In This World That Favors Men, I... ~Starting a Sweet School Life in a World With a 1:8 Gender Ratio~ - 123

Chapter 123: The Fireworks Festival at the End of Summer

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August would end tomorrow. To show appreciation for the girls who had worked hard on their entrance exam studies over summer break, Houjou had organized a wrap-up party, and I had come to the pier where we were all supposed to meet.

“Thanks for inviting me today. Still, renting out a whole cruise to watch the fireworks is pretty extravagant.”

“Keiko-san set it all up. She wanted everyone to have fun before it’s time for us to study for the exam in all seriousness.”

“Are you sure it’s okay if we don’t pay anything?”

“Yeah. In exchange, I’ll hand out a little questionnaire booklet later, so please share your thoughts. It’s got a few pages, but it’s mostly just checking boxes, so it shouldn’t take much time.”

“I’ll fill it out carefully.”

An unexpected gift from Miyoshi-san, Houjou’s elder partner. In August, everyone’s schedules had been scattered between boys and girls, so we hadn’t had many chances to hang out together. We gratefully accepted the generous offer.

“But are you sure it’s okay for Yui and the others to join too?”

“Of course. Some boys from Class C are coming too, so it’s actually helpful to have you come to even out the numbers.”

Now that I think about it, everyone else is already paired up.

The attendees this time included five boys and eight girls from Class A, three boys from Class C, Saitou’s wife and daughter, Yui, and her friends Tahara-san and Sagara-san. A total of twenty-one people.

“What about Yuuki’s older sisters?”

“Keiko-san specifically said not to invite any older, unmarried women. Besides, this time we just wanted to have fun with people from our own school. Saitou’s wife is a graduate, so she’s a perfect fit.”

“Wait, really?! Saitou’s wife is a senpai?”

“Ah, that’s right. You wouldn’t know since you transferred in, Takeda. Saitou and Akechi-senpai ended up together after this dramatic romance, like something out of a movie.”

“Whoa, I can’t even picture that.”

That cool, stoic Saitou in a dramatic romance situation? I’m dying to know the details. Also, this is the first time I’ve learned of his wife’s maiden name.

In this world, it was common for married couples to live separately and keep their own surnames, but they could also choose the “optional same-surname system” if they wanted to share a name, like my parents and the Saitous did. Since their daughter was born earlier this year, Saitou had taken on the role of a very hands-on dad, and he hadn’t been showing up to these gatherings at all. But this time, he was here—with his whole family. That made me really happy.

“This cruiser has several bedrooms, so it’s fine even if they bring their baby. I told him he should come out to refresh a little, and that convinced him to join us.”

“Makes sense. If the baby cries or gets sleepy, having a separate room would definitely help.”

“Plus, changing diapers or breastfeeding would be easier and more comfortable with a separate room, right? That’s all Keiko-san’s advice, though.”

Wow. That was definitely the kind of thoughtful touch you’d expect from an older woman.

“Wait, are Miyoshi-san and Saitou’s wife acquaintances?”

“Nope, I don’t think so. She just said it must be tough trying to balance school and raising a child.”

“Saitou’s wife is a college student?”

“Yeah. She’s on a break for child-rearing now, but Saitou said she plans to return in the fall semester and earn credits through online classes.”

“She’s going to go back to university already? But the baby is still small.”

“That’s pretty normal here. Actually, a year-long leave like hers is on the longer side for pre- and postnatal breaks.”

Ah, right. I’d heard that this world had excellent childcare support systems, and that women often returned to work as soon as their bodies had recovered after giving birth.

“Being a woman seems really hard.”

“I think so too. That’s why I hope they can enjoy today’s party. Anyway, it’s about time—shall we board the boat?”

“Huh? But what about everyone else?”

I looked around, but there was no one else around besides me and Houjou. Yui had left the house earlier, saying she had something to take care of, so I came here alone.

“Everyone’s already on the boat, so don’t worry. It’s just us left.”

“Then why were you waiting out here all this time?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Still puzzled, I followed Houjou as he led the way.

“This is the boat.”

Whoa. A dazzling, sparkling white luxury cruiser.

“Matsunaga-san, thank you for waiting.”

“Thank you for choosing Miyoshi Tours today. Everyone else is already aboard. Please watch your step as you board.”

I was ushered onto the cruiser, but there was no one on the deck. Huh?

