NTR Kousuke

Chapter 50

It's been a whole night since the shock of yesterday's kiss.

I'm still dazed, completely spaced out and dumbfounded.

No, it's not my first kiss, okay?

But, even while desperately trying to prove myself through everything, there's still this self-deprecating feeling stuck somewhere in my head.

Though the form is different, how strongly and beautifully Yukari-san has grown this summer as we spent it together to wipe away those doubts.

I'm completely captivated by her light.

Preparations for the cultural festival are finally in full swing! It's happening this weekend for two days.

We're super busy with the preparations!

Right now, the film club is working on editing, and since I'm in charge of supporting someone's diet, I'm exempt.

Then there's the class hamburger shop and the basketball club's food stall.

Our class 3's hamburger shop is keeping me super busy since I'm the deputy organizer!

Just five more days until the cultural festival.

Ta-da! Some girls actually said it out loud as they entered the classroom dressed in hamburger shop staff uniforms!

"Oooooh..."

"Woooow."

Both the boys and girls let out a collective gasp.

They've styled it like a typical McDonald's uniform, but it looks cute.

Among them, Nagase-san is totally into it, grinning from ear to ear with a sparkling smile.

Both boys and girls are captivated by her bright, sharp movements and smile.

They're wearing pink short-sleeved polo shirts. The sleeves and collar are red, with a horizontal line across the chest.

The skirt, a dark brown color, is short, with a vertical yellow line on the left leg side, and a short apron tied below the waist. The apron is the same color with a horizontal yellow line.

On top of that, they're wearing small visor-like hats.

The boys can't stop buzzing with excitement.

"The way the line on the chest distorts... it's big..."

"Isn't the skirt too short? Or are her legs just long...?"

"When she moves, it clings so tightly, it's sexy!"

Hey, be careful! You're too defenseless!

I subtly try to warn them.

Nagase: "Huh? Really? I'll be careful! Do you look at me that way too, Kousuke-kun?"

Hehe! Nagase Aya's smile captivates the boys, but it has no effect on me right now.

"No, but the guys in our class are getting completely charmed."

Boring! she says, and while trying to pick up a dropped pen, the boys stare at the defenseless back of her thighs, barely covered by the apron-like front, and I notice her face strain a little.

Nagase: "Yeah, you're right, I'll be careful."

Nodding in agreement, Nagase-san puts on a cardigan and properly adjusts the apron she had shortened to look cute.

The boys let out a sigh.

Now all that's left is the interior setup, equipment, tables, and chairs.

It's mostly just confirmation work and moving things in the day before.

Maybe two days of training for the cooking team?

Nagase-san, along with the top clique girls, Koji, and Hiroshi who are helping out, are all so capable that we managed to get ahead of schedule with some breathing room, which is a huge relief.

On the way home, feeling relieved.

Nagase-san invites me.

Nagase: "Hey, hey, Kousuke-kun! Want to go scout out that non-chain hamburger shop on the other side of the station?"

I think about it and decline.

"Nah, isn't it more about polishing our skills now than adding something new?"

Nagase-san puffs out her cheeks and pouts.

Nagase: "Ugh! That's just an excuse, isn't it? I'm saying let's take a detour and hang out on the way home!"

Bright and refreshing. Those adjectives suit her invitation perfectly.

But, well, for me...

...Yeah, I should tell her.

I muster up the courage to say it.

It might just be my overthinking, or maybe Nagase Aya is just a girl who gets close to guys.

Even so, I don't want to do anything that would make me unable to face Yukari-san.

"Hey, Nagase-san... can I talk to you for a bit?"

Nagase-san looks startled and starts fiddling with her bangs.

Her fidgety behavior looks suspicious... Oh, I think she's misunderstanding! I need to get to the point quickly!

Nagase: "...No way... at this timing? You want to enjoy the cultural festival as a couple?"

"No, that's not it. ...I, well, soon... with Tomonaga-san... with Yukari Tomonaga-san... I'm going to start dating her... So, I can't do things that might cause misunderstandings, like being alone together... from now on."

No, I think I might be overthinking this.

I mean, does Nagase-san even like me? It's kind of unclear, right?

But still, I don't want to do anything that could even remotely cause suspicion or hurt feelings or misunderstandings.

There's a saying, 'Don't adjust your crown under a plum tree,' after all.

※A proverb based on an old story that means you should avoid ambiguous actions that could lead to misunderstandings, as adjusting your crown under a plum tree might look like you're stealing plums.

Nagase-san, listening with a flushed face, lowers her energy with a sigh.

With a slightly moist gaze,

Nagase: "...Hmmm."

Her expression, usually so lively, cheerful, and approachable, turns into a different kind of Nagase-san.

Even so, for me...

"So, being alone together... you know? Let's come with everyone next time."

Nagase-san lets out a sigh, "Hmph."

Nagase: "...You've decided on Tomonaga-san? It's final?"

I nod.

Nagase-san lets out another sigh, "Hmph."

Nagase: "Hmmm. But isn't it just high school romance?... I..."

For a while, she looks down.

Then she suddenly lifts her face! She's back to her usual Nagase-san expression.

And with a smug look, she declares!

Nagase: "I don't care who you love or how tainted you become. In the end, as long as you're by my side, Nagase Aya, that's all that matters!"

I can't help but think that's kind of cool.

Immediately, Nagase-san says,

Nagase: "Kousuke-kun, you're no fun, so I have no choice! I'm heading home today! See you tomorrow!"

We part ways before our usual splitting point.

Somehow, my chest feels heavy.

The next day, Nagase-san was just her usual self.

The distance between us hadn't changed, and I was truly relieved.

Nagase Aya is someone I get along with, we share a lot of common topics about studies and club activities, and she's a charming, fun girl to talk to.

I was really relieved that we didn't grow distant or drift apart.

☆ ☆ ☆

Today's Yukari-san.

Yukari: "...Pancakes... if you flatten them, they become this thin, right? There's no way something like this can have calories, right? Right?"

Osada: "Hey, Yukaricchi. I get that dieting is tough, but at least get some sleep."

Yukari had become a believer in the Sandwich Man's 'zero-calorie theory' to escape the reality of her diet.