A Man Who Lost Confidence, to a Gentle Chastity-Reversed World

Chapter 48: Lover’s Date, Sudden Three-Way Meeting

The sixth day of the holiday dawns with a slightly cloudy sky. No rain, but little sunshine, as yesterday’s forecast confirmed.

It’s also my date with Asagi-san. She mentioned wanting to buy something together at the mall we visited before, though she didn’t specify what. Indoors, weather’s no issue.

So, enjoying shopping should come first. Yet my mind feels detached, spinning with anxieties. Will I disappoint Asagi-san? Will she tire of me? These thoughts swirl, just like last night.

It’s not just about confessing my feelings; I always fear being abandoned as a boring man. I want to make them happy, but I’m unsure if my efforts will please them.

“…I haven’t changed at all.”

I mutter to myself. I’m still a weak, selfish person, not kind.

But yesterday, I decided to open up to Asagi-san and Yamamoto-san, letting them know me. That includes my flaws—it’s my courtesy to them for loving someone like me, I conclude.

With this small but significant resolve, I join my family for breakfast, chatting with Mom and Yuki.

Yuki brightly says, “Shun-nii, tomorrow you’re home with me, okay?” Mom watches warmly. As I leave, Yuki sees me off at the door, asking for a light hug.

With an affectionate face, arms spread, I can’t resist and hug her small frame. Hugging another girl before meeting my lover, even my sister, might be improper. But my guilt over making Yuki restrain herself makes me want to accept her other requests.

“…Thanks. Have fun!”

Yuki smiles, seeing me off. Vowing to spend tomorrow with her as promised, I head to the station.

The meeting is at 11 a.m. in front of the station, but I arrive over 30 minutes early, thinking Asagi-san always beats me, even during our group outings, so I don’t want to keep her waiting.

“Shun-kun! Morning!”

Despite my effort, she’s already there. My lover, laughing “ehehe,” always stays one step ahead, in actions and emotions.

Wearing the light blue dress we bought together, she greets me with a radiant smile. I manage, “M-Morning,” but I’m captivated, and she continues cheerfully.

“Fufun, this dress is my favorite because you liked it.”

Twirling, Asagi-san is nothing but a lovely girl, too cute to handle. She wore it on our last date, so maybe she really loves it, I think, almost arrogantly.

“…It really suits you… I think it’s cute…”

My words are painfully simple. I might’ve said the same last time, and my limited vocabulary worries me, but she replies, “Ehehe… thanks, Shun-kun.”

“Okay, let’s go!”

Snapping out of my daze, I follow her through the gate. Our first one-on-one date as lovers starts, propelled by her initiative.

On the train, we sit side by side, our arms brushing occasionally but not clinging.

Even that makes me nervous, yet at the mall’s station, she says, “Ei!” and hugs my arm. My heart races, her sweet, girlish scent tickling my nose.

“…Is this okay?”

Her upturned, cute gaze makes refusing impossible.

Heart pounding, I walk to the mall. It’s moderately crowded, but I feel many eyes on us. In this world, a close couple like us must be rare.

“Hmm, where to go?”

Amid this, I can’t help noticing the soft feel of her breasts against my arm. I know it’s wrong to get aroused now, but the more I think, the more her dress and bra’s softness registers.

Despite seeing her breasts bare before, this situation weakens me.

Fearing she’ll notice my erection, I try to suppress it when Asagi-san stops at the arcade.

“Shun-kun, I want to take these together… maybe.”

She points to the photo booth, a completely foreign world to me.

Naturally, I know little about these machines. In my old world, guys couldn’t enter alone, and I had no male friends to mess around with. So, I leave it all to Asagi-san.

“I come here with friends, but… you’re my first guy, Shun-kun.”

Her saying I’m her first sparks a small joy. No other guy has taken photos with her here, giving me a slight sense of security.

Even this reveals my petty jealousy. Yet Asagi-san smiles, her trust in me clear as she sets up the frame.

“…This okay?”

She presses close, our cheeks nearly touching as I crouch slightly. Her smooth skin and plump lips draw my side glances—I really love her.

