NTR Kousuke

Chapter 63

※Author don't want to write from Kuzu-kun's perspective unless it's for a satisfying downfall, so from here on, Author will point out his lies each time.

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The one who found my hidden indoor shoes was Kuzu-kun!

Thank you! I return the slippers to their place and put on my usual indoor shoes.

Once I switch to the spare desk Osada-san arranged, things are more or less back to normal!

I thank Kuzu-kun,

"Thanks, you really helped me out! ...Who would do something like this...?"

I can't hide my anxiety.

Why? Did I do something wrong?

Kuzu "No, no, I've been unconsciously keeping an eye on you, Tomonaga-san, so I noticed right away that something was off. It's usually places like the trash dump, right?"

Amazing, what a calm and reliable guy!

...He's been keeping an eye on me without realizing it... huh, that's kinda embarrassing...

Kuzu-kun flashes a refreshing smile and heads back to his own classroom.

Osada-san, looking irritated, says,

Osada "Yukaricchi? Standing out is bad enough, but now that this has happened, don't stray from our side, okay?"

"Yes!"

I'm scared, and I have no objections!

I stick with the top clique of girls, tagging along at the bottom rung!

Right before after school, I move the tools from my desk and locker to Osada-san's locker when there are fewer people around.

Osada "This way, if something happens to my locker, it means someone in this classroom is the culprit or is helping them...!"

Her eyes gleam as she memorizes everyone currently in the classroom.

It's reassuring but also intimidating.

After school, I help with preparations for the maid café, so I'll be heading home a bit late again today.

I'm feeling a little better physically today, maybe.

Alright, shall we head home? Osada-san declares.

As I head to the entrance with everyone from class, Kuzu-kun is waiting there.

Kuzu "Tomonaga-san, I've been waiting! Want to walk home together?"

I'm weak to this refreshing prince-like smile!

...But, I've got Kousuke-kun, you know...

Kuzu "After what happened this morning, I'm worried. We use the same station anyway, so think of me as your bodyguard, okay?"

Bodyguard...

True, the incidents with my indoor shoes and desk this morning were creepy!

It's scary, thinking I might be targeted by some weird person...

I agree to it.

Walking home with Kuzu-kun.

It's like a dream I saw long ago, a longing from those days.

Casual conversations and stories from our middle school days.

Talking about how we've both changed since starting high school.

We laugh together while waiting for the train, riding it, and getting off at the same station.

And then, he walks me all the way home.

It's exactly the scene I've always dreamed of!

This must be a reward for all my hard work...

I'm enchanted; the fun time passes in a flash.

We arrive in front of my house, and it's time to say goodbye to Kuzu-kun.

Could it be... will he say something?

Or maybe... take some kind of action?

My heart races as I watch his every move.

Kuzu "That was fun! ...But, you can't let your guard down! We still don't know who did it!"

※Self-made (omitted below)

He's right, but as long as Kuzu-kun is by my side... I feel reassured.

Should I talk to Kousuke-kun about this?

If he finds out, will he worry?

Would he be upset about me spending time with Kuzu-kun?

But being alone feels way too lonely...

Kuzu "Given the situation, how about we go to and from school together until the cultural festival is over? We use the same station anyway. ...Of course, if it's a problem for him, I'll stop."

※Full of ulterior motives.

Kuzu-kun looks at me with concern, peering into my face.

Yeah, just until the cultural festival ends! Just until then!

Kousuke-kun would worry, right? So I'll keep the incidents with the shoes and desk a secret.

Once things calm down, I'll tell him something like, "This happened, and Kuzu-kun helped me out!"

Then maybe Kousuke-kun and Kuzu-kun could even become friends.

I think about a lot of things, my thoughts jumping all over, but in conclusion,

Bullying is scary.

I don't want to be apart from Kuzu-kun.

Those are my two conclusions.

I decide to go to and from school with Kuzu-kun in the mornings and evenings.

The next day

In the morning, the refreshing Kuzu-kun escorts me politely.

Like a princess, treated with care and kindness.

Interesting stories, strange tales—he's so good at talking! No wonder he's popular.

After school, we stop by a café and go window shopping at the mall, walking around for ages.

So much fun!

The next day is pretty much the same.

So fun! I even forget the hardship of dieting for a moment!

On the way home that day, Kuzu-kun says there's a café he always goes to and pulls me by the hand into a retro café in a back alley.

He really pulled me by the hand, and all my nerves focused on that touch.

Kuzu "The cake here is amazingly delicious!"

I feel sad,

"Not now, I can't have cake."

Kuzu-kun gives me a charming smile that would make any girl's heart skip,

Kuzu "I think you're already slim enough... don't you? I think girls look best when they're a little healthy, you know?"

※That's a lie; he absolutely hates fat girls.

I'm not at a 'healthy' level!

I've already told Kuzu-kun the gist of things with Kousuke-kun.

I feel a little happy sensing that he's competitive with Kousuke-kun.

Kuzu "Kousuke-kun got you pancakes, right? Come on, just trust me and try this cake, okay?"

※He's deceiving you.

Gulp, okay, just a little...

Munch,

Delicious!!!

This is bad! It's the devil's temptation!

I'm happy Kuzu-kun wanted to please me by letting me have cake!

But this is bad! The calories are insane, right?

Kuzu-kun says with a laugh,

Kuzu "Didn't Kousuke-kun want to see the happy face of the girl he likes? Or was it just half-hearted? Half the calories? Sixty percent less? That's all, right? I searched and found this cake. The cake here is only thirty percent of the usual calories! Even if you eat three, it's just one cake's worth of calories!"

※That's a huge lie; it's a regular, super high-calorie cake loaded with whipped cream.

He lied just to undermine Kousuke and gain Yukari's attention.

I tremble,

"No way! It's this delicious, and three pieces are just the calories of one regular cake?! Then, two! I'll just eat two!!"

※Let me repeat, it's a lie. Eating two means the calories of two super high-calorie cakes.

Delicious! So yummy!!

Happiness...

Kuzu "If it's to see such a joyful face, nothing is too much for me. ...Kousuke-kun, from what I've heard, seems so ascetic... Even if he says it's for Yukari-san, couldn't he have done better?"

※He's just saying whatever.

"Kousuke-kun did a lot for me in his own way. He planned diet menus and even ran with me."

※Yukari hasn't done anything noteworthy for Kousuke.

Kuzu "That's all, right? If it were me, I could've supported Yukari-san with the best menu and perfect care without making it tough for her."

※That's a lie. He wouldn't be able to do anything.

Kuzu-kun...!

I thought I had misunderstood Kuzu-kun, but I was wrong.

He seems to be a much, much bigger, kinder, and more wonderful boy than I ever imagined...

Right now, if Kuzu-kun confessed to me, what would I do?

...I can't choose...

I'm aware that my mental state is unstable in the middle of this diet.

I have Kousuke-kun in my life...

But, but there's a part of me that's being drawn to Kuzu-kun again...

Is there any way I can keep both of them?

Like in an otome game?

I'll decide after observing them closely...

I was weighing my admiration (Kuzu-kun) against my goal (Kousuke-kun).