How To Ruin A Love Comedy

The next morning:

Driving to Miyuki’s house, I spotted her twisting and turning in front of her home.

Perhaps she was immensely embarrassed about yesterday, because even after spotting my car, she couldn’t bring herself to approach it.

*Honk.*

As I briefly honked the horn while pulling up in front of Miyuki, her shoulders jerked noticeably.

She carefully opened the passenger-side door and offered a tentative greeting.

“Hello... Matsuda-kun... You came early today…?”

“I told you I’d come early, didn’t I? Why do you look so down? Hurry up and get in.”

“Okay...”

She climbed into the car slowly and cautiously placed her hands on her lap.

Unable to resist a snicker, I playfully tousled Miyuki’s bangs.

“Ah...! I told you not to do that...!”

I suddenly wondered why she looked so cute when she complained in that tiny voice.

“Did you get home alright yesterday?”

“Home...? I got home just fine...”

“When you left after telling me to take care, I noticed you were having trouble finding your keys.”

“.....”

Miyuki’s face instantly flushed red.

She only stuttered without saying anything more, seemingly quite embarrassed about calling me by my name yesterday.

Seeing Miyuki turning her head toward the window just like yesterday, I chuckled and started the car.

As we entered the road leading straight to the school after circling the neighborhood, Miyuki asked in a puzzled tone.

“Where’s Tetsuya-kun...? Aren’t you picking him up?”

“Uh.”

“Why...?”

“Sometimes, let’s just go like this.”

As I subtly revealed my feelings, Miyuki swallowed hard and pursed her lips. She paused for a moment and said,

“But, what about Tetsuya-kun…”

It seems you feel guilty for leaving him alone. Well, you should get used to it from now; we’ll be going just the two of us not just occasionally, but every day.

I entertained the thought that it might not be bad to slide my hand between Miyuki’s thighs as we passed by Tetsuya. A scenario where Miyuki, her body heating up, spots Tetsuya and is startled, getting even more excited by a sense of immorality…

That wouldn’t be so bad.

“I told him I have somewhere to be this morning, so he should go on his own.”

“So, you said you’re going somewhere with me?”

“No.”

“Then… I should be receiving a message soon...”

Buzzz!

Right as Miyuki finished speaking, her phone buzzed.

It must be Tetsuya. He’ll probably ask her to go with him, as expected.

I glanced at Miyuki and asked,

“Is it a text or a call?”

“A text…”

“What does it say?”

“He’s asking if I’m awake…”

Miyuki hesitated for a moment as her hand hovered over her phone.

Miyuki seemed to be contemplating an excuse to send to Tetsuya.

After a moment of deep thought, her fingers swiftly moved across the screen.

“Haah...”

A long sigh escaped Miyuki’s lips shortly after. It seemed she felt guilty for sending a lie.

Must be challenging because I had already lied in advance, making it difficult for her to provide an honest explanation.

I understand her feelings completely. She may be consumed with guilt now, but in time, she might become numb to the lies. She might even find it thrilling.

‘He’s the jerk who rejected your brave confession. It’s only right for him to be on the receiving end of this, so don’t feel guilty.’

I extended my palm towards Miyuki, who was shuffling uncomfortably.

“Give me your hand.”

“Why...?”

“Why? I want to hold it while driving.”

“.....”

After hesitating briefly at my straightforward words, Miyuki gently placed her hand atop mine, even intertwining our fingers on her own.

With our hands locked, I gently set them down on her thigh. The instant my hand made contact, her body flinched.

Though she seemed taken aback, she made no move to pull away.

Glancing at her while driving, I remarked,

“I put it there because it’s tiring to keep holding it up.”

“Wha, what are you talking about...?”

“I’m saying don’t misunderstand.”

“Misunderstand what? I’m not... thinking anything weird! Stop having such odd thoughts... You’re such a pervert, Matsuda-kun...”

Alternating between flaring up and mumbling to herself...

Miyuki, in this manner, expressed her awkward feelings. She then took her other hand and slid it beneath the back of my hand that was resting on her thigh.

With both of her hands enveloping mine, she said,

“It’s dangerous to drive with just one hand... Weren’t you the one who said you barely passed your driving test?”

Muttering words she didn’t mean, she caressed my hand all the way to school as if she were handling a doll.

***

“Starting next week, we’ll need to begin preparing for the cultural festival, okay?”

At the words of the Class 1-A teacher, the entire classroom buzzed with excitement.

The Cultural Festival—a clichéd but quintessential event worn out in countless romantic comedies. An event where students can choose from activities like a maid café, haunted house, theater, bands, or dance, and compete against other classes. Once the event is over, enjoying the festival with the heroine is a typical trope.

It’s also an event where catfights among the heroines unfold. Normally, the event would be a crucial juncture to pick the “true heroine” in a typical rom-com scenario. But I plan to share my love with all three of them.

However, the only person with whom I’ve established a meaningful relationship at the moment is Miyuki. So for this year’s festival, I guess I’ll only have fun with her.

As for Class 1-A...

“You guys seemed pretty excited when we discussed doing a haunted house last time, right? So let’s do it this time.”

Per the teacher’s words, it was unanimously decided that the class would run a haunted house. Miyuki, being the main heroine, would play the role of a Yuki-onna—a snowwoman—highlighting her beauty and fair skin.

This will be a fan-service cut where her warm image undergoes a complete transformation, and some small happenings will occur.

I’ll enjoy it my way later.

As for Tetsuya, he’d go for a stylish Shuten-doji cosplay. This bastard’s luck is good, no matter what.

