NTR Kousuke

Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Summoning Airi-senpai (About the Letters)

After finishing club activities, I took a shower, met up with Tanaka-kun, and headed home.

I'm exhausted—I've been on edge all day.

Tanaka: "Kousuke-kun, did you figure anything out?"

I shake my head.

How about you, Tanaka-kun?

Tanaka: "...I watched your surroundings all day too, but I didn't sense any malice! Or anything like that. ...If I had to say, when you talk to Nagase-san, some of the boys pay attention, and a few students stare, right?"

I felt that too.

...But it was like that last year as well, and Nagase-san tends to attract attention with her beauty and healthy sexiness. Both of us felt there weren't any extreme glares or malice. It was the same when I talked to Osada-san.

The same goes for Airi-senpai.

"...Tanaka-kun, do you think I should mention the letters?"

We discussed this a bit yesterday, but since we didn't have a good basis, we decided to just keep an eye out for a day. If there was a hint...

But after watching today, honestly, I have no idea.

The contents of the letter are—

1 "Be careful with Tendou Airi."

2 "Watch out for Osada Ai."

3 "Be a little more careful around Nagase Aya."

Tanaka: "Honestly, whether you tell them or not? All we can do is be on guard, and it kind of feels pointless..."

Tanaka-kun trails off, uncertain.

Yeah, even if you tell people to be careful, what's supposed to happen just by telling them?

It only serves to make them anxious.

But—

"...I'm only really worried about Airi-senpai."

There's not much point in telling the other two.

Simulation.

Osada-san.

"...Actually, I got a letter warning me to watch out for you, Osada-san."

Osada: "Huh? What's that about?"

Yeah, something like that.

Simulation.

Nagase-san.

"...There's a letter saying I should be a little more careful around you, Nagase-san..."

Nagase: "Did I do something?"

Yeah, that's about how it would go.

But with Airi-senpai—

"Be careful with Tendou Airi."

It kind of implies there's something going on with Airi-senpai.

I say to Tanaka-kun,

"Tomorrow, I'll observe for another day, and if nothing happens, I'll come clean to Airi-senpai about getting this kind of letter. ...I'd hate for something to happen."

Tanaka: "Yeah, sounds good. ...What about the other two?"

"...It would just make them anxious, so I'll keep quiet."

I really don't see a need to tell Airi-senpai that I got letters about Nagase-san and Osada-san, too.

Even if I told them, it would only upset them to know someone's slandering them, right?

Of course, if there were rumors or signs of them being badmouthed, I might bring it up then...

That's what we decided, and so, the next day—

The next day, nothing happened, and after school, club activities started as usual.

...Nothing happening is best, but I'm left with a vague sense of unease.

I can't figure out how to tell Airi-senpai—how should I say it? I hesitate to bring it up, and it'd probably just scare her if I brought it up during club activities.

I want to avoid being too direct, but still get across that it's important.

Should I just ask for time after club?

It's hard...

As I'm worrying about it, Airi-senpai seems busy today, and there aren't any good moments to talk just the two of us.

She seems busy.

This is tricky.

Time keeps slipping away.

She might have plans or errands after club—if I hesitate and someone else books her first, that wouldn't be good.

It's a bit forceful, but I'll try to make an appointment ahead of time!

I see Airi-senpai going to the clubroom to pick something up, so I decide to catch up and talk to her.

☆ ☆ ☆

Since it's during club activities, no one is in the clubroom...

Airi: "Hmm hmm hmm—♪"

Airi-senpai, in her tracksuit with her hair tied into two fluffy ponytails, is humming a tune as she cleans the clubroom.

Slam.

Without making a loud noise, I close the clubroom door behind me.

Airi: "Wah! Kousuke-kun?! ...Did you hear me? I was singing..."

Flustered, Airi-senpai squeezes her eyes shut, blushing with embarrassment—she looks nothing like a dignified older sister, just an adorable girl.

...She's so charming it's giving me chills...!

Airi: "Kousuke-kun?"

I've entered the room, but I'm stuck on how to start—Airi-senpai peers into my eyes, looking so cute. She's so cute it just makes me more nervous—scary!

But this is important! If I wait until something happens, it'll be too late.

Come on, say it!

"...Senpai...after club today...do you have time?"

Airi-senpai beams so much her eyes turn to slits,

Airi: "What's up, troublesome junior? Are you coming to your big sister for advice? Training menu? Skills? Or maybe you want a senpai's mindset?"

She wags her index finger and gives me a mischievous smile.

Being alone with her in a closed room feels a little dangerous...!

I need to get to the point quickly...!

Airi: "Hm? Kousuke-kun? What's wrong? Not feeling well? Want to go to the nurse's office?"

Noticing something's off, Airi-senpai quickly grabs my hand in a panic!

She checks the temperature of my hand and touches my forehead,

Airi: "No fever...? Ah! Oh no! Silly me!"

Suddenly, Airi-senpai lets go of my hand and jumps back a step.

"...Senpai, um. ...After club today, could you meet me behind the gym?"

Airi: "Eh? Sure. ...What's up?"

Just say it clearly.

"...There's something kind of important I need to talk about..."

Airi: "Eh? Eh? Eh? Something important? Something important—?"

I nod,

"Yes, very. After club...at 6:30 behind the gym. Just the two of us, Airi-senpai."

It's better if no one overhears, right?

Airi: "O-okay! I'll be there."

With her face bright red, Airi-senpai nods stiffly like a robot, and then, looking like her joints are all locked up and her mind is elsewhere, she leaves the room...

Her reaction makes me a little anxious that she's misunderstood, but as long as I can talk to her alone, it should be fine.

After that, I didn't make eye contact with Airi-senpai once during club activities...

I hope she doesn't think I'm confessing or something? Now I'm starting to get nervous.

☆ ☆ ☆

Club ended at 6:00. Normally I'd stay and practice until about 6:30, but today I made an appointment with Airi-senpai about the letters, so I shower, change into my uniform, and get ready to go! I prepare the letter and head to the meeting place behind the gym.

There stood a true maiden.

Airi-senpai is always so well-groomed—you'll never catch her looking sloppy or disheveled.

Even if the other managers are worn out and slouching, Airi-senpai is always immaculate, with perfectly kept clothes and hair.

...But right now, with her hands pressed to her chest, she's in an even more polished state than usual,

cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling, waiting in a way that absolutely radiates excitement and nervousness.

"...No wonder she gets targeted."

I can't help but sigh.

That's just how stunning Tendou Airi looks tonight—I have to take my hat off to her.

If I didn't have a fear of girls, I'd probably be falling for her right now—she's practically overflowing with charm!

I probably messed up. She's definitely misunderstood something.

Was it the way I said it? The way I called her here?

I walk over to Airi-senpai feeling like a criminal turning myself in.

...It's this letter's fault... My voice never gets through to anyone...!