When the Introverted Me Got Surrounded by S-Tier Beauties After a Seat Change, a Secret Relationship Began V2 Chapter 5
Chapter 5
"Determination and Dreams"
Unlike the private high schools rolling in cash, my Prefectural Natsuhama Central High School has always been top-tier academically, but you couldn't exactly say its facilities were well-equipped.
However, ever since the Kuroki Rui enrolled, all the school's old fixtures have been completely replaced. They've even pushed forward with renovations for the worn-out gym and laid down turf on the sports ground.
The reason for this is simple: the arrival of Kuroki Rui, an absolutely stunning girl with immense recognition throughout the prefecture, led to a flood of donations from all over.
And this—the whole school coming together to cheer for the track and field club at the Inter-High—is another one of those perks.
Until Kuroki came along, joint club cheering events apparently involved borrowing a beat-up old bus from the local bus company that was on the verge of being scrapped and had no A/C.
But ever since her arrival, we've been able to rent a sparkling, comfortable coach bus whenever there's a club to support.
Seriously, we owe way too much to Kuroki Rui-sama…
This world runs on star power and money.
In my world, the only two people who make us commoners feel that reality are Ohtani-san and Kuroki Rui.
"Ryouta-kun? Come on, let's get on."
"Eh, ah, yeah."
As I was gazing at the bus, feeling a mix of gratitude and awe at the sheer influence of the entity known as Kuroki Rui, Tanaka called out to me as she boarded.
Inside the bus, with the A/C blasting, there were two rows of double seats. The four of us split up and sat near the back.
Yuria and Airi sat in front, with Tanaka and I behind them.
"Hey, I brought snacks for the bus, y'know? Yuria, wanna have some?"
"Nah, I just had breakfast, so I'm not really in the mood… Hey Ryouta, you got any gum or somethin'?"
Yuria, sitting in front, popped her head over the seat.
"Gum? S-sorry. I don't have any."
"Oh? Well, in that case, maybe I'll have some of Airi's snacks after all."
I might not have gum, but I do have a condom… but if I said that, Yuria would probably flip, so I'll keep it to myself.
The other day, Rui said, "It's punishment time, m'kay?", so I really thought July 30th would be my graduation from virginity… I even brought protection, but… to think it'd turn into such a normal event.
"Haaah… man, what a letdown."
"Wyo-ha-hun, wha's a lehhdown?"
Tanaka, sitting next to me, spoke while chewing on a sheet of dried squid.
If things had gone as I'd hoped, I'd be engaging in some pervy SM play with Rui in a private classroom… but instead, my best friend Tanaka—a nerdy, glasses-wearing, loli-faced introvert—is sitting next to me on a bus, eating something that stinks of squid.
"Dammit! You damn squid-stinking woman…"
"Hey, why are you in such a bad mood? It's been since middle school that we've sat next to each other like this. You could be a little happier about it."
Tanaka said, looking a little embarrassed, then tossed another sheet of dried squid into her mouth and started munching away.
"Listen, Tanaka. Like I said earlier, I came here today expecting some super lewd developments. I came here thinking this was my once-in-a-lifetime chance to finally graduate from virginity. And instead, I'm being dragged along to an event like this… Of course my spirits are gonna drop!"
"Jeez, Ryouta-kun, you never change. Look, let me spell it out for you. Do you have any idea why Kuroki-san would trick you like that in the first place?"
"Eh? That's… w-why is that?"
"To put it simply, you have the image of hating these kinds of events. She probably thought that unless she did something like this, she'd never get a perv like you to come, don't you think?"
'Unless she did something like this'… just how much of a twisted loner prejudice does that Kuroki have against me?
She didn't have to do all this; if she'd just asked me honestly, I would've gone.
"Well, this is just a guess, but knowing Kuroki-san's personality, she might have been too embarrassed to say, 'I want you to come cheer for me at my competition,' you know?"
"Huh? Why's that?"
"Jeez, don't you get it? This is why you're such a dense, virgin introvert otaku."
"Hah!? How dare you call me a virgin right now! That's it, I'm graduating from that with you, right here and now!"
"Eh? W-with me…? Th-that's, n-no way, absolutely not! W-well… if you really want to graduate with me that badly, Ryouta-kun, and if you beg me on your hands and knees, I might consider it."
"Like hell I'd get on my knees for you!"
"Hey, you two. You're being loud. The bus is about to leave, so be quiet."
""S-sorry.""
Scolded by Yuria, Tanaka and I drooped our heads in apology.
"Haaah. Anyway, Tanaka, switch seats. Airi says she'll give you some snacks, too."
"Really!? Yay!"
Tanaka, who had been on the aisle side, swapped seats with Yuria, and now Yuria was sitting next to me.
Y-Yuria… huh."Aaalright, Ryouta…? How about you give me the details on what you were saying this morning, about some 'lewd play' with Rui."
Yuria said, a wrinkle forming between her eyebrows.
W-what the!? Why is Yuria so pissed off!?"Uhm, Yuria-san? Could it be that you're… angry?"
"Huh? I'm not angry."
No, no… you're obviously angry!"A-anyway! I'm just curious what kind of conversation you could have with that Rui to end up talking about something like SM play."
Ah, I see. That does make sense.
Rui always maintains her wholesome-girl act in front of Airi and Yuria.
The real Rui is quite the character, sending me navel selfies almost daily and trying to win me over with lewd pics…
As I imagine this, the imaginary Kuroki Rui (pervert version) in my brain mercilessly whips me with the whip in her hand.
Guh…Since it didn't happen in reality, I have no choice but to endure it through mental playback… is this the weakness of a virgin?
"Hey, Ryouta. You're thinking about something messed up again, aren't you."
