In This World That Favors Men, I... ~Starting a Sweet School Life in a World With a 1:8 Gender Ratio~ - 111

Chapter 111: Family Bonding Time

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“Yuko, it’s been almost a year. You’re like a delicate flower. Every time I see you, I’m overwhelmed with love. I love you.”

Whoa.

“Thank you. Kousei-kun, you haven’t changed at all either. I’m so happy you came back to Japan. I love you too.”

Ohhh.

A shower of lovey-dovey words exploded right before my eyes.

Mom was absolutely glowing with happiness, and Dad, radiating full-on adult male charm, was creating an atmosphere so sweet it was practically cloyingly sweet. Like, Gulab Jamun-level sweetness. (*Gulab Jamun: An Indian dessert often called the sweetest in the world.)

I mean, I get it. Yeah, I really do understand. A couple (though they’re married) joyfully reunited after a long separation… It’s a lovely sight to behold indeed. So it’s only natural that their switches would get flipped like this.

But….

Why is it that, when that couple turns out to be my parents, I feel all itchy and uncomfortable and like I want to disappear?

First off, to me, Mom fell into the “mother” category, so I didn’t see her as a woman—as in, not someone of the opposite sex. And the second, biggest reason was Dad’s appearance. He looked a lot like me—like, scarily similar. So it was like looking twenty years into my own future.

Of course, we were obviously different people despite our matching looks, but that just made it all the more surreal. So when he started throwing out lines that were as sweet as syrup with that expression on his face…

Is this how I look from the outside? During White Day, didn’t I say something even more cringe than that…? Ugh, so embarrassing. If we weren’t in public, I’d be writhing on the floor right now.

“Will you be staying in Japan for a while?”

“Yeah. I’ve got an event scheduled for mid-August, but most of the meetings are already done. Just the venue inspection and the event day are left, I think. Other than that, you could say I’m on an extended vacation.”

I see. So it’s work and a break at the same time.

“Really? It feels like a dream to have you all to myself. Wouldn’t the others be upset?”

“It’s fine. Catherine even arranged the flight to Japan for me and when I promised Lin Mei I’d visit her after Japan, she happily agreed.”

Huh?

“What about the other two?”

“As for Marie and Veronica, I’ve gone there to see them for work-related stuff, so there’s no need to worry.”

Uhhh?

“That’s great. Then maybe we can travel somewhere within the country?”

“I thought you’d say that, so I already booked the hotel to match your summer break. I’m sorry to the kids, but let’s go on a trip… Just the two of us.”

“Just the two of us? But…”

“Mom, you should totally go.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about us.”

We gave Mom a strong push.

“As expected of my kids. You’re all such wonderful children. Thank you. Just for a few days, let me have Yuko to myself. Sorry, but I’ll be counting on you to watch the house.”

When Dad said that and winked, he looked honestly charming. He didn’t look like someone in his forties at all.

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“Did Dad fall asleep?”

“Yes. I think he forced himself to stay awake on the plane because of the time difference. He’s completely out now. He said he’d be staying here while he’s in Japan, so take this as a chance to talk with him.”

Yeah, he was way too hyped earlier. That kind of energy must be exhausting.

“I was honestly shocked by how young Dad looked. Way more than I expected.”

“He’s kind of childish, right? He looks easygoing, but he’s actually pretty sensitive. Believe it or not, he’s calmed down a lot. He used to be more dreamy and floaty. Honestly, he felt like a bit of a loose cannon.”

I never would’ve guessed that, not with the wild-man vibe I got from our first meeting. But I guess he’s the dreamy type deep down?

“Really? He seemed like someone who just does his own thing.”

“Well, that’s true too. He’s a bit reckless. When he was younger, he went through a lot, and one day he suddenly said he wanted to travel the world alone to find his own answers. That really surprised me.”

Traveling the world solo? That’s not just reckless, that’s actually. .. Borderline insane?

“Wait, a young guy traveling the world alone?? Is that even possible?”

“I think it’s extremely rare. It’s incredibly dangerous, after all.”

Come to think of it, he did say earlier that he almost got kidnapped several times. So that wasn’t a joke?

“His outfit when he got here was wild too. Has he always dressed like that?”

“Let’s see… Kousei-kun has always been full of openings. When he first started traveling, he nearly got abducted several times.”

“Whoa. Was he okay?”

“Every time, some amazing woman would suddenly appear and rescue him. I can’t tell if he’s lucky or unlucky.”

“Are those the women you mentioned earlier?”

“Yes. Kousei-kun’s wives overseas. Besides me, there are four. Catherine, Lin Mei, Marie, and Veronica. They live in the UK, China, Madagascar, and Papua New Guinea, respectively.”

So he has five wives? And all of them are scattered all over the world. That sounds like a logistical nightmare.

“That’s quite the international mix.”

“Yes, it is. But considering how many countries he’s been to, the fact that there are only four others is practically a miracle. He’s extremely popular.  Especially with strong, dependable women.”

“So are they all like Mom—successful working women?”

“Even more powerful. Out of the five, I’m the most ordinary. The others run specialty trading companies, manage huge farms, and operate all sorts of businesses like logistics and warehousing.”

That’s… Intense.

“Yes, they’re all incredible. You’ll understand when you meet them, but they’re full of energy, confident, and have both social status and wealth. But somehow, when they’re with Kousei-kun, they all turn into regular girls.”

So he’s a natural-born lady-killer? Even if we look alike, I might not be in the same league as him.

“But wasn’t there a language barrier?”

“They spoke English, so they communicated in English at first. But the women all said they wanted to speak Kousei-kun’s native language and studied Japanese like crazy. Now they all speak Japanese.”

An international love story. Even the language barrier didn’t stand a chance. 

Love is powerful indeed.

“Wow. He’s really loved. But even with all those wives, he doesn’t have kids with anyone but Mom?”

“Not yet. But I think that’ll change soon.”

“Huh. So I might end up with siblings around the world. That’s kind of surreal.”

“It is. Kousei-kun is like a butterfly flitting among beautiful flowers… But I get the feeling he’s ready to settle down soon. I really do.”

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