Chapter 32: CH 32

Golden Week Promise

In the end, I ate half and a little more of the crepe with Takane-san’s help, without even using a fork myself. And by a little, I mean I ate one strawberry more than I should have.

I knew it was not surprising that Nakano-san had become as awkward as an unoiled tin doll. I was not sure if it was a common occurrence when you’ve just started dating, but I could only imagine how she felt when she kept seeing me being ‘ahhn-ed.’

“Nagito-san, I’m sorry…”

“Oh no, it was delicious, and I was going to pay for it from the start.”

“Nagisen is generous, even though his abs are hard.” (T/N: The generous here can also mean big-bellied, from what I found on Jisho.)

Nakano-san reached out and checked my abdominal muscles over my uniform–I knew she didn’t mean any offense, as she had been casually touching me since middle school. But as Takane-san’s boyfriend, I couldn’t just ignore it, so I had to be firm about it.

“It’s okay if it’s just me, but touching a guy’s abs out of the blue is problematic.”

“Ah, sorry, I got carried away. Our situation is slightly different from when we were in junior high school, right? Nagisen got a cute girlfriend, but I don’t have a boyfriend or anything like that, so Nagisen is the only one who changed.”

Nakano-san had been popular since junior high school because of her friendly personality and small animal-like charm in her appearance, but if she said so, it seemed that she wouldn’t be getting a boyfriend right after her high school debut.

“Do you mean Nagito-san is changing because of his association with me…?”

“Ta-Takane-san. What Nakano-san said is pretty spontaneous, so don’t worry too much about it.”

“Ah, when you say things like that, it makes me want to play tricks on you. Don’t get me started on his abs, that’s the only thing he has going for him.”

“…That… No, Nakano-san, there are many wonderful things about Nagito-san, so it’s not nice to talk about him like that.”

Takane-san said so, but it was embarrassing in its own way. And from the looks of Takane-san, she seemed to be interested in it, too, in some small way.

“Sorry, sorry, that was a joke. I know Nagisen’s good points too. He’s really good to me, and he takes me seriously even when I’m talking about things that boys don’t seem interested in.”

“‘Really good to me’… What do you mean by that?” (T/N: Nakano used 付き合い/Tsukiai above that can imply dating, and Takane is questioning that.)

I hoped Nakano-san would choose her words more carefully–the word ‘dating’ was nuanced and susceptible to suspicion. I was sure Takane-san understood this, but it still felt overwhelming.

“We-Well… Nakano-san was playing a game with her friends, and she invited me to join her. It was when the book club decided to play a party game, she made me go along with her to the practice beforehand…”

“…Is that it?”

“I also studied for my exams in the library. I was kind of an extra, though.”

“I can’t get together with Nagisen unless we’re all together. That’s why we don’t get to be alone together very often.”

“I didn’t know that…”

Takane-san put her hands on her chest and smiled softly. The tense air in the room eased and I felt relieved–Nakano-san saw this and smiled happily.

“Nagisen, from now on, you can hang out with Takane-san, right?”

Would the atmosphere be similar to the reading club in middle school again? I thought it was unlikely to happen since we were now in high school and the members of the club had changed.

But I wondered if Takane was interested in the kind of games that Nakano-san and I played – I was thinking about that.

“Yes, you can invite me too if you like.”

“Yes, yes. I’ll ask you out without hesitation. I’m looking forward to the karaoke. I just asked Kiri-chan and she said she’d come if she could.”

“…I-I see…”

Even though she could always contact Asatani-san with her phone, I didn’t expect her to be going that far while talking to us–Nakano-san was tricky as ever.

“Well, maybe next vacation. Or maybe during Golden Week?”

“Since each of us has our own schedule, let’s discuss and decide.”

“OK! If you want to call your friends, Nagisen, let me know, and I’ll contact everyone. Ah, right! We haven’t exchanged addresses yet, right, Nozomi-chan?”

“Yes, please do.”

Nakano-san operated her phone fluidly and exchanged addresses in a matter of seconds.

“I’ve created a group for us, but I hope you two don’t accidentally post a private joke.”

“N-No… I won’t make that mistake. But I’ll double check.”

“Ah, is there such a thing after all? A loving exchange between you two… This is bad, I’m getting really excited just thinking about it.”