"Huh? Wh-what are you talking about! How rude!"
"Nah, whenever you're thinking about something lewd, Ryouta, you always start smirking creepily."
D-dammit… was it showing on my face without me realizing?Yuria's expression is getting grimmer and grimmer by the second.
A-anyway, for now… putting myself aside, I have to protect Rui's honor.
"L-let me tell you. The misunderstanding this morning about SM play was just me getting the wrong idea after Rui told me to come to school on Wednesday morning without telling me what we were doing."
"No, you wouldn't just think you're gonna do SM play with Rui from that alone. Normally."
Her comeback is so dead-on that I can't even argue.
W-well, that's true, but…"Hey, Ryouta, aren't you hiding something from us about you and Rui?"
"Guh…"
Somehow I've managed to hide secrets pretty well until now… but isn't this my biggest crisis yet?
At this rate, they're going to find out that Rui is a slightly ill-natured, perfect superhuman who is driven by the desire to win me over by showing off her navel!
Wh-what should I do…"──Heh, Ichinose-san, you still have a ways to go."
As I was desperately trying to come up with an excuse, I heard Tanaka's voice from the seat in front.
T-Tanaka?"As someone who is close with Ryouta-kun, I can see right through everything he's thinking."
"Huh? What's that about? Then you tell me, Tanaka."
Could it be that Tanaka knows Rui is a slightly ill-natured, perfect superhuman who is driven by the desire to win me over by showing off her navel?
"Hehe… well then, to explain it simply."
If so, this is bad!"Stop! Tana──"
I tried to stop it before Tanaka's super-long explanation, a.k.a. 'Tanapedia,' could activate, but…
"Ryouta-kun is basically a virgin introvert who assumes that if a beautiful girl invites him out, he can get laid!"
""Huh?""
…Ah, yeah, she's just an idiot, this one.
"So, it's better not to expect him to be normal."
"…R-really?"
Tanaka explained with a smug look, Yuria looked at me with a horrified expression, and meanwhile, Airi was engrossed in the mountain of Choco Bats she had bought.
"W-well… something like that. Don't underestimate the adolescent brain of a virgin, Yuria."
For Rui's sake, all I could do was play the part of a tragic virgin.
I don't actually think I can get laid every time I'm invited out! Probably… I think.But well, in the end, I was saved by Tanaka's incomprehensible misunderstanding… no, I will never forgive her.
"S-so then… Ryouta, does that mean… that time I invited you to the movies…"
"Eh?"
"D-did you think… you had a chance… with me?"
Yuria's lips trembled slightly as she mumbled the question, hiding her bright red cheeks with her hands as much as possible.
"Eh? Ah, no, well… I mean, yeah."
"…H-huh."
"……."
"……."
Ah, yeah. I really will not forgive Tanaka.
Even in this atmosphere, the bus continues on its way to the Inter-High stadium.
Damn it, Tanaka…! Saying unnecessary things!
It goes without saying that my daily conduct is bad, but this time, I think Tanaka's extreme prejudice against me is also pretty bad.
Well… whatever the case, I have to change the mood.
"Ah! Hey, speaking of which, where is Rui right now?"
We're going to watch Rui's competition, so it should be fine to talk about her.
"Rui? Rui's already at the venue. She's traveling separately from the track team. Did you really not hear anything from her?"
"Seriously, not a thing."
"Jeez, Rui…"
Yuria was exasperated, but a small smile had returned to her face.
"I wonder if Rui is like that too."
"Like what?"
"…Ah, it's nothing. More importantly, Ryouta, don't you dare go taking upskirt photos of the girls on the track team or anything."
"Even I wouldn't do something like that!"
"Heh, I know that. I was just teasing you."
"Y-you…"
A moment ago the atmosphere was a little lewd and awkward, but gradually Yuria returned to her usual self.
"Hey Yuria~, Airi wants to hang out with Ryouta too, so switch with me~"
"Yeah, yeah. But let's switch at the service area."
"Yay!"
Yuria promised to switch seats with Airi.
Tanaka was supposed to be sitting next to me in the first place… but well, Tanaka is quiet when she's eating snacks, so I guess it's fine.
And this bus… it's new, but the seats feel a little narrow. If Airi sits next to me… gulp.
Even now, Yuria's thick thighs are slightly touching my leg… there's a chance for a boob touch.
"By the way, Ryouta."
"…! Wh-what is it?"
I was thinking about something as wicked as the feeling of Yuria's thighs and a boob touch from Airi, when Yuria suddenly spoke to me, making me flustered.
Oh crap, did she notice I moved my leg to try and touch her thigh a little!?"Ryouta, you're liked by that Rui, and Airi is attached to you… and, we're pretty close too, right?"
"Eh? O-oh, yeah."
What's with Yuria, all of a sudden?
"Then… surely you must be conscious of one of us, right?"
"Eh?"
Me… of Rui, Yuria, and Airi?"Honestly… who do you like, Ryouta?"
"Th… that's…"
The question, thrown at me so suddenly, was the ultimate question.
Y-you're asking me which of the three beautiful girls I… like?There's no way I can decide that!
In the first place, it's impossible to choose just one.
I want to see Rui's navel every day, and if I'm lucky, I want to put my finger in it.
I also feel it's my duty to see how big Airi's massive breasts will grow in the future, and it's my dream to be suffocated between Yuria's thighs.
To choose just one of those… is, as I thought, impossible.
Or rather, just because I'm on good terms with the three of them doesn't necessarily mean that they would want to be in that kind of relationship with me.
Sure, Yuria is the one who understands me the most, so if I begged her on my hands and knees, she'd probably end up sandwiching my face between her thighs…
"Hey Ryouta, don't just go silent."
