In This World That Favors Men, I... ~Starting a Sweet School Life in a World With a 1:8 Gender Ratio~ - 44-45

Chapter 44: Confession Time

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Apparently, the order of confessions had already been decided among the girls, so everything proceeded smoothly. As expected, the ones who came on the strongest were those three I often hung out with.

◆ Kyoko Arima

“Takeda-kun. To be honest, at first, I was just a little interested in you. Because, well, you’re really good-looking. But after spending time with you, playing together with you, and spending my school life with you, I’ve come to love everything about you. So much that I can’t even imagine being with anyone else but you. I don’t really have any standout talents, but despite how I might seem, I’m not the jealous type. I’m confident that I can support you while getting along well with the other girls, too. So, I think I can create a comfortable place where you can always drop by whenever you feel like it. Takeda-kun, please accept my feelings.♡”

◆ Shizu Takahashi

“I’ve been watching you for a long time. I know I’m not very noticeable, and compared to others, I probably didn’t have many chances to make my feelings clear. But as I watched you, I kept thinking… If it’s you… I think I could build a warm and peaceful home together. And I’m not just talking during happy times, but even when you’re struggling or feeling down. I want to be by your side and comfort you. You’re the only person who has ever made me feel that way in my entire life. Please, let me have a place by your side. Will you accept my feelings?”

◆ Yuuko Kobayakawa

“Takeda-kun, I’ve liked you from the very first moment I saw you. But it’s not just your looks. I love everything about you. Of course, I absolutely adore your appearance, but I also love how you always eat what I make with such enthusiasm and how you get flustered around girls in such a pure way. There are so many things I love about you that I could keep listing them forever. And I truly, from the bottom of my heart, wish I could always be with you. I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. Will you accept my feelings?”

In addition to them, I also received confessions from three other girls in my class, making it a total of six. Even during the free time afterward, I got quite a few confession chocolates from girls I didn’t know very well.

I mean… I know it’s probably inappropriate to say this in this world, but—

“Uh… Isn’t this… A bit too much?”

That was my honest impression after receiving all those confessions.

Don’t get me wrong—I was really happy to be confessed to. I mean, having girls tell me they like me? Of course, that made me happy.

But, well, the kind of Valentine’s confession I had imagined was based on my past life. For example, a girl shyly saying…

“This is kind of embarrassing, but… I like you.♡ Please go out with me!”

…You know, something sweet and innocent, like both of us being love beginners or something. That was the vague, fluffy image I had in my head. I understood that the fact we were about to become third-years—soon-to-be exam students—was a big deal. I got that, for them, this was their last chance, their final battle. Still, no matter how I looked at it, the words I had received from the girls were serious marriage proposals. They weren’t asking me out. They were asking me to marry them.  The gap between my expectations and reality was just way too big.

So, in the end, all I could do was accept the chocolates, say “thank you,” and nod. I couldn’t give any easy answer. I had to think about my answer carefully. I knew that much, at least.  But what was I supposed to do now? When was I supposed to give them an answer? And how? No matter how much I thought about it alone, I couldn’t find an answer. So, I decided to ask someone who actually knew what they were doing.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You have until White Day to give your answer. Take your time and think it through.”

Wait, really? I had a whole month? I could really let them wait for a whole month?!

“Is it really okay to make them wait that long?”

“This is a life-changing decision for both sides. Don’t you think that kind of time is actually necessary? You wouldn’t be able to decide right away either, right?”

Fair enough.

“But what exactly am I supposed to do when I give my answer?”

“…Takeda. How have you handled this in the past? Don’t tell me you’ve never gotten chocolates before?”

They looked at me in disbelief. Well… Yeah, I guess that reaction was fair.

“Just follow the standard format.” 

They said, saving me from my silence.

“Standard format?”

“Oh, geez. You really don’t get it. Saitou, you explain it to him.”

As always, Saitou stepped in to explain things clearly for my clueless self. There were three general ways to respond:

-Agree to date with the intention of marriage.

-Put marriage on hold but date them as a potential future spouse.

-Reject them outright, making it clear there was no possibility of marriage or dating at this time.

Wow. The responses were that straight-on? I was taken aback, but they quickly set me straight.

Of course, the answer had to be that clear.  For women, the biological clock was a serious factor. The girls who had worked hard to get into this school and had even made it into Class A or B were all strongly hoping to start families in the future. They studied desperately every day to secure that opportunity.

Youth is finite. 

In this world, where women having careers was the norm, planned pregnancy and childbirth were standard practices. High school was the time when career-driven women were expected to have their life plans clearly mapped out. That said, pregnancy and childbirth weren’t entirely within human control—there was still an element of fate to it. But in female-dominated workplaces, while people were generally understanding of these matters, not having a plan would be frowned upon.

Man… I had been way too naive about all this. Seeing how serious the girls were about their futures, I realized that I had to think seriously and give them a proper answer too.

That thought hit me harder than ever.

