Living Normally In An Abnormal World

Chapter 9.1: The Party

“It’s finally here.”

Now, for the main event. Well, I’m just here to enjoy the party and make sure Maria doesn’t embarrass herself.

As I thought, my outfit is drawing attention. And with Maria and Erina here, it’s even more noticeable.

“By the way, what am I supposed to do?”

Oh right, I forgot. They wanted me to participate as a pair, but I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. If it’s dancing, I’m doomed because I have no experience. I hope it’s something like a bingo tournament that doesn’t require any skills.

Plus, we haven’t even entered the venue yet. We seem to be waiting for something behind the scenes.

“Please stay by my side as we enter.”

I stand between Maria and Erina.

(Entrance? Ah, I see. It’s because Erina is hosting the party. It’s common for the main person to make an entrance.)

‘Thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules. We will now begin the Tachibana family-hosted party.’

Here it comes… I’m incredibly nervous. I never expected to make an entrance like this in my life. Well, I’d be nervous either way even if I was just part of the audience.

‘Please gather in front. ‘

As instructed, people gathered in front of the stairs we’ll be descending, and the lights in the room went out. The only thing illuminated is the staircase we’ll be using, drawing everyone’s attention.

‘Now, please direct your attention to the central staircase. The entrance of Tachibana Erina, Tachibana Maria, and their partner, Kinoshita Yuuto.’

The orchestra begins to play.

(Seriously? I have to enter in front of all these people…)

My heart was pounding harder and harder.

“It’s okay, Yuuto. I’m here with you.”

“Fufu, don’t worry, Yuuto. We’ll support you if anything happens.”

They noticed my nervousness and tried to calm me down. Whew… Well, let’s get this over with.

“Thank you.”

I was escorted and guided by the two of them as we made our entrance.

◆◆◆◆

The people in the venue were experiencing a level of shock they had never felt before.

This was because a man was wearing a wedding dress.

The men were astonished to see a man in a wedding dress for the first time in history, while the women were captivated by his beauty. Anyone would believe them if they said they were having a surprise wedding today.

In fact, I thought they were going to get married.

Even those who had seen it beforehand couldn’t believe their eyes. Seeing a man in a wedding dress was like a dream, and they were thrilled just by looking at him.

However, the man in the wedding dress was unsteady on his feet, almost stumbling once, but Tachibana Erina and Maria caught him. From a distance, it was clear that he was bowing his head and saying, “Thank you,” as they exchanged loving glances.

After the entrance, Tachibana Erina, the current head of the Tachibana family, gave a brief greeting.

“Thank you all for coming to the party I’m hosting. I hope you enjoy your time here today.”

However, everyone was more interested in learning about the man by her side.

“And regarding the attire of my daughter’s partner, Kinoshita Yuuto, we are not getting married today. This is just a trial, and we wanted to show him off to everyone.”

But aren’t you going to get married someday? I thought to myself as I listened to her explanation.

“Now, we’ll have some free time, followed by a bingo tournament.”

Everyone rushed towards the Tachibana family and their partner.

The women wanted to talk to the Tachibana sisters, while the men approached Kinoshita Yuuto.

◆◆◆◆

“I’ve never seen a guy wear a wedding dress before.”

That was the first thing they said to me. Well… I understand how you feel.

“So… what’s it like? What does it feel like to wear a wedding dress?”

“Well, this is actually my first time attending a party, and this is the dress I’m wearing on that first time.”

“Seriously? That’s a high level!”

Are you some kind of amazing guy? It’s a totally different reaction, you know? I thought they’d be like, “Ew, that’s gross,” but maybe guys are nicer to each other?

“I think I’ll try wearing one next time…”

“Oh? That’s a great idea!”

“Let’s all wear wedding dresses at the next party!”

No, you should wear it at your own actual wedding. And you’re really into this, huh?

“So, you’re all here as pairs, right? What do your partners think about this?”

“Well, they don’t really care. They just came for the money. Plus, they give me creepy looks, so I keep my distance because I’m afraid they’ll eat me if I get too close.”

The guys nodded in agreement.

I understand how you feel. Some of the teachers and upperclassmen at school gave me those kinds of looks too.

“It’s only natural for you to feel out of place since you didn’t come here for the money, unlike the rest of us.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“I wish I could find a woman who loves me too…”

Hmm…

“…I don’t need a woman.”

“They’re just a nuisance.”

“But I want to be loved.”

“They’re only after your body.”

…But most of the guys here still dislike women, huh. It seems like finding someone to love in this world is difficult, even if you want to.

After all, everyone here is good-looking enough to be a host.

“Maybe you’ll be the first one to get married.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration, isn’t it?”

“I was just saying it casually.”

“Well, we’ve been paid, so let’s head back to our partners. Plus, if we stay here any longer, the Tachibana family might get annoyed.”

“Get away from me! Don’t come too close!”

“Yeah, that’s what they’ll say. See you later.”

“Okay, take care.”

And with that, they all left. However, a few guys remained. Did they have something else to say to me? I wanted to get back to the Tachibana family too.

“Hey, come here for a sec.”

“……Okay.”

It was obvious that they were hostile. Yeah, that’s the reaction I was looking for. If they had liked me right away, I would’ve been the one on guard out of cautiousness.

Also, I just realized this, but isn’t this dangerous?

They led me to a secluded area where no one else was around.

“Hey, you… Aren’t you getting a little too full of yourself because the Tachibana family likes you?”

