Chapter 5: First Year of Middle School Arc – Conclusion
Final exams are over, and the town’s starting to get decked out in dazzling illuminations. Yo, Reiko Netora here. It’s been a hot minute since the culture festival in October, but let’s just call that a charming little time skip. Like I’ve said before, daily life doesn’t exactly churn out noteworthy events on the regular, so what can ya do?
“Alright, everyone, have a great New Year~!”
The closing ceremony wrapped up without a hitch, and with our homeroom teacher’s cheerful send-off, the last homeroom of the year came to an end.
“Man, second term flew by, didn’t it? Feels way shorter than the first, even though they’re about the same length,” I say.
After school, the classroom’s buzzing with classmates soaking in the freedom. Our usual quartet lingers, chatting like we’re reluctant to part ways.
“Between the sports festival and the culture festival, we had a ton of events. Guess that makes it feel shorter,” Fuyuki-kun chimes in.
“Third term, though? No big events, so it’s probably gonna drag,” I add.
While Yuu-kun and Fuyuki-kun banter, I cozy up to Yuri-chan, flashing the boys a wicked grin. “That might be true for boys, but us girls have a pretty major event coming up, don’t we, Yuri-chan?”
“Eh? U-um… Valentine’s Day, maybe?” Yuri-chan stammers.
“Yep! Let’s make chocolates together, Yuri-chan!”
We squeal and link hands, all giddy-like. Truth be told, Valentine’s Day is one event I’m seriously hyped for. A day when it’s totally fine to hand out chocolates to guys, no strings attached? It’s a freakin’ bonus stage for collecting brain-shattering negative emotions. Wrecking the minds of mob boys feels so damn good!
I mask my overflowing love for humanity behind my perfect pretty-girl face. Lately, my NTR chart’s been progressing so smoothly that I sometimes struggle to keep my trashy true nature from leaking out. Gotta stay sharp.
＊
After parting ways with Rei-chan and Shirase-san, I—Yuuki Tachibana—am wandering the shopping mall with Fuyuki-kun. It might seem surprising given how tight we all are, but we’re still adolescent boys and girls. Hanging out with just the guys like this isn’t all that rare.
“Christmas and New Year’s shrine visits… I was sure Rei would’ve dragged us into something, but nada,” Fuyuki-kun says.
“Yeah, true. Knowing Rei-chan, I figured she’d rope us into some year-end plans, but maybe she’s just in the mood to chill with family this year?” I reply.
Given how much Rei-chan loves events, I was half-expecting her to rally us for something. This quiet vibe feels… kinda anticlimactic. Sure, I could invite her out myself, but mustering the guts to ask out the girl I like for a big event? Yeah, my ad-lib skills aren’t that good. So here I am, stuck in this laid-back but vaguely unsatisfying afternoon.
—Unbeknownst to us, the reason we two guys didn’t get invited to any year-end events is because that trashy Reiko was tweaking our affection levels with her garbage schemes. Not that we had a clue.
“…Fuyuki-kun,” I say, my tone serious as I face him at the food court, where he’s poking at some lukewarm fries.
“Hm? What’s up, Yuuki?”
“Uh… do you think it’d be weird to give a Christmas present to someone you’re not, like, in love with?”
“Huh? What’s this about—oh, you’re getting something for Rei?”
“N-no, it’s not like I’ve got ulterior motives or anything! I just… wanna show my gratitude for, y’know, everyday stuff,” I mumble, tripping over my words.
Fuyuki-kun smirks, tossing a fry into his mouth. “Ain’t nothing wrong with that. If it’s from you, Rei’ll probably be thrilled. It’s not like you’re a total stranger.”
“You think so?”
“Totally. …Alright, I owe Rei a ton too, so let’s go hunt for some Christmas presents together. If I’m giving her something too, it’ll make it easier for you to hand yours over, right?”
“Really? You sure, Fuyuki-kun?”
“It’s no big deal, man. But, uh, don’t go for anything too pricey, yeah? That’d be a bit much.”
“I-I know that!”
Fuyuki laughs, all lively, at my obvious cluelessness. It looks like a sweet, bittersweet slice of youthful guy bonding. But in reality, Fuyuki’s move is a straight-up check on me. Whether he’s aware of it or not is anyone’s guess.
And watching from the shadows of a pillar, that stalker trash Reiko’s got her veins popping around her eyes, savoring Fuyuki’s dark, negative vibes with a delicious Squelch grin.
＊
“Hey, Happy New Year, ma’am!”
It’s New Year’s Day morning. Shivering in the occasional cold gusts, I—Fuyuki Kurushima—swing by the Tachibana household. Yuuki and I made plans to hit up the nearby shrine for our first visit of the year.
At the front door, Yuuki’s mom greets me, and we exchange New Year’s pleasantries.
“Oh, Fuyuki-kun! Happy New Year. You and Yuuki got plans?”
“Yeah, we’re heading to the shrine for our first visit.”
“Is that so? That boy, I swear. He’s got plans with you but he’s still passed out. Come on in if you’d like!”
“Thanks, ma’am. I’ll go drag him outta bed.”
I step into the Tachibana house like I own the place and fling open Yuuki’s bedroom door, calling out to the lump under the covers. “Yo, Yuuki, rise and shine!”
