Chapter 11: Make Me a Man

The day of the Hanabishi Festival.

The sky was clear, the sun blazing like early summer.

Perfect weather for an outing like this.

The event kicked off at 1:00 p.m.

Besides Kotori’s group, other clubs and local volunteers were hosting quizzes, bingo, pantomime, and magic shows. Their performance was slated for the end, around 3:00 p.m.

Takumi and the others gathered in the audiovisual room at 10:00 a.m. to prep, moving instruments from the storage room.

Yagi’s hyped-up voice echoed through the room. “Whoa! Nice, nice, nice! Yeah, perfect! Hell yeah, I’m pumped!”

Her vocabulary reduced to grunts, Yagi flared her nostrils, snapping photos with her phone like a woman possessed.

Other members squealed, “Whoa, amazing!” “We’ve basically won already!” grabbing each other’s hands and bouncing excitedly.

In front of them were the band members, dressed in their costumes with wigs and makeup on point. The Handicrafts Club’s hard work was shining through.

Takumi had seen them try on pieces during production, but all together like this? It was like they’d leapt out of “Okuribito Furīze”’s world into reality.

Kuroda and the others, decked out in otherworldly fantasy gear, looked sheepish but didn’t seem to mind the praise.

Akira was in high gear, striking poses and happily letting herself be photographed. She even nailed specific scene requests from Yagi, showing she’d read and loved the source material.

Even Kotori, though visibly nervous, stood tall. Walking around school in costume for promotion probably helped.

Takumi, despite not being in the band, was stiff with nerves.

His mind was consumed with how to give Akira the gift.

The ideal? Casually say, “Congrats on the event, it was awesome. This is from me and Kotori,” and hand it over. Kotori had given it her stamp of approval.

Glancing at Akira, he saw her beaming with the others.

She was so friendly—surely she’d accept the gift with a smile. He could picture it easily.

But giving someone a gift? That was a first for him.

What if people thought it was weird? What if she refused it politely? He knew it’d be fine, but his timid heart kept spiraling into worst-case scenarios.

After the commotion died down, a school announcement called them to the back entrance…

Yagi suggested the band members head to the venue in costume for publicity.

Akira protested, “That’s embarrassing!” but surprisingly, Kuroda chimed in, “It’s perfect for promotion.”

Akira blinked, then grinned. “It’s a festival, right? Why not!” The others got on board, packed their street clothes, and headed out.

The Handicrafts Club members flanked the band, walking the usual school route.

Naturally, they drew curious stares. Even Kotori, fine at school, looked embarrassed once they left campus.

They soon reached the shopping street.

It was already packed for the Hanabishi Festival, buzzing with more people than usual.

Stores were selling special one-day-only menus for the occasion.

A group in “Okuribito Furīze” cosplay stood out like a sore thumb.

Kids especially lit up, shouting, “It’s Furīze!” “Wait, today’s event—” “What’re they doing!?” “I’m so there!” The group smirked, satisfied—success was practically guaranteed.

Kotori, silent but poised, was proof of all the youth achievements she’d unlocked.

Led by Yagi, they headed through the street toward the station rotary, where a special stage was set up.

Along the way, they spotted the man who’d lent them the pickup truck, waving.

Yagi clapped her hands and turned back. “Alright, let’s get set up!”

“On it!” “Let’s do this!”

Akira and Kuroda grabbed their instruments.

Apparently, a nearby tenant building’s storage room was their green room for the event.

Yagi spoke briefly with the truck guy, then raised a hand apologetically. “I’m the rep, so I gotta go greet the organizers. Hang out till it’s time.”

She headed to the tenant building with the man, where the event HQ was.

The remaining Handicrafts Club members chattered, “It smells so good out here!” “I’m starving.” “Early lunch?” and wandered off into the festival vibe.

Takumi was invited but declined politely—too awkward as the only guy, plus his nerves killed his appetite. Kotori felt the same.

After seeing them off, he turned to Kotori, who was similarly empty-handed. “Wanna check out the stage?”

“Mhm.”

They headed to the rotary, just a stone’s throw away.

The stage was still being assembled, about half the size of the gym’s—cozy, but big enough for a few hundred people, fitting for the shopping street’s scale.

No clue how many would show, but imagining standing up there sent a shiver through Takumi.

“—!”

“Kotori!?”

Kotori suddenly swayed, dizzy.

Grabbing her arm, Takumi saw her pale face and trembling, teary eyes.

He didn’t need to ask—she was freaked out by the stage.

Even with all her achievements, performing on this big stage was a massive hurdle.

But backing out now wasn’t an option.

“…Kotori.”

They hadn’t done a routine today. He called out, checking if she needed one.

Kotori lowered her lashes, lost in thought.

