Living Normally In An Abnormal World

Chapter 9.2: Interlude – The Young Lady is Infatuated with Him

“Maria, you mustn’t trust men so easily.”

That’s what I had learned from my mother. My family is a long line of the world’s number one aristocrats. As the eldest daughter, I must be strong.

I had declined many arranged marriage meetings, believing that the suitors were only after my family’s wealth. It was later confirmed that my suspicions were correct, which was a surprise.

All the men who approached me only saw me as the daughter of the Tachibana family and not for who I truly am—Maria Tachibana. No one saw me past my family name. As such, I always thought that men couldn’t be trusted.

But now, things are different. Because right now,

“Good morning, Maria.”

I have someone who sees the real me standing right in front of me.

I met him at the entrance ceremony. It was unusual, to say the least, for a man to be enrolling in elementary school. He was so unconventional that I became interested in him, and fortunately, we ended up in the same class.

When I introduced myself personally, I asked for a handshake.

Even during arranged marriage meetings, I had never been offered a handshake and was always evaded. However, he immediately shook my hand as if it were the most natural thing to do. I reacted awkwardly, which made him wonder if he had done something wrong.

Indeed, he is unconventional.

He is kind to women, treating them not as servants but as equals. He embraces everyone without discrimination, helping women get used to interacting with men.

He takes his studies seriously and is physically fit, as evidenced by his performance in the physical fitness test, where he showed that he had been training his body to the point of rivaling even the women.

I won against him, but if it hadn’t been for Kimura-san’s participation, it would have been a tie. I must express my gratitude to Kimura-san.

Thanks to that, he agreed to grant me a favor, and I was able to attend a party with him! I was truly happy!

I had already told my mother about him beforehand, so she didn’t oppose the idea. Instead, she expressed interest in meeting him.

When we arrived at the party, he was surprisingly wearing a wedding dress. Not only me and my mother but everyone was shocked. I never imagined that I would witness a man wearing a wedding dress in history.

He looked so beautiful, radiant, and graceful, and the dress suited him perfectly.

During the party, I had the chance to meet his mother, Mana-san, by coincidence. I was a bit conscious of my introduction, which made her wary of me. Next time, I want to have a proper conversation with her about him.

After that, my mother arrived and introduced herself. She seemed delighted to chat with him, and before I knew it, she had taken a liking to him.

Where had the words “you mustn’t trust men so easily” gone?

Suddenly, my mother asked him if he would consider getting married to me. However, he politely declined, saying,

“I’m not that old yet. You should give Tachibana-san more time to think.”

He considered my feelings and gave me a reason to decline as well. I was happy about that. To be honest, I wouldn’t have minded getting married to him, but I secretly rejoiced at his words, and then I saw my mother and his mother hugging him.

I thought it was a lie, but I also wanted to hug him, so I panicked and looked for a spot to do so. Someone pointed out that the front was open from the ribbon, so I immediately hugged him.

He had a painful expression, so I thought, “just a little longer… just a little longer,” and continued hugging him. As a result, his face became haggard. I felt bad, but the joy of hugging him was overwhelming. Yuuto-sama, I’m sorry.

Moreover, he started calling me by my name, which made me incredibly happy.

However, it’s unfair that my mother gets to call him by his name right away! I’ve always been called by my surname, and now she gets to call him by his name before I do?! It’s completely unfair!

After entering the party, he was immediately taken away by a group of men, and my mother was engaged in conversation with others. I found myself surrounded by acquaintances who asked me various questions about him: “Who is that man?” “How did you meet him?” I saw no point in lying, so I honestly answered,

“He’s a classmate from school. I asked him to come with me today.”

But they didn’t believe me and said,

“Don’t lie to me! Introduce me to him instead!”

As expected, their real intention was the latter, I thought. Nonetheless, I tried to calm them down. One of them, named Hanaka Yamasaki, from the world’s second-ranked aristocratic Yamasaki family, which often clashed with my family, scoffed and said,

“Hmph… You must have paid him, right? How much did it cost you?”

“Hanaka Yamasaki-san… “

“How much did you pay him?”

“He came here of his own volition, and I won’t tolerate any more insults towards Yuuto-sama.”

“Well, that’s fine for today. See you later.”

There was no need to be so rude, even if they didn’t believe me. But I supposed that if our situations were reversed, I might have thought the same.

After all, it was a story that one wouldn’t believe without meeting and talking to him in person.

As we continued chatting, the free time flew by, and it was soon time for the bingo game. I managed to find my mother, but he was still missing, so we searched for him together.

When we couldn’t find him right away, I became worried and a little panicked. When we finally located him, I unintentionally raised my voice.

The bingo game began, and my target was, of course, the adorable bear! Those round, sparkling eyes and fluffy appearance—I had to get my hands on that lovable stuffed animal!

When I asked him what he wanted, he surprisingly said a vacuum cleaner. As expected of Yuuto-sama! You’re amazing, doing housework!

We continued our conversation as the bingo game commenced.

But… none of the numbers on my bingo card were called. Meanwhile, those who had won bingo were happily claiming their prizes.

I wasn’t having any luck… Should I give up this time?

Thanks to the comfort from my mother and him, I felt better, but then, as if to add insult to injury, none of the numbers on my card were called again.

I decided to leave my seat to change the awkward atmosphere. I didn’t want to bore him since he had come with me. It was truly unlucky.

(Don’t give up, Maria! This is the party you attended with Yuuto-sama! Let’s go back to him and enjoy it together with him!!)

With renewed determination, I returned to them. When I did, he said,

“I’ve been waiting. Here, this is a present for you, Maria.”

He handed me the bear stuffed animal that I had wanted.

…”Eh?”

“It’s a party, so I don’t want you to feel down and not enjoy it.”

He’s such a cunning person. I was supposed to be the one making him happy, but instead, I’m causing him trouble by making him make me feel happy. I don’t want to be a horrible woman who takes advantage of his kindness without giving anything in return.

However, I couldn’t contain my joy and hugged him. Normally, I would have been sued for sexual harassment.

But he… he gently stood there and stood there and patted my head.

He did it carefully so as not to mess up my hairdo, and that action alone filled my heart. I wanted to stay like that forever, but then he said,

“Let’s finish the game with Maria’s card.”

Apparently, the game wasn’t over yet. I wished it had been over, but it was a shame.

For now, let’s continue the bingo game after separating from him!

In the end, I didn’t get any bingos, but that itself became a source of laughter for all of us.

After the party ended, my mother and I invited him for dinner, but he politely declined, saying,

“I’m sorry, but I have to prepare dinner.”

That’s right. Since he’s a househusband, he would have to refuse. Moreover, I had been relying on him all day without doing anything myself. But he said,

“Today was fun. Thank you.”

He smiled and thanked me. It was I who should have been thanking him. He truly is kind.

“Yuuto-san, I had a wonderful time today.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Let’s meet again, just the two of us.”

“Well… if the opportunity arises.”

“I’ll create that opportunity. Then, until next time, Yuuto Tachibana-san?”

Eh… Mother, what are you doing?

The limousine started moving, and I immediately asked,

“Mother? What about what we discussed earlier…”

“Fufu… He’s such a kind person, despite being just an elementary school student.”

“Yes… I know.”