“…Ngh, Fuyuki-kun…?”
Yuuki sits up, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“…Wait, it’s already that late? Sorry, I totally overslept…”
“No rush, man. I’ll wait, so go splash some water on your face.”
“Nn…”
I chuckle at Yuuki’s half-awake state and pull out my smartphone. Opening the messaging app, I see a text from Rei.
【REIKO: Happy New Year, Fuyuki-kun! Here’s to another year of getting along great!】
【FUYUKI: Yo, Happy New Year! Let’s keep it real this year too!】
【REIKO: (Some weird cat-like creature sticker)】
【FUYUKI: (Some weird dog-like creature sticker)】
I scroll through the chat log, which popped up right as the year turned over, and scratch my head to hide my restless nerves. “…Inviting her to the shrine visit myself… that’s coming on too strong, right? Usually, Rei’s the one dragging us to these things, so if she didn’t say anything, me asking her out feels kinda desperate…”
Muttering to myself, I type out an invite, then delete it, over and over. In the end, I don’t send anything. Yuuki comes back, all cleaned up, and we head out to the shrine, just us two guys.
“Hey, Yuuki,” I say on the way.
“Hm? What’s up, Fuyuki-kun?”
“Didn’t you invite Rei to the shrine visit?”
He pulls a slightly sour face. “Uh… yeah, I thought about it, but… inviting a girl as a guy? Kinda feels like a high hurdle. Plus, if Rei-chan turned me down, I’d probably be so crushed I’d take to my bed. Didn’t wanna roll the dice like that right at the start of the year.”
“…Yeah, I get that.”
We trade wry smiles. No matter how good-looking we might be, expecting us—guys who were elementary schoolers not long ago—to smoothly invite girls out is asking a bit much.
＊
“Happy New Year, Yuri-chan!”
“O-oh, Happy New Year, Rei-chan!”
At the bustling shrine entrance, I—Yuri Shirase—exchange New Year’s greetings with Rei-chan.
“Th-thanks for inviting me, Rei-chan. I’ve… never gone to a shrine with a friend before.”
“Haha, don’t mention it! I just wanted to hit up the shrine with you, that’s all.”
Rei-chan effortlessly links arms with me, and I can’t help but stiffen. “F-fweh, she smells so good… Ahem. Um, Rei-chan? I was wondering… was it okay not to invite Tachibana-kun or Kurushima-kun?”
I ask to cover my fluster, but honestly, I’ve been curious. Rei-chan’s always been glued to our quartet, so her choosing to do an event like this just the two of us feels a little… off.
“…What, you don’t wanna be alone with me?”
Her slightly sad, upturned gaze makes me panic. “E-eh!? N-no, not at all! I-I mean, I’m actually kinda happy about it…”
“Hehe, a little girl-time’s nice once in a while, right? C’mon, let’s go!”
I know she’s dodging the question, but I get swept away by her radiant smile. Deep down, I’m secretly thrilled she picked me over the boys, nursing a tiny, dark sense of superiority. I’m not about to argue with this situation.
“Yuri-chan, how’d your omikuji go?”
After tossing our coins into the offering box, Rei-chan asks about the fortune I drew.
“U-um… Oh! It’s daikichi!”
“Whoa, talk about starting the year strong!”
“Thanks! What about you, Rei-chan?”
“Heh heh… Ta-da!”
【Daikyo】
I gasp at the worst possible fortune, thrust out with her beaming smile. “Uweh!? Daikyo!? I-I’ve never seen one before…”
“Haha, and get this—it says, ‘You’ll face divine punishment if you don’t repent’!”
“That’s awful! You don’t have anything to repent for, Rei-chan!”
I’m genuinely indignant on her behalf, but she just laughs it off. “Hehe, thanks, Yuri-chan. Well, they say fortunes don’t always come true, so I’ll take it as a divine heads-up to be careful this year.”
She’s so chill about it that I can’t press further.
“Besides, I’ve got you by my side, Yuri-chan. Going on a New Year’s shrine date with a cutie like you? Forget daikyo—I’m the luckiest girl in town today!”
“R-Rei-chan…”
Her black hair sparkles in the sunlight, and her dazzling smile squeezes my heart so tight I can barely stand it.
—God, I wanna do her so bad…
In this sacred place, the bespectacled beauty Yuri Shirase is having some seriously impure thoughts. People tend to forget, but she’s got a pretty decent personality—and she’s surprisingly true to her desires.
＊
The New Year’s festivities are over, and the town’s gearing up for Valentine’s season. With midterms done, the girls at school are buzzing about the upcoming event, brimming with youthful energy.
“Yuri-chan! This weekend, you’re coming over to make chocolates at my place, right?”
“Y-yeah, we’ve been planning it since before exams!”
The classroom’s buzzing, and in one corner, a gaggle of girls huddles around desks, chatting and giggling. The boys, meanwhile, shoot sidelong glances their way, fidgeting as they trade restless banter.
“Valentine’s, huh… Feels like it’s just for couples or girls swapping friend-chocos,” one guy grumbles.
“For lonely dudes like us with no one to give us anything, it’s just plain depressing,” another adds.
“Ugh… I want a girlfriend so bad.”
“I ain’t greedy—just gimme some obligation choco.”
“I don’t even wanna count the one I got from my mom as legit.”
