Chapter 2: The Intolerant Society’s Rail Operator ①

Not to boast, but my family is what you’d call well-off.

We don’t have a lineup of luxury cars, vacation homes all over Japan, or the kind of wealth that lets us jet off overseas as casually as visiting the next town over.

But since starting my independent life as a university student, I’ve been living in a 2LDK apartment in the city, free from financial worries. My family’s wealth is enough to let me live comfortably without restraint.

If I were struggling to make ends meet, I’d lose valuable time that could be spent studying. And for a student, that time is priceless.

My father—or rather, the company president—understands that well.

He’s proud of his daughter. He doesn’t hesitate to invest in nurturing talent to maintain and elevate our social status.

As long as I deliver results, I don’t have to worry about living expenses—or even entertainment costs.

As a father, he might be a bit much, but as a company president, the Fumino family is a great workplace.

I’ve met his expectations so far, and I’m confident I’ll continue to deliver the results he desires.

That’s why Momiji Fumino’s university life has been smooth sailing from the start.

“Well then, Natsuo-kun, let’s call it a day for today.”

“Yes, Momiji-san.”

I never imagined, back when I first started university, that I’d be working as a private tutor like this.

And my student is a seventeen-year-old boy, two years younger than me. If we’d attended the same school, he might’ve called me senpai.

Just a short while ago, I was busy preparing for university entrance exams myself. Now, here I am, getting paid to guide someone else through them. It still feels a little strange, in a way I can’t quite put into words.

“Thank you for today, as always.”

After an hour and a half at the desk, what Natsuo-kun’s body craved wasn’t a big stretch—it was a bow of gratitude toward his teacher (me).

When he lifted his head again, his expression wasn’t just relaxed—it was almost carefree. Seeing that made me smile too.

Two months ago, when we first met, he’d been full of wariness, acting like he was facing something terrifying. But now, he could face me directly without hesitation. It was a big step forward for him.

Maybe it wouldn’t be long before he could look me in the eye with confidence.

Yes, I’ve never actually seen Natsuo-kun’s eyes clearly. It’s not that he avoids eye contact or looks away—it’s just that his bangs, long enough to reach the tip of his nose, always get in the way.

“Oh, by the way,”

I suddenly remembered as I watched Natsuo-kun close his textbooks.

“The results for the high school equivalency exam should be out soon, right? Have you received them yet?”

As his tutor, I was curious about the results of the exam he’d taken just last month.

The official name is the High School Equivalency Examination. As the name suggests, it certifies that the examinee has academic abilities equivalent to a high school graduate. It’s something my younger sister, Kaede, once desperately wanted.

Kaede stopped attending school in elementary school and continued to isolate herself through middle school. Even in high school, she refused to go. Instead, she aimed to take the high school equivalency exam to gain the same qualifications as a high school graduate.

The fact that Natsuo-kun took this exam means he’s not attending high school either. That’s why he took the exam in August.

Results are usually announced about a month later. It’s already September, so it wouldn’t be strange if he’d already received them.

“Not yet,”

Natsuo-kun shook his head casually, as if he didn’t care much about the results.

“You seem pretty relaxed. Aren’t you curious about your own results?”

“I already know the outcome.”

“Oh? Confident, aren’t you?”

“Well, the answer sheets I brought home told me everything.”

“Hehe, that’s true.”

Yes, the results were already clear.

The high school equivalency exam isn’t like university entrance exams. It’s not about ranking or cutting off a certain number of applicants. If you meet the required standard, you pass. The answers, released shortly after the exam, had already confirmed his success.

“You’re amazing, Natsuo-kun.”

“Amazing?”

“If you were attending high school, you’d only be a second-year—not even halfway through the curriculum. Yet you passed the exam on your first try.”

The high school equivalency exam covers eight to ten subjects. You need to pass all of them to earn the certification. However, any subjects you pass are exempt from future attempts, so as long as you’re serious and persistent, it’s not an impossible exam.

That’s why passing all subjects on the first try is truly impressive.

“I’m not that special,”

Natsuo-kun scratched the back of his neck.

“The exam is multiple-choice, and the passing score is pretty low. Plus, I have the luxury of focusing solely on studying. Anyone could do this if they put in the effort.”

