Chastity Reversed: Part-Time Life by the All-Girls High School - Chapter 33: A Night With an Idol

“Hey, Kanata.”

“! Sorry. I’m fine.”

When I called out to him again, he snapped back to reality, his expression returning to normal.

Was he sleepy? He probably had work or something earlier too.

“Heading home for today?”

“…Huh?”

“You look kind of tired.”

“I’m fine.”

“By the way, super late question, but are your folks okay with this?”

Thanks to our intense “pickup battle” (or whatever that was), it was already nearing 8 PM.

I lived alone, so it was no big deal for me… but that might not be the case for him.

“They’re fine. My dad and mom are both out working, so they’re not home.”

“They’re busy, huh?”

“Yeah. My dad’s in showbiz like me, and my mom’s his manager.”

“No way. That’s awesome.”

“Apparently, Dad’s filming a drama overnight today too. It must be tough for him.”

As he spoke, his tone carried a faint shadow—so different from his usual cheerful idol persona.

“Want to come over? You’re alone anyway, right?”

“Huh!?”

“You can probably guess by now, but I’m alone at home too.”

“O-Oh…”

Kanata fiddled with his shoulder-length hair as it swayed slightly.

…Yeah, if he were a girl, this would be irresistible. Absolutely devastating charm.

This kid was going places (cue proud mentor stance).

“Let’s go. We can reheat this stuff at my place.”

“! I forgot…”

“Figured as much. Drink your soda while we walk—here you go.”

“O-Okay.”

The burgers were ice-cold, same with the fries.

We’d caused enough commotion in the restaurant already, but now that we had a plan, it was time to leave.

…In hindsight, we should’ve just done takeout from the start. Oh, well.

Outside the shop, shutters were beginning to close on stores here and there.

A group of college students—maybe heading for drinks or heading home—passed by noisily.

Tired office workers in suits trudged along.

And occasionally, you’d spot high school girls likely hanging out after club activities.

To them, we probably looked like just another pair of guys doing the same thing.

“…You know,” Kanata said suddenly.

“Hm?”

“Playing at the arcade, drinking soda on the way home…”

“Too much of a junkie lifestyle for an idol like you?”

“Haha. Maybe a little overwhelming.”

“Thought so.”

“But still—”

Kanata smiled—a natural smile unlike his “idol” face from school.

“I’m exhausted… because I had so much fun.”

It was an ordinary smile. Yet even so, it was captivating.

And that smile—somehow—

――“Hey, aren’t those two cute?” 

“That one with the mask has such a sweet voice.”

“! Crap.”

No time for sentimental thoughts.

A group of college students nearby had stopped and were staring at us.

―“Let’s go talk to them.” 

“It’s only 8 PM, we’ve got time.”

Yep. This was happening.

“Run for it, Kanata!”

“Huh!? O-Okay!”

Balancing our bags and sodas, we bolted toward the station.

…The burgers inside? Yeah, let’s just not think about them right now.

☆  

After a few train stops and a five-minute walk from the station:

“This is your place, Sato-kun…?”

“Yep. Watch your step—the fluorescent light’s busted again.”

Climbing the dim stairs of my apartment building, we finally arrived at my humble abode.

Unlocking the door (which was a bit tricky in the dark), I welcomed him inside.

A 1LDK with a 7.5-tatami living room and a 4-tatami bedroom. The furniture was mostly black-themed and minimalistic—a robot vacuum zipped around energetically.

“Wow…”

“This is what you get with a guy living alone.”

“It’s so clean!”

“You think so? Thanks.”

Maybe it was because I often had guests over?

Or maybe it was because I kept things tidy just in case someone from this world’s family showed up unexpectedly. Either way, Kanata being here wasn’t an issue at all.

“You can shower first if you want (just kidding).”

“Huh? Shower?”

“So pure…”

“Huh?”

“No, it’s nothing. Just joking.”

“What? What joke?”

“…”

“What do you mean!?” poke poke

His innocent eyes were too much. My dumb joke clearly went over his head—it just made me feel dirty by comparison.

“A-Ah,” Kanata stammered suddenly.

“Hm?”

“I-I don’t need to shower or anything. It’s fine!”

What was with that flustered reaction?

Maybe he didn’t like using other people’s bathrooms?

Oh wait—probably because he didn’t have spare clothes?

“They sell underwear at that convenience store downstairs if you need some. They’ve got quite the selection too.”

“N-No, thanks!”

“? Doesn’t fit your style? My bad.”

Kanata seemed off somehow. Best not to push it further.

This world was reversed after all—guys here were more delicate than you’d think. Stripping down casually wasn’t exactly normal behavior here either.

“I’ll shower when I get home on the first train! Our school’s close to my house anyway!”

“Gotcha. Let’s eat these burgers then!”

“Yeah!”

****

Pulling out our squished burgers from their bags, I gave them a quick makeover: microwaving them at 200W—not too much—and tossing the limp fries onto crumpled aluminum foil before reheating them in the toaster oven until crispy again.

“Wooow!”

“They’re not perfect, but should be about 80% restored (smug).”

“They look like ancient artifacts from an excavation☆.”

“Nice one (respect).”

“They look delicious though…”

“Let’s dig in!”

“Itadakimasu!”

“Oh wait—hold up.”

“Hm?”

Burgers and fries were great and all—but—

“Here you go: Coke.”

“! It’s bottled!”

“Coke tastes best in bottles (smug).”

This exchange felt familiar somehow…

…I wondered how Koharu was doing these days?

Probably studying hard for her transfer exams right about now…

“Uh, how do I open this?”

“Oh, my bad, my bad.”

“Wow.”

And just like that, I found myself reminiscing about her again.

I opened two bottles of cola with a bottle opener and handed one to him.

“This might be my first time trying this too.”

“Bottled cola tastes the best. Go ahead, have some burgers and fries too.”

“Mm…! Oh, it’s so good!”

“Right?”

“Is there any food that pairs better with cola than this…?”

“Exactly.”

“I feel like I’m going to die of happiness at this rate.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

Life sure was unpredictable. Who would’ve thought I’d end up getting along like this with the cutest boy in class?

“Hm? By the way, what’s this other thing…?”

“Oh, that? It’s—”

Inside the small container, when I opened what was tucked into the corner—

“Edamame corn!!!”

“A surprise for you (cue smug face).”

“…Why is this even on the menu?”

“How should I know?”

“What even is that!”

“By the way, apparently only kids eat that stuff.”

“Are you calling me a kid!?” playfully punches

Ah, it really took me back. Hanging out after school. Messing around at fast food joints. I never imagined I’d get to enjoy moments like this with another guy in this world—

“But I’m really happy! Thanks, Sora-kun!”

“!?”

“Hehe, I’m going to call you by your name too.”

“O-Oh…”

“Hm?”

[Sora!]

[Let’s hit up McD’s after practice!]

[Man, our manager and the senior are totally dating… tough luck, Sora!]

Suddenly, their voices came flooding back. The voices of “them”, from those fun times—

“—!”

A sharp pain throbbed in my head as I clutched it. Memories of “before”, ones I’ve been trying not to remember.

I forcefully shoved them back down.