"Eh, no, well… I…"
"Haaah… knowing you, Ryouta, you're probably thinking about who you'd do it with, aren't you?"
"Wh-! I'm not thinking about that!"
I wasn't thinking about doing it, but I was thinking about some pretty fetishistic things, so I can't completely deny it.
"I'm asking who you'd date. Just to be clear, I don’t mean for anything lewd. Got it?"
"Ah, ah… yeah, right."
"What? Were you actually thinking lewd things about us?"
"Well… yeah. Like, if I could be suffocated between Yuria's thighs, maybe I'd choose Yuria."
"…!"
Taking advantage of the fact that I can say anything to Yuria without holding back, I said it honestly.
Even for the understanding Yuria, I wonder if she thought that was creepy…"Ryouta, if I sandwiched you with my thighs… would you choose me?"
"Huh?"
"It's not 'huh'! I-I'm asking if you'd choose me if I sandwiched you right here…"
Yuria pointed to her own crotch with her long nails and pressed her plump thighs.
Her fingers slowly sank into those thick, soft-looking thighs.
That's way too hot (no explanation needed)."Y-you'd… sandwich me?"
"…Yeah. But in exchange, if I sandwich you… you have to choose me."
Yuria grabbed my right hand and pulled it towards her plump thighs.
F-finally… my long-cherished dream of Yuria's thighs.If I get to touch not only Yuria's bare breasts but also her thighs within this one week… th-then I'll!
"Ryouta…!"
"Y-Yuria…!"
I touched Yuria's hot, thick thighs… and in that instant.
"Okay~! Everyone~! We're taking a 10-minute break at the service area. Please be back on the bus by 11:00!"
Sometime, without me noticing… the bus had stopped.
Y-you've gotta be kidding me, blue-balled…"Ryouta~! Let's go buy souvenirs at the service area~!"
As Airi turned around from the front seat, Yuria and I quickly pulled apart.
"Hm? What's wrong, you two? Are your faces red?"
"Ah! Th-that's!"
"Ry-Ryouta was! He was just so excited about wanting to go buy souvenirs! So, hurry up and go."
"O-okay. Then let's go? Ryouta."
Urged by Airi, I stood up to get off the bus, but Yuria brought her face close to my ear.
"Hey, to continue from before… I'll do it for you next time. So… you get it, right?"
"Eh? O-oh…"
'You get it?' I don't really get it, but the continuation from before… huh.That's way too lewd.
I've made a pervy promise with Yuria.
"Wow! The service area parking lot is so big~"
Freed from the bus, Airi's excitement seemed to have shot up, and she bounced up and down at the bus exit.
Of course, the massive breasts on her chest jiggled an insane amount.
Ooh… this is way too lewd too."Ryouta-kun… your face has turned into that of a pervert."
"Tanaka… I'm happy right now."
"H-huh?"
Once again, the oblivious Tanaka was completely dumbfounded.
☆☆
Yuria's thighs… all-you-can-sandwich.And since she said we'll continue later… maybe she'll sandwich something even more lewd next time."Hey Ryouta, are you listening~?"
"Eh, ah, s-sorry."
My mind completely occupied with lewd thoughts about Yuria's thighs, I was brought back to my senses by Airi, who was picking out products next to me.
Airi and I were casually browsing the souvenir shop at the service area.
"Jeez, Tanaka-chan ate all my snacks, so I have to buy more. You need to think seriously too, Ryouta!"
"S-seriously?… It's just snacks, right?"
"It may be just snacks, but it's still snacks! Ah, this!"
Airi suddenly spotted something and pounced on it.
"Look, look! This service area has boob-shaped pudding too~!"
Airi laughed as she picked up a certain boob-shaped pudding, and the massive pudding on her own chest jiggled and jiggled.
"Wow, this is surprisingly daring, isn't it? I wonder if Tanaka-chan will laugh if I give this to her?"
Thinking about Tanaka receiving boob-shaped pudding from the massive-breasted beauty Airi, I can't stop my tears.
There's nothing more effective than an ignorant insult… no, in Airi's case, it's more like a meaty one.
"Alright, Tanaka-chan will probably like this, so I'll buy it."
"W-wait. I think Tanaka would have to be a bit childishto be happy about receiving boob-shaped pudding at her age."
Feeling genuinely sorry for Tanaka, I somehow managed to prevent the tragedy that was about to befall Tanaka (flat-chested).
"Jeez, getting all excited over boob-shaped pudding. You're the one not taking this seriously at all."
"I-I am taking it seriously! B-besides, Ryouta, weren't you getting excited looking at the boob-shaped pudding too? You're always so pervy~"
Airi provoked me, making fun of me like a bratty little girl.
You… massive-breasted brat!However, I'm not one to fall for such a transparent provocation.
I am no longer just a virgin (he still is).
I've dived into Airi's chest and savored her massive breasts with my face, felt Yuria's bare boobs on my back at the pool, and received sweaty, pervy selfies from Rui after her practice every day… I am truly an elite virgin.
In other words… I am invincible. Right now.
"Heh… you think I'd get excited over some fake boobs?"
"R-really? I thought you got excited over any kind of boobs, Ryouta."
"Heh… in the first place, I'm used to seeing Airi's boobs every day. There's no way I'd get excited over a fake now."
"Eh…?"
As I was getting carried away talking, Airi suddenly made a surprised face.
"Airi's… boobs… I-I did say you could look, but… are you really looking that much, Ryouta…"
Ah, crap… because I was doing something almost like se● with Yuria just before, I got carried away by the mood and let slip a super sexually harassing remark that I usually keep to myself.
"Ah, sorry Airi. That's not what I meant."
"M-mine too…"
"Eh?"
