How To Ruin A Love Comedy
Chapter 44: A Sultry Date #3

Tofu, napa cabbage, green onions, regular onions, miso... and seasoning.

Miyuki, who had unhesitatingly tossed the ingredients for miso soup into the cart, glanced back at me and teased.

“Do you have rice at home?”

“Of course. How would I eat soy sauce egg rice otherwise?”

“True. But Matsuda-kun, you didn’t happen to include rice weevils in the mix, did you?”

“Ah, so that’s why my stomach’s been feeling off lately. Must have hatched some eggs inside me.”

“Ew, gross!”

Miyuki lightly nudged my shoulder.

She’s been smiling ever since we started pulling the cart in the supermarket. Seems like she’s enjoying shopping with me.

We were practically glued to the cart, buying not just the ingredients for miso soup, but also for udon.

We didn’t forget to buy beer and side dishes, either.

Three cans of beer—just the right amount for watching TV together after dinner.

Standing in front of the cashier, Miyuki asked for my understanding before she quickly dashed off to the toiletries section. She returned about a minute later, a new toothbrush in hand.

Looks like she’s planning to brush her teeth after dinner... Miyuki knows. She knows that dinner at my place won’t be where the night ends.

“Next customer!”

At the supermarket employee’s cheerful call, Miyuki, who tapped my back as if urging me to go, tried to hide her awkwardness with a bashful smile.

As I was placing our items on the conveyor belt, careful not to say anything that might make the situation more awkward for her, I noticed Miyuki reaching for her wallet.

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“Huh? We’re sharing the meal, so we should split the cost...”

“Why would you pay for a meal that you will cook for us at my place? I’ll take care of it. Put your wallet away.”

“Still...”

It’s one thing not to ask for money when you’re cooking for someone else, but it’s another to actually try to pay yourself.

Of course, now I’m not just ‘someone else’, but still, her generosity knows no bounds.

After settling the bill against Miyuki’s protests, I stood near the entrance, heavy plastic bags in hand.

The rain outside was still pouring hard.

It seemed even worse than before... At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if a flood occurred.

“Matsuda-kun, did you close the living room door?”

Miyuki asked as she prepared to open the umbrella. Caught off guard, I blinked down at her. Seeing my reaction, she asked incredulously,

“.... You didn’t really leave it open, did you?”

“Seems like it.”

“The rain’s been falling since morning... And you still left it open?”

“I forgot. We have an eave; it should be fine.”

Miyuki huffed in disbelief at my response and scolded me.

“Matsuda-kun, are you actually idiot? If the wind blows, the rain will get inside... And the living room has tatami floors! If they get wet...”

“It probably only slightly dampened the cushions. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Why are you so nonchalant? Let’s go back home quickly.”

Miyuki, who had fully opened the umbrella, grabbed my arm and shook it. I, who seemed annoyed, finally began to move as Miyuki started her nagging.

***

“Ugh, seriously...”

As I wiped down the tatami mats closest to the sliding windows that were flush against the platform, I grumbled and threw the towel aside.

Watching my antics while cooking, Miyuki clicked her tongue.

“Don’t complain. It’s your fault for not closing the door. Wipe it properly. Unless you want mold and bugs to take over.”

“Aren’t the plants going to die? Aren’t they drowning?”

“The fence partially shields them from the rain, so it’s fine. Plus, plants grow better when they drink rainwater.”

“Why?”

“You wouldn’t understand even if I explained, so I’d rather not.”

Approaching Miyuki, who spoke with a snippy tone, I subtly rested my hand on the small of her back. Miyuki, who had been stirring the miso soup, flinched.

Her fingers, gripping the ladle, turned white—a sure sign that she tensed up. Her lips tightened as she scolded me.

“Matsuda-kun... I’m in the middle of cooking, you know.”

“Who cares?”

“... Why aren’t you wiping the tatami?”

“Let’s let it dry naturally. Is the salmon done?”

“Still needs about three minutes.”

“Then shall we start setting the table?”

“Ah, yeah, right now— Ah!”

Miyuki suddenly let out a sharp cry.

It was because I had pressed down harder on her back.

Watching Miyuki tense up and clench her jaw tightly, I chuckled and unfolded the table legs I’d propped against a corner of the living room.

Soon enough, Miyuki placed grilled salmon and miso soup on the table. She followed that up with stir-fried burdock and beautifully rolled omelet, then demurely took a seat across from me.

“Not much for side dishes.”

“From my perspective, two side dishes are plenty. I’ll eat well.”

“Eat a lot.”

The sound of rain beating against the eaves outside the open window accompanied our meal, softly lit under the muted lighting, punctuated by occasional conversation.

It felt like a scene from the life of newlyweds. I wonder if Miyuki is thinking the same thing?

“...Why are you staring at me like that?”

She cautiously picked up a piece of the sliced omelet with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. Hearing the shyness in her voice, it seemed like she, too, found this moment endearing.

“It’s nothing. The food is delicious.”

“Mmm...”

***

Slide—

Miyuki emerged from the bathroom with flushed cheeks. It wasn’t out of embarrassment but rather because of the beer.

“Did you clear away all the remaining snacks?”

Miyuki asked, a refreshed look on her face. I responded by pointing to the trash can next to the kitchen. Miyuki hesitated for a moment before cautiously coming over and sitting down beside me.

“When did you fold the table?”

“Just now.”

“I left the toothbrush on the sink for now. I’ll take it when I go.”

“You can leave it here for the next time you come over.”

“Ah... Should I?”

“Yeah.”

I answered casually, my eyes drifting toward the window. The outside world was already dimming. The rain was still persistently falling. Soon enough, it would be pitch black.

