The 'Item Box' That Only I Can Use Is Bugged (Patreon)

Chapter 14: Papa Student

They discussed schedules and finances, which might take a while, so Okinaga and Nakuru went to tour the dojo.

"Wow, it's tatami like in a judo hall."

This would help reduce the impact of falls.

(Back in the day, I took judo as a PE elective. Brings back memories.)

Despite his weak constitution, he remembered being thrown repeatedly. 

The only thing he was good at was breakfalls, which the teacher had praised.

"Where is Nakuru?" a voice suddenly asked from behind, startling him. He turned to see Tsutae standing there.

(That surprised me. I didn't sense her at all...)

He remembered hearing that she lived here. 

Perhaps she also studied martial arts. 

He wondered why she lived here as he realized she was staring at him, waiting for an answer.

"Oh, Nakuru went to the back!"

"The back? Oh, the changing room? But why...?"

As she voiced her curiosity, the door in the back opened, and Nakuru emerged wearing a martial arts uniform.

"Tada! I changed... huh? Why are you here, Tsutae-chan?"

Nakuru also seemed surprised to see her.

"Hehe, I'm here to supervise. To make sure Nakuru doesn't overdo it."

"Humph! I wouldn't do such a thing!"

Nakuru puffed out her cheeks in indignation.

"But Nakuru, you were more excited than usual today. I can see why now," Tsutae said, glancing at Okinaga, causing Nakuru to blush furiously.

(Huh, at first, she seemed a bit unapproachable, but now… not really.)

Watching her tease Nakuru, she felt like an older sister. 

She had a playful, approachable side.

"So, Nakuru's boyfriend?" Tsutae asked, turning her attention to Okinaga, causing Nakuru to panic.

"Uh, you don't mean boyfriend as in a romantic sense, right?"

"Oh, isn't he your boyfriend?"

"No, we've only met twice."

"Hmm, I think love knows no time limits."

"I agree, but I think we're too young to understand love."

"..."

"Is something wrong?"

Tsutae looked at him with a curious expression.

"...Are you really the same age as Nakuru, six years old?"

Okinaga felt like he had made another mistake, but he decided to fully embrace his unique nature instead of trying to hide it.

"Haha, people often say I don't act like a child, but I really am a kid."

"But..."

"I'm a kid."

"But still..."

"I'm definitely a kid."

"..."

"Just a kid, okay?"

"...Huff. Alright. I won't ask anymore."

It seemed he had won. 

He knew that being stubborn and unwavering often led to victory in these situations. 

If he could make the other person think continuing was too troublesome, he would win.

"Hey! It's not fair to talk without me!" Nakuru suddenly exclaimed, her displeasure evident. 

They had indeed left her out of the conversation too much.

"Haha, sorry, Nakuru. By the way, that uniform really suits you."

"—!—Really?"

He had seen her in it once before, but children's martial arts uniforms always seemed extra adorable.

"Yeah, normally martial arts uniforms look dignified, but you look cute in yours."

"! Hehe~ I'm so happy~!"

She beamed with a wide smile and hugged him again. 

This girl seemed to have a habit of hugging.

"...Okinaga-kun, was it? You... your future scares me," Tsutae remarked, though he couldn't understand why. 

What had led her to that conclusion from this conversation?

"So, Nakuru, did you bring Okinaga-kun here just to show him your uniform?"

"No! I wanted to show him what I do during training!"

"I see... Then why don't we have a sparring match, like usual?"

"Really?!"

"Yes, really. Is that okay with you, Okinaga-kun?"

"Sure. I'd like to see how you spar."

Tsutae asked him to wait for a moment and, like Nakuru, disappeared into the back.

"...Hey, Nakuru?"

"What is it, Okinaga-kun?"

"Who is Nanamiya-san? It seems like she lives here."

"Tsutae-chan is Papa's student!"

"A student? You mean she's an apprentice?"

Nakuru nodded vigorously.

"Tsutae-chan is amazing! Even though she's still in high school, she's already a senior disciple!"

"Wait, she's a high school student?! ...No way."

From her mature appearance and demeanor, he had assumed she was around twenty. 

While it's rude to guess a woman’s age as older, she didn't look old, just not like a high school student... 

Which is kind of the same thing, he realized.