Chapter 13: Chapter 13

[Kenichi’s side]

At the main gate of the school…

People grow up.

People are creatures that change because of the unexpected.

To tell you the truth, even I have changed since I started seeing Ayane-san several times a week and doing things that I shouldn’t be doing.

In the past, I used to be so happy that I just jumped up and down, but now my relationship with her is becoming the norm for me.

It’s a given.

But…

As a high school student, I have a sense of fulfillment and control over the fact that I am able to satisfy such a beautiful woman.

“There will be many cute girls at the party today!”

“You’ve got a real betch in you, seriously?”

“How am I going to lose my virginity then, man?”

“Demn, only people who say they’re virgins can’t get over it.”

“How could you… Then how about you?”

“I am, well, I guess a virgin like you can’t understand it…”

“H-heey! Don’t you dare look up at me like that!”

A group of fashionista boys were walking around, having such a conversation.

Some had dyed hair, while others dressed down to give a full-on “playful” look.

“I don’t like that conversation.”

Yuto, who was walking with me, looked at the group of fashionistas and grumbled.

Well, I know how Yuto feels.

For high school boys like us who don’t stand out much, it’s natural to get jealous when you hear about it because we don’t have anything to do with this kind of love affair.

Which is called jealousy, of course.

“Well, they’re at that age. Why don’t you leave them alone?”

“Ou…!”

“What’s up?”

Yuto gave me a dubious look with his mouth open.

“No, I just thought Kenichi’s attitude was very mature today.”

“Well, that’s normal, right?”

I said casually, and Yuto looked up at the sky again and muttered,

“Let’s hope that something good will happen in the near future.”

“……”

As I recall, he said the other day, “I think Kenichi will find someone good sooner or later.”

And I met a wonderful person named Ayane-san.

Who is definitely someone good…

There’s enough good things going on right now.

And while thinking about it, me and Yuto went into the class.

“Hi, Kudo-kun! Good morning!”

“Oh, hey. Morning.”

When I entered the class and sat down in my seat, Uchida, who was talking with her two friends (Megumi Yanagisawa, who looks soft and gentle, and Minami Kirishima, who has long narrow eyes), suddenly came towards me and greeted me.

I’ve never had anyone come directly to my seat like this before. It made all the boys around me stare at me.

“Oh, um…”

“Yeah?”

“I need to talk to you…”

A talk. Does that have to be done before class starts? As all sorts of thoughts were going through my mind, someone suddenly entered our conversation.

“Uhu, Uchida-san! If you want to talk, do it to me!”

“”Haa?””

Our conversation was cut short by the sycophant who usually takes aim at Uchida.

“I’m even funnier than Kudo!”

Said the goody-two-shoes, waving his hand in a buzzing motion.

Well, well… I’m certainly not a very interesting person, but to suddenly interrupt me is annoying.

I’m sure that before Uchida dumped me, I would have cursed this guy, but now I’m perfectly calm.

If the person I was talking to was Yuto instead of Uchida, I would have had the same feelings as I do now.

“No, no… I have an errand to run for Kudo-kun…”

“Well, then! You’re gonna have to mix it up with me too!”

“That’s…”

Uchida looked from side to side in trouble.

Yeah… might be a little awkward.

I looked at other boys’ with a face that clearly said, “What the h**l is this guy doing?”

The chime rang to announce class.

And at the same time, the teacher walked in.

“Now get back to your seat!”

The boys and girls in the class hurried back to their respective seats at the sound of the loud voice.

And…

“!”

I was surprised.

Uchida stared at the back of the goody two shoe boy as if she were looking at radioactive waste.

I honestly got goosebumps.

I can’t believe that such a kind, soft-spoken, beautiful girl could give off such a stare…

The sharp look from her cold, magenta eyes was uncanny.

But soon her expression changed and she went back to her usual mood, and Uchida returned to her seat.

X X X

After school.

Today as usual, Yuto left school early to help his father with his work.

So I slowly put away my class notes and stuff and then got up. But

Uchida approached me again.

“Kudo-kun!”

“Oh, yeah…”

Now that most of the people have left, there’s not much to see around.

“If you have time, can we talk? Maybe at a café?”

“Hm… Is there something important you need to tell me?”

“Not really, but, um… Kudo-kun and I seem to be on the same wavelength, so I wanted to talk to you…”

Uchida was restless, squirming.

Her soft black hair is swaying, pure white skin and neat eyes. And the body which harmonizes well with the explosive breast and it.

Yeah.

She sure is pretty.

Her two friends over there (Yanagisawa and Kirishima) were giving me a meaningful look.

The old me would have been jumping for joy.

But…

“I’m sorry, I have some plans today.”

“What?”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Kudo-kun?”

“Hmm?”

I stopped and turned around when a bewildered voice called my name.

“Your mom asking for you again?”

“No. Not today.”

“……”

I turned on my heel and walked straight out of the classroom.

The stares of Yanagisawa and Kirishima hurt me, but I let them pass and walk down the corridor at a quick pace.

Plan.

Welp,  it’s today’s actually a date with Ayane-san.

I promised to have a drink with Ayane-san at the bar she usually goes to.

Of course I drink the ones without alcohol in them, though the drunk Ayane-san, is so cool.

As I lifted the corner of my mouth, thinking, I saw Yuna Hiragi, whom I had just saved the other day.

“Oh.”

And when Hiragi saw me, she stopped and stared at me.

She’s the kind of woman who s***s on you even though you saved her.

Well, let’s just stay away from her as much as possible.

That’s what I thought, and I tried to walk through the hallway without slowing down.

But

“You.”

“?”

She called me.

That’s why I stopped my feet without turning around.

“Come with me for a while. You’re not busy anyway, are you?”

“I’m busy. Don’t judge me.”

“Haa!”

And I head for the elevator door, faster than before.

I think it’s better to say this,.

I’ve to go home early, help Mom with her chores, then do some muscle training, finish my homework, and let Ayane heal me?

Yeah.

It’s a very comprehensive plan.

X X X

Evening.

In front of the bar.

“I’m sorry, Kenichi-kun… I’m not in a good shape…”

“Eh?”

“I’ve been working too hard on my story, and it’s driving me crazy…”

“Ah, I didn’t know that…”

“I wanted to see you… but I thought of Kenichi and I was making too much progress… and I should have restrained myself.”

“I’m fine. Ayane-san-san’s health is more important. Please take a good rest.”

“Thanks…”

“Later.”

And I hung up.

Well, there are days like this.

Rather, it’s worked too well up to now.

I mean, am I being used as material for Ayane-san’s novel?

Yeah… I’ll ask her what kind of novel she’s writing when she’s healthy.

I hope it’s not some kind of voice-over lovemaking thing. Oh no. I’m a little scared to listen to it.

And just as I was about to leave the bar,

“Don’t underestimate me! Just because you’re so cute doesn’t mean you get carried away!”

Yeah…

I’ve heard that line before.

I definitely heard it from that bar.

“I’ll take a picture properly this time.”

I took out my phone, opened my camera app, pressed a button, and stepped into this bar where the meeting was to take place.

[Postscript]

Maybe a star or a heart would be nice.