Chastity Reversed: Part-Time Life by the All-Girls High School - Chapter 60: Over Before It Even Started

“How’s Akari doing since then?”

“She seems cheerful now, like she’s finally moved on…”

“That’s great. She’s strong, isn’t she?”

“Sora. What exactly did you tell her?”

“That’s a ‘man’s’ secret.”

It seemed like everything had gone exactly as I’d planned. My acting skills weren’t half bad, if I do say so myself.

“…You’re really okay with everything?”

“Haha! I’m fine, seriously. Honestly, I’m kind of excited about living alone.”

“I see. Well, if anything happens, don’t hesitate to reach out, alright?”

“Understood. Please take care of Akari for me.”

“Of course. You don’t even need to ask. Take care now, Sora.”

Click

“…Whew. Oh, thank you, Yuuka-san and Rika-san, for helping me out today.”

“Wow, you really called us out of the blue! It felt like something important was going on, though…”

“Well, I owed you for helping Yuuka graduate, so this is just repaying a favor. I didn’t mind at all.”

“Thanks. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t pry into this too much, though.”

“…But I mean, ‘the fifth’? Don’t tell me—you’re actually…”

“Oh, wait, didn’t I already say? Sorry, I misspoke—what I meant to say was she’s actually the fifteenth.”

“…The fifteenth? Oh, I see.”

“Hmm? Is that so?”

Close call. I nearly said something that would’ve unnecessarily complicated things. If I had implied that they were somehow the ones I’d “graduated” with, it would’ve been a messy misunderstanding.

But then again… the fact that it didn’t seem too ridiculous for me to say “fifteenth” really showed just how much of a “slut” I must come off as to them. Honestly, it was kind of hilarious.

“Alright, that’s everything I needed from you two for today.”

“Huh?” [fidgeting nervously]  

“Wait, that’s it? You’re done with us already?”

“Yup. Not really in the mood for anything else today.”

“Oh… alright then.”

“Well, if you ever need anything else, just let me know, okay? Come on, let’s go now. Stop sulking so much—it’s exactly why you’re not popular.”

“…”

“Haha! That’s a little harsh, don’t you think? Anyway, take care, and thanks again!”

I waved as they left. I kind of felt bad, considering they’d clearly been expecting something, but I just wasn’t feeling it today.

Bang

“Hate me, huh…”

Right now, that wasn’t something I could bring myself to care about.

“Ah, right. I forgot—I actually have to cook for myself now.”

The workouts I used to do, the evening runs—none of it felt worth the effort now. Before I realized it, night had fallen.

Cooking was a chore I wasn’t used to. I used the brand-new rice cooker I’d bought to make some rice. Then, I grabbed my newly bought frying pan and threw together a half-hearted attempt at fried rice.

“…Makes me really appreciate Wataru-san’s cooking.”

It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t particularly good either. The flavor didn’t leave me satisfied. I ate quickly, took a shower, and before I knew it, it was time to sleep again.

And of course—this was also the time I used to spend drying Akari’s hair.

“Well, she’s not here anymore.”

The quietness pressed down on me. It was silent—I was the only one here.

So, I filled the void with my own muttering. Only now did I realize how much Akari had supported me in my daily life.

It was honestly pathetic. No, in this world, maybe you’d call it embarrassingly “manly”.

“…School starts tomorrow, huh.”

I spread out my futon and collapsed onto it. It dawned on me that maybe small, meaningless conversations were essential for people to live.

Without them, the unease I had distracted myself from by chatting with Akari began to bubble up again.

This reversed world. Could I really live in a world so backwards?

☆

“…I really don’t want to go.”

But morning came anyway. Part of me hoped I’d wake up and find the world back to normal. That was impossible, of course.

I forced myself awake, threw on the school uniform I still wasn’t used to, and eventually made my way to the door.

“I’m heading out… Not that anyone’s here.”

☆

The train ride took several minutes.

“…Sigh.”

And then, I arrived at school. Come to think of it, I didn’t have any friends here.

That was the reason why I didn’t want to come here.

But not coming wasn’t an option either, so I opened the classroom door—

“—Ah!”

