It's a Chastity-Reversed World, But It's Different From What I Imagined? - 41

Chapter 41: The Swimming Meet

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When the swimming tournament began, Aoba High School racked up victory after victory with unstoppable momentum. Minase-senpai, the captain, remained undefeated, sweeping all the freestyle events. In the 100 meters, she even set a new high school record.

At the winner’s press conference…

“I have the god of war by my side. As long as I have their support, I will never lose.”

She even took the opportunity to promote the Men’s Cheer Team. Youhei had prepared not only his own original songs, but also tracks from rock bands used in the World Swimming Championships. He switched the music according to the situation to hype up the atmosphere, which fired us up even more.

On the second day, the vice captain won the backstroke, Yuuna won the breaststroke, and Aoba High kept piling on victories, achieving an overwhelming overall win. The tournament, held across Saturday and Sunday, thus came to a close. The Men’s Cheer Team’s first request—the swimming tournament—had ended in complete success.

“Kurose-kun, thank you for your support this time. Your cheering truly gave us strength.”

Minase-senpai said that as she reached out for a handshake. Inside the handshake was a small slip of paper, with her Main ID written on it.

“I’ll be waiting for your message.”

To have such words whispered into my ear by a stunning senpai in a swimsuit… It was truly dangerous. I shook hands with all the other girls in the swim team too, each of them thanking me.

“Haa, haa, haa… I’ve never shouted this much in my life.”

Back in the Men’s Cheer Team room, Hayato, exhausted from hauling heavy equipment, was out of breath and collapsed face-first onto the bed. Maybe doing stamina training with Hayato over the summer wouldn’t be a bad idea. Youhei, thrilled that the music he had created could finally be shared with people, shouted “Excitement MAX!” before diving onto the sofa.

In stark contrast to the hyped-up atmosphere of the venue, once the tension snapped, both of them quickly drifted into sleep without even finishing the cleanup. Unlike those two, who said they’d rest in the clubroom before going home…

Seiya still seemed to have energy left. Saying he had editing to do for SNS, he grabbed his laptop after cleaning up and holed himself up in the other room we used as a workspace.

“Hey, hey, isn’t this the time where we celebrate our first successful request by hitting up a family restaurant or something?”

But seeing their exhausted faces after giving it their all, I decided it would be wrong to disturb them and gave up on pressing the idea.

“…I guess I’ll head home today.”

I told Seiya I was leaving and exited the room. He looked busy with editing and just raised one hand to say goodbye. When I stepped out of the school building, the setting sun was dazzling.

My shadow stretched long across the schoolyard. On an early summer Sunday, the shouts from various clubs practicing or competing carried faintly from the distance.

“Yoru.”

I turned when my name was called. My childhood friend, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, had been gradually transforming into a grown woman. Her beauty was evolving from that of a pretty girl into that of a stunning young lady.

Her blue hair was slightly damp and disheveled. Maybe she had come right after her club meeting ended, because she was out of breath.

“Yuuna. Good work today. And congratulations on first place in the breaststroke.”

I spoke to her before she had time to calm her breathing. I hadn’t expected to run into Yuuna here, so I didn’t know what to say.

Back in middle school, Yuuna would come pick me up every day. We would chat idly and laugh together. But we grew up, became aware of each other as boy and girl, got busy with our own things, and drifted apart…

I thought that if we kept that distance, before I knew it our bond would become just a nostalgic memory. But now, seeing Yuuna again…

“Th-thank you. And thank you for cheering for me today. I was so happy knowing you were watching me.”

Once she had caught her breath, Yuuna thanked me. When was the last time she had thanked me? It felt like she was always scolding me instead.

“Hey, Yoru. We haven’t really talked much lately, have we?”

Yuuna turned her face away, avoiding my gaze.

“Yeah. You’ve been working hard with club activities. This was the first time I actually saw one of your matches, but you were amazing. You were really fast, Yuuna.”

“Well, y-yeah. I’m the ace of the first-years, after all. I can’t beat Minase-senpai in freestyle, but in breaststroke I won’t lose to her.”

Through sports, Yuuna had deepened her connections with all kinds of people. Her world was far wider than the one I had been living in.

“Hey, Yoru.”

“Yuuna.”

She was about to say something. But I decided to voice the feelings I had been holding back all this time. If I had never met Yuuna, maybe I wouldn’t have said it. But after seeing her today, I made up my mind.

I couldn’t stay like this.

“What is it?”

“Yuuna, you’ve helped me so much. Back in middle school, when no one would talk to me, you kept talking to me like always. When I shut myself away, you sent me messages every day.”

I was grateful to Yuuna. I wanted to tell her that.

“Truly, thank you. If it weren’t for you, Yuuna, I wouldn’t have been able to go to middle school. I wouldn’t have been able to make it to high school like this.”

Little by little, Yuuna raised her face. Her large eyes shone brilliantly in the glow of the sunset.

“That’s why, as of today, Yoru Kurose is graduating from Yuuna Aoyanagi.”

I had finally been able to say it. I was fine even without Yuuna now. I had friends. I had someone I liked. So Yuuna didn’t have to carry me as a burden anymore.

“Thank you so much for everything until now. I’m fine now, so Yuuna, live in your own world and I’ll live in mine. Ah, but as childhood friends, make sure to listen to my love troubles, okay? Because, you see… I have someone I like. I was supposed to celebrate today with my clubmates, but they bailed on me. They told me if I asked the one I like for dinner, she’d say yes, so I’m heading over now.”

Yuuna listened to me in a daze. Yeah, I figured she’d think, “What the heck is he saying?” But these were my feelings, and I wanted her to know them.

“See you, Yuuna.”

In a chastity-reversed world, I had always thought childhood friends were destined to become the first romantic partners. But in this world—even though it was supposed to be a chastity-reversed world—that wasn’t how things turned out.

The sun was setting, but the heat lingered. Summer was almost here.

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