Chapter 75
Haa!
Lying sprawled on the bed, a vigorous yet sohow troubled exclamation burst from Chinamis lips.
Covered with a blanket adorned with a large image of Momo, she reflected on the events that had unfolded on her way to the parking lot.
[Because youre cute.]
[Youre just cute.]
[Youre cute, I said. ]
Matsuda Hubae-nim had looked down at her with his tall stature, wearing a stylish gentlemans smile and offering complints.
His deep, resonant voice echoed in her mind, unforgettable.
She also rembered how his large hands, which could easily envelop her wrists, had caught her as she was about to fall.
Had she thanked him then?
It seed she had only managed to show her clumsy side...
She couldnt quite rember, too flustered at the mont.
Unwittingly, Chinami placed her hand on the back of her neck, seriously contemplating what she might have said at that mont, before pressing her face into the pillow.
She then let out a long, aningless groan.
Ughhhh...
As her face began to feel hot, she removed the pillow.
She had felt a similar warmth when Matsuda Hubae-nim had called her cute...
But why was this happening?
Could it be the sudden change in the weather?
Oblivious to the flush of her cheeks, Chinami picked up her phone and sent a ssage to Renka.
[Hello, Renka. Are you busy right now?]
A reply ca almost imdiately.
[Hi, Chinami. Im ho, so its fine. Youre contacting late today. Did you et a guy?]
Huh...?
Chinami widened her eyes in surprise.
Blinking her deep pink eyes, she tapped on the screen.
[How did you know? Did you see outside?]
Right after sending the ssage, her phone vibrated with a distinctive sound.
Seeing Renkas na on the caller ID, Chinami answered the call.
Hello?
-You t a guy? What are you talking about?
There was an urgency in Renkas tone.
Wondering why she was reacting this way, Chinami realized this was the first ti she had t a man privately, not related to her family.
I had yogurt peach ice cream with Matsuda Hubae-nim.
-... Matsuda?
Yes, Ken Matsuda Hubae-nim you know, Renka.
-....
Silence fell on the other end of the line.
After waiting for a while without any response from Renka, Chinami tilted her head and said,
Hello? Renka? Renka-chan? Are you listening?
-I am... But why on earth did you go out to have ice cream with Matsuda?
Well, heres what happened...
Chinami took her ti to explain everything from the beginning.
She could have just highlighted the key points, but instead, she chose to narrate every detail of the events.
Deep down, she hoped that Matsuda would make a good impression on Renka.
-Ah So thats how it was?
Yes. Matsuda Hubae-nim said it was fine, but I insisted on buying it for him.
-Because you didnt want to feel indebted?
Um... Sothing like that.
-But why would Matsuda text you first?
He sotis sends ssages to check in.
-Dont you think he might have so ulterior motive? His image is a bit... you know.
Chinami chuckled.
Renka was always so full of worries.
Renka, you shouldnt speak ill of others like that.
-But there are rumors about Matsuda...
The rumors werent good. But now, people are saying his attitude has improved. And to , hes a really kind junior, always helping out with manager tasks.
-Has Matsuda ever done anything strange to you?
Not...
Chinami hesitated, about to say of course not, but then she rembered the strange feelings she got every ti Matsuda Hubae-nim gave her a neck massage.
Catching her hesitation, Renka quickly said,
-You hesitated there. Sothing must have happened, right?
No, no, its nothing. I was just lost in thought for a mont. Hes never done anything strange.
-Are you sure?
Yes, Im sure.
-Well... thats good then... But what are you up to? Bored? Want to go out? Or maybe youre hungry since you only had ice cream... Want to have dinner together?
Ah!? Would you like to have miso katsu with ?
-Alright. How about we et in an hour?
Yes! Sounds good!
After setting a eting place with Renka and ending the call, Chinami was about to head to the living room when she suddenly stopped in her tracks.
What was it that she had wanted to ask Renka?
Engrossed in their conversation, she had completely forgotten.
It almost felt like she was suffering from Internet Addiction Syndro.
After a mont of contemplation, Chinami decided to just let it go.
Ill rember it later, right?
Right now, satisfying her hunger was more pressing.
She would et Renka in an hour, so she planned to fill up on peaches to tide her over until then.
Since solid food provides more satiety than liquids, half a peach should be sufficient.
[Youre just cute.]
Musing over Matsudas sincere voice that naturally replayed in her head, Chinami humd a tune to herself as she made her way to the kitchen.
**
... All of them.
.....
...tsuda-kun.
A refreshing voice tickled my ears, and a chilly breeze slapped my face.
Wrapped in a thick blanket, I had been sleeping fitfully when I opened my eyes.
... What?
What do you an, what? Its .
Miyuki stood before .
Apparently, she had gone to the bathroom at so point, her hands and feet damp.
Ugh...
I yawned sleepily and shifted my body to ask.
Why are you here so early...? I thought you wouldnt arrive until around eight...
It is eight oclock, you dummy. Didnt you hear open the door?
