The World Becomes a World Where Chastity Is Reversed?! - 18

Chapter 18: Heading Home Together With Ayase

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A few hours later. Since track-and-field practice had ended, I was on my way back to the station with Ayase, just the two of us.

“Ah, right. By the way, Senpai, did you know?”

“Eh? Know what…? What are you talking about?”

On the way home, Ayase suddenly asked me something. What was she talking about?

“Yes, um, you know how there are the two third-years in the track-and-field club, Kitamura-senpai and Fuyuki-senpai? Apparently those two just started dating the other day!”

“Eh? Really? Huh, I didn’t know that.”

According to Ayase, the two third-years, Kitamura-senpai and Fuyuki-senpai, had apparently started dating. Both Kitamura-senpai and Fuyuki-senpai were cheerful, outgoing types—an energetic girl and an energetic guy—so in a way they did feel like a fitting couple.

“Hehe, it’s such a happy bit of news, right? Those two are totally perfect for each other!”

“Haha, true, true. But lately I feel like I’ve been hearing a ton of couple announcements. Why are there so many all of a sudden?”

“Ah—w-well, you know… The second semester has Halloween and Christmas and all those couple events, right?”

“Oh, I see. Yeah, I guess the second semester does have a bunch of those. I guess we’ll probably see even more couples from here on.”

“Y-yeah, probably. Since there are a lot of events and all, the number might keep going up. A–a-and, um, right… That reminds me, Senpai, um… D-don’t you plan on getting a girlfriend or anything?”

“Eh? Me?”

As we were chatting, Ayase suddenly asked me that.

“Y-yes. Senpai, um…You’ve become pretty well-known among the first-years. Like, uh…”

“Ohh, you mean that ‘Unconquerable Prince’ thing?”

“Ah—y-yes, that. Because of that rumor, a lot of people around me are super curious about you.”

“Eh? Even among the first-years there are people who are interested in me?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

Apparently the topic Amagi-san mentioned about me had spread not only among my classmates but even underclassmen. To think my name had spread across all grade levels was honestly pretty surprising.

“I see. But there are other guys who aren’t dating anyone, right? So why is it that I’m the only one the first-years are so curious about?”

“Well, yes, there are some guys who aren’t dating anyone, but Senpai is extremely popular among the first-years! When I told my friends about how you helped me before, the story spread instantly, and before I knew it, you’d become the most popular Senpai among first-years!”

“Ahh, that’s right.. Our first meeting was kind of like that… Wait, so you’re the one who spread the rumor about me, Ayase!?”

“Ah, s-sorry… I didn’t think it would spread that fast… I just told my friends about how cool you were, Senpai, and then the story exploded everywhere…”

“Eh? Ah—no, I’m not mad you spread the rumor, so you don’t have to look so guilty. I’m just relieved to know where the rumor started.”

I laughed as I said that to the downcast Ayase. Honestly, being admired by an underclassman felt kind of nice. And so it seemed the reason I had become popular among the first-years was because Ayase’s story had spread. Well, at least now I knew where the rumor started.

“Thank you. Anyway, that’s why you’re super popular among us first-years, because you’re such a wonderful Senpai. A-and going back to my question earlier… Senpai, um… Do you not plan on dating anyone?”

“Hmm, I tell my friends this all the time, but I don’t want to date someone I’m not close to. I want us to be friends first and be able to talk about anything before going out. But when I told my friends that, they laughed at me and said, ‘You’ve been reading too many shonen manga.’ Haha, maybe that way of thinking is kind of childish?”

“Oh, I-I see! So that’s what you meant! No, I think that kind of way of dating is romantic, and I admire that kind of thing too!”

“I see, that’s good to hear. Oh, right. What about you, Ayase? Are you dating anyone? Or do you not plan on dating?”

I asked Ayase that. She was cheerful, kind, and cute. I figured she was probably popular.

So I casually asked her. And then…

“Eh? Me? W-well, unfortunately, I’ve never dated anyone before.”

“Huh, really? That’s surprising. I’d expect a cute and kind girl like you to be popular.”

“Feh!? C-cute!? N-no way! I’ve never been popular at all!”

“Eh? Really? Hmm, but I feel like you definitely seem like you’d be popular…”

“No, no, not at all! I’m clumsy, and my hair is super short so I’m not girly at all, and because I run so much in track, I’ve gotten way too muscular. So I’m not girly enough, so I’m not popular!”

“Uh… huh…?”

Blushing bright red, Ayase said something so self-deprecating. For some reason, her self-esteem seemed weirdly low.

But she’s such a cute, charming, wonderful girl… Why is her self-esteem so low?

I didn’t understand why Ayase insisted on lowering her own value, but hearing my closest underclassman say such sad things didn’t sit right with me. So I…

“No, Ayase. I think you’re a wonderful girl.”

“Eh? S-Senpai?”

I looked her straight in the face and said that. Ayase blinked at me in surprise. And I continued.

“You kind of look down on yourself… But that short hair really suits you, and your smile is always so bright and lovely. Even if you have muscles, that’s from training your body every day, and it makes your figure look great. You really are an amazing girl. So you don’t need to say such sad things. Because you really are a cute and wonderful girl, more than anyone.”

“A-ah, Senpai…”

So I told her that with the same gentle smile as always. When she heard my words, Ayase’s blank expression shifted into one of shock, her face turning bright red. But soon after, still red-faced, she flashed her usual bright, cheerful smile and said.

“S-Senpai… Thank you so much! Even if it’s just flattery, hearing you say that makes me really happy! Hehe… Senpai really is the sweetest and most wonderful person! You’re truly the prince of the school!”

“Eh? Ah, no, I wasn’t trying to flatter you…But, well, whatever.”

I hadn’t meant it as flattery, but Ayase thanked me with such a happy smile that I decided not to push the point.

Well, if Ayase’s happy, then that’s good enough for now.

I still didn’t know why her self-esteem was so low, but she had gone back to smiling brightly, so that was enough for me. And so, as usual, the two of us continued walking home together while chatting happily about all sorts of trivial things.

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