Living Normally In An Abnormal World - Chapter 51: Meeting the Boy 2

Chapter 51: Meeting the Boy

 On the promised Sunday, I met Toudo Satoru, the son of the Emperor, Toudo Haruki.

Since I’m coming as Grauzer, he won’t know my true face at all. I’ve also asked Haruki-san not to reveal my identity. However, since Haruki-san was able to find out, Satoru may eventually learn the truth too.

Or maybe he already knows.

But when I think about it, I have connections with the world’s number one noble, the world’s number two noble, and even the Emperor.

My web of connections is amazing.

But I don’t have time to think about that now.

Currently, I’m in a car that Haruki-san prepared to pick me up.

And sitting in front of me is a lady, or rather, Haruki-san herself. When I asked, she said she came to pick me up herself for my safety.

As I thanked Haruki-san, she said that it’s okay and it was a selfish request of her so this much should be natural.

During the ride to Haruki-san’s house, she asked me various questions.

Why did you decide to appear on the show? How did you train so hard? Can I touch your arm muscles? And so on.

In the end, she couldn’t resist and tried to touch me.

I had no reason to refuse so I allowed her. Haruki-san was surprised because she didn’t expect me to let her touch me, but she touched me anyway.

Fooh, these are male muscles… She reacted in a funny way.

After that, I heard that my existence is also recognized by the government.

Apparently, when my application was received, the organizers were so eager that they immediately hired me.

So, why does the government know about me?

If you think about it, it’s obvious. It’s because I go to school.

Don’t you remember? Boys’ compulsory education starts from junior high school. My age is around that of an elementary student, yet I attend elementary school like most female students.

The Board of Education couldn’t have missed that.

The Board of Education contacted the government, who immediately ordered the school to investigate my safety and movements.

A precious male. Moreover, it’s unacceptable to leave a young child unattended, as he might be attacked.

Furthermore, if I caused any trouble, I would be immediately expelled, but my conduct was so good that the talk of expulsion was dropped by the time I was in the second grade, or so I heard.

I didn’t ask any further. Or rather, I didn’t want to know. It just made my stomach hurt.

And finally, Haruki-san said,

“By the way, the Prime Minister also said she wanted to meet you.”

She dropped a bomb.

“Is that so… Please tell her that I’ll meet her if I have the opportunity.”

I could only give a diplomatic answer.

We arrived at the Toudo Residence and I changed to my Grauzer suit.

Then, Haruki-san guided me to Satoru.

I thought she would surprise him, but since we were already going to meet, she thought it would be better not to beat around the bush and just introduce me right away.

“Satoru, I brought Grauzer.”

“Wow! It’s really Grauzer! Grauzer! Pick me up!” 

(Why can he tell it’s the real Grauzer at a glance? Is it because of his gaze?)

Haruki thought.

Yuuto was surprised to see Satoru approaching him without any hesitation, but he quickly responded.

“Ah, more importantly, I’m really sorry. I ended up changing the date because of my selfishness.” 

“No, it’s fine! You came just like you said! I was a good boy and waited for you!”

“Then I’ll play with you a lot today.”

“Ehehe, yay! Let’s go outside and play now!”

Yuuto gives Satoru a piggyback ride and guides him outside.

And so, I was playing hanetsuki with Satoru.

Yeah, hanetsuki. The one you play in January. The rules are similar to badminton.

Satoru likes hanetsuki, so we ended up playing it.

Hanetsuki is basically a game of rallies, so it’s not dangerous.

Well, as long as it’s a rally.

That’s right, as long as it’s a rally.

“Teah!”

But Satoru suddenly smashes the shuttlecock at me. So I can’t help but return it in a way that makes it easier for Satoru to hit, and I make sure to hit it high so that he can hit it.

The hanetsuki shuttlecock is harder at the tip than a badminton shuttlecock, so it hurts a lot if it hits your body.

“Satoru-kun, hanetsuki is a game of rallies, you know?”

“Eh? I can’t rally!?”

“You can, but you should hit the shuttlecock more gently. Scoop it up from below.”

“Hee~, Mom and everyone didn’t say anything, so I thought this was fine!”

Probably, no one told him because they were enjoying his happy expression.

But now that I’ve told him, he should correct it…

“But it’s fine with Grauzer, right? I’ll go all out!”

Nope.

“Don’t do that to anyone but me, okay? It’s really dangerous.”

“Yes!”

He only said yes.

But will he be okay? The sound of the shuttlecock hitting the racquet was causing the servants’ gazes to be directed at me and Satoru.

I wonder if they’re worried. But the reason they’re worried is because no one taught him the proper rules.

Because I’m hitting the shuttlecock high, I have to return all of Satoru’s smashes.

“I lose. You’re amazing, Satoru-kun.”

“Waaai! I beat Grauzer!”

After a while of rallying, I made a mistake, and the shuttlecock flew in a strange direction.