Y-E-S!

“Well, it feels good to be liked by someone, doesn’t it?”

“It’s weird for someone like you, who looks like you’re from the commoner class, to be with someone as noble as the Tachibana family.”

“That’s not for you or me to decide.”

“Yes, it is! It’s my decision!”

What a troublesome guy. And who raised you to be such a spoiled, narcissistic brat?

“Then why didn’t you become her partner?”

“……”

“You got rejected, huh?”

“Shut up!”

He was about to punch me. How low is your boiling point? But I didn’t want to cause any problems, especially not here, and I certainly didn’t want to damage or stain Sakata-san’s wedding dress.

“Are you okay with that? This dress was prepared by Sakata-san. Are you fine with putting stains or tears on it?”

“You! …Heh, so that’s the only way you know how to protect yourself, huh? Let’s go. A weakling like you will definitely get dumped soon.”

Oh… They misunderstood, which is lucky for me.

“See ya, weakling.”

With that, they left. Thanks, random guys! Finally, I’m free from this trouble. Now, let’s head back to Tachibana-san.

◆◆◆◆

“Yuuto! We’ve been looking for you!”

“Fufu, where have you been?”

Erina seemed a little upset.

“I’m sorry. I got lost on my way to the bathroom.”

Well, that’s a reasonable excuse. I won’t mention the troublemakers.

“It’s time for the bingo tournament now. Here’s your card, Yuto.”

“Bingo, huh? I don’t have much luck with that.”

“Fufu, if you don’t win, I’ll give you something I personally like.”

“Erina, you should value the game itself.”

“Fufu, Yuuto, you’re so easy to tease.”

Erina’s “joke” scared me because she might actually do it.

‘We will now begin the bingo tournament. The grand prize for this tournament is an island.’

What!? …I don’t want it even if I win! And the fact that it doesn’t have a name suggests that the winner will get to name it. As expected of the nobility, the scale of their prizes is huge! We commoners would be happy with the latest gaming console.

“Yuuto, is there anything you want?”

“Hmm, oh? The latest vacuum cleaner, I guess.”

I want to try it out to see if it surpasses the Dyson in terms of functionality.

“Eh?”

“What?”

“Yuuto, are you already a full-time husband?”

“Well, I usually do most of the housework..”

“That’s admirable!”

“That’s surprising.”

Hehe, your praise means nothing to me.

“What about you, Maria? What do you want?”

“A teddy bear!”

So cute… It makes me feel warm and fuzzy just watching her talk about it.

When I checked the prizes, I spotted a two-headed teddy bear that was probably what she wanted.

“I hope I can get it.”

“Yeah!”

“Can you also get me a bingo card?”

“Hmm? Isn’t that a given?”

“Yes.”

There isn’t one! Why did you make me say that if there isn’t one!?

‘And the first number is… 93!’

Oh, I found it!

The game progressed.

By the time the 16th number was called, a few people had already gotten bingo. Of course, the first person chose the island.

By the way, my card was only three numbers away from bingo. However, the girl next to me was exuding negative energy.

“Mmm…”

That was Maria. It was incredible! Every number except the middle one had been called.

“Ma… Maria, are you okay?”

Erina was concerned because Maria was making such a face. She must really want it.

However, it wasn’t just bad luck that none of the numbers on her card had been called; it was downright unlucky.

“Why is my card the only one with no numbers called, while yours has three already, Yuto?”

“There are still prizes left. It’s not over yet.”

“Yes! We still have a chance!”

‘The next number is… 45.’

Pshhh

Maria froze. Her bingo card indeed had no number 45.

This girl must be cursed to never have any numbers called on her bingo card.

“I’m going to the bathroom.”

“I’ll hold on to your bingo card.”

“……Thank you.”

Maria left her seat. Neither Erina nor I could say anything.

“Is this bingo card cursed or something?”

“Yeah, it seems like it.”

An awkward atmosphere filled the room.

‘The next number is… 78.’

Ah, bingo.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Congratulations.”

…I’ll pass on the vacuum cleaner for now. I’ll take the teddy bear for Maria.

I received the prize, which was, of course, the teddy bear Maria wanted. I didn’t want her to spend the rest of the party feeling down, and I didn’t want to hold onto that teddy bear anyway.

I returned to Erina with the teddy bear.

“Well, Yuuto.”

“I want Maria to be happy, so…”

“Fufu, thank you.”

As we chatted for a while, Maria returned.

“I’m back.”

“We’ve been waiting for you. Here, this is for you, Maria.”

“Eh… This is the teddy bear! But Yuto, why?”

“It’s a party, so I want you to enjoy it with a smile.”

“Thank you so much, Yuuto! I’ll treasure it forever!”

She was so happy that she hugged me.

“Whoa!”

I almost lost my balance but managed to stay upright. I was glad she was happy. As I thought this, a smile naturally formed on my face. I even patted her head.

“Oh, Yuto.”

“Ehehe, Yuuto-sama.”

“Let’s finish Maria’s card, at least.”

“Yes!”

However, in the end, Maria’s card remained empty except for the middle number, but instead of feeling down, we all laughed together.

“I wanted to have dinner with you tonight.”

“I’m sorry, I have to prepare dinner for my mother and sister.”

“That’s a shame.”

“Today was fun, thank you.”

“You’re welcome!”

“Yuuto, thank you so much for today. I had a wonderful time too.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”