Volume 2 - CH 3.2

“So, are you going to tell me what this is all about?”

“Yukito Kokonoe, if you like older Woman, you have me.”

“You’ve been causing trouble at other schools, and —“

“Kokonoe, you know. Shouldn’t you try to restrain yourself a little? “

After school, I was abducted to the student council room and forced to sit on my knees.

Isn’t that a little too unreasonable? It’s complete power harassment.

I glanced up at her. My sister was in a bad mood that I could clearly see. I don’t know what to call the power harassment by my sister, but I named it “Sister Harassment” or “Sis Harassment” for short.

However, recently, I feel that she is very attached to me. The other day, I found her sleeping in my bed. I woke up in a cold sweat. Basically, I am at her beck and call because I cannot disobey her, but she is not the only problem.

There were also the HIPBOSS president, Kedou, Mikumo, Hinagi and Shiori. The ratio of women is too high.

Sensing the danger, I brought along fresh looking guy with me, but for some reason, I was the only one forced to sit on my knees.

“We just played a friendly game of street basketball.”

“What’s your real reason?”

“Because I was pissed off…… haa?! No, that’s not it. I was just fulfilling everyone’s request, and there was no room for any doubt—-“

“I smell a woman.”

“Your nose is too sharp?!”

Just the other day, I had a showdown with Mob A.

Even though they were college students with superior physiques, they were not a serious club, but just a gangster group. In the first half of the game, our opponent had the upper hand, but we had been working hard to improve our basic physical fitness, and our athleticism never dropped off. From the second half on, we continued to dominate from start to finish.

Things were going well up to that point, but Mob A, fed up with the situation, began to play rough. Having played a lot of street basketball in junior high school, I was used to rough play, but the hot-blooded senpai and the fresh, handsome guy were not so lucky.

As we were gradually being whittled down, Hyakuma and the others, furious at the rough play against the high school students, asked Kouki and the others to switch places, and we responded with some rough play of our own, winning hands down.

The dejected Mob A members were taken away by the seniors. They will probably receive a hard education from now on. Show them mercy, master.

I wonder what happened to them after that? I can’t help but wonder, but they are just a mob. Tomorrow I’ll forget about it.

This situation was more critical than that. Could you please give me a break?

“Do you know why you were called out?”

“It’s not about the street basketball?”

“The other side hasn’t said anything about this, and I’m not saying it’s not a problem, but I’m not going to question it. I am somewhat skeptical about the motive.”

Sanjoji-sensei let out a big sigh of exasperation.

“Then why am I here?”

“It’s about the party.”

“Suddenly I have a stomach ache. I’ve got an E. coli outbreak, so I’m going to call it a day.”

“Wait a minute. Don’t try to run away.”

I got up and tried to leave, but I was held firmly from both sides. Apparently, they would not let me leave. Stop it, stop it, stop it! I’m leaving! I tried to be a spoiled brat and stormed out, but it was a futile attempt at resistance. The fresh and handsome guy is looking away. I’m going to double his practice menu!

“Why are you at the party? Even though I’m there.”

“I think I heard some strange words and actions out of nowhere, but it must have been my imagination.”

“If you’re frustrated, I’ll be your partner. Today is a good day for me.”

“What do you mean!? You’re blushing, what’s wrong?!”

“That, of course, is–“

“No, I’m afraid, don’t answer that.”

“You’re still in school! I will educate you.”

“Wait a minute, Sanjoji-sensei. This is my student.”

“Yukito, why don’t you come over to my house today for first time in a while? My mom said she’d be waiting for you.”

This was a battlefield. The moment I agree with someone, I feel like my life is over.

“Um, so my participation in the blind date was force majeure, not my intention ……”

“Which woman’s will? Be honest and tell me.”

“No, that’s ……”

“That’s right, Kokonoe. I’m here. There is no need to be distracted by other women.”

“Is this what you’re like, Mutsuki……?”

“Why didn’t you call me Yuki?”

There is something lively going on, but did I do something that bad?

I simply attended the party because Mio asked me to, and I have nothing to be ashamed of! That’s right. What did I do? Don’t be stupid!

“What’s wrong with going to a blind date! It doesn’t matter if I went to the party or not.”

“Ha?”

“I’m sorry. It was my fault.”

Scaaaaaaaaaaaary! What’s with those eyes!? Her eyes were telling me that she was going to totally kill me?!

“So to say it was a mess”

“I’m sorry, Yukito-kun. I’ve caused you a lot of trouble.”

“No, don’t worry about it. Mio-san did nothing wrong.”

“Yukito, has anyone done anything to you since then?”

“No. I received a message from Hyakuma-senpai that he had educated him, so I think he did a good job.”

“I see, that’s great!”

