9 Chapter 9: Between Stations and Confessions

Crushing mountains...

That expression captures Reiji's current situation well.

In an overcrowded train, he placed Kanade against the wall, forming a protective barrier with his arms. However, the crowd was so dense that physical contact between them became inevitable, with Kanade's breasts being pressed against Reiji's body.

Kanade, although visibly embarrassed, showed no sign of discomfort with Reiji's proximity.

She gave Reiji a shy smile before diverting her gaze to his strong arms. Through Reiji's tense arms, it was evident the effort employed to prevent her from being further pressed by the crowd. The defined outline of his muscles became more apparent as he strained to maintain a safe distance between them and other passengers.

"Are you okay?" Reiji asked her.

"Yes, thanks to you~" Her response came in a sharper tone, almost like a happy chirp.

Pleased with her response, Reiji offered her a smile: "That's good."

'Does he think it's good that I'm okay or because my breasts are pressed against him?' She wanted to question aloud, seeking a direct answer from him, but her remnants of pride kept her silent, although her burning face betrayed her embarrassment.

Reiji, though not focused on that, couldn't deny the unique sensation that the closeness of Kanade's voluminous breasts against his body provoked, something incomparably pleasurable, far beyond what any pillow could offer.

Although the situation was indeed pleasant, Reiji was determined to maintain control to not have a more evident reaction, and he managed to do so successfully.

He didn't have that desperation that any teenager has for any physical contact with the opposite sex. Although he didn't deny liking it, especially the current situation with a beautiful, attractive girl who liked him, Reiji didn't take advantage of the situation, nor did he let himself be carried away by improper thoughts.

Of course, being a man, if he didn't make an effort to maintain his self-control in this situation, his younger brother, asleep, would wake up full of vitality. To divert attention from this situation, he initiated a conversation with her.

"Kanade-chan, about earlier..." When he said that much, she seemed confused, so he clarified: "Those two idiots, I mean. Did I scare you earlier?"

"No, no!" She emphatically denied, boldly wrapping her arms around his waist. She placed her blushing face against his strong chest and murmured in a low but loving voice: "Actually, it was quite the opposite; I was very happy for what you did for me~"

Caught off guard by her sudden embrace, smelling the conditioner and the pleasant aroma emanating from her body, he took a deep breath and sighed; now, even for him, it was difficult to control himself.

"E-Eu understand." He said in a deeper voice: "As long as you weren't scared of me, I'm glad."

"I won't be." She tightened her embrace.

Some passengers who witnessed this scene felt second-hand embarrassment. Especially the high school students, who now had their faces so red it seemed they had a fever.

"My God, these two are so bold..."

Some girls murmured.

However, it was undeniable that the scene, although embarrassing, was somewhat enviable, especially noting the protective actions of the strong and handsome boy with the equally beautiful girl.

///

The sky darkened, a sign that a storm was approaching.

Fortunately, Reiji and Kanade had reached the school gate when it started to drizzle.

"Reiji-kun, did you bring an umbrella?" Kanade asked.

"No," Reiji denied.

"B-Well, I brought one, so, let's go home together again, okay?" She suggested.

"Sure, I appreciate it," he responded with a charming smile.

Kanade averted her gaze, then physically expressed without Reiji seeing by screaming in her mind 'Yes!' She raised her hand and clenched her fist near her face in a cat-like posture.

However, she didn't know that she couldn't hide her happiness from him, nor the fact that she blushed again, as her ears were red...

Inside the classroom, Reiji exhibited a lazy demeanor, with his arms crossed forming a support on the desk where he rested his face.

Even though he acted like this, it was inevitable that he attracted the gazes of the girls in the room. His changes were very obvious and positive, making him the number one target in the class as a potential boyfriend.

Although it seemed like Kanade was in some sort of relationship with him, nothing had been confirmed yet. No, perhaps precisely because Kanade, one of the five beauties of the class, seemed interested in him, it made him an even more sought-after 'delicacy.'

While the person in question, Kanade, who didn't know that because of her, more and more girls were noticing Reiji and demonstrating romantic interest in him, was daydreaming again...

///

"Reiji-senpai... Did you read it?"

During the lunch break, Reiji was approached by the petite and cute, but equally attractive kohai, Nene Fujinoki. She sat next to him in the cafeteria, turning to look at him.

Reiji wasn't surprised by her arrival, as he saw her coming. When he looked into her eyes, he gently replied: "Yes, I read it."

"And?" She touched her own cheek with her index finger and tilted her head in an enchantingly attractive and cute manner.

This, somehow, triggered options for him to choose from—

[A: Not to respond with words, but with a smile.]

[B: In the letter, you said you expected nothing in return, just wanted me to know about your feelings.]

[C: You are beautiful, cute, attractive, but today is a no.]

Surprised and confused, especially with response C, Reiji spoke to her before Kanade, who already seemed about to explode, could react. He gave his best smile and, touching her head, said: "I was very touched. Your sincerity in the letter moved me."

"Hehehe~" Although she might have expected a different response, she was still pleased to hear this, and the large, warm hand on her head was incredibly comfortable, almost making her purr like a kitten.

*Ding!* [Her favorability index increased.]

'...It seems not always are the three options the answer.' Reiji thought. None of the options were really to his liking. Therefore, he responded authentically. And the increase of 10 favorability points proved it was the right choice to make.

After all, it was to be expected that, after this, Nene's index would surpass the 90 points mark...

Puffing her cheeks, Kanade seemed extremely jealous across the table: "Reiji-kun... What is she to you?"

