The Case When I Attempted To Break The Heroine's Chastity But It Seems To Have an Opposite Effect - 2 - Try To Close the Gap

The afternoon sun cast a golden glow across the quiet streets as I walked home, lost in thought. I was piecing together the first steps of my plan, mulling over how to approach Miyuki and carefully dismantle the dynamic between her and Haruto. Timing was everything, and making the wrong move could jeopardize everything I planned, and I don’t want that to happen.

“What’s the best way to start this?” I muttered under my breath. “Judging from the way she interacts with me, I’m sure she doesn’t like me, so just showing up and acting friendly would probably raise some unnecessary flags…”

Then, my thoughts were cut short when I turned the corner and saw someone I hadn’t expected to encounter. Kishimoto Miyuki, who was walking a few feet ahead of me, caught the light with her golden hair. She carried her bags on her shoulder, giving off a seductive aura even from a distance.

And she was alone.

“Talk about timing,” I thought, a sly grin tugging at my lips.

Miyuki was concentrating on the road ahead and hadn’t noticed me yet. I paused to look at her from behind. She radiated an indisputable charm even in her casual manner. She had a composure that made it simple to understand why she was the talk of the school.

This is my chance to initiate contact with the heroine.

“Yo, Miyuki-san,” I called out, quickening my pace to catch up with her.

She glanced over her shoulder, her brows furrowing slightly when she saw me. “Ishibara-san?” she said, her tone hesitant, as if she wasn’t entirely sure why I was there.

“Small world, huh?” I said, throwing on my most disarming smile. “I didn’t expect to run into you here. Are you heading home?”

“Hmmph,” she replied curtly, turning her gaze forward again.

Her demeanor screamed that she didn’t want to engage, but I wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip by.

“Mind if I walk with you? It’s safer to have company, you know,” I said lightly, keeping my tone casual.

“Do me a favor and don’t come any closer. I can walk by myself.”

“Sheesh, scary much, but I don’t mean any harm. I just wanted to walk with you, that’s all.”

She inhales and sighs deeply, as though she had been carrying something heavy on her back.

“Sighs. Fine. Do what you want. But if you try something funny, I’m going to kick your face.”

Not exactly a warm invitation, but it was enough. I fell into step beside her, noting the slight stiffness in her posture. She was clearly on edge, and it wasn’t hard to guess why. She was walking with a boy she barely knew, and my sudden approach must have seemed suspicious.

The street was alive with the quiet hum of everyday life. Cars rolled by lazily on the main road, their polished surfaces reflecting the golden rays of the sun. A group of children played in the small park we passed, their laughter echoing in the crisp afternoon air. Nearby, an elderly couple strolled hand in hand, their pace unhurried as they enjoyed the tranquil day. Despite the peaceful surroundings, there was a tension in the air between us.

“You always take this route home?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Sometimes,” she said without looking at me. “Why do you care?”

“Just curious,” I replied with a chuckle. “You’re pretty well-known, you know. It must be tiring having to deal with so much attention all the time.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly at that, though her guard was still up. “It’s just how it is,” she said simply.

“So, even after school, you’re always in the spotlight. That sounds exhausting,” I mused aloud. “I guess Haruto-kun is your way of escape from all of those stressful things, huh?”

Her head snapped toward me, her eyes narrowing. “What are you talking about?”

“I mean, you two seem pretty close. I figured he’s the one person you can be yourself around.”

She frowned, clearly not liking where the conversation was going. “Haruto-kun is a good friend,” she said, her tone firm. “But that’s all.”

“Ah, I see.” I said, feigning surprise. “I guess it’s true what they say about childhood friends not always ending up together.”

She didn’t respond, but her lips pressed into a thin line. I could tell I’d struck a nerve.

We walked in silence for a few more minutes before I decided to switch tactics. “By the way, how’s AQUARI doing? I heard your latest performance was a hit.”

AQUARI. That is the name of their idol group. AQUARI, a nationwide sensation, was recognized for its dynamic performances and engaging music. The group consisted of five people, each with their own distinct style. Miyuki had rapidly established herself as the group’s face, thanks to her magnificent voice and dazzling demeanor. She had gone through a grueling audition process, and her skill shone through despite the strong competition. Their fan base ranged from teenagers to adults, and they now became the main topic in the Internet, at least that’s what I recall from when I was playing the game.

The change in topic caught her off guard, and she glanced at me, her expression softening slightly. “It went well,” she said cautiously. “Thank you for asking.”

“Of course. I might not look like it, but I do keep up with popular trends,” I said with a grin. “It’s impressive, balancing school and an idol career. I can’t imagine how hard that must be.”