The student council room was as hellish as a damaged floor with no countermeasures for me. It is an unusual space where one’s HP is gradually being cut down even though one is not doing anything. Also, there were too many women, and the luscious aroma was making me dizzy. When I went to the café where I was invited, I found Mio and Tristy waiting for me.

“I was sorry for getting you involved in something strange the other day.”

“Like I said before, please don’t worry about it. If something happened to you because of that, it would not be good.”

“W-What about me!? What about me, Yukito?”

“Tristy-san, I’m glad that nothing happened to you either.”

“Hehehe.”

Tristy-san was smiling with her cheeks dyed red. Mio-san is a benefactor for me, but Tristy-san is a perpetrator from my point of view. Although she did not cause me any great harm, I could feel from her words that she was deeply regretful about the accident that she caused. It was painful to see Tristy-san seeming to be driven by remorse, even though I didn’t care.

“But, Yukito-kun, why did you suddenly suggest such a match?”

“It’s, well, honest and straightforward.”

“You said you got tangled up.”

“I had originally planned a practice match with another school. It was just a good opponent, but yes, that is true. The other thing was that those people were talking about Mio and Tristy as if you were a thing, and that pissed me off. ……”

“Because of us?”

“I was just pissed off.”

“You have an expected cute side”

“Yukito, fuhhee……”

Tristy-san, who started to say something I don’t understand, suddenly touches me. In this day and age of alcohol sanitizers, what kind of an insane person would voluntarily engage in such intimate contact with another person? I was treated like a pet that I could not resist. Am I a lapdog?

Once again, I could clearly recognize my feelings when I put them into words. Yes, I was pissed off. Mio had been encouraging me a lot, but I couldn’t let myself get so angry.

Besides, the street basketball showdown brought back one emotion for me.

When Mob A and the others switched to rough play, the first one to be harmed was Himura-Senpai. Just before taking the shot, Senpai’s clothes were pulled and he fell over. It was an obvious foul, but there was no official referee. There was nothing they could do about it if they were given a white flag. I could clearly see that Mob A and the others were grinning and planning to repeat the rough play.

I was angry. It was a feeling I hadn’t had in a long time. A feeling I thought I had lost. I might not have thought anything of it back in junior high school.

Back then, I used basketball just for me. No one else existed. I didn’t care about my teammates, the outcome of the game, or anything else.

But what about now? I have no regrets or interest in basketball. Still, I started playing again because I wanted to change. To get back what I lost one by one. Unlike back then, I am not playing basketball alone now.

When I saw the fallen Himura-senpai I thought

What are you doing, you b*****d! Is what I thought.

The reason he is working so hard is because he is going to confess his feelings to an other Senpai, Takamiya. If he were to get injured and not be able to participate in the tournament, he would be out of luck. I had lost my last tournament in junior high school because of that. I didn’t want that to happen to him.

“Well, that’s why I did it on my own, so please don’t worry about it.”

“That’s not how it works.”

“Ah, Yukito, can you give me something as an apology?”

“Oh, this is going to end badly for me.”

I have a bad feeling about this, I know I do. Suddenly, my phone vibrated. It was my sister. Is she monitoring me? I wonder where my human rights have gone. ……

“Come hang out with us!”

“I did nothing but drag my feet. …… This is something I can’t forgive myself for. I can’t protect Suzune if I keep going like this! I can’t confess my feelings with such a weak state. Above all, I want to work even harder with everyone!”

After school, the hot-blooded senpai is nodding off during club activities. The same was true for the other members.

The sorrowful voice that sounds as if it is being squeezed out of him speaks volumes about the state of his heart.

“Kokonoe, I want to be better! I have never wished for anything so much. I thought it would be good if I could have fun. But that’s not enough for me anymore!”

“Toshirou…..”

Takamiya-senpai was looking at him with concern. She could hear him saying about the confession, but that may not matter to the two of them

After plenty of hoarding at the sight of them, I open my mouth in a grim manner.

“—-Do you want power?”

“I want it! The power that can lead everyone, the result that can make Suzune proud!”

On the spur of the moment, I said one of the top three lines I’d like to say in real life, but the hot-blooded senpai was in no rush to follow up. You’re so easygoing, you know that?

Now, I wondered what I should do, and then I remembered.

I heard that the other day, the fresh and handsome guy had met with a senpai from his junior high school who went on to a top school. As one would expect from such a charismatic and popular young man, he has a wide circle of friends. This is useful!

“What’s up with you, Yukito? You look like you’re planning some kind of evil scheme.”

“Let’s give it a try.”

“Try what?”

“Training.”

“Eeh, it is a myth that if you master yoga, you will be able to breathe fire or teleport, and should never be taken seriously.”

“Yes, Sensei.”

It’s funny. It is an ironclad story, but I was not amused at all and was not listened to. I can’t reach out my hand or my foot. If I wanted to, I would teleport out of here right now.

