A Man Who Lost Confidence, to a Gentle Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 32: A Quiet Girl, A New Approach

Chapter 32: A Quiet Girl, A New Approach

After parting with Asagi-san, I return home, my steps feeling floaty. It was just one night, but it feels like I’ve been gone forever. Coming home in the morning is something I thought I’d never experience, like I’m still in a dream.

“Shun-kun, welcome back. Did you get along well with Asagi-chan?”

Mom, sitting on the living room sofa, seems lost in thought. But seeing me, she smiles with kind eyes.

“…Yeah, it’s fine. Asagi-san was really kind.”

I’m not sure if that’s the right response, but Mom’s relieved expression reassures me. Still, when she says, “Kind, huh… Fufu, I thought that girl would be fine, but that’s great,” I don’t know what face to make.

Maybe to avoid that doubt, I decide to ask a question lingering in my heart.

“…Mom, um, I became lovers with Asagi-san… it’s really exciting, but she said it’s okay if I date other girls too. Is that… okay?”

As a mother, she might scold my indecision, but I need to ask.

Mom answers my question.

“…Fufu, if she says that, I think it’s fine. It’s up to your feelings, Shun-kun, and I don’t have anything to say about it. Besides, though it’s not common, polygamy is accepted in this world.”

She looks away briefly, thinks, then continues.

“Lying or hiding things is no good. But if you like a girl, you should get closer to her. You’re kind, Shun-kun, so you might worry about being with multiple girls at once… but if your feelings change, follow them.”

Her kind words don’t judge me. But I lack the confidence to believe that, even if Asagi-san likes me, other girls would too—it’s unimaginable.

“…Hey, Shun-kun? I’m not sure if it’s proof, but… after you said you were staying out, Yuki was a bit shaken. She said, ‘I need to step up too.’”

Her words shake my reason. Yuki and Mom probably mean bonding as family, but my base self thinks of sexual relationships.

Yuki is cute. A bit childish, but idol-level at school, and she adores me as her brother. That should be enough.

“And a love hotel, huh… I know of them, but I’ve never been. Fufu, I’m a bit jealous of Asagi-chan.”

Mom’s beautiful too. In my old world, her saying this might feel off, but her mature charm makes it thrilling.

Yuki and Mom overestimate me. I don’t have that kind of appeal or worth.

“Fufu… you still look unsure. A bit more confidence might suit you, Shun-kun. If you need to talk, I’m here.”

Smiling, Mom starts preparing breakfast. As Yuki joins us in the living room, morning family time begins. Yuki doesn’t ask about yesterday but greets me properly.

Though anxious, I can’t bring myself to report anything, and breakfast passes. Hating my lack of initiative and honesty, I head to my room.

“Shun-nii! Was yesterday… fun?”

But Yuki calls out to me in the upstairs hallway, looking up slightly, asking a tough question.

I’m not sure if it’s the right answer, but I can’t dodge it.

“U-Um, yeah… Asagi-san was kind…”

My cowardly words skirt the sex. But Yuki smirks slightly.

“Asagi-san, huh… I see.”

She catches my use of her name. I was careless, but she says, “Fufu, Shun-nii, let’s go out together next time, okay?” with a cute voice and cheerful expression.

As she heads to her room, I wonder how much she understands. I can’t ask, but if I can be a good partner, I want to fulfill her request.

That day, I stay in my room. Exhausted from the night, I lie on my bed, fiddling with my phone.

I’m also looking into condoms and pills, noticing differences from my old world.

Pills are used for contraception, mostly by teens like us who are anxious about having kids. They’re also used to ease heavy periods, which seems the main purpose.

Condoms exist but are becoming relics since pills suffice. STD research has advanced, with vaccines given at birth, so STDs aren’t a concern.

The world encourages having kids without worry. There’s even generous support for high schoolers.

“…This world’s wild.”

Muttering, I stare at the ceiling. Male decline, passivity, and low birthrates have shifted values.

That’s why the women around me make sexual advances. I can barely resist their alluring actions.

I need to understand their feelings for me. I’m bad at communication, but I’m starting to see I can’t avoid it.