“But that effort is what matters. Sticking to something that isn’t fun—it sounds simple, but a lot of people can’t do it. They get swept away by easier distractions.”

I waved my phone as an example.

“I didn’t get distracted because you were watching over me, Momiji-san.”

“Excessive modesty is just a vice. It comes off as insincere. I only started coming in July. By then, you already had the ability to achieve this result. If anything, I might’ve disrupted your rhythm by showing up at such a crucial time.”

“That’s not…”

Natsuo-kun looked embarrassed and slightly turned his face away. If not for his bangs, I might’ve seen his eyes darting around.

“It’s been two months since then. Have you gotten used to having me around?”

“Yes. If it’s you, Momiji-san, I’m fine now.”

“Then maybe it’s time to take the next step, don’t you think?”

“Next step?”

“Like going shopping on your own.”

“That’s…”

The color drained from Natsuo-kun’s face.

“Too harsh.”

“I see. Too harsh, huh?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, don’t apologize. If you think you can’t do it, that’s okay.”

“But even after all this time with you here, I’m still like this…”

“I’m here as your tutor. As long as you’re serious about studying, everything else is secondary.”

I meant to reassure him gently, but it wasn’t enough to lift his spirits. Natsuo-kun kept his head down, looking awkward and uncomfortable.

I hesitated for a moment, but changing the subject halfway might come off as forced.

It had been two months since I started looking after Natsuo-kun. While his attitude toward me had changed significantly,

“Are you still scared of women?”

“…Yes, I’m scared.”

The root of the problem hadn’t changed at all.

I was asked to be Natsuo-kun’s tutor at the beginning of June.

My best friend, Kinomiya Madoka, had moved to Tokyo with me for university. We’d been together since elementary school, but now we were attending different universities.

It was in this new environment that Madoka met Natsuo-kun’s older sister.

Kirishima Haruhi, 22 years old. She was a fellow student at Madoka’s university, but she was… unique, to say the least.

First, she insisted on being called Kasuga instead of Haruhi. It wasn’t about creating a sense of familiarity or anything like that.

“I’m not the cute type. Being called Kasuga suits me better, don’t you think?”

She simply thought her real name was too cute for her and preferred to go by a nickname.

That said, Kasuga-san wasn’t unattractive. She had long, slender limbs and the kind of beauty that made you nod in agreement if someone told you she was a model.

When she said she wasn’t the cute type, it wasn’t about her appearance—it was about her demeanor and how she carried herself.

My first meeting with Kasuga-san ended just three hours later with,

“Momiji-kun. I want you to tutor my foolish younger brother.”

She made this request to me, someone she’d just met.

The so-called “foolish younger brother” was Natsuo-kun. Apparently, he was a shut-in.

Not a long-term shut-in like Kaede, though. His isolation had only started this past January.

Apparently, Natsuo-kun had been a pretty boy since before elementary school, attracting the attention of countless girls.

If it had just been innocent admiration, it might’ve been manageable. But these girls fought and caused trouble over him.

According to Kasuga-san, her brother had been the subject of unwanted idolization since birth.

No matter how much Natsuo-kun tried to avoid the girls, the situation only escalated. One day, things went too far.

A violent incident involving Natsuo-kun occurred without his knowledge. The families of those involved blamed him for what happened.

Of course, such absurdity couldn’t be justified.

Natsuo-kun had always kept his distance from women outside his family. He never flirted or led anyone on. The girls had fought over him of their own accord.

He wasn’t at fault in any way, so he could’ve stood his ground confidently. But the incident broke him.

He became afraid of women.

That’s how he ended up shutting himself away at home.

A month passed, then two, but nothing changed. Given the circumstances, even his parents couldn’t push him to return to school, and the situation reached a standstill.

When his isolation entered its third month,

“If you’re going to stay shut in like this, you might as well take care of me.”

Kasuga-san rushed to their family home in Fukuoka and forcibly brought Natsuo-kun back to Tokyo.

Her decisiveness was impressive—no, her ability to take action was remarkable.

She’d apparently convinced their parents, but it was still surprising that Natsuo-kun agreed to go with her. About that, he said,

“Going outside is scary… but disobeying my sister at that moment was even scarier.”

