How To Ruin A Love Comedy

Today was the day for rearranging seats, which explained why the classroom was abuzz with noise even in the morning.

The emotions etched on the students’ faces were a mixed bag—some were excited, others indifferent, and a few clearly annoyed.

Miyuki stood at her desk, trying to quiet down the chattering students.

“Guys, can you stop talking? The teacher will be here soon.”

She tapped the edge of her desk lightly with her notebook.

As the noise died down slightly, Miyuki, satisfied, scanned the classroom and fixed her gaze on me, who was lounging back in my seat.

“Matsuda-kun. Your legs.”

She pointed downwards with her long index finger, flicking it slightly in a way that seemed almost provocative.

I was sitting with my legs up on the desk and let out a nonchalant snort.

“My shoes aren’t touching it.”

“It’s odd to have your legs up on the desk in the first place.”

“It’s comfortable, you should try it.”

“Put them down now.”

I grumbled under my breath with a face full of annoyance but complied, pulling my chair closer and sitting up properly.

Then, Miyuki addressed the class.

The door slid open.

A balding teacher entered and surveyed the room.

After a brief exchange with Miyuki, he got straight to the point.

“Those over 175 cm, stand at the back.”

Five of us, including me, got up and moved to the back.

Tetsuya was there too, barely making the height requirement.

His eyes sparkled with anticipation, perhaps hoping to secure a seat next to Miyuki.

Dream on.

“First... Matsuda.”

“Yes.”

“You, to the very back by the window.”

Hearing the teacher, I smirked.

The corner by the window, blocked on one side, was the perfect spot for all sorts of shenanigans with a partner.

I quickly moved to the window side, sitting in a corner right next to the window, chuckling to myself.

The teacher let out a dry laugh.

“You like that spot?”

“Yes, well... it’s nice.”

“Don’t think you can sleep just because you’re at the back. If you do, I’ll move you to the front, got it?”

Go ahead, move me. If you want to see my seeds scattered like confetti on your wedding photo in your bedroom.

“I’ve been working hard lately. Even if I doze off occasionally, please overlook it.”

Laughter erupted in the classroom.

My bold declaration of slacking off was apparently amusing.

The teacher shook his head in disbelief at my audacious response.

“Typical you. Igarashi and Miura, to the center. Takeda and Ozawa, to the aisle side.”

Tetsuya, seated a seat away from me, snickered.

“That’s a good spot. Looking forward to working with you, Matsuda.”

It dawned on me then that Tetsuya and I had merely switched places.

Shaking my head, I pointed at my desk.

“Let’s swap desks after the first period.”

“Desks? Do we really need to? Yours is just as clean as mine.”

Who knows you’ve got your stashing boogers under your desk, damn it.

“I like my desk. Grown fond of it.”

“Fond... really?”

“Yeah. So let’s swap.”

“Fine... okay. But there’s a weird smell coming from your desk...”

“What smells you bastard?”

“Hold on...”

Like a detective raising a hand, Tetsuya started sniffing around, his nose twitching.

“Is this... apricot? No, peach?”

I internally scoffed at his guesswork.

He was catching whiffs of Miyuki’s plum scent.

It had transferred from the uniform hanging in my closet at home, leaving behind a faint yet sweet fragrance.

Somehow, he’d picked up on it. Not precisely, but still.

“Do you realize how ridiculous you look right now?”

My tone dripped with disdain, making Tetsuya flinch before scratching the back of his head.

“Sorry. That was a bit pervy, wasn’t it?”

“Don’t talk to me. It’s disgusting.”

“It’s too much.”

As we bickered over trivial matters, the class swarmed to the front, lining up.

They each took a slip of paper from a bag prepared by the teacher.

Watching the faces of those doomed to the front seats twist was amusing.

Soon, the students destined for the seats in front of me approached. People I knew well.

They were the Bread Girl and the Vice President.

“Ah, hello... Matsuda-kun...”

“Please take care of me, Matsuda-kun.”

Having familiar faces gather around the protagonist is a cliché in every school story, including love comedy. I couldn’t help but smile contentedly.

“Looking forward to it, Bread Girl.”

“Uh, uh-huh...”

“And you, Glasses Girl.”

Offended by the nickname, the Vice President retorted.

“Glasses Girl? My name is Honoka. Natsume Honoka.”

That’s a pretty name.

I’ll probably forget it in 10 minutes, but I’ll remember it until then.

I half-heartedly raised a hand in an apologetic gesture and watched Miyuki, who had been standing idly by the teacher until the drawing was nearly over.

Is she picking last because she’s the class president?

My seat next to me is still empty, so it seems likely Miyuki will end up there...

But with a few... er, several people still remaining, I’m a bit uneasy.

Just then, Miyuki, having made eye contact with the teacher, nodded slightly and came over after grabbing her bag.

She then placed her bag on my desk.

“Move this to the side, will you?”

Her tone was indifferent, with a hint of coquetry mixed in.

I grinned, showing my teeth, and asked.

“So, we’re sitting together?”

“... Yeah. I talked to the teacher. Said you have been improving lately... so I’ll make sure you don’t get into trouble sitting next to you.”

That was something I had said before.

Despite the rule against interference... it seems her desire to be with me far outweighed any guilt or burden.

After I moved Miyuki’s bag to the side, she politely took her seat, thanking Bread Girl and Glasses Girl.

The scent of plum blossomed around us.