With vague resolve, I fall asleep, ending the day. Waking up, I head to school, where my lover awaits.

“Hey, Sato-kun! Is it okay if you eat with Maki today? I’ve got plans… okay?”

Asagi-san, seeming normal in class, says this at lunch break. It’s the first time she’s said this, surprising me. I worry she’s tired of me after our night, feeling quite anxious.

But she doesn’t seem to dislike me. After whispering to Yamamoto-san, making her blush, Asagi-san leaves the classroom.

Then, the busty beauty Yamamoto-san slowly approaches me.

“U-Um, S-Sato-kun… w-would you like to eat lunch together?”

Though we’ve eaten together before, she seems nervous. Confused but agreeing, I go with her to the rooftop to eat.

“Sato-kun, nice weather, huh?”

“U-Um, yeah.”

Our trivial but important exchange echoes on the empty rooftop. The long stairs might keep others away, or maybe my presence is why. It doesn’t quite add up.

“…Want something to eat today?”

As I ponder, Yamamoto-san offers, holding her chopsticks ready. I’m grateful but feel guilty for always taking from her lunch.

“…Yamamoto-san, it’s always delicious, and I’m thankful… but I feel bad always taking, um…”

She looks sad for a moment. Realizing she might think I dislike it, I quickly add, “Ah, not that I mind, really, I just thought it’s unfair…”

“It’s not unfair… you always eat my food… uuu.”

She murmurs, seeming relieved, and I relax a bit. Hating my poor word choice, I notice she’s thought of something.

“…T-Then! Um, as thanks, maybe I could take something… that’d be fair, right…?”

It makes sense. I should’ve realized. I take a piece of fried chicken from Mom’s bento to offer her.

But she stops me, “Ah, um, Sato-kun, if it’s okay…”

“…Like at the food court before… c-could you feed me… is that okay…?”

A sweet gesture from a beautiful girl, her slightly droopy eyes anxiously on me. She’s undeniably cute, and I can’t refuse.

“…If you’re okay with it, Yamamoto-san…”

Resolving myself, I bring the chicken to her mouth with chopsticks.

She chews, looking nervous.

“…I-It’s delicious…!”

Her full lips, slightly glossy with oil, are captivating. I use the same chopsticks, heart pounding.

After eating, it’s usually time for our trio to chat. But talking one-on-one with Yamamoto-san is rare, and I’m unsure how to start.

“Sato-kun, um, you and Asagi… you’re lovers now, right?”

Her words make my heart leap. Did Asagi-san tell her directly? My mind races.

If so, why leave me with another girl? As lovers, it seems unthinkable. Maybe her values are more open than I thought.

“…Yesterday, Asagi called me and said, ‘I’m dating Sato-kun now.’”

Yamamoto-san starts explaining.

“She was worried about me, saying, ‘I’m sorry for getting ahead and being close with Sato-kun.’ I wasn’t mad at all, but she was so considerate.”

Her words flow, but I’m struggling to keep up. What does “getting ahead” mean? A question mark floats above my head.

“Then Asagi said, ‘Why don’t you ask Sato-kun out, Maki? Don’t worry about me.’ I hesitated, but I want to be friends with you, get closer… so I took her words to heart… um…”

She looks at me directly. Her usually sleepy eyes seem wider, making my heart race.

“S-Sato-kun, would you get mad if I asked to go out, just us two…? If you don’t like someone like me, please tell me honestly…!”

Her intense yet unconfident gaze is an appealing offer to me.

But I shouldn’t jump at it. Having just become Asagi-san’s lover, promising another girl feels scummy in my old world.

“I’d never get mad… I’m really happy to be invited by you, Yamamoto-san…”

In the end, I decide to tell Yamamoto-san my honest feelings.

“But, um, going out with another girl, especially my girlfriend’s friend… I feel like I’d be letting both Asagi-san and you down…”

Normally, I’d be a sleazy guy stringing along girls. I can’t imagine what they think of this, so I can only ask directly.

Yamamoto-san answers my question earnestly.