But I don’t think she’ll forgive me. My mother and Himiyama-san were looking at me with expectant eyes. Stop, stop! Don’t look at me with those eyes!

We are at a 24-hour fitness club next door to our apartment. Mom had been trying to go to the gym to get some exercise and keep in shape, but apparently her work schedule made it difficult for her to find the time.

However, since she recently switched to working from home, she has more time to spare and has decided to start going to the gym again. Heh, I see.

That explains why she’s so attractive! I’m so proud of her as her son.

So why am I here?

Well, listen. There’s a not-so-deep reason.

I played basketball in middle school, and I learned a lot about how to take care of my body in the process. I had been injured a lot in the past, so I studied stretching, yoga, and Pilates in my spare time while I was in the hospital.

Knowing the basic structure of the human body is essential in order to handle the body well.

I, Yukito Kokonoe, am a modern-day human being who lives in a world of Taher Anatomia.

That is why my mother asked me to accompany her to the gym as an instructor, and I had no choice but to refuse. I would be very happy if I could contribute to my mother, who is the breadwinner of the family, even if only a little.

But there was a pitfall. We ran into Himiyama-san on the way and for some reason ended up going together. Suddenly, I had a bad feeling.

I don’t have the slightest bit of hope in my gut, but for some reason, I want to get out of here right now.

After checking in, we go inside. The gym is quiet since we are the only ones there.

The problem, however, is the way they are dressed, having just come out of the locker room.

They are wearing fitness wear, so naturally they are a bit thin in many ways.

I’m not sure if it should be rated R or even X. If it’s CERO, it’s not exempt from a Z.

Shaking off any evil thoughts, I consider the individual menus. Since this is a gym, there is a full range of training equipment, including aerobics and lat pulldowns, but neither of us is looking for strength training, so yoga is a safe choice here.

” Since Mom does a lot of sitting, she’s concerned about her stiff shoulders, no? Is there any part of you that bothers you, Himiyama-san?”

“I’m new to this kind of thing, so I’ll leave it to you. I don’t know what’s right and what’s left.”

“Do you have any physical problems or concerns?”

“Right……. I have a sensitivity to cold, so I’d like to do something about that, is that possible?”

“I see. Then, let’s start with a slow breathing exercise in the comfortable sitting position. After you get used to it, we will gradually move on to poses. Please imitate me. It has the effect of regulating the autonomic nervous system, so you can expect a good night’s sleep.”

I am yoga instructor Yukito Kokonoe. While activating the third chakra, the Manipura chakra, let’s focus on Mom’s upper body and Himiyama’s lower body.

After a brief explanation of the breathing exercises, we proceeded to the poses, explaining their benefits.

“Cat pose is good for stiff shoulders.”

On all fours, balancing on the floor. I felt like a cat when I was stretching and twisting like this.

“I don’t know if it’s my br*asts or what, but my shoulders are really stiff. I’m glad it’s lessened.”

“Ara, me too. Right, Yukito-kun?”

“I’m sorry, Misaki. What does this have to do with my son?”

“Ufufufufufufufufufu”

“Fufufufufufufufufufu”

Uhm, can you please do it quickly? Why am I the only one who’s feeling empty?

“Next is the camel pose. It doesn’t matter if you can’t do it perfectly the first time. It is good for relieving fatigue and is good for the lower part of the body, including the groin, abdomen, and thighs. Just watch your knees.”

“T-this may be difficult. ……”

“Let’s do one side at a time, slowly. Breathe in as you go.”

“Will this make a difference to my body shape?”

“Yes, if you do it continuously for about three months, I think you will see results. It will soften your body and is good for your back pain and skin, so let’s go for it!”

“You can count on it!”

“Sure?”

It’s something you do for yourself, but what the hell has it to with me?

I look at my mother because I’m afraid of Himiyama-san.

” Mom, you seems to be hunched over. Do you want to do a pose that stretches your spine? I’ll sit on your side and we’ll put our backs together.”

“I understand. Do I put my hand, Yukito?”

“Yes. Put your hand on your knee, and twist it in the direction you put your hand.”

“That feels good. I like the way your back is so snug against my back, it feels safe.”

“Really?”

At a glance, it looks like we are just sitting back to back, but this is surprisingly hard. Mom’s breath gradually increases.

“Yukito-kun, let’s do it with me too.”

“It’s a pose you can do alone–“

“Let’s do it together.”

The pressure of her smile was incredible. Mom aside, Himiyama-san is a stranger.

I was sweating cold sweat.

“Your appearance too stylish, and I don’t want to directly touch ……”

“I’m against discrimination! And there’s nothing harmful about it. It’s fitness.”

“What the hell! So that’s what you were going for……”

“Just purely out of interest, you know?”

The two were serious at first, but as time went on, what they were competing about gradually heated up.

You two are in high spirits even though it’s nighttime. I’m getting tired, you know.