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Chapter 45: SNS After Confession

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Kyoko: Phew. I was really nervous.

Yuuko: Wasn’t the lighting in the prep room kind of insane? That sunset glow was so romantic. Seeing the prince under that lighting… He was just too gorgeous. My heart totally went ba-dump all over again.

Shizu: I get that. Even though I had steeled myself for it, I couldn’t help but hesitate for a moment, wondering, “Is it really okay for someone like me to confess to someone this good-looking?”

Kyoko: Right?! I think I managed to say all the lines I had prepared, but… I wonder how it’ll turn out.

Shizu: I hope it goes well. I’m already behind compared to you two, so I’d even be okay with just being a candidate among the candidates.

Yuuko: What if he rejects me? What if he rejects me? What if he rejects me? Was that the right thing to say? Maybe it was too much… I should’ve kept it lighter. What do I dooo?!

Hina: Now all that’s left is to wait for the results. Ufufu.

Kyoko: Oh? Hina, you’re awfully calm about this. Don’t tell me you already got a good reaction?

Hina: Well… Something like that, I guess?

Mika: Wait, wait, what? You already got an OK? Isn’t that way too fast?

Hina: Not exactly an OK… but Houjou-chi invited me to visit his Elder Partner over spring break♡.

Kyoko: Wait, what?! Doesn’t that basically mean it’s a yes?

Hina: Umm… I don’t think it’s quite that far yet. I think the official answer will depend on how well I get along with his Elder Partner.

Shizu: I’m sure you’ll be fine, Hina. You’re great at getting along with other girls. So jealous! But congrats. Do your best over spring break!

Hina: Thanks! I’ll give it my all. Oh, but apparently during spring break, Houjou-chi and his Elder will be at a ski resort, and some of the guys from Class A and C might be coming along too.

Mika: Huh? What do you mean?

Hina: Sorry, I didn’t get any details, so I’m not sure either.

Mika: A ski resort, huh… If Yuuki-kun is going, I kinda wish I could go too.

Hina: Go with him? Does that mean you confessed to Yuuki-kun and got a positive response?

Mika: Umm… Kind of? His reaction was neutral. It was neither good nor bad. So I want to create another opportunity and give him one more push.

Saki: Oh wow. So Mika, you too? I had the same kind of reaction.

Mika: Then… Does that mean there’s still a chance for us?

Saki: Knowing Yuuki-kun’s personality, he’ll probably stay indifferent until the official announcement. At least, I hope so.

Mika: Yeah, that’s possible. Guess I won’t give up yet and try to stay hopeful. Still, I can’t stop thinking about that ski trip. Who else is going?

Hina: I’ll let you know when I find out.

Mika: Thanks!

Hina: So, for this round of confessions, in our class, six girls confessed to the prince, two to Saitou-kun, three to Yuuki-kun, four to Uesugi-kun, three to Houjou-chi, and two to guys from Class B. The confessions were pretty spread out this time.

Mika: Do we know how many confessions came from other classes or grades?

Shizu: Since Valentine’s in second year is serious business, I doubt anyone confessed unless they had at least some chance.

Yuuko: Nope, they definitely did. I was only watching the prince, but at least six girls came to him during the free time after the Joyful class gathering.

Shizu: What?! That many?

Yuuko: I was keeping track while cleaning up, so yes. I’m pretty sure.

Ran: Uesugi-kun got about the same number. Just as expected, the competition is fierce.

Chika: Yeah, it was even more than I anticipated.

Ran: Uesugi-kun didn’t react badly or anything, but considering the odds, it’s gonna be tough.

Chika: Ugh, this is so nerve-wracking. Since Uesugi-kun seems like someone with weak defenses, everyone probably went all out with their confessions, right?

Ran: Most likely. Meanwhile, hardly anyone approached Saitou-kun, who seems to have a solid guard up, or Yuuki-kun, who looks like he’d just brush things off. Guess everyone’s thinking the same thing.

Hina: Houjou-chi got a decent number of confessions from other classes too. But no way am I losing when it comes to making an impression!

Kyoko: Wish I had that confidence. I’m really not sure about my chances.

Shizu: Really? I feel like you have a good shot, Kyoko. That busty summer swimsuit appeal definitely worked.

Yuuko: …So, does that mean the prince prefers bigger chests? I’ve heard that guys like them big. Even if it’s artificial… Would that still be okay? If it is, I might seriously consider getting implants. Anyone know a good clinic?

Hina: Whoa, whoa, hold up! Yuuko, don’t rush into anything!

Shizu: Yeah! Even if you add a little silicone in your chest, it’s not gonna beat Kyoko’s naturally massive assets.

Yuuko: Ugh… If it’s a battle between natural and artificial, I guess natural wins every time.

Chika: Hmm, but I wonder… How does it really work in practice? Guys’ preferences are a mystery.

Ran: Well, I’ve heard it’s not just about size—shape matters too. So don’t give up just yet!

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