30, Still A Secret


Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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"That homo bald monk, I told him to keep his hands off my lover..."

"No, that would be a terrible misunderstanding."

　And after school.
　Touka and I were leaving school side by side.
　The story was about Kai during the lunch break.
　Even though we were almost at the station, Touka kept complaining about Ka.

　... In the end, I accepted his apology.
　I felt that calling me "brother" or "aniki*" would only damage my reputation, so I asked him not to do so and suggested that we could get along as ordinary senior and junior. 
(Note: Aniki is the older brother. It often used in delinquents.)

　For some reason, Kai looked disappointed, but I got him to accept the condition.

　But still, Touka was in a bad mood.
　I'm sure she thinks that Kai deserves more painful punishment than this...
　I didn't want to go as far as kicking a corpse like that.

"It's not a misunderstanding! Didn't you see the expression on that guy's face at the time? He had the "face of a female"! He has completely fallen!? It's senpai's chastity that's at stake!"

"You're imagining things."

　When I answered, Touka let out a big sigh.

"Haa, I guess it's useless to tell you. If this happens, I have to protect senpai from that yanhomo*..."
(Note: yankee + homo)

　With a determined expression, Touka muttered.
　...... She is definitely too concerned.
　He did say that he was falling in love, but for all intents and purposes, he meant that "he admired me as a person of the same gender".
　I'm happy to hear that he's saying that, but I don't feel the slightest danger to my chastity.

"By the way, midterm exams are coming up soon. Do you think you'll be able to show the results of your study group?"

　For the time being, I said so to change the topic.

"Yes, I'm sure I could have gotten first place in my grade even without the study group. With that large number of past papers, I'm sure I'll be ranked first in my grade."

　Touka said with a nonchalant expression on her face.

"That's a lot of confidence.... If you don't get first place, you'll be so embarrassed."

"No, because I'm originally a good student and I've studied a lot. I'm so confident that I'd bet on it!"

　Touka's words made me relax my mouth a little.

　I had never made a light-hearted, simple bet before, and I actually felt a little longing to do so.
　I think about what to bet on.
　I don't want to impose a financial burden on my junior...
　I thought about it and came up with a good idea.

"I see. Then let's make a bet. If you win first place, I'll treat you to Touka's favorite food. If you don't win first place... Make me another lunch box."

　When I say this, Touka's cheeks turn slightly red before she says.

"Oh no, senpai, do you really want to eat my homemade lunch box so badly that you're making it a bet? Oh my god, isn't it about time I was asked to make miso soup every morning? I'm really worried ~ "

"No, I wouldn't go that far."

"...Mo-Mou! It's a joke, of course! You don't have to make a bet, just tell me and I'll make you a lunch box!"

　Touka said after pouting her lips like she was embarrassed.

"I see, then, I'll treat Touka to something as a thank you for the lunch box after the test, regardless of your grade."

"Eh, really!? Hooray! If that's the case, I'll go make lunch with even more enthusiasm! No, it's kind of bad. I didn't mean that, though."

　Touka, who was smiling, was something that bothered me a little.

"I understand that the lunch box was an apology for the other day, but the fact that you usually buy bread from the store, but makes me a bento whenever I want... isn’t too much trouble, is it"

　Touka smiles mischievously at my question.
　She said, looking into my eyes.


"That's... Because it's a request from my favorite, proud lover!"


"...A fake lover, though."


　I knew she was joking, but I was still embarrassed by her words, and I said so while looking away from Touka.

　Then she looked puzzled for a moment.
　What’s wrong?
　That's what I thought, and I was about to call out to her.

　She suddenly walked faster, leaving me behind.
　As I followed her, she stopped in front of a railroad crossing where the train's barrier was down, and turned around.

Kan Kan Kan Kan

　The train was approaching at just the right moment.
　At that time, a train was passing through the crossing just behind her.

　Touka opened her mouth with a gentle laugh.





This ――― ,though. ――― long time now ―――, you know?


　A train went by, and the train barrier behind it went up.
　I look at her smiling face.



"Eh, I'm sorry. I didn't hear it."



　I could hardly hear what Touka was saying because of the sound of the train passing by.
　I thought to myself, "What a bad time for that," and waited for her answer.

"No, it's still a secret!"

　Touka said with a cheerful expression on her face.

　...... No, what was it all about?
　I thought about it, but decided not to think too much about it because Touka seemed to be in a better mood somehow.