No Wonder I'm Unwanted in This Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

“Um… ahahaha…”

I tried flashing a smile for starters.

Alright… calm down, me.

“So, does anyone have any questions for Ikuto next?”

Rui created a comfortable atmosphere for conversation.

I didn’t know why she left her seat afterward. It felt lonely!

But I had to pull myself together, especially now that I was alone.

I had spoken with girls in my previous life, so I could use that experience for the initial conversation.

Huh? What’s the initial conversation?

Do I even need to worry about the initial conversation?

Suddenly, I found myself confused.

Wait, could it be that I’m not good at talking to girls?

My mind was filled with anxiety.

“…”

“”……””

Kanoya-san and the two girls remained as quiet as ever.

Ah… what’s going on? It’s the same as always…

Damn it! Why am I the only one not being spoken to by girls?

Just when I was about to scream internally,

“Hey, hey! I have something I want to ask Ichise-kun!”

“What’s it like at your home?”

“What’s your favorite food?”

“What kind of hairstyle do you like?”

“Whoa!? What!?”

Suddenly, the girls swarmed me.

…What? What’s happening?

The situation was so sudden that it took me some time to grasp it.

But, wait… it feels like there are girls here who aren’t even in my group?

“Everyone, please calm down.”

“”Okay~””

As soon as Kanoya-san spoke, everyone settled down.

“Wow… Kanoya-san is amazing.”

I couldn’t help but give a small round of applause.

“Then, go ahead, Ichise-kun.”

“Ah, sure.”

Wait, am I actually going to talk with girls!?

“Um, so, starting with the first question about what it’s like at home… Well, I usually do homework, cook meals…”

“You cook, Ichise-kun!?”

Whoa, looks like that piqued their interest.

“Yeah, my family doesn’t give special treatment just because I’m a guy. We take turns cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I also do other chores.”

“Heh~”

“That’s so homely and wonderful~”

The girls were getting excited about my response.

Oh, wow… I’m actually talking to girls right now!

Sure, Rui is a girl, and I talk to her every day.

But this is the first time I’ve talked to other girls like this.

They’re actually looking me in the eyes today!

“Hey, can I ask my question next?”

“No, it’s my turn~”

I may not be getting swarmed by girls like Tanaka and Takahashi, but… no, the number doesn’t matter!

I’ve been spoken to by girls.

I’m having a conversation with girls.

That fact alone makes me incredibly happy!

And the one who set up this whole situation was Rui with her words.

Rui! Thank you, Rui!

Next time, I won’t just treat you to a drink; I’ll get you something much more luxurious and delicious!

◆◆

“—What on Earth happened? You were always so adamant about keeping other girls away from Ichise-kun.”

“I guess it’s something you’d be curious about.”

It was break time.

Rui and Chiyo were alone in front of the vending machine.

“You didn’t just randomly ease up on your vigilance, did you?”

“Well, no.”

Rui took a big gulp of her soda drink and let out a sigh.

“I thought Ikuto would be happier if he had friends, you know?”

“Friends, you say?”

Rui took a casual step or two forward, then turned to look at Chiyo.

“Yes, friends. Ikuto treats everyone kindly, regardless of gender. I believe that’s because he wants to get along well with us girls. Something that wouldn’t be possible with other boys.”

Rui continued.

“Ikuto is different from other boys. He’s special. It would be cruel of me to keep him away from the very girls he wants to be friends with, especially when he himself is unaware of any of this.” 

“I see. So, you were thinking about Ichise-kun’s best interest.”

“Do you find it a bit late for such a realization?”

“No, I think it’s good.”

“Being told that by you, Kanoya-san, gives me a bit of relief. Thank you.”

Rui chuckled.

“Now I see why Ichise-kun is popular among the girls, even when you’ve been holding him back, Tohsaka-san.”

“Hm? Did you say something?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Alright, I won’t ask then. Ah, thanks for being Ikuto’s escort earlier. Must’ve been tough, huh?”

“Well… it was alright.”

Chiyo had been watching over the multiple girls by herself.

Unlike the male bodyguards who were used to this, a slight hint of fatigue was visible on her face.

“Haha… good work out there. I thought about staying with him, but I felt like other girls would find it hard to approach him if I were around. So, how did it go?”

“Everyone seemed to be having a lively conversation. Ichise-kun included.”

“I see.”

Rui seemed relieved but also a bit…

“Do you… feel jealous?”

Chiyo noticed immediately.

“…If I said I wasn’t jealous, it would be a lie. When Ikuto gets all flirty with other girls, it makes me feel uneasy. But it’s a special school trip, and I want Ikuto to enjoy himself, so I won’t interfere anymore.”

Rui declared firmly.

And then she spoke again.

“Besides, I’ll do my best with what I have, my own ‘weapons’, so to speak.”

“Is that so?”

Seeing Rui’s somewhat liberated smile, Chiyo didn’t dig any further into the topic.

Just when they thought they were going back to the classroom after Rui had thrown away her empty soda can,

“Ah, Kanoya-san. Actually, I have one piece of advice for you.” 

Rui stopped in her tracks.

“What is it?”

At the word ‘advice’, Chiyo’s face tensed a bit.

Easing her tension, Rui smiled.

“Ikuto is really carefree and oblivious, so try to be patient, okay?”

“…I understand.”

(Being patient means don’t make a move on him. Isn’t that a given?)

Chiyo thought but nodded nonetheless.

―It would be a little while longer before she realized how lightly she had taken those words.