A Man Who Lost Confidence, to a Gentle Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 15: Girls Talking, Things Moving Forward

Chapter 15: Girls Talking, Things Moving Forward

About ten days into high school life, not much has changed, honestly. Studies are going smoothly—I’ve already taken these courses in my old life, so they don’t feel too hard. Doing prep and review, handling homework—it’s a routine I managed in my old high school, so it’s not painful.

In class, I haven’t made new friends, but I’m not being ignored either.

That’s because I’ve been spending most of my time with Asagi-san and Yamamoto-san, so I haven’t tried expanding my circle.

I thought I’d make an effort in this world, but right now, I’m content eating lunch with two beautiful girls and having them talk to me.

Asagi-san seems to have many female friends, chatting happily with them during breaks. But at lunch, she always comes to me, and then Yamamoto-san joins, spreading out their bento boxes.

I’m thrilled, of course, but it might make other girls hesitant to approach. I don’t think I’m disliked, but some girls glance at me, which bothers me a bit.

I barely talk to the other boys in class. There aren’t any seated near me, but they seem to give off a “leave me alone” vibe. They also avoid talking to girls, keeping conversations minimal.

For clubs, I’ve visited cultural ones like the astronomy and newspaper clubs. I usually go alone, but the seniors always welcome me, and many girls ask about me, making me almost misunderstand their interest.

But I’m sure they’re kind because men are rare, not because I’m charming. It’s just this world’s nature, I’m convinced.

Part of it might be that, unlike other boys, I don’t avoid talking to girls. Still, I mustn’t get arrogant. If I do, I’ll quickly become a bullying target or errand boy.

So, I’ve been checking out clubs, but I visit the literature club most often, talking with the seniors.

Shiina-senpai is always there, usually at her laptop. She’s the most consistent presence, while other seniors come and go. I’ve only exchanged greetings with members besides Ishikawa-senpai and Asai-senpai, though.

I’m thinking of joining the literature club. I don’t have the courage for other clubs, but this one feels comfortable and casual. It’s partly because I like writing, but honestly, the seniors’ charm plays a role, too.

I often go to the literature club with Yamamoto-san. She’s joined another club and seems to have made friends there. I can’t help but feel the gap between her, with her growing circle, and me, still with few classmates as friends.

After school today, I’m debating whether to visit the literature club alone or head home. Yuki’s school started today, and she has plans after, so she can’t pick me up.

Going home alone early sounds nice, I think at my desk, when a voice calls out. It’s the lively, beautiful Asagi-san.

“Hey, Sato-kun! You checking out any clubs today?”

She’s decided to join the basketball club and attends daily, so we haven’t talked much after school.

Startled by the sudden conversation, I answer nervously, careful not to say anything weird that’d make me seem odd.

“T-today, I was thinking of heading straight home… Asagi-san, you’re in the basketball club, right…?”

Hoping I didn’t mess up, I finish. She smiles, saying today’s trial club day is off. But I don’t know what to say next.

“I don’t have other clubs to visit, so I’m wondering what to do…”

She looks away briefly, then locks eyes with me. Her sparkling eyes are so beautiful, I feel unworthy to meet them.

She hesitates but seems to resolve herself, continuing to talk to me. I still don’t get why she’d look at me like that.

“…If you’re not going home with your sister today, maybe… we could walk home together? Is that okay?”

Her invitation to walk home freezes my brain. But she’s not teasing—she even looks nervous.

Even if it’s a prank, no one’s watching us. It’s just Asagi-san in front of me, inviting me.

I can’t refuse. In my old world, turning down a beautiful girl like her would be unthinkable.

“…U-um, if it’s today, it’s fine… if you don’t mind walking with me…”

To my trembling reply, Asagi-san beams.

“Yay, great…! Wait a sec, I’ll grab my stuff!”

She packs her bag, and there’s no hint of ulterior motives. Walking home with such a beautiful girl, who seems happy about it, feels incomprehensible to me.

In her blazer, she’s the epitome of a cute high school girl. No matter how often I see her, she’s dazzling, making my heart race.

“Oh, long time no see!”

On the way home, a fifteen-minute walk, Asagi-san stops at various shops in the shopping district, getting things from clerks. She says she’s friendly with them and often gets unsold bread scraps.

It feels like something a housewife would do, but seeing her enjoy it, I can’t say anything. I envy her sociability and realize again she’s a different kind of person from me. Still, her friendliness toward me is genuinely appreciated.

The school’s rules aren’t strict, allowing snacking or detours after school. As a college-prep school, rules are often lax, and even dating isn’t banned. Given this world’s dynamics, prohibiting it wouldn’t make sense.

Now, dragged by her assertiveness, I’m eating soft-serve ice cream with her as we walk. To others, it might look like an after-school date, but I can’t get carried away.

