A Supporting Character’s Love Story - Chapter 41

Ch 41

POV Shinji Makoto

This is the third kabedon situation we have been in. My thoughts of reminiscing about those ‘good old days’ my thoughts were broken by Nakano’s ridiculous question that came next.

“You… you are a masochist?” Nakano asked me with her voice trembling as she held me against the wall.

Her words made my smile freeze and I choked on my own spit which made start coughing. Only when my coughing fit finally ended was I able to bring myself to ask her about her statement.

Ok. Let me clarify some things first. I do confess that some of those doujins definitely make me feel something. But I have never personally experienced any BDSM or anything of the sort, and that makes me definitely not a masochist… right?

“Why would you think that Nakano?” I asked her in the most normal tone I could muster at the moment.

“Why were you smiling when I had you in a chokehold against the wall?”

There were droplets of sweat forming on my forehead. She had the wrong idea. I definitely wasn’t smiling because I liked being choked. Just when I was going to explain to her I was met with a complicated gaze. One look at those eyes that were looking at me with concern and pity and I could already sense the ridiculous thoughts that were flying through her head. At this point if I didn’t explain the situation properly I would definitely be branded as a masochist pervert. I hurriedly tried to clarify to her.

“Nakano it definitely isn’t what you think. You are misunderstanding something here.”

“Umm… It’s alright Makoto. You don’t need to be ashamed of these things. I… I am sure will find someone who understands you. Yes, those people definitely exist. So umm… please don’t-”

I had to cut her off before I could suffer any more shame.

“It was because you did a kabedon on me. I was remembering the time we spent at the amusement park during Golden Week. Don’t you remember you did the same thing back then?”

Luckily it seems like my explanation got through to her and although she didn’t let me go she did loosen her hold over me. The problem right now was the atmosphere had become very awkward. Luckily just then Tsukumo san’s voice came from outside.

“It’s still locked? These people are definitely taking their time aren’t they?”

At that both me and Nakano were reminded that we were currently trapped inside a small room and didn’t have the luxury of time. This made both of us very tense but I would much rather be in this sort of position than the one I was in a few seconds ago. Honestly, this must have been the happiest I had ever been to hear a ‘friend’s’ voice.

Unfortunately, this happiness didn’t last for even a second.

“Suzuki-kun do you think the people inside are just taking pictures?”

“Tsukumo chan you shouldn’t speak about others like this. What if there are just two girls inside who are having difficulty taking good pictures?”

“That’s alright. I don’t mind people having same sex relationships.”

A black line formed on both mine and Nakano’s foreheads from hearing her words. And I imagine it was the same for Suzuki kun outside as well.

The gears in my mind were running the fastest they could. Even if I was okay with going out before, I definitely wasn’t after Tsukumo san’s words. After a few seconds of brainstorming, I finally thought of a somewhat viable plan.

I leaned my head and tried to tell Nakano the plan by whispering into her ears so that the two outside wouldn’t be able hear it but that turned out to be the wrong move.

“Nak-”

“Aanh!”

Just as I uttered the first syllable Nakano jerked her head back and moaned suddenly.

“…”

Even the discussion of the two outside stopped.

“What are you doing?” Nakano asked angrily.

“What am I doing? You are the one who moaned suddenly out of nowhere.”

“That was because you,… you suddenly blew into my ears. Obviously I would be surprised.” She explained with a red face.

“Hey Suzuki kun what if they are really…” A suppressed voice came from outside.

“…”

“…”

Me and Nakano only quietly stared at each other’s faces as we heard the rest of the conversation.

“Maybe we should tell the clerk.”

“But wouldn’t that be embarrassing? Imagine if you were the one inside.”

“I would never do that inside a purikura booth.”

“I have heard of karaoke rooms and public toilets but never a purikura booth.”

What kind of places do you hear that from? It’s obvious you know that from watching p***. I couldn’t wait any longer. The more time passed, the more the situation would worsen. What if they actually called the clerk to open the door?

“Nakano give me your phone for a second.” I quickly whispered to her while signalling her to take out her phone.

Once I had the phone I dialled Tsukumo san’s number and held the phone to Nakano’s ears.

Seeing my actions Nakano’s eyes lit up in understanding.

“Hello”

“Where are you Hinata? I can’t find any of you guys.”

“Why are you speaking so softly Akari? I almost can’t hear you.”

Oh no. It’s already going on the wrong path.

“Is that so? Maybe it’s the phone signal or something.”

“Yeah, maybe. Ah Akari you won’t believe this but right now I’m standing in front of a purikura booth with a couple going at it inside.”

Nakano blushed in shame before she could compose herself and replied, “Yeah right. Hinata I feel like your mind has totally rotten to the core.”

“I know what I am seeing. If you don’t believe me you can come to the purikura booth and see for yourself.”

“Alright bet.”

What is she doing? I wanted her to lead them away from here, what she is doing is the exact opposite of that.

I tried signalling to her, but she only nodded while patting herself on the chest as she continued, “Tell me where you are then?”

“Near the purikura booth.”

“I know that much. Where are the purikura booths then?”

“Umm… They are uh… You know what? Meet me near the desk I will take you there, fine?”

“Alright. Come quick.” Nakano said before cutting the call.

That was way more natural than what I hoped for. Nakano’s manipulation skills have levelled up for sure. The results could also be seen from the conversation outside.

“Suzuki kun let’s go get Akari.”

“I am not sure if you should be treating this as a public monument.”

“Oh come on I am sure they won’t mind it. They are doing it in public afterall.”

Although we are definitely not doing anything of the sort I do agree with Tsukumo san’s thoughts. That is if the doujins are correct.

Soon we heard footsteps and their voice stopped coming through.

After waiting for ten seconds I unlocked the door and opened a few millimetres to observe if anybody was still standing outside.

Alright the coast is clear. I nodded at Nakano to signal it was safe.

“You hurry to go to the desk. If you are late they will definitely find it suspicious.”

“I will settle my score with you later.” She told me while looking straight into my eyes before walking out with a completely nonchalant expression as if nothing had happened just now.

After she left my field of vision I also left the booth. Unfortunately, my getaway wasn’t as clean as Nakano’s.

“Makoto kun?” Shimabukuro’s voice came from behind me.

Now, if you hear someone calling your name from behind you in a sneak mission don’t give up and turn around immediately. In fact if you carefully analyze the inflection in the voice it turns out it is a question. That means right now Shimabukuro isn’t sure if the person she saw was me.

This is the most important part. If you stop or are surprised it will definitely create suspicions. What you need to do in such a situation is to continue walking without a change in your step and the caller will doubt himself on whether it was even you in the first place. There is not much you can tell from a person’s back afterall.

Of course, clothes are a different matter. Since we came here straight after school, all of us were wearing our school uniforms. Luckily right now I was also wearing a hoodie. And since our school’s pants were the standard black colour I feel like I had a very high chance of not being recognized with certainty. I quickly made my way to the nearest washroom and locke myself in a stall. There I took off my hoodie and stuffed it into my school bag.

With this when I meet Shimabukuro later, all I have to do is to separate my image from the person Shimabukuro saw right now. If I could create an alibi it will be much easier to convince her that she was mistaken.

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