NTR Kousuke

Chapter 34

After that, I supported Nozomi, my best friend's sister, in her attempts to get Sho and Kashii-san together whenever she had the chance, and then I watched the play, centered around my best friend's younger brother, Hii-chan, the star of the show, and I teared up a little.

The play ended after I comforted the family members who were crying profusely over Hii-chan's performance.

I never thought Hii-chan, who was so small, could sing and dance like that.

I greeted Sho's family and went home.

Nozomi, with a beaming smile, said,

Nozomi: "Oh! Kousuke Nii-chan! I have something to do at middle school! Let's go together part of the way!"

No, my house is practically next to the middle school, you know? What do you mean, "part of the way"?

So, I walked and talked with Nozomi; we talked quite a lot today.

"Kousuke-kun, you're very similar to Nii-chan."

Nozomi said, looking straight ahead.

Well, when we were kids, we were together all the time every day.

But even though Sho is said to be like a mob character, if I had to compare him, he has a protagonist-like quality.

But me... I'm not the protagonist...

Are we similar?

"...Is that so?"

Nozomi kept looking straight ahead.

"You resemble Nii-chan, and I've been watching you since we were kids, so I somehow understand. I'm sorry if I'm wrong, but... are you still agonizing over it?"

Am I being worried about even by this girl, who's like a sister two years younger than me?

That's shocking. Am I that easy to read?!

I'm told I'm expressionless, so I thought it didn't show!

I am, though... agonizing over it, perhaps?

But I can't say it. That I'm scared of girls.

"...I've been agonizing over it, and now I've come to think that I have no choice but to move forward. ...Did I make you worry? Sorry, sorry."

I ruffled Nozomi's head. Her silky black hair and round eyes, she's like a cute little sister.

My gynophobia doesn't activate with her. I feel truly relieved.

"Geez! Treating me like a kid again! I'll be all bouncy-bouncy soon, you know!"

Nozomi gets angry, huffing and puffing.

"Haha! If that happens, I'll change how I treat you!"

"Even my chest is amazing if I put pads in it, you know?"

"That's the pads being amazing."

We both laughed.

For me, the Tachibana family is a breath of fresh air, refreshing, warm, and kind.

I can confidently say there's no one I can trust this much besides my own family.

It was great to see the three siblings again after so long!

I parted ways with Nozomi in front of my house, which is practically the middle school.

Nozomi works hard at tennis and is apparently a top player in the prefecture.

As we parted, she grinned and said, "Next time, I'm going to have Nii-chan buy me a racket!"

Go, Nozomi! I cheered her on, waving my hand as if tickled, and she entered the school.

It was a relaxing day off after a long time.

☆ ☆ ☆

I took a bath, ate dinner, and then lounged around playing games for the first time in a while.

Maybe I've been working too hard lately.

It's nice once in a while. I'll do my best again starting tomorrow.

As I was thinking that,

♪〜

LINE... no, is it a call?

Tomonaga-san? I wonder if she enjoyed the aquarium.

"Oh, Kousuke-kun! I ate sushi, I ate sushi!"

Her voice sounded happy and regretful at the same time.

Am I on a video call? I'm not really good with those.

With just audio, I can feel the nuances of words, thoughts, and even breathing.

"...Yeah, it's a good day to eat, right?"

"But! It's on Kousuke-kun's palm. Do you think I'm a glutton because I went from the aquarium to a sushi restaurant?"

No way! But you're on a diet, so your appetite must be serious, right?

Even I sometimes have a hard time with just weight loss when I join you, you know?

That's right! My abs are starting to show faintly! I got a little excited.

I briefly touched upon the feeling of the muscular guys in the baseball club shouting "Muscle!" back in middle school!

"Tomorrow, tomorrow I'm a little anxious if you don't check it for me...!"

Tomonaga-san's diet has been prolonged, so she's been a bit emotionally unstable lately.

I try my best to support her, listen to her, and reduce her burden as much as possible.

Of course, I'll join you tomorrow. When I told her that,

"Really, thank you! What should we do tomorrow? After finishing the diet menu, what should we do? Tea! I'll refrain from sweets! Let's have tea!"

Tomonaga-san must be pretty far gone if she's this happy about something like this.

Okay, is coffee fine after club activities?

"Yes! I'm happy! Let's talk again, okay? I can still do my best!"

More than anything, Tomonaga-san is motivated!

Even if she gets a change of pace today, it won't last long, so this must be the toughest time mentally for her.

I should also think carefully about the menu and support!

Lately, I've found myself recognizing Tomonaga-san as a girl.

At first, I just thought she was a troubled person.

Still, we spent the summer together, sweated together, and she showed me her unadorned, rock-bottom state.

It can't be helped, I'll help you! Before I knew it, I felt that way.

Her plump body gradually became a more feminine figure.

"Hehehe!"

When her abs jiggled while she was doing crunches, I caught a glimpse of her stomach, and when her chest jiggled during push-ups, I witnessed it and hurriedly averted my eyes.

Lately, her figure has become quite impressive, and I often find it hard to know where to look.

I wonder if she's still unaware that she's attracting men's attention because she thinks she's fat?

Her face has also sharpened, making me realize that her original features are those of an attractive girl with bright eyes and a high nose.

Tomonaga-san treats me with a master-like attitude.

I also felt like I had to protect Tomonaga-san. Kuzu-kun? Or Tomonaga-san, who was hurt by Satsuki, I can't see her as a stranger.

It's been like this from the start, but for me, who has gynophobia, she's a very easy girl to interact with.

The only girl at school I'm not afraid to approach.

I'm scared of falling in love with a girl.

I suddenly realized it.

I thought I understood, but the essence is still there.

I still haven't broken free from Satsuki's curse.

Still, seeing Sho and Kashii-san today made me think a lot of things.

There are things you can't get unless you move forward, even blindly.

That's what I came to believe.