The air around the guys is thick with gloomy, negative vibes. Naturally, their resentment zeroes in on me—Yuuki Tachibana—and Fuyuki-kun, the ones they figure are likely to score some chocolates.
“You and Kurushima have it easy, don’t ya? What, you two gonna hog all the girls’ chocolates in class?” one of them accuses.
“Haha… Nah, Fuyuki-kun maybe, but not me…” I mumble, trying to deflect.
“Hey, don’t just casually throw me under the bus,” Fuyuki-kun snaps, his glare sharp enough to carry a grudge.
We’re stuck pushing the target onto each other when the class’s—no, the school’s—top two beauties, Rei-chan and Shirase-san, call out to us from behind.
“Yuu-kun, Fuyuki-kun. Me and Yuri-chan are heading out to buy stuff for Valentine’s, so we’re gonna head home first today, ‘kay?” Rei-chan says.
“I-I’m making chocolates for you both too. S-sorry if they turn out weird…” Shirase-san adds, her voice trembling.
“Hehe, wonder what I’ll whip up. You two better look forward to it! Catch ya later~!” Rei-chan chirps.
“Uh… yeah…” I manage.
“Y-yeah… see ya…” Fuyuki-kun stammers.
At the worst possible moment, their words hit like a gut punch. Cold sweat drips down our faces. When we turn around, we see our classmates locked in a heated debate about how to execute us.
“…”
Fuyuki-kun and I exchange a quick nod and bolt out of there.
“They’re getting away! After ‘em!”
“Dammit! If you’re getting chocolates from Netora-san and Shirase-san, you don’t get to hog anyone else’s!”
“That’s wealth hoarding! String ‘em up!”
＊
—How did it come to this?
I—Yuri Shirase—am sitting on a bath chair in an unfamiliar bathroom, the shower drenching me from head to toe. Completely naked, of course.
“Ugh… I’m so sorry, Yuri-chan,” Rei-chan says from behind me.
“H-haha, n-no worries…”
She’s soaking in the bathtub, also stark naked.
It all started a few minutes ago. We were at Rei-chan’s place, diligently working on Valentine’s chocolates, when her sudden “Ah!” made me turn around. The next instant, a bowl of whipped cream came spinning through the air right at me.
Thankfully, my apron shielded my clothes, but both Rei-chan and I ended up with cream smeared all over our faces and hair.
“Tch, what a mess!” Rei-chan, unusually flustered, practically dragged me to the Netora family’s bathroom.
I’d always thought Rei-chan’s house was kinda fancy, and this bathroom’s no exception—it’s like something out of a chic hotel, spacious and stylish. The bathtub’s big enough that two people could fit without feeling cramped.
Yup. Big enough for two. I know ‘cause I’m in here with her right now.
“…Hehe, I’ve always kinda dreamed of this, y’know? Taking a bath with a friend,” Rei-chan says.
“Y-yeah, sure thing,” I reply, my voice cracking as my eyes greedily take in her body.
Come on, would it really hurt if I just touched her a little? Washing her body with my hands… that’s gotta be fine, right? I’m exhausted from battling my self-control.
Lost in those thoughts, I half-heartedly respond to Rei-chan’s chatter. But then, a single sentence stabs right through my brain.
“—So, if you’ve got a crush, Yuri-chan, you gotta tell me, ‘kay? I’ll totally have your back!”
Her words, so cruelly casual, hit me like a bucket of cold water, washing away the steamy warmth of the bath. No—more than that, a fiery rage surges through me, hotter than the bathroom’s heat.
“…Rei-chan,” I say, my voice low.
“Hm? What’s up, Yuri-cha—”
I close the distance until our chests nearly touch, staring her down with an intensity that makes her falter.
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“Y-Yuri-chan…?”
“I… I love you, Rei-chan. I really, really love you. …That’s all. I’m getting out.”
Without waiting for her reply, I stand up from the tub and slip through the bathroom door, grinding my teeth so hard it feels like they might crack.
I won’t let Tachibana-kun or Kurushima-kun have her.
Rei-chan—she’s mine.
＊
Well, that’s about the gist of it.
Alone in the bathroom after Yuri-chan storms out, I—Reiko Netora—sink into thought. Yuri-chan’s been lagging behind the boys in terms of offensive power, always trailing in their dust, but it looks like she’s finally lit a fire under herself. I’m relieved. It’d be such a shame if my hard-earned lesbian NTR pawn faded out like this.
Love needs just a tiny push of courage to overcome hesitation. So I gave Yuri-chan that push—courage in the form of desire. Squelch ♥
Time to get out and get back to making chocolates. Wiping my wet body with a towel, I ponder how to play with Yuri-chan next.
＊
And so, Valentine’s Day arrives.
“Yuri-chan, Happy Valentine’s! Here’s your chocolate!”
“Thanks, Rei-chan! Here’s yours in return.”
Before morning homeroom, Yuri-chan and I swap friend-chocos in a flash.
“Yay! Thanks, Yuri-chan! …Though, since we made ‘em together, we already know what’s in ‘em, huh?” I laugh.
“Haha… Still, making chocolates together was fun, wasn’t it? …Um, will you make them with me again next year?”
“Duh! Next year, let’s make even cuter ones!”
We’re squealing and carrying on when other girls from class start crowding around us.
