LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 30p1- Date Event 2
Chapter 30: Date Event #2
“You two go ahead.”
As I said that after parking the car in the parking lot, Miyuki looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Why?”
“Since there’s some time until the first class, I thought of fulfilling some volunteer hours.”
“Unexpectedly considerate of you today, aren’t you?”
As I shooed my hand in a manner resembling swatting away mosquitoes, Miyuki, chuckling, receded with Tetsuya in tow.
I then headed towards the main entrance and noticed the security guard sweeping the vicinity with a long broom.
It was the same man I encountered when I cleaned the bathroom over the weekend.
I approached him and asked, “Sir, can I do that for you?”
“Huh…? Oh! It’s you, Matsuda. Is it to fill your volunteering hours?”
“How did you know?”
“I noticed while removing an old notice from the board. You’ve been here on weekends last term too... You’ve certainly grown dedicated.”
“I’m trying.”
“That’s good. If you have the will to change yourself, people around you will certainly recognize your efforts and start to approach you.”
Handing over the broom, the security guard added,
“Just clean around the school entrance. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Dragging the broom towards the school gate, I was greeted by a female classmate,
“Ah, he-hello, Matsuda-kun.”
A hint of a smirk formed on my face upon hearing the slightly awkward greeting from a classmate. The pen and notebook bribe from yesterday seemed to have worked.
“It’s ridiculously hot today, isn’t it?”
“Yes… quite stifling…”
“Hand over the bread wrapper you’re holding.”
“Huh...?”
“I’ll throw it away for you. Give it.”
“O-okay then…”
The girl’s hand trembled as she handed me the wrapper.
I intentionally used this rough tone because I wanted her to think ‘he’s rough but still kind! So cool!’. But I guess her heart is too pure to think of my actions like that.
Taking the ketchup-stained bag, I grinned at her, showing my teeth.
“Was it good?”
“...Cough!”
She started to choke, likely startled by my antics.
I clicked my tongue and patted her on the back.
Thump! Thump!
“Cough! Cough!”
It got worse. I should just stick to cleaning.
I swung the broom menacingly and glared at her.
“You can go now.”
“Yes... Cough! I’m going...!”
She hurriedly walked away from me.
Ah, I’ll buy you some milk from the convenience store later. I hope you don’t see me too negatively.
I was silently cleaning up the small pieces of trash and fallen leaves near the school gate when,
“Huh? Junior Matsuda!”
Chinami’s cheerful voice rang out. Beside her, Renka was looking at me with an indifferent gaze.
This is why I volunteered to clean the main gate. I wanted to find some way to interact with them.
My affection level started basically at the bottom, so shouldn’t I employ every tactic, like when I went the extra mile for Miyuki last weekend?
To the two of them, I performed a kendo-style greeting I learned briefly from Chinami yesterday.
As I firmly set the broom against a pillar and inclined my upper body about 30 degrees from a formal posture, their eyes widened in surprise.
They were surprised because I greeted them quite well, right?
That must be it.
After straightening up, I said,
“Hello, seniors.”
“It wasn’t perfect, but it was a greeting that showed your effort. Well done, Junior Matsuda!”
Chinami’s compliment somehow gave me strength.
I nodded appreciatively, “Thank you, Nanase-senpai.”
“But why are you sweeping the school gate? To fill in your community service hours?”
“Yes.”
“I see...! Work hard, and let’s meet after classes!”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
Chinami waved her hand brightly.
She seems not to fear me at all.
I mentally chuckled, thinking of how I would reward her for that.
After asking Chinami’s understanding, Renka spoke to me.
“The protective gear you cleaned was okay, but you didn’t get some of the deeper spots. Since that’s the area where odors develop most easily, you should pay more attention to it.”
Although her tone wasn’t exactly friendly, it was softer than yesterday. It seemed if I consistently showed such an attitude, I’d probably be accepted as a regular club member soon.
“Understood.”
“Do your best. See you at the club.”
“Please go ahead.”
Though I was itching to display a hint of arrogance and train Renka, given my current standing, restraint was the best policy.
After another respectful bow, I retrieved the broom and resumed my duties as soon as they entered the building.
***
After the first class, during the break:
I was trying to soothe my throbbing head when a female student - the bread-girl from earlier - approached and left a piece of candy on my desk.