After a moment, trembling, she answered with uncharacteristic resolve. “No, I’m fine. I’m okay.”

Her unexpected response made Takumi’s eyes widen.

Hesitant but determined, she was pushing forward.

And him?

Compared to her, all he had to do was give a gift.

Yet here he was, dithering. He felt pathetic.

—I need courage.

Desperately wishing for it, Takumi blurted out something unexpected. “Kotori, make me a man.”

“…Huh?”

Kotori let out a comically dumbfounded noise, blinking rapidly before staring at him, confusion in her eyes.

The words had spilled out impulsively, and yeah, they were vague as hell.

Checking that no one was nearby, Takumi leaned in and whispered, “I mean, like our routines—I wanna make you feel good this time.”

“Wha—”

Kotori nearly shouted, clapping a hand over her mouth.

Her eyes, wider than ever, locked onto him.

A beat later, Takumi realized how bold he’d been.

To Kotori, it was basically like saying, Let me screw you.

His face burned with embarrassment.

“N-No, if it’s too much, forget it. Sorry, just—”

“It’s fine.”

Cutting off his flustered backpedaling, Kotori’s voice was barely a whisper.

He hadn’t expected her to agree, and for a second, he stared, dumbstruck.

Her face was as red as his.

Swallowing hard, he asked cautiously, “You sure?”

“…Mhm.”

Kotori grabbed the hem of his uniform, giving a faint nod.

They returned to school, Kotori now in her uniform.

It was a weekend, and with most club kids at lunch, the campus was quiet.

They headed to the storage room in the old school building, entering through the back door and locking it.

Going home was an option, but they chose here deliberately.

To overwrite the time nerves had gotten the better of them here and to reclaim some confidence.

“…”

Takumi and Kotori stood awkwardly, unsure what to do next.

A frustrating, probing tension hung in the air, impossible to pin down.

Come to think of it, it was always Katori who initiated things.

So, in moments like this, Takumi had no clue how to take the lead.

His heart pounded painfully, his throat parched with nerves.

Katori seemed just as on edge, fidgeting slightly, watching Takumi’s every move.

He was the one who brought this up. It only made sense for him to make the first move.

Suppressing the chaos in his chest, Takumi forced out a trembling voice.

“Katori, this… it’s not our usual routine or anything, okay?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“This is for me to build some confidence by making you feel good. It’s my own selfish reason.”

“I-I get it.”

“So, um… I want to see your face to gauge your reactions properly. Is that… okay?”

“...! …It’s fine.”

Katori’s shoulders jolted as if she’d just pictured it. Her face flushed crimson up to her ears, her lashes lowering in hesitation, but she gave a small nod.

Takumi let out a relieved sigh, having gotten her consent for a different position than usual.

They’d been intimate countless times, but this was the first time he was deliberately trying to focus on her pleasure. Naturally, he wanted to see her reactions up close to know he was hitting the right spots.

Takumi exhaled sharply, steeling himself.

“Here goes.”

He declared it and pulled Katori into a tight embrace.

Her body was rigid with tension, but Takumi couldn’t help but catch his breath at the softness of her, so different from his own.

Katori was taller than most girls, but nestled in his arms like this, she felt surprisingly small, which caught him off guard.

They’d had sex plenty of times, yet touching her like this felt entirely new.

For a while, he held her, savoring their differences, confirming her presence. Then, a puzzled voice rose from his arms.

“Um, what are you…?”

Katori sounded bewildered, and no wonder—Takumi had declared the start but was just holding her.

Normally, they’d move on to the main act quickly, so her confusion was understandable.

Takumi furrowed his brow, hesitating before explaining with a sheepish tone.

“Uh, this is… to help us relax and get in sync, I guess? Honestly, I’m still kinda nervous, and I’m not exactly… ready yet.”

“…Pfft.”

Katori blinked in surprise, then let out a soft giggle.

Takumi pouted, embarrassed and awkward, but then Katori wrapped her arms around his back, her tone playful.

“Got it. Guess we’ve got no choice but to loosen up first.”

“Hey, is it okay if I… touch you more?”

“Mmm, go ahead. Do whatever you want.”

With her permission, Takumi cautiously began to explore her body, handling her like fragile glass.

Katori squirmed, letting out a ticklish laugh.

“Katori?”

“Haha, that tickles! You can be a bit rougher, you know.”

“Oh, got it.”

“You’re supposed to make me feel good, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Her teasing glance sparked a bit of defiance in Takumi. He shot her a sulky look and reached for her again.

Her silky hair, her delicate shoulders that seemed too frail to hold, her slender waist that felt like it might snap under pressure, and her smooth thighs that seemed to cling to his hands.

Her body screamed femininity, and Takumi couldn’t help but lose himself in exploring it.

Soon, nothing else existed but Katori.