“Netora-san, here’s a friend-choco!”
“Whoa, thanks! Here’s one back for ya!”
“Reiko-chan, me too, me too!”
“Thank you~! Please, accept this in return!”
Hand-making chocolates for the whole class would’ve been a nightmare, so I give store-bought ones to the girls I’m just decently close with.
“Shirase-san, here’s a chocolate for you!”
“A-ah, th-thank you! H-here’s one back!”
“Yuri-cchi, let’s swap chocos!”
“Y-yeah, it’s store-bought, but is that okay?”
Whoa, Yuri-chan’s getting swarmed by the girls too. Back when we started school, she was a total loner in class, but now she’s got friends besides me and Yuu-kun. Makes me proud. I strike a Vega pose, arms crossed, looking like the ultimate background boyfriend.
“—M-morning, Rei-chan,” Yuu-kun says.
“Yo, Rei, Shirase, you two are hyped up this morning,” Fuyuki-kun adds.
They approach, looking a bit overwhelmed by the chaotic friend-choco exchange.
“Oh, Yuu-kun! Fuyuki-kun, morning!”
I flash them a dazzling smile and hand over two cutely wrapped boxes. “Here ya go! Happy Valentine’s!”
“Th-thanks, Rei-chan. I’m, uh, really happy,” Yuu-kun says, blushing like crazy.
“Thanks, Rei. I owe ya one,” Fuyuki-kun says with a cool smile, taking the chocolate smoothly.
But no matter how they play it off, I can see them freaking out inside over getting chocolates from a girl they like. Delicious.
“Oh, don’t open ‘em till you get home, ‘kay? Teachers might let us give chocolates, but eating them at school’s probably a no-go. I’d be pissed if they got confiscated.”
They nod at my warning. Of course, the real reason’s different. Each chocolate comes with a handwritten note, laced with just enough suggestive wording to get their hearts racing. Even if—unlikely as it is—the notes got exposed, they’re only teasingly vague, nothing explicit.
Zero risk, maximum libido points. No reason not to do it.
NTR isn’t built in a day. I’m a girl with a long-term plan, and I don’t shy away from the daily grind.
Oops, no time to dawdle. It’s Valentine’s Day, and I’ve gotta have my fun. Clutching my bag of chocolates, I saunter through the classroom, heading for the boys who’ve been sneaking glances at me.
“Here, Satou-kun.”
“Wha—Netora, you’re giving me a chocolate?”
“Just an obligation one, though~ No need for a return!”
“Hell yeah! Thanks!”
“Kondou-kun, here’s yours.”
“Whoa! I’m legit stoked, thanks, Netora!”
“Chill, it’s just a family-pack chocolate. Don’t eat it at school, ‘kay?”
Ohhh, the way Yuu-kun and Fuyuki-kun are staring daggers at me—it’s electric! A thrill shoots through my whole body, like something straight out of a spicy doujin. Squelch ♥
“You’ll face divine punishment if you don’t repent.”
The words from my New Year’s omikuji flash through my mind. People tend to forget, but this world I’m in is a parallel world, just similar to my previous life. There’s a chance some divine enforcer might actually exist, ready to smite a reckless villain like me. Which means I gotta steer clear of racking up negative karma points. But on that front? I’m golden.
I’m a girl with a heart so full of love for humanity it’d make anyone blush. It’s like how people adore dogs—I love people just the same. Sure, trying to explain my saintly nature somehow made me sound like a psychopath who can’t tell humans from dogs, but whatever. The more I talk, the deeper I dig my grave, so I shut that train of thought down.
Fine, I’ll admit it. I might be a tad more wicked than your average person. But my karma’s still in the recoverable range. Probably hovering around a neutral zero, a pristine existence teetering between good and evil. I’m walking the royal road of the neutral route.
Tipped all the way to negative? Pfft, that’s just your scouter malfunctioning.
The past can’t be changed, but the future? That’s mine to shape. Starting today, I’m reborn as a true beacon of light…!
Oh, look, Yamada-kun just walked into the classroom. Eh, I’ll start my redemption arc tomorrow.
“Morning, Yamada-kun!”
“Huh? Oh, Netora-san! Morn—”
“Here, Valentine’s chocolate!”
I hand Yamada-kun a small box, not some store-bought junk but handmade chocolate.
“Wha… Is this, like, your handmade chocolate, Netora-san?”
“Hehe, you’ve always been so nice to me, Yamada-kun, so I made something special just for you.”
I give him a playful wink, and his face lights up redder than a stoplight. Perfect.
“Th-thank you! I mean, wow, I’m… I’m really happy!”
“Haha, it won’t keep like store-bought stuff, so try to eat it today, ‘kay?”
I give a little wave and step away. Then, I make a show of flirting with Yuu-kun right in front of him, shattering Yamada-kun’s brain into a million pieces. Delicious, delicious.
“Yo, Netora! No chocolate for me?”
“Sorry, Tanaka-kun, none for you~ But who knows? You might get something better than my obligation chocolate.”
“Huh?”
I flash a suggestive smirk and flick my eyes toward one of the girls in the group. “…Just, y’know, prep yourself mentally. And maybe check your grooming?”
“Wha—h-hey, wait!”
I leave him hanging and slide into the girls’ group, diving into some hushed scheming.
