It's a Chastity-Reversed World, But It's Different From What I Imagined? - 98

Chapter 98: Bodyguard’s POV – 3

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【Tae Mori】

After summer break ended, Yoru-kun came back from his trip, but he seemed to have been burdened with worries since he was always lost in thought. He seemed to be getting along fine with his supposed girlfriend, Ran Souma-san, but could there be something else troubling him?

As someone older, I wanted to lend him an ear, but I kept hesitating. Would I be overstepping? Besides, I had never been in a relationship before, so even if he came to me for advice, I wouldn’t know how to answer.

Before I knew it, school life had become busier, and the exhaustion from it all had started to show on Yoru-kun’s face. It seemed something had happened during the sports festival practice or maybe at home, because he often looked tired. The peak came on the morning of the second day of the sports festival.

Even when I greeted him, he seemed absentminded and sleepy on his way to school. The other members of the Men’s Cheer Team seemed to have noticed too, each trying to talk to him about it.

After a short nap, Yoru-kun spent the morning calmly, but in the afternoon, he joined the sports events as a participant instead of as a cheerleader. Taller than most of the others, he didn’t just outshine them by a head. He overwhelmed them by an entire body length in athletic ability.

Sometimes, I wondered if my role as his bodyguard was even necessary. He was stronger than me, considerate, hardworking, and capable in ways you wouldn’t expect from a man. All I really did was act as a wall whenever other girls tried to swarm around him in order to make sure none of them did anything improper.

Near the end of the second day, while I was busy blocking off a group of girls, I noticed a familiar face approaching Yoru-kun. It was Yuuna Aoyanagi-san, daughter of YUI-sama—who was a friend of our company president, SEI-sama.

I had been told she was Yoru-kun’s childhood friend and quite close to him. After exchanging just a few words, the two of them went their separate ways. I hurried to catch up with Yoru-kun and escorted him home.

What’s the point of my existence, really?

At first, I had been so happy just to be able to work beside such a charming, mysterious young man. Yoru-kun was such a good person—kind, gentle, and fun to be around—but the more I got to know him, the more I understood he was someone completely out of my reach. And that realization made me feel so lonely.

It was the third and final day of the festival. I met Yoru-kun, who had the darkest expression I’d ever seen on his face. He seemed deeply troubled, and aside from our usual greeting, we hardly exchanged any words. When we arrived at school, he stopped, staring at the noisy crowd of girls.

“Yoru-kun, are you all right?”

I couldn’t just leave him like that.

“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.”

I knew him well enough to recognize it. Normally, he would’ve brushed it off with an easy “I’m fine.” But this was the first time he’d let out even a hint of weakness. I couldn’t ignore that.

“Hmm… How about we talk for a bit?”

“Talk?”

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

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

When someone was feeling troubled, going somewhere high could help clear one’s mind. I liked high places and I wanted to take him to the rooftop, to show him the distant view.

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

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

“Yuuna Aoyanagi-san?”

I’d seen them talking the day before. They had seemed perfectly normal then.

“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.”

“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…”

So, they had a fight? Maybe it was one of those childhood arguments that leaves something behind even after you make up.

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

Honestly… I didn’t think it would ever work. Could a childhood friend really handle someone like Yoru-kun, the mysterious handsome type? If it were me, I know I couldn’t. I’d definitely fall for him. I’d want to be his girlfriend.

“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.”

=I probably fell in love at first sight that day.

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

Ah… Saying that out loud might make him hate me, or even afraid of me…

“…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.”

If I could be with him… If I could see him like that up close… I’d lose control.

“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, what am I even saying? I’ve really lost it lately. I came here to listen to his worries, but here I am, just projecting my own desires onto him.

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

Idiot. There’s no way he’d ever like someone like me… Haah… Why do I always realize these things at the worst possible times? I love him. I’ve loved Yoru Kurose since the day I met him…

“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.”

Yoru-kun really was such a good boy. It made me ashamed of myself.

“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, putting a bit of distance between us so I wouldn’t get carried away.

…

…

…

Then, suddenly—he hugged me 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.”

Wait… He’s hugging me? What is this? What’s happening? There’s no way other women would ever leave someone like Yoru-kun alone. But… If I could be one of them… If I could be one of the women he chooses.. I’d be so happy.

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

His arms, his scent, his voice whispering by my ear… It all made my body heat up.

“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.”

He… He was trying to seduce me??? Ehhhhhhhhhhh?! Is that okay? Is it really okay for me to stay by your side?

My body stayed hot for a long time. I couldn’t move until it finally cooled down

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