Chapter 60: Overwriting Memories #2 |
“Matsuda-kun.”
Inside the nearly empty movie theater.
While I was eating popcorn from the popcorn tub sandwiched between Miyuki’s legs that were perched atop my thighs, I turned my head at her call.
“Why?”
“I want a massage.”
“No.”
“But you said I could do whatever I want today.”
“It’s past midnight.”
Miyuki, who had a pouty expression at my firm refusal, tightened her calves, tightening the popcorn tub until the opening was covered.
“.....”
Did she find me incredibly mean?
Miyuki’s face scrunched up in irritation.
She seemed like she wanted to curse at me, her mouth moving as if to start, but then she gave up on the massage and tried to put her leg down.
However, when I began gently massaging her calf with one hand, she broke into a broad grin.
“I’m only letting it slide this time.”
“Mhm. And, my mom said she wants you to have a meal with us next weekend... is that okay?”
“That’s fine. Shall we go now?”
“The credits haven’t finished rolling yet. Is it bothersome to massage me?”
“I can do it anytime.”
“But I want it now...”
“Suit yourself.”
By that time, the remaining few had also left, leaving just the two of us in the theater.
The projectionist must still be around, I wonder what kind of face he is making.
Probably an annoyed one.
By the time all the credits had rolled, we finally stepped out of the theater.
The rain that had stopped earlier had started to fall again.
At times like this, I should probably suggest she stay over at my place...
“Did your mom say anything when you went home today?”
“About what?”
“Like how you’ve been staying out too often lately... Something along those lines.”
“Ah... She didn’t really say anything...?”
It seems Miyuki’s conduct has been so irreproachable that her mother had nothing specific to complain about.
I shook my head as I said,
“Stay over tonight as well.”
“I’ve already told her I was going to see a movie with Matsuda-kun...”
“Just tell her you’ll stay at my place.”
“That won’t work... you dummy... Instead, I’ll come over early tomorrow...”
“So you’ll stay over? Then we can go to the academy together.”
“How on earth do you hear what I say and come up with that kind of response...?”
“I just want to be with you that much.”
As I laid my feelings bare, Miyuki’s face filled with joy but also a hint of worry.
Her expression seemed seriously contemplative.
I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly and tapped her thigh gently.
“Don’t worry too much. I was just saying it.”
“You’re just saying it... really?”
“Well. Why don’t you pick up what’s behind you?”
“Behind?”
Miyuki turned her head towards the backseat.
Spotting a few writing utensils scattered carelessly, she asked.
“It’s a pen and a mechanical pencil, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. They’re a gift.”
“All of a sudden...?”
I plan to erase all traces of Tetsuya from Miyuki’s life and plaster my own all around her. I’ll start with the trivial things, like the stationery she bought and used with him. When I go to Miyuki’s place this weekend, I should also replace that Maneki-neko hanging on her door.[1]
“It’s to encourage you to study hard.”
“I mean... I’d be thankful to receive it, but... isn’t this gift a bit out of the blue...?”
“I noticed last time that your writing instruments were worn out. Use these from now on.”
“When did you see that...? Thank you. I’ll use them well, Matsuda-kun.”
“And when you get home, eat a lot of salmon.”
“Salmon? Why?”
Without answering, I took advantage of a red light to gently massage the inside of Miyuki’s thigh.
Realizing that I was suggesting foods good for muscle soreness, her face flushed a deep red.
“Let’s buy that strawberry cake you like on the way home.”
“...Okay...”
“Keep it in the fridge and have it tomorrow. Don’t eat it today.”
“Ah, got it... I’ll take care of it...”
Miyuki’s voice trailed off, her brow slightly furrowed. It seemed to hurt when touched. By the time she goes to school, she’d be mostly better... but I felt a twinge of regret. Why? Because I wanted to see her limping slightly in front of Tetsuya.
“Matsuda-kun... the light’s turned green... let’s go...”
“There aren’t any cars behind us.”
“Still, we have to follow the traffic rules...! Come on, start driving...”
“Alright. Enough nagging...”
After one last tap on her thigh, I watched Miyuki’s body tremble slightly as I gripped the steering wheel.
Her body is becoming more honest.
No, this line seems like something that would come out of a hypnosis or training-themed novel.
***
“Hello, Tetsuya-kun.”
“Hi, Miyuki. Feels like it’s been a while, doesn’t it? Did you rest well yesterday?”
“Yeah... Sorry, I couldn’t go for a walk yesterday.”
“No, it’s my fault for calling you all of a sudden without considering how you were feeling. Are you feeling better now?”
“I’m much better.”
Tetsuya, who had been sitting in the back seat, stuck his head through the space between the driver and passenger seats.
“Matsuda, did you have a good rest over the weekend?”
“I rested well.”
Really, I did rest well.
Together with Miyuki.
I quickly managed my expression after catching her flinch out of the corner of my eye and chided Tetsuya.
“Remove your head, I need to see the rearview mirror.”
Then Miyuki lightly hit my wrist.
“What do you mean by ‘remove your head’? Do you have to talk like that?”
“Remove your head or move your head, isn’t it all the same?”
“That’s crude... Hurry up and say it nicely.”
“No. Miura, remove your head out of the way.”
“Matsuda-kun, do you realize how childish you are? Are you in elementary school? You’re past puberty.”
I know it’s childish.
But I enjoy this bickering with you, what can I do?
I responded with a snort instead of words and drove off to the academy, watching Tetsuya try to calm an irritated Miyuki.
I parked the car in the lot and, as I headed towards the school gates, I noticed Miyuki adjusting her uniform shirt. She was trying to cover the kiss mark I had left near her collarbone during our first time together. Even though it was in a spot that wasn’t visible, she seemed self-consciously aware of it.
