#27: With the Beautiful Teacher Too

On a day when club activities were canceled, I waited alone in the Literature Club room after school, just as promised. Kyouko showed up by herself.

She was out of breath—she must have rushed.

“Huff… huff… Sorry for keeping you waiting! Another teacher cornered me. I wanted to see you so badly, but that perverted old geezer held me up!”

“Are you okay, Kyouko?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. So what did you want to talk about?”

“Well… I’d prefer to go somewhere outside school, if that’s okay.”

“Sure, let me grab my car and we can meet up somewhere.”

“Thank you.”

We met up fifteen minutes later and left school. When Kyouko pulled up in her car at the meeting spot, we drove around while talking.

After driving for a while, she started turning into a love hotel parking lot, so I grabbed her and said, “Whoa, hold up, you indecent pig! I’ll report this for statutory rape!” I was joking, but I stopped her anyway.

Kyouko gave up grudgingly, but there was a hint of amusement in her expression. Apparently, it was her way of loosening me up before the serious conversation—her own brand of teasing.

“Man, you really show your age with tricks like that, you troublemaker kitten. Geez,” I said.

“Don’t bring up my age!”

“What are you talking about? That’s Kyouko’s greatest appeal.”

“Hmm? Being late twenties?”

“Exactly. That mature charm that younger girls don’t have. That’s the true allure of a grown woman.”

“Really? When you say it like that, I actually believe it… You really are a one-of-a-kind protagonist, aren’t you? You’re a man worth devoting body and soul to.”

Kyouko, speaking with that familiar intensity, pulled her car into a corner of the city gymnasium parking lot.

“Not many people come here on weekdays, and nobody will recognize us.”

“Thank you.”

I reached over and stroked her head, and she narrowed her eyes before suddenly shifting into overdrive.

“Hau♡ Just praise from Master is enough to make Kyouko come!♡”

“That’s one hell of a mood shift!”

“I want more head petting, please!♪”

Kyouko—twenty-nine years old, single—gazed at me intently with tearful eyes, demanding more rewards.

For now, I patted my lap to signal her to rest her head there, giving her a lap pillow. As I kept petting her head, she made pleased little sounds, and her breathing grew heavier with excitement.

“So I have something important to tell you. Is it okay if I talk while you’re like this?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. Go ahead and talk.”

Her normal tone was back. The on-and-off switch was so extreme, it’d take time to get used to.

“What is it?”

Since I hesitated and didn’t start, Kyouko kept her head on my lap and looked up at me from below. In the cramped car, it was a pretty uncomfortable position. I should probably get to the point.

“Kyouko, I… I like you. You’re someone precious to me. But I also have two other people I care about just as much.”

“Hmm? Two other people? Not just Megumi?”

“Yes. Sakura Kida from third year, too.”

“What? Sakura Kida? You mean the girl who was on the discipline committee!?”

Kyouko sat up at that.

“That’s the one.”

“That girl always seemed so serious, like she had no interest in romance or anything…”

“Yeah, she was like that at first, but after spending time with her, I completely won her over.”

“You really are… wait, I’m the same way, aren’t I? Okay, I don’t care if there are two other people or three. It doesn’t matter to me.”

“Huh?”

“That’s what this serious talk was about, right? You’ve been saying it all along—’I’m a harem protagonist.’ I don’t want to monopolize you, so don’t worry. But in exchange… when we’re alone, I want you to spoil me and only me, okay?♡”

“That’s so like you, Kyouko… truly, the wisdom of age.”

“Stop bringing up my age!”

I wrapped my left hand around the back of her head and pulled her face close, pressing my lips to hers.

Kyouko’s eyes went wide with surprise at first, but they softened quickly, and she wrapped both arms around my neck, pulling me in.

With her holding me, I broke the kiss briefly to confirm one thing.

“I’m going to care for other people too. Are you really sure about that? It means I can’t marry you.”

“Yeah, no problem at all. I’ll be honest now—I never cared about marriage in the first place. I think you were always worried about ending up alone, but I was only thinking about how to make you my pet. That’s all I cared about.”

Wait, what is this teacher plotting?

“…”

“Hold on! I’ve repented now, and actually, I want to be your pet instead! Ah, that look of contempt in your eyes is unbearable!!! It’s thrilling!♡ Haaahn♡”

She was spiraling into her own monologue, so I kissed her again to shut her up.

Later, I found out that was Kyouko’s first kiss too.

In two days, I’d taken the first kiss from three heroines.

My protagonist power really is something incredible.

That day, she drove me to the front of my house, and as I was getting out, she grabbed me and said, “Norio, just one more thing,” her face completely red. When I gave her a light kiss, she suddenly reclined the passenger seat and pushed me down, kissing my entire face until it was covered in saliva and lipstick.

I somehow managed to push her off and escape the car. The power window lowered, and with a satisfied smile, she called out from inside: “Good night!♡ Master!♪”

Then Kyouko’s car drove off.

“That woman is crazy,” I muttered to myself as I walked inside through the front door.

Kurumi, sitting in the living room, immediately began her assault:

“What’s with that face?! Your whole face is covered in lipstick!!! And you smell like perfume, you old geezer!!! That’s disgusting!!!”

She unleashed a barrage of low kicks on me.

On top of that, Megumi found out right away and gave me a full hour of lectures while I sat in seiza.