Thinking I’m monopolizing her smile makes me want to misunderstand, but I shake off that wrong feeling, reminding myself we’re just friends. Getting presumptuous leads to trouble.

“…Oh, Sato-kun, you’ve got some vanilla on your mouth.”

Her words pull me from my thoughts. I need to focus on our conversation.

“Ah, th-thanks…”

I wipe my lips with my finger, but no ice cream comes off. Maybe impatient, she stops and faces me.

“…Sorry, let me get it.”

She reaches out, wiping the corner of my cheek with her finger, picking up a bit of white cream.

She could’ve ignored it, and I feel bad. It must’ve bothered her, but her sudden touch makes my heart pound.

“Hmm…”

She stares at her finger, then, unbelievably, puts the cream-covered finger in her mouth. I almost gasp but hold it in. Maybe it’s normal for her.

After licking it off, she looks up at me.

“…Y’know, it’d be a waste otherwise…?”

It’s such a small amount, a tissue would’ve been fine, but that’d be tactless to say. My heart races, and I can’t help thinking she’s cute. In my old world, guys would’ve adored her for changing expressions like this while talking to me.

I imagine how fun it’d be to have her around daily. But I’m sure the guy for her isn’t me—I’m certain of that.

Through the shopping district and into the residential area, Asagi-san talks about struggling with math.

“Math’s my worst subject… I only passed the entrance exam by covering it with other subjects, so the textbook makes me go ‘ugh.’”

I’m bad at practical subjects, but I’m decent at the main five. For math, I can handle up to Math IIB.

“Now that I think about it, you said you’re pretty good at math, right, Sato-kun? I’m already struggling with probability, so I’m kinda jealous…”

The probability unit we’re doing is an extension of middle school, so struggling now could be tough later. But I can’t exactly help.

Then, mid-conversation, she stops, eyeing me cautiously before speaking in a requesting tone.

“…So, if it’s okay… could you maybe help me with math sometime? My friends aren’t into it, so… I thought you’d be the best. Only if it’s okay, though?”

I can’t process what she’s saying. A girl asking me to teach her math? That’s unthinkable. I’m not confident teaching, and I’ve never done it.

“Is it… no good?”

Still, I can’t refuse. Even if it’s a prank, I can’t escape now.

So, hesitantly, I agree.

“I-if I’m okay, it’s fine… just call me after school or during free time in class, and I can teach you…?”

She looks thoughtful, muttering, “Hmm… I wonder how that’d work…” Did I mess up? What’s she thinking? My thoughts tangle, finding no answer.

“…Alright! We’ll figure out the place later, but I’ll count on you then, okay?”

In the end, she wants me to teach her. I never imagined making such a promise with a girl.

In my old world, I saw couples flirting while studying in class, but that felt far from me. This is different, a serious matter, of course.

“Thanks! See you tomorrow!”

After her cute farewell, we part ways. Walking alone, I wonder if it’s all a prank.

I often fear everything will fade to black, returning me to my old day-labor life. I’ve grown used to calling that world a nightmare, showing how much I depend on this one.

I want to live meaningfully here, even knowing it’s an overreaching wish.

It’s evening when I get home, and only Yukari-san is there. I hear her moving in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

“Ah, Shun-sama, w-welcome back!”

Her overly polite words feel too much for me, and I can only reply, “Y-yes,” before heading to my room.

Changing, I wonder what everyone thinks of me. I’m always anxious, but today, I’m sinking deeper into thought.

I think the three at home treat me like family. Yuki and Yukari-san don’t even mind sexual acts with me. They might just see me as an outlet for their desires, but I’m okay with that.

In class, Asagi-san and Yamamoto-san talk to me. Asagi-san’s especially friendly, almost like a friend. Since other boys avoid talking, I might be a convenient guy for her to chat with, but that’s enough for me.

I want to talk to other girls, too, but for now, I’m stuck imagining their figures through their uniforms, same as in my old world. I want to change, but I can’t let go of my lustful thoughts.

Looking up at the high hurdle of being noticed, my day draws to a close. Reflecting on my clumsy responses in conversations has become a daily ritual.

The next morning, I walk to school with Yuki in her uniform. It’s her first day of classes, and since her schedule was different yesterday for the opening ceremony, it’s my first time seeing her in uniform.

Yuki’s hair is in her usual side ponytail, and her sailor-style uniform overflows with cuteness. Her stunning appearance makes the outfit’s impact overwhelming—she’s surely the most popular girl in her class. Normally, she’d have a fan club.

She walks beside me as usual, but I feel her gradually closing the distance. Her soft arm brushes against me, and while I’m debating whether to say something, she suddenly grabs my hand and links arms with me.

