A Man Who Lost Confidence, to a Gentle Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 47: Cherry Blossom Viewing, a Place for Encounters

Chapter 47: Cherry Blossom Viewing, a Place for Encounters

T/N: Kekw, I removed the japanese SFX that accompanied the english one now, sorry it took so long, it was a bit distracting indeed.

On the fifth day of the holiday, I wake early and look out the window. The cloudless blue sky, with the sun rising, is perfect for outdoor activities—ideal for cherry blossom viewing.

It’s early May, but cherry blossoms linger here, likely why the event is planned. This difference from my old world strikes me.

Honestly, I’m more anxious than excited. At parties, while others enjoy, I can only nibble edamame alone, making big events feel like hell.

Can I, surrounded by mostly girls, last through this? Feeling dread, I start changing slowly.

Around 8 a.m., my family of three eats breakfast. Yukari-san, our maid, is on vacation this holiday, so I haven’t seen her. Confirming Mom’s words about her will wait, but I still don’t know what to do then.

“Today’s a club picnic, right? I hope you get along.”

Mom’s words are kind but a tough challenge. If there are new freshmen or seniors I haven’t met, can I talk properly?

I’ve heard the literature club has five third-years, including Shina-senpai and Ishikawa-senpai, and three second-years, including Asai-senpai. But I don’t know how many are coming today or how many freshmen there are.

“Get along, Shun-nii, but… if someone seems bad, escape, okay?”

Yuki warns me like a parent to a young girl. I understand her kindness, but it feels odd.

“Fufu, that’s important, but… if it’s safe, try making a new place for yourself.”

Mom’s words resonate. I crave a place to belong, longing to be wanted there.

My family, Asagi-san, and Yamamoto-san’s sides are precious for accepting me.

I’d love if the literature club were another, but I’m not confident seniors will accept me. Today’s event might judge that, making me slightly anxious.

“Good morning, Sato-kun…”

Meeting Yamamoto-san at a junction, her voice is softer, awkward. It’s surely due to the selfie from four days ago.

Truthfully, two nights ago, I masturbated to that photo. Feeling a pointless conquest as the one who touched those breasts, I came massively.

I’d fantasized about her breasts before, but the photo brought an unmatched volume. Facing her two days later, I couldn’t resist.

Yesterday, I used Asagi-san’s photo. I’m just a lust-driven ape who loves masturbating. Even now, I sneak glances at Yamamoto-san’s huge breasts asserting through her T-shirt.

“Um, Sato-kun… about the photo I sent…”

Whether aware of my gaze or not, she looks resolved, asking.

“Did you… use it? Can you tell me…?”

Her direct question rattles me, but I decide to be honest. Lying would hurt her confidence, I feel. It’s presumptuous, but still.

“Yeah, two nights ago, I… did it looking at the photo…”

Her face flushes red instantly. It’s a wild situation, but she looks up, saying, “…Th-Thanks…” briefly.

“Honestly… I wondered if my photo was okay, compared to Asagi’s… but knowing you used it makes me so happy.”

She says this, but with her nearby and sending photos, any guy not using them would be rare. But that’s my old world. Here, guys openly showing lust is uncommon, I’m starting to realize.

“No, I mean… I’m the one getting all the good stuff… if you have any requests, tell me.”

I can’t keep up with her thrill at being my material. I need to do something, or she’ll bear too much burden.

“Eh, no, it’s fine… but… a request, huh… if you say that… ugh…”

She starts denying but then considers something.

“…If I think of something, I might say it… but it’s okay if you refuse…”

Her hesitant words make me slightly happy, likely feeding my pride that she wants something from me.

That just proves how small a man I am.

On the opposite side of the station lies the forest park, our venue. As we look around for the seniors, a bright voice reaches us.

“Sato-kun! Over here!”

Petite Asai-senpai waves. Joining them, besides the three familiar seniors, there’s an unfamiliar girl.

Her neatly trimmed black hair shines, sharp eyes fixed on us. Her small but bold red lips and glossy skin mark her as a stunning beauty.

She feels like the leader of a vibrant classroom girl group, planning outings. That’s my impression.

I’m terrible with such high-caste girls. They’re better, enjoying life more, intimidating me. I even hold a bias they mock guys like me behind my back.

Far from bonding, what if I’m bullied? Anxiety grips me, but the girl looks surprised seeing me.

“…Eh, a-a boy…!”

She steps back, averting her eyes. It seems like disgust, but maybe not. She looks like a bold girl around guys, yet now she shows something like fear of the unknown.

