Chapter 1: The Object of Envy
The Object of Envy
“Morning.”
“Yo.”
“Morning.”
The classroom in the morning buzzed with the voices of students who had just arrived.
In the midst of that lively, almost noisy atmosphere, Kousaka Natsuki walked in a little faster than usual.
“Wait a second, Natsuki.”
He had been on his way toward his group of friends, but the voice calling out to him forced him to stop.
Ignoring it was not an option. With his back still turned, Natsuki formed a practiced smile before turning around as calmly as he could manage.
“What is it, Sae?”
“Your collar is off. Come here, I’ll fix it.”
The one beckoning him was his childhood friend who had arrived at school with him just moments earlier.
Her long black hair reached to her chest, with only the ends dyed blonde, showing her careful attention to style.
Her sharp, narrow eyes and her height, which could even rival the boys, gave her an air of maturity.
On top of that, despite her slender frame, the noticeable fullness of her chest and the beauty mark under her right eye lent her a striking, sensual charm that made her seem older.
She had a presence bold enough to catch anyone’s attention. That girl was Natsuki’s childhood friend, Kurokawa Sae.
“Huh? My collar? Where?”
“I told you, I’ll fix it. Come here.”
Hearing her insist a second time, Natsuki gave up on adjusting it himself and stepped toward Sae.
Once he stood in front of her, the shorter Natsuki had to tilt his head slightly upward to meet her eyes.
Sae looked down at him, gave a satisfied little nod, then closed the distance as if embracing him. She slipped her arms around his neck and adjusted his collar slowly and deliberately.
The way she held him made it look like a hug, and it was as if she was declaring to the entire class that he belonged to her.
During that time, Natsuki stayed rigid, unable to move at all.
Because of their height difference, Sae’s chest was right in front of his face, and even the slightest movement might have caused him to touch it.
“There. All better.”
“Sorry, Sae. Thanks.”
“Honestly, Natsuki, you really fall apart when I’m not watching you.”
“Y-yeah. Sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing? I was joking.”
“Right, um, so are we done here?”
“Done with what?”
“I mean, since you finished fixing it, we can stop… this, right?”
Even while they spoke, Sae still had her arms around his neck and leaned her weight on him, making it feel like she was holding him close on purpose.
Natsuki already drew enough attention, and he did not want to attract even more by standing like this in front of everyone.
Sae tilted her head for a moment, then smiled mischievously. It was a look that practically came with the sound of a sly grin, and Natsuki immediately sensed trouble.
“Natsuki, do you not like me?”
She was doing it on purpose. With that sly smile, Sae pressed even closer.
The soft warmth of her chest brushed against his cheek, and Natsuki finally pulled himself away.
“H-hey, Sae!”
“Pfft… Ahaha! Natsuki, your face is bright red!”
“Come on, quit messing with me, Sae.”
“I said sorry. Anyway, we’re done now.”
Seemingly satisfied after teasing him enough, Sae stepped away and headed toward her own group of friends.
Finally free, Natsuki watched her walk away and let out a quiet breath.
“Yo, Natsuki, living the dream first thing in the morning, huh?”
“Her chest definitely touched you, right? Was it soft?”
“And you get to walk to school with Kurokawa-san every day? Having a childhood friend like that is ridiculous.”
Natsuki had only just relaxed when his friends immediately gathered around him.
Their words were full of envy and a touch of jealousy. Everyone had seen what happened and genuinely wished they were him.
With all that directed at him, Natsuki could only answer with a weak smile.
Most guys his age would probably take pride in going to school every day with a beautiful childhood friend.
They might even feel grateful for being in such a fortunate position.
Having a girl who openly showed affection in public could easily make someone happy.
But none of that applied to Natsuki.
“You’re not actually dating Kurokawa-san, right?”
“No.”
“Man, I’m jealous. You’re with her all the time. She really dotes on you.”
“Haha, yeah, maybe.”
“Honestly, if someone did that to me every day, I’d fall for her on the spot.”
“No… Sae’s always been like that.”
Hearing Natsuki say that, everyone looked dissatisfied.
Of course you’d fall for her.
Appreciate what you have.
If someone steals her one day, we’re not comforting you.
His friends kept teasing him one after another. Natsuki could only force himself to keep smiling.
He was at his limit.
He wanted to be free.
He wanted relief.
But saying something like that was impossible. Sae was in the classroom.
Even imagining her hearing his real feelings made his body tense.
Because Natsuki was afraid of Sae.
And even if he could say it, no one would understand.
Because everyone only knew the side of Sae that she showed to others.