How To Ruin A Love Comedy

Chapter 46: Traces of You and Me

....Tsuda-kun...

A sleep-tinged voice tickled my ear.

Something warm was rustling in my arms.

Mmm...

Groggily letting out a moan, I lifted my heavy eyelids.

I asked, seeing Miyuki trying to extricate herself from my embrace.

What are you doing...?

Perhaps my voice, still thick with sleep and slightly hoarse, was to her liking?

Miyukis body shuddered.

Its already five oclock... Time to get up...

Is it that time already...?

Yeah... Didnt you hear the alarm?

I didnt.

I pulled Miyuki close to me, making sure she couldnt escape. Her body, freshly awakened, was incredibly soft. It felt like touching mochia dangerously addictive sensation.

I-I have to get up...

Arent you cold?

Dont change the subject... Get up... Ah, why are you so strong...

Miyuki whined, but she was powerless to move. I chuckled at her helplessness, let her go, and sat up.

With a heavy head, I blinked and started to come to my senses as I listened to the chirping of insects coming from the dark outside. The sound of rain had ceased, but it seemed like a fine mist was still falling.

I turned toward the open window.

Tap.

Miyuki rested her head on my shoulder. I slightly turned my head, feeling her tousled hair tickle my cheek. For Miyuki, it was a rather assertive display of affection. I chuckled.

Lets stay like this for five more minutes, then go wash up.

Okay...

We spent a brief moment enjoying the ambiance of the early dawn before heading to the bathroom sink. Like a couple that had just started living together, we caught each others eyes and laughed for no reason. After washing up and brushing our teeth, we grabbed Miyukis stuff and headed to the car.

Perhaps it had soaked up the nights moisture, but the inside of the car felt chilly. Miyuki seemed to think the same, rubbing her shoulders as she buckled her seatbelt. Then, noticing my gaze, she began to smooth out her stray, frizzy hairs.

Hey.

When I called out to her in a casual tone, her neck creaked as she turned toward me.

Why...?

Lets eat before we go.

Eat? All of a sudden?

Its about time, isnt it?

Are there even any restaurants open at this hour?

There are some if we go a little further.

Then...

Miyuki trailed off, nervously scratching her head. I grinned at her, who had stuffed her hands between her thighs, and drove to a 24-hour ramen shop.

***

It was a quiet shop with only a few customers who seemed to be heading to work early. Miyuki looked around the interior as we sat at a straight-line table in the corner. A satisfied smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

The ambiance is nice... I had no idea there was a place like this nearby. But

She pointed at the Post-it notes stuck to various spots on the shops walls.

The traditional interior is a bit overshadowed by these Post-it notes.

Too cluttered?

No... Its colorful. I didnt mean its bad; it actually makes the place look youthful. Dont jump to conclusions...

Even though her intention was clearly to say it looked cluttered, her toneperhaps wary of the shop owners attentionwas barely above a whisper. I chuckled at Miyukis cautious response.

She gestured, a bit frustrated with my amusement.

Ill wash your clothes for you. And also

Noticing her hesitation, I realized she was uncertain what to do with the underwear Id bought for her. Deciding to give her a hand in her moment of indecision, I said

Keep the underwear.

...Do you have to say it so bluntly?

Isnt it better than beating around the bush?

I suppose... Anyway, got it... Thank you.

Did they feel comfortable?

What did?

The underwear. The packaging said they were super comfortable.

Ah, seriously...! Matsuda-kun...!

Miyukis voice shot up in a half-giggle, half-groan.

I grinned at her obvious embarrassment, but she didnt seem annoyed.

Rather, she soon let her expression soften into a smile that said, Theres no stopping you, is there?

Having moved past the awkward moment with a mutual smile, I ordered two bowls of miso ramen from the proprietor and rested my elbows on the table.

Miyuki was intently examining the Post-it notes scattered around the shop. Her eyes sparkled as she did.

Why? Do you want to write something too?

Just... Im kind of intrigued. Do we need to bring our own Post-its?

No, theyre behind you.

As I pointed over Miyukis shoulder, she quickly turned around and picked up a Post-it note and a pen. Then, with graceful hand movements, she started to sketch something out.

The shape took form within minutes. Drawing two charactersa man and a womanMiyuki grabbed a thumbtack from a container in the restaurant and pinned the Post-it to the most secluded corner of our area.

The drawing featured two characters sitting cozily next to each other, seemingly marveling at something.

It reminded me of the doodles I saw in the class before, but this time, there were initials above the characters heads.

H.M. and M.K.

Those were the initials for Hanazawa Miyuki and Matsuda Ken.

Looking at it, I couldnt help but feel pleased; it seemed to reflect what Miyuki was currently feeling. The characters were cute toojust the way I liked them.

As I silently examined the drawing, I asked:

Why is there no food on the table in the picture?

Drawing food is tricky... besides, doesnt it look better this waymore abstract?

Is that so?

Miyuki giggled and covered the Post-it note with her hand as if telling me not to look anymore.

She always chooses the cutest actions. At this rate, I might just tell her to stay over tonight.

On another note, its nice to leave a trace of us like this. Its heartwarming. I never used to care about such things, but now, whenever I see a Post-it, Ill think of Miyuki.

I mull over these thoughts as I stare at Miyuki, whos flushing a lovely shade of pinkjust as our ramen arrives, revitalizing my appetite.

Lets eat.

