Who Can Resist Nakano Nino? [182]

When Kirisu Mafuyu stepped into the kitchen to find Shirase, she’d already changed out of her sweatpants and into a pair of sleek black slim-fit trousers.

These pants were notoriously demanding—any extra weight on the thighs or calves could easily throw off the clean lines and make legs appear bulky.

Fortunately, Mafuyu’s legs were flawless, and the mature air she carried made this style look effortless.

If one ignored the outdated red tracksuit jacket she still insisted on wearing, anyway.

Shirase stared for a moment at the strange, mismatched outfit, thinking privately that it looked so vintage he might need to find some mothballs.

He looked at Kirisu Mafuyu, and Kirisu Mafuyu, for her part, kept her gaze fixed on the pan in front of him.

A mouthwatering aroma filled the kitchen—the sort of fragrance that told you, even before tasting, that the food would be incredible.

Forget eating—even breathing in that scent felt healing.

Mafuyu swallowed quietly, her cheeks tinged pink. “Where did you learn massage techniques?”

“Self-taught,” Shirase replied, as if he’d expected the question.

“Self-taught?”

Mafuyu frowned slightly. “You already have more than enough to do every day, and now you’re spending time learning how to massage too…”

Then her tone turned serious. “It’s my fault. I got too caught up in seeing whether you were as skilled as you claimed and let you neglect your actual work as a student.”

“There’s no need to be so serious,” Shirase said, reassuring. “I have plenty of energy. I know how not to overdo it.”

“No,” she insisted, shaking her head. “This really is my oversight.”

To her, Shirase was clearly just saving face by pretending everything was fine.

She’d just experienced his massage first-hand.

Absolutely at professional level.

She could almost see it: Shirase late at night, studying massage under a lamp, stubbornly working away.

…Though that mental image felt a little odd.

Mafuyu cleared her throat. “From now on, don’t spend time on things like this. You’re a top student. If you’re already number one, you have to stay humble and careful, or your grades could slip.”

“I know,” Shirase nodded easily.

His ready agreement reassured Mafuyu.

As a teacher, she naturally admired hard-working students like Shirase.

More than that, from the moment they’d met, he’d never seemed intimidated by her. They could talk to each other normally. For someone used to students acting stiff and nervous around her, it was strangely refreshing.

She couldn’t quite put it into words.

It was just… really nice.

“Oh, and about the massage…” Mafuyu hesitated. Seeing Shirase’s puzzled look, she forced herself to continue, “In the future, try not to use that on girls.”

Shirase blinked. Her words made her feelings pretty clear.

Oblivious to his thoughts, Mafuyu went on: “Even if you’re close to someone, it’s better not to do it lightly. Otherwise, it might bring you unnecessary trouble.”

“I’m on good terms with Nino, and I’ve given her massages,” Shirase answered honestly.

Mafuyu’s expression darkened. “Then I strongly suggest you don’t do it again.”

“That’s impossible,” Shirase replied flatly. “Nino and I trust each other. Are you saying I should start playing mind games with her? She’s not going to hurt me.”

Mafuyu pursed her lips, clearly unhappy, but eventually just said, “Suit yourself.”

Shirase shifted the topic. “Is your back still hurting?”

“It’s much better. Thank you,” Mafuyu replied, her expression composed despite his concern.

Shirase kept cooking, adding lightly, “It’s nothing. Since you’re Kana-nee’s friend, if your back acts up again, just tell me.”

“Really?”

Mafuyu’s eyes lit up.

But as soon as she spoke, she realized she’d sounded far too eager.

Shirase noticed, but didn’t call her on it.

She quickly tried to recover: “Anyway, it’s not urgent. Either way, don’t waste your time on me. Your own health comes first.”

“Got it.” Shirase smiled. “Kirisu-sensei cares about her students a lot—even if you never admit it.”

Mafuyu blushed faintly. “That’s just your imagination.”

“Oh? Then why are you blushing?”

“It’s stuffy in the kitchen.”

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

“You’re standing in the way of the steam. I don’t want to look.”

“Kirisu-sensei’s excuses are so clumsy… like a level 0 newbie who’s never left the starter village. Still, it’s pretty cute.”

“….”

Mafuyu finally escaped the kitchen, face flushed.

Half out of embarrassment at being seen through, half just… from being called “cute” by a student, right to her face. It was such a subtle, complicated feeling.

When Shirase finished cooking, both women dug in right away, their blissful faces showing just how much they enjoyed the meal.

Neither held back on the praise.

At the table, conversation died down. Only the sound of chopsticks tapping dishes broke the quiet.

...

After eating—Kana lounged on the sofa, patting her full belly. “See, Mafuyu-chan? Didn’t I tell you?”

“Mhm.” Mafuyu nodded, still blushing, sitting up with effort. The food was so good, she’d nearly eaten too much.

Almost without thinking, she rubbed her stomach. With so many calories at once, how long would it take to work them off?

Her thoughts soon drifted elsewhere. “Does Shirase cook like this for you every day?”

“Not really,” Kana answered, her smile softening. “We just take turns. Whoever’s home first cooks—and same with chores. We’re basically family, so neither of us fusses over it.”

Mafuyu fell quiet, feeling a pang of envy.

Not just for the good food, but for the closeness.

Living alone in the big city, it seemed like having someone to share those little things with would make life feel less lonely.

“I’ll go wash the dishes,” Kana said, standing.

“I’ll help,” Mafuyu agreed softly, still full.

Subconsciously, she glanced over at Shirase, who had already stepped out onto the balcony, and wondered silently—

When will the next massage be?

---

This is a fan translation of 谁能拒绝中野二乃呢？by 六花吖六花. Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!