“Where is everyone?”

“They’re in the cabin on the first floor. That’s where the party is. If you go down to the aft deck, there’s a door to the cabin—just head in through there. I’ve got something to discuss with Matsunaga-san, so can you go on ahead?”

“Got it.”

I held onto the handrail and went down to the aft deck, but no one was there either. 

Everyone is already inside? On a ship like this? 

Then again, maybe they were still setting up the food and drinks. I opened the door, still questioning things in my head—and then:

POP! Pop-pop-pop! POP! POP!

The sound of party poppers exploding in quick succession made my heart leap.

“Surprise! Happy Birthday, Yuusei!”

Colorful streamers flew at me one after another, and shimmering confetti rained down from above. 

This… This is going to be a pain to clean up later, isn’t it?

I froze, still wearing a stunned expression, unable to react.

“Success! He totally didn’t notice!”

“No way, anyone else would’ve caught on. That’s Takeda for you.”

“C’mon, come in already! Everyone worked really hard to set this up!”

A few people pulled me into the cabin. It had been completely transformed into a party venue. The walls were beautifully decorated, the tables were piled high with food, and right in the center sat a giant birthday cake.

“Well? Did we pull it off?”

I heard Houjou’s voice from behind me.

“Houjou, this is nothing like what you said earlier!”

I turned around and protested. I’d thought this was just a thank-you party for the girls.

“Well, it’s a surprise, after all. But everything I said before was true too. I just figured, since we’re all here, why not celebrate Takeda’s birthday as well?”

“It is today, after all.”

“Okay, everyone! One more time!”

“One,two, three! Happy 18th Birthday, Yuusei!”

What the…? Everyone was looking at me with the brightest smiles.

“Happy birthday. Chu♡”

“Congrats, Yuusei-kun. Chu♡”

“Eighteen, huh? Chu-chu♡”

Yuu, Shizu, and Coco ran up to me. They hugged me shyly, and kissed me on the cheek. Then they draped a colorful lei made of artificial flowers around my neck.

Kissing me on the cheek in front of everyone…!

It was unbelievably embarrassing and made me blush hard, but at the same time, a warm, gentle feeling slowly spread through my chest and filled me up with warmth.

“Thank you, everyone. This is… the happiest birthday I’ve ever had.”

I think I might actually tear up. What should I do?

“Yeah, we totally nailed it. Okay, let’s all gather around teary-eyed Takeda and make a toast. Saitou, can you go get Yume-senpai and Nozomi-chan?”

Apparently, they had gone to a bedroom on the lower deck because the noise from the poppers wouldn’t be good for the baby.

“We’ll put the cake in the fridge for now since the cream won’t hold up. We’ll be setting sail soon, so please take some motion sickness medicine, okay?”

After everyone began chatting and had eaten and drunk to their heart’s content, the birthday cake made its return, now lit with eighteen candles. This was followed by a chorus of “Happy Birthday to You”  and one wish before blowing them out.

“May we all gather again with smiles next year too!”

With a deep breath and a strong puff, all the flames went out at once.

“Perfect! Alright, let me cut it up!”

Once the cake was finished, it was time to set off on an exploration of the boat. Opportunities to board such a magnificent cruiser didn’t come around often, so everyone was giddy with excitement. The rear deck had wooden flooring with tables and benches, where you could enjoy food and drinks while watching the ship’s foamy wake. But the most popular spot was the upper deck.

“Wow! The view is amazing.”

On the open-sky deck above the cabin, besides the control seat, there was a U-shaped sofa big enough to seat more than ten people.

“Hey, want to try going over there?”

Since we had a big group today, we split into two, and our group moved to the front deck. We were at the very front of the ship. An incredible panoramic view of nothing but ocean in all directions made it feel like the entire world was ours in that moment. As we watched the bay bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, night fell. It was just about time for the fireworks show to begin.

Boom! Boom! 

With thunderous roars like claps of thunder, fireworks whooshed into the sky one after another.

“Wow, amazing.”

“They’re so big. It’s strange how they don’t fall back down.”

“Beautiful…”

Sparks danced like falling stars—flowers of light in every size and shape. A flood of light painted the sky like a cascading waterfall. While we were lying down on thick rugs, everyone held hands and snuggled close as we gazed upward. The fireworks we saw together like that looked more brilliant than any we’d ever seen before.

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