“Have this... Thanks for throwing away the wrapper earlier...”
She spoke in a timid tone and quickly returned to her seat.
After a moment of surprise, I opened the candy bag she had left.
She acknowledged my good deed.
So she was just surprised earlier, huh?
Thank you, bread-girl.
I popped the apple-flavored candy in my mouth when Miyuki approached and asked,
“What’s that? What did you get from Masako?”
So, that girl’s name is Masako.
Miyuki’s eyes dimmed ever so slightly.
Is she feeling jealous?
I pointed to the bulging cheek where I was holding the candy.
“Candy.”
“Why did Masako give you candy?”
“There was a small incident earlier.”
“What incident?”
“Why are you so curious? Anyway, if you want to hear it, lend me your ear.”
As I gestured for Miyuki to come closer, she leaned in with a puzzled look. Ensuring that Tetsuya wouldn’t hear, I whispered in her ear.
“When I drop you home today, can you put down your bag and come out?”
Miyuki’s head quickly turned towards me.
Her eyes slowly shifted, as if pointing back.
It seemed she was mindful of Tetsuya who was behind her.
After some moments, Miyuki moved her lips.
From the shape of her mouth, she seemed to be saying, “Why?”
I scribbled something on the open notebook in front of me and slightly showed it to Miyuki.
[I have a place to hang out…?]
Seeing this, a blush came to Miyuki’s face.
“Ahem…”
And she gave a slight nod as she cleared her throat.
As a smile crept onto my lips in response, Miyuki exaggeratedly scoffed and returned to her seat.
She really is awkward with expressing emotions.
“Matsuda, did you tell Miyuki a dirty joke?”
It was Tetsuya, noting Miyuki’s expression.
Really, what a tactless guy. I regret ever sympathizing with you. On second thought, keep living like that.
“Well, something like that.”
“Miyuki doesn’t like that kind of stuff. Try to restrain yourself in the future.”
You keep stacking up these mistakes. Yet, you cry later?
Let’s see later whether Miyuki likes or dislikes dirty jokes.
**
“Where are we going?”
After school, as Miyuki quickly dropped her bag off at home and came back, she asked.
As I watched her fasten her seatbelt in the passenger seat, I slowly took my foot off the brake and replied.
“Amusement park.”
“Amusement park…? All of a sudden…? At this time?”
“Yeah.”
A bit further from Miyuki’s neighborhood, there’s an empty lot where an old merry-go-round stands alone. Left from a former amusement park that had closed down, this merry-go-round will be dismantled come autumn.
This event offers more intimate physical contact and an opportunity to show off my chivalry. Winning her over is just a bonus.
It’s a limited-time event that ticks all the boxes. It’s only right to seize the moment now.
Originally, Tetsuya discovered this place while taking a stroll with Miyuki, which led to a date event… But it should be okay for me to drive her there.
Why? Because in the world of Tokiaca, mechanisms for me are everywhere.
I am the protagonist, after all. It’s bound to happen.
“Are you thinking of getting a night pass?”
“Keep it down. We’re almost there.”
“We are...? I don’t see any rides…”
Ignoring Miyuki’s words, I parked the car in the lot and opened the door. Then Miyuki, with a furrowed brow, asked,
“What kind of amusement park is this…?”
“If there’s a ride, it’s an amusement park. Look over there.”
Following the direction I pointed, Miyuki’s gaze landed on the merry-go-round in the middle of the lot, and her mouth slightly opened in surprise.
“It’s a merry-go-round…?”
“I found it while driving alone the other day. Let’s ride.”
I motioned for her to get out, and Miyuki chuckled as she grabbed her phone and exited the car.
“It seems like a good spot for photos, right? If we take them before it gets dark, it should have a nice ambiance.”
She seemed to think that the ride doesn’t work and suggested it, but I knew there was a way.
As we got closer to the merry-go-round, I said, “Try getting on.”
“Isn’t that illegal…? There must be an owner…”
“You really do like to complicate things…”
Sounding exasperated, I looked at Miyuki as she hesitated before handing me her phone.
“Hold this for a moment.”
Holding the cell phone, I chuckled as I saw Miyuki hopping in front of the white horse.
“What are you doing?”