The scale of fear had tipped in Kasuga-san’s favor.

Since then, Natsuo-kun had been taking care of his sister’s needs.

Of course, he wasn’t happy about it at first. But compared to the emptiness of wasting his days, taking care of his sister at least gave him a sense of purpose. Over time, he began to recover, realizing he couldn’t stay the way he was.

After a month, he started wondering what he should do next.

Tormented by his thoughts, Natsuo-kun consulted his sister.

“Let me ask you this: what were you aiming for before all this?”

“…Nothing.”

Natsuo-kun answered awkwardly, expecting her to scold him for not thinking about his future.

“If you haven’t thought about it, at least aim for university.”

But Kasuga-san’s reaction was different from what he expected.

“You were planning to go to university anyway, right?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Then set that as your goal for now.”

“But… what about high school?”

“Do you think you can handle going back to school in your state?”

“That’s… impossible.”

“Then you’ll have to get your high school equivalency. With your brains, it shouldn’t be too hard.”

The conversation moved forward matter-of-factly, much to his surprise.

The immediate goal she set for him wasn’t much different from what he’d been aiming for before. But to him, that path had felt completely cut off.

“As for your fear of women… I’ll figure something out. For now, just focus on taking care of me and passing the high school equivalency exam.”

He didn’t know how to react to how easily she’d cleared a path for him.

Still, the emptiness of wasting his days had left a deep impression on him.

Even if he achieved his goal, he knew he couldn’t move forward without addressing the root of his problem.

But for now, he decided to trust her words—the words of the sister who had pulled him out of his isolated room.

For now, he pushed the root problem aside and started running toward the first milestone.

“Rejoice, foolish brother! I’ve brought you a beautiful tutor!”

“Eek!”

Just as he’d started to trust her, she brought the problem itself to his doorstep. At that moment, he cursed himself for believing in her.

At first, he was so terrified he nearly hyperventilated. But he didn’t dwell on the problem forever. While it took time to warm up to me, he gradually began to trust me more with each meeting.

All of this was because Kasuga-san understood the root of his problem.

That’s why I was chosen to be his tutor.

“I see. So you’re still not ready to face women other than me.”

“But I’m really okay with you, Momiji-san!”

As if wanting to clearly separate me from “the rest,” Natsuo-kun spoke with a bounce in his voice.

“I know you’re not interested in me, Momiji-san.”

“You make it sound like I’m some cold-hearted person. I’ve been facing you seriously all this time, so hearing that makes me sad.”

“S-sorry… I didn’t mean it like that.”

Natsuo-kun flusteredly waved his hands, palms facing me.

“I’m joking. I know you’ve been sincere.”

I meant it as a lighthearted remark, but seeing him so flustered made me feel a little guilty.

“You’ve been through a lot. The fact that I, a woman, have no interest in your face is something to be happy about, isn’t it?”

The reason I was chosen as Natsuo-kun’s tutor—and why I was able to earn his trust—was because I was judged to be a woman who wouldn’t be swayed by his good looks.

Even if he gets into university, Natsuo-kun won’t have a future if he stays the way he is. My role is to teach him that not all women are drawn to his appearance and to help him get used to women outside his family so he can overcome his issues.

I’m here to help him take that first step.

“Well, expecting me to be attracted to that ridiculous look of yours is impossible to begin with.”

“Ahaha…”

Natsuo-kun scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

The beauty that had caused so many girls to fight over him—unfortunately, I’ve only seen it in photos. The only version of him I’ve seen in person is the one with his bangs grown out to an absurd length.

“Hey. Let me ask you again—are you scared of going outside?”

“Yes… I’m scared of people seeing my face.”

It’s the result of him becoming afraid of even being seen.

“You’re right. If you went outside looking like that now, people would stare. Oh no, there’s something wrong with him. You wouldn’t get even a fraction of the admiration you used to receive.”

“Then maybe I should just stay like this forever.”

Natsuo-kun laughed self-deprecatingly as he fiddled with his bangs. He genuinely seemed to think it was a good idea.

It’s such a waste, considering the incredible gift he was born with.

Countless girls had fought over him, leaving him behind and causing chaos. It went beyond distrust—it pushed him into a full-blown phobia.

