The World Becomes a World Where Chastity Is Reversed?! - 24

Chapter 24: Making a Promise to Narumi-neesan

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After Narumi-neesan started crying, some time passed.

“Sorry, Haru-kun. I suddenly started crying like that…”

“No, it was totally fine. But do you feel a little better now?”

After she stopped crying, Narumi-neesan spoke to me, looking apologetic. So I gently told her it was okay.

“Yeah. It’s been a long time since I cried like that, but I feel super refreshed now. Thanks, Haru-kun. But you’re amazing, you know? Your papa-flavor was so strong that I ended up crying my eyes out.”

“Eh? Pa–papa-flavor? Ah, right…”

So what people in the real world called “babying flavor” or “mama-flavor” had become “papa-flavor” in this world. I learned something new again.

“Hm? What’s wrong, Haru-kun?”

“Eh? Ah, no, nothing. Anyway, I’m really glad I could help soothe you. But… For now, I really think you should quit your current company. From the way things sounded, that place isn’t suited for you at all.”

“…Yeah. You’re right. I had kind of felt that for a while now. But I couldn’t talk to anyone about it, and so I kept dragging myself along at that job. That’s why… Thank you for listening to me today. Thanks to talking with you, Haru-kun, I finally felt ready to quit…”

“Yeah, that’s great. I’m sure Auntie will understand if you quit. So it’s okay. You can quit without worrying.”

“Yeah, I’ll talk to Mom soon. Really… Thank you for worrying about me so much, Haru-kun.”

And so, Narumi-neesan finally decided to quit her job. She had barely been holding on up until now, but at this rate she definitely would have broken down physically or mentally. So I was truly glad I could help her before that happened.

“Ah, but…”

“Hm? But what? Did something happen, neesan?”

“Ah, ahh, no… I did decide to quit my job, but… That means I’m going to be unemployed now, right? When I think about that, I start feeling like I’m becoming more and more of a useless person…”

“Hm? No, that’s not true at all. What’s wrong? Why? So suddenly?”

“No, it is true. I’m bad at socializing, my friends are dwindling, I’m clumsy and even my seniors and juniors at work make fun of me… And now I’m quitting my job and becoming unemployed… I feel like such a failure that I’m going to fall into self-loathing. Ahaha…”

Narumi-neesan said that while wearing a self-deprecating smile. From the way she behaved, she really seemed to believe it.

“No, you don’t have to sink into self-loathing. Because I know you’re a kind and wonderful person. So don’t make that gloomy face. Show the bright, energetic expression you used to have.”

“Thank you, Haru-kun. Even if it’s just flattery, I’m happy to hear it. But having a high school boy flatter me like that is embarrassing… Ahaha…”

“N-no, it’s not flattery at all. You really are a wonderful person, Nee-san.”

“No, I’m really a failure. All my friends are doing well at their jobs, plenty of them have found partners and gotten married, and there are so many who are happily raising kids, but I’m still single, an introvert, bad at everything, I can’t do my job well… And now I’m quitting, which means the path to becoming a shut-in and dying alone is basically set in stone… Fu, fufufu…”

“N-nee-san…”

No matter how much I tried to convince her, she kept sinking deeper into the swamp of self-loathing. To me, Nee-san was kind and truly wonderful. Sure, she had gotten a little sloppy, but… She was still the same kind and wonderful Nee-san. So, I really wanted her to regain her confidence.

Hmm…Is there something I can do to help her get motivated again…? Wait, ah!

At that moment, I came up with an idea. Come to think of it, this was a chastity-reversed world  and there was one “very special system” that didn’t exist in the real world. Of course, that was…

“Ah, speaking of which, Nee-san… This world has ‘polygamy,’ right?”

“Y-yeah, that’s been around since forever, but what about it…?”

“Right. And that means getting married young is actually encouraged, right? Nobody says it’s bad to get married early, right?”

“Eh? W-well, of course not. Lots of people get married young…”

“I see. That’s good. In that case, when I graduate high school… Shall we get married, Narumi-neesan?”

“Eh… W–wait, what!?”

And so, in order to motivate her, I suggested that. Her gloomy expression immediately shifted into one of shocked surprise.

“E-err… N-no, what are you saying, Haru-kun? M-marriage, that’s…Eh? N-no, sure, this world does have polygamy, but that doesn’t mean you should casually suggest marriage to any girl you see…”

“I’m not suggesting it casually at all. I think you shouldn’t date or marry someone unless you trust them. And for me, you’re the woman I’m closest to and trust the most in the world.”

“Eh? Y-you trust me the most…? Isn’t that an exaggeration? Isn’t it obvious you’re closer with the girls at school?”

“Nope, not at all. I mean, come on. You spent every day of long vacations playing with me back when I was a kid, right? There’s no other woman I’ve been that close to for that long.”

“W-well, sure, during long holidays we always played together…B-but that was ages ago! Do you even remember something that old, Haru-kun?”

“Yeah, it was ages ago. Back when I was in elementary school—, o more than ten years ago, I guess. But playing with you every day back then was a precious memory for me, and it’s also when I started loving you more than anyone else in the world. So of course I remember it.”

“Eh? M-more than anyone in the world…? Wh-what does that mean…?”

“Ahaha, it means exactly what it sounds like. Basically, Narumi-neesan… You were my first love.”

“Eh… W–wha-!? I—I was your first love!? Haru-kun’s!?”

I smiled softly as I said that, and Narumi-neesan’s face went bright red as she started flailing in panic.

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