“You’re coming back marked up like that? Are you starting a war with me!?”

“I don’t think that horny female pig Kyouko was thinking about that. She’s just frustrated, that’s all.”

“How long are you gonna keep those kiss marks on your face?! Go wash them off already!”

“I can’t wash them if you keep me in seiza, Megumi!”

“Just go wash up!”

“Alright, alright.”

I took a shower and cleaned everything off, then went back to my room. This time, Megumi attacked me with “overwriting!” while wearing nothing but a microbikini.

#28: Giving Up on the Literature Club

The next day, Wednesday afternoon, I went to the Literature Club only to find Fujiko and the Konda twins were gone. Only Suzu was there.

“Hello, Suzu. Where’s everyone else?”

“Oh, Norio! They’re all out on errands~”

“I see.”

Just me and the soft-spoken, soothing beauty—the type of girl who’d be popular with guys. The old me would’ve jumped at the chance to flirt.

But I’m different now.

I don’t turn people away, but I won’t make the first move either.

That’s it—I’m being reborn as a man who avoids creating unnecessary problems.

Besides, my protagonist sixth sense is screaming warnings about the Literature Club group. They’re dangerous.

“Norio, Norio,” Suzu called out.

“Yeah, what is it, Suzu?”

“Can I call you Norio instead of Mizumoto~?”

“Sure, no problem.”

“Then… can I be Suzu to you too~?”

“I’d rather not, actually.”

“Why not!?”

She looked genuinely shocked—probably because she’d never been turned down before or had a guy keep his distance. She’s never experienced that.

“We’re not close enough for me to use your first name.”

“Ehhh~ But we’re going to get closer~”

I could tell now. After completely winning over Sakura and Kyouko back-to-back, I understood the difference.

Suzu wasn’t it.

She didn’t have the charm I was drawn to.

Sure, she was cute, had a nice personality, probably popular with guys. I could see that much.

But she couldn’t compare to my adorable kittens’ appeal.

(Kyouko’s in a different category altogether.)

I don’t know how to explain it. There was no spark. No flutter in my chest. No excitement or anticipation.

When I’m around Kyouko, my heart’s constantly shaking—mostly from fear, but still.

In the end, Suzu kept talking to me while ignoring her club duties, but since I wasn’t sure if the others were coming back, I left within the hour. If all we’re doing is chatting, I’d rather chat with Megumi anyway.

That’s right—I’m Norio, the man avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Though it’s hard to say that with a straight face.

Then Friday afternoon, I went to the Literature Club and found only the Konda twins there.

“Hello, Mikan and Lemon.”

“Oh, Norio-senpai, hey!”

“Heyyy!”

“Where are Fujiko and Suzu?”

“Uh, they’re out running errands, I think?”

“Yeah, buying club supplies or something.”

“So… I don’t know when they’re coming back?”

“Probably gonna be late, yeah?”

“Alright, I’m heading home then.”

“Wait, that’s fast!”

“Hold up!”

I’m even more on guard with the Konda twins than I was with Suzu. These two have terrible taste in light novels they keep recommending, they push yaoi on me, and I swear they’re just messing with me.

“Is there something you need from me?”

“Come on, chat with us for a bit!”

“Yeah, yeah! Let’s deepen our bonds!”

I wanted to refuse and leave, but if I was too obvious about it, I’d end up being the bad guy.

“Fine, fine. You’re demanding little juniors, huh? Sheesh.”

“Whoa! Did you just—?! The Norio tone!!”

“Live Norio energy, senpai! That’s insane!”

“…”

What even is the “Norio tone”?

I wanted to make a comeback, but I knew that’s exactly what they wanted, so I bit my tongue.

“So, Norio-senpai! You’re dating Ms. Himeno, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s it!”

“Well… who knows?”

“Come on, don’t be shy! Ms. Himeno was completely into you back then!”

“Yeah, that was intense! No way you’re not dating after that!”

“Look, even if we are or aren’t, she’s a teacher and I’m a student. It’s complicated.”

Not that I’m worried about the teacher-student thing when there are way more pressing issues keeping me up at night.

I checked the time—fifteen minutes had passed since we started talking.

“Alright, time’s up. I’m heading out. Thanks for the time.”

“Huh?!”

“Seriously?!”

Even with maximum guard up, the Konda twins brought up Kyouko without hesitation. Those two are definitely something to watch out for.

The old me probably would’ve enjoyed chatting with the Konda twins too.

But I have my adorable kittens now.

A true harem protagonist doesn’t mindlessly expand his circle of bonds with every girl he meets. Real protagonist power means loving and protecting the heroines he’s genuinely chosen—equally and sincerely. It’s not about quantity; it’s about depth and intensity.

That’s what I’ve realized recently.

I’m growing up.

So, sorry Literature Club, but from now on, I’m keeping my distance and staying on guard around you all.

It’s the same with Fujiko.

I once thought we could understand each other, but now I see the truth.

Fujiko doesn’t trust me.

She’s built a thin but sturdy wall between us.

We talk comfortably, but she never lets me past that barrier.

No matter how much I open my heart to her, her wall never budges.

It means she doesn’t trust me at all. She has no intention of showing me her true self.

Without trust, there’s no real connection between protagonist and heroine.

So I made a decision: I’m cutting Fujiko off.