A Man Who Lost Confidence, to a Gentle Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 22: The Circle of Friends with Girls

Chapter 22: The Circle of Friends with Girls

The situation carries an indescribable discomfort. Yamamoto-san, hiding by the door, looks apologetic, while we stare at her, dumbfounded.

“Um, I wondered if something happened between Asagi and Sato-kun… I knew I shouldn’t have come, but I couldn’t help it… sorry…”

So Yamamoto-san was eavesdropping. It’s true, if your friend is alone with someone of the opposite sex, you’d be curious.

But since that someone is me, there’s nothing to worry about. Whether she knows my thoughts or not, she explains.

“I didn’t know what happened yesterday… but I heard talk about walking home together or hanging out. I got too eager, and the door made a noise…”

Does she think I’m stealing Asagi-san? Or that Asagi-san is in danger? The latter makes sense, but I don’t sense any wariness from Yamamoto-san toward me.

Even if it’s the former, they’re close friends, and I’m the outsider. If I’m in the way, I should be removed quickly.

“Y-Yamamoto-san… I, um…”

I start to clear her misunderstanding, but her words cut me off.

“…Um, Sato-kun, if it’s okay… I mean, along with Asagi, it’s fine, but…”

“If you’re getting close to Asagi… maybe, not just her, but could you talk to me too…? I was thinking that, um…”

Her words steer the conversation in an unexpected direction. Talking to a girl like Yamamoto-san, like with Asagi-san, feels like a miracle to me.

“Of course, you might not want to… but maybe, just maybe, we could be friends… I know it’s selfish…”

Hearing her, Asagi-san looks startled, then nods as if understanding something, while I’m completely lost.

Asagi-san speaks to Yamamoto-san apologetically.

“Maki… I’m sorry. I got to talk to Sato-kun so much, but I didn’t think about your feelings… I was really selfish.”

Her tone suggests talking to me is a privilege. It should be a punishment, but their perception is off.

“N-no, this is my selfishness! You want to be close to Sato-kun, right, Asagi? But… if it’s okay, I’d like you to let me talk to him too…”

She adds, knowing it’s greedy. Asagi-san shakes her head.

“No, Maki, you’re always so quiet. I’ve always thought you should speak up more, so it’s not greedy at all.”

Asagi-san sighs softly, then turns to me, pleading.

“Sato-kun, if it’s okay… I’d like you to be friends with Maki too. She’s my best friend, so maybe we could all get along together.”

I try to process her proposal, my head overloading.

“Uh, um, Yamamoto-san…?”

Pathetic, I look to her for her opinion.

Are her feelings really directed at me? Or is her friendship with Asagi-san being stirred up by my presence, causing confusion?

When our eyes meet, Yamamoto-san stiffens, but she speaks slowly.

“Sato-kun… would you hate talking to me? Someone plain like me… you probably can’t be friends with, right…?”

Her upturned gaze is unfair. Sure, she’s quiet, but not plain at all.

Her slightly sleepy eyes are alluring, giving off a gentle, beautiful vibe. To me, she’s undeniably attractive.

Her curvy body, evident through her uniform, makes me think of an erection. Her bust, straining her blazer, would be the talk of any guy in my old world.

Her plump, huggable body occupies my thoughts. But first, I need to tell her something.

“If it’s okay with you, Yamamoto-san… I’d be happy to be friends… is that okay with you…?”

It’s an extravagant thing to say, but she blushes deeply, her ears turning red instantly.

“Th-then… I’m not much, but please, let’s be friends…”

Her trembling lips mumble, slightly bitten. Despite her erotic appearance, she’s likely shy.

Could I be friends with her? Since meeting her, I thought our personalities might be similar, but whether she’d enjoy my company is another matter.

She glances at me while averting her eyes. Asagi-san looks relieved.

“Fufu, then Maki, you should exchange contacts with Sato-kun too.”

At her suggestion, we pull out our phones. I never imagined exchanging contacts with two girls in my class, both beautiful—it’s unreal.

“Then, let’s hang out together sometime, the three of us?”