Things were about to get a lot more interesting.

“Hello, Tetsuya-kun.”

Miyuki popped her head out and cheerfully greeted Tetsuya, who awkwardly waved back.

“Hi, Miyuki.”

His face lit up like Miyuki’s. He seemed happy to be near her.

But there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes, probably because Miyuki wasn’t sitting next to him. Especially since it was beside me.

“Matsuda-kun, you’ll be in trouble if you mess around during class.”

Miyuki wagged a finger at me, warning me.

I snapped out of my reverie and put my hands behind my head, interlocking my fingers.

“I’m already getting tired.”

“Let’s study hard together.”

“Don’t be annoying.”

“I’m going to be really annoying... If you don’t like it, ask the teacher to move you to the front. I’ll go with you.”

Miyuki and I, pretending to be annoyed with each other in a not-so-funny act, secretly made eye contact and giggled quietly.

My heart’s already racing.

Miyuki must be feeling the same way.

With everything that’s about to happen here, I hope it’s well-received.

“Anyone having trouble seeing the board?”

Upon the teacher’s command, several students raised their hands. After accommodating their seating preferences, the teacher, seeing no further complaints, sternly announced the start of the class.

“Everyone, take out your books. Class is beginning.”

I scooted my chair closer, somewhat shielding Miyuki, and casually placed my hand on her thigh as she tucked her hair behind her ear and opened her book.

“Ahem...!”

Miyuki coughed softly, nudging my body with her shoulder, seemingly amused by my audacity.

I flashed a mischievous smile at her and scribbled a note on my textbook, sliding it towards her desk.

[I’m going to keep doing this, so if you don’t like it, ask the teacher to move you.]

Perhaps irked by my echoing her earlier words, Miyuki bit her lower lip and, with the hand holding her mechanical pencil, lightly jabbed the back of my hand resting on her thigh. Then, as if nothing had happened, she began to focus on the lesson.

Before the seat change, I might have been dragging myself to the school just for glimpses of Miyuki, Renka, or Chinami...

But starting today, I might actually look forward to coming to school every day.

**

“Matsuda-kun...! Stop touching me whenever you feel like it...!”

It was the time just before club activities, after all the afternoon classes had ended. At the staircase leading to the rooftop, Miyuki scolded me.

Her face was flushed, a result of my intermittent caresses on her inner thigh and waist during class. Seeing her slightly heated state, I feigned innocence and said,

“I do it because I like you.”

“Like me? You keep doing it because you find my reactions amusing...!”

“Then stop reacting?”

“Stop it. What if someone sees? What if it reaches the teacher’s ears? That’s an automatic demerit... The reason is clear enough...”

“Should I really stop?”

Leaning in closer, I teasingly asked again, causing Miyuki to roll her eyes and reply in a defeated tone,

“If I tell you to do it, then do it... Until then, don’t...”

Her response suggested she might have actually enjoyed my touch.

Maybe she even felt a thrill?

At first, she might be sensitive like now, but starting with gentle touches and gradually getting her used to it, her guard will lower, and eventually, Miyuki might even initiate contact.

Especially as winter comes and we wear thicker coats, becoming bolder.

“It’s cruel to do it with permission.”

“Cruel? Am I a bad person?”

“Knowing full well I can’t resist, yet telling me not to, isn’t that so?”

“How am I supposed to know what Matsuda-kun can’t resist? You never said anything...”

“Do I really need to say it? Anyway, I’ll try to restrain myself.”

“Please do... It was really hard for me...”

“How was it hard for you?”

“... Ridiculous...”

Miyuki flashed a gentle smile as she smoothed out the wrinkles on my uniform sleeve, subtly changing the subject.

“I might not be able to visit your place this Friday, Matsuda-kun. My family’s planning a trip.”

Was this some kind of bolt from the blue? Aren’t family trips usually reserved for the winter?

“A family trip?”

“Yeah. Dad suddenly said he wanted to go to Nikko, so we’re all heading out together. But we’ll be back by Saturday evening... I’ll drop by then.”

Father-in-law, just when I thought we were on good terms, why this sudden curveball?

This might just tempt me to harbor some ill will, you know?

Nikko isn’t far, but I wasn’t expecting this sudden development... Disappointing.

No, let’s think positively.

This must be a sign to make time for Chinami.

I’ve been so caught up with Miyuki that I’ve missed the chance to go out for ice cream.

This might be the perfect opportunity to meet up with Chinami.

“Can’t be helped then. Have a good trip. Message me when you can, and call me for a video chat before bed.”

“Got it... I should head to my club now... I’ll be late.”

Miyuki pulled my hand towards her, fidgeting with the spaces between my fingers. She seemed reluctant to part ways.

Despite her words, her actions always seem to betray a kind of adolescent capriciousness.

Silently enjoying what could only be described as an affectionate gesture disguised as a massage from Miyuki, I pointed at her hair with my other hand.

“A few strands of your hair are sticking out. Looks like static.”

“Then... fix it for me...”

She stepped closer, looking up at me with pleading eyes.

Is she doing this on purpose? It’s almost enchanting. After carefully fixing Miyuki’s hair, I said,

“Contact me as soon as you get back from the trip. I’ll come pick you up.”

“Okay. I’ll bring you a gift...”

A gift, huh... A bracelet would be nice.

Something to flaunt in front of Tetsuya.

︵‿︵‿୨ * ୧‿︵‿︵

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