16. Meeting in her bedroom

On the way to school, Yuki actively talked to me. She seemed to want to hear more about what clubs I was visiting.

When I told her that I was planning to join the literature club and that I wouldn't be going every day, so I could go home with her, Yuki looked happy. However, her expression changed to one of anxiety, and she seemed to be warning me.

"Shun-nii, it's fine if you just look at me every once in a while, okay? I mean, the most important thing is for you to interact with different people and have fun...I want you to prioritize school, whether in class or in club activities."

I hope you don't get caught by bad kids, Yuki added, but still looked anxious.

"But Shun-nii, you were always cool, but now you're kind, so girls will probably be popular with you and talk to you...so just be careful not to get involved in anything."

Even from a little sister's perspective, it's a joke to say that I'm popular. My appearance now is the same as it was in my old world, and considering how I was treated back then, it's impossible for me to be popular. The other boys in my current class are all obviously good-looking.

In fact, even now, I only talk to Sasai-san and Yamamoto-san among my classmates, and I feel like everyone else keeps their distance from me. I wish I could get along with the others, but I don't have the courage, so I just maintain the status quo.

"...Even if you say I'm cool...I-I'm glad you say that, but the boys in my class are cooler and there's no way anyone would like me..."When Yuki heard my honest words, she let out a sigh and spoke in a slightly exasperated tone. But she didn't look angry, and her expression seemed to say she wanted me to understand.

"Shun-nii, you should have more confidence in yourself. I don't know the boys in your class, but I think you're cool, at least I think so!"I'm grateful that she said that. But my face is not something that can be appreciated. Even in my original world, I was told things like "Your eyes look scary," "Your face is too carved, like a sculpture," "I don't know what you're thinking," and so on, from around middle school. It was around that time that I stopped looking at my face in the mirror.

"Well, if you ask a lot of people, I think you'll find out what the people around you think of Shun-nii. Especially girls... I don't think there's anyone who would say bad things about you."

"I wouldn't like it if you became too popular, though." 

Yuki laughs. While accepting her smile, for now I decided to just be grateful for Yuki's kindness. Whether I'm popular or not isn't even worth discussing.

After saying goodbye to Yuki who came to the school gate, I entered the school building. Looking back, I noticed that there were many good-looking students at this high school, and I felt that I was different from them. But in this world, there are women who are interested in me, so I should savor that happiness to the fullest.

When I entered the classroom, Sasai-san was talking to other girls, so I didn't call out to her and just headed to my seat. I didn't get along with the other girls, so I thought it would be better not to join them.

(T/N: Thank you for everyone who helped reach the powerstone goal last week! This week let's aim for 30 powerstones, and if we reach this goal, I will post an additional chapter.)