Of course, it’s my loss, and I tell Satoru.

Satoru, overjoyed, jumps up and down several times. Seeing his reaction, I don’t think he’ll ever hate women.

“Hey, hey, let’s do a piggyback ride next!”

“All right, leave it to me.”

“There’s a garden over there, so let’s go for a walk!”

“Please guide me.”

“Yes!”

I walk while giving Satoru a piggyback ride.

(Even I, who has been serving him since birth, was never asked for a piggyback ride…)

The maid, somewhere, felt a pang of jealousy.

“Grauzer, aren’t you scared of women?”

“…… Why are you asking that?”

Satoru suddenly asks me a question while I’m giving him a piggyback ride and being guided by him through the garden.

“My mom told me. She said women are wolves, and I’m someone who would always be targeted by them. At first, I didn’t think so, but when I saw so many people looking at me, I thought what my mom said was true.”

“……”

“I was so scared. What should I do?”

It’s the pattern where he starts to hate women because he’s scared of their gazes. It’s natural to keep your distance to avoid the danger that you sense.

I see. But there’s nothing we can do about that. If we could’ve done something about it, the men of this world wouldn’t be worrying about it.

“It might be a harsh thing to say, but I don’t understand it either. It might be that it’s an instinct for women to seek rare and valuable men, which can’t be helped. Even though I live surrounded by women, it’s often the case that I’m seen in that way, even if I’m just a number among many.” 

“I see.”

I don’t mind because I’m not really scared of them. But that’s because I have memories of my previous life.

The residents of this word world, being scared of such gazes, is something that’s natural.

“…… Satoru-kun, why do you think your mom told you that women are wolves and that you’re their target?”

“Eh, because it’s dangerous…?”

“That’s right. We men are physically weaker than women. Even a girl your age can easily overpower you if they want to. So, what should you do? First, you should be cautious of women. That’s what your mom wants you to do.”

“But, why?”

“The servants and your mom aren’t always by your side. When the time comes, the one that’s going to protect you, is yourself.”

I told Satoru about my first time coming out in public, the scary experience I had back then.

“When I first went out in public, I was scared. So, don’t easily trust women. People can easily pretend to be good. Well, the people who scared me were obvious because they were already acting on it. But smart people won’t show it on their faces, and they’ll get into your heart and deceive you with their words.”

Hearing this, Satoru starts trembling.

It’s wrong, but not knowing anything is truly scary. So, I’ll tell him now.

“But you have people who care about you. Your mom and the servants are like that. For now, listen to them and follow their advice.”

“……”

“…… Do you hate your mom and the servants?”

“Of course not! I love them all!”

“Then, trust them. It’s important to be cautious of women, but it’s just as important to trust them.”

“All right, I trust them because I love them all!”

“That’s the best thing to do.”

Hmm, I guess this is all I can do. The rest is up to them.

“By the way, did you know that most adult men these days just stay at home all the time? They hate women afterall.”

“Eeh! It’s boring to stay at home all the time! It’s more fun to play outside!”

“That’s right.”

“But thanks to Grauzer, more people have started exercising!”

“Really?”

I should have taken it easy.

“Hey, hey, what does Grauzer’s face look like?”

A dreamless boy.

“Ask your mom about it.

“Eeh! I want Grauzer to show me!”

“Haahh… Fine I’ll take it off.”

“Yay!”

I take Satoru off my back and take off my mask before he can.

“Don’t expect too much.”

“It’s fine! I don’t expect anything like a scar on one eye or heterochromia!”

“You do expect it”

I take off my mask and show Satoru my true face.

“Hoe~, ah! Don’t put it back on right away!”

“No.”

“Then I’ll take it off!”

“Then I’ll run away.”

“That’s not fair! I can’t win!”

“Then give up.”

“Okay! Then I’ll call everyone!”

Ah, how underhanded!

“Grauzer, thank you so much today!”

“You’re welcome. I am quite happy as well that you enjoyed it..”

After that, I was chased by about 5 or 6 servants, and they caught me and took off my mask.

By the way, why didn’t she say my real name when she took off my mask? But since Satoru didn’t ask, I didn’t say it.

And now it’s time to go home.

“Hey, hey, can I see you again?”

“Yes, we can.”

“Will you be on TV?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Why?”

“It’s troublesome, and I feel more fulfilled running with my acquaintances than appearing on TV.”

“Eeh! Come on!”

“If someone meets that condition that I put out, then sure.”

“But if you do, I’ll definitely watch!”

“Okay, then I’ll do my best.”

“Yes, that’s the best.”

I pat Satoru’s head and get in the car. I wave goodbye to Satoru, who is waving at me from the car window.

Satoru, you were a good boy.

As I watch the scenery from the car window, I thought so.

And so, he will live a happy life, marrying the women he trusts… But that’s another story.