No Wonder I'm Unwanted in This Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

“Yes, alright, everyone has drawn their lots. Make sure to check your group numbers as well.”

Kiyomi-sensei returned to the podium.

We had drawn our lots, and we’d confirmed our numbers. 

But there was something that had likely confused not just me, but everyone.

“Sensei! Why are there people who didn’t draw lots?”

A female student raised her voice.

Kiyomi-sensei had been going around with a box, letting students draw lots, but for some reason, a few were told, “Ah, you don’t have to draw.”

All eyes focused on Kiyomi-sensei, who displayed a mysterious grin.

“Let me clarify the group assignments once more.”

Wait, weren’t we deciding the groups by drawing lots? 

It wasn’t just me who had this question.

“First, the three who didn’t draw lots are the male bodyguards. You guys will be assigned to the same group as the boys you’re in charge of. You’ll continue to guard them during the field trip.”

I showed the number on my ball to Rui. 

It read “2,” meaning Rui and I were in Team 2.

“Aside from the male bodyguards, there are three others who didn’t draw lots, right? You will act as assistant guards.”

“Assistant guards?”

Murmurs rippled through the class, causing a stir.

“Yes, assistant guards. At the field trip, our male bodyguards will frequently be called away for communication purposes. During those times, it’ll be unsettling to have no one around, won’t it? The assistant guards are there for those moments and also…”

Kiyomi-sensei paused for a moment,

“A group on the field trip will consist of five people. Considering the male bodyguards, that leaves one boy and three girls. But that might set the bar too high, right?”

She glanced briefly at Tanaka and Takahashi, who shrugged noticeably.

As for me, I was completely fine with it!

Kiyomi-sensei seemed aware of the situation, not sparing me a glance.

“This time, we had the three male bodyguards select assistant guards in advance. If these girls are picked by the male bodyguards, then perhaps you can find it easier to talk to them?” 

“Uh, well…”

“I suppose so…”

Tanaka and Takahashi murmured quietly.

By the way, Sensei, I’m fine with that! 

At least send a glance acknowledging that!

“In this field trip, I’d be delighted if you boys could find at least one girl you could talk to. Well, not that it’s easy—most girls in our class are as noisy as chimpanzees…”

“Hey, Sensei, that’s not a nice way to put it!”

“Say something nice about us!”

“We’re not chimpanzees!”

Ignoring the commotion, Kiyomi-sensei chuckled softly and continued,

“All of you are decent students. And everyone has their quirks, making them interesting in their own way. So perhaps you can afford to trust them just a little and respond when spoken to? It’s a waste to assume that all girls are the same.”

Whether Kiyomi-sensei’s words resonated or not, Tanaka and Takahashi nodded more assertively than before.

Then, the blackboard displayed the last names of the members of each group. 

Generally, it takes a full period to settle the field trip group, but this time it only took 20 minutes.

“Alright, with this, the group decisions are over. That went smoothly, didn’t it?”

“But Sensei, you pretty much decided everything!”

“Let us have some say in it too!”

“If I leave it all up to you, you’ll definitely start fighting among yourselves, which would be a hassle. The class next door, under Takebayashi-sensei, has left the team formation up to the students. It seems like a tough situation to manage.”

I had noticed that the neighboring class had been noisy for a while, so that’s what it was about.

“As for me… Fufu. You’re surprised by how much I think ahead, aren’t you?”

Her face bore a smug expression.

It was as if she was saying, “It’s okay to praise me, you know?”

She usually seemed laid-back, but she often came up with efficient methods.

Besides, even if she mostly decided on the groups, looking around the class, there was an atmosphere of understanding. It showed the trust the students had in her.

“… Well, I wasn’t the one who thought of the assistant guards, though.”

Amidst the slightly noisy class, it seemed like Kiyomi-sensei said something, but… I couldn’t hear it.

◇◇

It was time for each group to gather and do brief self-introductions. 

Before I could make a move, the other girls quickly rearranged the desks and chairs to facilitate easier conversation.

“Thank you!”

I gratefully said with a smile, and the girls who helped bowed slightly and quickly moved away.

“Alright, everyone! Move quickly! Hey, you there! Don’t act like you don’t want to sit just because there are no boys!”

