It's a Chastity-Reversed World, But It's Different From What I Imagined? - 7

Chapter 7: The Protagonist of This World

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“Oh—hello. You’re a new student too, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Seiya Shirogane.”

The protagonist of this world said that as he held out his hand for a handshake. When I clasped his hand back, I could feel he had a slim and beautiful hand, almost like a girl’s.

My own hand was rugged and rough—so ugly in comparison that I felt embarrassed at myself.  Just by looking at our hands, the difference between us was that clear.

“Wow, your hands are really big.”

If a girl had said that, I probably would have gotten embarrassed and even misunderstood it as her liking me. But the one who had just said it in front of me was a boy with a handsome face.

“I’m Yoru Kurose. Nice to meet you.”

I might have sounded curt. But what pressed down on my chest was something beyond that. It was a shock like being struck in the head with a blunt weapon. Standing before me was the very image of the protagonist from the chastity-reversed world I had once idealized.

I had thought that if I debuted in high school, I could become the protagonist myself, showered with attention from girls. So this was what they meant by waking up from a dream. Reality was shoved in my face. How humiliating.

“Alright. Then you’re Yoru. Call me Seiya.”

With a bright, friendly smile, he suddenly insisted we go by first names. Seiya was brimming with sunny, outgoing energy. Me, the former sickly kid. Yoru, the socially anxious one. An introvert with a mean look to the point my own family called me gross. I was definitely the gloomy type and Seiya my exact opposite—he had everything I wished I could have.

“Yeah. I’ll do that, Seiya.”

Surprisingly, I managed to call him by name smoothly.

My heart felt calm. No—it had been calmed. I was meant to be the one watching from the sidelines after all…

“I’m glad the first guy I met here was you, Yoru. Back in middle school I had an accident, so my childhood memories are kind of fuzzy. And I’ve always been surrounded by girls. Being the only guy made me uneasy, you know? Ah, it’s not like I hate girls or anything. But there are things you can only say to another guy, right? That’s what I mean.”

The way he spoke so cheerfully, his face full of energy, had a charisma that drew people in, paired with a friendliness that made you like him.

“Both of you, the entrance ceremony is about to begin. Please proceed to the hall.”

Furuya-san opened the door and called out to us.

“Okay! Let’s go, Yoru.”

Responding to her, Seiya dashed out. Furuya-san, who had seemed cool until just a moment ago, was now gazing at Seiya’s back with a dazed, love-struck expression.

Of course. Women would fall for a beautiful protagonist like Seiya.

When we stepped into the hallway, other boys emerged from waiting rooms in pairs. None of them matched Seiya, but they were all slender, androgynous, fragile-looking types. I alone was tall, trained, and stood out as something strange.

Inside the ceremony hall, the girls’ gazes all shifted toward the boys. We sat in a section reserved only for the boys. Next to me, Seiya leaned in to whisper.

“This hall is huge, huh. And I feel like all the girls are staring at us.”

I could certainly feel their eyes. Maybe because I was different from the other boys, it seemed like more gazes landed on me.

But they weren’t just on my face—they seemed to wander to my chest, legs, even between my legs. It made me feel uncomfortable. Seiya’s expression showed a mix of uncertainty and excitement.

“Well, over ninety percent of the students here are girls. There are some male teachers, but most of the faculty and staff are women too.”

“Whoa, Yoru, you’re so calm.”

Looking around at the other boys after Seiya’s words, I saw them shaking their legs nervously, biting their nails, fidgeting restlessly. Very few were calm.

“You seem calm too, Seiya.”

“Me? Yeah, I’m fine for some reason. Honestly, I’m kind of happy the girls are looking at me.”

The other boys, while not as striking as Seiya, were all pretty boys too. But judging by how restless and irritated they looked, they were just immature kids. In contrast, Seiya was relaxed, even enjoying the situation. As for me… Just being able to attend high school like this felt like a miracle, and I was a little elated.

“Well, yeah. Anyway, those stares are aimed at the group as a whole.”

“Yoru, you’re really levelheaded. But I bet a lot of those girls are looking at you specifically.”

“I don’t care. More importantly, it’s starting.”

Once the boys finished entering, the chairwoman appeared on stage. She was somewhat plump but had an air of elegance.

“On this gentle spring day—”

The standard ceremonial phrases began. They were the same in every era—always sleep-inducing.

“Next, a speech from the top student, Asuka Kuramine.”

“Yes!”

A clear, dignified voice rang out across the hall. A girl with long black-and-red hair flowing down to her waist ascended the stage. She was so beautiful, it was hard to believe she was the same age—just fifteen.

“With the arrival of spring, we have safely gathered here for the entrance ceremony of Aoba High School.”

Each word she spoke, so crisp and strong, carried her firm will.

“Studies, club activities, school events. And most importantly, romance—we will devote ourselves wholeheartedly, with everything we have.”

I felt like her gaze had turned toward me.

My chest was seized. Pierced. Call it whatever you want. In that instant, a shock ran through me.

“She’s so pretty.”

The moment I heard that voice, I was yanked back to reality.

Ah… I see… This is the story of how Seiya met that girl….

“Yeah. Doesn’t she suit you, Seiya?”

“Really? I’m nothing special. I think she’d fit better with you, Yoru.”

Still staring at the beautiful girl, we exchanged halfhearted words.

“Teachers, seniors, esteemed guests—thank you for your encouraging words. We humbly ask for your continued warm yet strict guidance. This is Asuka Kuramine, the representative of the new students.”

After finishing her address, Asuka Kuramine descended from the stage, and the entrance ceremony came to a close.

“Alright, let’s head to our class.”

At the sound of Seiya’s voice as he stood, I realized I had been chasing after Kuramine with my eyes.

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

I stood up, feigning indifference, while inside I clamped a lid over the confusion welling up within me…

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