"Airi's boobs too… will they be eaten… by Ryouta one day?"
Her cheeks dyed pink, with a hint of embarrassment, Airi whispered weakly.
The moment I heard that, an infinite number of lewd scenarios popped into my brain.
It's sooooooo lewd, I can't stop!If I search the keyword 'Airi boobs eat' in my mental library, a mountain of doujins comes out from the bookshelf.
"…Ry-Ryouta, you idiot! Not… yet!"
"Eh?"
"You can look… but eating them, not yet."
"O… kay."
Usually, Airi is innocent and clueless about lewd terms, but the fact that she understood the meaning of 'eating' made it seem even lewder.
And so, after being ordered to "wait" on eating Airi's huge boobs, I ended up being forced to buy the boob-shaped pudding and eat it with Tanaka.
Returning to the bus, I pushed one half of the boob-shaped pudding and a spoon into the face of Tanaka, who was shamelessly reading BL in her seat.
"Here, Tanaka. I bought your favorite boob-shaped pudding."
"I-is that sarcasm!? Well, I'll take it, though."
Saying that, Tanaka took the pudding from me, suggestively caressed the tip of the ni●ple with her finger, and only after being satisfied, began to eat.
She's the same pervert as always, this one.
I glanced at Tanaka and returned to my seat.
By the time we got back, Tanaka and Yuria were already sitting side-by-side in the front seats, so I sat down next to Airi in the seat behind them.
Yuria must have moved to the front seat because she'd said she would switch with Airi at the service area.
Personally, I wanted to go all the way (insinuatingly) with Yuria… but I guess it can't be helped.
I'll dote on those thick thighs again next time… (smug bastard face)."Guhehe… reading BL while eating boob-shaped pudding is pure bliss, Ryouta-kun."
As I was immersed in my world of delusions, I heard Tanaka's creepy voice from the seat in front.
"Don't read BL on the bus. If it's R-18, it's not allowed."
"It's not! It's a wholesome R-15 BL! Jeez, don't interrupt me when I'm getting all excited about the scene where he sticks his ●●● into the ●●●."
What's with R-15 these days…Well, I guess it's fine since even shoujo manga has scenes of them doing it nowadays.
"Hey Ryouta, what's ●●●?"
"Don't ask me what ●●● is. Ask Yuria or something."
"Hey, why me? You're the guy, Ryouta, you should answer… Jeez! Fine, I'll just search for it~"
""Seriously, stop it!!""
Yuria and I desperately tried to stop her from the front and the side.
If she searches for something like that, she'll lose her mind."Ahaha, you know, riding the bus together like this is fun, isn't it~?"
I think it's just pure chaos, though."I wish Rui-chan was with us too."
Airi said, looking a little lonely.
"…I hope Rui can win at today's competition."
"She can! Because if Rui-chan wins the two individual short-distance events she's competing in at this Inter-High, it'll be her fifth consecutive win in both, counting from middle school!"
"Eh? Fifth consecutive win? Seriously?"
As perfect as she is… was Rui that amazing?
I knew she was on MiraMo●suta as a future Olympian, but I didn't know it was to that extent.
"Ryouta, you were in the same middle school, how do you not know? They usually get awards and stuff, right?"
"I knew Rui was pretty amazing, but…"
"Nah, there's no way Ryouta-kun would have been listening~"
Tanaka in the front seat took this opportunity to make a useless comment.
"You see, Ryouta-kun, ever since middle school, his attendance number has been near the front, so during the awards ceremony at the all-school morning assembly, he was always straining his nerves trying to peek at the girls' skirts as they went up on stage. I know this well, as my attendance number was after Ryouta-kun's."
"Hey! Tanaka! You're spouting nonsense again!"
"Ugh, Ryouta, that's seriously creepy… you're acting like an old man."
"Ryouta… that's gross."
Even the always-supportive Airi and Yuria were completely put off.
No, I seriously didn't do that!
"Tanaka is just making stuff up! I was always sleeping during the all-school assembly because it was so early, so I just didn't know!"
That's right…! In that case, I'll fight back.
"B-besides, Tanaka! You're a girl, so you took advantage of that, and you were always bragging to me about how you smelled the hair of the girls in our class up close in gym class, or how you identified what brand of perfume that girl was wearing!"
"U-ugh, Tanaka… that's seriously creepy."
"Tanaka-chan… that's scary."
"Hey! Why is the blame being shifted to me?!"
Airi and Yuria's disgusted gazes shifted to Tanaka.
"And also, Tanaka stole my underwear──"
"Jeez! Please stop this exposé of me! I admit I was making things up earlier!"
Tanaka, her face beet red and on the verge of tears, apologized to me.
I felt a sense of satisfaction, having brought down the evil Tanapedia who had been getting way too cocky.
"Well? As Ryouta's number one supporter, I knew you wouldn't do something lame like peeking at skirts."
"A-Airi too! We spent a night together, so I knew it was a lie!"
Why are these two so desperately trying to defend me? I don't get it…
"By the way, Ryouta? What were you about to say about Tanaka and your underwear?"
"Hm? Oh, that's not a big deal."
"You can't talk about that!"
"Tanaka, shut it. Go on, Ryouta, continue."
Tanaka, whose mouth was covered by Yuria sitting next to her, was mumbling something at me, but I have a grudge against her for being falsely accused, so I decided to talk.
"This was during summer break of our second year of middle school, when Tanaka and I were watching a romance movie at my house."
""A romance movie, just the two of you!?""
Airi and Yuria shouted with incredible expressions.
"Eh, did I say something weird?"
"…It's nothing. Continue."
"O-kay."
Something is weird with both of them…
"S-so, we were watching the movie. And then this one suddenly scoots closer to me. I was so surprised that I spilled the juice I was drinking on Tanaka's clothes."