But not all the girls who cared about him acted selfishly. It’s impossible that every single one of them was infatuated with him.

It’s always the loudest voices that stand out. The ones who make a scene end up seeming like the majority.

“This might sound a bit like boasting, but…”

“Boasting, Momiji-san?”

“Yes, boasting. I was always number one in school.”

Natsuo-kun looked puzzled by the sudden topic. It was an uncharacteristic statement from me, something he hadn’t heard in the two months we’d been working together.

“In… academics?”

He asked hesitantly.

“Yes. I always ranked first in tests. I never fell from the top spot in my grade.”

“As expected of Momiji-san. That’s amazing.”

“But that wasn’t the only thing I was number one in.”

“What else were you number one in?”

“My position in school.”

“You mean the social hierarchy?”

“It’s not a term I like, but there’s no better way to put it.”

I couldn’t help but smile wryly, feeling a bit embarrassed to use such a term.

“In class, our group was always in the leading position. There was hardly ever any opposition to our opinions. Class decisions weren’t made by majority vote—they were decided by our influence. And I was the one who brought everyone together.”

“So you were number one even within the group?”

“Even within the group, opinions could clash. Everyone had strong personalities, even though they were good people. Before I knew it, I was pushed into the role of leader because I was the most serious one.”

“So you were the class president, after all.”

“Because of that role, I also had the most trust from the teachers. If Momiji’s handling it, it’ll be fine. I was entrusted with all sorts of things. By the way, what do you think my next number one was?”

“Popularity with the boys?”

“There was something like a Most Desirable Girlfriend ranking. Some people made it during the school festival as a joke. Without my knowledge, I was ranked number one and the results were made public.”

“What about sports?”

“Hmm… I think I’m pretty athletic, but I wasn’t in any sports clubs. I’m more of an indoor person.”

“Even Momiji-san has her limits, huh?”

“But if you count from the top, I’d still be number one in sports.”

“What does that even mean?”

Natsuo-kun burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hand. Watching him, I couldn’t help but grin, feeling pleased with myself.

“That’s how it was. I was number one in everything at school.”

That was enough of a lead-in to the main point.

“But being number one like that was only possible until high school.”

What I wanted to convey wasn’t about boasting.

“In university, there’s nothing I can be number one in.”

“Nothing at all?”

“Yes, nothing. Not in academics, sports, social standing, or how others perceive me. No matter how hard I try, there’s no field where I can be number one.”

I wanted to tell him that I could no longer be number one in anything.

“After all, my university is the best in Japan. It’s a place where people with all kinds of talents and hard work gather. Even if I were to enter a beauty pageant, I wouldn’t stand a chance at being number one.”

“That’s not…”

“It’s true. It’s not just about what you’re born with. The passion to be number one is fundamentally different.”

“B-but if you had that passion, Momiji-san… I-I think you could be number one.”

Perhaps unused to complimenting women, Natsuo-kun looked down shyly.

He believed I could be number one in something. Hearing that from him, without any ulterior motives, made me genuinely happy.

“Thank you. But saying if I had the same passion isn’t the same as saying if I put in the same effort. It’s like saying if I had the same talent. Saying if I really wanted to is meaningless.”

Wanting to be number one in popularity with the opposite sex—many might frown at such a statement. But even so, having a place where being number one is decided, and having the resolve and confidence to raise my hand and say I’m the best—that alone deserves respect and praise.

“That applies to every field I’ve been number one in. There are countless people out there with innate talent, working hard to be the best. Have you ever met people like that?”

Natsuo-kun fell silent for a moment before shaking his head.

“You might have been a prince to those girls, but in the end, you were just an idol worshipped in a small pond.”

“An idol in a small pond…”

“In the vast ocean you’re aiming for, princes aren’t born naturally. Only the one who proves themselves the best after fierce competition can claim that title.”

Natsuo-kun’s mouth hung open in astonishment, as if he were seeing a whole new world for the first time.

His fear didn’t stem from self-consciousness. It was a defense mechanism born from the treatment he’d received in the world he’d lived in.

“If you’re scared of becoming a prince again, I can assure you that won’t happen.”

That’s why, as his tutor, I had to teach him how vast the world really is.

“After all, I’ve seen your photos, and your face isn’t that impressive.”

