The Saint Next to Me Who Sometimes Comes Without Wearing Underwear Tells Me What’s Under Her Skirt in Secret - 13-14

Chapter 13

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“I-I haven’t done it yet! Really!”

“…Yet?”

“Huh? Ah, that, I mean, it’s just a figure of speech…”

Saotome averted her eyes awkwardly. It seemed I had asked something unnecessary again…

“I-I see. …I won’t dig any deeper.”

“Y-yeah. …Good.”

Saotome said that and placed the doujinshi she was holding onto the table as if to put some distance between herself and it. Things had gotten a little awkward between us.

“Do you want to drink some juice?”

“…Thank you. I’ll have some.”

I poured juice into Saotome’s cup. She held the cup with both hands, looking solemn, and slowly took a sip. Then she began picking at the snacks, hesitantly, one piece at a time.

“……”

“……”

“So…”

“Yeah?”

“I do… Think it’s wrong.”

Saotome spoke while slumping her shoulders. She was such a busy girl, swinging between excitement and depression.

“It’s not like it’s a bad thing, though.”

“…But it’s not exactly good either, right?”

“I mean, I’ve never really thought it was bad.”

Of course, saying dirty jokes in public wasn’t exactly appropriate, but enjoying it alone in your own room shouldn’t be a problem.

…Right, this was my room. Come to think of it, she wasn’t even doing it in public. She’d been reporting to me about it every day. 

That’s three strikes already.

“R-Really…?”

Saotome lifted her head.

Actually, you’re out. It’s already three strikes.

But I knew this wasn’t the time to say that.

“Everyone does it.”

“Even girls?”

“Isn’t it rarer for someone not to have done it?”

I mean, I didn’t actually know, but my baseless statement made Saotome’s expression brighten.

“…By the way, how many times would be considered normal?”

“…Eh?”

How many times…? Did she mean per day? Per week?

“O-One or two times maybe? That’s totally plausible, I think.”

I decided to estimate a little generously. The average was probably once every two or three days.

“Hmm, I see… Is that so. …What about you, Himuro-kun?”

She really just asked me directly, huh.

“…Every day. Unless I’m tired.”

There was no point in hiding it, so I answered honestly.

“How many times?”

“…Usually just once.”

“So there are second rounds sometimes?”

“…I wouldn’t say never.”

If I was really in the mood, yeah, maybe. Though I was rarely that free, so second rounds didn’t happen often.

“I-I see… That’s unexpected.”

“Is that so…?”

“I thought you did it like, ten times.”

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

“A pervert.”

“Not as much as you.”

“I’m not a pervert.”

Saotome said that indignantly.

Does she really believe that…? That she’s not a pervert?

“…Just so you know, I usually don’t do it. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

Saotome said while averting her eyes. If she was going to lie, she could’ve at least made it believable.

“Hmm, is that so?”

“It’s true, okay? It really is.”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it, got it.”

When I nodded half-heartedly, Saotome looked relieved and exhaled deeply.

She’s way too easy to fool. It’s a bit concerning to see her this gullible.

“…Anyway, I understand your stance, Himuro-kun. You don’t think it’s a bad thing. Yeah, yeah.”

I didn’t really get it, but Saotome seemed satisfied. She started nodding to herself.

“By the way, Himuro-kun.”

“Yeah?”

“Mind if I use the bathroom?”

“Sure. Oh, do you want to take the doujinshi with you?”

“My, how considerate of you… Wait, no! That’s not what I meant!”

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

I calmed down the red-faced, yelling Saotome.

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Chapter 14

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Early July.

I had gone to a nearby family restaurant to study for the end-of-term exams. Sure, I could’ve studied at home, but it felt like I’d make better progress outside… Or so I thought.

“…This was a mistake.”

And five minutes after leaving the house, I already regretted it. I shouldn’t have gone out in this kind of heat… While sweating profusely, I somehow made it to the family restaurant. As I was looking for an empty seat…

“Oh, it’s Saotome.”

“Ah… Himuro-kun.”

Saotome was there. She had her reference books spread out on the table. IIt looked like she was here to study too.

“…Do you want to sit together?”

Saotome shifted her books aside to make room on the table. If I was really trying to focus, I’d probably be better off not sitting with her, but I wasn’t so antisocial as to reject her just for that.

“Well then, if you don’t mind.”

I sat down across from Saotome and picked up the touch screen panel. For now, I selected the drink bar and then…

“French fries. If I order them, would you eat some?”

“…I don’t really want any. I’m studying, after all.”

She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. If Saotome wasn’t going to eat any, I figured a small size would be fine. After finishing my order and bringing back a drink, I started studying.

“…”

“…”

There was no small talk between us. …Though I could feel Saotome occasionally glancing over, as if she wanted to talk, I held back. I’d only just arrived at the family restaurant, but maybe she had already studied a lot and was getting bored. Not for me though. I had barely gotten started.

About fifteen minutes passed. The french fries were brought to our table. I continued studying while picking at the fries. Maybe five minutes after I started eating? I glanced up slightly from my reference book.

My eyes met Saotome’s.

“…”

“…”

She quickly looked away, clearly feeling awkward, but then her gaze soon shifted—not to me, but to the fries. She had a very longing look on her face. She opened her mouth a few times, but stopped herself. She must’ve felt she couldn’t say anything after already telling me she didn’t want any.

Her pride was as stubborn as ever.

“Do you want to eat some?”

“N-Not really? …It’s not like I want to eat them?”

I tried asking, and she gave me this weird, prideful response. She could’ve just said she wanted some…

“I see. Then never mind.”

“…But if Himuro-kun can’t finish them, I suppose I could help you.”

That expression said, “Come on, pick up the clue already.” Not that I minded giving her half—it wasn’t like I couldn’t just order more, but since this was kind of entertaining, I decided to tease her a bit more.

“Nah, I think I can finish this much on my own.”

“…”

She glared at me. Her face clearly said, “Don’t be so mean.” Yeah, maybe I went a bit far with my teasing.

“If you want some, go ahead.”

“I-It’s not like I want to eat them or anything…”

“If you don’t want any, I’ll just finish them myself.”

I looked straight at Saotome as I said it. She averted her eyes awkwardly. Then, with a slightly flushed face, she gave me a tiny nod.

“…I’ll eat some.”

With a sulky expression, she reached for the fries. She put one in her mouth.

“…”

Then another, and another—she kept eating them one after another. She was totally hooked on the fries.  At this rate, I wouldn’t have any left.

I could order more fries, but maybe I’d take the opportunity to get something else instead.

“I’m thinking of ordering pizza. Do you want some?”

“…If you’re ordering it, then sure.”

“How about popcorn shrimp?”

“…If it’s just a little.”

Saotome gave a small nod while hiding her face behind a reference book. She looked more embarrassed than she did when she wasn’t wearing underwear.

This girl… What kind of moral compass does this girl have…?

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