As we head downstairs for afternoon classes, Asagi-san says cheerfully. Me, going out with these two feels like a cruel prank. If I take it seriously, I might get hurt.

But it’s hard to doubt Asagi-san’s smile, and maybe we’ll really go out together. This world’s logic keeps overturning my assumptions.

Back in class, classmates’ gazes pierce us. Mostly girls, but oddly, there’s little malice—just curiosity, like they’re watching a rare animal.

In a world where guys lack initiative, a boy interacting with girls outside class must seem exotic. That’s all I can think of.

Asagi-san walks confidently, while Yamamoto-san hunches more than usual, returning to their seats. At her desk, Yamamoto-san checks her phone, smiling slightly. It’s cute, but my contact shouldn’t be that valuable.

I don’t want malice from classmates, nor do I want these two to face trouble for being with me. Thinking this, I face afternoon classes. Reflecting on my place, Japanese and math pass quickly.

After school, Yamamoto-san and I head to the literature club room, both carrying membership forms. I’ve decided to join, though I’m unsure how active I’ll be. Yamamoto-san mentioned the same, so we go together.

We barely talk on the way. Neither of us starts conversations easily, so we only apologize when our arms brush. Yet, I selfishly feel she’s closing the distance between us.

There’s no way it’s that convenient, I tell myself, entering the club room. Inside are the third-year president, Shina-senpai, and the small, animal-like second-year, Asai-senpai, who runs to us with a blooming smile.

“Hey, both of you! Coming today means you’re joining, right?”

Asai-senpai asks eagerly, her face close. She always makes eye contact, but today she’s closer, likely excited about us joining.

“Y-yes… that’s the plan, and we brought these…”

We pull out our forms, and Asai-senpai does an “Iyosshi!” fist pump. Shina-senpai stands, hands on hips, approaching us.

“Fufu, thanks, both of you. We didn’t have many potential members this year… I was worried we’d get zero. The deadline’s still ahead, but are you sure?”

“Yes… I’ve decided on this club, so it’s fine.”

“…Please, I’m in!”

We bow lightly, and Shina-senpai smiles. Her sporty, refreshing smile makes my heart race, and she thanks us repeatedly.

“Thanks so much… though we don’t do much big stuff. We’re planning a welcome party after the deadline.”

The room’s atmosphere is relaxed, as always. Shina-senpai talks to us while on her laptop, and Asai-senpai shares thoughts on books she’s read.

I like this vibe, and the room’s books and materials make it a great place to be. Even the seniors talk to someone like me.

Asai-senpai, eager for new members, talks enthusiastically, her cute face getting close, making my heart pound.

Her cuteness is mascot-like, probably brightening her class too, I imagine. Yet she’s kind to someone like me, her opposite.

Her partner must have fun every day, I think, when she asks.

“By the way, I’ve been wondering… you and Yamamoto-san seem pretty close, don’t you?”

Close. How should I interpret that?

Since Yamamoto-san just said she wants to be friends, denying it feels wrong. But saying we’re already close is arrogant.

As I hesitate, a nervous voice comes from beside me.

“Um, we’re in the same class, so we talk a lot… that’s why I came with him…”

Her words reassure me she doesn’t dislike being with me. Cowardly, I wanted to know that.

“I see… got it.”

Shina-senpai chuckles, while Asai-senpai, the questioner, says, “Talk a lot, huh,” touching her chin, thinking. She’s cute, but I don’t get why.

Ignoring Asai-senpai, Shina-senpai speaks.

“By the way, shouldn’t you two head home soon?”

I check the clock; it’s not final dismissal time yet.

“Especially you, Sato-kun, it’s not good to stay too late. Why not walk home with Yamamoto-san?”

Staying late isn’t great, but is that a reason to walk with her? Lately, I’ve come to the club alone, either contacting Yuki or going home by myself.

As my thoughts falter, Yamamoto-san glances at me, then bows deeply to Shina-senpai.

“Th-then, I’ll take my leave…”

She stands, her chair making a gatari sound. I should go too. Asai-senpai says “Muu,” seeming to want to say something, but she doesn’t push back against Shina-senpai, a year older.