“Reiko, how’d it go with Tanaka-kun?”
“Total green light. Push a little, and he’s yours.”
“Eee! Thanks! I’m gonna go for it!”
The girl I nudged pumps herself up and marches toward Tanaka-kun’s desk. Those two? Guaranteed couple status.
In my past life, I tore apart countless relationships, so I’ve got an eagle eye for this stuff. Knowing how to break couples means I know how to make them too. Today, I’m playing Cupid—call me the Angel Netrael.
“Hey, Netora-chan! What do you think about me and Yasuda-kun?”
“I’ve kinda been thinking Koyma-kun’s pretty cute…”
“There’s this second-year senpai, and—”
After seeing that last pair heading toward coupledom, the girls swarm me with love advice requests. If the matchup looks solid based on my intel, I give the girl a nudge. If it’s a tougher bet, I promise to mentally guide and condition the guy, setting up a perfect moment later.
The girls get boyfriends and happiness. I get to eliminate any potential threats to Yuu-kun’s affection. Win-win. Doing good feels damn good.
I can feel my karma tipping toward the light as I scheme to pair up couples, completely ignoring the guys’ opinions.
＊
I—Minoru Yamada—am hopelessly in love.
“Oh, there’s Yamada-kun.”
“…Huh? Oh, Netora-san?”
“Heya, it’s me~ Morning, Yamada-kun!”
On the morning commute, she jogs up beside me, her cheerful smile lighting up the path. Reiko Netora, one of the top five beauties in school and the impossible object of my one-sided crush.
“Still pretty chilly, huh? Can’t wait for it to warm up.”
“…Yeah, true.”
God, can’t I come up with something wittier? I curse my socially awkward self, but Netora-san doesn’t seem to mind, carrying the conversation with ease.
“—So, lately, I’ve been obsessed with paper-pack juices.”
“Oh yeah, you’ve been chugging those weird mystery juices lately, huh?”
“There’s way more variety than with plastic bottles. It’s fun! And when I get a dud, it’s even more fun dragging everyone else down with me.”
A few minutes after we start walking side by side, I’m somehow chatting away, caught up in her rhythm. This is what being a social pro looks like. She doesn’t just tease a low-caste guy like me for kicks—she picks topics I can actually jump into, making the conversation fun for both of us. I’m screaming with admiration on the inside.
“Oh, by the way, I watched that movie based on the light novel you were reading. Y’know, that school one.”
“Wha—you saw that, Netora-san?”
“What’s with that reaction? It was actually pretty good! …Though, maybe a bit intense…”
“L-look, I don’t only read stuff like that, okay?”
“I know, I know~”
She gives a complicated look but ends with a shy smile. Netora-san’s shockingly open-minded. Whether it’s so-called otaku stuff or content most girls our age would cringe at, she dives in without prejudice if it’s recommended or catches her interest.
She talks to a loner otaku like me without hesitation, and I’ve heard she’s always fielding classmates’ problems and love advice. Rumor has it she’s helped spark a ton of couples post-Valentine’s. I’ve even seen her laugh shyly, saying, “I’ve got a bad habit of meddling too much.” She’s practically a saint.
How does a girl this full of goodwill even exist? If this world were a game, Netora-san would definitely be a light-aligned character. It’s a cheesy otaku analogy, but she’s just that dazzling to me.
…Which is why I can’t get it twisted. She’s kind to me as a classmate, a friend—nothing romantic about it.
“…So, you’re not with Tachibana-kun today, huh?”
“Hm? Yuu-kun?”
“Yeah. You and Tachibana-kun are usually together on the way to school, but you’re alone today. How come?”
Yuuki Tachibana. My classmate, a good-looking guy who doesn’t flaunt it, always polite and kind to everyone. …And probably the guy Netora-san’s in love with.
“Oh, Yuu-kun? Seems he caught a cold and’s staying home today.”
“Really?”
“Yup. So I’m gonna visit him after school.”
Her worried expression carries a hint of something deeper than friendship. Seeing her like that, my heart feels like it’s being strangled with coarse rope.
She really does love Tachibana-kun—
“Ugh, and it’s White Day of all days… Guess I’ll have to make Yuu-kun pay me back with interest once he’s better!”
Her words snap me out of it. I steel myself and reach into my bag.
“H-hey, Netora-san!”
“Hm? What’s up?”
“Here! A White Day return for your Valentine’s!”
I thrust a bag of wrapped cookies into her hands. Her eyes widen as she sees the homemade treats through the clear bag.
“Whoa, are these… handmade!?”
“Y-yeah. You gave me handmade chocolates, so I thought store-bought wouldn’t cut it…”
…Wait, is it weird to give a girl I’m not dating homemade cookies? Isn’t that kinda creepy? Panic sets in, but she ignores my spiraling, letting out a squeal and bouncing with excitement.
“Eeee! I’m so happy! Thank you, Yamada-kun!”
“Uh, y-you don’t have to keep them if they’re weird. Really.”
“What!? No way I’m throwing these out!”
“No, seriously, don’t feel obligated. I mean, homemade stuff from just a classmate is probably creepy…”
“—Yamada-kun.”
Her hands suddenly clasp mine tightly, cutting off my pathetic excuses.
“Huh… N-Netora-san?”
