Chapter 1: “A School Life That Begins with a Seat Change”

I had an unusually bad feeling since this morning.

The moment I woke up, I was hit with sleep paralysis, losing 30 minutes.

The TV horoscope I happened to catch ranked my Sagittarius dead last by a mile.

Given the time I left the house, there’s a chance I won’t make it to morning homeroom.

I’m already known in class as a loner otaku, and being late would only make my position even worse.

“Has morning homeroom already started? If it has, I’m in deep trouble!”

Our homeroom teacher, Yamada, is an old-school, violent teacher who always carries a bamboo sword. If I’m late and end up angering him… I won’t get off lightly.

In a genuine panic, I burst into my classroom, Class 2-B.

And there—classmates were moving their seats.

Like people crossing a busy intersection, everyone was heading in different directions.

My classmates were all taking their belongings out of their desks, carrying them as they moved.

“This is the first time since we became this class, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. I thought Yamada-sensei was too strict to ever allow a seat change.”

A… seat change?

“And it’s all thanks to Kuroki, the class rep, for convincing him.”

From the conversations of my classmates moving around, it seems the class representative, Kuroki, persuaded our homeroom teacher, Yamada, to allow this seat change.

The lottery seems to have already been done, and everyone’s heading to the seats written on the blackboard.

On the front blackboard, names were neatly written in white chalk, including mine—Izumiya Ryouta.

A seat change isn’t exactly a thrilling event for a loner like me.

A loner like me doesn’t have feelings like wanting to sit next to a crush or be near friends. I’m a solo act, after all.

Alright, let’s see where my seat is… huh?

“No… way.”

Looking at the names around mine, ‘Izumiya Ryouta,’ on the blackboard, I’m dumbfounded.

To my left: Ichinose Yuria.

To my right: Kuroki Rui.

And in front of me: Miyama Airi… what!?

Left, right, and front—my seat was surrounded by the top three beauties of the class caste.

Reigning at the top of Class 2-B’s hierarchy are the S-rank beauties—Ichinose Yuria, Kuroki Rui, and Miyama Airi. These three are always together, the ultimate trio of beautiful girls.

Ichinose Yuria, with her bright chestnut hair and gyaru-like appearance; Kuroki Rui, with her neat black hair, serving as the class representative and a perfect blend of talent and beauty; and Miyama Airi, the busty, cutesy younger-sister type with a sweet voice.

These three stand out not just in our class but across the entire school, undeniably S-rank beauties.

Compared to them, at the top of the class caste, I’m practically at the bottom. I’ve never spoken to them, not even made eye contact.

Unable to accept the reality of being surrounded by them, I double-check my seat on the blackboard.

But no matter how many times I look, there’s no mistake—my name is right there, surrounded by the ‘trio of beauties.’

This… no matter how you look at it, this is the worst possible seat!

Those three have such striking beauty and presence that they draw attention just by existing, the undisputed center of the class.

Being surrounded by the class’s core like this… it’s nothing short of hell.

I just want to quietly read light novels in a corner seat, smirking to myself.

But in a seat like this, I won’t even be able to read in peace!

Though I can’t hide my agitation, I need to move to my seat quickly so the person assigned there isn’t inconvenienced. So, I grab my stuff and head to the hellish seat.

By the time I get there, Miyama Airi is already seated in front of me.

Miyama is considered the embodiment of ‘cute,’ a wildly popular girl who’s adorable in every way.

Her bright twin-tails, big round eyes, and pouty lips all give off an air of calculated charm.

The reason the guys in class send her heated gazes isn’t just her cuteness… it’s also those massive breasts of hers.

With a slim waist but curvy chest and thighs, her figure is almost unfairly gravure-idol-level.

“Morning, Airi!”

“Oh, Yuria! Morning~”

Then, the second member of the beauty trio, Ichinose Yuria, arrives.

Ichinose sets her stuff down and sits in the seat to my left.

“Our seats are pretty close, huh?”

“Right? Did Rui-chan arrange it so we’d be near each other?”

“Otherwise, we wouldn’t all be this close, right? Well, whatever.”

Yeah, well, from my perspective, this is nothing but a huge nuisance…!

“Yuria, your nails look super pretty today. New topcoat? Or maybe oil?”

