Kicked Out of the Bottom Soccer Team, I Found My Strength Thanks to My Beautiful Junior Manager. What Began as a Simple Act of Kindness Turned into Her Coming Over Every Day. - Chapter 19: The Third Soaked-Shirt Harassment (Beautiful Girl Harassment).

Chapter 19: The Third Soaked-Shirt Harassment (Beautiful Girl Harassment).

“See you later. Get home safe.”

““Yes, thank you very much!””

After successfully treating Kana’s injured wrist, they parted ways with Miwa at school.

His nearest station lay in the opposite direction from the route Takumi and Kana took home.

“Now that I think about it, why were you there, senpai? Weren’t you supposed to have gone home already?”

“Ah, right, right. I completely forgot. Here, this is for you.”

Takumi reached into his bag and pulled out a deep crimson thermos.

“Ah, that’s my thermos!”

“I was planning to drop it off for you.”

“So that’s what it was… Thank you so much! I thought maybe you felt lonely going home alone after parting with everyone.”

Kana flashed a mischievous smile. Takumi could only respond with a wry grin.

“No way. I’m not a rabbit or anything.”

“Do you like carrots?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Then you are a rabbit.”

“Actually, rabbits don’t really like carrots that much.”

“Then you’re not a rabbit after all~”

“That’s a line I’ve heard somewhere before…”

“I’m a beautiful girl who loves milk, after all!”

“…So you’re saying you’re a milk girl?”

“That’s it!!”

Kana snapped her fingers with a crisp sound.

“Ah, by the way, senpai—”

On the way home, she was far more talkative than usual.

Takumi had already noticed that it was all forced cheerfulness.

“Um, senpai… My parents are going to be home late again today…”

That was why, the moment she uttered that quiet SOS as they entered the apartment building, he immediately understood what she was asking.

“In that case, want me to help make dinner? You can eat here too, of course.”

“…Yes!”

Kana smiled with visible relief. It seemed his choice had been the right one.

She had only taken two or three steps inside the house before she suddenly stopped.

Her head was lowered, so he couldn’t see her expression.

“Shirayuki? Let’s wash our hands and gargle first.”

The instant Takumi walked past her, she grabbed the sleeve of his uniform tightly.

“Shirayuki?”

“I was so scared…!”

The moment he turned around, Kana threw herself into his arms.

The thought that it wasn’t proper for a guy and girl who weren’t even dating to embrace like this flashed through his mind, but Takumi didn’t push her away. Instead, he gently wrapped his arms around her.

“You were scared, huh? You did really well, Shirayuki.”

He stroked her head the way one would soothe a child. At that, Kana’s sobbing grew even louder.

She had been pinned down and threatened by a man nearly thirty centimeters taller than her. The terror she must have felt was undeniable.

Now that she had stepped into the safe haven of Takumi’s home, the thread of tension holding her together had finally snapped.

Hoping even a little comfort would help her feel safer, Takumi continued gently stroking her beautiful ruby-red hair.

Ten minutes later, Kana’s face, ears, and even her neck had turned a deep crimson—far beyond just her hair and eyes. It was painfully obvious she felt embarrassed about having cried so hard.

The last time this happened, she had fled straight back to her own house. This time, there was no sign of that. Probably because her parents still weren’t home.

“Shirayuki, are you okay?”

“…It’s soaked-shirt harassment again. I got soaked-shirt harassed by senpai again…”

“…Shouldn’t I be the one saying that this time?”

Takumi gave a wry smile and tugged at his own shirt. The chest area was completely drenched with Kana’s tears and runny nose.

Her eyes widened, and a blatantly panicked expression spread across her face.

“Wah! I-I’m so sorry!”

“I’m just kidding. Don’t worry about it at all. There’s nothing better for a senpai than having his kouhai rely on him.”

When Takumi smiled at her, Kana showed a thoughtful look for a moment.

“Shirayuki?”

“…I know it’s sneaky to ask this right after you said that, but… could I make one request, senpai?”

“What is it?”

“Um… From now on, could we maybe go to and from club activities together…? Only when our timings overlap is totally fine!”

“Sure.”

Takumi answered instantly.

He had already guessed it from the look on her face. He could see exactly what she was aiming for.

“Eh… Really? It’s okay?”

“Of course. But are you sure it’s fine, Shirayuki? Weird rumors might start spreading, and even if I don’t look it, I’m actually pretty weak, you know?”

Takumi flexed his arm, showing off a bicep. It wasn’t as flat as Kana’s, but it still wasn’t something one could honestly call reliable.

She was afraid of being approached again like she had been by Takeoka this time, and was essentially asking him to act as her bodyguard.

Just having a guy with her would provide some deterrence, but if things actually turned physical, there was a good chance he wouldn’t be able to protect her.

“I don’t mind rumors at all, and I never thought you were particularly strong to begin with. But… when you shielded me behind your back earlier, I felt truly safe. I thought, ‘This person will definitely protect me’… Ah, um, that didn’t have any deep meaning or anything!?”

“I know. I understand you’re relying on me as your senpai.”

“…It’s not just as your kouhai.”

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“Nothing at all!”

Because she had spoken so quietly, Takumi asked her to repeat it. Kana’s face flushed bright red as she shouted, then hurriedly changed the subject.

“More importantly, are you really okay with this, senpai? If rumors start about us… If there’s someone you like—”

“There isn’t.”

“Really!?”

Kana’s voice bounced with sudden energy.

“Why do you sound a little happy about that?”

“Ah… N-no, I just thought it would make it easier to rely on you, that’s all!”

“Ah, I see.”

Takumi nodded, convinced.

“I was worried you’d say something like ‘I won’t allow you to become a normie before me.’”

“Ah, that I won’t allow.”

“Scary.”

“I-I was joking!!”

Kana tugged on his arm.

The distance between them felt even smaller than usual.

The frightening experience had probably brought out her clingy, spoiled side even more strongly.

Can’t be helped today, Takumi thought with a wry smile.

“…Senpai, did you just treat me like a child?”

“N-no way.”

As expected of the manager who had achieved an unprecedented rapid promotion in less than two months—her observational skills were terrifying.

Takumi felt a chill run down his spine.

He felt a cold sensation on his stomach.

Staying in wet clothes would probably make him catch a cold.

(Then I’d just be giving Shirayuki unnecessary worry.)

No time like the present. Takumi pulled off his shirt.

“W-wah!?”

Kana’s reaction was blatantly flustered.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean ‘what’s wrong’!? Why are you taking your clothes off!?”

“Well, I was thinking of changing.”

“That’s not what I mean! Why are you stripping right in front of me!?”

Kana’s face had turned red again. At this point, calling it ruby was no longer accurate—it was closer to the color of a ripe apple.

“I don’t mean anything deep by it… You’re used to seeing guys shirtless during club activities, right?”

“Y-yes, but that’s during practice! It’s different at senpai’s house… A-anyway, please go change over there!”

Still covering half her face with one hand, Kana pointed toward the bathroom with the other.

“O-okay. Sorry.”

(Even though she’s so popular, she’s surprisingly not used to guys at all…)

Slightly surprised by Kana’s innocent reaction, Takumi obediently retreated into the bathroom.