"Hey, Ryouta-kun! Stop!"
"So I had no choice but to grab some clothes and stuff from my sister's room and lend them to Tanaka, but Tanaka said, 'If I borrow your sister's panties without asking, she'll get mad, so Ryouta-kun's will be fine,' and she ended up wearing my boxers instead of my sister's! If you think about it normally, it's better to get yelled at by my sister than to wear my boxers, right?"
I meant for it to be a funny story, but Yuria in the front seat and Airi next to me were both stone-faced.
"…Huh? What's with that reaction?"
"Ah, hilarious, hilarious. Hey Tanaka… I need to talk to you later."
"Airi too, if that's okay?"
"Ah, um…"
I don't really get it, but Tanaka's face was as pale as if she had gotten carsick.
☆☆
The Inter-High for track and field is held in a different region each year, so some years it's in Hokkaido and some years it's in Okinawa… but this year, it was being held in the Kanto region.
Well, even if it were held in Hokkaido or Okinawa, if Rui had told me, 'I'm going to punish you, so come to the airport,' I probably would have gone without hesitation.
After all, I was under the impression that I'd be able to engage in some pervy SM play with Rui.
Putting aside the fact that I'm a delusional otaku for a moment, if it's held in Kanto, it's a short highway ride from our Prefectural Natsuhama Central High School, so many students go to cheer for the Inter-High.
When we arrived at the stadium parking lot, we got off the bus and followed the supervising teacher in two lines, shuffling towards the stadium stands.
"You're here for Rui-senpai, aren't you?"
"Sh-shut up. You like Kuroki-san too."
"Well, yeah."
The first-year boys in red ties walking in front of me are having a conversation straight out of a page of youth.
A pair of handsome, pretty-boy looking guys wearing perfume and with their hair perfectly styled with wax.
Too bad for you handsome kouhais. Rui and I are already in a relationship where we do various things (punishments).No matter how much of an extrovert you guys are, you and I are already on different stages.
"Heh… I've won."
"Ryouta-kun. Why are you making a possessive boyfriend face from the back?"
Tanaka, who was walking next to me, looked up at me with a dumbfounded expression.
"Well, you know? While there are a lot of guys here for Rui, I was just thinking about how I'm the only one who does this and that with her."
"This and that. Jeez, you're the same delusional otaku as ever. You're going to get hurt one day… oh, you already have. Today, in fact."
"Shut up. I really thought we were going to do SM play."
Tanaka immediately brings up my misunderstanding.
Seriously, what a sarcastic person…
"Hey, ah, look! Ryouta-kun!"
"Huh? What is it, Tanaka? Found a good BL couple?"
"Please don't treat me like a fujoshi all the time! More importantly!"
Tanaka pointed towards the front of the line, trying to tell me something.
What is it?
I looked in the direction Tanaka was pointing.
And there, I saw──a female student with long, reddish hair wearing our school uniform.
Wow, who is that girl, she's super cute…"Isn't that Himesaki Nozomi-chan! She came to cheer for Kuroki-san too~"
"Hi-Himesaki? Wh-what an amazing last name."
"Don't say such rude things! She's an amazing girl!"
The female student Tanaka is talking about, Himesaki, indeed has looks so refined that they set her apart from those around her, just as Tanaka's excitement would suggest.
Although she has a slender build, she has a high nose bridge and large eyes that are unusual for a Japanese person.
[Note: “Hime” (姫) in Himesaki means princess]
Her reddish hair is styled in a cute half-updo, and just as her last name suggests, she looks just like a princess.
"Cute… but who is that?"
"It's Himesaki-chan! Have you never heard of her?"
"Ah, ah, sorry. I'm only interested in 2D."
"That's a lie, isn't it? Jeez."
Tanaka retorted while continuing her explanation.
"Himesaki-chan is a first-year, and until last year she was abroad for her parents' work, but she moved to Japan and came to our school as a returnee student! She has the top grades in the first year, and the rumor is that she's a super-duper-class visual monster beautiful girl who stands as a rival to Kuroki-san!"
I can't tell if that nickname means she's a monster or a beautiful girl… Tanaka probably just made it up on the spot.
However, her good style and unassuming but well-defined features are somehow reminiscent of Rui.
Like Rui, she has looks that would make you believe she was an idol or a model.
"Heeh. So there was a girl like that in the first year. You know a lot, Tanaka-chan."
Airi, walking behind me, praised Tanaka.
If you praise her too much, she'll get a big head."No way! I just have an eye for information on cute girls! Of course, Airi-tan, you're super cute too~"
"Ah, thank you… ahaha."
Airi was completely put off.
Tanaka, you again… she's so creepy I'm starting to question whether I should call her my best friend anymore.
"Do you know about that girl, Yuria?"
"I've heard about her from Rui before… but this might be the first time I've seen her."
"Eh, from Rui-chan? Why?"
"Something about how that girl might be her rival in this year’s student council election…"
"A rival in the student council election? Even though she's a first-year? What do you mean?"
"Well, at our school, we basically choose the student council president from the second-years, but according to the rules, if you're not in a club, even a first-year can run for student council president, right? And they can join the student council too."
A rival in the student council election… Rui's, rival…
I’m reminded of Rui's offer to be the vice president.
I still haven't given her… my answer.
With such a cute and popular underclassman as a candidate for student council president, there's no way I could serve as vice president.
"What's wrong, Ryouta-kun? You look down."
"Eh?"
As I was lost in thought, Tanaka peered at me and asked.
"N-no! It's nothing! I-I was just thinking about how I want to do lewd things with Rui."
"""Ryouta(-kun)!"""
