Living Normally In An Abnormal World

Chapter 95: Graduation

—

“Yuu-kun, congratulations again on your graduation.”

“Thank you, and here’s to more good times together.”

Kinoshita Yuuto was experiencing his second elementary school graduation. In one hand, he held a cylinder containing his graduation certificate. Though he’d already been mobbed by teachers, classmates, and underclassmen, he was now calm and making his way home.

Mana, with her high-end DSLR, had quietly captured countless photos, clearly feeling content.

At the same time, watching her child grow, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of loneliness. Yuuto was already quite independent, and as he grew even more, she feared he might drift further from her.

“Six years… Time sure flies by, doesn’t it?”

“When you’re an adult, life does seem short, huh?”

“Well, I don’t have many hobbies, so I just go to work, come home, and spend time with friends and family. Maybe if I had a life as adventurous as yours, Yuu-kun, it would feel longer.”

“Yeah, a lot happened.”

While he didn’t realize it, Yuuto glanced back at the school building where he’d spent the past six years, feeling a hint of sadness. Despite many concerns—particularly those involving girls—the time he’d spent there was enjoyable.

“To be honest, I had a lot of worries,”

“I’m sorry.”

Mana had always thought this way. But, it was these experiences that also built new connections for her.

If Yuuto had received a conventional education at home or in specialized facilities, he likely wouldn’t have become friends with people like Miu and Erina. His days off would have been spent simply watching Yuuto and Yuuna grow.

That’s why she felt her current life was deeply fulfilling. Even more than she’d ever imagined. …Though, potential brides had certainly increased.

“Do your best in middle school, okay?”

“Of course!”

“By the way, where’s your jacket?”

“I gave it as a sort of good luck charm… or, well, it was taken.”

“Sigh, and it was brand new today, too.”

“I did mention that, but they didn’t mind.”

The jacket he left home with was gone, and he wore a long-sleeved shirt with the tie removed and the top button undone. Beneath that, a black heat-tech layer just peeked through.

“Couldn’t really refuse the principal, you know?”

“What on earth is the principal doing?”

“Well, it was the last day.”

“At least he didn’t take your pants.”

Later, Yuuna and Sanae would tell him that the jacket had been placed in front of the principal’s office, securely protected behind bulletproof glass.

—

“That’s… quite a lot.”

“Yeah, and understandable that it’s here. Looks like a last-ditch attempt.”

Laid out on the table were an overwhelming number of admission brochures for boys’ schools. In some cases, even completed application forms were included. All that was needed was to fill them out and send them in to secure his admission.

“With everything that’s happened, it makes sense.”

“Could you at least call them accomplishments?”

“Could you be proud of these ‘accomplishments’?”

“No doubt, they’re just blunders. But still, I never expected admission forms from boys’ schools, too.”

“Are you going?”

“Of course not. I want to stay with everyone.”

“I-I see.”

Now that spring break had started, Asuka visited the Kinoshita home daily whenever Yuuto had free time. During the long break, staying over was common; she’d stayed over during previous spring and summer breaks as well, much to the complaints of Rina and the others. In fact, her greetings had shifted from “Welcome!” to “Welcome home,” making it feel almost like they were living together.

These days, it had become her habit to leave some personal items at Yuuto’s place.

Meanwhile, Miu, Asuka’s mother, though she didn’t stay over, had also begun to join them at the dining table. After work, she’d stop by Yuuto’s home, greeted with his cheerful, “Welcome home.” And if she wasn’t working the next day, he’d prepare a mug of beer and say, “I’ll make some snacks,” before eventually tucking her into bed when she dozed off. According to Manatsu, “He even carried me like a princess.” She couldn’t get enough of him.

“I’m bored, Yuu-kun.”

“Go play a game.”

“It’s more fun to play with you.”

“Treating me like an object now? That’s pretty cold-hearted of you. For that, I’ll bestow… cake upon you.”

“M?”

“N.”

“So, in other words, either way works?”

“Quiet, or no cake for you.”

“Yuu-kun, you’re too sweet!”

“Well, just this once.”

Also having free time to kill was Yuuto’s stalker, Yanagida. While she’d kept track of all his actions at school, she had no authority outside of it. Thus, with nothing to write about, she often visited him at home just to be in his presence. When she arrived, Yuuto’s response was only to say, “Go home,” but he never truly rejected her; she’d simply take off her shoes and come inside.

“Wow, these schools are fancy, aren’t they? They’re more like luxury residences than schools.”

“They’re meant for boys, after all. Any parent would want to give their precious son the best environment and education.”

“Ah, so that’s why some don’t return home. Because school feels more comfortable.”

“…Exactly.”

With more investments, the schools created increasingly comfortable environments, and if enough voices from the upper and noble classes demanded it, adjustments were made.

Without the stress of being surrounded by girls, nor the risk of being cooped up at home for safety, the dorm life offered better security than even home, reducing the need to go out.

“Well, Yuu-kun, you’re not planning to go, right? Right?”

“So persistent!”

“You’re close to a lot of noble boys, aren’t you? And I heard from Maria that they even invited you.”

“They did invite me, but…”

He remembered how, when he’d been asked, he simply replied, “Well, I do want to stay with Maria and the others, so… sorry, no need to push yourself.” His friends had even apologized.

“Guess if the time ever comes that I need to transfer, that’s when I’ll consider it.”

“…”

“You two okay?”

Yanagida and Asuka shared a thought.

Yuuto’s actions, they figured, could be seen as him pandering to the girls.

Initially, the noble boys had disliked him for it, but years of knowing him had led them to understand it was simply his personality.

“Yuuto-kun, I’ll handle cooking tonight. You can take it easy.”

“I’ll help too.”

“Wait, I can help.”

“I appreciate everything you do, and I’ve been learning to cook, so could I get your feedback?”

“Alright then, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

While his social skills allowed him to connect with others, not everyone responded well.