scream escaped her lips.
She was startled by my hand suddenly reaching towards her head.
She ducked, showing an exaggerated reaction, but it was just a leaf that had fallen on her head.
I plucked it off, clicking my tongue.
I was just trying to remove a leaf that had fallen on you.
At that, Chinami opened one eye.
Seeing the leaf right in front of her, she gave an embarrassed smile.
Oh, I see... You surprised all of a sudden...
Didnt you feel it?
No... not at all...
Youre always so oblivious. It suits you.
Thank you... Wait, what do you an it suits ?
Its just right for your image as a master. Its cute.
Whaaat...?
Chinamis already large eyes widened even more, almost as if she had seen a ghost...
She seed quite shocked.
Her reaction was even more intense than when I had complinted her beauty in the car before.
Her face turned as red as the autumn leaves of a cherry tree. Looking down at her, I asked,
Since when have you been wearing that peach hairpin?
.... Eh? What?
When did you start wearing that hairpin?
Ah... I, I bought it yesterday...
She hastily clamped her gaping mouth shut and answered.
I couldnt help but chuckle and shake my head at her response.
Then, with a deep gaze, I alternately looked at Chinami and her hairpin.
It suits you well.
Th-thank you...
Chinami bowed deeply in a polite gesture of gratitude, covering her hairpin with both hands.
Was she feeling shy about it? Her quirky behavior almost made burst into laughter.
Shall we go clean up now?
No, no... Ill take care of cleaning today... Youre feeling sluggish, so you can just practice spreading your legs briefly and then head back...
Spreading legs... that term sounds a bit dirty.
Moving around should loosen things up.
...Really?
Sure.
The atmosphere suddenly beca strangely soft and llow.
Chinami, swallowing hard, seed to decide it was ti to change the subject and pointed her tiny finger toward the storeroom.
Shall we head to the storage room then...?
Yes, lets. But Master.
Yes...?
I sniffed the air and paused for a mont.
As Chinamis head tilted at a 15-degree angle, I brought my face close to hers and whispered,
You sll like peaches.
Im, Im sorry... Sorry if I sll...!
Was it my imagination, or did Chinamis eyes look bewildered?
It made want to tease her more. With a light smile, I straightened up.
Im saying its nice, why are you apologizing? You said any ti is fine, right? Ill get in touch soon.
Did my calm deanor put her at ease? Chinami, who had been taking deep breaths with her hand on her chest, seed to regain her natural color.
She looked up at with her pink eyes, tinged with a hint of red, and shyly replied,
Yes...
My relationship with Chinami was progressing well. So far, there have been no issues. Lets keep it this way.
**
What about Tetsuya-kun?
Miyuki asked as she waited for in the parking lot.
I unlocked the car with my smart key and responded,
He said hed go ahead because the coach wanted to give him so extra training.
The kendo coach?
Right.
Matsuda-kun isnt getting any?
Im fine.
Why?
No need for it.
So, your skills are so lacking that youve given up?
Miyuki doesnt know about the ti I landed a hit on Renkas waist.
Tetsuya hasnt told her, and I havent felt the need to bring it up.
I wonder if shell be surprised when she finds out. Or maybe she wont care much since she doesnt know much about kendo.
Lets get going. Its been a while since we went back together, just the two of us.
Yeah.
A drowsy Miyuki climbed into the passenger seat, placed her bag at her feet, and buckled up before starting to fiddle with her phone.
Im really sleepy today... arent you?
Im fine, but you were up until dawn. Go straight to bed when we get ho.
I plan to... But, Matsuda-kun, do you know Maritozzo?
Maritozzo? That bread smothered in cream?
Yeah. Masako said its delicious, so I wanted to try it. Its called Chestnut Cream Mont Blanc Maritozzo. Ill buy so tomorrow, so lets share.
If its Miyukis pick, it must be good.
As our conversation dwindled and her responses beca fewer, I glanced over at the passenger seat.
Her eyes were half-closed, nodding off while staring at her phone screen.
She must be exhausted from yesterday, and after having physical education on top of that, staying awake through the afternoon classes must have drained her completely.
I should let her get so rest in the car. With that thought, I continued to drive in silence.
Umm...
Miyuki, sounding worn out, soon began to doze off properly.
Her eyelids, which had been fluttering, were now fully closed.
She looked adorable, breathing softly with her head turned towards .
At a red light, I took the chance to check on Miyuki and noticed her hand relaxing, the one holding her phone.
The phone slid sideways, held only by her fingers, and looked like it might drop any mont...
It would be annoying if it fell between the seats, so I should keep it safe for her.
As I carefully reached for Miyukis phone, I saw the densely packed text on the screen and grimaced.
Was she reading so kind of research paper? Impressive. But as I was about to take the phone, I hesitated.
I definitely saw sothing. A word that seed completely out of place for the innocent Miyuki.
I swallowed hard and leaned in closer to sneak a peek at her phone screen.
There, I found:
[How to Give a Handjob: Seven Ways to Drive Your Man Wild.]
Seeing that, I instinctively knew I had to pretend I hadnt seen anything.
I turned my gaze back to the road, trying to control the twitching of my facial muscles.
I couldnt help but smirk.
She had said shed learn more for , but to start this soon...
Thats so Miyuki, always preparing in advance.
And the thought of learning sothing like that from an article? It was both absurd and sowhat impressive.
Lets just keep quiet.
I hadnt seen anything.
With my heart racing, I composed myself just as Miyuki stirred and mumbled in her sleep.
Sleep more. Were still a ways off.
Mmm... sorry...
She pulled her phone close and closed her eyes again. Relieved, I focused back on driving.
*
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