Angry glares came flying at me from three directions.
Damn it…! This is what I get for making a weird excuse about Rui! This is all Rui's fault!
Putting aside the lewd acts, I need to think about the vice presidency too…
"…"
"Hm? What is it, Yuria? Staring at me."
"…No, it's nothing."
Yuria looked like she wanted to say something, but she brushed it off.
I don't really get it… but she's probably mad because I was looking at that red-haired beautiful girl with a lecherous gaze.
Hm? But wait a minute…?
Putting aside whether I'm qualified to be vice president or not, if that red-haired beautiful girl also joins the student council, then as vice president, I could get closer to her too…
"…That wouldn't be so bad. Though it's not realistic."
"Ryouta-kun, have you been having a staring contest with yourself this whole time? Your expression changes too much, from gloomy to lewd."
Tanaka had a perpetually dumbfounded look on her face.
And so, with all sorts of wicked thoughts flickering through my mind, we finally made it inside the stadium.
We sat in a corner section of the first-floor main stand.
It's a shady spot, which is great for an introvert like me (and Tanaka).
We sat in the order of Tanaka, me, Airi, and Yuria from the right, and watched the athletes running on the track from the stands.
I haven't been to a stadium much, but as expected of a big stadium in Kanto. It's huge…
"Today, Kuroki-san is competing in the 100 meters and the 4x100 meter relay. The 200 meters is apparently the day after tomorrow."
The school probably chose the day when Rui would be competing the most.
It should probably be called cheering for Kuroki Rui rather than cheering for the track team.
"But with the relay, I don't think Rui's skill alone is enough… what do you think?"
"Well, Natsuhama Central High is a public school, but we have special recommendation slots for track and baseball, so they're probably strong, right?"
"Eh! We had recommendations!? No way, Airi wanted a recommendation too~"
"No, it's normally harder to get a recommendation. It's easier to just study."
"Muu~"
Airi pouted a little.
Well, if there was a 'Huge Boob Recommendation Entrance Exam,' with Airi's prefectural top-class massive breasts, she would have gotten an acceptance letter in an instant.
If that had happened, the huge-boobed scholarship student, Miyama Airi, would have been born.
"Ah, the 100-meter final is about to start, isn't it?"
The 100-meter is a race held on the straight track in front of the main stand, and the girls who have made it to the finals are finishing their warm-ups and lining up at the starting positions.
"It's Rui-chan!"
Kuroki Rui, dressed in the Natsuhama Central uniform.
Today's Rui looked the same as she does when she sends me sweaty selfies after practice.
A ponytail with her long black hair tied back, and a glimpse of her navel.
This is the first time I've seen Rui's bare navel in her uniform. Ooh, a truly fine sight…"Ah, I have to take a picture of the finish line too. Of course, a picture of Rui-chan dashing through in first place!"
We're sitting in a corner of the stand near the finish line, so we should have a clear view of Rui's finish.
"Look, Ryouta-kun. The girls lined up there are the members who have made it all the way to nationals, betting their lives called youth on a short 100-meter runway!"
"Why are you getting so fired up, Tanaka? You're just an introvert."
"Go Rui-chan!"
100 meters is over in an instant. Even so, Rui wanted to show me this sight, so she lured me here by making me think it was a pervy SM play session…
Knowing Rui, she probably wants to show me herself easily winning and giving a victory interview with a smile.
As expected of a perfect beautiful girl… haah.
"On Your Marks…"
All the athletes, including Rui, firmly placed their feet on the starting blocks and lowered their stances.
I don't know much about it, but I think this is called a crouching start.
"Set…!"
The athletes twitched in response to the call, and the moment the pistol fired──they all burst out at once.
Rui, too, started running with a force unimaginable from her slender body.
She cuts through a wind that is invisible to the eye, and her powerful strides, her feet pounding the ground, electrify the entire stadium.
She moves her legs in a beautiful form, working every muscle in her body in a way that is visible to the eye.
Her expression is one of pure desperation.
What Rui is showing now is not her usual cool face, not the gentle gaze she has when she's calm, nor the cold stare she has when she's angry.
It's a posture of gritting her teeth, grimacing with her eyes wide open, and pushing forward, one step at a time.
It's a serious face, filled with a tenacity for victory, a challenge for perfection.
What Rui wanted to show me… wasn't herself winning easily…What Rui wanted to show me was the serious side of a single girl named Kuroki Rui, who gives her all to grasp the perfection within herself.
This battle is only 100 meters long──no, it's a close race that makes you think it might be 100 meters long, and not unlike what Tanaka said earlier, the other athletes who have made it to nationals are not giving an inch.
The summer sun is scorching, and it's incredibly bright.
And yet, I was so captivated that I forgot all about it.
After a spectacular close race, Rui and about two other athletes crossed the finish tape first.
Although we were relatively close to the finish line, we were watching from an angle, not head-on, so I couldn't quite tell who won.
But… this is probably…
The time of '11.59' was displayed on the electronic scoreboard.
And at almost the same time──the text'Natsuhama Central High School - Kuroki Rui' was displayed.
"""""UOOOOOHHHHHH!!"""""
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the entire stadium.
In response, Kuroki waved to the stands while catching her breath.
When she untied her hair, her silky, long black hair swayed in the tailwind that celebrated her victory on the field.
Her fifth consecutive summer national championship win in the 100 meters, counting from her first year of middle school.
Th-that's too perfect… Rui.Welcomed by cheers, Rui gave a deep bow to the stands.
And when she finished bowing, a refreshing smile appeared on her face.
The girl standing there was no longer the Rui who usually teases me.
It was the strong face of Kuroki Rui, who had grasped victory and proven her perfection by winning the match.
"Contestant Kuroki! A picture over here, please!"