Out of the five groups, three didn’t have any boys. 

Casting a glance aside, I noticed that the teams consisting solely of girls seemed a bit gloomy.

Rui and I moved, and the girls who were in the same team also arrived. Once everyone had taken their seats…

“Let’s start with introductions, shall we?”

Rui proposed, and took the lead. 

Rui and I introduced ourselves first, followed by the two girls. Then…

“She’s the one that I picked.”

Rui turned her gaze toward one of the girls—she was sitting opposite me.

“Yes, my name is Chiyo Kanoya. I’m the class president, so I think you’ve seen my face before. Pleased to meet you.”

Kanoya-san spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

She had her brown hair tied in a ponytail, and her bangs were neatly cut in a straight line. 

Her demeanor was calm, giving off the impression of a cool, high-achieving student.

She was also the class president. 

Usually, she seemed to manage our colorful bunch well, always working efficiently without any waste.

“Nice to meet all of you. With this team, it looks like the field trip will be fun.”

Rui said, flashing a refreshing smile. The two girls’ faces flushed a bit at her words.

This guy! She’s too handsome to hate!

“Indeed, with this group, it seems like we’ll make some fun memories.”

I chimed in after Rui.

It’s not like I’m trying to compete or anything!

I just thought that if I spoke after Rui, I’d get some reaction…

“Uh, yes…”

“Nice to meet you…”

“Nice to meet you.”

The responses to me were more subdued.

I’m glad they responded, but the energy was different! Is it because I’m not good-looking?

“Alright. Let’s put Ikuto aside for now.”

“Why!? I was just expressing my honest feelings!”

Even Rui’s reaction felt a bit off!?

“So, who should be the team leader?”

The conversation turned serious, so I quieted down.

The team leader, huh? I wouldn’t mind doing it, but having a guy as the leader might not be ideal.

“I have duties as a male bodyguard, so I can’t…sorry.”

Rui said. That’s understandable.

Being a bodyguard and also the leader of the field trip group would be too much.

So, that leaves the three girls. Their eyes met briefly, and just when I thought they might settle it with rock-paper-scissors…

“I’ll be the leader.”

Kanoya-san raised her hand.

“Thank you, Kanoya-san. That helps.”

“No problem.”

And so, it was decided that Kanoya-san would be the leader of our group.

◇◇

The bell rang to signal the end of the sixth period. I moved the desks back to their original places and headed to my seat.

“That’s all for today. Next time, we’ll discuss the field trip schedule. Also, the three male bodyguards, please come forward after class.”

After saying her goodbye, Rui went over to talk to Kiyomi-sensei.

“Ichise-kun.”

“Hm?”

While I was putting my materials into my school bag, I felt like someone had called my name. I looked up to see Kanoya-san standing there.

“…”

Wait, did I just get spoken to by a girl? 

By someone other than Rui?

“Ichise-kun?”

She called out again. I heard her clearly this time.

I was the kind of guy who didn’t just go unnoticed by girls; I was actively avoided. 

Yet, here I was, being addressed.

“Ichise-kun? Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

“Don’t worry about it!”

I quickly hid my tears and put on a full-faced smile. 

Kanoya-san, not minding my reaction, continued calmly.

“I wanted to formally greet you, Ichise-kun.”

“Greet?”

“Yes. I’ll be your bodyguard when Tohsaka-san isn’t around.”

“Oh, okay.”

Kanoya-san is so serious.

Glancing around, I noticed that other girls chosen as assistants were also talking to Tanaka and Takahashi.

They were probably doing the same sort of greeting. 

Everyone is so responsible.

“I will guard you diligently, so please be at ease.”

“I know I can count on you, Kanoya-san. You’re always reliable. Thanks!”

“…”

“Hm? Kanoya-san?”

“… No. It’s nothing. Thank you.”

With that, it seemed the conversation was indeed just a formal greeting. Kanoya-san gave a slight bow and returned to her seat.

Hmm, as for me, I still have much more I want to talk about.

“I hope I get to talk to some girls during the camping trip as well…”

Meanwhile…

“Field trip…what should I do?”

Rui seemed to be pondering something, murmuring to herself with a slightly stern expression.