NTR Kousuke

Chapter 29

Starting today, it's the new semester.

Right now, all I feel is fear.

The fear of being stared at by everyone, wondering if they'll accept the changed me.

All I feel is anxiety.

Up until now, I didn't leave a good impression on people, being overweight or lacking presence.

But will it be okay? A summer break debut? Am I getting carried away? Will people mess with me?

I'm incredibly worried.

Lately, I've been enjoying looking in the mirror and stepping on the scale.

It's because my everyday life is tough, but there's a part of me that's enjoying this transformation.

Deep down, I'm still the same easily swayed and timid me, though.

Will everyone notice the change?

I've been telling my two friends on LINE about my diet progress, and they've been cheering me on.

It's been three weeks since I last saw them, so will they be surprised?

I've been coming to school every day even during summer break, though...

It's been a while since I've seen everyone.

"Good morning."

""Good morning.""

??

Are they doing a double take?

Did they notice I've changed?

I also greeted my two friends.

"Morning."

The two of them looked shocked and said,

"Yukarin? Wow! You're so cute!"

"I'm shocked! You're super cute!"

Huh? Really?

...Actually, I've been realizing it more and more each day...!

The three of us are inconspicuous mob-like girls who quietly spend our time at the edge of the class.

We spend our days peacefully and discreetly in our usual spot by the hallway, staying out of the spotlight.

The tension between girls or the drama over boys would give me a stomach ulcer.

"...Yukarin, confessing to Kuzu-kun..."

"It's kind of become a rumor..."

I already knew about it because Mishima-san told me during summer break... but my slightly smaller chest still aches.

I admired him, after all.

Back in junior high, when people mocked me for being fat, Kuzu-kun stood up for me... and we ended up at the same high school, Hokusho...

During summer break, I came to school for some errands and ran into him by the building... We talked for the first time in a while... I got so excited...

"Haha, I know. I said it on LINE too... That's why I... I want to change myself."

"You can become this cute..."

"You're not the same as before anymore."

"It's still not enough. More, much more!"

My two friends said they'd support me.

But while we're talking, I can feel the gazes of my classmates.

...Am I really that weird?

?"Hey!"

??

Huh?

Me?

The one who spoke to me was Osada-san, a gal.

Osada-san is considered part of the top caste in our class, what you'd call a first-tier girl.

She's flashy, dazzling, and the leader of a tight-knit group.

She's never spoken to me before?!

Osada "Come with me for a sec, okay?"

My two friends look at me with worry as they see me off.

I'm dragged off to an empty special classroom building.

Osada-san's entourage of first-tier girls surrounds me...

"...I'm sorry... I don't have any money..."

I tell Osada-san while trembling.

Osada "Huh? I'm not gonna extort a classmate. That'd be a real incident."

Does that mean she does it elsewhere?

Scary! Am I gonna get roughed up?

Osada "Mishima from Class 5? She's been going around saying you confessed to Kuzu-kun, thinking you're out of your league! Is that for real?"

!!

Osada-san doesn't get along with Mishima-san from the other class...

Is she mad because she's been laughed at over a mess caused by a girl from our class?

I'm gonna get roughed up!

Out of sheer fear, I spill everything.

That I confessed, that Kousuke-kun from the basketball club saw it, that I vented to him, that I was taken to the Video Research Society, and that I cried about wanting to change.

That the Video Research Society suggested filming a documentary about my transformation.

That I worked hard on my diet during summer break, and that I've been trying my best with Kousuke-kun's help.

That Mishima-san harassed and insulted me during summer break.

That I want to prove myself to Kuzu-kun and Mishima-san.

I confessed everything without holding back.

Scary!

When I finish explaining, her entourage looks at me with pity.

Osada-san is deep in thought.

After a moment, she speaks.

Osada "Tomonaga, listen. We're getting totally mocked by that Mishima over this. I'm seriously pissed."

Her intimidating glare makes me let out a weird squeak!

"Hii!"

But then, Osada-san says with a smile,

Osada "If our classmate is being mocked, we can't just back down, right? I get it now. Keep working on your diet and show everyone up!"

"Huh?"

A dumb sound escapes me.

Osada-san smiles gently and says,

Osada "Then you absolutely can't stand out. Until the Video Research Society's documentary is done, until your transformation is complete, spend lunch breaks and free time in some empty classroom. Even in class, keep your head down, slouch, act like a plain, shy introvert... just like before, got it?"

In short, don't stand out.

Not until you get your revenge somewhere, maybe at the cultural festival.

Osada "Well, whatever. You don't seem to realize it, but you've lost weight and look pretty hot. I guarantee it. Let's get revenge on Mishima together, okay? Starting today, you're part of our group. Nah, scratch that, Yu-kaari-cchi."

Huh?

Osada "What? Got a problem with that?"

"No! Not at all."

Alright, then.

Don't stand out.

With that, she let me go.

What was that? So scary. Yukaricchi?

Something unbelievable just happened...

I've been absorbed into the faction of Osada-san, the top caste girls' group in our class...

☆ ☆ ☆

Utility Value side Osada

"Hey, are we really letting someone like that fatty into our group?"

She's still a bit chubby, but calling her fat is going too far, don't you think?

The others around me look dissatisfied. Well, of course, they have their pride as part of the top clique.

I explain to them.

That Tomonaga is useful.

Even midway through her diet, she's transformed into such an impressive girl.

Some girls stay lame even if they lose a bit of weight, but Tomonaga is pretty cool now.

She worked so hard just to prove herself.

She's timid, easily swayed, and easy to handle.

So what? The others urge me to continue.

Mishima is getting cocky and seriously annoying.

Mishima's been picking on Tomonaga too, and Tomonaga wants to prove herself against Mishima.

The Video Research Society is a pretty influential club at this school, having won awards multiple times in the past and being a group that gets a lot of attention, and they're using Tomonaga in their project...

In other words, if she were a stock, she'd be a guaranteed winner!

Oh!?

I emphasize this point to everyone around me.

If she succeeds, Tomonaga will probably become a celebrity known not just in our grade, but throughout the whole school.

If we do her a favor now and back her up, her utility value will skyrocket even more!

At the cultural festival...

Mishima will definitely enter the beauty contest! That girl is seriously full of herself.

If I enter... I'm not saying I'd lose, but... it'd be tough.

But what about Tomonaga?

If it's Tomonaga, even if she loses, it won't be a big deal.

We'll pit Tomonaga against Mishima in the beauty contest on the second day. Depending on the buzz from the documentary on the first day, she might even become Miss Hokusho!

I think to myself, I'll provoke Mishima and challenge her at the cultural festival.

If our class's secret weapon from our group defeats that cocky Mishima, it'll be absolutely the best!

Getting the class's support, and if Yukaricchi wins, it'll benefit the class too. It's a win-win for everyone!

This is getting interesting!

I'm counting on you, okay? Yukaricchi?