“…Oh, right, you haven’t met Sato-kun. This is Akane Kizaki, a freshman. Get along, okay?”

Asai-senpai helps my trembling self. I cautiously greet her.

“Um… I’m Shun Sato, freshman. Nice to meet you…”

Kizaki-san, still hesitant, replies, “Y-Yeah… nice to meet you…”

Relieved I’m not instantly hated, I notice her sneaking glances, looking anxious.

The park has dozens of cherry trees, some groups already drinking beneath them. The seniors pick a spot, spreading large sheets.

Ishikawa-senpai pulls out a big package, placing it in the center. As seniors and freshmen sit three-on-three, it’s opened, revealing a lavish bento box.

When the lid lifts, Yamamoto-san beside me murmurs, “So amazing…”

It’s like a store-bought hors d’oeuvre, from classic sandwiches to time-intensive fried foods.

“Fufu, letting Akiyo handle the food was right. She’s quite skilled.”

At Shina-senpai’s words, Ishikawa-senpai says, “…Tried my best,” eating a piece of karaage. Even with her own cooking, she’s so laid-back.

After seniors pour juice into paper cups, Shina-senpai gives a brief greeting. She mentions five new members this year, two prioritizing other clubs.

“And second and third-years, many in sports clubs, so just us three came.”

Shina-senpai says it self-mockingly, but as a sports club alum, she doesn’t seem angry. Practices likely take priority.

“Anyway, let’s keep it casual today, as usual.”

Shina-senpai calls, “Cheers,” starting the combined cherry blossom viewing and welcome party. Yamamoto-san’s on my left, Kizaki-san on my right, Shina-senpai in front. Grateful for the small group, I can’t start a conversation, so I try a sandwich.

“…Oh, delicious.”

I blurt out. A simple egg sandwich, yet its sweet-sour balance is comforting.

Ishikawa-senpai hears, giving a thumbs-up. I nod back, and she resumes eating.

So laid-back, I think, sipping juice. At the same time, Asai-senpai asks Kizaki-san across from her.

“Hey, Akane-chan! How’s your class lately?”

“Well… I’m making friends with the girls…”

Kizaki-san speaks slowly, seeming gentle. Maybe it’s because she’s with seniors, but my initial image doesn’t fit.

Asai-senpai tilts her head, puzzled.

“Akane-chan, you were chatty at the clubroom… are you nervous?”

To her question, Kizaki-san replies, “Th-That’s… not… ugh,” blushing.

She looks tense, making me wonder what’s wrong.

Then, Kizaki-san forces out words.

“…I got nervous thinking a boy’s watching beside me… sorry…”

I’m the cause? But why apologize? My thoughts tangle, leaving me silent, head down. Shina-senpai steps in for her.

“Kizaki-san said her middle school had very few boys… and it’s only been a month here, so it’s natural she’s not used to it.”

In this world, some girls might feel this way. I don’t know how Kizaki-san acts in class, but having a boy beside her outside might be new.

“Ugh… the more I try to act normal, the more I notice… I made it awkward, didn’t I…?”

All four others’ eyes focus on her. I don’t know if I should speak or not. What can I do?

Yamamoto-san, beside me, breaks my spiraling thoughts.

“Um, Kizaki-san… with Sato-kun, you don’t need to be so nervous. He listens kindly to me, considers my feelings… even if other guys are hard to talk to, I think Sato-kun’s okay…”

Grateful for her unexpected support, I feel awkward that my lover is pitching my good points to another girl. I’m not that great.

“Yeah, I think so too. He’s got a different vibe from other guys.”

“Yup! Sato-kun feels more relaxed than other boys!”

“…”

Shina-senpai and Asai-senpai praise me too, with Ishikawa-senpai nodding silently. What’s happening? It’s too much for a prank, but if genuine, it’s overblown.

“Uh, um…”

Kizaki-san finally meets my eyes.

Her sharp gaze startles me. In my old world, she’d be intimidating, but she’s far from overbearing—just a cute girl.

I don’t know why this is happening or what to say, so I wait for her words. It’s too passive, but meeting her gaze is my limit.

“U-Um… w-would you, maybe, be friends with me… or, like, talk to me… I’d be grateful…”

Kizaki-san’s nervousness is palpable, almost like me with girls, though it’s rude to think so.

Her earnest plea doesn’t feel like a prank. In my old world, I’d assume it’s a penalty game, but there’s no hint of that here.

“Yeah… nice to meet you too.”

