CM Chapter 10

Chapter 10 – Impromptu Blind Date

Chapter 1, Part 4.3

Novel Title: ひとりじめ (Completely Mine)

Author：椎崎 夕 (Shiizaki You)

Illustrator：小山田 あみ (Oyamada Ami)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 細川 湊 (Hosokawa Minato -MC) & 荻原 浩志 (Ogiwara Koushi -ML)

*Please read at knoxt.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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“It was completely out of your control. But I get that telling you to accept that doesn’t help.”  

Hearing the story, Nagashima had then scolded Minato for renting a car for Ogiwara’s transportation.  

“Cancel that rental today. You can use my car instead.”  

Since then, Nagashima had regularly asked about Ogiwara’s condition, in his own clumsy way showing how much he cared. It was something Minato felt deeply every time they spoke.  

“He’s walking now with crutches and a brace. He’s doing rehab to bend his knee, but it seems pretty painful. He says everything’s going well, but…”  

“Not a single complaint? Like being bored or frustrated about not being able to play? Though I’m sure it shows on his face.”  

“He doesn’t show it on his face or in his words. He was sulking a bit today, but it seemed like he just wanted to talk to me a little longer… I think he’s trying not to let me notice even if he does feel that way.”

It was the same in the month before his hospitalization. Ogiwara must have been dealing with both inconvenience and pain, but he never voiced any complaints.

Even his lack of sleep and pain after surgery were things Minato only noticed by observing him. When Minato expressed a desire to watch his rehabilitation sessions, Ogiwara skillfully evaded the topic. In the end, Minato secretly went to observe on his own.

“I think he’s being considerate, not saying or showing things that would make me feel guilty. He doesn’t have to push himself so hard—he can complain or vent if he wants to.”

Nagashima, who had been quietly watching him, finally muttered after a pause.

“Minato, you’re into him, aren’t you? That Ogiwara-kun.”

“…!”

The fact that he couldn’t deny it outright was proof enough. Before Minato could recover, Nagashima pressed on.

“I figured as much. So, how’s Ogiwara-kun reacting? Think you’ve got a chance?”

“…Of course not.”

He recalled Ogiwara’s expression when they parted. That occasionally sulky, youthful look of mild annoyance he’d come to recognize after becoming his tutor.

Minato had decided that just being able to watch him was enough, but simply watching made his chest ache. The pangs of his heart squeezing tightly came often, yet he still wanted to be near Ogiwara. He had long since realized the reason for these feelings.

“He’s good-looking, smart, and until his injury, he was a record-holding track athlete. A man five years older wouldn’t even be on his radar.”

“Getting upset because you guys didn’t talk enough sounds like he’s really attached to you.”

“As a tutor, sure. But I think the reason he asked me to tutor him in the first place was that he realized I was paralyzed by guilt. He’s not just smart academically—he’s rational too.”

Though he seemed to lean on Minato, Ogiwara’s words and actions were always rational. Proof of that was how Minato only felt pangs of guilt when confronted with Ogiwara’s knee brace, crutches, or gait, or when visitors inadvertently reminded him of the accident.

Nagashima, resting his chin in his hand as he listened, glanced at Minato.

“At 17, I think ‘rational’ doesn’t quite cut it. So, can you give up on this ‘good kid’ of yours?”

“It’s not about giving up. Hoping for anything was the mistake to begin with. Right now, all I can do is apologize in every way I can while I’m still able to. I won’t even be able to do that after spring.”

“True. If you were still making amends after starting work back home, it’d just be a burden for him.”

“…I’m trying to figure out how to make sure it’s not a burden.”

Minato murmured, and Nagashima let out an exaggerated sigh of exasperation.

“You’re being way too futile about this.”

He drained the half-full glass in front of him and pressed the call button on the table.

“Order me another drink,” he said as he fiddled with his phone, seemingly typing out an email.

Watching Nagashima from across the table, Minato muttered “futile” under his breath. He couldn’t help but chuckle—it was accurate. Just like his unrequited crush on his former senior, Minato had a habit of falling for people he had no chance with.

By the time the waitress had confirmed their additional order, Nagashima had put his phone away and, as though nothing had happened, changed the subject to their theses.

Not long after their drinks and dishes arrived, Nagashima’s phone rang. Minato listened absentmindedly as he exchanged a few words, but the phrase “Alright, I’ll be waiting” caught his attention.

“You called Yoshiharu-kun over?”

If Nagashima had invited someone to join them, it was likely his boyfriend. Minato asked for confirmation, and Nagashima nodded before casually dropping a bombshell.

“And the guy I mentioned before, the one three years older and working at a trading company, is coming too. Just introduce yourself like you normally would.”

“…Huh?”

Oblivious to Minato’s dumbfounded reaction, Nagashima bit into a piece of fried chicken with a leisurely air.

“If you’re only here until spring, you should meet him tonight. Ending your university life with nothing but a heartbreak over your senior and a one-sided crush on a high schooler is too tragic to allow.”

“I didn’t need your permission, Eisuke. And I already said I wouldn’t meet him.”

Minato’s irritated response earned him a glance and a shrug from Nagashima.

“Ogiwara-kun’s getting discharged after Obon, and then you’ve got your second exam later this month, right? That means you’re going to be busy again. You need to hook up with him now.”

“‘Need to hook up with him’? Eisuke—”

Before he could finish, Nagashima raised his hand and waved to someone over Minato’s shoulder, calling out.

“Yoshiharu! Over here!”

“Got it. Oh, Minato-kun, it’s been a while.”

Minato turned and immediately noticed the beautiful smile of Nagashima’s boyfriend. His flawlessly refined looks were almost doll-like, and facing him directly was always a little intimidating.

Contrary to his appearance, Yoshiharu was shy and reserved. His doll-like demeanor and aloofness were limited to unfamiliar people; once comfortable, he freely offered his warm and friendly smiles. Even now, the contrast caught Minato off guard.

“Yoshiharu-kun, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Not bad. Sorry to spring this on you, but I’ve brought someone with me. Mind making a little room?”

As Minato nodded and shifted to make space, he inadvertently locked eyes with Yoshiharu’s companion.

Nagashima’s ‘three-years-older, trading company guy’ was a tall, ruggedly handsome man with a commanding presence and a calm smile. Minato struggled to look away and found himself slightly overwhelmed.

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*Translator’s Note: Did we just get our potential love rival? Hmm… -K

*GLOSSARY: 

• Obon is a major annual Japanese festival and holiday honoring the spirits of ancestors. Similar to a fusion of family reunions and memorial services, it is celebrated with dances, lanterns, and grave visits to welcome and later bid farewell to returning spirits. Normally, it is celebrated in August.

Next update: [Random days]

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