“Nah, nothing special.”

Ichinose says coolly, glancing at her phone.

Ichinose Yuria is a downer gyaru with sharp eyes and a prickly personality.

Unlike Miyama’s cuteness, she’s more of a stunning beauty, with, of course, ridiculously large thighs.

I’m somewhat fond of 2D gyarus, but real-life gyarus are my kryptonite.

The reason’s simple: in this world, there’s no such thing as a gyaru who’s nice to an otaku.

I bet Ichinose looks down on an otaku like me, so I’d rather avoid her as much as possible.

A gyaru who’s kind to otaku’s? That’s just a fantasy creature.

“By the way, Rui-chan’s late, huh? In the bathroom or something?”

“Who knows. Oh, Airi, Yamada’s here. Face forward.”

The moment Ichinose says that, our homeroom teacher, Yamada, appears from the hallway, followed by the class rep, Kuroki, entering the classroom.

“Everyone, take your seats.”

With the demon-like Yamada holding his bamboo sword, the intimidated students quietly sit down.

Kuroki, who came in after Yamada, takes her seat to my right.

Kuroki… because of you, I’m stuck in this awful seat…

“Looks like the seat change is done. Don’t get too excited, you lot.”

Yamada scans the students with a piercing gaze.

“This time, I allowed the seat change only because the class rep, Kuroki, insisted. But don’t expect pointless things like this to happen again. No announcements today, so morning homeroom is over.”

Yamada smacks his bamboo sword against the floor with a sharp twack and leaves the classroom.

Phew… Yamada’s homeroom ended quickly today… wait a second.

Didn’t Yamada just say, “Don’t expect seat changes to happen again”?

No way… am I stuck in this seat until the end of second year!? My peaceful life… it’s definitely dead.

“—Izumiya-kun, it’s been a while.”

As I’m sitting there, pale-faced, a clear, beautiful voice comes from my right.

“Starting today, we’re seatmates, right? Nice to be next to you, Izumiya-kun.”

This voice… it’s Kuroki Rui…

The mastermind behind this whole incident and our class representative.

Her glossy black hair flows straight like a classic Yamato Nadeshiko, with gentle eyes and refined features.

A member of the track team, her slender frame is as sleek as a model’s.

I’m honestly shocked that such a beautiful class rep would suddenly talk to me.

Let me be clear: in the five years we’ve known each other, Kuroki and I have never once spoken.

“Rui-chan, what’re you talking about?”

“…Rui, you know this guy?”

The other two from the beauty trio ask as they approach Kuroki’s seat.

Ichinose, for her part, points at me while calling me “this guy.”

“Hmm. We’ve never talked before, but… actually, Izumiya-kun and I went to the same middle school.”

That’s right… Kuroki and I are from the same middle school.

Back in middle school, every move Kuroki made drew attention. She was student council president, track team captain, and ranked first in national mock exams, commanding popularity and respect.

That’s why it’s surprising that someone like Kuroki Rui would even remember the name of a bottom-tier loner like me.

Why is Kuroki approaching me?

Just because we happened to end up as seatmates?

Whatever the reason, I’m definitely not forgiving you, Kuroki Rui…

When I glare at her, Kuroki responds with a bold smirk.

What’s with that face!?

Having glared at Kuroki, I avoid further conversation by pulling out a light novel from my desk and start reading.

There’s something unsettling about Kuroki, and it’s probably best not to get involved.

“Whoa, that’s a pervy book.”

As I’m reading, Miyama peeks at my light novel out of curiosity.

“Hey, Yuria, this is totally a pervy book!”

“……”

“Yuria?”

“…Look, it’s not cool to mess with people’s hobbies. Leave him alone.”

“What’s that, Yuria? Being all nice?”

“It’s not like that.”

Surprisingly, thanks to Ichinose’s intervention, Miyama’s teasing stops.

Could Ichinose have been… protecting me?

Nah, that’s unlikely. Thinking someone “saved” me right away is just an otaku’s bad habit of daydreaming.

The three of them start a girl-talk session at Kuroki’s seat.

“So, I’m going shopping for cosmetics after school. You two in?”

“I’m free since track practice is off. What about you, Airi?”