“You can’t just imagine all that stuff and say that…”

“Nagisen pretending to be cool like this is so cute, right…? Nozomi-chan is watching you, you know?”

“…Let’s see if you’ll keep up the pretense, shall we?”

“Ahh, Nagisen will bully me. But I’m not afraid. Even if you get angry like that, I’ll use Nozomi-chan as a barrier like this.”

Nakano-san was doing whatever she wanted–but when Takane-san stared at her, the excited girl became quiet.

“I’m on Nagito-san’s side, so I can’t be Nakano-san’s shield.”

“Yes~, I know~. I thought two against one was a little lonely, so I got carried away. Nagisen, I’ll give Nozomi-chan back to you.”

“Ah, yeah… Nakano-san?”

“You mentioned going to a bookstore, but I just went there yesterday, so you two take your time and look around. If you find any interesting books, let me know.”

Nakano-san said, waving her hand, and turned to go by herself–but.

Takane-san grabbed Nakano-san’s hand and held her back.

“Why don’t you come with us, Nakano-san? The bookstore is just around the corner.”

“…Ehh? I was just about to walk away in a smart and cool way, why did you catch me?”

“If Takane-san says so, I’d like to go with the three of us…”

“…Eh, are you sure about this? Are you sure you want me to come? I’ll recommend manga to Nagisen, regardless of what we read in the book club, you know?”

“I’m interested too, so I’d like to know what manga you recommend, Nakano-san.”

When Takane-san let go of her hand, Nakano-san looked at me shyly and then went into the bookstore first.

“…Nakano-san is a very caring person, isn’t she? Though she tries not to look like it.”

She was really watching closely–but let me tell you something about Nakano-san, as I’ve known her since junior high school.

“I think so too, but I think she’s just being herself half the time. She’s a natural.”

“A natural…?”

I wondered if this would be much of an issue for Takane-san’s ears–as it was not used in a very good way, but of course not in a bad way either.

“Interesting, I guess.”

“Fufu… I guess you’re right. I want to learn from Nakano-san’s spontaneous nature.”

When I described her as natural, Takane-san described her as spontaneous–I wondered if her intentions were not too far off.

“Ah, you two are in a nice little mood. Can I sneak up and watch?”

“So-Sorry… We’re coming.”

“I’m sorry, Nakano-san.”

“It’s okay, I’m just happy to be included today. I really like you after all, Nozomi-chan. I think I’m going to confess again.”

“I’m sorry, Nakano-san.”

“Waah, the same apology but with a totally different meaning. Nagisen, you lucky b*****d.”

Nakano-san walked into the store with Takane-san. Takane-san was well-liked in the class, and Nakano-san seemed to like her for some reason.

Still, I told myself that there was nothing to be so cautious about, but Nakano-san had brought a bomb into my life–I wondered if it would be easy to hang out with Asatani-san, given the history of our relationship.

‘I told her about the indirect kiss.’

I didn’t think Asatani-san said those things with the intention of playing with me. However, Takane-san might have heard more about me from Asatani-san than I thought.

I had nothing to hide. Asatani-san also said we were all friends–I was not going to betray Takane-san, and I had no intention of doing so in the future too.

When I walked into the store after refreshing my mind, Takane-san and Nakano-san were looking at a magazine that Asatani-san was in together. I would like them to stop putting so much pressure on me continuously.

After finishing my shopping at the bookstore, I parted ways with Nakano-san, and after seeing Takane-san off to the station, I headed to the gym I always go to.

I met up with Ruru-nee there, and after changing into my training clothes all I did was–catching her kicks.

“–Eii!”

A middle kick that bended like a whip–Pan, and the kicking mitt made a nice sound.

“Ruru-chan, you’ve got a nice, sharp kick today.”

“No, not at all. I haven’t been here for a while, so I’m a little rusty.”

“Ahaha, I see. Are you okay, Nacchan? You want me to take over?”

“Sensei, in the first place, ‘Nacchan’ is… I’ve started high school.”

“Really? You’ll always be a cute little student to me.”

She was the daughter of the owner of the gym that my sister and I go to, and she was a trainer named Ei Otsuki.

