Are Men Really a Rare Species? - Chapter 13: Same-Sex Friends

I crossed the spacious food court and walked over to the table where the other boy was sitting.

On the way, I received a message from Azuma-san saying, “I have already contacted the other party’s security officer.”

Well, he’s a boy, after all.

There should be a similar security detail in place for him as well.

Right now, I look like a “gender-unknown child” to anyone who sees me.

Considering the gender ratio, it would undoubtedly be assumed to be a girl.

A girl approaching a boy in a straight line is nothing short of an emergency situation.

If I wasn’t careful, I could be forcibly removed by the other party’s assigned security personnel.

To avoid that, prior communication is essential.

When I approached, the boy slightly straightened his hunched back and looked over at me.

He still looks anxious, but with eyes that seem to be expecting something.

As for the mother sitting next to him, unlike her earlier smirk, she has a serious expression that matches the atmosphere.

In the alternating glances directed at me and Mama, I can almost sense a hint of rivalry.

…Mom’s friends are competitive no matter what the world is…

Judging by this reaction, it seems that our arrival is getting through to them properly.

Then, there’s no need to hold back.

“Hello. My name is Yuuta.”

I give an age-appropriate self-introduction.

Did he become sure I was a boy just from my name? The other boy’s expression brightened up immediately.

“I-I am Kengo…”

“Kengo-kun, right? Nice to meet you.”

“Y-yeah, nice to meet you…”

Kengo-kun shyly smiles with embarrassment.

Apparently, he seems happy to see another boy.

Honestly, I’m happy too.

After all, until now, I hadn’t even met anyone other than my Mama, let alone friends.

It no longer matters what my mental age is.

I’m just happy to confirm that there are male friends in this world too.

“I just turned 6 years old. How old are you, Kengo-kun?”

“I-I am… 12 years old…”

While being mindful of a childlike conversation, I take the lead in the discussion.

Is Kengo-kun shy, or is he just passive? He never tries to start a conversation on his own.

So, I have no choice but to bring up a topic myself.

“Then Kengo-kun is older, right?”

“Y-yeah… right…”

Kengo-kun suddenly looks anxious.

…Huh?

Was there anything in the current conversation that made him feel anxious?

When I looked, Kengo-kun had curled his previously straightened back into a small, tight ball and lowered his head.

It’s as if he wants to make himself look small.

On top of that, he keeps glancing at me.

…Ah.

Maybe, but… He’s worried about being older.

He probably thinks that if he’s older, I might get scared and distance myself.

“That means you’re going to middle school soon, Kengo-kun. That’s great, so cool!”

“…!”

When I said that to cheer him up, Kengo-kun lifted his downcast face.

Clearly, he has a relieved expression.

It seems that my guess was correct.

…No, isn’t that a bit too delicate?

Does he really get that worked up over an age difference?

Even a yandere girl has a bit more backbone.

“I’m only six years old, so I can’t leave the house.”

“I-I don’t go out much either…”

“Then let’s do it together.”

“Y-yeah. Together…!”

Kengo-kun was blushing and smiling with great joy.

Perhaps he was also starving for friends and conversation.

Well, when people share common experiences, they can become friends quickly.

It’s easy to make friends in the smoking area because they share the hobby of smoking.

I aimed to bring up that topic, and it seems like it went well.

I feel like we’ve gotten closer somehow.

“I also want to grow up quickly.”

“R-really…? B-but when you grow up, you’ll have to do all sorts of things, right?”

Kengo-kun suddenly makes a gloomy face.

His emotional ups and downs are way too extreme…

Well, I guess that’s just how it is.

What he means by “things you have to do when you grow up” is donating sperm.

From the day a man reaches puberty, he is obligated to provide sperm to the state.

In other words, since the country is supporting them, they should also contribute to the survival of humanity.

In other words, it’s a return for the preferential treatment.

It’s the so-called “tax on semen” instead of a tax on income.

However, it seems that this is quite a burden for many men, as they find the sperm donation quota to be quite painful.

Well, even if they try to force it out, it doesn’t come out easily.

Especially for modern men whose reproductive desires have diminished, it will be quite difficult.

I heard that there are people who stick electrodes up their butt and forcibly stimulate the prostate with direct current.

…Is it the collection of stallion semen?

Well, for that reason, gentlemen are quite reluctant to provide semen.

Kengo-kun is also at the right age, so I can understand why he might feel depressed.

“But you can go to school, right? You can make lots of friends!”

“Th-that seems… difficult, I think…?”

“Why?”

“W-why, you ask… Because the school is mostly onna…”

No, “onna” means woman.

How can he say that at 12 years old?

…Well, I guess it’s his mother’s influence.

Boys are taught from a young age that “women are wolves” and “it’s dangerous to go outside.”

Of course, it’s the mother who is teaching that.

The boy’s mother is overprotective by default, so she lumps all girls together as “women.”

So, whether it’s a young girl, a teenager, or an old woman, they are all equally taught to be “she-wolves.”

And, they repeatedly teach that it is equally “dangerous.”

In fact, my Mama keeps telling me, “All women are wolves. If they find a cute boy like you, they’ll eat you up in no time!”

Kengo-kun calls the same-age middle school girls “women” because of such teachings.

So, for Kengo-kun, going to middle school is like being thrown into a pack of wolves.

The very idea of making friends at school probably doesn’t even occur to them.

Here on this Earth, Kengo-kun’s way of thinking is considered normal…

Thinking that he is pitiful is probably just my ego as an outsider.