I poked his forehead through his bangs with a tsun.

Natsuo-kun’s head jerked back. I hadn’t used much force, so it shouldn’t have hurt, but he still rubbed his forehead.

Despite being teased, he smiled happily.

◆

“Momiji—!”

Before I could even tell the staff I was here for a reservation, a voice called out to me. I turned to see Madoka leaning out from a raised seating area at the back of the restaurant.

“Over here, over here—!”

Her loud voice, accompanied by enthusiastic waving, cut through the noise of the crowded restaurant. Half the customers at the counter turned to look.

I’m used to drawing attention, but not for something so embarrassing. This was beyond mortifying.

Ignoring the stares, I walked past the counter and climbed up to the raised seating area.

“Long time no see—!”

Madoka held out her left hand, palm up, as if expecting a high-five. Her energy was so high, it felt like she might yell Yeah! at any moment.

“You don’t have to shout so loud. I can hear you just fine.”

I swatted her hand away, exasperated.

“I didn’t expect you to be here, Madoka.”

“Surprise guest!”

“You’re not supposed to announce that yourself.”

“Come on, I warmed up the seat for you. Sit, sit!”

Madoka patted the cushion next to her, urging me to sit down with a cheerful grin.

I gave up on trying to argue. I sat down obediently and faced the person I was meeting.

“Hey, Momiji-kun. Good work today.”

“Good work, Kasuga-san.”

Today, Kasuga-san was dressed in her usual pantsuit. She looked more like a seasoned businesswoman than a college student enjoying campus life. Not the kind of corporate employee who follows rules and schedules, but more like a bold, free-spirited entrepreneur.

As soon as I sat down, a waiter came to take our orders.

At an izakaya, ordering alcohol would’ve been the natural choice, but as a 19-year-old, that wasn’t an option. I couldn’t break the rules, so I reluctantly ordered an iced tea.

[T/N: Legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old]

Meanwhile, Madoka casually ordered, “Ah, I’ll have a fresh lemon sour, please.” She said it so naturally that I almost forgot we were the same age.

“Now that our guest of honor has arrived, let’s toast!”

With our drinks quickly served, we clinked glasses under Madoka’s lead.

Watching Madoka happily sip her drink, I couldn’t help but feel a warm sense of amusement—

“Madoka… how many cups is that now?”

“This is my fifth.”

“Your fifth already?”

That warm feeling vanished, replaced by concern over her underage drinking.

After all, she’d texted me that she’d arrived at the restaurant an hour ago.

“Isn’t that a bit fast?”

“It’s fine, I’m just getting started.”

“Getting started? You already look drunk.”

“That just means I’m really relaxed.”

“I’m worried you’ll relax so much you’ll pass out.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Even if that happens, it’s not a problem.”

“Where’s this confidence coming from?”

“Because Momiji’s here with me.”

“Oh, so you’re planning to make me take care of you when you’re drunk?”

“I’m leaving myself in your hands today—”

I glared at her, but it was like trying to stop a wave with a curtain. Madoka leaned heavily against me.

Is this the magic of alcohol? I’ve never seen her this lively before.

If she’s like this at mixed-gender gatherings, I can’t help but feel uneasy.

“It’s fine, Momiji-kun.”

Kasuga-san laughed lightly, perhaps sensing my concern.

“Madoka knows how to handle herself at drinking parties.”

“It really doesn’t look like it.”

“She knows her limits and when to stop.”

“I just hope she knows who she’s inconveniencing when she reaches those limits.”

I pushed Madoka’s cheek away as she continued to lean on me. “Momiji, you’re so mean—” she protested, but she gave up quickly.

Kasuga-san watched our exchange with amusement.

“If Madoka collapses, I’ll help take her back to her room.”

“No, I can’t let you go that far—”

“Don’t worry about it. I chose this place near your station for that very reason.”

Kasuga-san took a sip of her beer, her throat making a soft sound three times.

“Even if both of you collapse, I’ll take responsibility and make sure you get home safely. So don’t hold back.”

Kasuga-san shook her glass, the golden liquid inside swaying.

Don’t hold back. What she meant was clear from the context—It’s okay to break the rules.

