Chapter 32: The Invitation


    <b>Chapter 32: The Invitation</b>


    Alright! Todays the day Ill finally teach you the art of handling the


    Shinai!


    Youre always so cheerful, arent you?


    I wish youd tone it down when were sparring though.


    The art of handling the Shinai? I thought you said we couldnt touch the


    Shinai until we learned the proper etiquette?


    I heard that from the coach too, but the other first-year students are


    already learning the techniques and stances, even the initial moves. If you


    fall behind, its going to be tough for youter on. So, I thought Id teach


    you in secret.


    Chinami...! How can you be so kind?


    Im touched. Should I give you a special rewardter?


    Is that really okay? What if we get caught...


    If we do, the coach might scold us publicly but will probably turn a blind


    eye in private. After all, hed want you to learn from me.


    Is that so?


    Absolutely. If the new team members who joined because they wanted to learn


    Kendo only get taught how to manage equipment, theyll lose interest in no


    time. The coach did give me a warning, but lets learn in a ce where the


    other members cant see us. Sounds exciting, doesnt it?


    A ce where other members cant see us, huh...


    Somehow that sounds a bit risqu.


    Yes, Im excited.


    You dont look it, though?


    At Chinamis skeptical remark, my facial muscles stretched into an exaggerated


    expression of ecstasy.


    Chinami flinched at the sight of it and took a half-step back.


    What... Whats with that sinister expression?


    I was just showing you how pleased I am, but you call it sinister? Thats a


    bit much.


    Im happy, okay?


    Is... that so...?


    Yes, it is.


    Hmm... alright then... for now...


    After clearing her throat a few times, she led me to where the bamboo swords


    were stored.


    A Shinai isnt something you use for an extended period of time, like


    protective gear. Over time, the bamboo warps and bes damaged, and in that


    case, you must rece it immediately. Its very dangerous if a splintered


    piece gets lodged in someone during sparring. So, consider these Shinais


    Understood.


    First, lets go over the structure of the Shinai. The leather grip encircling


    the hilt is called Tsuba. Usually, when people say Tsuba, theyre referring


    to the hilt, so remember that. And then...


    Chinami started to point at various parts of the bamboo sword, exining each


    element one by one.


    Tsuba, Kodachi, Tsuru, Nakayui, Sakigawa, and so on...


    Each part had its own name, and there were even different types depending on


    the Shinais structure.


    Did you memorize all that?


    Chinamis question came after her meticulous exnation. I nodded hesitantly


    before answering.


    I think so.


    Chinami then pointed to the somewhat chubby node at the lower part of the


    Shinais de.


    So whats this part called?


    Thats the Dojoji.


    And this leather, and the round thing below it?


    Nakayui and Kodachi.


    And this area?


    The Kakkobu.


    You did well. Well have a test like this every day, so make sure you


    memorize it.


    Yes, Master.


    As I performed a bow typical for a student to a master, Chinamis eyes widened


    in surprise.


    Master? Im not a master. Im a fellow club member, just like you.


    But youre teaching me, so that makes you my Master, right?


    Oh ho...


    She let out an admiring oh ho before quickly breaking into a satisfied


    smile.


    She must have liked my attitude.


    I will always trust and follow you, Master.


    Wow! That spirit... Excellent! Ill take great care to guide you diligently


    from now on! Lets work on improving your skills swiftly and wlessly.


    Aiming for the Autumn tournament might be a stretch, but we can certainly


    target the Winterpetition! Alright, lets head out the back door and start


    learning the techniques, shall we?


    Wait, did she take my sugarcoated words seriously?


    Still, its nice to see her so enthusiastic.


    **


    Matsuda-kun, what happened to your hands? Theyre really red.


    Miyukis concerned question came as we sat in the car. I shrugged my shoulders


    before answering.


    The washing machine broke down halfway, so I had no choice but to hand wash.


    Washing the uniform in hot water could cause it to fade and shrink, so I had


    to use cold water.


    Really? That mustve been tough.


    Its fine. Its actually fun when Im with Nanase-senpai.


    Nanase? Are you talking about my friend?


    Come to think of it, Miyukis friendsst name was also Nanase.


    I said senpai, didnt I? Shes a second-year student and also a manager like


    me.


    Oh... I think Ive heard about her before... But its fun?


    Yeah.


    How is it fun? Do you guys joke around or something?


    Her tone had a hint of prickliness, a telltale sign of rising jealousy.


    This is good, very good.


    Well, you know... Its hard to exin, we just do stuff.


    Do you make lewd jokes like you do with me?


    Were not thatfortable with each other to that extent.


    Miyukis expression returned to normal.


    The clear difference in our ranks seems to reassure her, but if she gets


    I stir the pot for a threesome or foursometer on.


    Alright... Just be careful not to make any mistakes.


    I cant help but snicker at her half-hearted warning.


    Got it. Now, switch to the passenger seat.


    The passenger seat? Why?


    Dont you know its courteous for someone to keep the driverpany? What,


    am I supposed to chauffeur you guys around?


    How about Tetsuya-kun, then?


    I dont let guys sit in the passenger seat.


    My unyielding statement prompts Miyuki to chuckle as she gets out of the car.


    She walks around cautiously, opens the door, and buckles her seatbelt in the


    passenger seat.


    Seeing the taut seatbelt squeezed between her breasts kindles my libido.


    Soon it wont just be a seatbelt Ill be inserting there.


    Satisfied?


    Yeah. Shall we set off, leaving Miura behind?


    Youre joking, right? I wont take that seriously this time.


    Im not joking, though.