“Look at the camera!” the machine calls, and I face forward.

At that moment, a soft sensation brushes my cheek. Asagi-san moves closer, our cheeks touching.

Her scent and warmth overwhelm me. The curtain hides us, but it’s still embarrassing.

This is something lovey-dovey couples do, not fitting for a guy like me. Amid these mixed feelings, the shoot ends.

“…Sorry, I just wanted to be close.”

Turning to me, she apologizes cutely. I want to hug her—she’s too adorable—but it’s not something I can initiate, lacking the courage.

“It’s okay,” I say, as the screen shows our photo. My pathetic face is expected, no big deal.

But Asagi-san, blushing deeply, stands out. “Ah, l-let’s print it!” she says, embarrassed, hitting the button to proceed.

“…I’m that red…”

Her soft murmur makes my heart skip.

“If you treasure it, I’d be happy,” she says, handing me the photo before leading me out of the arcade. Her pull on my arm feels stronger but never forceful.

Afterward, we visit various shops, her arm around mine, enjoying our talks. When she takes a bite of my soft-serve ice cream, I’m a bit flustered.

Honestly, I’m having fun. Dating a cute girl like Asagi-san makes me lucky by any measure. Yet I should do better, but I remain floaty.

Is she enjoying this? Anxiety creeps in as she stops.

“This is where I really wanted to come.”

She points to a home goods store.

“…I said I wanted to buy something together, right? It might not seem like much…”

Her wanting to buy something together is happiness itself, but I can’t say it. We head to the back, where dishes line the shelves.

In front of various mugs, she speaks.

“The paired clock we bought is by my bedside… but since we’re lovers, I wanted more matching things with you, Shun-kun. So, I thought, maybe paired mugs?”

She explains the store’s good mug selection, then continues shyly.

“…With mugs, when I drink, I can think I’m using the same as you… with my lips. I know it’s weird, but… if you don’t mind.”

Her reason, said with a downcast gaze, is devastatingly cute. I try to discard the near-erotic feelings it stirs.

“…It’s not weird. Thinking I’m using the same as you when I drink… I’d be happy…”

I regret my cheesy line. It suits her, but from me, it might be creepy.

Yet she murmurs, “…You say things like that…” and gives a shy smile. In the awkward air, we pick matching mugs with slightly different patterns, then buy them.

She tries to pay fully, but I insist on splitting it. I should’ve paid entirely, though.

“You’re right, sharing the cost feels… more couple-like. Sorry, Shun-kun.”

Her heart-fluttering words make her tuck the blue mug into her bag.

Her words always fluster me. Being beside her, hearing this, feels like a miracle.

So I carefully pack my mug, ensuring it won’t break, and walk with her.

“And then, about after this.”

It’s before 3 p.m., with time for more shopping, but she leads me to the exit. I sense a move elsewhere, but she seems hesitant.

“…Um, at my house…”

Her house alone makes me think erotic thoughts. I know it’s wrong, but I imagine her bed, her naked body.

Her words, however, go elsewhere.

“…I want you to meet my mom… is that okay…?”

I freeze, and she explains. She told her mom about me, her lover, and about Yamamoto-san, my other girlfriend. Her mom wants to talk to me.

“My mom’s busy with work, late on weekdays… so she asked if I could bring you this afternoon. Only if you can, and you don’t have to force yourself.”

It feels like a mandatory event. The classic “break up with my daughter” scenario.

I’m terrified, but I can’t escape. I’ll just say I cherish Asagi-san and my honest thoughts. If her mom rejects my looks, I’m helpless.

“…It’s okay, I’ll talk properly.”

This must be how it feels to ask for marriage permission, a feeling I never expected. I choose to face her mother.

“…Thanks, Shun-kun,” she says, looking happy yet nervous.

“I’m home!”

“E-Excuse me…”

An hour later, we reach Asagi-san’s house and head to the living room. My hands and feet probably move together; my face must be pale.

Someone is definitely in the living room.

“Oh, you’re back. Welcome home.”

