What If You Spoil a High School Girl Who Looks Like a Landmine? - Volume 1 Chapter 4.4

Fight a monster with a monster 4

“I somehow managed…! Was it okay? Like that?”

“Yes, it was perfect!”

‘I thought a national treasure was climbing the wall!’ When put through a social filter, it comes out like this.

Today, my emotions are all over the place, it was the very definition of emotional instability.

“When you finish climbing, there’s a unique sense of accomplishment… I feel like I’ve gotten a slight grasp of what kind of sport this is.”

“Hehe, I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“If someone’s good, how do they climb… Oh, that person over there is amazing!”

Following Chifuji-san’s gaze, there’s a man moving confidently across the holds.

He’s attempting a course that, just by looking, has a high difficulty level with a good angle.

“Wow, he jumped…! I see, so there are moves like that.”

Watching the man use momentum to jump towards the next hold, Chifuji-san exclaims in admiration.

That move is called a ‘dyno’ or ‘lunge.’

“He’s amazing.”

Chifuji-san is intently watching the man.

Then I scan the wall to find a good course.

“Chifuji-san, I’ll give it a try now.”

“Oh, good luck!”

I step onto the mat, face the wall, and grab the starting hold.

“…Here, …and there.”

Being conscious of my balance, I first determine the position of my feet, then extend my hand.

It’s like climbing a ladder.

The next foothold is high up.

I lift my foot high, hook my heel onto the hold, and then use it to lift my body.

It’s a move where the foot is used like a third hand, called a ‘heel hook.’

“Wow, that’s amazing! You’re so flexible…”

At that time, I heard Chifuji-san’s voice.

He’s watching me, only me.

I’m glad my face is turned towards the wall, so he can’t see my embarrassed and slackened expression.

Moving forward, the next hold is far.

Even if I reach out normally, I can’t grasp it.

“…..”

Using one leg as a pendulum, I create momentum and jump.

After a moment of floating, I firmly grasp the targeted hold and stabilize myself.

“…Wow! …amazing…”

I hear an even more admiring voice and a thrilling sensation runs down my back.

I’m not particularly interested in being told I’m amazing.

But the fact that Chifuji-san is intently watching only me sets my spine and brain on fire.

…I deliberately move a bit slower.

I think this way, he might watch me for a longer time.

“Man, your girlfriend is amazing!”

“She’s not my girlfriend, but thank you.”

“…Huh?”

While I’m doing this, I hear Chifuji-san talking to someone.

A quick glance confirms it’s the man who was doing an advanced course earlier.

…Not his girlfriend. …Yes, that’s right.

“Oh, she’s not? My bad. She seems like a real pro, huh? She must’ve participated in competitions? That stability is just insane.”

“Even to skilled climbers, she appears that way? She’s only climbed a few times, actually.”

… Since it’s a man talking to Chifuji-san, I don’t feel that muddy-like feeling welling up as much.

However, with that being said, I also feel like the attention towards me is diminishing… and I don’t like that.

An embarrassing amount of greed, even to myself.

Even though I’m aware of it, I can’t control it.

…Ah, the next hold is there. …Whoa, it’s high up.

“Only two or three times? Are you kidding me?… Wait, seriously?”

“It seems so.”

“No way… Oh, a double dyno!”

Releasing all four limbs from the wall and holds, jumping, and then grabbing the next hold with both hands to stop the momentum.

It’s a visually impressive move called a double dyno.

I’m glad I succeeded.

Though, technically, I hadn’t failed it from the first time I tried, so I did think I’d be okay.

“Wow, that’s amazing…”

“No way, she stops her body so perfectly… What kind of grip strength and core does that girl have…? Her joints are flexible and she has a good sense too… Does she do some other sports?”

“No, but her family is kind of sporty.”

“Ah, it’s a pure talent then.”

Listening to their conversation, I reached the goal hold.

Alright, cleared.

As I descend from the wall and head towards Chifuji-san and the others, the man praises me, saying, ‘Nice!’