She was a woman with medium fluffy hair, and she always seemed to have a pleasant smile on her face, but when it came to teaching martial arts, her mood changed drastically–I’ve had a lot of trouble keeping up with her.

“Sensei, listen to me. Nakkun got a girlfriend recently.”

“Wait… Ruru-nee, you can’t be so brash…”

“…What’s that, I never heard of it? Can you tell me more about it?”

“I haven’t heard that much yet either, so I’m thinking of asking more questions little by little.”

My sister, Ruru-nee, declared so in front of me, her younger brother. She was wearing protective gear and a brave outfit, so it’s hard for me to tsukkomi because I felt a little overwhelmed.

“Nacchan… I thought it would be a bit longer for you, but it seems like a lot of kids start dating in middle school these days.”

“Se-Sensei. We’re here to train today, not talk about that stuff…”

“Come on, I’ll buy you dinner later.”

“That’s not going to win me over…is what I’d like to say, but you don’t seem to be listening to me at all.”

“You know my character too well. At my age, I want to listen to the love stories of young kids to rejuvenate myself.”

“I’m also very happy when Nakkun comes to me for advice. When I hear him on the phone in the middle of the night, I feel sad that he’s grown up.”

I would appreciate it if she refrained from listening to me in the hallway, but the walls weren’t that thick, so it’s hard to do anything about it.

“Well, let’s leave it at that… Nacchan, how is it? Has anything you’ve practiced here helped you?”

“Yes, it’s been helpful in many ways.”

“I’m glad to hear that. It’s been a long time since you came, but even though you’re not a fighter, you’re still one of my proudest students. And of course, Ruru-chan too.”

“Thank you. Every time I take a physical test or the like, people say I’m amazing. It’s because I work out a lot at the gym.”

“Ahaha, Ruru-chan can spar with me as well.”

Her ability in kickboxing, which she started learning as a self-defense technique, was one of the reasons why I couldn’t stand my sister–In all honesty, Ruru-nee was so strong that it’s hard to imagine it from her usual relaxed atmosphere.

“Then I’ll have you take a little more. Nakkun, is that okay?”

“Yeah, come anytime.”

Ruru-nee laughed and threw a sharp kick at me as I held up my kicking mitts–I caught the kick as it was thrown from her beautiful form. Sweat was glistening on her forehead, and her thin clothing was wet with sweat.

“Today, I’m glad it’s all girls except for Nacchan.”

(…?)

For a moment, I couldn’t gauge the intent of Ei-sensei’s comment–but I soon realized. Ruru-nee’s clothes were soaked through with sweat, and the lines underneath–the shape of a firm type of sports bra–were showing.

“Sensei, did you say something?”

“Mhmm. I said, ‘Good luck, little brother.'”

“…E-Ei-sensei, I’m gonna need you to switch places with me for a minute…”

“What are you talking about? Take it all the way to the end. If you’re being pathetic, I’ll add some muscle training, okay?”

“Here I go, Nakkun. Onee-chan is going all out for the last one.”

(Wa-wait…!)

Without knowing my inner turmoil, Ruru-nee unleashed a spectacular kick that successfully knocked me out of my stance–I received the kick, rolled over, and fell on my back

“Nakkun…! Are you okay!? Did Onee-chan overdo it!?”

“…I’m fine. I’m just out of practice…”

“Good work, Nacchan. I’ll buy you dinner as promised, so go take a shower and change your clothes.”

Ei-sensei smiled at me, not looking sorry at all, as she pulled me up. I was sure she knew why I was upset, but I didn’t dare say it–although I should thank her for her concern.

“Waa… Sensei, why are you smiling?”

“Mhmm. I’m sure having a loyal and adorable little brother worries big sisters a lot.”

“It’s not that I want him to be loyal. I value Nakkun’s independence.” (T/N: I definitely did not spend 10 minutes on this one line!!!)

“Ruru-nee, are you done with practice? Can we join you?”

“Yeah, sure. Good job everyone, now let’s practice together.”

“”Yes.””

The junior high school girls who go to the gym gathered around Ruru-nee. Because of her personality, she was not only an older sister to me, but was also adored by the younger girls.

But today’s kick was the most powerful I’ve felt in a while. I was worried that my sister might be stressed out, and although I was unwilling to admit it, I might be the loyal brother that Ei-sensei said I was.