“Oh, Airi’s… umm…”

Unlike before, Miyama suddenly becomes evasive.

“Sorry, I’ll pass today! My, uh, boyfriend wants to go to Starbucks after school, ahaha.”

“Got it. Can’t be helped then.”

“Yeah, really sorry!”

Huh, so Miyama has a boyfriend.

Well, with those ridiculously huge breasts, no way would the hot guys of the world leave her alone.

The depravity of a guy who gets to freely grope those massive breasts must be immeasurable.

“Alright, everyone, take your seats. Class is starting.”

With the first-period teacher entering the classroom, the beauty trio’s conversation ends, and they each return to their seats.

☆☆

—After school.

Stepping out of the school with the setting sun at my back, I let out a heavy sigh at the gate.

“Haah… what a day.”

Nearly being late, getting surrounded by beautiful girls in the seat change, and enduring jealous glares from other guys… it was painful.

All in all, today was hands-down the worst day ever.

“Oh well. Guess I’ll blow off some steam at Animate…”

[T/N: Animate is a Japanese retail company and the largest retailer of anime, manga, and video game merchandise in Japan.]

I’ve got 2,000 yen left. Enough to buy a couple of manga or light novels.

Checking my wallet, I start walking toward the Animate at the station when a couple, clearly normies, approaches from the opposite direction.

“Hey, can I come over to your place today?”

“Ugh, my room’s a mess!”

“No worries, I’ll make it even messier. Especially the bed.”

“Oh, you perv!”

Tch, damn normies.

Their flaunting pisses me off, but it’s fine, no problem. I’ve got the world of manga and light novels.

3D girls are all enemies of loners, but 2D beauties are my allies.

As I’m calming my anger in my head, a female student suddenly dashes past me.

Wait… that sweet perfume smell… that’s Miyama Airi, right?

“Oh no, oh no… the manager’s gonna yell at me!”

Miyama hurries off, her massive breasts bouncing with each step.

Manager…? I don’t get it, but didn’t Miyama say she was going to Starbucks with her boyfriend after school?

That’s weird. There’s no Starbucks in the direction she’s running.

If anything, for students at our school, the natural choice would be the Starbucks in the shopping street right next to campus.

But Miyama’s running in the complete opposite direction, where there’s no Starbucks.

Well, maybe her boyfriend goes to a different school, and she’s heading there. Either way, it’s got nothing to do with me.

Without thinking any more about Miyama, I head to Animate.

☆☆

Arriving at the Animate near the station, a 15-minute walk from school, I’d come to find a light novel I’d been dying to get—but…

“We sincerely apologize. Due to high demand, Sucking S-Class Beauties’ Breasts in Another World to Steal Cheat Skills is currently out of stock.”

That’s what the Animate clerk tells me at the register.

The web novel I love, Sucking S-Class Beauties’ Breasts in Another World to Steal Cheat Skills, got a physical release, and I came to buy it… but it’s sold out.

As expected from a popular isekai web novel… with tens of thousands of followers, it’s no surprise it’s a hot item.

I slump my shoulders and head home.

Animate had exclusive bonuses, so I really wanted to buy it here… haah.

“Man, I’m seriously unlucky today.”

E-books are an option, but I want to read during breaks, so I’d prefer a physical copy.

I pull out my phone to search for nearby bookstores.

Oh, there’s a Tsutaya in a quiet back alley… maybe there’s a chance they’ve got it.

[T/N: Tsutaya is a popular Japanese retail chain known for renting and selling books, CDs, DVDs, and games.]

Even Animate was sold out, so Tsutaya might be too.

Just to be safe, I’ll call to check their stock before going.

Leaving Animate, I walk toward Tsutaya while dialing.

“Hiii, Tsutaya here!”

“Uh, excuse me. I’m looking for a light novel… i-it’s, uuh… Sucking S-Class Beauties’ Breasts in Another World to Steal Cheat Skills. Do you have it in stock?”

“B-Breasts? Uh, g-got it, let me check!”

The female clerk sounds awfully chipper.

And that voice… it sounds vaguely familiar. Am I imagining it?

“So, that breasts-whatever book? Looks like we’ve got four copies left!”

“Got it. Thanks for checking. I’m heading over now.”