A tall woman seated on the sofa responds brightly. Seeing me, she murmurs, “So, you’re Sato-kun,” sounding slightly pleased.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Asagi’s mom, Kurumi Sasai. Feel free to call me Kurumi.”

I stammer, “N-Nice to meet you, I’m Shun Sato… th-thank you for having me…” utterly tense. Kurumi-san laughs, “Fufufu, no need to be so formal. Relax?” and gestures us to the table.

Sitting across, she looks at me and asks.

“Sorry for calling you suddenly… but I had a lot of questions. Is it okay to ask?”

Her model-like figure and confident air are softened by her gentle tone, reassuring me. There’s no pressure.

“Y-Yes,” I answer, voice high-pitched. She continues.

“…First, you’re dating Asagi, right? She’s not dragging you around forcefully, is she?”

Asagi-san, beside me, looks worried. There’s no perfect answer, so I respond honestly.

“…Asagi-san and I are lovers. There’s no force at all.”

My tension spills out, and I’m as pathetic as ever.

Kurumi-san says, “Hmm…” grinning slightly, her large eyes—like Asagi-san’s—seeming to see through me. I have no intention of lying, though.

“…I’ve known Maki-chan from the Yamamoto family since middle school. You like her too, right?”

Processing her question slowly, I answer.

“…Yes, I like her too… she’s my lover as well…”

My answer might seem outrageous, but Kurumi-san murmurs, “I see,” sounding amused, and presses further.

“And you three are close enough to go to a love hotel together and do naughty things. That’s the deal, right?”

She keeps smiling. They say smiling people are scarier, and it’s true. I answer, unable to hide anything from my lover’s mother.

“…They’re both attractive girls… I, um, can’t resist naughty things…”

Glancing at Asagi-san, her face is bright red. Admitting she’s had sex in front of her mom must be mortifying.

Kurumi-san mutters, “…That’s usually a woman’s line,” her gaze sharpening slightly. As tension grips me, she speaks again.

“One last thing… how much do you like Asagi and Maki-chan?”

I don’t know if I can say it well; I’ll probably sound incoherent. I never imagined confessing my feelings for both like this.

Still, hesitating or dodging would disappoint them. I force the words out from my heart.

“…How much I like them… honestly, I can’t put it into words, I love them both so much… there’s no difference, and, I’m sorry.”

I bow to Kurumi-san, apologizing for not saying her daughter is my only love.

“But… I want to cherish them both. I know it’s selfish, but I want to make Asagi-san happy too… um…”

It’s grandiose, and I lack confidence to achieve it. But I genuinely feel this way.

“…So, I don’t want to break up. I know I shouldn’t say that, but…”

My possessiveness peeks out, alongside my insecurity.

“…Maybe I gave the wrong impression. I don’t want you to break up with Asagi at all.”

Kurumi-san looks at me softly, no hint of wanting to drive me away, and continues.

“I thought maybe Asagi was pushing you too hard. She can be intense sometimes. But talking to you, you’re so humble, and I can tell you really love her.”

I’m grateful my feelings came through, but her praise feels excessive.

“And of course, it’s fine to be close with Maki-chan too. Breaking up lovers who care for each other is absolutely wrong.”

Sighing slightly, she adds.

“…But I’m a bit jealous of Asagi. I’ve done similar things before, but no guy ever said this to me.”

I recall Asagi-san mentioning her mom wanting to cuddle. Maybe she had Asagi through a non-romantic marriage.

“Fufu, my story doesn’t matter. You two spend time together now. I’ll be out for about two hours.”

Kurumi-san stands to leave the living room.

But she turns back, saying, “Sato-kun, you’re a naughty boy but lack confidence… so I’ll tell you how much Asagi likes you,” dropping a bombshell.

“Lately, Asagi’s been calling your name constantly in her room. Loud enough for me to hear in mine… I can guess what she’s doing. See you!”

With that revelation, she leaves. Left behind are me, stunned by the sudden turn, and Asagi-san, trembling with a red face.

“…Mom… you heard…!”

Asagi-san groans toward the empty room, a hint of anger in her voice. When I mumble, “Uh… Asagi-san,” she turns to me, startled.