I accept her request politely. Refusing is unthinkable; it’d feel like a sin.

“R-Really…! Thank you… I’m so happy…”

Her words create a warm atmosphere. Amid it, Ishikawa-senpai alone pops a sausage into her mouth.

Following this, I exchange contact info with Kizaki-san. Then, at Asai-senpai’s “Us too!” we exchange with all three seniors.

Yamamoto-san, who’d talked with Kizaki-san in the clubroom before, already had her contact. I wish she’d told me Kizaki-san was coming, but that’s probably just me being needy.

“By the way… Maki-chan, you seem really close with Sato-kun? Defending him like that.”

As exchanges wrap up, Asai-senpai asks Yamamoto-san, grinning with curiosity, not malice.

“…Uh, well, that’s… we’re classmates…”

Blushing slightly, Yamamoto-san calls me a classmate, dodging our relationship. Is she embarrassed, or is there another reason?

Either way, if she says that, I lack the courage to say more. A man should be bold, but I feel deflated.

Luckily, Asai-senpai’s interest fades. “Got it,” she says, turning to rummage through a cooler, searching for her frozen strawberries in her thin floral dress, hips facing us.

Her petite frame has a surprisingly large butt, and I wonder if her panties show through if I squint—my perverse thoughts take over.

Feeling Yamamoto-san’s gaze, I turn to her, worried she caught me staring at Asai-senpai’s butt, angering my lover.

But she says, “Ah, sorry, Sato-kun,” apologizing instead, seeming convinced of something, not angry.

The small group and delicious food, gone quickly, end the gathering in about two hours. Thanks to the seniors’ consideration and Yamamoto-san’s support, I managed to talk despite my nerves.

Their enjoyment of my words makes me happy. Even my mundane stories get reactions from Asai-senpai and others, something impossible in my old world.

Maybe this could be my place. Thinking so, we part with the seniors and Kizaki-san at the park entrance. Shina-senpai bows, saying, “Thanks for today,” making me feel awkward.

At parting, Kizaki-san nervously asks if messaging me would bother me. When I say, “N-No, it’s fine,” she looks thrilled.

“Um, Yamamoto-san… earlier, when you helped with Kizaki-san… I was happy you praised me, but why…?”

On the walk home, nearing my house, I voice my lingering question about her assisting me with Kizaki-san.

She says, “Ah, well,” pausing, then explains carefully.

“…I met Kizaki-san before and knew she’s shy with guys. I vaguely wanted to help her… and in that moment, it came out. Sorry if it bothered you, Sato-kun.”

She bows, but I’m not blaming her—I’m grateful.

“…No, it wasn’t a bother at all… I thought you’re really kind… and you overestimate me…”

She quietly exclaims, “That’s not true,” praising me again.

“You’re way kinder than me, Sato-kun… and I, um, like that you say that…”

Her softer words hit my heart. A girl like her likes me, yet today, I couldn’t control my lustful gazes.

She anticipates this too.

“And… today, were you looking at Asai-senpai’s butt…? I thought, you’re interested in girls… but, um, I’m not mad, okay…?”

She excuses what I should apologize for, then adds.

“But… I like the naughty Sato-kun… so, three days from now… please take care of me…!”

I nod, “…Yeah.” She bows again, quickly turns, and runs down her path.

I had more to ask, but lately, our walks home end like this. I let out a small smile.

When was the last time I smiled unconsciously? I look forward to seeing her, craving her touch, feeling possessive.

That night, staring at the ceiling from my bed, I think.

I want to monopolize them both. Seeing Yuki, Yukari-san, and others restrain themselves for me, I still push my desire to be loved.

If a charming guy liked Asagi-san and Yamamoto-san, I’d go mad with jealousy. I claim to want their happiness, but I just want to be with them.

Embracing this luxury, I’m an ugly, greedy man. My insecurity fuels jealousy of other men.

I don’t deserve to be their lover, sinking into this thought.

But as I waver, my eyes catch the clock on my desk, bought with Asagi-san during a date.

She wanted to share that clock, to mark time with me, however grand it sounds.

She’s said she loves me countless times.

Yamamoto-san, too, seemed happy spending time with me, before and after becoming lovers, always looking at me. It’s presumptuous, but I can’t dismiss her feelings.

I want to tell them the dark depths of my heart. They might be disappointed by my possessive greed, but I don’t want to lie to them—it feels wrong.

Tomorrow with Asagi-san, and three days later with Yamamoto-san, I have chances I never would’ve had before.

With a small resolve to face them both, I drift into sleep.