The classroom door slid open with a sound.
Entering, I was greeted with hellos from the class, including the girl nicknamed “Bread Girl.” The students, looking rather deflated, offered their greetings in a subdued tone. It seemed the post-cultural festival blues had hit, bringing a case of the Mondays with them.
Sitting at my desk, exchanging chit-chat with the chubby kid in front of me, I was puzzled when Miyuki, who had been talking to the class vice-president about the after-party of the cultural festival, approached and held out her hand.
“What?”
“Give me some of the chocolates we were eating in the car.”
“Why?”
“I want to share them with my friends.”
“They’re in the car. I’ll give you the keys, and you can go get them yourself.”
“It’s hard for me to walk, you know?”
Her brazen attitude left me momentarily dumbfounded before I lowered my voice.
“I saw you walking just fine earlier. What are you talking about? And do you think it’s the weekend? The time for indulging every little whim has passed.”
“I’m struggling here.”
“So?”
“I’m really struggling.”
She looked at me with eyes that seemed to ask, “Are you really going to refuse a request from me?“, her lips curling up slightly on one side. It’s almost as if she’s trying to train me...
This time, though, I’ll let it slide.
With a face full of annoyance, I stood up and muttered softly.
“This is the last time.”
“Okay.”
Despite my warning, the fact that she’s still grinning foolishly makes it clear she really enjoys this tsundere-like reaction from me. If she keeps racking up this kind of karma, she’ll have a hard time over the weekend... Just so you know, I’ll give you a piece of my mind.
Though whether I’ll be able to scold her or not is another matter.
As I was about to trudge out of the classroom, I hesitated upon overhearing Tetsuya’s question to Miyuki.
“Uh... Miyuki, what’s that mechanical pencil you have? Is it new?”
“Ah... this? I got it as a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yeah. The knob on my old one was hard to press, so... I switched to the one I received as a present.”
“You should have said something... we could have gone to buy a new one together.”
“I’m sorry. But Tetsuya-kun, do you still have some of the jelly we were eating in the car?”
“Yeah, I have some left. I’ll give it to you.”
Hearing the slight hurt in Tetsuya’s voice, I left the classroom.
Watching him, unable to even ask who the gift was from for fear of overstepping, I felt it was his fate to be left out.
***
“Matsuda hubae-nim, did you have a good weekend?”
Chinami greets me with a vibrant smile, full of energy despite it being Monday. It’s a nice sight.
“I did, thank you. And how about you, Sensei?”
“I had a great weekend, too. How did the cultural festival’s competition turn out? I went to see it with Renka in the evening, and it seemed incredibly tense... You guys won first place, right?”
Of course. Have you ever seen a festival planned by the heroine not take first place? It’s a love comedy standard.
“Yes.”
“Wow...! Congratulations!”
“How did the skewer shop do?”
“We made a profit. We divided it among all the members who participated. Oh, and by the way, I overheard something while cleaning around the coach’s office today... It seems the coach is going to officially recognize you as a full member soon.”
“Is that so?”
“Is that so? You don’t sound very excited... Don’t you think it’s a great thing?”
Imitating my indifferent tone, she places her hands on her hips. She frowns as if she’s about to scold me, but it’s so playful it ends up being more cute—like a Maltese pup yapping and fussing.
“If it happens, it happens. If not, it doesn’t.”
“Matsuda hubae-nim, the coach is acknowledging you despite the trouble you’ve caused. It’s also an opportunity to learn even more about kendo than you do now. Aren’t you happy?”
“If I become a full member, does that mean I have to quit being a manager?”
Chinami slowly nodded her head.
“That seems to be the case.”
“Then I don’t want to do it.”
“What?”
“I like learning about Sangdanse from you while doing the manager’s work.“
“Huh...? You prefer being a manager?”
Chinami’s large eyes blinked twice. I gave her an awkward smile and continued talking.
“It would be more accurate to say that I enjoy doing it with sensei.”
“Really...? While I’m happy to hear that, I wish your skills would improve significantly...”
“Do you dislike having me around, Sensei? Would you prefer it if I disappeared?”
“What...? How can you say such a thing without batting an eye...! Where in the world is there a master who dislikes their disciple...!?”
“Then, that settles it. I learn much faster from you than from the club. It’s impossible not to improve with one-on-one instruction. If the coach asks, I’ll say I want to continue being a manager.”
“Isn’t the manager’s work difficult for you?”
“No. It’s fun.”
“Matsuda hubae-nim, you are an odd one.”
Wouldn’t that also apply to you, who willingly does all the menial tasks?
“It’s because Sensei treats me well that I’ve been ‘trained’ by her.”
“Trained...?”
“If that word is a bit much, should I say ‘influenced’ instead? Anyway, you’re okay with it, Sensei?”
“Well, I do like having you around, Matsuda hubae-nim...”
“Decision made. Now, to commemorate our true teacher-student relationship, shall I give you a massage? Your shoulders seemed stiff when I saw you dealing with Miura’s induction just before...”
As I step closer to Chinami, flexing my hands, she rolls her eyes and then answers.
“I’m fine for now, so I’ll just take your offer in spirit. Come on, let’s get to work.”
“What’s on the agenda today?”
“First, let’s check the condition of the protective gear. After that...”
Chinami chatters away about today’s tasks. There’s a trace of joy in her voice.
It seems she’s somewhat moved by my decision to continue as a manager.
I’ll make sure you become even happier later on.
︵‿︵‿୨ * ୧‿︵‿︵
{ TN: 1. Maneki-Neko: A common Japanese figurine that is often believed to bring good luck to the owner.
You can support the translation and read 5 chapter ahead on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/Devill }