"Over here too! Please pose for us!"
Rui, surrounded by the press on the field.
Ah. This feeling, I felt it during the cultural festival too… this, sense of distance.
I wonder… can someone like me really support that Rui?
"Rui-chan won! She won~!"
"As expected of Kuroki-san!"
"That's so amazing! As expected of Rui!"
Everyone is genuinely happy about Rui's victory, and of course, I'm happy too.
Normally, I'd be making a possessive boyfriend face and saying something like, 'My Rui is amazing, isn't she,' and then get a comeback from someone like Tanaka, but… I don't know.
The more I witness the greatness of the being known as Kuroki Rui, the more I don't understand why she's so fixated on me.
During the cultural festival, Rui said that I had saved her 'perfection' in the past, so she wanted me to continue supporting her.
But, somewhere in my heart… I feel a distance from Rui.
Isn't Rui… able to achieve that perfection on her own?
Even if I don't become the vice president… Rui will be fine.
As I was thinking that, I happened to look towards Rui again.
"…Eh."
From among the hundreds of people in the stands, Rui found me in an instant and was looking up at me with a sharp gaze.
Why… me…?
Then Rui winked and made a gesture near her ear.
What kind of gesture is that? A phone…? Maybe, her smartphone?
After making that gesture, Rui left the field.
I took out the smartphone in my pocket and stared at the screen for a while.
And then…
'Rui: Ryouta-kun. I'm waiting for you outside Gate A.'Rui is waiting… for me…?
Although I felt a distance from Rui, I couldn't just leave this heart that had been fired up by seeing her seriousness as it was.
Right now, I also… want to talk with Rui.
Why does Rui need me… I want to ask again.
"Ryouta-kun? What's wrong?"
"Gotta go take a dump!"
"J-jeez Ryouta! Saying 'dump'… you're not an elementary schooler."
"Yeah!"
With my head in a jumble, I left my seat to go talk to Rui.
Rui…!To get to Gate A of the stadium, I ran up the stairs and walked quickly through the passageway.
This stadium is way too big…
Is this the right way to Gate A?
I slowed down my running pace and tried to search for a map of the stadium on my phone… just then.
"Kya!"
"Ugh!"
As I was looking down at my phone, I bumped into someone at a corner of the entrance.
"S-sor, ry… huh."
The person I bumped into… it was.
"Geez… walking while on your phone is very dangerous, you know?"
Long, reddish hair in a half-updo.
Her refined style and graceful posture are like that of a model, and even while scolding me, she has a cute smile on her face, and her large eyes are captivating.
A refreshing citrus scent tickles my nostrils.
Yes, in front of me… was the beautiful underclassman that Tanaka had been praising so much earlier, Himesaki Nozomi.
Hi-Himesaki… it is.Seeing her up close like this, she's incredibly cute…
"Um, senpai?"
"Ah, s-sorry!"
"Please be careful from now on, okay? Ryouta-senpai."
"Ah, ah… huh, Ryouta?"
"Oh my, look at the time… My friend is in the pole vault, so I'll be going now. See you later."
Himesaki gave a neat little bow and then left.
I don't know why, but Himesaki knew my name?
Am I becoming famous from being with the beauty trio all the time?
"W-well, whatever… right now, more importantly."
I need to get to Rui… quick!
☆☆
When I exited the stadium from Gate A, I couldn't see Rui anywhere yet.
I thought she'd be near the gate entrance…
It's meltingly hot in the sun, so I was waiting for Rui to come in the shade between the gate and the entrance to the venue.
"Hehe… Ryouta-kun?"
"Oh, whoa, Rui."
I was startled by the voice from behind, but I relaxed when I realized it was Rui.
Rui, in her navel-baring uniform, had her hair tied up in a ponytail, just like she did on the track.
"C-congrats, Rui! I heard it's your fifth consecutive win, that's amazing."
"Hehe, thank you. It was a pretty close race, though."
"Are you okay on time? If you're talking to someone like me during a competition, you'll be late for your preparations."
"That's okay. The other event, the relay, is in the afternoon, and… talking with you like this, Ryouta-kun, is part of my preparation."
"T-talking… with me…?"
There's no way something like that would be part of that Rui's preparation.
Honestly, that's what I thought.
"You were surprised that I didn't tell you today was my competition, weren't you?"
"O-of course I was! You said it was 'punishment' the other day, Rui, so I went to school all excited… I thought it would be something much more lewd and fun."
But when I lifted the lid… in the end, I was just shown how amazing Rui is, as usual, and made to realize my own insignificance.
So the Rui I'm seeing right now is just… the usual Rui, huh.
"What's wrong, Ryouta-kun? You look so down… Ah, do I smell sweaty?"
"Ru-! There's no way you smell, Rui! You smell like a really nice girl, as always! R-rather, I'd be more excited if you did smell of sweat!"
"…Hehe, jeez, Ryouta-kun."
Even when I say something so horrible, Rui just smiles and brushes it off smoothly.
Yes, as always, Rui is…
"The Rui here right now is the usual Rui, isn't she…"
"What's wrong all of a sudden, Ryouta-kun?"
"…You know, I just realized that I'm not the kind of person who should be with someone as amazing as you, Rui."
"…Eh?"
"You're so amazing, Rui. You're number one in the country in both sports and academics, you're beautiful… you're too perfect. For an introvert like me to be next to you is just… not fitting at all."
I clenched my fists tightly and spoke my honest feelings.
The more I talk, the more I feel like I'm just an introvert otaku.
Lately, I've been getting carried away, diving into Airi's boobs, touching Yuria's thighs, and thinking I could do lewd things with Rui… but in the first place, I shouldn't be the kind of person who can be friends with those three.
