CM Chapter 16

Chapter 16 – Plans Made

Chapter 1, Part 6.1

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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Even though the calendar had flipped to September, the intense late summer heat lingered.

Minato got out of the car, its engine turned off to save gas, and sat down on a curb near the driver’s side door.

Though the daytime highs were still like midsummer, the shade was beginning to feel somewhat cooler. Even if he was sweating, as long as he stayed in the shade, it was bearable. Moreover, it offered some privacy, making it doubly convenient.

As he reviewed materials for his graduation thesis, which he had brought along to pass the time, he suddenly heard a familiar voice nearby.

“I knew it—it’s Hosokawa-sensei.”

Minato instinctively tensed but relaxed a moment later.

Peering out from behind the car was a student from the class he had supervised during his teaching practicum. The student had warmed up to Minato after early on confessing his struggles with math. In his summer uniform, he looked a little different than before, bringing a small smile to Minato’s face.

“Heading home now? Was it club activities?”

“Yup. Well, it was mostly just chatting today. Are you here to pick up Ogiwara? That guy looks like he’s walking fine, but he still needs rides? Oh, right, stairs are brutal for him, huh.”

The student nodded to himself, seemingly satisfied, his carefree demeanor reassuring Minato. Ever since Minato started giving Ogiwara rides in September, the emotions directed at him had almost exclusively been suspicion or hostility.

“By the way, Sensei, you should watch out. There are rumors going around—some people are saying Ogiwara’s injury was your fault, and others think you’re some kind of shady guy.”

“Thanks for the warning, but it’s okay. I’ve already informed the school about giving Ogiwara rides. And, well, I can’t entirely deny being connected to his injury.”

“I mean, no one could avoid getting thrown around on a shaking train. Ogiwara seems to get it, so it’s fine. Oh, by the way, I saw him with a girl behind the old school building earlier. Want me to go call him?”

Minato smiled and shook his head. “It’s fine. We’ve agreed on a meeting time. I just got here early, so I’m waiting. Don’t worry about it.”

“Got it. In that case, I won’t bother him.”

The student laughed, reassured, and left after chatting briefly with Minato. Watching his retreating figure, Minato turned his gaze to the field visible beyond the fence.

The weather today was like a lingering echo of summer. However, with the clock nearing 5 p.m., dusk was gently settling in. The track and baseball club members showed no sign of leaving yet, so the lights would likely turn on soon.

Just three months ago, while cutting across this field toward the library, Minato had seen Ogiwara jumping and thought he looked like a cloud.

Now, what must Ogiwara feel as he looks at this scene? Just imagining it made Minato’s chest ache.

Since September began, Minato had started driving Ogiwara to and from school every day, as promised.

Though it seemed practical to use the car for both trips, Ogiwara himself had insisted on walking in the mornings as part of his rehabilitation. So Minato took the same train car and accompanied him to the school’s nearest station gate. In the evenings, Minato used a rental car to pick him up, as this fit around his part-time job schedule.

After school, Ogiwara typically spent time at the library and would text Minato before the agreed pick-up time. If Minato was delayed, Ogiwara would wait a bit longer and contact him again.

“Wouldn’t this make you wait unnecessarily, Sensei?”

Ogiwara’s concern had been brushed aside by Minato with a simple “I’ll be in the car, so it’s fine.” Minato didn’t want to burden him further.

Thankfully, Ogiwara’s right knee seemed to be healing well. Hearing that he had no issues at school, both from Ogiwara and from observation, reassured Minato.

As Minato exhaled softly and returned his focus to the materials, his phone buzzed.

Placing the papers on the curb, Minato pulled his phone from his pocket. Expecting it to be Ogiwara, he answered without checking—and froze.

“Hosokawa-kun? It’s Koumoto. Is now a good time?”

“Yes. …Is something the matter? Our plan for today was at nine, right?”

“About that. There’s been a bit of trouble at work, so I might not make it on time.”

“I see. Then let’s reschedule—”

“No, please wait for me. I won’t be more than 30 minutes late.”

Sensing Minato’s hesitation, Koumoto’s voice took on a gentle, amused tone. Minato sighed lightly in response, prompting Koumoto to continue warmly.

“You invited me out for the first time, so canceling isn’t an option. The place is Lila, the dining bar on Main Street. I’ll call to change the reservation to 9:30.”

“Lila on Main Street, at 9:30. Understood. Good luck with work.”

Minato quickly jotted the details on his hand with a pen he had on him. Though the time and place were Koumoto’s decision, Minato had been the one to invite him, so there was no way he could be late.

Tightening his focus, Minato exhaled softly. At that moment, he heard a familiar voice.

“Minato-sensei? Why are you sitting here?”

“…Oh? Did you call me?”

“I saw your car, so I came to check. Sorry, have you been waiting long?”

Standing beside the car, Ogiwara in his summer uniform leaned in slightly, looking at him.

“I just got here early because of my own schedule, so don’t worry about it. I also had some materials I wanted to read. …Shall we head back now?”

“Yes, thank you for your time.”

Ogiwara bowed politely, the short-sleeved shirt of his uniform suiting him perfectly. As Minato found himself momentarily captivated by a sight he’d seen countless times, a high-pitched voice came from behind Ogiwara.

“Ogiwara-kun, see you tomorrow!”

“Ah.”

The girl waving to Ogiwara, dressed in a tracksuit, was someone Minato recognized. She was a member of the track and field club who had visited him in the hospital a few times.

Their eyes briefly met as she turned to leave. The sweet expression she’d worn for Ogiwara quickly shifted to one of hostility directed at Minato. Although he’d expected it, part of him still shrank back at the sting of it.

After the girl left, Ogiwara and Minato got into the car. Driving cautiously, Minato pulled out and took their usual route toward Ogiwara’s house.

“How was today? Any trouble?”

“Not really. I’m getting used to the stairs now. But my stamina has definitely dropped compared to before. …By the way, Minato-sensei, what time does your tutoring job finish tonight?”

“Around 8:30, I think. The last class is a quiz, so it should end on time.”

As Minato thought about the slightly awkward timing of his 9:30 appointment, Ogiwara spoke up suddenly.

“In that case, how about having dinner together tonight? No one’s home at my place tonight. My parents went out of town for a relative’s funeral, and my brother has a belated welcome party at work.”

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*Translator’s Note: Oops… Don’t tell me he heard the conversation from the phone call? -K

Next update: 2026.08.14

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