No Wonder I'm Unwanted in This Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“Would you like hot milk or cocoa?”

Before hearing Rui’s story, I had prepared warm drinks. 

After all, just taking a shower wouldn’t fully warm us to the core. 

Besides, it’s easier to relax and talk while sipping something warm. 

And also, it would help me to calm down.

“Hmm… Both hot milk and cocoa are sweet and delicious; it’s hard to choose.”

Rui seemed torn, looking back and forth between the cups of hot milk and cocoa. 

I had always noticed that Rui preferred drinks over full-course meals.

“Why not have a refill and drink both?”

“That’s an option, but… Hmm… Ah, how about—”

“Oh, have you decided?”

“Is ‘matching’ an option?”

“Huh?”

Matching?

Confused, I looked down at the cups in my hands. 

Did she mean we should both have the same drink? 

In that case, should I mix cocoa powder into the hot milk?

“So, we’re both having cocoa?”

“Yes, I’d like that. Sorry for the cute whim.”

“You’re calling yourself cute? Well, that’s cute. Yes, cute.”

“Wasn’t that a little monotonous? Hehe.”

I handed the cocoa to Rui first and then returned to the kitchen. It would probably be better to taste it a bit before adding the cocoa powder and mixing it.

“Wow, I didn’t remember warm milk tasting this good. Just add this here… Perfect. Delicious cocoa is ready.”

“Can I start drinking then?”

“You didn’t start already?”

“It’s lonely to drink alone, you know. Mm, delicious.”

Rui exhaled deeply.

I get it. A warm drink is especially good when you start to feel a little chilly. And so, we continued talking, just as we always did.

“Alright then, excuse me for sitting next to you again.”

“Okay…”

Once more, I sat down next to Rui. 

After taking another sip, she held the cup with both hands and placed it on her lap.

“… So, umm…”

It seemed Rui was about to start speaking.

“…You see, because of my tall stature and my large breasts, I’ve been—since late elementary school, I think?—feared by boys and disliked, and distanced by girls.”

I was stunned right from the start. Such a thing happened to Rui…?

Then, I heard about Rui’s past.

“—That’s my past. So, if you ask me, I’ve deliberately tried to hide my large breasts, changed my tone to sound a bit more mature, and even dressed as a man. It’s understandable that you, Ikuto, didn’t notice.”

“Is that so…”

After silently listening to the end, I momentarily averted my gaze from Rui, organizing my thoughts. 

Even though we’ve talked about the past, it’s impossible to understand Rui’s entire 16 years of life in just a few hours. 

This was simply a concise summary from Rui, and there’s still much that I don’t know. 

Therefore, I can’t easily say, “You’ve had a tough past.”

“Ah… Thank you, Ikuto, for listening to me.”

Rui stretched her legs a little to relax.

“As for my past, let’s leave it at that… Although, I was surprised when you saw me without bandages and thought I was crossdressing.”

“Sorry about that…”

“Fufu, it’s fine.”

Rui slightly smiled and took a sip from her cup. 

I also reached out slowly to grab my cup— but then, I stopped.

“Ikuto—see me for who I truly am.”

If Rui hugged me from behind and revealed her true self…

“Rui.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for sharing this with me.”

I gently stroked Rui’s head. This is the most I can do, being the friend she confided in.

“Geez, Ikuto…”

Seeing Rui’s cheeks flush, I felt my own face heat up as well.