“Onee-san, you’re amazing! Have you ever considered joining competitions?”

“Thank you… But, I’m not really into competing against others.”

“What? That… Well, that’s a shame… If you ever change your mind, please let the owner of this place know… oh by the way, sorry for interrupting you two!”

Then, the man left with a cheerful laugh.

“That was amazing, Raihara-san, what you did earlier.”

“Ahaha, I just tried a little challenging move. I’m glad it worked out.”

“It’s not just about strong legs or something like that. You have a lot of talent.”

“Not at all.”

“But as for competitions… Hmm, Raihara-san, that’s not really your style, is it?”

Chifuji-san pondered with a thoughtful ‘Hmm…’

I do enjoy being active, but more than dedicating myself to one sport, I like to try various things and enjoy them.

Above all, I’m honestly not interested in either improving my own records or competing against someone else.

“…Just having Chifuji-san tell me I’m great is enough for me.”

“Haha, that’s an honor.”

I felt like I had tried my best to be direct, but… it seemed like he took it as a joke.

“…Chifuji-san, how do you feel about competition?”

“I’m not too fixated on winning or losing either. Haha, but if I were, it might have been troublesome. I don’t have talent in anything anyway.”

“I don’t think that’s true…”

From what I can see, he seems to have good athletic reflexes.

“Haha, well, it’s fine. I like enjoying sports with someone like this. Alright, I’ll give it another go.”

This time, Chifuji-san begins to challenge a different route.

He advances steadily.

…He does have good athletic reflexes, doesn’t he?

It would be good if Chifuji-san took up some sport.

I would cheer him on to death and give as much support as a living human can.

But then, that might become bothersome.

Just like I did in junior high school in six different clubs.

After all, I don’t think someone like me should approach Chifuji-san.

Even though I’m in love, I’m only disappointed with my own worthlessness.

“…Ah”

As I was lost in thought, Chifuji-san suddenly appeared in my line of sight missing a hold.

Then he fell onto the mat with a ‘thud’.

“Waa, are you okay?”

“Haha, I’m fine. I thought I could grab it but… Hmm, let me try again.”

Good, he seems to be alright. Chifuji-san quickly gets up…

“….!”

At that moment, his shirt slightly rolls up.

I, holding my breath, focus all my nerves and intently watch until the hem of his shirt returns to its place.

Is there a woman in this world who dislikes a glimpse of her favorite man’s stomach?

The fact that I don’t look away from him at all showcases my shameless, desire-filled side———wait, what?

…I think I saw a bruise on his stomach?

“Alright, here we go.”

Chifuji-san tries again, and there is nothing strange in his movements.

It might have been my imagination, or maybe it’s an old bruise that doesn’t hurt anymore.

This time, Chifuji-san successfully reaches the goal.

He comes back to me with a smile, saying,

“I somehow made it.”

“That was amazing!”

“Haha, I might be able to tell my junior that I managed to do it properly.”

…Junior.

A certain word arises, and something dark stirs inside me.

“…Is it the person from the cafe?”

“Yes, it seems she recently started bouldering too.”

That person… that person…

…Come to think of it, Chifuji-san speaks to her in a casual tone, without using honorifics.

It could be because she was younger, but… then why doesn’t he use the same tone with me, who is the same age?

He’s always spoken to me using honorifics from the first time we spoke, and it hasn’t changed since…

“If we come together, she’d definitely ask me to compete. She’s the type that gets fixated on winning or losing.”

“I see.”

Our relationship…It’s not a relationship where I can ask him not to talk about other women.

“…Do you, you know, go out together sometimes or something?”

I didn’t want to ask, but my foolish curiosity made me speak.

“No, not like that, at least for now. Ah, we do play games on our smartphones. We use voice chat at night.”

At night, just the two of you?

…

……

“You’re close, aren’t you?”

“Maybe she’s just looking out for me. She’s a good person.”

“…Well, that’s…”

At night, just the two of you, what do you talk about? Just the game?

“…that’s nice.”

My hand involuntarily tightly grips the hem of my clothes.