“…Sato-kun, you don’t need to feel bad about me. I’m the one trying to butt in between you and Asagi… compared to her, my figure and face aren’t even that great.”

I’d never think her figure or face isn’t great. But I’m not bold enough to say that about her voluptuous body.

“Besides, Asagi said, ‘I don’t think Sato-kun dislikes you, Maki, so if you both want to, you should spend time together.’”

My values are being stirred up and overwritten completely.

“…Asagi’s kind, and you’re kind too, Sato-kun, so if it’s okay, I want to take advantage of those feelings… sorry for being selfish… is that okay…?”

With that said, there’s no reason to refuse. I’ll need to tell Asagi-san later, but for now, I accept Yamamoto-san’s invitation. She suggests watching a movie together this Friday.

As I agree, the afternoon bell rings. How am I getting dates with such cute girls? My feet don’t feel grounded.

That night, after dinner in my room, I get a message from Asagi-san.

“Can I call you now?”

My heart skips. I haven’t told her about Yamamoto-san yet, wondering if I should wait until morning.

I reply with a sticker, and the screen switches to an incoming call.

“Hey, sorry for the sudden call. Did you make plans with Maki today?”

She doesn’t sound angry, just genuinely curious. Hesitantly, I report.

“Yeah… we’re going to see a movie this Friday…”

“Good! I was worried you’d hold back because of me…”

Of course I’m worried. I need to confirm with her.

“Asagi-san, you’re not… mad or anything, right…?”

“Of course not! I suggested it, so I want you both to have fun and get closer!”

She’s genuinely encouraging us. If so, I should enjoy it as she wishes.

“Yeah, I just wanted to check. Thanks! See you tomorrow!”

She hangs up, leaving me to think about how to act on Friday.

The next morning, I tell Mom and Yuki. They both want early updates but don’t judge me.

“Fufu, I’ll say it again, but live how you want, Shun-kun.”

“I see… Shun-nii. I’m next, okay? Next for sure.”

Yuki sounds a bit demanding. I don’t think she’s angry, but I’m not skilled enough with women to read her intent.

On Friday, the day of the promise, I go through school as usual, but my heart’s restless. It’s my first time at a movie theater with someone, and I don’t know how to enjoy it.

Yamamoto-san glances at me but doesn’t talk. At lunch, Asagi-san does most of the talking, so I can’t read Yamamoto-san’s feelings.

After school, Asagi-san leaves for club activities but whispers to me first.

“See you next week! And… let me know how it goes later, okay?”

She leaves cheerfully, but my tension only grows. At the edge of my vision, I see Yamamoto-san approaching.

The movie theater is at the next station, so we take the train. On the way, she tells me about the movie.

“…It’s an anime, but it’s the one I want to see… is that okay…?”

It’s a newly released feature-length animation, a romance of all things. Surprised that romance exists in this world, my tension rises.

A romance movie with a girl—I never imagined this. Invited by a woman other than Mom, especially such an attractive one. Feeling a bit sentimental, we reach the theater.

“Since I invited you, I’ll pay…”

At the ticket counter, Yamamoto-san reaches for her wallet. I hurriedly insist on paying for myself, pulling out cash a bit forcefully.

I recall doing this with Asagi-san too.

“N-No, it’s fine… uuu, sorry…”

She looks apologetic again. Why does everyone try to stop me from paying? We get consecutive seats in the back, ensuring we sit together.

I grip the tickets tightly as we enter. The theater is mostly women, not too crowded, so I get fewer stares. But no other men take seats until the end.

The movie’s a girl-meets-boy story: an ordinary high school girl befriends a boy her age at a park, and after twists, they end up together.

I’m impressed by the visuals and relieved by the happy ending. I’ve always hated bad endings—they make me feel sick—so I’m grateful for this.

Both leads were voiced by women, but it didn’t feel odd. With the gender ratio, most casts being female makes sense.

I got so absorbed, I forgot to worry about Yamamoto-san. Fears of our hands touching were baseless.

As the credits near their end, I glance at her.

“…Fugu… it was good… both of them…!”

Yamamoto-san’s sobbing so hard she can’t keep up with wiping her tears. I only notice now.