“After April 2nd next year, I’ll gladly take you up on that offer.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

Since starting university, I’ve attended various gatherings like welcome parties, where everyone drinks and encourages others to do the same. It’s like crossing a red light when there’s no traffic—everyone does it, and they’re persistent about it.

That’s why, even when people try to tempt me to break the rules, they back off easily when I refuse. Kasuga-san’s lack of pushiness is genuinely refreshing.

“You’re so serious, Momiji.”

Madoka made that comment about me, who had declined the offer to drink.

Society labels people as “serious” as a compliment—because it implies honesty. But honesty to what? To the rules and morals set by society. If you’re honest with these, problems are less likely to arise. That’s how society has set it up.

When adults praise a child for being serious, it’s no different from saying, Good job not causing trouble. It might sound cynical, but after living a “serious” life for so long, that’s the conclusion I’ve reached.

Maybe everyone thinks this way about seriousness, even if they don’t say it out loud. That’s why people who aren’t honest with rules and morals use “serious” as a jab or sarcasm.

You’re so rigid.

You’re no fun.

You’re boring.

Everyone probably thinks this way to some extent.

But since saying it outright would make them look bad,

You’re really inflexible (serious), huh?

They mock serious people as being overly honest.

Even knowing this, I choose to live seriously. I choose not to break the rules or morals.

It’s not because I’m afraid of the punishment for breaking them.

It’s because this way of living is the easiest for me.

I don’t want to do anything I can’t be proud of.

My rigid adherence to society’s rules isn’t empty—it has substance.

I don’t care if people mock my way of life.

Even though I’m serious, I’m not the kind of weak person who’s always worried about what others think.

I keep my distance from unpleasant relationships and cut them off cleanly if necessary. I’m strong enough for that.

“You could at least sneak a drink when you’re with me…”

That’s why I don’t cut off the bond I have with Madoka—I know she’s not mocking me.

This isn’t even a joke. It’s just a complaint she lets slip because we’re close friends.

Madoka is sulking because she wants to drink with me.

“Being able to drink is a milestone in life. I don’t want my first time to be sneaky—I want to do it proudly and openly.”

“The way you say that makes it sound like I’m sneaking around.”

“Oh, am I wrong?”

“Does this look like sneaking around to you?”

“Hahaha!”

Kasuga-san burst out laughing at the sight of a minor drinking so boldly. She clapped her hands like castanets.

It drew even more attention, and I started to worry.

After all, the other customers were all men, and the average age was on the higher side. We already stood out for not fitting the vibe of the place, and now we were making even more noise.

Drawing attention to Madoka being underage was a problem.

“You know… you shouldn’t be so bold about it.”

“Did you know? There’s no penalty for underage drinking.”

“If the university finds out, you’ll be in big trouble. They might’ve turned a blind eye in the past, but now they’ll punish you properly.”

“That’s why I’m being careful, see?”

“This is you being careful, huh?”

I couldn’t help but scoff. She didn’t seem drunk, but she was definitely being reckless.

Kasuga-san clapped her hands again, but this time it wasn’t out of excitement. It was a deliberate move to draw attention to herself.

“Alright, let’s wrap up the main topic before Madoka collapses.”

Today was supposed to be just a meal… but it turned into a drinking session. Still, that wasn’t why we’d gathered.

“How’s my foolish brother doing?”

It was like a parent-teacher meeting for Natsuo-kun’s tutoring.

I visit Natsuo-kun once a week, and Kasuga-san makes sure to be out of the house during those times. The only time we’ve all been together was during our first meeting. She said a monthly report would be enough, and she’d leave the rest to me.

Today was that monthly meeting, the second one. Kasuga-san isn’t the type to make it a formal report on progress.

I summarized the changes in Natsuo-kun over the past month.

“As expected of Momiji-kun. You’ve done well.”

When I finished recounting today’s events, Kasuga-san took a satisfied sip from her glass. The sound of her gulping was almost comical.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear from someone other than me.”

Kasuga-san slammed her empty glass down roughly. It wasn’t out of anger—it was the excitement of joy.

“Your face isn’t that special. Stop being so self-absorbed, you narcissist.”

Kasuga-san gleefully insulted her brother, exaggerating what I’d said to Natsuo-kun by about ten times.

