NTR Kousuke

Chapter 154

Chapter 154: First Meeting and Omen

And so, the first homeroom of our second year began.

Our homeroom teacher gave a self-introduction and once again explained the special advancement class and our privileges.

There were detailed notes on special treatment and the school's expectations.

Even so, the teacher concluded by saying, "You're still high school students, so I hope you'll create lots of memories while pushing each other to improve."

After that, we all headed out to the opening ceremony.

Koji spotted me and waved his hand.

Hiroshi and I waved back.

Koji found Ninomiya-san and started waving enthusiastically, but maybe she didn't notice, because Ninomiya-san didn't react at all.

There were speeches from the principal, the student council president Ichinose-senpai, the student guidance teacher, and then we all sang the school anthem.

Then we returned to our classrooms for homeroom.

In homeroom, we each introduced ourselves and got an explanation of the schedule for the coming days.

Tomorrow is the entrance ceremony, the day after that is the welcoming assembly, and classes start three days from now.

Since both events are held in the gym used by the basketball club, club activities are canceled today and tomorrow.

Then, self-introductions.

Everyone was so stiff! ...But honestly, I'm also bad at talking in front of people, so I just went with a safe, boring introduction.

As expected, most of the students in the special advancement class are really focused on studying.

There are a lot of people like me who aren't very expressive, so I wondered if events would even get lively.

The boys are especially quiet. I wish Koji was here.

As for the girls, it looks like the standouts will be the trio from the old class 4: Nagase-san, who's the student council secretary; Takahashi-san, the (future) class president; and Ninomiya-san, the flashy gal.

...Next would be the duo from the old class 5: Osada-san, the group leader, and Yuki-san, who seems like a model student.

Since Nagase-san and Osada-san went to the same middle school, will they be in the same group? Or maybe separate but friendly groups? It's hard to tell with all the friend connections.

The guys mostly seem like the type to really focus on studying.

Tanaka-kun, Hiroshi, and I are already grouped up as a trio.

After self-introductions, we got our textbooks and other supplies, and the upcoming schedule was announced—then we were done for the day!

No club today...so what now?

While I was thinking that—

Ninomiya: "Hey, hey! Kousuke-kun and the others! Since we've got the chance, why don't we invite the whole class and go to karaoke?"

Next to her, Nagase-san was nodding enthusiastically.

Gals really have amazing social skills, don't they...?

I want to escape...! Hiroshi feels the same! So does Tanaka-kun!

But there's nowhere to run...!

About half the class decided to go, so everyone moved out together.

...I thought the special advancement class would be less social, but half the class is a big group.

Even with just about half, that's sixteen people, so we got three rooms and rotated between them.

...I'm bad at karaoke...

I chatted with Tanaka-kun and Hiroshi in the corner.

...Not too different from our usual routine.

On my way to the restroom, I peeked into the room next door.

The Nagase group, which already had that "top girls" aura, was surrounded by boys. Ninomiya-san was running the show, with Nagase-san in the center and Takahashi-san, surprisingly, singing along excitedly.

When Nagase-san and I made eye contact, she waved, so I waved back and returned to my room.

...Osada-san and Yuki-san had joined our room.

Yuki: "...Osada-san isn't comfortable with karaoke with boys, you see?"

Osada: "...Not really."

Yuki: "Osada-san only wants to sing in front of her boyfriend!"

Osada: "Seriously, you don't have to say stuff like that!"

I actually find Osada-san's unexpectedly girly side pretty charming,

"...Ryo said yesterday that's super cute about you too."

Osada: "Huh? Huh? Why would Saito-kun say that?!"

"He came to watch our match yesterday, you know? Afterward, we talked about weight training...then someone teased me about being close with Airi-senpai, so I teased back about me and Osada-san...and Ryo just said it with a straight face..."

Yuki: "Huh, Saito-kun, tell us more..."

Osada: "I'm done! Geez!"

Tanaka: "Osada-san, you're such a girl!"

Yuki: "She looks tough, but she's really like that!"

Hiroshi: "Huh. Unexpected."

Surprisingly, I had a lively conversation with the Osada and Yuki duo.

In my self-analysis, I think people who are serious at heart are easiest to get along with.

Today was my first time meeting Osada-san, but Yuki-san fits that too.

As we were talking, Nagase-san passed by the room and looked at us with wide eyes.

...Maybe it looked weird to her that we were just talking and not singing at all.

After the planned three hours were up, we left, and Nagase-san came gliding over.

Nagase: "You didn't come over even once, did you?"

I felt the pressure.

"...There were so many people in your room, Nagase-san?"

Nagase-san smiled sweetly, playing with her ponytail.

Nagase: "Even though I waved at you, you just ignored me, right? So you got close with Osada-san and Yuki-san, huh?"

The pressure was intense.

"It's just that I had some shared interests and mutual friends with Osada-san..."

Nagase: "...I see."

She let me go for now, but it felt like she wasn't really satisfied.

Nagase-san is a pretty perfect girl.

She's beautiful, friendly, smart and athletic, a student council member, and super popular.

So at events like these, she's always a hit and the boys flock around her.

...That's kind of similar to Kashii-san.

I thought of Sho's crush, the perfect girl.

From here on, I'm sure the class will revolve around the Nagase group for the year.

With those thoughts, Tanaka-kun and I headed home.

Well, I guess someone like me—quiet, expressionless, not standing out—will end up living a plain school life in the corner of the class.

Still, I'm thinking I'll give studying and club activities my all this year too.

The next day was the entrance ceremony, so there were no club activities and I enjoyed a peaceful day off.

The day after that was the welcoming assembly for the new students.

...Last year I was the one being welcomed, but it was just a regular gathering—nothing special, just a short event in the morning.

...Or so I thought.

Now, there are three letters in front of me...what's going on?

Sho got three letters on the day of the closing ceremony during spring break? One of them was even a call-out for an attack...

What is this?

I feel an inexplicable sense of foreboding...

☆ ☆ ☆

This is Aru.

Right away, a new school year starts with an ominous mood swirling around Kousuke.

At the same time as the stories from the first year that haven't been resolved yet, there's a tug-of-war between Airi and Aya over Kousuke.

Influenced by the main story, Kousuke is still scared of girls today!

Will Nozomi's Slapper finally roar? The second-year arc is starting.

I'll make a character list, so I think the next update will be after tomorrow. Thanks for reading.