Are Men Really a Rare Species?

The completely sealed car interior was quiet to begin with, but now it’s so silent that it hurts my ears.

Mama is looking at me with a worried expression.

Even now, she hasn’t let go of each of my hands.

So, I smile at Mama to reassure her.

Even so, that incident earlier.

At this point, they will just go ahead and call it an “attack.”

The earlier attack was poorly timed.

Before I came into contact with Kengo-kun, Azuma-san said, “He is already suspected of being a man.”

If they attack upon realizing someone is male, they should have taken some action as soon as the suspicion arose.

Actually, the saleswoman who suspected I was a boy was trying to guide me to the fitting room, and in the end, she was even trying to check the smell of the clothes I tried on.

Why didn’t those proactive women take action all along?

And why did they suddenly attack us after talking for a while?

“…Hey, Azuma-san.”

I don’t understand something, so I will just ask.

“Why did the women suddenly attack?”

When I asked that, Azuma-san suddenly fell silent for some reason.

Even my Mama is somehow stiffening up while holding my hand next to me.

…This reaction, they’re hiding something.

To hide something means to know the cause.

Moreover, given this situation, it must be something difficult for them to tell me.

“Please tell me, Azuma-san. I’ll be fine.”

Through the rearview mirror, Azuma-san’s eyes were wide open.

After a while, Azuma-san let out a small sigh and slowly opened her mouth.

“…Indeed, Yuuta-sama, you are truly wise.”

Is it flattery, polite conversation, or perhaps sarcasm?

Any of them is fine.

I want to know the answer.

“Mom.”

So, I also give a word to Mama, who is glaring at Azuma-san, to calm her down.

Maybe Mama is trying to keep Azuma-san from saying anything unnecessary that would hurt me.

I know that Mama is overprotective.

But right now, I want to know the answer more than I want to be protected.

Did she give in? Mama made a sad face and nodded to Azuma-san.

After confirming that, Azuma-san said with determination.

“The reason they suddenly took action is because───Yuuta-sama spoke to Kengo-sama.”

What?

Me, the cause…?

Why…?

“Even women have the common sense and reason to avoid breaking the law. Therefore, the women around him initially only observed Kengo-sama from a distance and refrained from direct contact.”

That’s probably true.

No matter how aggressive a woman may be, they wouldn’t just attack a man indiscriminately.

“Moreover, they had no certainty that Kengo-sama was a man. Being afraid of the surroundings is a behavior unique to men, but that alone cannot definitively conclude that someone is a man. Therefore, many people were quietly conducting indirect investigations to confirm that Kengo-sama was indeed male. Like the staff member who was trying to guide Yuuta-sama to the fitting room.”

Azuma-san added and continued.

“In Yuuta-sama’s case, thanks to you promptly trying on the clothes on the spot as per our instructions, the suspicions from those around you were completely dispelled.”

“…Huh? The suspicion from those around me… Was it just that store clerk lady who doubted my gender?”

“Yes. Many women who were around Yuuta-sama were quietly discussing the possibility that Yuuta-sama might be a man. The bodyguards who were sticking close to Yuuta-sama were eavesdropping, so there is no doubt about it.”

What the heck…

I can’t believe there were other people besides that store clerk who suspected I was a man.

Moreover, many people are around.

I might have underestimated the desire women have for men—this “male desire” thing…

“In fact, there were quite a few people observing Yuuta-sama.

The one who evaluates every gesture of Yuuta-sama,

Those who confirm the lingering scent after Yuuta-sama has passed,

The person who measures the width of Yuuta-sama’s stride when you walk,

The one who calculates the deformation of Yuuta-sama’s buttocks when you sit,

Those who count the body hair growing on Yuuta-sama’s arms and shins,

There have indeed been a wide variety of reports coming in.

In total, it was well over 20.”

…It was different.

It wasn’t male desire or anything; it was just plain sexual desire and perverted power.

Kengo-kun was exposed to this kind of thing too…

Well, of course, he’d always be nervous…

“On the other hand, unlike Yuuta-sama, Kengo-sama consistently displayed ‘manly behavior’ throughout. As a result, the suspicions were not cleared, and it attracted the attention and interest of many women.”

“…But still, they didn’t attack or anything, right?”

“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, women also have a certain level of common sense and reason, so even if suspicions about men deepen, they won’t go out of control. Even young girls with strong curiosity and teenage girls who are most interested in men were able to hold back just before going over the edge.”

However, Azuma-san’s voice becomes strained.

“…Because Yuuta-sama boldly approached Kengo-sama, their restraint was lost.”

“The restraint… has come off…?”

“Yes.”

With great difficulty, Azuma-san continues.

“Yuuta-sama was speaking confidently with Kengo-sama. Without being removed by the guards, you two seemed to be getting along well.”

That’s only natural.

Since we’re both men, there’s no reason to be excluded.

“Kengo-sama himself was also having a very enjoyable conversation with Yuuta-sama. Despite his typically masculine, nervous demeanor, you showed no signs of fear or disgust.”

That’s only natural.

It’s the first time I’ve had a same-sex friend.

“When this happens, the perception of the women who were being observed also changes.”

“Their perception change?”

“Yes. Men, fundamentally, either fear or dislike women. Even among family members, it is extremely rare for them to get along harmoniously. If they are complete strangers, it’s normal to either avoid contact at all costs or treat them harshly if contact is unavoidable.”

If they see Kengo-kun’s terrified state, they’ll understand why.

If a woman who has been taught since birth that she is a “wolf” approaches, it wouldn’t be strange for her to become one.

“If a woman makes contact with a man and the man shows signs of rejection, there is a high probability that the woman will be removed by security personnel. Therefore, the women who were observing Kengo-sama also did not attempt to make contact carelessly.”

However, Azuma-san said with a serious yet sad expression.

“Even when Yuuta-sama made contact, Kengo-sama did not show any signs of rejection. Rather, you two seemed happy and even welcomed it. This ignited the women around him.”

…Ah.

So that’s how it is.

“…So, in other words, since it was okay for me, who they thought to be a girl, to go, they decided to go too…”

In response to my muttering, Azuma-san didn’t reply.

But that was the answer.

“…Is it all my fault…?”

If I hadn’t carelessly contacted Kengo-kun, that wouldn’t have happened.

Even though Azuma-san had warned me in advance and said, “If possible, please refrain.”

Even so, I prioritized my own loneliness and reached out to him.

The country probably recommends it, so I analyzed it with a sense of superiority and pushed through my own feelings.

This is the result.

Damn it…