Chapter 2

Akira POV

We had to move after that. My dad had gotten a promotion recently and from eavesdropping on his phone calls, or just sitting in front of him while he's talking to his boss, waiting for him to be done to talk to him about something, I got the gist that he could relocate for his job if he wants, but he was still wavering on the decision to do so or not. 

I pushed his decision the direction to take the move option. 

Relations with my aunt kept petering off, as she missed more family gatherings, or couldn't come visit. Eventually, inevitably really, six months later my aunt and uncle divorced. 

There was a lot of friction between my mom and my aunt. Arguments over the telephones would last for hours. I made sure that my mom never visits my aunt. I always made an excuse, acting sick, or actually getting myself sick. 

A week after the divorce my uncle killed himself. 

Relations with my aunt naturally faded away. She became a topic we didn't discuss in our household. 

I saved my home, but I couldn't save my uncle. I couldn't have planned for that. Could I? I couldn't have seen this coming. 

And yet, was that one of the significant possible outcomes I saw from those statistics I researched? Shouldn't I have expected my uncle to succumb to such a fate. I knew my uncle. He was someone I spoke to and grew up with. He should have been stronger. 

Shouldn't he?

Or...was that just the limitations of the losers in this world. The outcome that should be expected. 

I was fifteen years old now. It was end of summer break, before I started high school, and I was waiting to meet Kouji for the first time this summer, today. 

I don't know if it's this world giving me a break or whatever, but my closest friends ended up moving to the same city as me, as we applied to the same middle school. 

I tried to continue on with my life, but things were never the same. After all, now that I had my eyes opened so to speak, I could shut them off. I couldn't afford to. 

I saw it happening everywhere. 

At school, relationships between couples would be broken down. Romance cultivated from childhood ends in betrayal and heartbreak. 

I could see the winners and the losers of this world, and I knew nothing could be done to reverse those roles. 

Eri grew up to be a beautiful girl. Actually, she grew up to be stupidly busty. I took to dragging Kouji around to make sure she's protected. I won't have any NTR Asshole get their hands on her.

I was growing paranoid. I knew I was paranoid. Every guy I saw I looked at as a potential enemy. Any teacher or authority figure, I prepared myself to defend myself against socially and mentally. If things every get to the point of physical confrontation then I already lost. I run away before it gets to that point. 

If a physical fight must happen, I have Kouji take care of it and even the odds for him. Blackmail, poison, cheap DIY weapons, whatever works. 

The only people my trust were Mom, Dad, Eri and Kouji.

Eri because she was my first crush. 'Was' being the operative term. I knew I was one of the losers of this world. I knew that if I try and be intimate with her in any way, it would all end in pain. Even though she had feelings for me, I knew it would end in misery, so I just acted oblivious and let it be. Besides, Kouji also liked Eri. 

Kouji I trust because I grew up with him. I knew if he ended up with Eri he would keep her safe. After all, he was one of the winners of this world. 

I was never one to care about dick size. Realistically, if you were average, then you don't need to worry about anything else. The rest, be it doing things in the bedroom or the relationship, will just depend on your patience and skill. That's not how things work in this world though. One time while we showering school gym's shower stall, me and Kouji went out of the showers at the same time. We saw each other naked and I saw how hung he was. Like bitch breaker hung, even when flat. 

My reaction was to raise an eyebrow, then look down and realize I was like a child down there. Smaller than what a teen should have. 

Kouji's reaction was to scream like a little girl and cover himself. Kind of funny to remember. 

Given everything I knew about Kouji, I understood he was one of the winners. He was physically strong, his personality was a bit pushy, but generally he meant well, and his hair style was shit. It covered his eyes. Seriously dude, buy a fucking comb. 

Still, while I trust Kouji, I'm beginning to have my doubts. He's a guy and one of the winners, it's very easy to see him become one of those NTR Bastards. If he just stays a good person, then I don't really care what he does, or if he ends up with Eri. In fact it would be better if Kouji does than some sleazy scumbag who mindbreaks her, shares her with his buddies and get her hooked on drugs or some shit. 

Maybe it's better to groom Kouji into being a Good Guy Harem Protagonist. That way he can be my Back-Up Plan, in case someone tries to mind break me. If it's someone I trust then it's fine if they take me for themselves, that way I would be safe from the other NTR Bastards. 

"Oooy~" My musing is cut off as a familiar voice shouted out. 

I smiled as I looked up to meet Kouji, then grimace as a feeling of disgust came to me. 

Kouji POV 

Akira was never the same after his aunt and uncle split up. I mean, it sucks but shit happens. 

But as always, Akira didn't let that bring him down. It's kinda the main thing that I admire about him. Well that and his sexy tushy, but I don't dare say that to his face (until now...I think).

It's sad that he doesn't smile anymore, except for those cynical or smug smirks, but it doesn't mean he gave up on life or anything, some of the guys I've seen after some bad event happened to them. He scowls a lot but... He just directed his energy elsewhere. 