"Hey, Ryouta-kun. Don't you think it doesn't matter whether you're worthy of me or not?"
"It doesn't… matter?"
"It's a well-known fact that you're an introvert, Ryouta-kun, and your only redeeming quality is that you're a little good at studying. You hate standing out, and your head is full of nothing but perverted delusions, making you more of a pervert than anyone else."
"Th-that's true, but you don't have to be so blunt about it."
"But even so, you… can make me smile."
Rui suddenly reached out her hands and cupped my cheeks with her beautiful palms.
R-r-r, Rui…?
My cheeks, already slightly sweaty from the summer heat, grew even hotter.
"You're always saying stupid things, you're audacious, and you get on my nerves right away… but including all of that, you are Izumiya Ryouta. I don't care what anyone else thinks. You are the one and only boy in this world who can make me smile, that's why."
"I'm… the only one?"
"Being able to make me smile means you can guide me to perfection. To the perfection that is happiness."
Rui said with a gentle smile and let go of my cheeks.
Does that mean that I've been supporting Rui… Rui's perfection, without even realizing it?
"So the reason I was able to win today is thanks to you coming to watch, Ryouta-kun. Just having you watch me was enough to make me smile."
There it is again. Once again, without doing anything myself… I'm saving Rui.
It's always like this. Whenever I help Rui, it's always in a place I don't know… I end up saving Rui without meaning to.
It's never proactive, always just a coincidence.
Of course, I'm happy that because of that, Rui needs me so much.
But… I don't want to do it unintentionally; I want to make Rui smile with my own will.
"You understand, right? Ryouta-kun. Well then, I should be getting back──"
"I! I want to keep talking with you like this, Rui, and I want to be someone who can always make the perfect Rui smile!"
"…"
I stopped Rui with my own words.
If that Rui, who is perfect in every way, needs an introvert like me this much, then I felt that I wanted to respond to that with my own will.
If I'm the only guy who can make Rui smile, then I want to keep making Rui smile.
And… I also still want Rui's selfies, and I can't give up on the lewd stuff!
That's why I've made up my mind.
"I want to support the Rui who needs me, with my own will."
"Ryouta-kun…!"
"So please let me be the student council vice president!"
I bowed my head deeply and pleaded.
It was a resolution from the heart, a desire to support Rui of my own volition.
I was honestly happy that Rui, who is such an amazing person, told me so seriously that she needed me. I've been worrying about it for a long time, but if I can be of help to Rui… then I should do it.
"Yes. Ryouta-kun… thank you."
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"It's more than okay… I was the one who offeredyou the vice presidency, wasn't I?"
"Ah, ah, now that you mention it, that's right."
"Hehe, you know… I like that strangely serious side of you, Ryouta-kun."
Eh… she… likes me!?"Eh, you like me, Rui!? Is this a confession!?"
"…! N-no, it's not? I just said I like your strangely serious side."
Wh-what the…
I got all excited and jumped to my own conclusions, pulling a classic cringey otaku move.
"…Hehe."
"Why are you laughing! It's fine if I'm a delusional otaku! You're the one who said you were fine with me being like this, Rui!"
"That's certainly true, isn't it? I like the Ryouta-kun who makes the mistake of thinking I like him."
"Th-there you go again with your suggestive moves. I'm not falling for it anymore!"
When I said that, Rui smiled more brightly than usual.
Rui's smile always seemed a little stiff, but her smile right now… is soft.
This smile of Rui's… felt special somehow.
"What's wrong, staring at my face, Ryouta-kun? Did you fall for me?"
"N-no! Don't get the wrong idea!"
"Hehe… you're a tsundere, Ryouta-kun."
It's really not like that.
Her smile was just so rare that I naturally found myself looking.
"A-anyway! If you get elected student council president, Rui, you'll choose me as your vice president, right?"
"Yes. You will be my right-hand man, Ryouta-kun."
Rui's right-hand man… huh.
I stared at Rui's beautiful arms, visible from her sleeveless uniform.
"I prefer slightly chubbier arms, though."
"Hehe… do you want to be ●●, Ryouta-kun?"
"Ah, sorry, I got carried away."
Yikes, I probably shouldn’t say too much.
"Ah, and one more thing."
"Eh? One more thing?"
"If your real reason for becoming vice president isn't to support me, but to get with Himesaki Nozomi-san… I might not forgive you♡"
Rui mercilessly jabbed her index finger into my heart.
Y-yikes… I think I did think something like that when I first saw Himesaki.
"Ugh… n-no, no! While I'm supporting a perfect beautiful girl like you, Rui, there's no way my aim would be Himesaki Nozomi, right? Sure, Himesaki is graceful and cute and smelled nice, like citrus, but that's not my goal."
"You know a lot about Himesaki-san, Ryouta-kun. Is your target Himesaki-san after all?"
Wh-what, it's so hot but the humidity is…
"R-rather than that, it's hot, so why don't we go buy something to drink? My treat."
"Hehe… Ryouta-kun, you're bad at sucking up."
"B-but, Rui, you were…"
"Ah, there you are, Ryouta! Rui-chan too!"
As I was flustered, a voice called out to us from a distance.
That voice… jeez, it's Airi.
I turned around to see Tanaka, Airi, and Yuria walking towards us, having found us.
"You were so late, Ryouta, that Tanaka was worried and looking for you~"
"I-I wasn't worried about Ryouta-kun!"
Yuria and Tanaka also approached while bickering about something.
"Everyone~! Ryouta-kun is treating us to juice~!"
"Eh, hey! You…!"
And so, it was decided that I would become the vice president to support Rui when she gets elected.
And despite my already tight finances this summer vacation, the coins in my wallet disappeared even further.
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