A voice. Naturally, my eyes went to its source. It was Natsuki—the class idol (probably)—standing right there.

“Long time no see. Last time was at the pool, right, Natsuki?”

“Yeah! Oh… have you lost a little weight?”

Ah, right. In this world, men were supposed to be flattered by things like that. Yeah, that was probably how I should react.

“Thanks. You’re kind-hearted too, huh, Natsuki?”

“Geez!”

“Haha. So, how was your summer break?”

“I spent it all on club activities!”

“Really? I bet you actually hung out with your boyfriend, though.”

“Wha—!? No, I don’t have a boyfriend…”

I teased her, but apparently, Natsuki was single.

“Ah, gotcha. So your club activities are your boyfriend, then?”

“Ugh, exactly!”

“With someone as nice as you, though, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.”

“…I wouldn’t say that.”

“Aw, come on! Wait, did you already move on from me? Wow, talk about quick—guess that’s what happens when you’re an idol.”

“Hey, quit it!”

“Haha, just kidding.”

She was fun to tease, this one. She reminded me of a shy, handsome guy friend I had in my old world.

But—

“What’s his deal?” 

“Ugh, he’s so annoying…” 

“Why does Kamiji-san even talk to him?”

“…Alright, let’s have a good semester.”

“Huh? Oh, okay!”

Before she could overhear anyone’s insults, I walked away.

“Ugh, here he comes! Hey, Sora, how long are you gonna keep this act up?”

“You’re so boring, you know that?”

“…”

And then the “gyaru boys” showed up. I couldn’t even bother to remember their names.

“Also, Kamiji-kun? Totally out of your league!”

“Man, you’re gross.”

“…I’m not interested. Stop dragging Natsuki into this.”

“Oh, look who’s talking now!”  

“‘I’,(ore) huh? ‘I’(ore)—haha!”

Their taunting began.  

Ah, damn it. These guys were so annoying.  

Coming all the way over to my desk, just to hurl insults.  

At least they weren’t talking behind my back, I guess?  

…Not that it made much of a difference.  

“Seriously, what’s with this character change? It’s seriously uncomfortable.”  

“You should really stop acting like this, Sora. It’s freakin’ gross!!”  

“…”  

I wasn’t acting like “this” Sora Sato  because I wanted to.  

I didn’t come to this world because I wanted to.  

So why did these guys think they could just run their mouths like this?  

“Are you trying to appeal to guys or something?”  

“Being all ‘girly-man’? Honestly, it’s obnox—”  

“—Shut the hell up!!”  

“!!”  

Ah, they were so annoying. I certainly wasn’t trying to “appeal” to anyone.  

Just by being “me”, by being who I was, why did I have to endure being talked about like this?  

“Shut your mouths. I know I’m weird. My way of talking, the way I carry myself, how I look—everything!”  

“But if you hate it so much, why don’t you just put me back the way I was!? Do you think I wanted to change?!”  

“What the hell would you guys know about me?!”  

Akari was gone.  

It couldn’t be helped.  

If I could’ve stayed, I would’ve done anything to remain in that place.  

But staying wasn’t an option.  

Akari was my actual sister, and me? I’m nothing more than a “slut”.  

That’s why I made her say she hated me.  

I lost my place.  

In this reversed world, I was alone once again.  

And yet—these guys, who knew nothing about me, just kept running their damn mouths.  

“So? Come on, keep talking. What happened to all that confidence just now?”  

“Ugh… Hic…!”  

“Ah, so when you’re cornered, you start crying? Must be nice, huh? ‘A man’s tears’ sure work conveniently, don’t they?”  

When I snapped and berated them, they suddenly went quiet.  

Their faces, which had been so smug a moment ago, were now blank, their eyes glistening with tears.  

“…”  

“Y-you’re so awful…”  

“Move. Get out of my sight.”  

I spat the words out, and they scurried away easily.  

“…”  

“…”  

And, of course, the classroom fell completely silent.  

This was supposed to be the day of the opening ceremony at the gym, but now?  

Well, I guess I was officially done for. What a shame!