“It’s not easy,” she admitted, her tone quieter now. “But it’s what I dreamed of, so the effort is worth it.”

I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “You must have a lot of pressure on your shoulders. If you ever need someone to talk to… well, I might not be the best option, but I’m here.”

She gave me a skeptical look, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes—curiosity, perhaps.

“Thanks, but I’m fine,” she said, her tone more polite than before.

As we reached a fork in the road, she stopped and turned to me. “This is where we part ways. Thanks for whatever this was.”

I chuckled. “Anytime, Kishimoto-san. I’ll see you at school.”

She nodded, her expression unreadable, before walking away.

As I watched her go, I couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t much, but I’d taken the first step. Slowly but surely, I would chip away at her walls and find the cracks. This was just the beginning.

“First steps’ always the hard part. But if we keep repeating it, eventually, it will grow. I can’t wait to taste the fruits of my labor.”

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The Next Day

When I arrived in the cafeteria, it was humming with a lively atmosphere. Just as the last morning class was coming to a the end, chaos broke out as everyone was excited to eat lunch with their friends. Students are conversing and laughing as they eat, filling the area to overflowing.

“I wonder if they have a good meal in the meanu.”

When I was about to step into the bustling room, with a tray in my hand, a shadow suddenly fell over me. My gaze flickered upward, and there a familiar figure stood in front of me —it was Yoshida Keitaro.

Keitaro was not someone you could simply ignore. His huge form towered above the rest, demanding attention. His black hair, cropped close to the head, gave him an almost militant appearance. He wasn’t the type of person who needed to throw a punch to make you feel his presence. Trouble is present throughout. And today, that trouble was headed my way.

Oh, and despite his massive size, he has the brains of a grade schooler and would only listen to you if it benefits him.

“Ishibara,” he grunted, his voice low but carrying enough weight to draw curious glances.

I sighed inwardly. “Keitaro. What can I do for you?”

“You know exactly what,” he said, crossing his thick arms. “You owe me, and I’m here to collect it.”

The memory clicked inside of my mind. He was talking about the trade. The video. Damn it, I’d almost forgotten. My brow furrowed, and I glanced around the cafeteria. Too many ears. Too many eyes. This wasn’t the place for our kind of conversation.

“Fine,” I responded, leaving the tray where I had taken it. “Let’s talk outside.”

Keitaro’s smirk spread as he motioned for me to lead the way. We left the cafeteria, the noise shrinking behind us as we walked to the back of the school. This location, obscured by high woods and a crumbling fence, was ideal for dealings that required discretion.

Once we were out of sight, Keitaro turned to me, his grin wolfish. “Let’s see it.”

I leaned against the wall, pulling out my phone. “You’ve got a one-track mind, I tell you.” I said dryly, thumbing through my files. “You sure you don’t want to talk about the weather first?”

Keitaro chuckled, shaking his head. “Just hand it over, Ishibara. You know why I’m here.”

With a resigned sigh, I transferred the file. A few seconds later, his phone chimed, and he eagerly opened the video. His face lit up as he watched, his grin widening with each passing moment.

“Damn,” he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. “You weren’t kidding about the quality. How the hell do you even pull this off?”

“Trade secrets.”

Do you want to know the contents of what I sent to Keitaro? Let’s just say it’s something hot and spicy.

Keitaro didn’t press further, too engrossed in the video. After a moment, he pocketed his phone, his expression shifting to something more serious. “Alright, my turn. So, what do you want to know?”

“Kishimoto.” I said without hesitation. “And Haruto. The usual.”

Keitaro nodded, his lips curling into a sly grin. “Thought you’d ask about them. Turns out your golden girl’s been hanging out with her little buddy in one of the old club rooms. You know, the one that hasn’t been used in years.”

I raised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. “What are they doing in there?”

He shrugged. “Beats me. But they go in there every day after school. Hardly anyone’s around in that place, I tell you.”

The possibilities whirled in my head, each one intriguing than the last. Alone. In an deserted room. This was a goldmine waiting to be exploited.

Keitaro’s grin widened, as if he could read my thoughts. “Whatever they’re up to, it’s probably something they don’t want anyone to know about. You’ve got yourself a recipe for blackmail, Ishibara.”

I nodded slowly, a wicked smile curling at my lips. “Thanks, Keitaro. You’ve outdone yourself.”

“Just remember,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “You owe me more of those materials once you get what you’re after.”

“Don’t worry,” I replied, already lost in thought. “You’ll get what you want.”

As he went away, I leaned against the wall, my thoughts turmoil. Miyuki and Haruto are alone in a room. Whatever their secret was, I would discover it. And once I did, it would be the key to all I want.