In This World That Favors Men, I... ~Starting a Sweet School Life in a World With a 1:8 Gender Ratio~ - 135

Chapter 135: Trick or Treat

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While holding the cookies, each one cutely wrapped, I got into the location van and headed toward the kindergarten. We had already checked for food allergies in advance, and all the children scheduled to meet me could safely eat the cookies.

“The kids are apparently really energetic, so do your best, okay?”

Even if you tell me to do my best… I usually don’t have any contact with little kids, so I have no idea what to expect.

Apparently, we’d be visiting the oldest class, so they were probably around five or six years old, right? Compared to the JK tackle I took during the freshman orientation recreation, this should be a breeze… Hopefully?

“All the children are girls, right?”

“That’s correct. Boys don’t attend general kindergartens.”

It seemed that, due to concerns like potential kidnappings, boys were either placed in highly secure daycare facilities or cared for at home by dispatched sitters who also acted as bodyguards. That was why kindergartens in this world were separated by gender.

“So basically, the kids aren’t very used to being around men? Is it really okay for me to show up dressed like this?”

“I think you’ll be fine in the way you’re worried about. But it could be dangerous in a different sense.”

“Dangerous? But they’re just kids?”

“Exactly because they’re kids!”

Feeling a bit uneasy at the staff member’s emphatic tone, I arrived at the site. So as not to be spotted by the children, I headed to the principal’s office to greet the staff first.

“Thank you for having me today.”

Following the show staff’s lead, I bowed to the kind-looking elderly principal.

“My, my. You look even more wonderful in person than you do in the commercial. And that outfit suits you perfectly, too. The children don’t know that you’ll be coming, so I’m sure they’ll be very surprised.”

“Today everyone will get Halloween treats! It’s a bit early, but who’s excited for treats?!”

“““Me——!”””

“But to get treats, you need to say the magic words. Can everyone say them? Ready, go!”

“““Trick or treat!”””

“That’s right! Very well done. Now, a big friend who brought treats is about to appear. Let’s welcome him with a round of applause!”

On the other side of the door, the children were sitting neatly on the floor in the classroom, listening to the teacher. The hallway was decorated with Halloween ornaments, likely handmade by the teachers and kids. I stood there, waiting for my cue.

Besides me, two program staff members were also in costume, along with a cameraman, lighting technician, and sound operator. Naturally, I was the only man present.

“Alright, you’re up!”

The door opened, and a bit nervously, I stepped into the classroom.

“……”

Huh? Silence? The kids who had been so loud just a second ago suddenly went quiet. Their eyes went wide, and they stared straight at me.

Did I overdo it with the costume? I mean, a vampire can be scary, right? What do I do now?

“Vampire Prince?”

A single high-pitched voice from one of the children broke the silence. With that, the classroom suddenly burst back into noise.

“It’s the Vampire Prince!”

“Not the anime—he’s real?”

“Vampire Prince Ruthven-samaaaa!”

“Then are those ladies Carmilla and Laura? They don’t really look like them.”

“But Ruthven-sama is cooler than in the anime!”

Thank goodness. They were excited, but not scared.

“Vampire Prince Ruthven.” I’d heard this costume was from a popular anime among young girls. It seemed they recognized the character I was cosplaying. Looked like I’d be able to hand out the treats as planned.

Just as I was feeling relieved that the children had accepted me, the girl who had spoken first cried out again.

“The prince, the prince has come to take his eternal bride—!”

That sparked another uproar, and the children who had been sitting so properly suddenly stood up all at once.

“Ruthven——!”

Shouting the name of the character I was dressed as, they all rushed toward me. Wait, hold on. The cameras were rolling, but I have no idea what I was supposed to do.

“Ruthven, take me with you!”

“Make me your bride!”

“Move! No monopolizing!”

“I’ll be the bride!”

“Ruthven, pick me up——!”

“Ouch! Don’t push!”

“I got the Half-Naked Prince!”

“Caught you! I’ll never let go!”

“Sign the marriage certificate!”

“Kiss of true love, please!”

W-What about the cookies?! Don’t cling to my legs! No climbing on me! Who’s trying to take off my clothes?! And where did you even learn to say stuff like that!?

Surrounded by little girls—some literally hanging off me—I couldn’t move an inch. Just as I was panicking, the homeroom teacher clapped her hands high above her head.

“Alright, eyes on me! Anyone who wants to marry Ruthven-sama in the future, please form a single line here. Only a well-mannered lady can become his eternal bride.”

There was a brief struggle to be first in line, but with the teachers’ expert guidance, the girls quickly lined up. As expected, they really knew how to handle kids.

“Only those who say the Halloween magic words properly and shake hands with Ruthven-sama like a lady will get a ‘Someday My Prince Will Come Cookie’!”

Uh, it’s just a regular Halloween cookie though. Wait, maybe that’s a real item from the anime?

“Trick or treat! Sumire’s special skill is origami. Please make me your bride.”

“Truck or athlete! Nonoka is really fast at running!”

“Trick-ocean-blue! Our honeymoon will be on a tropical island!”

Each time I held out my hand for a handshake, some kids would grip it tightly with both hands, others would rub it strangely, some would try to jump-hug me, or cling to my waist—it was all kinds of chaos.

Wow, this Ruthven-sama guy is seriously popular. 

But I was really surprised when one girl said, “I’m a fan of Half-Naked-kun!” Honestly, being called that by a kindergartener gave me mixed feelings, but I guess that meant she recognized me.

Showered with affection by adorable little girls, I safely finished handing out the treats. All that was left was the promotional announcement to wrap up the shoot.

“This is the announcement flipboard for the year-end special.”

Holding the card I was handed, I looked straight into the camera and read the announcement for the location tour participants.

“This is a call for participants in EXA Kitchen’s year-end special project, Let’s Visit the Pudding Factory! It’s a one-day bus tour visiting the factory where the well-known ‘Ultimate Hexagon Pudding’ is made, as well as the poultry farms and ranches that supply its ingredients. If you’d like to join, please check the program website for more details and apply there.”

“OK! Great job!”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Phew. It’s finally over. Kids are cute, but they’re way more energetic than I imagined. I really have to respect kindergarten teachers.

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