    Why the heck is he taking so long... Whats he doing, crafting a toilet to


    take a dump?


    As I grumble with a displeased expression, Miyuki giggles and ces a piece


    of candy on the center console.


    Eat this to calm down.


    What is it?


    Cant you tell? Its candy.


    I unenthusiastically unwrap the candy and pop it into my mouth.


    I want a cookie.


    Just hold out until tomorrow.


    If you hadnt given the cookie you brought today to Miura, we wouldnt be


    having this conversation. Either dont make them tasty or dont...


    I only gave him one, just like you said. Is that really such a big deal?


    Yes.


    Miyuki shook her head at my terse but heartfelt reply.


    Why are you acting like such a child today and yesterday? Its really


    immature.


    Jealous, yet pretending not to carehow typical of her.


    Just as I was trading barbs with Miyuki, the back seat door opened and Tetsuya


    hopped in, narrowing his eyes.


    What took you so long, bast-


    Matsuda-kun.


    Miyuki cut me off, sensing I was about to curse.


    I changed my tune, catching her subtle cue.


    Why are you sote?


    Sorry, sorry... My stomach was really hurting... But why is Miyuki sitting


    there?


    Miyuki answered the question.


    Its only polite to have someone in the front passenger seat. From next week


    on, Tetsuya-kun should sit here Yes, we should take turns every week.


    Is that so...? Alright.


    Didnt I say I dont let guys sit in the front seat? Especially him; thats a


    hard no.


    As I started the car, Tetsuya, who had leaned forward between the front seats,


    made a suggestion.


    Tomorrows the weekend, why dont we all go somewhere?


    Miyuki nced at me briefly, then made an awkward face.


    Ah... um... Sorry, I have ns tomorrow.


    What about in the evening?


    I think Ill be busy then too... But lets go for a walk at night. We havent


    done that in a while.


    Miyuki, dont try to dodge the question. Shouldnt you be honest this time so


    that Tetsuya doesnt get suspicious? What if he sees my car parked at your


    ce while hes out?


    For me, well, if that happens, Ill just roll out the red carpet.


    But wait, youre busy even in the evening? Are you nning to spend thete


    hours with me?


    Thats a shame. But lets make sure to go for that walk. Ah, and


    Matsuda-kun.


    A disappointed Tetsuya calls out to me.


    Seeing his face lifts my mood instantly, and I respond.


    What is it?


    While taking a break from club activities, I identally overheard a


    conversation between Renka-senpai and Nanase-senpai... It seemed like


    Nanase-senpai thinks very highly of you. At this rate, youll likely hear some


    good news soon.


    Did the guy have a change of heart while taking a dump? Hes been oddly


    helpful today.


    Sigh. Thats not the best thing either.


    I cant tell if what hes saying is intentional or not, but if he keeps


    linking me with Chinami, Miyuki is going to get annoyed. Look at hershe


    already seems irritated.


    Is that so? Thanks.


    Somewhat grateful, I start the car.


    ***


    Navy blue cotton shirt and beige band cks.


    This should strike the right bnce between formality and a casual vibe.


    Finishing the ensemble with loafers, I rolled up my shirt sleeves to the


    elbows and stepped outside.


    Its hot.


    ording to Tokiaca, Miyukis room doesnt have air conditioning.


    Thankfully, the living room does. Im not sure if Ill end up in Miyukis room


    today, but if I do, I can at least catch a cool breeze in the living room


    beforehand.


    Avoiding the harsh sunlight, I got into my car and headed straight for


    Miyukis house.


    Just when I was almost there, my phone rang. It was Miyuki.


    Yeah.


    -Where are you?


    Ill be there in two minutes. Where should I park?


    -Just parallel park in front of my dads car.


    Is that okay?


    -Yeah. I asked today. Dad was really surprised to hear you have a car. Want me


    toe out and meet you?


    Nah,e out and park the car for me instead.


    -Ill just stay inside. Hurry up.


    With a cheerful voice, Miyuki hung up the phone.


    Upon arriving at her house, I couldnt help but chuckle when I saw Miyuki


    waiting outside, despite her im of staying indoors.


    Carefully finishing my parallel parking in front of Waterus car, I turned off


    the ignition and stepped out. Miyukis gaze scanned me from head to toe. It


    seemed like she approved of my outfit.


    Where are your parents?


    Theyre waiting. But you look tense, Is everything okay? Your face seems a


    bit... stiff.


    Its my first time being invited for dinner... Im just a bit nervous.


    At that, Miyukis eyes turned into crescents. As if to encourage me, she


    lightly patted me on the back.


    You can rx, you know.


    Dont tease me like you did at Itsuki. Ill die.


    Look whos talking, Matsuda-kun.


    yfully teasing me back, she then walked side by side with me towards the


    front door. Then, she opened it.


    Wee, Matsuda-kun.


    Come on in, Matsuda.


    Standing at the entrance were Midori and Wateru, offering their warm


    greetings. Even Kanna was there, waving at me from behind them.


    This familys mommy mikers never fails to impress me.


    Midoris chest against my back, Kannasden with oil for a full-body


    massage... and finally, Miyukis pressed against my face.


    The thought of being surrounded by the bosoms of these three women brings me


    sheer joy.


    Indulging in this delightful fantasy for a moment, I respectfully bowed.


    Hello, its been a while since west met.


    Its terribly hot out, isnt it? Come on in.


    Thank you. But, any chance youre nning to remove my clothes to cool me


    down? If so, please put a sleeping pill in Waterus drink.


    Yes, please excuse me then.


    Once again offering a polite greeting, I stepped into Miyukis home and took


    off my shoes.


    *