“I might be wrong, but… you’re not great at talking to girls, right?”
“Uh, well… I’m not exactly good at it, no… Kinda embarrassing.”
Her eyes lock onto mine, and I mumble my pathetic confession. If I were good with girls, I wouldn’t be such a hopeless otaku.
But then she smiles gently, squeezing my hands a little tighter. “Even though you’re shy around girls, you went out of your way to bake cookies for me. Who wouldn’t be happy about that?”
“N-Netora-san…”
Stop it. If she keeps validating me like this, I’ll start dreaming despite knowing I shouldn’t. Please, just let me ditch this hopeless crush without regrets.
Oblivious to my turmoil, she hugs my clumsy cookies like they’re precious, her smile tender. “…Thank you, Yamada-kun. I’m so happy. Really, truly… Your feelings make me so happy.”
I manage a shaky smile, forcing my voice not to tremble. “…You’re welcome. Your feelings made me happy too, so don’t worry about it.”
The taste of my first love is far bitterer and heavier than I ever imagined.
＊
“Hey there… Oh, Reiko-chan!”
“Hello, ma’am.”
In a quiet residential neighborhood, Yuuki Tachibana’s mother opens the door to the sound of the intercom, finding her son’s childhood friend, Reiko Netora, standing there.
“Here to check on Yuuki, I take it?”
Reiko lifts her schoolbag slightly, nodding. “Yes. And to drop off some school handouts… Oh, but if Yuu-kun’s still feeling rough, I can just head out—”
“Oh, no, he’s fine. It wasn’t the flu, and his fever was mostly gone by noon.”
“Really? That’s such a relief…”
Reiko’s genuine smile warms Yuuki’s mother’s heart. She’s never directly confirmed it, but Yuuki’s feelings for Reiko are painfully obvious, and it’s clear from the sidelines that Reiko doesn’t exactly dislike him either.
Their feelings couldn’t be more blatant, yet they’re still stuck in this sweet, sour, painfully pure dance of young love. Yuuki’s mother knows it’s bad taste, but she can’t help finding their awkwardness endlessly entertaining.
Of course, she’s not naive enough to assume her son’s first love will automatically end happily. But if Yuuki and Reiko ever built a family together, she’d probably spoil her daughter-in-law rotten. That’s how much she adores the innocent, radiant Reiko.
“If you’re okay with it, Reiko-chan, mind showing your face to Yuuki?”
“Uh, well… I’ll just pop in for a bit, then.”
“Hehe, my boy’s got some game, getting a cute girl like you to visit him!”
“M-ma’am! Don’t tease me!”
Reiko’s face flushes bright red, and Yuuki’s mother nearly sighs at her son’s failure to take that final step despite such obvious affection. He’s always been shy, but if he thinks a girl as stunning as Reiko will stay single forever, he’s sorely lacking in urgency. She’d hate to see someone like his friend Fuyuki swoop in and steal her away.
Watching Reiko head upstairs to Yuuki’s room, Yuuki’s mother resolves to meddle just enough to nudge their first love toward fruition.
＊
“—Ugh, so boring.”
Lying in bed, I—Yuuki Tachibana—stare blankly at the ceiling. The chills and headache I felt this morning are gone, but a lingering lethargy keeps me from even picking up my phone. So here I am, playing the part of a proper sick person, sprawled out in bed.
“…I was getting ready for White Day, too.”
My eyes drift to the wrapped candies on my desk, and I let out a heavy sigh. They’re for her, of course—my childhood friend.
“I really wanna see Rei-chan…”
“Aw, that’s kinda embarrassing.”
“…Huh?”
My mumbled words get tossed back at me. I turn my head and see Rei-chan standing there, her cheeks slightly pink.
“W-wha—Rei-chan!? H-how are you…”
“Hey, don’t just sit up like that! Ma’am said you’re mostly better, but you can’t push yourself!”
Her sudden appearance makes me bolt upright, but she scolds me and pushes me back down into bed.
“Uh, um… what’s up, Rei-chan?”
“I’m here to check on you. I thought about bringing Fuyuki-kun and Yuri-chan, but I didn’t wanna overwhelm you, so I’m the designated visitor.”
“Oh… got it…”
Guilt for worrying everyone mixes with gratitude for their concern, and I flash an awkward smile.
—Wait, hold on. I’ve been sweating in bed all morning and haven’t showered. What if I smell?
“What’s wrong, Yuu-kun?”
“Uh, n-nothing, just…”
Rei-chan tilts her head, staring at me with those big, curious eyes. This is bad. Now that I’m thinking about it, I’m convinced I reek. And my bedhead’s probably a mess too.
The embarrassment of being so unprepared in front of the girl I like makes my face burn with shame and pride. As I squirm, Rei-chan leans in way too close.
“Yuu-kun? Your face is red—are you okay?”
Stop! Don’t look at me up close when I haven’t even cleaned up!
Before I can say that, she presses her forehead against mine with a soft tap.
“Hm… doesn’t feel like you have a fever, but if you’re feeling bad, tell me, ‘kay? Want me to wipe you down? Or get you some water?”
“Koff!”
Her perfect face so close, that faint, amazing scent of hers—it’s too much. I’m about to lose it.
“S-sorry! I’m just gonna wash my face real quick!”
“Eh, Yuu-kun?”
