CM Chapter 14

Chapter 14 – Provocation

Chapter 1, Part 5.4

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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“I’m Nagashima, one of Minato’s friends. He owes me quite a bit, you see. You probably already realize this, but he tends to attract trouble. If I don’t keep an eye on him, he’s always running headfirst into bad situations.”  

“I get that impression,” Ogiwara agreed, much to Minato’s dismay. Minato, already irritated by Nagashima’s jab, felt even more frustrated when Ogiwara agreed so readily.  

Unfazed, Nagashima chuckled and addressed Ogiwara. “Standing around talking isn’t ideal. Why don’t you hop in? At this hour, the trains are probably packed. Not that it would bother you, but Minato would definitely worry.”  

“…You’re right. Thank you, I’ll take you up on your kind offer.”  

At Ogiwara’s acceptance, they all piled into Nagashima’s car. Ogiwara took the seat next to Minato in the back and stretched out his long legs while explaining the directions to Nagashima.  

Contrary to Ogiwara’s usual calm demeanor, Nagashima’s tone was unusually teasing as they made small talk, seemingly hitting it off well. Relieved, Minato thought they were getting along—until they arrived at Ogiwara’s home, and that assumption was shattered.  

“Thanks for the ride. Sorry for the trouble,” Ogiwara said, bowing politely.  

“Not at all. Make sure to hit the books,” Nagashima replied, his voice dripping with provocation.  

The atmosphere instantly tensed.  

Ogiwara stared straight ahead, likely exchanging glances with Nagashima through the rearview mirror.  

Uncomfortable with the silence, Minato hesitantly spoke up. “I’ll get out here too. Thanks for the ride, Eisuke. It was a big help.”  

“Minato, you’re coming with me. Unless you plan to personally escort Ogiwara-kun to his door?”  

“Eisuke! Stop…”  

“That won’t be necessary. Nor would it be appropriate,” Ogiwara interjected, his face devoid of expression—a look Minato hadn’t seen in months.  

Nagashima’s voice carried on lightly, ignoring the tension. “In that case, hurry up and get out. I’d invite you along, Ogiwara-kun, but it’d be inappropriate to bring a high schooler to a gathering with adults.”  

“Eisuke! Enough already. Picking on a high schooler is pathetic!” Minato snapped. Usually evasive and nonchalant, Nagashima could be ruthlessly confrontational when he wanted to. Though Minato knew this about him, he couldn’t let it slide this time and leaned forward, grabbing the driver’s seat.  

Before he could say more, Ogiwara gently restrained his wrist. “Don’t worry, I understand my place. Minato-sensei, thank you for today. I’ll see you next time,” he said calmly, addressing the first part to Nagashima and the second to Minato before bowing gracefully and stepping out of the car.  

Without thinking, Minato rushed out of the car to follow him. He caught up just as Ogiwara was about to open the gate to his house.  

“Wait, I’m sorry! I feel like Eisuke’s behavior really upset you.”  

When Ogiwara turned to face him, his expression was as blank as it had been two months ago. The sight made Minato feel inexplicably rejected.  

“It’s probably my fault that Eisuke got weirdly confrontational. I’m sorry you got caught in the crossfire. I’ll make sure to scold him properly,” Minato said earnestly.  

Ogiwara silently looked down at Minato before relaxing his expression slightly.  

“…Don’t worry about it. If anything, I’m sorry for not reading the room.”  

“That’s not…”  

“No, really. Also, there’s something I forgot to mention earlier. Do you have a moment?”  

Ogiwara’s tone was calm, his usual gentle expression returning. Seeing him glance nervously toward Nagashima’s car, Minato nodded firmly.  

“Don’t worry about Eisuke. If he’s impatient enough to leave, that’s his problem. …So, what’s on your mind?”  

“It’s about the new semester. If possible, I’d like to ask for your help with transportation for a little while. When I had my follow-up recently, they said the first month after surgery is particularly critical. …Even if it’s just by train and on foot, that would be enough.”  

The last part sounded hesitant, making Minato chuckle.  

“Sure, no problem. Besides, summer vacation lasts until the end of next month anyway, so it’s manageable. I might have to use a rental car depending on my schedule, though. Is that okay?”  

“There’s no need to go that far.”  

“Don’t worry about it. Renting by the hour isn’t expensive, and I planned for that in July anyway. That said, depending on my part-time job, I might not be able to match your preferred schedule.”  

“That’s fine. I’ll study at the library until it’s convenient for you. I appreciate the support.”  

After parting ways with Ogiwara, Minato returned to the car and climbed into the back seat.  

“Why the back? You could sit up front,” Nagashima remarked.  

“I’ll pass. If it bothers you, I can get out,” Minato replied curtly.  

Nagashima sighed but said nothing.  

As the car pulled away, Minato glanced back. Through the rear window, he saw Ogiwara standing motionless by the gate, watching them leave against the backdrop of the setting sun.  

***  

“Eisuke, what did you do this time?” Yoshiharu, Nagashima’s boyfriend, greeted them at the door of his apartment, looking puzzled as Minato sulkily averted his gaze.  

“Nothing much. I just teased and provoked the high schooler Minato’s been tutoring,” Nagashima replied with a smirk.  

“…I see. Eisuke really has a knack for noticing unnecessary things, doesn’t he?”

Yoshiharu remarked with an impressed tone. Eisuke, looking a bit sheepish, hurriedly removed his shoes and walked further into the house as if he owned the place.

“Minato, you come in too. We’re getting ready for sukiyaki. You like it, don’t you?”

“I like it, but sukiyaki in the middle of summer?”

“Eisuke requested it. His lack of seasonal awareness really shows how true he is to his desires.”

The gentle smile that accompanied those words somehow calmed Minato’s previously prickly mood. He could insist on leaving or even act on it, but the only one who would care would be Yoshiharu. Realizing there was no point, he resigned himself.

“I’ll help. What should I do?”

“Well, most of the prep is done, so you can just sit and relax. If possible, though, why don’t you keep our guest company?”

“Our guest?”

The people Yoshiharu invited to his home were typically very few and specific. Curious, Minato looked at Yoshiharu, who now wore a slightly guilty expression on his otherwise soft face.

“Yoshiharu…?”

“Let me apologize in advance. I acted without asking you.”

Yoshiharu gave a polite bow of apology, leaving Minato momentarily speechless. He was gently pushed forward, directed down the hallway. Stepping into a living room far too large for a single occupant, he was greeted by a voice from someone sitting on the sofa by the wall.

“Good evening. Been doing well?”

It was Koumoto—the man Minato had reluctantly met at the end of July when Eisuke had insisted on introducing them. Minato froze, his gaze jerking awkwardly to Yoshiharu beside him.

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*T/N: By the way, if you all noticed, I only regarded Hosokawa Minato’s first name in the narration while with the other characters, I used their last name. This is because Minato is the MC. Other than that, I will also use first name for Ogiwara Koushi’s older brother (Ogiwara Masayuki) because Koushi and Masayuki shared the same last name. I just don’t want you guys to be confused so I’m writing things here to be clear about it. Keep that in mind ya! -K

☝🏻Sukiyaki 

Next update: 2026.08.12

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