NTR Kousuke

Chapter 17

Yukari Tomonaga, burning with anger after her encounter with Satsuki.

Use that frustration as fuel and do your best!

Now then, we arrive at the basketball club's practice location—the gymnasium.

I basically came here with no plan, but I've got practice too, right?

Since Tomonaga-san is a girl, I was vaguely thinking maybe I'd ask Airi-senpai, the basketball club manager, or Nagase-san from the girls' basketball club...

(It's probably better if not too many people find out, right? Then Nagase-san is out—she's got girls' basketball club practice!)

Both Airi-senpai and Nagase-san on the far court looked surprised to see that I had brought Tomonaga-san with me.

Why?

Airi-senpai!

Airi-senpai, looking a little annoyed,

Airi: "Bringing a girl to club activities is seriously irresponsible, don't you think?"

That's rare!

In the basketball club, Airi is known for being tolerant, while Sahori is a no-go!

That's how much Airi-senpai is said to have a gentle and broad heart, while Sahori is known for rejecting everything and saying no right away.

"...Actually..."

I explained that she wanted to change after her failed confession, and that we were filming a documentary with the Video Research Society.

We don't intend to disturb practice, but since she doesn't usually exercise and has weak willpower, she needs a monitor—for both motivation and safety.

Club activities are mainly split into three parts: the first half is group training with physical conditioning and basic drills, then individual practice, and finally scrimmage-style matches.

I was thinking maybe Airi-senpai could watch over Tomonaga-san during the first half? Walking around the gym, light running, then I'd do strength training with her during individual practice, and we'd use the match time as a break.

Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, Airi-senpai sympathized with her situation and said she'd join Tomonaga-san for walking and running!

Airi: "I'm on a diet too! It's easier with two people, and we can encourage each other, right?"

Tomonaga: "I'm sorry, thank you so much."

And so, Airi-senpai would be watching over Tomonaga-san during the early part.

Airi-senpai is average when it comes to exercise.

Tomonaga-san is completely hopeless.

Watching during group training, Tomonaga-san looked like she was really struggling to run.

Airi-senpai gently cheered her on.

Kinda a heartwarming scene...

Now then, practice moves on to the individual training part.

While other members were doing shooting and dribble shots, I roped in my friend Koji, who was doing physical conditioning, and we all did push-ups, squats, sit-ups, and dumbbell exercises with the club's equipment outside the gym.

Tomonaga-san used light weights, while Koji and I used heavy dumbbells.

Airi-senpai checked her form as she gradually increased the load on Tomonaga-san's body.

By the time we were doing the final scrimmage-style practice, Tomonaga-san was completely wiped out.

Tomonaga: "...My body won't move..."

Airi: "You'll be fine! Humans can move more than they think! Hang in there, Tomonaga-san!"

Tomonaga-san already had a vacant look in her eyes.

After basketball practice ended, we walked a bit for cooling down while chatting quietly.

Then we headed to the cafeteria.

Tomonaga-san's eyes sparkled, but...

The Video Research Society members had already taken over the place...

Member: "Alright! Tomonaga-san! Here's your special menu!"

Chicken breast, broccoli, boiled eggs, a bit of brown rice. And protein.

That's rough. I felt too sorry for her, so I decided to eat the same menu.

Tomonaga: "...You don't have to go along with me, you know...?"

"...Not really... I might diet too and get a six-pack?"

Tomonaga: "Hehe! Kousuke-kun, you actually joke, huh."

(...It's not really a joke though...?)

What does she think of me?

We stuck to the bland, low-fat, low-sugar, high-protein meal.

And after resting post-meal,

We went to the Video Research Society clubroom.

With an old popular diet DVD brought in by a member, we all did some exercise!

We pushed our bodies following the commands of the super enthusiastic Black instructor!

Tomonaga: "Hiiiii—!!!"

Voice from the screen: "One more set!!"

"Two more set!!!"

"Count it!!"

Show me that smile!!

No pain, no gain!!

Boot camp is brutal...! Tomonaga-san looks like she's about to die.

Are you okay?

Tomonaga-san's face... is starting to look like a clay haniwa!

Somehow we finished, and when I explained the nighttime activity plan and precautions, she just kept nodding like a machine.

Alright, take a photo of your dinner and post it on LINE, okay?

When I said "No sweets allowed," a light returned to her eyes!

The Video Research Society members all passionately declared, "No sweets! Absolutely not!"

And gave her a scientifically grounded explanation.

...Though she wasn't convinced, Tomonaga-san reluctantly agreed with a look so sad it was like she was crying blood.

Her expressions from earlier were starting to worry me,

"...Are you okay, Tomonaga-san?"

Even so, Tomonaga-san declared,

Tomonaga: "...I'm fine. I used to just laugh it off when people called me fat... but I'm done with that! I want to prove them wrong!"

She seemed like the type to be timid and easily swayed, didn't she?

Days like this will continue from now on.

I promised I'd support her as much as I could.

And so began a grueling new chapter for Tomonaga-san.