Overwhelmed, I bolt out of the room and head for the bathroom.
“—Haa, haa…”
Splashing cold water on my face, I try to calm down. I’d love to shower, but I can’t keep Rei-chan waiting that long, so I settle for fixing my hair a bit.
“…This is the first time Rei-chan’s been in my room since that study session last term, huh?”
Staring in the mirror, I mumble to myself.
“I-I haven’t showered yet, so, um, no…”
The image of Rei-chan lying on my bed, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, flashes vividly in my mind.
“What am I even thinking!?”
The sensation of Rei-chan’s chest against my palm flashes through my mind, and I douse my head with more cold water.
“…Ugh, I’m the worst.”
My body’s betraying me, blood rushing where it shouldn’t, and I sink into deep self-loathing. Rei-chan’s here out of pure, innocent kindness, and here I am, looking at her with lewd eyes…
“…But, I mean, I read online that a girl coming to your room means she’s basically giving you the green light…”
I splash more cold water to rinse away the lingering temptations.
“…Yuu-kun? You’re taking forever, so I got worried—wait, what are you doing!?”
Rei-chan, concerned by my absence, flings open the bathroom door to find me, the idiot, soaking my head under the faucet. She rushes over, grabbing me from behind in a feather-light chokehold to pull me away from the sink.
…Through my pajamas, her chest goes “squish” against my back.
The desires I thought I’d washed away come surging back through time and space, like sewage reversing through a drain.
“Ah!”
Her gaze drops to the very obvious situation in my pants. Checkmate.
“Ugh, seriously!? Yuu-kun, you pervert! Your mom’s right there—you can’t do this!!”
Her face beet red, Rei-chan hides her embarrassment by roughly toweling my drenched head.
…Saying it’s only bad because my mom’s here is not helping. That kind of talk hits a virgin like me way too hard. Just leave me alone so I can hide this tent in my pants.
In the end, I’m stuck letting her dry my hair with a blow-dryer, completely at her mercy. Kill me now…
“S-sorry, Yuu-kun. I got kinda loud…”
“Nah, it’s fine. Just… maybe forget all that happened?”
“Y-yeah…”
Back in my room after the bathroom fiasco, I’m so mentally drained I crawl back into bed. I feel bad for Rei-chan, who looks guilty, but she’s not entirely blameless here. I mean, who just keeps going and starts styling a guy’s hair when he’s clearly… worked up?
Sure, she was probably flustered too, but she really needs to be more cautious around guys. Her kind-hearted nature is part of her charm, but not every guy out there is like me or Fuyuki-kun. The thought of some creep taking advantage of her pure heart sends a shiver through me worse than any cold.
Lost in those pointless worries, I notice Rei-chan check the time and stand up.
“Well, I should get going. See you at school.”
“Yeah… Oh, wait, Rei-chan.”
“Hm? What’s up?”
I stop her as she heads out and point to the wrapped box on my desk. “That’s your White Day gift. Would you take it?”
“Wow, thanks, Yuu-kun! I’m so happy!”
Her smile blooms like a flower, and just seeing it fills me with energy.
“…”
“Rei-chan?”
Suddenly, she steps closer and plants a light kiss on my cheek.
“Wha…!?”
“Hehe, hope I didn’t catch your cold. Get better soon, Yuu-kun.”
With that, she floats out of my room with steps as light as a feather.
“Wha—what…!? No way… we’re still not dating after that? You’re kidding…”
My fever’s spiking again…
What even am I to her? Is she mistaking me for some kind of pet or something?
Groaning in agony, I writhe on my bed.
＊
—Graduation ceremony.
You’d think I’d be all sentimental about saying goodbye to the third-years… but honestly, the literature club only had ghost members as seniors, and I barely interacted with the graduating class, so the whole thing feels kinda meh. Yo, Reiko Netora here.
Sure, I got a few “memorial confessions” from seniors I’d only spoken to a couple of times. Naturally, I turned them all down.
“Aw, shot down, huh?”
“C’mon, put yourself in my shoes—getting confessed to with that casual vibe? No wonder your girlfriends dump you so fast.”
“Haha, harsh as ever, Netora.”
The guy laughing off the rejection like it’s nothing is a flirty senior from the light music club (let’s call him Chad-senpai). We’d crossed paths at some club meetings. He’s got a sweet face that hooks girls left and right, but his timing’s off. If we’d met in high school, I’d have loved to add him to my all-star affair roster, but keeping him on the hook long-distance for two years? Too much hassle. Regretfully, I pass.
“Whatever, if you change your mind, hit me up. Here’s my messaging ID.”
He shoves a note at me, and I let out an exaggerated sigh. “Ugh… I’ll take it, but don’t get your hopes up, ‘kay?”
“No worries. Even a slim chance with a cute girl’s worth holding onto.”
“Wow, you never shut up… Congrats on graduating. Try not to play around too much with girls, or you’ll get stabbed in the back someday.”
Though, let’s be real, the one with a knife in her back is probably me. I’m a girl with perspective. Once I’ve fully shattered Yuu-kun’s brain, I’m well aware someone might stab me in return.
…And that’s fine.
If I can break Yuu-kun’s mind, I don’t care what comes after. I don’t need a destination. All I need is to keep charging toward NTR. As long as I don’t stop, the path continues.