Akira used to always play baseball with me, even though he never won. He would just get back up, smile and come back to the next game with a gusto. I always told people he was my rival, they never understood. Yes, he isn't as strong or as fast as I am. He gets sweaty from a long walk, and at times it seems like a gust of wind would knock him out, but his will was unbeatable. 

If he had a strong body, I don't think I could have beaten him in anything. 

Now, that same intensity he had for baseball, he had in...observing people. He would just stare at everyone like he was seeing their entire life story. Which given how he focused on computer and hacker stuff for the past four years, actually makes him kinda scary. 

As expected of my rival!

...At least I used to think of him as my rival. 

I was never really the brightest when it comes to studying. People think that just makes me a dumb jock, but Akira never thought that. He said I was just focused on different things, so I became more skilled at it. I focused on baseball, Eri & Akira and hanging out and talking about deep stuff with Akira. 

The last one was low on the skill of priority, maybe that's why I only realized it after a long time. I realized that since that thing with his aunt and uncle, Akira...Akira had given up. I'm not sure on what, but he did. It's not on life, he's not suicidal. With how he constantly focuses on school and people, I don't think he gave up on a future career, or people stuff.

But...

I don't know how to explain it. Only thing that comes to mind was when we were playing video game a few months ago, and the topic of Eri came up. 

"You know, Eri has really became pretty, you know." I said. 

"Hmm." 

"Heard some guys talking about how hot she is now, and some saying they're thinking of confessing to her."

"Hmm, send me a list of their names."

"It's fine, it's fine." I waved my hands, trying to give a smile to ease him off. I don't want those guy to be scared into changing schools. "I took care of it, set them straight."

"Hmm." 

"...You know, when Eri talks about guys, she would mention how cute she found you." Akira raised an eyebrow at me. "Just saying. I think she likes you." I said on the sly, being a good bro. Akira is usually pretty perceptive, weird that he didn't pick up on Eri's feelings, but maybe he just doesn't notice stuff close to him? I felt an annoying feeling at Eri and Akira getting together but I pushed it aside. They were my friends, and if they're happy then I'm happy. 

"You like her." Akira spoke like he stated a fact, which well, I mean it was, but still it was embarrassing to have it out there. 

"I, um, no, that's--"

"If..." The word was spoken so softly that I thought I imagined it. I quieten for a bit to see if Akira really did say something. He looked down from the tv, pausing the racing game. "Kouji if you...if you stay as you are, as kind and caring, then no matter how things change or end up, I don't mind leaving it to you."

"Eh? Are you making poetry? Are you drunk?"

"Your car just got flipped over." Akira had unpaused the game. 

"Hey, that's cheating!"

I didn't realize it then. 

What Akira said, it made me feel grateful, embarrassed, but the emotion I felt deep under it all...was anger. 

For a long time I didn't know why I was angry at my best friend.

Then I realized, it's because that Unbeatable Akira was beaten, just not in a way that was obvious. 

He gave up Eri without even putting up a fight. He never made any new friends in middle school because he didn't even try. 

I never understood why until this summer. Me and my family ended up going to Okinawa. Beach, girls in bikinis, I just wanted to get my mind off thinking about Akira for a while. 

That's when I met my senpais hanging out with some chicks. They gracefully welcomed me and taught me how to pick up girls. The way to a woman's heart was a good fucking with a big dick.

It's like the world made sense to me. Akira was always the smarter of the three of us. He picked up on thing quicker than either me or Eri did.

Akira must have realized that between me and him, I would win Eri. The thought of Eri being turned to a cock addict felt discomforting, but she's a girl I loved, so it's fine, right? It's just us doing what feels good, right?

Above all else, it's the fact that Akira didn't even fight for Eri, when he fought to defend her from all the other unworthy assholes that pisses me off. 

Akira is the guy I admired, he shouldn't be this spineless. So fine, I'll just take Eri from him. I'll make her love me, and not him. 

I went to meet Akira in front of the cinema, where we would usually decide whether to see a movie, go to the arcade, or do something else. 

Seeing my sexy former rival (because like senpai said, if it looks like a woman, it's a woman, so it's fine to think of traps as sexy), made my stomach turn and feel funny, but I pushed that aside and move forward. Even he won't notice what's coming until it was too late. This time, I'll outsmart you, Akira. 

I smiled like my senpais told me. Smile even if you have to force it. Keep up the advantage no matter what. 

"Oooy~" I called out. Akira saw me and grimaced. Yeah, I guess the tan was a surprise. "How've you been buddy?" I said and spread my arms for a hug. Despite everything, I still missed my friend, and at least we should savor the good time together, right?

"...What the fuck? Did you get raped by the Gyaru Fairy?" Akira said cocking his hips into those curvy hugging booty shorts. 

I tripped and almost fell before I caught myself. 

"What the hell kinda greeting is that!?" I shouted and all my coolness and swag was gone. 

Dammit, just one sentence and Akira threw me off. I dunno why he's now looking more pissed off than usual, but I'm back to feeling like I can't win against him again.

Oddly enough, the weird ache in my stomach was gone. My smile doesn't feel forced anymore.