“Yup, see ya!”

The call cuts off abruptly. Normally, they’d wait for the customer to hang up, right?

It was a really young-sounding girl, probably a new part-timer.

I’ve never worked a job, so I don’t know how tough it is. I won’t judge her too harshly.

My school doesn’t allow part-time jobs without permission anyway, so I couldn’t work even if I wanted to.

Arriving at Tsutaya, I head straight inside.

A clerk is busy at the register, so I go right up to it.

“Excuse me, I’m the one who called earlier about…!?”

“Oh! You’re here for Sucking S-Class Beauties’ Breasts in Another World to Steal Cheat Skills, right…?”

The female Tsutaya clerk, wearing a navy apron over a white blouse, looks at me and instantly makes a face like she’s bitten into something sour.

Bright twin-tails and a massive chest spilling over the books she’s holding.

Those breasts… no mistake.

“M-Miyama?”

“Ugh, the guy from the seat behind me…”

For some reason I can’t fathom, Miyama Airi is working at Tsutaya.

Wasn’t Miyama supposed to be going on a date with her boyfriend?

Miyama Airi said she was skipping Ichinose and the others’ invite because she had a date with her boyfriend after school.

So why is she working here…?

Seeing Miyama in a Tsutaya uniform holding books, I stand there, stunned.

She must have lied, so there’s probably some deeper reason, but it’s none of my business as an outsider.

Alright, I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything and get out—

The moment I turn to leave, Miyama sets the books down on the counter and grabs my shoulder hard.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

Miyama glares at me suspiciously, her brows furrowed.

I-I just came to buy a book!

“Are you… planning to tell everyone that I’m working here?”

“Huh?”

“L-Let me make this clear, I have the school’s permission, and it’s within the allowed hours for part-time work! I’m not doing anything shady…”

Miyama’s face gradually clouds over, and by the end, she looks like she’s about to cry.

It seems Miyama thinks I’m going to spread her secret in a bad way.

I wish she’d ease up on the prejudice and paranoia against a loner otaku… but given my usual behavior, I guess it’s fair.

“Uh… hold on. Isn’t there some misunderstanding here?”

Not knowing how to handle this, I speak hesitantly.

“I-I just came to buy a light novel. I wasn’t thinking anything about you, Miyama—”

“Please, I’m begging you!!”

“Huh…?”

“Don’t tell Yuria or Rui-chan about this… please!”

Miyama pleads desperately, tears streaming down her face.

“Please… I’m begging you!”

Is it serious enough to cry over?

W-What do I do!?

A loner otaku like me can’t handle a girl’s tears!

“—Alright, alright. That’s enough of your lovers’ quarrel.”

Out of nowhere, a short-haired blonde woman—the store manager—steps between us.

“Miyama-chan, a lovers’ quarrel during work hours is seriously not cool.”

“…”

Miyama is sobbing and can’t even respond.

No, no, you’ve gotta say, “He’s not my boyfriend,” or this won’t die down…

“Ugh, fine. Miyama-chan, go to the break room for now. Boyfriend-kun, you come too.”

“Uh, y-yes.”

Reading the room, I have no choice but to follow without arguing.

☆☆

We’re led to the staff break room behind the register and made to sit across from each other on small pipe chairs.

Being brought here feels like I’m being treated like a shoplifter.

“If it’s a lovers’ quarrel, take your time in here~ Oh, but your break time will be docked from your pay, Miyama-chan.”

The blonde, short-haired manager leaves with a smirk.

Come on, don’t just leave when Miyama’s still crying, Manager!

“Sorry… this is all my fault.”

“N-No, I mean, I’m sorry too.”

I have zero reason to apologize, but I end up doing it anyway in the heat of the moment.

Why is she so desperate to keep her job a secret that she’d cry over it?

Miyama calms down, wipes the tears from her eyes with her fingers, and looks at me.

Miyama Airi, staring straight at me…

If I had to sum up my honest thoughts in ten characters or less: Her breasts are huge.

Her face and hairstyle are cute enough for a fashion magazine, but those breasts are on par with a gravure idol’s—no, even more erotic… Wait, what am I thinking in a situation like this!?

I quickly look away, my gaze darting around.