I ain’t stopping. As long as Yuu-kun and the others keep going, I’ll be there, waiting.
So… don’t you dare stop.
As I’m lost in thoughts of a certain meme-worthy leader who never quits, Chad-senpai lets out a hearty laugh. “Haha, thanks for the advice. Hope things go well with you and Tachibana-kun, Netora.”
“Wha…!? H-how did you…!?”
“Heh, got to see something good at the end. Catch ya, Netora.”
“S-senpai! …Ugh!”
Satisfied with my blushing face, Chad-senpai struts off with a smug grin.
Now, what about Yuu-kun and the others, who’ve been sneaking peeks at us from the shadows? I swivel my eyes toward a corner of the school building. There they are—Yuu-kun, Fuyuki-kun, and Yuri-chan, all peeking out from hiding.
My blood-enhanced eyeballs give me a wide field of vision. Even scenes at the edge of normal sight, which most people wouldn’t notice, I can see as clearly as if I’m staring straight at them. Oh, look at them, faces pale, probably thinking some random guy beat them to the punch while they were dawdling. What an unexpected bonus. Delicious.
Whoops, no time to savor it. Gotta clear up this misunderstanding before Fuyuki-kun gets any ideas about stealing me away. Time for damage control.
“Ahh! Y-Yuu-kun!? Fuyuki-kun, Yuri-chan too!? W-why are you guys here!?”
I feign shock, acting like I just noticed them. Inside, I’m smirking as I approach the flustered trio, projecting “I’m pissed!” vibes.
＊
“…Ahem. The closing ceremony’s done, and spring break starts tomorrow. I’m really happy we in Class 1-B got close enough to throw a party like this.”
At an all-you-can-eat yakiniku buffet where you can scarf down sushi on the cheap, I’m giving a speech, glass in hand. It’s the class president’s end-of-year bash, and before me are all my classmates, who’ve shared a year of highs and lows.
“This might be the last time we all hang out as a class. But even when we’re in second year, let’s say hi on the way to school or share pop quiz intel. …Oh, and I haven’t forgiven the class president for springing this speech on me without warning. You’re pouring my drinks later.”
“C’mon, Netora, you’re way more class-leader vibes than me!”
The class president and I banter like a comedy duo, and the room fills with warm laughter.
“Class prez was kinda invisible, huh?”
“Even the teachers sometimes legit thought Rei-chan was the president…”
“Don’t you two agree with that, Fuyuki-kun, Yuri-chan! …Ahem. Alright, cheers!”
“““Cheers!!”””
After warming up the crowd, I return to my seat, and Yuu-kun gives me a nod. “Nice one, Rei-chan.”
“Thanks, Yuu-kun.”
We clink our oolong tea glasses lightly.
“What a year, huh?” I say.
“Haha, I owe you so much, Rei-chan. Seriously, thank you.”
“It’s not a big deal. If anything, I had a blast this year because of you!”
I tilt my glass, take a breath, and scratch my cheek, a little shy. “Um… I’d be really happy if we’re in the same class next year, Yuu-kun…”
“Y-yeah! I-I mean, same…”
“Got the food!”
“Here’s a plate, Rei-chan. Oh, and for you, Tachibana-kun.”
“Y-yeah, thanks, you two…”
Just as we’re basking in a bittersweet vibe, Fuyuki-kun and Yuri-chan barge in with food and plates. Yup, they’re definitely interrupting me and Yuu-kun on purpose.
Perfect. Their affection and jealousy are firing on all cylinders. Squelch. Smirking inwardly, I start grilling the meat Fuyuki-kun brought.
＊
“Ughhh, nooo~ I don’t wanna be in a different class from Yuri-chan~!”
“R-Rei-chan? Why’re you acting like you’re drunk?”
Half-crying, I bury my face in Yuri-chan’s generous chest. Fuyuki-kun gives me a look like he’s done with me.
“Don’t mind her, Shirase. Rei’s been deathly allergic to class changes since elementary school.”
“She used to cry to me and Fuyuki-kun about it back then. She’s, uh, super sentimental or something… Just let her do her thing for a bit.”
“I-I don’t mind, but… fweh!”
Feeling Yuri-chan’s hands on my back getting a tad too suggestive, I start calculating when to end the hug. For a paragon of empathy like me, controlling my tear ducts for maximum effect is child’s play. Hardly even a skill.
As Yuri-chan’s hands slide toward my sideboob, I suck my tears back like a rewind button and pull away. “Sniff, sorry, Yuri-chan. I’m good now.”
“Oh… g-good to know…”
Yuri-chan’s hands twitch reluctantly, and I handle her with the care of someone defusing nitroglycerin to keep her from exploding.
With her current affection levels, building a Yuri-chan NTR route would be a cakewalk. There’s probably a safer chart to follow if I wanted to play it safe.
But that’s not my style.
A stable, risk-averse route? Screw that.
If I’m doing this, I’m going all in. Only those who sprint through a minefield at full speed and soar off the cliff’s edge earn the NTR gods’ smile.
Give me more hardship, more despair, more soul-shaking heat. I’ll overcome it all. My resolve hardens.
As my blazing soul outshines even the sun, painting Yuu-kun and the others’ futures in dazzling white, my first year of middle school comes to a close.
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