How To Ruin A Love Comedy

Chapter 43: A Sultry Date #2

Are you taking some sort of supplementary classes?

After finishing my shower and rejoining Chinami in the common area, I responded to Tetsuyas question.

Yeah. Looks like Ill have to head out before you today. Do you have an umbrella?

I decided to borrow one from the common area. Then, should I go back with Miyuki?

Go back with Miyuki?

Isnt that impossible?

Your destiny on a rainy day is not to be sipping makgeolli in a pancake house. Rather, its to indulge in okonomiyaki and sake.

Sure.

Thanks for your effort. Nanase-senpai, you worked hard.

Tetsuya bows politely.

Chinami waves goodbye with a cheerful smile.

Take care, Junior Miura.

After Tetsuya leaves and the last remaining club members finally exit the common area, Chinami who had been eyeing the coachs office, heaves a sigh of relief. She then fetched the shinai I had been using from the storage room.

Shall we start practicing right away?

Before we start, I have a question. Grasping the handle of the shinai, I spoke.

What is it?

Renka-senpai mentioned that your preferred technique is Sangdanse. Is that true?

Thats correct.

Would you teach me?

Uh...?

She blinks her large eyes, clearly taken aback. After a moments hesitation, she flatly refuses.

Its not possible.

Why?

You have to learn Jungdanse before you can effectively learn the Sangdanse. So no, I cant teach you that.

But still, teach me.

I cant.

You can.

...Junior Matsuda, are you playing word games with me? Its amusing, but still, I cant.

Im telling you, you can.

As I slowly approach Chinami, a smile forming at the corners of my mouth, her head gradually lifts.

Instead of being intimidated due to my closing large frame, now, with her head fully raised to meet my gaze, she crosses her arms confidently and says,

Even if you push, what cant be done cant be done.

Is it strange for a disciple to follow in the footsteps of their master?

Your enthusiasm is commendable, but learning Sangdanse will completely ruin your stance.

Isnt that based on the assumption that one learns Jungdanse first? If I start with Sangdanse, it could be a different story. Thats why, I want to be taught by you, a master of Sangdanse.

Flattering words wont change my mind. Could you step back a bit? Youre so tall, my neck is starting to hurt.

Would you like me to massage it?

Um... No.

Seems like she was a bit tempted?

Shes more straightforward with her emotions than Miyuki, making her easier to read.

Either way, pressing any further here would be fruitless.

Best to gracefully give up and wait for the next opportunity.

Stepping back from Chinami, I adjust my stance, staring into the large wall-mounted mirror in the corner of the common area.

***

Patter! Drip-!

Staring at the relentless rain that showed no signs of stopping, Chinami alternated her gaze between the last remaining umbrella and my face before speaking.

You should use the umbrella. Ill take a taxi instead. But lets share it until we get to the main gate.

A taxi? How far is your home?

About a 15-minute drive.

Is that so? Would you like me to give you a ride then?

Wha...?

Chinamis mouth falls open in surprise.

I cant help but want to stick it in there.

Do you have a car, Junior Matsuda?

Yes, I drove here today.

Is, is that so...?

Lets head to the parking lot together. Ill hold the umbrella.

After finishing my sentence, I immediately open the umbrella and head out the door.

Drip-drip-drip!

The thick streams of rain pelt the canopy. The sound isnt entirely unpleasant.

I then speak to the hesitant Chinami.

What are you doing? Come on.

Ah, yes...!

She moves cautiously and stands next to me in a formal stance, though maintaining a slight distance.

Due to that gap, a stream of rain hits one of her shoulders, and I see her uniform blouse quickly soaking up the moisture.

Moreover, the height difference between us and the long gap between her and the umbrella allow rain to penetrate our shared space. At this point, sharing an umbrella seems almost meaningless.

With a light laugh, I step close enough that our legs touch. I slightly bend my knees and lower the umbrella just enough for our hair to almost meet.

Noticing my consideration, Chinami offers an awkward, apologetic smile.

Thank you... Junior Matsuda, youre much kinder than the rumors suggest.

The second-year members of the Kendo Club treat me reasonably well, but thats only because Ive been diligent in my role as a manager. The other second-years probably see me as a delinquent.

Though it doesnt concern me.

After all, theyre just extras in my life with whom I have no real interaction.

I idly scratch the side of my head, diverting the topic.

Shall we go?

Yes...!

We walk toward the parking lot with baby steps, moving at a snails pace.

Walking with bent knees isnt the most comfortable thing, but what cant you endure for the sake of gaining favor?

Besides, any event involving Chinami can only unfold if I take the initiative. Its best to make a move as soon as an opportunity appears.

***

Arriving at the corner of the parking lot under an eave with Chinami, I excused myself and called Miyuki.

After a few rings,

-Hello?

Miyuki, lowering her voice, answered the call.

Where are you? Still far away?

-I was just getting ready to leave. Matsuda-kun, are you in the parking lot?

Yeah.

-Itll take me about two minutes. Ill be there soon.

After acknowledging her, I hung up.

Theres one more person joining us, so would it be okay to wait for about two or three minutes?

Of course. But Junior Matsuda, how much does the fuel cost for a 15-minute drive?

Why are you suddenly asking about fuel costs... Youre not planning to pay for it, are you?