“You! It’s too high for me... And there’s no step to climb up...”
The event I knew of was unfolding exactly as expected. Feeling reassured, I approached Miyuki from behind.
“I’ll help you.”
Then, reaching out with both hands, I grasped her waist.
“Ah...!”
She let out a sound like a startled cat and turned around. Her face was flushed, full of embarrassment.
“Matsuda-kun... your, your hands...”
“Is it better if I don’t look?”
“It’s not about looking...”
“Don’t act like a child and get on.”
“.....”
She seemed to want to say something but soon placed her hands on the saddle. Seeing this, I gave a strong push and lifted her up.
But my hands slid up to Miyuki’s chest, causing her uniform top to ride up and revealing her fair skin.
Her slim waist right in front of my nose looked tempting. And... I could faintly see the underwear Miyuki was wearing beneath her top. A full-cup bra in beige. It had a plain design. I should suggest a sexier one for her later.
“Matsuda-kun...! Push harder...! Why are you so weak...?”
Miyuki suddenly threw a tantrum. It seemed she was only focused on getting onto the saddle, whether I was looking or not.
Having held back while admiring Miyuki’s figure, I finally exerted my full strength to lift her onto the horse, grumbling, “You’re really heavy.”
At that, Miyuki, who was adjusting her clothes, looked startled and then snapped, “Who are you calling heavy?!”
Ignoring her cute protest and her outstretched hand asking for her phone, I headed for the carousel’s control panel.
Grinning mischievously at Miyuki, I kicked the machine hard just as she looked on with puzzlement.
BANG!
The machine tilted slightly. Miyuki, taken aback by my unexpected move, scolded me, “Matsuda-kun! What are you doing?!” But when the lights of the carousel suddenly turned on, she fell silent. I shrugged, “Things work better when you hit them.”
“You’re unbelievable... If we get caught, we’ll be reported...”
“Lighten up, let’s just enjoy it for a bit.”
“Fine...”
The carousel slowly started moving. Holding onto the pole next to the horse, Miyuki’s face lit up with happiness.
“I haven’t been on one of these since elementary school... But why isn’t there any music?”
While she complained, I adjusted to the speed of the carousel and mounted the horse next to her.
But then, suddenly-
“Wha...?”
-Miyuki let out a surprised exclamation. The carousel had abruptly sped up.
“Matsuda-kun...! Why is it so fast...?”
I was just as startled.
‘This isn’t right...’
The essence of this event was for us to ride the slowly moving carousel, sharing smiles and having a serious conversation. But now, the situation had changed.
Did my strong kick cause an error, triggering this unexpected event?
Given how past events unfolded without a hitch, that’s the only plausible explanation.
“Matsuda-kun...! Shouldn’t we stop...? Can I, can I get off...?”
Hearing Miyuki’s urgent question, I tried to gauge the carousel’s speed.
It wasn’t accelerating further.
This was still manageable for a date.
But Miyuki was holding onto the pole with both hands, visibly scared. If it continued like this, it would ruin the moment.
I quickly brainstormed a solution, deciding to steer the situation like I had during a previous unexpected event.
“Are you scared?”
“A little... yes...”
“Then, hold onto this.”
I stretched out my hand, palm up, towards Miyuki.
She hesitated for a moment, then, looking deep into my eyes, she gently placed her hand on mine. Our fingers intertwined, and I could feel the strength in her grip.
“Is that better?”
After a quiet moment, I broke the silence with a gentle tone, to which she replied in a soft voice, “....Yes...”
Perhaps it was because of the bright lights of the carousel, but Miyuki’s face was clear and glowing. Her cheeks, blushing like strawberries, told me that her feelings for me had deepened.
That’s right, even if an unexpected situation arises, I can lead the scene. I’ve done this multiple times, haven’t I?
Although the process might have deviated slightly, the result is the same or even better. And that’s what matters.
And so, without any words or music, we rode the carousel until its timer ran out and it stopped.
︵‿︵‿୨ * ୧‿︵‿︵
{ Devil: Hey there, culture enthusiasts! Devil’s the name, and guess what? I’m taking the wheel from Chapter 30 all the way to the end of this epic book. Buckle up, because we’re gonna have a killer time!
Cheers,
Devil }