Tap—

Laying my head naturally on the pillow, I felt Miyuki’s hand suddenly touch my forehead. Fueled by a touch of alcohol, she seemed a bit more daring than usual as she gently brushed her fingers upward through my hair.

Her touch is always warm.

So comforting that it makes my heart soften and my body feel languid.

For a moment, I closed my eyes to savor the feel of Miyuki’s touch, then opened them to gaze up at her intently. Had her gaze shifted, just a bit, feeling embarrassed?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Miyuki asked, her voice tinged with a hint of petulance.

Without responding, I maintained eye contact with her, lingering in the silence for what felt like an eternity. Finally, when the humid air seemed to settle just a bit, I spoke.

“Miyuki.”

“Hmm?”

“I can’t drive because I’ve been drinking.”

“So?”

“I can’t take you home.”

“I guess you’re right. I’ll have to take a taxi. But Matsuda-kun, did you drink beer because you didn’t want to bother driving me home?”

Joking, she arched an eyebrow, her eyes lined playfully. Suppressing a grin, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, firmly.

“Ah!”

Miyuki let out a surprised gasp and lay down next to me. She tried to rise hastily, leaning on my waist, but—

“Just stay like this for a moment,” I said, my voice tinged with exhaustion.

She hesitated for a moment before placing her head on the corner of my pillow.

“At least give a warning... You startled me.”

“Sorry.”

I could feel her chest brushing against my ribs. As much as I’d love to reach under her uniform skirt and slide my hand into her shirt, I had to restrain myself.

Now is not the time to be consumed by lust.

Heeding the signals from my stiffening arousal would be a path to ruin. The best course of action is to balance rational thought while not entirely dismissing the body’s demands.

‘Let’s start with something gentle and familiar.’

For Miyuki, who’s inexperienced with this level of physical intimacy, it’s best to gradually escalate the touch so as not to frighten her.

Shifting to lie on my side, I looked directly into Miyuki’s eyes. Then, timing it with the moment she let out a long breath through her nose, I brought my face close to hers.

“.....”

At that moment, Miyuki’s eyelids closed gently. For her first time lying down while kissing, she looked incredibly serene.

It seems our frequent moments of touch have effectively acclimated her to this new level of intimacy.

I felt proud.

Pausing when our noses were almost touching, I took a moment to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Miyuki’s ear. And just as her eyes began to flutter open...

“.... Ah!”

I pressed my lips to hers.

As I gently introduced my tongue, Miyuki’s tongue rose to meet it, intertwining with my own.

It was surprisingly bold of her. Was there a change in her feelings since we were at the café yesterday? Although it was clumsy, her effort was admirable, even charming.

The kiss that followed was more intense than what we had shared at the café. We were in a place where we didn’t have to mind anyone else, so we didn’t bother trying to hide our heavy breaths; our bodies fully pressed against each other as we explored each other’s mouths.

“Ha... Huff...”

Miyuki seemed to find it difficult to breathe solely through her nose. Every now and then, she would take in air through her mouth and let it out. Unaware that my cheek had slightly puffed from the air she had blown in, she was wholly focused on our kiss.

As the taste of mint, faintly tinged with the aroma of beer, began to dissipate from our mouths, I placed my hand on the curve of Miyuki’s waist. Starting from her lowest rib, I softly stroked down towards her hip.

The moment my hand touched just below Miyuki’s waist,

“Ah...!”

With a short gasp, Miyuki’s hips shifted slightly backward, and her hand swiftly grasped mine.

She looked genuinely startled.

However, perhaps reassured by the gentleness of my touch, she soon relaxed her grip.

At that moment, I stopped the kiss.

Pulling away from Miyuki’s face after gently biting her lower lip, just like during our first kiss, I softly caressed one cheek while she looked up at the ceiling, her eyes unfocused.

“.....”

Miyuki silently accepted my touch.

In a gentle voice, I called out to her.

“Miyuki.”

At that, Miyuki’s body shuddered once.

It seemed she liked the sound of my voice.

She appeared to be slightly excited as well.

“...yes...?”

“Do you want to stay over tonight?”

At my sudden suggestion, Miyuki’s eyes widened like a full moon.

“Um... Huh?”

“Stay over.”

Eyes that didn’t even blink, heavy breathing, lips fluttering like a goldfish. After a moment of visible bewilderment, Miyuki stammered out a question.

“St-stay over? Here?”

“Do you have a curfew?”

“Well, no, but... It’s so sudden... that’s why...”

“I just thought I’d feel lonely being by myself tonight.”

At the word ‘lonely,’ a shadow crossed Miyuki’s face.

She became aware that I was living alone—without a family unlike her.

“.....”

“.....”

For a long while, a very long while, the silence between us stretched on. Finally, Miyuki broke it. Uncertain of what to do next, she alternately looked at my face and the rain pouring outside the window before hesitantly opening her mouth.

“Do you think... you’ll be ‘very’ lonely?”

I pulled the blanket from beneath us to cover our bodies. I then wrapped my arm around Miyuki’s head, drew her into my embrace, and rested my chin atop her crown, subtly shifting the subject.

“It’s warm… I like it.”

Truthfully, it wasn’t so much a change of subject as it was an indirect answer. What I meant to say was that I wouldn’t feel lonely as long as I was with her.

Miyuki seemed to have caught onto my unspoken sentiment, and...

“.....”

With a trembling breath, she slid her arm under mine, resting it on my back. And then, in a hushed voice, she muttered,

“I like it too...”

︵‿︵‿୨ * ୧‿︵‿︵

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