Are Men Really a Rare Species? - Chapter 9: An Adventure Called Going Out

In the present world, men can’t casually walk around the streets… or anything like that.

It’s not like my freedom of movement is restricted, so I can go out normally.

However, it seems that socially, “men going out alone is not recommended.”

Apparently, it’s because the life of the valuable man is in danger.

You might think that what I’m saying now is different from what I said earlier, but that’s not the case.

Even if it’s not legally problematic, there are many things that are not recommended for safety reasons.

For example, toddlers walking alone.

The act of letting them walk freely itself is not against the law, but it can lead to injuries or accidents, which is dangerous.

In other words, the treatment of “men” on this planet is the same as that of “infants.”

Don’t think of it as pathetic.

In today’s world, we seriously need to be careful about “men’s safety.”

Besides accidents, there are plenty of other “dangers” for men.

I can’t afford to be careless.

“Hey Mom, should we go to Azuma-san’s place?”

I gently pat my mom’s back to comfort her as she clings to me and cries her heart out.

I have to discuss the outing with Azuma-san, the bodyguard, from now on.

If I remember correctly, is it the first reception room?

…What do they mean there are several reception rooms in a private house?

My mom, who had been urged by me, stopped crying immediately and went into the restroom.

Usually, my mom doesn’t wear makeup, thinking about my health.

Well, if you’re rubbing against me that much, the makeup will come off right away, so there’s no point in putting it on.

Such a mom, but it seems she can’t go out without makeup when meeting people.

Mom quickly finished her makeup and returned to the living room.

Yeah, she’s so beautiful that I want to brag about her.

After giving such a compliment to Mama, we headed to the first reception room.

***

It seems that this house is designed with the assumption that a boy will live here, as various modifications have been made.

One of them is probably this first reception room.

This room is connected to the back door, and the other side leads into the house.

In the center of the room, there is a transparent partition with only a hole for voices and a narrow handover opening.

In terms of structure, it’s completely like a prison visiting room.

It is an extremely rude structure towards customers, but it seems that this is generally accepted in society as a measure to protect men’s safety.

Seriously…?

By the way, the second reception room is an ordinary room where you can sit across from guests like usual.

However, it seems that you can only be invited into that room if you are someone they trust very much.

“I’m sorry to intrude.”

When I entered the first reception room, the woman sitting behind the bulletproof glass stood up.

She is a woman with lustrous black hair tied in a ponytail, exuding a sharp and composed aura.

Around the age of 20, she wore casual clothes that didn’t stand out much.

“Nice to meet you, Yuuta-sama. I am Azuma, and I am honored to be in charge of your security.”

Since it was our first meeting, Azuma-san introduced herself.

“Nice to meet you, Azuma-san. I’m Yuuta. Pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise, I look forward to working with you.”

When Mom and I lightly returned the greeting, Azuma-san bowed deeply.

How should I put it… she seems like a person who walks around dressed as serious herself.

After watching the interview full of dirty jokes, it makes you like her even more, right?

Once everyone was seated, Azuma-san began with, “Well then.”

Ah, of course, I’m on Mama’s lap.

When I tried to sit next to them, she suddenly picked me up and made me sit on her lap.

“Regarding today’s shopping trip, is it correct to assume that Yuuta-sama will also be accompanying us?”

“Yes. It’s Yuu-chan’s strong wish.”

“Understood. However, due to security reasons, could we please go to the usual Gion Mall?”

“Is that okay, Yuu-chan?”

“Yeah. That works for me.”

Both of them are trying to respect my opinion as a child.

There’s no way I could say something selfish like that.

Or rather, for me, just being able to walk outside is more than enough.

I’ll gladly go anywhere!

“Well then, I will now explain the security measures.”

And so, Azuma-san’s explanation began.

I’ll skip the details, but basically, they want to have plainclothes bodyguards pretending to be regular people stick to me and Mom, secretly protecting us.

Well, if they bring them in like a boxer’s entrance, it’ll be obvious right away that there’s a man with them.

It’s only natural that it would come to this kind of proposal.

“Hey, Azuma-san.”

Once the explanation is over, I will ask the question that has been on my mind.

“How do you usually handle my security? I’ve never seen any of you before.”

“We usually stand by in the neighboring houses and constantly monitor and protect this house and its surroundings from the outside.”

“Huh? Which house in the neighborhood?”

“These are all the houses surrounding this building.”

“Huh!? All the neighbors are Azuma-san’s family!?”

“Our house, or rather, the waiting area for the guards. We live disguised as ordinary neighbors, pretending to be normal, so we can respond immediately to any situation that might arise.”

Oh, no.

In other words, it means that we never had any real neighbors from the beginning.

The houses I thought were my neighbors’ turned out to be security guard stations, and all my neighbors were actually my bodyguards.

…Is this The Truman Show?

However, with this, I was able to understand various things.

If there are so many bodyguards, won’t they stand out and make it obvious to everyone around that a man lives here? I was wondering about that.

Apparently, they are not standing in front of our house like gatekeepers, but are pretending to be local residents.

If that’s the case, the people living nearby won’t find it suspicious either.

As long as I don’t show my face directly, they won’t attract anyone’s attention.

As expected of bodyguards dispatched by the government.

But honestly, I’m a bit worried if they’re not having a hard time.

Because this is completely the life of a spy or an assassin, right?

Moreover, the person we’re supposed to protect isn’t some high-ranking official with state secrets or a key witness with evidence to put a crime syndicate boss behind bars—it’s just a six-year-old kid.

When I think that you’re on a mission that even sacrifices your private life for someone like me, I really feel sorry about it…

While I was thinking about such things, Azuma-san suddenly smiled gently.

“Yuuta-sama, you are so kind. It’s okay. The surveillance and security are done in shifts, and everyone is used to it. Above all, we take pride in this job, so every day is very enjoyable.”

“I-I see. I’m glad to hear that.”

Was my face that easy to read?

I can’t believe I got a response to something I thought out so precisely.

But well, if everyone is able to enjoy their work normally, that’s good.

There’s nothing more painful than a job you don’t want to do, right?

If people think that babysitting kids is really annoying, then I’d feel so sorry that I’d have to bow deeply in all four directions every day.

Yeah, as expected, these are the bodyguards sent by the country.

Even when Azuma-san sees me, she doesn’t get flustered at all.

From what I’ve seen on TV and the internet, it seems that women get excited just by seeing men.

In fact, they are so aggressive that sometimes they can’t hold back and it escalates into sexual crimes (with male victims).

Maybe that’s why Mama was cautious and called Azuma-san to this first reception room that looks like a prison interview room.

But in reality, Azuma-san remains calm even when she meets with me.

Well, since it’s just a six-year-old, there wouldn’t be any excitement or anything, so I wasn’t on high alert or anything either.

Whatever the case, we’re going out.

For me, it’s my first outing in life.

I am truly looking forward to it.

Odeke, odeke~♪