Renka, Chinami, and the Kendo Club will run a skewer stand. I’ll have to drop by; I need to buy some yakitori that Miyuki loves.

“As for the festival, the class president and vice president will lead the team... Let’s start the class.”

Boooo-!

The classroom bursts into unified jeers. The teacher’s temple vein bulges noticeably, forming a crosshair mark. The sight of it immediately hushes the students.

He may look hot-tempered, but he’s a warm-hearted, passionate professor—or should I say professor-nim?

That’s another cliché for you.

Thankfully, there was no “snap!” sound when his vein bulged.

I chuckled softly to myself and focused on the lecture.

As the first period ended and the break began, Miyuki conversed with the vice president about various matters. Then, she grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and walked toward Tetsuya and me.

“Miura can be Shuten-doji. He’s lean, so it should suit him well.”

The vice president, who had been eyeing Tetsuya’s somewhat clueless expression, spoke up.

So, they had been discussing the theme of the haunted house earlier.

“Shouldn’t Shuten-doji be a bit more imposing? I think the character should give off a sense of intimidation,” Miyuki instantly countered.

Her gaze was not on Tetsuya, but on me.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

I, who had been mildly indifferent, frowned at Miyuki’s subsequent words.

“Matsuda-kun, you’re going to cosplay too, right?”

“Nah, too much hassle.”

“If you’re not planning on participating, I’ll make sure you’re exempt. But unless there’s something important, everyone in the class is expected to take part.”

“Who said I’m not participating? I’ll be at the entrance, checking tickets. If any problematic customers show up, I’ll handle them. Isn’t that better?”

At this, the vice president seemed to agree with a nod.

“That actually sounds like a better idea. Matsuda-kun is reliable... If he’s at the entrance, I doubt there would be any customers causing trouble.”

The class’s opinion of me seemed to be shifting. As I quietly attended lectures, and Miyuki—who is not only the class president but also part of the student council—treated me amicably, others also began to warm up to me.

It’s about time for that jealousy-inducing cliché, the love letter, to make its appearance... or perhaps I should wait a little longer.

“We can’t leave ticket checking solely to Matsuda-kun. If he’s alone, he might just skip it and go enjoy the festival himself.”

Ignoring Miyuki’s playful jab beside me, I slid my chair back and stood up.

Miyuki asked,

“Where are you going?”

“The convenience store.”

“Could you get me a strawberry milk? And one for Makoto too... I’ll give you the money when you get back.”

Makoto? Who’s that? Ah... It’s the vice president sitting next to us, flashing those bright eyes.

With an expression dripping in annoyance, I nodded and strolled out of the classroom. Behind me, I could hear the soft conversation between Miyuki and Makoto.

“I still can’t get used to it, no matter how many times I see it.”

“What?”

“Matsuda going to the convenience store... He used to send other people for stuff like that. Today, he’s even buying for you and me.”

“He’s gotten a lot better lately, hasn’t he? No more trouble-making...”

“Yeah. He seems like a different person.”

Little do they know, my hearing is sharper than they think.

I heard every word.

***

During lunchtime and after-school activities... no matter where I go, the festival is the only topic of discussion.

It’s a once-a-year event, so it’s understandable why people are excited. I am looking forward to it too, but—

‘Ugh, this is getting old.’

I’m getting tired of hearing the same thing over and over. Why all the fuss? Just prepare quietly. Of course, I make exceptions for Miyuki, Renka, and Chinami.

“Junior Matsuda, what will you be doing at the festival? Which group will you be participating with?”

Chinami asks while holding a long shinai.

“I’ll be with my class,” I reply after one practice round of pushing in all directions.

“Really? Junior Miura also said he’d be participating with his class... What’s your class planning?”

“A haunted house.”

“Oh...?”

Chinami looks up at me with intrigued eyes. The difference in our heights is more than 30 cm, so the angle at which she lifts her head to look up is kind of amusing.

Suddenly, I became curious. I’ve heard that Chinami is really skilled, but how does someone with such a small frame manage to dominate opponents?

There are no mixed-gender matches in middle school or higher-level competitions, which I get, but I’ve heard that even the male kendo team members in their third year struggle against her during practice. Is her technique that good? I’d like to see it for myself.

“A haunted house... that sounds really interesting! Exciting, actually! Will you be dressing up as a ghost?”

“No, I’ll be at the entrance, checking tickets.”

“Oh? You’re tall enough that you’d make a great ghost, though... It’s a shame.”

“I heard from other seniors that the Kendo Club is running a skewer shop… when on break, you and Renka Senpai can come to the haunted house and have a look.”

“Uh... I’ll think about it. Oh, speaking of which...!”

She claps her hands as if she’s just remembered something important.

“Your pushing stance earlier was really good. Have you been practicing on your own?”

“No, Renka Senpai gave me some pointers yesterday.”

“Really? When?”

“When you went to check the equipment yesterday.”

“I see. Isn’t she a better teacher?”

“No, Renka Senpai’s teaching is too harsh. I prefer the kind teachings of my sensei.”

“Hehe.”

Chinami bursts into a contented laugh, placing her hand on her hip as she chides me.

“Renka, being the captain of our Kendo Club, naturally shows a stern attitude. She’s also the ace, so you should be grateful for her instruction. Don’t you think?”

While saying that, a smile formed at the corners of Chinami’s mouth, indicating she wasn’t entirely displeased.

She considers Renka a good friend, but it seems like she also sees her as a bit of a rival...

If played right, this could be useful to me.

︵‿︵‿୨ * ୧‿︵‿︵

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