Yes.

Looking into her earnest eyes, I realized she wasnt setting a boundary. She genuinely believed it was the right thing to do.

With a smirk of mild disbelief, I spoke.

Please just take it as a favor.

But I cant just...

Then I guess I should pay my sensei too. For teaching me how to wear a dobok*, how to clean as the manager, and for teaching me kendo skills...

Wait, wait a minute! Thats not the same thing...!

Well, by that logic, what youre saying also doesnt make sense. Forget about the fuel cost. If it really bothers you, just buy me a drink later.

With my nonchalant response, Chinamis round face visibly relaxed. She bowed her head slightly and said,

Alright. Ill gratefully accept the ride today.

Not long after our pleasant exchange, I spotted Miyuki approaching quickly, wearing sandals and carrying an umbrella. She seemed to be heading for my car but stopped in her tracks when she noticed Chinami and me standing under the eave.

Miyuki seemed momentarily flustered but soon approached us.

With a wry smile, I introduced Chinami to her.

This is Nanase-senpai, the manager of the Kendo club.

Ah, the... the sensei you mentioned before?

Exactly.

Miyukis head slowly nodded in recognition. She bowed slightly to Chinami and greeted her.

Hello, Senpai. My name is Hanazawa Miyuki...

Hello! Im Nanase Chinami. Nice to meet you, Junior Hanazawa.

After watching the two exchange greetings, I told them to stay put and dashed toward my car.

***

Chinamis home... Its just your typical house that youd find anywhere.

She seems to be living quite an ordinary life.

Thank you, Junior Matsuda! Please drive safely!

As the car arrived at the entrance of the mansion, Chinami leaned forward from the back seat.

Glancing back at her, I pointed to the umbrella under the seat, which was dripping rainwater.

Dont forget your umbrella.

Yes! Please be careful on your way back as well, Junior Hanazawa! Im really glad we met today, and that we got to talk about so many things!

At her spirited farewell, the face of Miyuki, who had been sitting in the front seat, lit up.

Im also glad we met Nanase-senpai. I look forward to seeing you in the future.

With that, Chinami got out of the car, holding an umbrella that looked somewhat large in comparison to her, and waved goodbye to us once more.

She then entered through the gate of her house.

Miyuki, who had been watching her retreating figure, turned her head to look at me as the car began to move.

Does she always speak so formally like that?

She does that with everyone, whether theyre older or younger than her. She always uses respectful language.

Really...? Shes incredibly kind... and also adorable... But Matsuda-kun.

What.

You couldve given me a heads-up, you know.

Miyukis voice takes on a slightly cold tone.

Although the situation was cleared up thanks to the explanation Chinami and I provided in the car, and while she holds no ill-will towards Chinami, Miyuki cant help but feel a subtle form of jealousy.

Its natural for any normal person to feel uncomfortable about another woman encroaching on their territory.

Provided, of course, that they have normal tastes.

I was planning to tell you when I called you.

Then why didnt you?

You said you were on your way, so I thought Id tell you in person.

Is it that hard to just say it? How long could it possibly take?

Just then, a traffic light turns red.

Easing the car to a stop with a leisurely press of the brake, I turn to look at Miyuki.

Are you angry?

She avoids my gaze, flinching slightly.

Why would I be angry? Theres no reason to be

Her voice trails off.

Miyuki clenches her lips shut and gives a shuddering jerk, almost as if shes suppressing a sob.

Its because my slowly approaching hand had grasped her wrist.

Looking intently at a tongue-tied Miyuki, I curl one corner of my mouth upward and apply a gentle force to my hand, pulling her closer to me.

As I do, Miyukis body shifts slightly... ever so slightly, pressing closer to mine.

Well... come to think of it, there might be a good reason for it.

... What do you mean?

Dont pretend you dont understand.

No matter how awkward you might be with romantic relationships, youre not clueless about what Im implying.

Instead of verbalizing my thoughts, I answer by pulling Miyukis hand toward me and resting it on the console. Then, I gently run my finger through the gap between her index and middle fingers, deliberately changing the subject.

What are you cooking for me today?

... I dont know.

Should we just grab anything from the grocery store?

Ill pick something myself...

Though she pretends to be irked, her cheeks are flushed.

Its evidence that she finds this light yet subtly charged touch rather pleasant.

Her visible reaction to just this makes me both curious and excited about how shell respond once I am not just touching her.

Casting a sidelong glance at Miyuki, I asked.

Should we also get some beer?

Beer...? Its not good for your health.

Its made from barley. Tastes good too. So it must be healthy.

At my blithely nonchalant comment, Miyuki lets out a hollow laugh.

Should I drop you in the middle of a barley field then?

Usually, she wouldve reprimanded me for making such an absurd statement, but this time shes playing along. Maybe she felt bad for taking things too seriously before.

Anyway, it seems like she hasnt considered the fact that if we drink, I cant drive. Shes not planning to cook dinner for me and go back alone, is she?

Maybe I should use the beer as an excuse to suggest spending the night?

I guess Ill have to gauge the mood before making a decision.

*

{ Devil: Dobok (Korean: ) is the uniform worn by practitioners of Korean martial arts, such as taekwondo, kendo, etc.

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