A Man Who Lost Confidence, to a Gentle Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 29: Going Out with Asagi-san, Just the Two of Us

Chapter 29: Going Out with Asagi-san, Just the Two of Us

“…I see, you didn’t realize… yeah, that makes sense.”

Asagi-san gives a lonely expression, clearly caused by my words.

“S-sorry… I totally didn’t get it…”

I feel pathetic for missing her intent, bowing my head. But her suggesting we hang out alone raises a new mystery.

There’s no way spending time with me is fun, and I’m not rich. As doubts grow, she continues.

“…If you knew it was just us, you’d have said no, right? Sorry for being unclear…”

She acts like I’m reluctant, clearly misunderstanding. Even dense as I am, I get that, shaking my head quickly.

“N-no, I mean, I misunderstood, but… hanging out with you isn’t bad at all, it’s… I’m grateful…”

I desperately try to clear her misconception. I don’t know her true intent, but she doesn’t seem to be teasing me.

“…Really?” she says, looking at me cautiously.

“…Is it okay, just the two of us?”

Her anxious tone shows no mockery or malice. She seems serious, so I want to reassure her, speaking louder than usual.

“I-I mean… if I can spend time with you, Asagi-san… I’m, uh, happy…!”

It’s a line unlike me, objectively cringeworthy. In my old world, it’d be recorded for bullying material.

But her anxiety fades, so I feel relieved my judgment wasn’t wrong. I worried spilling my heart would scare her off.

“You’re so kind, Sato-kun. Fufu… thanks for saying that.”

Grateful, she explains Saturday’s plan: a sweet shop twenty minutes by train she wants to revisit. I think Yamamoto-san or other girls would be better, but saying so might cause another misunderstanding, so I go with the flow.

Unable to fully grasp her intent, I arrive at school with growing anxiety about the weekend.

At lunch, we chat on the rooftop as usual, the three of us. But I’m curious if Asagi-san told Yamamoto-san about Saturday.

She has no reason to, and I’ve done nothing wrong. Still, I worry because of my sexual contact with Yamamoto-san.

Yuki told me not to mind, but it’s not that simple. Asagi-san and I aren’t lovers, so it’s my arrogance, but still.

“What club are you going to today, Maki?”

“I think I’ll hit manga club, hear what the seniors say…”

Normal conversation unfolds before me. While I fret over how to act, time doesn’t stop.

By Friday, I’m panicking again. Since yesterday, I’ve been thinking how to behave, but I’ve found no answers.

I told Yuki and Mom about tomorrow at dinner, only because Yuki asked, “Any plans tomorrow?” My passivity hasn’t changed.

“Oh, just the two of you, huh?”

I realize I should’ve mentioned it sooner. Yuki might have feelings about it, or needed something. Not reporting earlier was bad.

“Sorry, Yuki… I’ll tell you sooner next time…”

“No, I’m fine… but are you okay, Shun-nii?”

She knows two people alone is tough for me. My communication struggles are obvious to her.

“Hey, Shun-kun, I’ve said this before…” Mom chimes in.

“Go have fun, don’t overthink. But talk properly with Asagi-chan… and if anything feels off, say so right away, okay?”

She thinks Asagi-san’s fine but advises with a smile. I can’t imagine anything bad, but I feel her kindness.

“Yeah, I think so too,” Yuki agrees, asking about the place.

“That shop’s kinda famous… I wanna go sometime!”

I nod clumsily, and she cheers, “Yay! Thanks!” Only a fool would refuse such a cute sister.

After bathing, I exchange goodnights with Yuki and check my phone. Asagi-san’s message about tomorrow makes me tense.

Tomorrow, 12 at the station!

Keep your stomach empty, okay?

I wish I could send a witty reply, but I lack the skill, settling for a generic free sticker. Despite my worries, I decide to stop overthinking.

Otherwise, I’ll spiral endlessly. Can I talk properly tomorrow? Will I mess up, too aware of being alone? Will Asagi-san enjoy herself?

I force my thoughts to stop, closing my eyes. But whether this is a date lingers in the back of my mind.

Waking around 9, later than usual, I shower. I’ve never done morning showers, but I don’t want to make Asagi-san uncomfortable.

Lathering more body soap than usual, I think about her. What’s her goal? A guy friend? A way to vent lust? Something else?

I’d be happy to spend time with her, whatever the reason. If she thinks it’s a date, that’d be great, but I know it’s impossible.

After a long shower, I dress: short-sleeve tee, thin button-up, nine-tenth jeans. Shorter pants would suit the season, but I can’t find any, so I settle.

I eat a light breakfast and linger in the living room. “…Shun-nii, you nervous?” Yuki asks, noticing my stiffness. I tried not to think, but going out alone with a girl is uncharted for me.

Despite anxiety, talking with Yuki eases me. Checking the time, I head to the entrance.

“Be careful, okay? Call if you’re late, and don’t come back alone.”

Nodding to Mom’s advice, I head to the station. It’s slightly windy but clear, perfect for an outing.

Arriving early, ten minutes before noon, I look for Asagi-san. She’s by the gate. Even if it’s not a date, I worry making a girl wait disappointed her.

“S-Sato-kun! M-morning… ehehe!”

No disappointment—she greets me. She’s wearing the light blue dress I picked during our last shopping trip.

“See, you chose this, so I wore it today… how’s it look?”

She’s an angel, my honest thought. The dress’s fuwari silhouette suits her perfectly, her black braids enhancing her charm.

Usually vibrant, today she’s pure, captivatingly cute. I wonder if I’m allowed to walk with her.

“Um… it’s really cute, suits you…”

After overthinking, I settle on simple words.

“…Fufu, good. You look nice too, Sato-kun.”

