It's a Chastity-Reversed World, But It's Different From What I Imagined? - 96

Chapter 96: Seeking Advice

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The third day of the sports festival had arrived, and things were finally reaching their climax. In front of the bulletin board where the rankings and results for each class and grade were posted, groups of girls gathered, discussing their determination for the final day. As I passed behind them, I let out a sigh.

“Yoru-kun, are you all right?”

Tae-san, who had been accompanying me to school every day as my bodyguard, leaned in with a concerned look.

“Sorry. I think the fatigue’s starting to pile up.”

“If that’s all it is, then that’s fine. But don’t push yourself too hard just because you’re young.”

It seemed Tae-san had gotten used to the way people talked and acted around here lately. Now that she’d relaxed a bit, she even worried about me like an older sister would.

“Hmm… How about we talk for a little bit?”

“Talk?”

“Yes. We still have time before class starts.”

“…You’re right. Maybe it’ll help to talk it out with someone.”

Together, Tae-san and I bought canned drinks and headed for the rooftop. When I told her I didn’t want anyone else to overhear, she suggested going somewhere high up. From the rooftop, we could see the girls preparing for their events below.

“Come on, tell your big sister what’s on your mind.”

Her teasing tone made me laugh. But that kind of light atmosphere actually helped right now.

“Well, I’ve had this girl who’s always been by my side since we were kids. We were really close.”

“Yuuna Aoyanagi-san?”

“You knew?”

“I make it a point to know who Yoru-kun associates with. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to make proper judgments as your bodyguard.”

Even when I wasn’t aware of it, Tae-san had been protecting me.

“Yuuna’s my childhood friend. We’ve done all sorts of things together. But we had a bit of a falling-out back in middle school. I thought we’d finally reconciled recently, but…”

I remembered last night. I still didn’t understand what had made Yuuna act so strangely. I hesitated, unsure if I should tell Tae-san what happened.

“So… You made up with your friend, but there’s still some tension left?”

It seemed she understood, even without me saying everything.

“Friendship between boys and girls, huh? I wonder if that really exists.”

“Huh?”

“I grew up way out in the countryside, you know. So far out that I hadn’t even seen a real man until I came here. You were the first one I met, Yoru-kun.”

When I first met Tae-san, I’d mistaken her for some kind of pervert and then actually caught one afterward. A lot happened that day.

“When I met you, Yoru-kun, I was really excited.”

“…But now?”

“Did that make you uncomfortable? Don’t worry, I’m keeping my professional composure now. But… If you were my childhood friend, and you showed me your unguarded side like that… I don’t think I could hold back.”

Even while maintaining her composure, Tae-san’s face softened, as though imagining something. She closed her eyes.

“Yoru-kun, you’re different from other boys. You get really close to people. That’s why girls might get the wrong idea. Like, if it were just the two of you in a room, and you fell asleep right in front of her…She might think, ‘Maybe it’s okay if I touch him.’”

Ah… Had I forgotten that I was living in a world where gender roles were reversed? So many things had been happening lately that didn’t fit that pattern. No girls had made a move on me, and I’d started assuming that nothing would happen unless I made the first move.

It was me who had provoked Yuuna. If a girl were sleeping right in front of a boy during adolescence—someone close, someone who trusted him—wouldn’t it be normal for him to want a more intimate relationship?

“Haha…What kind of bodyguard says something like that, right? Forget I said it.”

Tae-san had said all that just to help me with my worries. She was even willing to risk me disliking her to make me understand.

“I won’t forget. From the very first time we met, you’ve protected me. Even now, you’re being honest about what women feel, even at the risk of being misunderstood. That’s because you genuinely care about me, right? Thank you.”

When I thanked her, Tae-san scratched her head in embarrassment and stood up.

“Geez… That’s exactly what I mean. You’re way too close to women, you know. If a boy thanks a girl like that so easily, she’s bound to get the wrong idea.”

I stood up too and hugged Tae-san from behind.

“If it’s you, Tae-san, I don’t mind if you misunderstand. But… I guess I’m kind of a bad guy. I keep finding myself thinking about too many different women…”

“You idiot… Men have to be with many women. Otherwise, society wouldn’t function. Besides, with how mysterious and handsome you are, there’s no way women will ever leave you alone.”

Tae-san spoke with the composed tone of a big sister trying to sound calm. But through the hand resting against her chest, I could feel her heartbeat. Her face, beside mine on her shoulder, was flushed with warmth.

“I think I messed up again. But… Thank you for listening.”

This was my way of tempting her. Until now, I’d only ever done that kind of thing with Ran-san. Maybe it was okay for me to be a little more selfish. Without realizing it, I’d been tempting people and made Yuuna misunderstand.

“Ah, um, uh, uh… H-how long are you—”

“Oh. Sorry. We should probably head back.”

“Y-yes!”

“Thank you again for everything. And… That wasn’t a misunderstanding. I did mean to seduce you.”

Tae-san stood frozen in place, her face bright red, completely speechless.

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