NTR Kousuke

Chapter 150

Chapter 150: Before Becoming Second-Years [side Yukari Tomonaga]

It's been a while since a Yukari-focused chapter, but first—

Chapter 119: United Against a Common Enemy

Chapter 132: Promotion or Failure

—I recommend reviewing those.

☆ ☆ ☆

The girl in front of me looked like a gal at first glance.

...And honestly, she gave off a bit of a yankee vibe too.

Her clothes were a little flashy, but with a long skirt, so she didn't show much skin.

Her gaze was a bit sharp, and her tone was often rough or intimidating.

I found her scary and intimidating...no, honestly, she still scares me a bit.

Yet here we were, just the two of us, having tea at a family restaurant.

Osada: "So? You managed to move up a grade, right, Tomonaga? I thought that'd be the end of it—?"

The scary older girl in front of me...well, we're actually the same age, though.

Osada Ai is eyeing me suspiciously...

Ahaha, can't be helped.

From last summer through fall, I really messed up big time.

And yet, even though she was reluctant, she still agreed to help me avoid repeating a year.

...And she even did it together with Mishima Satsuki, whom Osada absolutely hates.

Osada: "...Well, you called to thank me, right, Tomonaga? And Mishima sort of did too, at the time?"

Osada-san kept peering into my eyes, as if trying to figure out why I'd come to see her.

I told her honestly: I just wanted to thank her again and give her an update.

"Hmm." Osada-san kept staring at me intently as she sipped her drink.

Osada: "...You've seriously changed, haven't you? Or maybe changed back? You worked so hard to look so pretty...did you gain the weight back?"

"...Haha...yeah, I weigh more than before now..."

Osada: "...Sorry. But something must've changed inside, right? If you want, will you tell me?"

If she's going to bring it up, I wish she wouldn't apologize for it...

Still, since it's a good chance, I decided to tell Osada-san about it.

I lost weight and got prettier from dieting through summer and fall, and it made me crazy—I thought I could do anything and have anything I wanted.

Boys who never looked at me before started watching me with burning eyes.

Girls who used to make fun of me now looked at me with admiration.

...Even the prince I'd always admired since middle school came after me from the other side...

There was a quiet boy who stuck with me all through that diet.

He supported me, publicly and privately, and I declared I'd confess to him once it was all over, and until then, I wouldn't see him.

But because I was an idiot, I threw away what mattered and fell for the prince I'd admired in an instant.

Osada: "...Yeah. Well, just like I heard...that was a dumb thing to do... You know I can't stand that kind of shamelessness, right?"

"Ahaha, I know..."

An awkward silence falls.

Still,

"But, Osada-san, you still helped me because I contributed to the class... Next week the new school year begins, and our classes will change. I wanted to thank you once more, since we probably won't be in the same class again... Osada-san, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. And thank you, truly."

Osada-san turned red,

Osada: "Ah—enough, okay? That's embarrassing, so please stop..."

A tough gal, blushing deeply and looking down...maybe this gap is what got her boyfriend? For all her intimidating looks, Osada-san is actually a prude about relationships, hates dirty jokes, and is shy. And she's competent.

She's not a champion of justice, but she has her own rules, harsh to her enemies, kind to her friends.

"When I was in trouble, the words that supported me were 'Kousuke-kun's words' and 'Osada-san's words.' Even if our classes change, I'll keep my promise from that day—not to trouble Kousuke-kun. Thank you so much, Osada-san."

Still blushing, Osada-san took a sip of coffee, thought for a moment, and said to me,

Osada: "...Got it. I'll be happy if you keep your promise to Saito-kun. ...By the way..."

Osada-san paused, like it was hard to say,

Osada: "...So, how's your relationship going?"

With Kuzu-kun and me?

...I decided to just be honest.

"Haha...actually, Kuzu-kun isn't interested in me at all anymore. By winter...White Day was the day we found out if we'd move up a grade...but, well. I get that it's my own fault, so it's okay..."

Osada-san let out a sigh and glared off into the distance,

Osada: "...Guess that's...education..."

...She muttered something kind of scary...

It was like the old, scary, rough Osada-san was peeking out...

Osada: "...Well, just because you moved up doesn't mean it's over, right? Not getting along with your boyfriend is a classic high school girl problem anyway. You hang in there too, Tomonaga."

"Okay!"

We're the same age, but our relationship is totally hierarchical—this is just normal for us.

Osada-san thought hard for a moment, then looked me straight in the eye,

Osada: "...Lately, mess—no, Kuzu's been acting up a lot. Something might happen because of his own choices. As his girlfriend, it might be tough for you, but..."

I nodded.

Osada: "I can see you regret what happened, and I like people who keep their promises."

With a smile, Osada-san stood up, picked up the bill,

Osada: "Today's your promotion celebration, so it's my treat. Even if we're in different classes, come talk to me if you ever need anything, okay? ...See you, Yukaricchi."

Osada-san winked with a snap, grabbed the bill, and strode confidently out of the family restaurant.

...No wonder everyone follows her—I could never compete.

I finished off my remaining tea and stood up too.

I'm glad I got to see Osada-san today.

Now I'm looking forward to becoming a second-year even more.