How To Ruin A Love Comedy

Chapter 38: Not Matsuda-kun, but Ken-kun.

Miyuki, who had been closely following Matsuda from behind, sneakily examined his back in detail.

Could she be mistaken, or did she just glimpse the lean muscles under his white uniform shirt?

His broad back naturally gave off a dependable aura.

‘.....’

Until not long ago, she truly despised Matsuda. She even exaggeratedly wished he’d get expelled.

Who would have thought she would share such a relationship with him now?

It was an unexpected turn of events.

Miyuki lightly bit her lips.

Their second kiss inside the classroom… It was brief, their lips merely touching for about ten seconds, but... it felt wonderful.

Frankly, she felt this kiss was sweeter than the first one.

Perhaps, unlike that time, because she was prepared and had initiated the kiss, she felt it more genuinely.

It felt as if she had discovered an entirely new world.

She yearned for another, but... was that it for today?

Would Matsuda possibly suggest a goodbye kiss when he drops her off at home?

Miyuki, who had been stealing occasional glances at Matsuda’s back, abruptly stopped in her tracks, incredulous at the absurd thought that had crossed her mind.

She had been the one always calling Matsuda a pervert; now, wasn’t she acting like one herself?

‘I’m going insane...’

Chastising herself internally, Miyuki continued walking, her head hung low.

And then,

Thump.

“Ah!”

She bumped her forehead into Matsuda’s back and wobbled, losing her balance. The impact was strong enough to disrupt her balance entirely.

Just as she was about to fall backward, Matsuda’s arm shot out with incredible reflexes to catch her, his brows slightly furrowing.

“What are you doing? Lost in thought?”

Unable to meet Matsuda’s eyes properly, she responded.

“Wh-Why did you stop all of a sudden, Matsuda-kun?”

She wanted to say thank you, but why did her words come out as petulant complaints?

She was exceptionally awkward at expressing these new emotions. What would Matsuda think of her now?

“Because we’ve arrived at the changing room.”

“Ah... already?”

“It’s a short distance, so of course we’d get here quickly. Are you both dumb and tiny?”

“...I didn’t know.”

A short puff of air escaped from Matsuda’s nose.

With a light laugh, he spoke.

“Go ahead and change, too. I’m going in.”

Saying this, the corners of Matsuda’s mouth stretched outwards, forming a bright, refreshing smile that seemed to light up the area.

These days, she saw that smile quite often when she was with him.

Her heart began to beat faster.

It was a smile she felt she could never tire of seeing.

Was it too greedy to wish that he’d show that smile to only her?

“Okay... I won’t take too long.”

“Why are you talking as if you’ll be alone? I’ll change first and wait, so take your time coming out.”

Upon closer inspection, it felt like Matsuda could read her heart.

Even now, he was saying the very things she had hoped to hear.

Although their personalities could almost be described as polar opposites...

She felt like she and Matsuda were strangely compatible.

“Okay...”

“So timid...”

Matsuda gently pressed down on Miyuki’s bangs with his large hand before heading into the men’s changing room.

Placing her hand where he had just touched, Miyuki, her face flushed, whispered the words she’d been holding back.

‘I like you, Ken-kun.’

Even though she’d only said it in her mind, her heart pounded wildly.

Her vision narrowed, her head dizzying with emotion.

Could she actually say those words out loud?

And what would it feel like to hear Matsuda say the same?

The inability to predict the outcome actually cleared her mind.

Miyuki headed toward the women’s changing room, praying that Matsuda would once again read her feelings, all while trying to steady her racing heart.

***

“I’m going to check some new equipment we’ve brought in, so Junior Matsuda, you keep practicing your pushing technique with the shinai.”

“Should I come with you?”

“Junior Matsuda, you’re already falling behind. Starting today, we’re ramping up the practice sessions. Just focus on your training. What did I say is the key when practicing footwork?”

“Natural movement.”

Nodding approvingly, Chinami strolled away, her legs playfully bobbing with each step.

She looks adorable, like a squishy rice cake in motion.

