Returnee from Another World - Chapter 37: Buried Regrets

Chapter 37: Buried Regrets

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“If we speak of karma, it is woven into the threads of fate. Should you seek to mend its frayed edges, those threads will entangle with others.”

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In my comfortably heated room, I sat on the edge of the bed, eagerly awaiting the moment.

Next to me was not Ayano but Kyouka, dressed in casual clothes.

It was the afternoon of the last day of school, and Kyouka was finally ready to fulfill her promise to give me a blowjob.

I wasn’t exactly desperate.

Still, with my parents returning this weekend, I wanted to make progress before then. Once the New Year rolled around, I wouldn’t be able to casually hook up with Ayano at home. Ayano could adapt—find another place or sneak in when my parents were out—but Kyouka was trickier.

I figured advancing our relationship this week would open new possibilities, so I invited her over as the school break began.

Of course, I’d told Ayano not to come today and had her stow her belongings in the closet.

It might sound harsh.

But I’ve never considered myself “dating” Ayano. I made that clear from the start. She can think of herself as my girlfriend, but I’ve told her I’ll see other women too.

She understands, though she showed a faint black (【Jealousy】) aura when I mentioned inviting Kyouka over. A quick hug and kiss turned it to pink (【Affection】), so it was no big deal.

Right now, my focus was on how to guide Kyouka, not Ayano.

“Ugh, I’m so nervous doing this with you, Shuu-kun.”

“Really? You don’t look that nervous.”

“My heart’s pounding! I barely slept last night.”

Unlike with Ayano, I wasn’t going to push Kyouka.

She likely thinks I’m a virgin. If I suddenly acted experienced, she’d wonder when I got that way, and it could backfire.

I haven’t been asked outright, so I don’t know what she truly thinks. But I’ve been playing the fresh, new boyfriend role.

I’m not sure I’ve perfectly nailed my 17-year-old self, but I haven’t slipped up too badly.

So, I couldn’t just drop my pants and demand she start. That’s not my style anyway, but rushing could ruin everything. A part of me was unusually cautious, haunted by the risk of it all falling apart.

Maybe it’s the gray (【Anguish】) aura Kyouka sometimes shows that’s got me on edge.

“We’re in the same boat then. I’m acting calm, but I’m not exactly relaxed. I woke up a few times last night too.”

“Really, Shuu-kun? Like a kid excited for a field trip?”

“I mean, I’m bringing the girl I love to my room. I’m excited, sure, but comparing it to a kid’s field trip?”

“Lately, you’ve been more manly but also kinda childish.”

“Am I? I’m not trying to act any way, just being myself, I guess.”

“So you’ve always had a childish side? I kinda like that part of you…”

Her dazzling smile, dimples and all, stirred something negative buried deep within me.

I told her I’m being myself, but that’s a lie.

What she sees is a fake high schooler me.

No matter how much she says she likes me, it doesn’t bring joy. This relationship, built on lies, feels constricting. Sometimes, I’m tempted to confess everything.

The only truth I told her was waking up at night.

Lately, I’ve been sleeping poorly, and Ayano says I’m often thrashing in my sleep.

Things have calmed down, but after what I’ve been through, bad dreams are expected. Still, the frequency bothers me.

Could I, of all people, be scared of something?

“I love the totally childish side of you too, Kyouka.”

“What’s that? I’m clearly the mature, big-sister type!”

“Nope, not at all.”

To shake off my unease, I flashed a teasing grin and planted a playful kiss on her forehead.

That sparked a flirty atmosphere between us.

“Mmm…”

We traded playful kisses—she kissed my cheek when I kissed her forehead, back and forth.

As we goofed around, I hugged her from the side, tilted my head, and kissed her lips deeply.

The soft, wet sensation of her lips.

We’ve kissed countless times, but knowing those lips would soon be on my dick sent a stronger thrill than usual.

Being alone in my room probably heightened it.

Our kisses grew intense, and I could tell Kyouka was getting into it too.

Our tongues tangled with wet sounds, caressing each other hungrily.

After a long makeout, savoring her lips fully, I paused to move things forward.

“Hey, is it okay if I take off your top?”

“Mm… Just to be sure, you’re not planning to go all the way, right?”

“Nah, I promise. I might touch or lick your chest a bit, though.”

“Haha, of course you will. It’s not a hard no, but… you won’t be disappointed if it’s not what you expect?”

Kyouka looked troubled.

Like before, she seemed self-conscious about her chest.

“You’re overthinking it. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.”

I couldn’t explain why, but I was confident I wouldn’t be let down. I even had a hunch her chest was exactly my type.

“Okay. I figured it’d come to this. Hold on, I’ll take it off myself.”

Kyouka wore a loose, coffee-colored sweater over tight black skinny pants. She pulled the sweater over her head.

I knew she had a long-sleeve undershirt, so I wasn’t expecting nudity. But with the sweater off, her body’s curves were clear, her elongated breasts pushing against the fabric.

Glancing at me briefly, she peeled off the undershirt too.

“Wow, this is so embarrassing. I prepared myself, but it’s still nerve-wracking.”

In my view were two large mounds, barely contained by a pure white bra.

Compared to Ayano or Sayaka, they might be slightly smaller in height, but the overall volume seemed similar. Half-spilling from the bra, Kyouka’s chest looked just as big.

“After asking for this, I hate to say it, but you don’t have to rush. If you’re too shy, I’ll grit my teeth and hold back my frustration.”

“So dramatic! That’s not fair, Shuu-kun. Now I have to step up.”

“Kidding. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

“No, I’m already set on showing you. I just need a little courage. Phew… Deep breaths. Here goes!”

She unhooked her front-clasp bra.

Seeing what was underneath, I understood her concern and confirmed my instincts were spot-on.

“Wow, they’re beautiful. What’s there to worry about?”

“Ugh… It’s embarrassing when you stare like that. I mean, look…”

I got what she meant—it was obvious.

But it was exactly my type.

Her elongated breasts, faintly marked by tan lines, were provocative. At their center, pink areolas—rare for a Japanese woman—surrounded nipples that were fully inverted.

That’s what she’d been self-conscious about.

“I get what you’re worried about. But it’s the opposite for me. Some guys, like me, are into that kind of nipple.”

“Whoa! There’s a pervert right here. I didn’t know you had that kink…”

“Dammit! I bare my soul, and you call me a pervert? It’s my honest preference, though.”

“No, no, I was just embarrassed. I’m relieved you said that. And a little happy.”

Despite saying she was “a little” embarrassed, her face was redder than I’d ever seen.

She looked happy, too.

But as I faced her, I noticed a strange unease. Staring at her breasts, a fleeting memory seemed to overlap, as if I’d seen this before.