MTL: Dexter
FTL(Hardest Part): KayL
TLC/Editor: Alisa
Final Editors: G-String
Note: We are using the Chinese Official Translation and Original Japanese Raw in our translations. Our Editors and Raw Readers (Translators) have done their best to give you the best quality English translation. We hope you enjoy reading Chiramune as much we do!
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4
After that, we exchanged contact information and created a group LINE for the Blue Team cheer squad, then today’s gathering came to an end.
I think our meeting went fairly well.
When I watched the senpais and kouhais leaving the gymnasium, Nanase called out to me.
“Chitose, are you free tonight?”
“Hmm, is it about that thing?”
As I recalled my promise to cook for her, a slightly exasperated look came back at me.
“You don’t have to say it like I’m some nagging girl, you know.”
“Oh, was I mistaken?”
“If you’re offering to cook, then of course, I’d gladly accept your treat. But that’s not it. I meant about the upcoming plan. Shouldn’t we discuss it briefly together?”
“Ah.”
Feeling embarrassed by my silly misunderstanding, I instinctively scratched my cheek.
From this point on, we couldn’t proceed without deciding on the contents of our performance. Of course, we would consult with the others, including other second-year students, as well as Asu-nee and Nozomi-san. But before that, it was necessary for the two of us to have a discussion about the general direction.
Since I had no objections or specific plans, I lightly nodded in agreement.
“Understood. Where should we meet?”
“At your place.”
“What time?”
“After club activities.”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Something you’ve never made before.”
“So, in the end, you’re still pushing for it, huh?”
As we headed towards the exit of the gymnasium, we casually piled up the necessary minimum conversation. Then suddenly, I noticed the sound of footsteps trailing behind us.
We stopped and turned around, finding Nozomi-san looking at us with a curious expression. Perhaps she had been waiting for the right moment to speak up.
Feeling a bit guilty, I spoke up, “Sorry, I thought we were the last ones here. Do you have any questions?”
As if my words hadn’t reached her, Nozomi-san continued to stare blankly, maintaining eye contact.
“Um, Nozomi-san…?”
Calling out to her once again, she finally snapped out of her daze and flashed a bright smile.
“I realized that I hadn’t properly greeted and thanked you, Senpai. So, from now on, I’m looking forward to working with you!”
By “thank,” she probably meant thanking me for allowing her to be the representative of the first-year students. She’s a serious girl, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“You don’t have to be so formal.”
Nozomi-san gently grasped her skirt with both hands as she spoke, “No, I really want to start over properly.”
I lightly nodded, understanding her intention, “Likewise, I look forward to working with you too. Since it’s our first time being in the cheer squad, I’d appreciate it if you don’t hesitate to suggest any ideas or proposals.”
“Yes!”
Then, Nozomi-san looked at Nanase and bowed her head slightly, “Nanase-san, I’ll be counting on you too.”
Nanase must be accustomed to dealing with kouhais in the girls basketball team. She responded in a casual tone.
“Sure, feel free to consult with me anytime if you have any problems. Like, if our captain keeps persistently hitting on you, for example.”
“Hey, Vice Captain, don’t implant biased ideas into an innocent kouhai.”
“It’s okay, you know. Despite how he looks, he’s kind to girls.”
“I’m kind to boys too!”
Nozomi-san couldn’t contain her laughter anymore and burst out giggling, “You two are really close, aren’t you?”
In response to her sincere words, Nanase and I unintentionally glanced at each other. For us, it was a familiar exchange, but when someone reacted like this, it felt a bit embarassing.
“By the way,” Nozomi-san tilted her head in curiosity. “I overheard you talking earlier, but are you living alone, Senpai?”
Although it would be awkward to reveal my family situation, there’s no need to hide it, so I casually replied.
“Yeah, once you get used to it, it’s pretty comfortable.”
Nanase chimed in to add an explanation, “And naturally, it has become a gathering place for our group of friends.”
She probably wanted to avoid any misunderstandings with a kouhai.
Nozomi-san seemed to accept that explanation at face value. “Oh, I see! Then, I’d like to visit sometime!”
“Huh, well…”
It would have been best to brush it off as a mere social courtesy, but lately, due to various things happening, my words got stuck in my throat.
If it were someone I was familiar with, I would have replied with a playful remark like, “Sure, make sure to bring some cute underwear.” But if she took it seriously from the first day, it would be quite troublesome.
On the other hand, if Nozomi-san found out that Nanase was coming to my place after asking me so innocently, I was afraid that outright refusal would hurt her.
…Saku-kun needs your help.
As if pleading for assistance, I looked beside me. Nanase narrowed her eyes in exasperation and sighed softly. Then, she shrugged her shoulders slightly and responded on my behalf.
“Well, Nozomi-san, there was a hungry wolf in a certain place. It had lost its strength to go hunting and was crouching in its den. Then, if a pure white wild rabbit wandered in, what do you think the wolf would do?”
Nozomi-san put her index finger on her lips, looking bewildered for a moment, then spoke.
“Would it eat the rabbit?”
Nanase nodded solemnly, wearing a serious expression, “You’re the wild rabbit, and he’s the wolf leader. Got it?”
“I refuse to be a part of this!!”
Unable to hold back, I interjected, causing Nozomi-san to chuckle softly, her shoulders shaking with amusement.
“Then, Nanase-san, will you be eaten too?”
Caught off guard by her innocent question, I once again was speechless.
In that regard, Nanase remained composed. She stuck out her tongue with a playful, seductive tone in her voice.
“I’m a satiated wild wolf, so I won’t be carelessly eaten without any initiative.”
Unable to contain herself, Nozomi-san covered her mouth with her hand. While desperately suppressing her laughter, she spoke up.
“I’m sorry, I understand what Nanase-san meant. I just thought there was no need to worry after seeing the two of you, but it turned out I went too far.”
She bowed her head politely, making me feel somewhat guilty. Nanase also glanced at me with a slightly awkward expression, like she hadn’t spoken without thinking.
Maybe I was being overly cautious just because she was a girl I had just met. From now on, we would be working together as central members of the cheering squad. It was quite possible that my place would become a meeting spot for discussions.
Nanase nodded with a mature smile befitting a senpai.
That’s right, I nodded back and opened mouth, “I prefer filling our stomachs with satisfying junk food rather than elegant sweets if you want to bring something over. That way, even the wolf will be content and won’t cause trouble.”
Nozomi-san’s eyes widened for a moment, then she lowered the corners of her eyes as if it had finally clicked.
“Understood, Senpai!”
Then, she turned her face away shyly and continued, “Um, Senpai, Nanase-san… If it’s okay, I would be happy if you called me by my first name, Kureha.”
Nanase and I exchanged glances, and we couldn’t help but chuckle at her innocence. It made me feel warm, is this how it would be if I had a little sister?
In order to make her feel as comfortable as possible in this place, I spoke up, “Let’s not be too formal, Kureha.”
Nanase, like a dependable senpai, followed up, “If anything happens, feel free to contact us, Kureha.”
Kureha raised her clenched fist lightly in front of her chest and said, “Yes, I’ll do my best!”
She smiled brightly, like bursting citrus.
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Plebian Translation 