“Oh, Kasuga-san!”

Madoka, who had been quiet during the report, raised her hand.

“I’ve met the bangs ghost, but I still haven’t seen your brother’s handsome face!”

“Madoka, you’ve met Natsuo-kun?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Just once.”

Madoka’s usual carefree demeanor suddenly shifted. She looked embarrassed and avoided my gaze.

I’d never heard about this before. I thought Kasuga-san was careful about letting Natsuo-kun interact with women.

Perhaps Madoka had been the tutor before me. Maybe it didn’t work out with Natsuo-kun, and it ended after just one session.

If that were the case, Madoka’s embarrassed attitude made sense.

“Once, I had Madoka stay over at my place,”

Kasuga-san chuckled as she reached for a skewer of grilled meat.

“Even though Natsuo-kun was there?”

“Even with my brother’s issues, I was the one who brought Madoka around. I couldn’t just send her home like that.”

I quickly understood why she couldn’t send Madoka home. The aftermath of what happened to Madoka was the reason.

“She ran into my brother in the bathroom in the morning.”

“Ugh…”

Madoka groaned as her embarrassing past was dredged up in front of her friend.

Something about Madoka’s reaction bothered me.

While her ears were red from the alcohol, her expression didn’t seem to be just about embarrassment. Having known her for so long, I could tell.

“By the way, let’s just say it was from the top, not the bottom.”

“Kasuga-san…”

Madoka let out a pitiful whine as Kasuga-san teased her with a laugh.

I pieced everything together from their exchange.

“Madoka…”

“Don’t say anything. It’s a dark chapter in my life…”

I could only give Madoka a cold stare as she covered her face.

Being seen vomiting in the bathroom by a guy would indeed be traumatic for any woman. Especially when the guy is younger.

“Here, this is a photo of my brother before he became a ghost.”

Perhaps feeling she’d teased Madoka enough, Kasuga-san casually changed the subject and handed over her phone.

Madoka took the phone and stared at the screen intently.

“Ah, I see, I see, I see, I see.”

She nodded repeatedly, as if everything made sense now.

“This is impressive for a natural-born look.”

She didn’t seem captivated by the photo and handed the phone back casually, as if appraising a fish at the market.

“Yeah, yeah. If someone like this were at school, it’d be crazy to expect the girls to leave him alone.”

“What do you think would’ve happened if he’d been at your high school, Madoka?”

“Hmm… I think the same thing would’ve happened. It wouldn’t be surprising.”

“So my brother’s face is enough to drive women crazy, huh?”

“Well… I think the premise is wrong.”

“What do you mean, the premise is wrong?”

“It’s not that he drove women crazy—it’s that he amplified their behavior. His timid attitude was the real problem, I think.”

“Exactly, Madoka. You’re right.”

Kasuga-san clapped her hands.

“He treated unpleasant things as unpleasant and feared scary things as scary. He never clearly rejected anyone, keeping his distance with vague attitudes. Timidity always leaves room for others to take advantage. It only encourages them.”

Kasuga-san tapped the table with her index finger.

“Not every woman is a love-struck maiden. Sure, there were many, but they were just a fraction of the whole.”

“And the ones who were blind fanatics were an even smaller fraction.”

“At least, that’s how I saw it. But to him, they all looked the same. He’d given up on half of his social interactions, so he never developed the ability to see that half of the world clearly.”

Kasuga-san shook her head, looking exasperated.

“If he’d made it clear that he was out of their league, like you two, this wouldn’t have happened. Heaven gave him two, even three gifts to make that possible.”

She compared us to unattainable flowers, but it wasn’t just about looks. It included our social standing and position in the school hierarchy.

“That’s why he’s my foolish brother, my foolish little brother.”

As usual, Kasuga-san referred to Natsuo-kun as her “foolish brother.”

At first, I thought it was out of frustration for having a disappointing sibling. But as I got to know Kasuga-san, I realized that wasn’t the case.

She’d rushed to their family home in Fukuoka and brought him to Tokyo to solve his problems. She wouldn’t have done that if she didn’t care about him.

“After all, he’s far more talented than I am, but he’s wasted it all.”

See?

She recognizes Natsuo-kun’s worth more than anyone else.