Compared to her, I’m nothing, but she says it. I’m unsure if I can accept the compliment, stammering, “Th-thanks…”

“Alright, let’s go! I reserved a spot!”

I follow her through the gate, hating my lack of initiative, feeling I should lead.

On the train, she chats about visiting the shop with friends and loving their strawberry shortcake. The train’s moderately crowded, and I sense eyes on us, likely judging our mismatch. But since she wants me here, and I’m focused on keeping up with her, I ignore them.

I’m amazed a day like this came, though anxiety still outweighs that.

“Here! We don’t need to line up since I reserved!”

The shop she points to, a cake store with an open-terrace café vibe, has a ten-person queue. Asagi-san talks to a staff member and leads me inside confidently.

“Here, you pick three cakes for the set. This one’s the most popular—”

Following her to the showcase, I see colorful, tasty-looking cakes.

“When we went shopping, I thought maybe with you, Sato-kun, we could eat more. I wanna share different cakes.”

She adds Maki’s on a diet, picking cakes carefully. I get her intent, but isn’t sharing cakes with me gross? Like sharing bento?

Doubts arise, but overthinking’s pointless. I choose cakes, following her lead. The shop’s full, but a reserved table awaits us.

Soon, our six cakes arrive, and her eyes sparkle.

“Haah, so many cakes… which first, Fufu?”

She deftly cuts them. It seems efficient, so I eat mine the same way.

The half-cut cakes go quickly. They’re delicious, clearly a popular spot, but my focus drifts to Asagi-san.

Each bite, she says, “So sweet, yummy…” cutely. Her words stir emotions, but I just nod along.

“Sato-kun, um…”

Nearing the end of our tense meal, she calls me softly. Looking over, one bite of strawberry shortcake remains.

She seems hesitant. Did she miscount or can’t eat more?

“If it’s okay… this, um… eat…”

I guess she can’t finish but feels awkward saying so since she invited me, so I offer.

“Maybe you can’t finish and want me to eat it…? I’m okay with that…”

She says, “Eh,” then hurriedly, “No, I’m fine! Sorry, I can eat it!” and pops the last bite in.

I hear her mutter, “Ugh… I’m such an idiot…” but I don’t know why. I’m certain I messed up somehow.

After finishing, we leave. I thought girls chatted in places like this, but a busy shop doesn’t allow it. And she wouldn’t want to chat with me anyway.

“The station building has lots of shops. Wanna look around?”

She leads me through stores. It’s more than I deserve, almost like a date, making my heart race. But I’m a non-popular loner guy, so I can’t assume.

At a general store, a clock catches her eye, sparkling as she speaks.

“Hey, Sato-kun! Isn’t this clock super cute? Stylish, and the bird’s nice!”

It’s hand-drawn-style, tasteful even to me. She continues.

“It’s paired with the one next to it. See, red and blue.”

Indeed, the colors and bird faces differ slightly, but they’re similar. For close friends or couples?

“…Sato-kun, if it’s okay…”

She looks at me, fidgeting cutely, almost idol-like.

“…Wanna buy these together? I’ll pay, of course!”

My heart skips. It’s for couples or family, I think, wanting to say so. But she’s not teasing, just watching me.

Is she serious? Even so, letting her pay is absurd. Buying together is thrilling, but why should she cover it?

“Um, I’m fine with it… I’ll pay my share.”

“No way! I’ll pay!” she insists, and we almost argue. I’m weak, but this burdens her too much.

We split the cost, and she looks apologetic. I say, “It’s fine,” easing her worry.

“I… want you to use this at home, Sato-kun… is that okay?”

She hands me the blue clock. I suspected at purchase, but she wants me to use the same clock as her.

What’s the meaning? To improve my taste? I can’t figure it out, saying, “I’ll… use it properly…”

Satisfied, she says, “Yup… ehehe, next place?” and walks off, carefully tucking the red clock in her bag, raising my heart rate.

After visiting stores, it’s evening, the sun dipping. Time to head back, I think, when she turns, looking down.

“Hey, Sato-kun, there’s one last place… it’s a bit of a walk, okay?”

Her expression seems tense. I’m nervous but have no reason to refuse, nodding slightly.

Following her from the station, we walk ten minutes to a residential area with few people. She’s silent, her face thoughtful. I can’t speak, just matching her pace.

“Here. Come with?”

We reach a large park. Cherry blossoms, though fading, linger, and nature abounds. A small hill, three stories high, stands in the back.

“I’ve been here a few times, thought it’s nice. It’s quiet this time of day.”

She leads me up the hill. The stairs are well-kept, so we reach the top quickly—a peaceful spot away from noise.

“Not a stunning view, but pretty nice, right?”

Trees below, cherry blossoms lit by the setting sun, and house lights create a great atmosphere.

It’s beautiful, I think, when she gestures to a bench. I sit, and she asks, “Can I sit here?”

Her fuwari scent startles me. Taking my silence as yes, she sits close but with a gap.

“Sato-kun, thanks so much for today. For going along with my selfish request.”

I shake my head vigorously.

“No way… I’m the one who should thank you, for hanging out with me…”

“Fufu, thanks,” she smiles, stirring my heart again. She’s kind, treats me as an equal, a true beauty—an ideal I never met in reality. And I’m not just talking, but hanging out with her.

I should be satisfied. Wanting more isn’t my place, yet I can’t help wanting to be closer, even beyond friends. I must suppress that.

As I think, she speaks.

“…Hey, Sato-kun.”

Her clear, big eyes lock onto mine, my heart racing wildly.

The stirring atmosphere grows stronger with her next words.

“What… do you think of me…?”

It’s beyond stirring—it’s a heart-pounding, limit-breaking question.