Chuckling to myself, I gripped the shinai and aimed it at empty air.

From that position, I moved the foot in the direction I wanted to go, dragging the other foot behind me as I practiced the pushing technique. Doing this alone makes me feel like a bit of a lunatic.

Just as I was diligently practicing,

“Your shinai is trembling. Keep your center balanced.”

Renka’s dry voice came from behind me.

Startled, I was about to lower the shinai when Renka gestured—which seemed to say, ‘It’s alright.’

“I heard from Chinami. She’s been coaching you separately. Just be careful not to get caught by the coach.”

“Ah, yes…”

“I thought you’d quit if the Coach doesn’t teach you for a few days, but surprisingly, you’re still here.”

I’ll stick around even if you tell me to quit—until you accept me in your heart.

“Just... whatever.”

Murmuring, I took my stance to resume practice. Renka then came to face me and crossed her arms.

“Assume your stance. Let me take a quick look.”

“Okay.”

“Try to place the sharp edge of the shinai straight to your solar plexus, and the end of the hilt at your navel.”

“Like this?”

“Exactly. From there, think of your thumb and index finger merely as guides for balance. You should be applying force with just the remaining three fingers.”

Renka curled her thumb and index finger while bending and extending the other three fingers.

I gave her a half-hearted nod and did as she instructed.

“Good. Now maintain that stance and begin your pushing moves.”

Under Renka’s watchful eyes, I tried the pushing technique again, moving up, down, left, and right.

I wasn’t passionate about it.

I displayed only just enough enthusiasm to avoid irking Renka.

‘Matsuda Ken is skilled but lacks enthusiasm for competition, treating club activities merely as a way to pass the time.’

I aimed to cultivate such an assessment from Renka.

Of course, behind the scenes, I’d be practicing diligently, improving to the point where they’d have no choice but to include me in competitions.

Stacking my efforts quietly until, one day, I’d make a dramatic revelation, flipping Renka’s assessment of me entirely.

After all, a stark image transformation tends to leave a lasting impression.

With this blueprint for the future in mind, I put on a show for Renka until Chinami returned.

**

Tetsuya and I headed for the parking lot after finishing our club activities.

While we were having some idle chatter and waiting for Miyuki, we saw her approaching us quickly from a distance, the student council badge displayed on her chest.

“You’re here?”

Tetsuya greeted Miyuki cheerfully. Miyuki, taking a quick glance at me as I sat on the car’s hood, responded while looking at Tetsuya.

“Yeah. But Tetsuya-kun, why do you keep touching your arm? Is it hurting?”

“Ah... We learned overhead strikes during today’s practice. Swinging the shinai over and over made my muscle kinda...”

“Or... hmm... did you get hit by Ke…Matsuda-kun?”

She seemed like she intended to say ‘Ken,’ but stopped short.

If only she were a bit braver... what a pity.

Trying to divert my disappointment, I scowled.

“Hey...”

As I raised my fist as if to threaten, Miyuki, laughing softly, spoke to Tetsuya.

“You should’ve been more careful. You’ll feel it tomorrow.”

“I guess... I should’ve exercised more. Could you massage it for me?”

At Tetsuya’s request, Miyuki briefly glanced in my direction. She then shook her head apologetically, her face conveying her discomfort.

“I too had a tough time carrying heavy stuff today. I’m sorry.”

“Then, do you want me to massage your arm?”

“No need. I appreciate the thought. Let’s get going quickly though. Matsuda-kun might get mad.”

Miyuki brushed off Tetsuya’s words with a smile and got in the car.

‘Miyuki, you’ve been particularly adorable today. As a reward, maybe I should place a dildo in your panties?’

‘How about you attend class like that? Sounds fun, right?’

Miyuki took the passenger seat as if it was natural and fastened her seatbelt.

Tetsuya, watching her, tilted his head in confusion.

But he didn’t ask why she took the passenger seat again. Probably thinking that such a question would make him seem very uncool.

‘Seems like you caught the hint this time... but it’s too late.’

I silently mocked Tetsuya and as soon as the guy got in the back seat, I started the car.