Concerned about Asai-senpai’s slight dissatisfaction, we leave. After a few steps, Yamamoto-san makes a request.

“…Sato-kun, w-would you walk home with me…?”

There’s no reason to refuse. I don’t know what to talk about, but I’m thrilled.

“…” “…”

Our walk home starts quietly, both of us silent. I want to talk, but I can’t find a starting point.

Searching for a topic, I land on, “…Yamamoto-san, have you decided on other clubs…?”—a painfully generic question.

“Eh, ah, I’m planning to join the cooking club and manga club…”

She answers earnestly despite my lame question. I knew about cooking, but manga is new.

“Y-you read manga, huh… any favorite genres…?”

Asking about specific titles risks confusion, so I choose my words carefully to keep the conversation going.

“Uh, um… maybe shoujo manga…?”

I realize I don’t know if this world’s shoujo manga is like my old world’s. It feels like a misstep, but…

“I-I see… maybe you could recommend some sometime…”

“Eh! Y-yeah, sure… is that okay…?”

I might’ve made a light promise. I worry if it’s okay on my end.

Still, we walk home, nearing the parting point. Thinking of saying goodbye, I sense something darting from around the corner.

Not a car or bike—something smaller. Yamamoto-san notices my gaze and asks.

“Sato-kun? Something wrong… Hyaa!”

Her question cuts off with a scream, and she clings to me. At the corner is a woman, likely a housewife, with a Shiba Inu.

The woman looks startled by the scream but leaves awkwardly after I nod. As the dog moves away, I realize Yamamoto-san is scared of it.

Is she easily frightened, or just bad with dogs? “Th-the dog’s gone…?” she says, her speech altered.

Beyond her words, I notice our situation. Her arms are around my back, pressing us close.

Her feminine scent and large breasts stimulate me directly. Through her bra, I guess they’re about 95 cm.

Judging her bust as huge, my penis instantly hardens. Her clinging lasts long enough for my thoughts to wander.

She probably grabbed me reflexively, scared of the dog, and hasn’t noticed it’s gone.

“Um… the dog’s gone…”

I say cautiously. She mutters, “Eh…?” looks around, then at my face.

My face must look pathetic, but I try to compose it. Seeing me, she blushes and pulls away.

Honestly, that was close. Any longer, and I’d have felt more lust. Her curvy body, even through her uniform, is like a drug.

“S-sorry! I’m really bad with dogs… when one pops out, I lose control…!”

She apologizes profusely, but I see it as luck. I’m more worried she felt uncomfortable.

“W-being hugged by a fat body like mine must’ve been gross… I’m so sorry…”

Her concern is off-base. She’s not fat, and I was thrilled. I know I can’t say that honestly.

“N-no, Yamamoto-san, it’s not like that, and I wasn’t bothered at all, it’s fine…”

I try to smile, reassuring her. Smiling feels unnatural, but I want to convey my sincerity gently.

“S-sorry…!”

Still red, she runs toward her house. I consider chasing her but realize I’d have nothing to say, so my feet don’t move.

Maybe I should message her later, I think, walking to my house. Then, I notice someone at the gate.

“…Y-Yuki, what’s up? At the gate…”

I call out, but she looks hesitant. Wondering if I messed up, she speaks.

“Hey, Shun-nii, was that a classmate you were with?”

I realize this is bad and explain quickly.

“Y-Yamamoto-san’s a classmate, but what happened was an accident…”

I frantically explain to Yuki. I don’t know why I’m panicking, but her lack of a smile scares me.

She listens, then smiles slightly, though troubled, and shares her feelings.

“Ah, Shun-nii, I’m not mad at all, so you don’t need to apologize, but…”

She searches for words, so I wait quietly, more cowardly than usual.

“Okay, got it… Shun-nii!”

Her words decided, I brace myself. Even if it’s disappointment in her unprincipled brother, I’ll accept and apologize sincerely.

But her words are far from disappointment or anger.

“Wanna take a bath together tonight?”

Her smile and outrageous proposal hit me like a punch from nowhere, leaving me stunned.