“…Is this okay?”

Her expression seems slightly tense. But there’s no way it’s not okay, and if she wants this, I wouldn’t pull away.

Noticing I don’t resist, she starts walking again. If she wants to be close as my sister, that’s nothing but joyful.

But feeling her subtle chest pressing against me makes me think this is bad. I know I absolutely shouldn’t get aroused, but the softness through the fabric is undeniable.

Trying to endure, a girl in a uniform suddenly appears from a side street, letting out an “Ah!” It’s Asagi-san.

“M-morning, Sato-kun.”

Receiving her greeting, I think to unlink our arms—not for my sake, but for Yuki’s feelings. Being seen by a classmate walking arm-in-arm with my sister might be embarrassing, and I assume Yuki would hate it.

But Yuki, maybe sensing my movement, holds my arm tightly, maintaining our position. So, Asagi-san ends up facing me and Yuki, still linked.

I don’t understand the situation, and Yuki and Asagi-san lock eyes. Then, Asagi-san asks me.

“Um, Sato-kun, is that… maybe your sister?”

She sounds a bit anxious, but I don’t answer—Yuki does.

“That’s right! I’m Shun-nii’s sister, Yuki Sato! So… you’re his classmate?”

Revealing she’s my sister, Yuki makes Asagi-san straighten up, almost as if facing someone superior.

“Y-yes! I’m Asagi Sasai, Sato-kun’s classmate! Um, we always get along well!”

I don’t know why Asagi-san uses polite language with Yuki, but as I watch, confused, Yuki observes her with interest. Then, saying, “Shun-nii, wait a sec, okay?” she pulls Asagi-san around the corner, out of sight.

They’ve just met—what could they need to talk about? I almost think they’re badmouthing me, but I can’t imagine Yuki or Asagi-san doing that suddenly.

After about three minutes of me waiting, they return. Asagi-san’s face is slightly red, while Yuki’s smiling. I can’t guess what they talked about.

“See you at school… oh, let’s meet up!”

Saying this, Asagi-san runs toward school. Even though we’re going the same way, she says goodbye.

“Shun-nii… don’t you think Asagi-san’s really cute?”

Yuki’s already calling her by her first name, impressing me with how fast she bonds. But I can’t ask what happened.

Looking at me, she laughs, “Fufu.” I know it’s not mocking.

“Y’know, you don’t push girls away anymore, so I wondered if you’d found someone you like in class. Didn’t expect to meet her like this, though.”

My heart skips. Yuki seems to have noticed I’m drawn to Asagi-san.

“W-w-why would you…!”

I reply, flustered. Hearing this, she smiles again.

“…Yeah, that reaction confirms it.”

I fell right into her trap. I’m weak at mind games and can’t hide anything from girls.

“Thinking I can’t compete with someone that cute, I talked to her a bit… and she’s so humble and kind. That’s probably why you’re getting along.”

Yuki says this, but I can only listen silently, unable to keep up with the conversation’s pace.

Sure, Asagi-san’s very cute and moves my heart. But Yuki’s a beauty, too, so I don’t get why she’d feel inferior.

“So if you’re interested, spending time with Asagi-san’s a good thing! You used to avoid girls, so if that’s changing, it’s great.”

It’s probably true I avoided girls before. But now, even if I’m nervous, I wouldn’t deliberately avoid them. Rejecting a cute girl’s invitation is something I shouldn’t do.

“But, y’know, I still want to be close with you, and no matter who you walk to school with… I’d be happy if you hung out with me sometimes. I know it’s selfish.”

Her eyes look at me earnestly. But I’d never think she’s selfish.

“…Yuki, you’re my precious sister… I’d never forget you, and like I said before, I want to walk to and from school with you… so, um, don’t worry, I want to cherish you…”

To my words, she murmurs, “…I’m glad,” giving me a smile. My words were clumsy, but I want to keep conveying my feelings until she’s satisfied.

Plus, she’s fundamentally wrong about something.

“Even if I think Asagi-san’s nice… if she doesn’t feel the same, nothing’ll happen…”

That’s my biggest doubt. Even if we’re friendly, Asagi-san feeling more than that is unthinkable and feels rude to her.

But hearing this, Yuki smirks, a mischievous, almost devilish smile unlike before.

“Shun-nii, about that… I think it depends on what happens next.”

What does that mean? Is she saying Asagi-san could develop romantic feelings for me?

That’s impossible. She might be my friend, but I’m just me—not handsome, bad at talking, a boring guy. A beautiful girl becoming more than friends is a pipe dream.

“Anyway, if you get an invitation, respond properly! You never know when it’ll come, okay?”

Making that impossible assumption, Yuki starts walking again.

I can only follow, sorting my emotions. The school bell won’t wait for my turmoil.