The atmosphere was warm—The three of us shared various conversations as we drove to Tetsuya’s house.

As he got out of the car, Tetsuya headed to the passenger side and spoke to Miyuki.

“How about a walk tonight?”

“A walk? Sure, let’s do it.”

“Alright. I’ll call you. Thanks again, Matsuda.”

As Tetsuya gave his farewells and headed toward his house, I gave a nonchalant nod and pressed down on the accelerator as soon as he was out of sight. Miyuki then began fiddling with her phone and asked,

“The day before yesterday, before our movie started, there was an advertisement for a comedy movie starring Hayato at the theater, right?”

“Uh.”

“Didn’t it look interesting?”

Tsk, tsk... Miyuki.

Let me give you a life lesson.

You know how sometimes movie trailers will use phrases like ‘a pleasant rebellion’ featuring so-and-so?

If that’s the case, then there’s a good chance—at least 50%—that the movie is crap.

And that word popped out right from the opening of the trailer for the movie you mentioned.

It looked boring just from that alone.

But if you really want to see it... I suppose I can bear it.

Because I truly love you.

“Do you really want to see it?”

“It’s not like that... I was just thinking we could go if we have some free time...”

“Let’s pick a date then.”

“Okay... I guess I should go...? Thanks for the ride...”

As we arrived at her house, Miyuki took her time—very slowly—unbuckling her seatbelt.

Watching her, I spoke.

“Hey.”

“Hmm?”

“You said you were tired from carrying heavy stuff today. Do you want me to massage your arm?”

I noticed that Miyuki slightly shook at my words, as if on cue.

She caught on. That I’d mirrored Tetsuya’s words exactly.

She briefly rolled her eyes before-

“...”

-Extending her arm towards me with a shy expression and turning her head to look out the window.

With a meaningful, sly grin, I grabbed her slender wrist and pressed gently, applying just the right amount of pressure as I moved from her palm up to her forearm.

As always, Miyuki’s body was warm.

‘I wonder how good it would feel to sleep while cuddling her.’

While silently massaging her arm, I asked,

“Does it feel good?”

“...Yes... It does...”

Her voice had a slight quiver.

It seemed like she was nervous.

‘Tsk. Miyuki, if you are nervous from such a light skinship, what would you do in the future?’

When our relationship deepens, we could go to a drive-in theater.

We could park the car facing the screen and lie next to each other in the trunk to watch the movie.

And when the atmosphere heats up... we could do this and that.

‘Would you be so shy even then?’

“Done. You can go now.”

Having sufficiently completed the massage, I gently released Miyuki’s wrist to indicate that I was done.

“Um... Do you want to come in for dinner? You could also say hi to my mom and dad...”

“Next time.”

“.... Why? Is it because you feel uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s not that. It’d be rude to drop by without giving prior notice. When you get inside, just ask if it’s okay to visit soon.”

“Oh, okay... So, it’s a promise?”

“Uh.”

Miyuki, looking half-convinced, opened the passenger side door.

Holding her bag’s straps with both hands, she said,

“Take care... Ken-kun.”

She glanced back at me to say what she hadn’t managed to earlier, cautiously closed the car door, and nearly sprinted towards her home, clutching her always-heavy bag.

Hearing my name at such an unexpected moment, I paused for a while.

I could see Miyuki, frantically trying to unlock her front door and looking back several times.

She dropped her keys, then crouched down in surprise, looking utterly embarrassed.

Seeing her like that snapped me out of my daze, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

‘So it’s not Matsuda-kun anymore, it’s Ken-kun now?’

Given Miyuki’s personality, she probably won’t call me by my first name every day, but it seems like I’ll hear it now and then.

‘Thank you for mustering the courage today.’

‘Next time, I hope you’ll just call me Ken, dropping the honorific.’

Thinking so, I kept chuckling at Miyuki, who looked exceedingly flustered.

After a few moments, Miyuki was finally able to open the door successfully and quickly disappeared into her house. Only then did I lift my foot from the brake.

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