This is not the yoga I know! This feels like breathing fire.

“Like I said, how many times have I told you that the forward-bend/backward-bend pose is a pose where you are on top of the other person with your back to each other—–I can’t see it, but aren’t you facing the other way? I feel something soft on my back!?”

Himiyama-san is supposed to be bending backward over me as I am bending forward, but all I can see is the floor from my view. However, from the feeling through my back, it is obvious that she is leaning on me as it is. Naturally, there was no effect. It only makes me happy.

“And, how does it feel?”

“It feels good. That’s not what I mean!”

“My son is in trouble! Move out of the way, I’m taking over!”

“Wait a minute! I thought I explained everything to you, but you didn’t get the message.”

“I’ll get in. Boom!”

“Nnuuuuuuuuuuuuu! Ah, Mom, it’s a little heavy. Thank goodness. Because it’s not good to be too skinny, you know, there’s a BMI number, and there’s a proper weight…”

“F-Fat…..”

Gaining weight is not necessarily a bad thing. For those who are too thin, it can be seen as a sign of good health.

To begin with, the Japanese have one of the lowest obesity rates in the world, and Asian countries in general have low rates. The obesity rate in Japan is one of the lowest in the world, and the rate in Asia is generally low.

“I see! These days you eat dinner at home at a regular time, so you must be getting healthier, too!”

“Why, why is my son suddenly rebellious now?!”

“Fufu…. You can’t talk like that anymore, Yukito. Even if it is a clear fact, it is forbidden to say such things to women.”

“Araa? Did you just say something that I shouldn’t have heard you say?”

“I can’t see you because my vision is blocked, but I can feel a sinister aura behind me… ……? Also, can you please get off of me?”

“Look, please move away from him, you heavy Ouka-san. Let’s take turns.”

“Since when is this a system?”

“Stop it! It’s mine!”

“Are you listening to me?”

The feeling through the wear was great, but I couldn’t say it out loud, even if it was the wrong thing to say.

I could not say a word about it. I could only sneak it out and play it off.

After that, I was caught between the two of them trying to compete with each other in some way, and by the time I left the fitness club, my strength had been drained until my life gauge turned red.

I don’t think I’m going to be able to shoot a super special move. Mom apologizes apologetically.

“I’m sorry, okay? I was having a good time and got carried away.”

In a manner of speaking, she felt bad and was sorry. Mom and Himiyama-san were not the best of friends. One plus one is two hundred. Thanks to this, I was completely exhausted.

We were about to leave Himiyama-san and go home, but I was hungry after the workout, so Mom and I decided to stop by a family restaurant. We were a family, so it was no problem.

Since we had already had dinner, we ordered mainly fries and other snacks.

“If you don’t do it right, it won’t work.”

“I-I’ll be serious this time, will you go with me again?”

“That’s fine…..”

“Let’s have a parfait. You like sweets, right?”

“Huh, you knew that?”

I certainly like sweets, but I’ve never told anyone about it.

It was from such a simple question that I asked back, but my mother gasped because she was shocked by the question.

“…..I know that much. But that’s all I know. I’m a bad mother.”

She smiled sadly, looking downcast.

“I didn’t say that, and don’t worry about it.”

“—-So, tell me. I don’t care what it’s about. It doesn’t matter if it’s about school, what you like, or some other trivial detail. I want to get to know you better.

She was serious, to the point of being scared. I hesitated for a moment, wondering what I should tell her.

I desperately searched for a topic, but nothing came to mind. When I think back to when I was a little kid, I felt like I had so many things I wanted to talk about. I was overflowing with things I want her to listen to.

But I can’t remember what they were or what they were about.

It must have been something trivial. It was so insignificant, so meaningless.

What on earth was I trying to tell my mother at that time?

What did I want her to hear? What kind of conversation was I looking for?

There must have been so many things I wanted to talk about back then, but now I can’t think of anything, really anything. School, favorite things, trivial things?

None of the topics presented to me had anything to say.

There was nothing worth sharing with others.

The only thing is that I don’t want to worry them with something unnecessary.

“Why now—-no, nevermind. Don’t force yourself. Oh, here they come. Let’s eat.”

I swallow down the words that are in my throat and act as I always do. I believe it is the right thing to do.

I shouldn’t be bothering my mother who is working hard for me.

I’ve caused her so much trouble by worrying about her. I am happy now, so I should be satisfied with this. I tell myself to be humble. To wish for anything beyond happiness is greed. All I can do is be grateful.

Mom’s face was sad and her expression was dark. A moment ago, she was smiling like a bubbly girl.

I thought I had chosen the right answer. And this is the result?

I am not happy about it. I was filled with apology.

I feel a dull ache. It feels unreal, as if this is all just a dream for a moment.

It felt as if I was being told that this must be a fleeting illusion.