Okay.

I should come back here again.

It would be perfect to return the day after I finalize things with Miyuki.

***

Upon seeing the state of the main entrance, I couldnt help but scowl. Fallen leaves were the least of the worries; there were snack wrappers, cigarette butts, gum, and even discarded shoes and shattered liquor bottles. Overnight, a whole assortment of things had accumulated, making the area look like a disaster zone.

What a mess...

Its not like there was a flood or anything, even if it did rain a lot.

Guess Ill have to find some other form of community service. Just as I was thinking this,

Matsuda?

I heard Renkas voice from behind and immediately relaxed my face. I greeted her formally, and when she reciprocated, I asked,

Youre here early. What about Nanase sunbae-nim*?

She slept in, so I came ahead. She said she stayed up until dawn watching a drama. Are you going to clean all of this up by yourself?

No, the guard-nim and I have to clean it together. Why, are you offering to help?

No.

Wow, such a blunt refusal. It hurts, you know. Even an insincere offer would have been nice.

On my playful grumble laced with humor, Renka chuckled.

Arent you using an umbrella? Its raining.

The misty rain from early dawn had now turned into drizzle. It wasnt so bad that I couldnt endure it, so I offered a smile, implying it was alright.

Alright then, good luck.

With a cool word of encouragement, she headed towards the school gate without looking back. We were still a long way from being close, but at least it felt like I was slowly gaining her approval.

Today, both Miyuki and Renka... Their reactions have been particularly good.

As I watched Renkas retreating figure, her long legs striding away gracefully, the security guard arrived with brooms in hand. I exchanged some trivial chatter with him as we cleaned up.

Later, I walked into the classroom in time for the lesson and half-heartedly returned the awkward greetings from my classmates before flopping down at my desk.

Matsuda, class is about to start.

Its almost like a law of the universe: whenever Im having a particularly good day, Tetsuya has to butt in and ruin it.

Without lifting my head, I extended a hand and flipped him the bird, savoring the few remaining moments of rest time that I had.

***

Matsuda hubae-nim*, thank you so much for yesterday.

At Chinamis polite greeting, feeling a little playful, I drew my wooden sword the moment she finished her bow.

Then teach me Sangdanse.

I cant do that. I plan to teach you gradually, starting from Jungdanse.

Alright.

Hmm...?

Chinamis eyes widened in surprise. Just yesterday, I had been clamoring to learn Sangdanse, so my sudden acceptance caught her off guard. Her eyes subtly changed as she looked at me.

Youre not planning to self-study, are you?

Is that a problem?

Matsuda hubae-nim, you mustnt rush! Every form of learning has its stages.

Shes firm when it comes to student training. Then, all I will have to do is prove that I have a talent for Sangdanse.

When will the sparring matches start? Im itching for a challenge. Itd be great if I could spar with Tetsuya.

I wish the coach would recognize my skills soon and officially admit me as a team member.

But what would that mean for my role as a manager?

I cant put a damper on my budding friendship with Chinami. Even if I become an official member, Ill have to continue as the manager.

I have ample time alone with Chinami right now; letting this opportunity slip through my fingers would be foolish.

I shrugged my shoulders as I locked eyes with her, arms crossed.

I heard from president-nim* that you overslept because you were watching a drama?

Yes, thats right.

What drama was it? Can you tell me?

Umm...! Ill tell you if you promise not to learn Sangdanse until your basics are solid. Youll have to pinky swear.

Pinky swear? Thats what I said to Miyuki yesterday. How coincidental.

Do you dislike the idea of me learning Sangdanse that much?

Its not that I dislike it, Im just concerned. Come on, promise.

Chinami extended her tiny pinky finger towards me. As her kendo robes sleeve slid down, her slender, pale wrist came into view.

I barely resisted the temptation to leave a kiss mark there. Instead, I shifted my wooden sword back to its belt loop and changed the subject.

First, lets clean the equipment room. I turned on the dehumidifier yesterday, but it rained all night, so the room is probably damp.

Hubae-nim...! Your thoughtfulness is admirable, but lets make that promise first... Ah! Where are you going? I havent finished talking yet! Wait, just a moment...! Slow down a bit...! Youre too fast...!

As I strode toward the equipment room, Chinami hurriedly followed. It felt as though a surprised puppy was running after its owner, who was about to leave it behind and go home

So cute.

*

(Club President = Ino-oh Renka)

{ Devil: Firstly, I apologize for the delay. I was busy reading the latest chapters of this novel. By the way, while reading the latest chapters, I noticed an important thing on comparing my translation with what the author wrote - my translation is quite inconsistent. Basically, I write whatever comes to my mind at the time of translating without thinking too deeply. To make reading experience better and less confusing, Ive decided not to do such things from now on.

Some terms Ill be using from now on are below(Im just jotting down honorifics for now as they repeat quite a lot)

-Nim: To show respect

-Sunbae: For seniors (Commonly Sunbae-nim will be used to address a senior respectfully)

-Hubae: For junior (Chinami uses hubae-nim cause her speech is more polite and she shows unusual respect to her juniors. But, its only unique to her[As much as Ive noticed])

-Sensei: Master (Only when Matsuda calls Chinami Master[for now])

P.S. I chose these terms cause these are the only ones that do not compromise the real meaning while simultaneously being familiar to English readers.

You can support the translation and read ahead on /Devill

Thank you for bearing with me,

Devil }