So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!? - Chapter 6: An Unexpected Reason!?

Chapter 6: An Unexpected Reason!?

Just as I was about to head to club activities with a face that looked like I was about to die, Izumi and Tomoya called out to me.

“Ryu, club again today? That’s rough.”

Tomoya’s the only one smirking—what’s with him? I don’t even know what he came over to say, but for now, I’m seized by the urge to punch him.

“We don’t have club today, so I’m going home first.”

Behind Tomoya, Izumi fluttered her hand in a casual wave.

“You two have no club?”

With this school’s incomprehensible rules, you’re basically required to join a club, so those two should be in something too.

“Our adviser’s on a business trip, so there’s no practice.”

“Mine doesn’t meet on Fridays. It’s only Monday and Wednesday.”

Yeah, I already knew Izumi doesn’t have it today, but… hey, Tomoya, what the hell is that? Even if the teacher’s away, my club still runs like normal, and we’ve got practice basically every day except Sunday.

“Haa… I wanna quit club. I’m gonna quit and start the Seasonal Club instead. Of course, I’m an Aki(Spring)-stan…”

Oops. My true feelings slipped out. I even let out the kind of true feelings that didn’t need to come out.

Don’t look at me like that. Izumi and Tomoya—don’t look at me with those eyes like you understand exactly what I mean.

“U-um… then why did you join a sports club?”

Tomoya asked with a strained, awkward smile.

Like hell—you obviously already know. Don’t force the topic like you’re trying to change the subject.

And yeah? The reason? Just like you’d expect: I thought joining a sports club would make me popular, so I joined.

But there’s one more reason. Something more important than being popular. The most important reason of all…

That is……

“Aki told me to join a sports club.”

Ahh, Aki… do you hate your Onii-chan? Your Onii-chan wants to be with you as much as possible!

“I think Aki-chan said it because she cares about you, Ryu. Isn’t that good? She’s worried about you.”

Yeah… fine. Might as well think positive.

Alright then… so Aki likes a muscular Onii-chan, huh. Can’t be helped.

“Well then, Ryu. We’re heading home. Bye.”

“Ryu-kun, if you don’t get to practice soon, the teacher’s gonna get mad, okay?”

Izumi said it worriedly, so I checked the clock in the classroom—yeah, it really was about time to get yelled at.

“Haa… alright, I’m going. Later.”

“Yeah, do your best, Ryu-kun. Bye-bye!”

With Izumi waving behind me, I forced my heavy legs to move and headed for the club grounds.

※

“Finally over…”

Club finally ended, and I hurried home—moving even faster than I ever do during practice.

“I’m home.”

I set my things down and checked whether Mom and Dad were around.

“They’re not here—yes!”

If the parents aren’t home, I can dote on Aki as much as I want. I do it even when they are, though.

“Aki—your Onii-chan’s back. Oh, but first, I don’t want to bring outside germs onto Aki, so I’ve gotta wash my hands.”

While looking around for Aki, I went to the wash area and opened the door.

Then, smoke—steam—spread out in front of my eyes, and beyond it was pale, soft, full skin… beautiful bare flesh.

“Ryu-kun… you pervert…”

…Huh? What? What is this supposed to mean?