Just Being Alive Is Amazing: Starting Life Over in a Chastity-Reversed World

Chapter 7: The Common Sense of This World

Author’s Note: This section lists details about the world-building. You can skip it without missing much… maybe?

“Can I ask about bodyguards and maids?”

I’m currently being taught about this world’s common sense by Ichijo Reina-san, the secretary assigned to me, who came with my mother.

“Of course. A bodyguard is a protector assigned to a male when they reach their first year of high school to ensure their safety. They have numerous privileges, such as being allowed to carry weapons if applied for in advance.”

So men don’t just get secretaries but bodyguards too? And they can carry weapons… Is this world that dangerous? With a gender ratio of 1:200, are women that desperate to get a hold of men?

“Next, maids are personnel who take care of a man’s daily needs. Nowadays, even married couples rarely live together, and most people leave cooking, laundry, and cleaning to maids. However, unlike bodyguards and secretaries, maids aren’t mandatory.”

Maids are just what they sound like. But in this world, people don’t live together even after marriage? It’s like having a commuting spouse is the norm.

“I see. How are bodyguards and maids chosen?”

“Bodyguards and maids are typically selected by the secretary and the man’s guardian. In some cases, the man himself may choose directly. By the way, secretaries are also chosen by the guardian.”

As she said this, Ichijo-san glanced at Mom.

“Ichijo-san was chosen by me. I picked her before your accident, so I thought we might need to reselect a secretary since you lost your memories, but it seems like there’s no issue at all.”

“So that’s how it was… Sorry for worrying you. But I think I can get along well with Ichijo-san. She’s answering my questions so thoroughly.”

“No, no. I’m glad to be of help. I’ve compiled detailed information on that tablet, so please read it when you have time.”

When I said I thought I’d get along with Ichijo-san, she looked a bit embarrassed.

Wait, so Ichijo-san put together this material? I thought Dr. Kudo had done it. I’ll read it until everyone comes for visiting hours.

Today was just a meet-and-greet, and Ichijo-san has to return to the Men’s Ministry. It was a short time, but I could tell she’s serious and considerate. After saying goodbye, she left the room with Mom.

“Well, Takuya-san, I’ll take my leave as well. If anything comes up, use the nurse call as usual.”

“Yes, understood.”

Dr. Kudo saw them off, checked my condition, and then left the room.

Now that I’m alone, let’s take a look at the materials Ichijo-san prepared.

After Ichijo-san and the others left, I started reading through the materials she’d prepared.

Long ago, the gender ratio was nearly equal, like in the world I knew, but an unknown virus caused the ratio of newborn children to skew dramatically. Fortunately, a vaccine was developed to prevent further imbalance, saving humanity from extinction. However, the gender ratio of newborns never returned to normal, eventually stabilizing at 1:200, matching the population’s ratio.

Currently, men’s libido and physical functions have declined, leading them to reject women and avoid interaction, which is a serious issue. To combat population decline, research is being conducted worldwide. Meanwhile, women’s libido has been increasing. With a 1:200 gender ratio and heightened female libido… that explains why bodyguards are necessary. Over time, physical builds have also reversed, and now women are, on average, taller than men.

Men are required to marry five women and have children. From age 16, they must submit semen monthly for artificial insemination, a process called “semen extraction.” The reason for requiring natural conception through marriage, despite artificial insemination, is that natural conception has a slightly higher chance of producing male children.

Interestingly, marrying sisters is allowed, as the risk of genetic diseases can be mostly suppressed with medication. However, marrying multiple sisters only counts as one wife toward the quota. For example, if I married four sisters, I’d still need to marry four more women to meet the requirement. This is because, even with medication, the risk of genetic issues can’t be reduced to zero.

This is the common sense of this world, as explained in Ichijo-san’s materials. A 1:200 gender ratio with increased female libido… This world is far too different from the one I knew. Without this knowledge, like Mom said, I wouldn’t be able to step outside.

Knowing this world’s common sense, I don’t think I can look at women the same way anymore. I’ll probably start wondering how they see me. Unlike the men of this world, I don’t think I’m afraid of women, likely due to my past-life memories. In fact, I feel a normal level of libido and even want to interact with women.

I can slightly understand why the men here might fear women. But for me, it’s 10% anxiety and 90% excitement. I can’t believe this world is only dangerous for men. The people who welcomed me into their family despite my amnesia proved that to me. If this were a purely dangerous world, I wouldn’t have felt such warmth.

And the goddess said my mission is to be happy. Since I was reincarnated here as an apology, it’s hard to believe this would be a dangerous world.

I’m determined to interact with many women in this world, making myself and those around me happy. That’s what I believe I’m meant to do.

First, I need to heal my injuries and get healthy again.