A loner like me can’t handle being this close—

“I… I got scared all of a sudden.”

After a quiet moment, Miyama starts speaking slowly on her own.

“I was afraid I’d be called poor again, like before.”

“P-Poor…? What do you mean—”

When I ask, Miyama bites her lip and continues.

“The truth is, my family is super poor. My dad passed away when I was little, and my mom raised me on her own, but it’s been tough. I never got an allowance, so… I’ve had a lot of painful experiences.”

Miyama suddenly opens up about her personal life.

It’s a background completely different from the image I had of Miyama Airi.

This is a million times heavier than I expected…

“In middle school, all my friends started wearing makeup, but I couldn’t keep up and went through a lot of pain. I didn’t want to feel that way in high school, so I worked hard to save money, studied fashion and makeup, and became the cute version of myself. I even thought I was the cutest, but I realized that keeping up that cute image costs money.”

I see. That’s why she’s working.

Up until now, I thought Miyama Airi was always at the forefront of fashion.

Her accessories and clothes were always changing, full of style.

But I never would’ve guessed she was struggling that much.

Working doesn’t automatically mean someone’s poor, but it seems to bother her.

“I-I’m fine if people make fun of me for being poor! I’m used to it… but I absolutely don’t want Yuria or Rui-chan, who’ve been my friends since first year, to find out! That’s why—”

It seems Miyama still thinks I’m going to mock her.

That’s honestly unfair. As the representative of a loner otaku, I need to set things straight.

“I… I respect you, Miyama! I’d never make fun of you!”

“…Huh?”

“I mean, I’ve never bought anything with money I earned myself… S-So, like, you’re way more mature than me. There’s no way I could mock someone like you, and I never would!”

That’s the best follow-up a loner otaku like me can manage… I hope it gets across that I won’t make fun of her.

“…Wow, you’re kinda nice, huh?”

A gentle smile slowly returns to Miyama’s face.

So, it got through, right?

“I need to get back to work. You came to buy a book, right? That breasts-whatever one.”

“Oh… I forgot!”

The moment I remember, I bolt out of the room and head straight to the sales floor.

☆☆

It’s not here… It’s gone!

My Sucking S-Class Beauties’ Breasts in Another World to Steal Cheat Skills is nowhere to be found!

The light novel section no longer has the book I came for.

It was supposed to be in stock… haah.

So my luck’s just completely shot until the very end today, huh?

“Hey, did you find the book you wanted?”

“…No, it’s sold out.”

“Pfft, pffft, ahaha!”

When I say that with a disappointed slump, Miyama bursts out laughing.

So annoying… Who does she think caused all this?

At this point, maybe I should spill her secrets out of spite—wait, huh?

“What’s this?”

Miyama holds out a single book to me.

What’s that?

I reluctantly take it, and my eyes widen in shock.

“T-This… it’s Volume 1 of Sucking S-Class Beauties’ Breasts in Another World to Steal Cheat Skills!”

“That’s what you wanted, right? There were only a few left, so I set one aside for you.”

Seriously? Is she an angel…?

I want to punch the me from a few seconds ago who was thinking of spilling her secrets…

“C’mon, where’s my thanks for reserving it?”

“T-Thank you… so much.”

I’m so grateful, I slip into polite speech.

“That’s not what I meant by thanks.”

“Huh?”

“I went out of my way to reserve it for you, so in return, you gotta treat me to something.”

“W-What?”

“Since my true colors are out, I’ll be blunt: I’m a materialistic girl. So, treat me to something at the school cafeteria tomorrow, okay?”

This girl… she’s no angel, she’s a little devil! This busty little devil! A freaking succubus!

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“Uh, Izumiya Ryouta… I guess.”

“Hmm, Ryouta, huh? Alright, Ryouta, let’s exchange LINE contacts.”

“LINE? Oh, sure.”

I show Miyama my LINE QR code as she asks.

“Yup, exchange complete~ Thanks, Ryouta! Looking forward to lunch tomorrow~”

Seeing me off, I leave Tsutaya… Wait, hold up!

Somehow, I ended up exchanging LINE contacts, and tomorrow, I’m having lunch at the cafeteria with the busty beauty Miyama Airi!?

My peaceful life… it’s definitely over.