She surrendered to his touch, her voice soft and feverish.

“Takumi, your heart’s racing.”

“Shut up, yours is too.”

“Hehe. Your hands are so rough. And your body’s… solid. Muscular, huh?”

“Well, yeah, I’ve been training for track forever.”

Katori’s hands roamed over him in turn, her touch both ticklish and thrilling, stoking his excitement.

Their gazes and breaths intertwined.

Their bodies grew hot, slick with sweat.

Katori’s faintly sweet scent rose, dizzying Takumi, eroding his restraint.

“Hey, can I touch your chest?”

“…Over my uniform.”

He asked tentatively, and she gave conditional permission.

Katori’s chest had grown noticeably in recent months. Compared to the start of ninth grade, she’d gone up two sizes, or so the rumors among the boys went.

Takumi had always been curious.

Swallowing hard, he carefully reached for her chest, untouched by anyone else.

The weight and softness were beyond anything he’d imagined, the way they shifted with every movement driving him wild like a kid with a new toy.

“…Ah.”

A sultry moan escaped Katori.

Then Takumi noticed her pressing her groin against his leg, moving subtly.

She seemed unaware, her expression melting into ecstasy.

A mischievous urge bubbled up, and Takumi leaned close to her ear, teasing.

“Your hips are moving.”

“Wha!?”

Katori yelped in disbelief.

Takumi chuckled, amused, while Katori’s eyes welled up as she stammered excuses.

“N-No, it’s not like that!”

“Oh, really?”

To test her, Takumi slipped his hand under her skirt.

He felt a dampness that barely let her underwear function as such, and a new kind of moan spilled from her lips.

“—Ah♡”

Her legs trembled, and she clung to him desperately. Her hot breath grazed his chest.

—So cute.

The sight of her, so unguarded, stirred something deep within him.

Drawn in by the heat, his face moved toward her lips.

“Katori…”

“…No! Not that!”

“!?”

Her sharp refusal stopped him cold.

Why?

He looked at her pleadingly, but Katori averted her gaze, murmuring as if begging.

“No kissing… It’d cross a line…”

“…Right.”

It was like a bucket of cold water over his head.

She was right.

This was just Takumi’s ritual to regain confidence and borrow courage.

His mind cooled rapidly.

But it was for the best.

If he’d gone further, he’d have devoured her without a thought for her feelings.

Yet his body still craved her.

He stroked her hair gently, pulling her close to whisper.

“Ready?”

“…Mhm.”

They locked eyes, sharing a smile.

Takumi quickly put on a condom, faced her head-on, and moved his hips forward.

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Just as Takumi had said, this was far from their usual routine.

A wave of pleasure crashed over Katori, her mind blanking out in an instant.

She vaguely recalled a jolt like lightning coursing through her body.

And clinging to Takumi for dear life to keep from being swept away by the new sensation.

Her head felt fuzzy, her legs unsteady.

Her body went limp, swaying in the afterglow.

As the tide receded, her consciousness slowly returned.

Her eyes focused, landing on Takumi’s face—his brow furrowed in concern but tinged with pride at having succeeded.

“Katori?”

He gently touched her cheek, calling her name as he checked on her.

“Uh, ah…”

The reality of her state hit her, and her brain boiled with embarrassment.

Embarrassing.

Her mind drowned in shame.

Covering her face—surely too indecent to be seen—she heard Takumi’s voice checking in.

“Did I make you feel good—? Nah, guess I don’t need to ask.”

“~~~~, you idiot! Don’t look at me!”

Katori’s tearful shout made Takumi shrug and turn away, starting to clean up.

Katori watched him with a low growl, replaying the memory.

They’d been intimate plenty of times, calling it a “routine.”

She knew they were far from society’s norms.

And she couldn’t deny the guilt of using Takumi, dragging him into it.

So when he asked to do it to build his confidence, she was surprised but felt it was only fair. She agreed, thinking it balanced things out. There was resistance to doing it face-to-face, but his reasoning made sense, and she convinced herself it was a way to repay him. She even thought she might fake her reactions a bit, if needed.

But her earlier behavior? Unthinkable!

Sure, she’d felt some pleasure before, but losing herself completely? That was beyond imagination.

If she had to make an excuse, it’d be because it was the first time they’d included foreplay.

It wasn’t mechanical—it was normal intimacy, and she hadn’t expected it to feel that good. No wonder some people got hooked on sex.

Heat still lingered in her core.

Her lower abdomen throbbed, urging her knees to rub together, her hand reaching to soothe it—then she caught her breath.

“—!”

This was like admitting she wanted more.

She wasn’t some lewd pervert.

And there was no way she could show that shameless side again.

What happened was just to help Takumi gain confidence.

Besides, guys couldn’t go again right away—she’d read about “sage time” in manga and novels.