I Received an NTR V*deo - Episode 20

It’s been about a month since Megumi and the others’ situation came to light.
Things are happening behind the scenes, but we’re not quite ready to face it all just yet.
Still, there’s no need to rush. Everything is moving forward, little by little.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Yujiro.”
It’s a sunny holiday today.
At Hoshina’s suggestion, we decided to go to the beach. Even though it’s the off-season for swimming, she suddenly wanted to go.
It seemed like part of her search for happiness—so I didn’t hesitate. We made plans and came together.
Now, she’s smiling brightly as she appears at the station ticket gate.
“I’m not waiting. Just an hour.”
“What?! You waited that long?!”
“I’m kidding. I just got here.”
Hoshina puffs out her cheeks in protest.
She always takes my jokes seriously. It’s kind of cute—but maybe I shouldn’t push it too far.
“So, how are things with Megumi?”
“I think they’re going fine. It’s a normal relationship.”
“You’re dating… I wonder what’s going to happen next. I remember the rumors when you cheated on me, but there’s been nothing like that with Megumi.”
“You’re being cautious, huh? But your flaws always find a way to surface eventually. You can’t keep bad things hidden forever.”
We continue chatting while heading toward the platform.
The station’s crowded today, and I notice a few guys glancing at Hoshina.
She seems completely unaware, walking gracefully as ever.
Her posture and walk are so elegant—like a model—that I almost feel awkward walking beside her.
“Isn’t that a bad thing?… Netori’s not exactly someone who’s going to die peacefully.”
“Yeah, he’s been causing a lot of problems. He’s definitely not a good person.”
We arrive at the platform, but the train hasn’t come yet. So, we stand and wait.
“Leaving those two aside, the sea sounds nice.”
“Yeah. I’ve been on a school trip before, but I wonder how it’ll feel now.”
“What do you mean?”
“I wonder if the view changes when I’m with you, Yujiro.”
She blushes.
I feel my heart skip a beat as she looks down shyly.
“The way you see something alone is different from how you see it with someone else. And even more so depending on who you’re with.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m really looking forward to today. My…”
“My what?”
“…No, never mind. Look, the train’s coming.”
I feel like the distance between us has shrunk recently.
She even touches my sleeve now and then—lightly tugging at it.
For someone like her, who’s always been a bit of a germaphobe, even that makes my heart race.
Once on the train, Hoshina stands by the window instead of taking a seat.
She doesn’t hold onto the strap or rail, but gently clings to my sleeve instead.
“Sorry. I’m holding onto you.”
“Hold me all you like. Want to hold my hand?”
“No way, that’s too embarrassing.”
Her cheeks flush red.
Despite her stylish appearance, Hoshina is surprisingly innocent.
My emotions sway with the rhythm of the train.
I reach out and place a hand against the wall to steady us from the shaking—only to find her face suddenly inches from mine.
We quickly turn away, both flustered.
“Ahaha… that’s close.”
“Want to move?”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
As soon as we exit the station, the ocean comes into view.
Hoshina runs ahead down the stairs to the beach, her face lit up with joy.
“The sea!”
“The sea… But yeah, it’s just the sea.”
“There’s nothing but the sea. But that’s what makes it great!”
Only a few small restaurants dot the area. Since it’s off-season, no one’s swimming. Just the vast blue ocean stretching endlessly.
Hoshina steps close to the water, squealing as the waves reach her toes.
She looks so happy—it’s rare to see her like this.
Watching her joyful expression, I crouch in the sand.
The grains are warm, the sun soothing.
It’s peaceful.
For a moment, I forget all about Netori, Megumi—everything—and simply gaze at the sea.
“You idiot!!”
“What?!”
Suddenly, Hoshina shouts.
I turn to her in surprise—tears welling in her eyes.
“Hoshina?”
“I don’t know why, I just started crying! It’s so… big.”
“Well, yeah. It’s huge.”
“And I feel so small.”
She takes a few steps away and crouches down.
“I guess our problems don’t really matter to the world.”
“Right. Even if Megumi and Netori are having an affair, it doesn’t change anything beyond our little world.”
“But looking at the ocean… it kind of puts everything in perspective. It doesn’t seem that important anymore.”
“I get it. Lately, I’ve been thinking maybe it doesn’t even matter which path I choose.”
We share a glance and laugh.
“But I still won’t forgive you.”
“For what?”
“For hurting Hoshina.”
“No, no. It’s for hurting Yujiro.”
“I meant Hoshina.”
“Haha… Maybe we’re more alike than we thought.”
Hoshina sits down beside me and starts drawing in the sand with her finger.
“Hey, don’t use my finger!”
“I can’t touch the sand myself.”
Through the glove, I feel the warmth of her hand.
She smells nice, and I feel a little nervous.
I glance at what she’s written in the sand—my name.
“…………”
“…Why my name?”
“Because you’re right next to me.”
“I see. Anything else you want to write?”
“Right now, I can’t think of anyone but you.”
Her ears glow red.
“No one else is around… it can’t be helped.”
“There’s that old lady over there.”
“She doesn’t count!”
An old woman walks her dog along the shore.
Hoshina bursts out laughing.
“This is the first time I’ve laughed like this. The first time I’ve felt safe touching someone. You’re full of firsts, Yujiro.”
“So, how was the ocean with me?”
“Hmm… To put it simply, it was the best.”
We stand and face each other naturally.
The sound of waves, birds in the sky.
The scent of salt and a gentle breeze.
A quiet, peaceful moment lingers between us.
“Ah—”
A gust of wind blows, and Hoshina stumbles, falling into my chest.
Her warmth spreads through me.
I freeze, mind blank.
“…Hoshina?”
“…………”
I thought she’d pull away immediately, given how sensitive she is about touch—but she doesn’t.
Her eyes stay closed, as if trying to feel something deeper.
“Thank you, Yujiro. I’ve found something else I like.”
“Yeah… The sea really is beautiful.”
“It is. But that’s not all. I’ve found something even more important. My search for happiness is going well.”
“…………”
What does she mean by that?
I want to ask—but I don’t.
I simply hold her as she buries her face into my chest.
I wish time would freeze here.
“Let’s head back. It’ll be night by the time we return.”
“Yeah. Do you have a curfew?”
She pulls away and nods.
“Let’s come again.”
“Anytime you want to, Hoshina.”
“See you next month.”
“Okay. Let’s come back next month.”
“I hope the Netori stuff is over by then.”
“I hope so too.”
We begin walking toward the station.
But I take my time—reluctant to leave this place.
Hoshina tugs on my clothes again.
Not with just her fingertips this time—but holding on, firmly.