I didnt hear it...
The sound of washing my hands in the bathroom?
Uh...
And you didnt notice changing clothes?
Thats a sha. I should have seen that...
As I expressed my regret, Miyuki let out a hollow laugh.
I gave her a dismissive smile and looked outside.
It was dark.
Hadnt we last spoken on the phone at three in the afternoon?
What was ant to be a short nap turned into a deep sleep
Ive been sleeping a lot lately, especially after parting ways with Chinami yesterday and sprawling out in exhaustion.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I shook off the grogginess and looked up at Miyuki.
How did you get here? Did you take a taxi?
No, the bus.
I told you to call ...
I did call you. Three tis, even. But you didnt answer, so I assud you were asleep and just ca.
Is that so...?
Scratching my head awkwardly, I couldnt help but chuckle when Miyuki slipped into the blanket and left a trace of her pink-tinted lips on mine.
How was the trip?
Yeah, it was great. The temples were really impressive. They had this ancient vibe, but I really enjoyed it.
Thats a rather bland review. What did your sister say?
About what?
You said youd talk to her.
Oh...
Miyukis eyes darted upwards after a brief exclamation, as if deeply pondering over Kannas reaction.
Then, with a mischievous look, she said,
It was... kind of fun.
Judging by her expression, it was more than just kind of fun.
Why? What did you say?
Just... so naughty stories...
What kind of naughty stories?
The ones I said Id tell...
Are you going to keep teasing? So what were these stories you ntioned?
Ah, dont make say it...! I dont want to talk about it...
Miyuki pouted, seemingly still uncomfortable with sharing.
I could almost picture Miyuki shyly sharing her stories with her, and Kannas face turning red as she swallowed hard while listening... Its vivid.
Lets look at so photos. I took them at the temple.
Ah, yeah...
Miyuki fumbled with her phone and showed photos taken with her family.
In the serene setting of the ancient temple, blended with nature, Miyukis family, dressed in hiking-like attire, was all smiles.
I browsed through the photos silently before asking,
Didnt you take any photos at the torii*?
Torii gates are only found at shrines...
Why do you sound so disdainful?
When did I... Eek!
Miyuki gasped in surprise, her eyes widening.
It was because I had pulled her on top of .
As Miyuki tried to hastily get away, I patted her back to calm her down and said sternly,
You treated like I was so kind of fool.
Are you having so sort of persecution complex? I didnt do that...!
But you did.
No, I didnt...
Miyuki stopped herself from denying further and clamped her mouth shut, perhaps noticing the stiffness between my thighs.
Placing her hand on my chest, she propped herself up and then, looking down, she shook her head from side to side.
After rummaging in her pocket, she pulled sothing out.
Put this on first... you pervert...
It was a string of Buddhist prayer beads, often called a rosary.
It seed she had bought it from the temple...
The quality was quite good, coated to a shine.
A rosary, huh?
Yeah... Give your hand.
I silently extended my hand, and Miyuki pulled the rosary apart and slid it onto my wrist.
The elastic string stretched slightly before contracting again, causing the beads, each about half the size of a finger joint, to snugly fit without any gaps.
I examined the rosary that fit my wrist perfectly and said with intrigue,
It doesnt feel tight, nor does it dangle... it fits perfectly. Its not easy for regular rosaries to be like this... How did you know the size?
I see and touch it every day, how could I not know? How is it? Do you like it?
Yeah, its comfortable.
What about the design? Is it too plain?
No, I prefer it simple.
Is there anything off about it? Like misalignnt or the beads not being up to par...
Not really. But why do you ask?
Just... wondering...
Observing Miyukis reaction, I was certain this wasnt just any ordinary rosary. Given her embarrassed expression, it didnt seem like she was seeking feedback for a refund on a purchased item. And considering how she had just fumbled over her words...
You made this, didnt you?
It was clear she had crafted the rosary herself.
Yeah... There was a workshop... I made it to give to Matsuda-kun...
Miyukis voice was barely audible, almost like a whisper.
I stared at her blankly for a mont, then, as she averted her gaze, seemingly overwheld by the attention, I spoke up.
Miyuki.
.....
Miyuki clutched my waist tightly, as if pinching it.
It seed she was thrilled to hear her na called out in my deep, trembling voice.
I gently stroked her back from top to bottom, comforting her.
Thank you. Ill wear it every day.
Miyuki rested her forehead against my chest and rubbed it side to side, perhaps finding comfort in my voice.
Was she that embarrassed to have made the rosary for ?
Feeling Miyukis especially tender fra today, I patted her back.
.... Mmm...
Hearing the warm, contented hum that Miyuki made when she was in high spirits, I smiled indulgently.
The atmosphere had beco incredibly cozy, suggesting that taking it easy for the rest of the day wouldnt be such a bad idea.
*
Devil: Torii: A torii is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, symbolizing the transition from the mundane to the sacred.}
You can support the translation and read 5 chapter ahead on /Devill }
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