"Mm..." As Reiji thought about how to answer that question, not only was Kanade waiting for his response, but Nene also cleaned her ear well, blinking her beautiful, large eyes as she looked at him.

Being stared at like this, even he felt awkward, but, well, after thinking for a bit, Reiji still answered: "A lovely and attractive kohai who likes me?" He touched his chin: "Mm... Although I can't find a perfect definition yet, can we consider ourselves friends, now, yes?"

"Sure, but..." Nene hugged his arm tightly and with a cute but at the same time seductive smile, as she blushed with obvious desire: "I want to be your girlfriend candidate, if Reiji-senpai is looking for a girlfriend, please consider me strongly!"

'Damn, this girl is bold!!' Kanade gasped, though upset. She didn't have the audacity and courage of this kohai and felt a bit disheartened because of it.

Even Reiji was surprised. After all, just yesterday, she seemed so shy she wouldn't dare look at him when handing over the letter, but then, she went to the café where he worked, showing a touch of boldness, and today, she was even bolder...

Heavens, where does this girl get so much courage?

"E-Eu..." Kanade took a deep breath, her eyes then filled with determination. She stood up, taking her lunchbox, and sat on the other free side of Reiji. After placing the lunchbox on the table, she hugged his arm, pulling him to look at her, and said with all the courage she could muster: "I... I also apply to be your girlfriend and... future wife!"

"Ughh..."

Realizing what she said, Kanade groaned with embarrassment, her face was so red it looked like smoke might come out of the top of her head any second. The embarrassment overcame her courage in the end, and she hid her face in his arm.

"Hey, don't copy me!" Nene was upset.

"Wow!!"

Meanwhile, the students in the cafeteria reacted with alarm.

It was as if they had watched a live show, and the music had ended, so the audience reacted.

They couldn't help but react, after all, it's not every day that such a scene happens with two beautiful girls, one cute but attractive like a little gyaru full of curves, while the other was equally beautiful, but with a more mature and sexy charm, her entire body exuding sexual appeal.

"Unbelievable... Two beautiful girls, one on each arm, declaring their love for him..."

Several boys could only feel envy. Both Nene and Kanade were beautiful, each with their own strengths and charm. Inevitably, they would have several admirers, but here they were, declaring themselves to the same boy, even giving him the option to choose between them, almost as if offering themselves as a spare tire...

While for the boys, Reiji's situation was highly enviable, he felt trapped in a difficult situation. Not to mention, the sensation in each arm was divine, but, because of their words, it was hard to appreciate it at the moment.

Taking a deep breath, he composed himself. He said: "It makes me extremely happy to hear this, Nene-chan, Kanade-chan, but, if we linger, our food will get cold and, about being my girlfriend... we'll talk about it later, okay?"

Kanade was still very embarrassed, not daring to raise her head while holding his arm.

Nene, on the other hand, remained cheerful, though she seemed a bit disappointed, she was motivated by not being rejected: "That's funny, but, I'll wait for you~!"

The way she responded was a bit funny, even when she tried to appear sensual while speaking, but Reiji just laughed inwardly while responding with a smile.

Back in the classroom, Reiji felt as if he had faced a tough battle...

The gazes directed at him became even more piercing.

It seems the gossip about what happened between him, Kanade, and Nene had reached all the students, after all, when he was returning to the classroom, he could feel the looks as if they were arrows wanting to pierce his body.

Because of this, he also lost some favorability points from some girls, while from others it magically increased and...

Ding! Suddenly, there was a soft sound and he saw some words appear in front of him—

[There are now five women who have a favorability index of more than 90 towards you, and the [action points] system is now available. You can use various [actions] to obtain [action points]. The [items] system is also available; you can use your action points to exchange for various items and use them].

New system options!?

Forgetting everything that happened before, Reiji secretly checked his system.

In his new [actions] menu, there were several options including [writing a diary], [playing], [singing], [dancing], [drawing], and [working]. Each category required a certain amount of statistics as a prerequisite. For example, the [writing a diary] option required him to have an academic statistic of 15 or higher.

And, according to his system's explanation, if he chose options from here, he would obtain action points.

His action points could be used in the new [items] menu, where he could exchange them for useful items. For example, there was a [favorability ranking increase card], which could be used on a girl. As the name suggested, it would double the rate of increase in favorability index and would last one day.

Another option was the [physical ability activation card – athletics], which had the capacity to open some more specific options available to him in the [physical ability] category, in addition to giving him a bonus for any athletic activity…

After briefly navigating through his system, Reiji felt quite excited inside. He felt that his system's functions had greatly improved!

[Playing] required him to have teammates and opponents in a physical game like basketball, football, tennis, etc.; [singing] and [dancing] required an audience; and [writing a diary] and [drawing] were the only options he could select immediately, as long as he had previously prepared the necessary materials.

'Mm, after class, I should buy materials for drawing and a diary...' He thought happily.

With new functions, although he was excited, he didn't show it. If others saw him excited, it could be misinterpreted, after all, Nene and Kanade essentially declared themselves at the same time to him in the cafeteria just a short while ago...

Moreover, thinking about it now, it's a bit strange that three other girls now possess a favorability index higher than 90 towards him. The only obvious reason for this cause was some type of strange interest that these three girls possessed.

After all, not necessarily having 90 points makes them in love with him, it just makes them easy targets in case he wants to date or simply go out with them. Perhaps, they even hope for just a good coexistence thinking that he was being so contested by two beautiful girls so intensely.

Well, it was easy to let thoughts wander and start thinking more than what it really is.

Moreover... One of the girls, he saw, was a teacher...

||- Note -||

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