Someone Who Believes They Can Live Normally in a World Where Chastity Is Reversed (Did You Think You Could Live Normally in a World With a Male-To-Female Ratio of 1:5?)

Mizuho’s POV

Love is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? It’s supposed to be fun.

So when I entered university, I was determined to have a wonderful romance, do decently well in my studies, and lead a happy college life.

I wanted to make lots of friends, go to many places, dress up, and make lots of memories…

I wanted to live those sparkling days!

Two months into university, I’ve made a lot of friends so far, and I think I’m doing well in my club activities!

However… romance just doesn’t seem to go well.

There were quite a few guys I found cool. Seniors, classmates… But, I don’t know. I want a boyfriend, but I still haven’t met anyone I want to date.

“There’s no harm in giving it a try! Sometimes it’s not as bad as you think when you start dating!”

“Just go out with someone for now.”

“Don’t you hate having a ‘no boyfriend since birth’ record by the time you graduate from university?”

Conversations among friends debating about love.

Certainly, in this day and age, it’s grateful just to have someone willing to date you, so I think it’s okay to go all out and try to get someone to date you.

I kind of want to experience having a boyfriend.

But recently, I’ve been thinking…

(Come to think of it, what is love…?)

Thinking someone is cool and actually liking them are different things.

That’s right. I think idols on TV are cool, but that doesn’t mean I like them.

So then, what is love?

Maybe, the love I’ve admired is when I feel my heart pounding uncontrollably when I come into contact with their actions, their inner self, or their words.

I thought it was the feeling of wanting to be with that person forever.

But, that’s never happened to me in my life.

Well, that’s just reality, isn’t it?

So everyone compromises, gets along, and endures.

They find someone who’s just right. So I thought I should do the same.

So…

“Huh? Are you seriously asking me out? lol”

Why do I have to go through this kind of thing?

Ugh…

Ah, it’s been a while since I felt this… This might be the first time someone’s said something so terrible to me.

I’m used to being rejected, but still…

I glanced in the direction Keito-san left.

Anger doesn’t naturally well up in me. It doesn’t because there’s a part of me that understands.

Maybe, he didn’t want to date me that much after all. It’s rude to say something like this, but I didn’t have any passion either.

So, I’m at fault too. It’s mutual. Phew, I take a deep breath and start to head back the way I came—when I noticed a familiar black cap in the shadows.

…I need to get my spirits back up.

“….I can do this,”

I whispered softly.

Then, I stepped out next to her.

“Are you eavesdropping, too?”

“….! Mizuho… I’m sorry.”

My close friend, Koiumi Igarashi, who had a rather troubled expression on her face, noticed me and apologized with a sheepish bow.

Mmm, it’s okay. I know Koiumi’s kindness. So please, don’t make that sad face.

“It’s okay! You came to worry about me, right? Thanks to Koiumi-sama’s kindness, I’m in tears~!”

“Mizuho…”

I don’t want her to make such a sad face!

It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m fine.

Mizuho-chan isn’t the type to be discouraged by this kind of thing!

“No way! I thought I had a chance! But he cut me off completely! My HP is already zero~ Yoyoyo!”

…

Yeah yeah! This kind of carefree attitude is just right for me!

I want Koiumi to smile too!

“It’s not going well at all! Koiumi-dono, let’s hold off on the double date a bit longer☆”

“Yeah… If it’s Mizuho, you’ll definitely find someone better than that guy.”

…Koiumi-dono is so kind.

We’ve been friends since high school, but we’ve never fought once.

“Uooo! I’m starting to feel motivated!! I’ll do it~! …So Koiumi, you’ll cherish the guy you’re with now, okay?”

“Yeah…”

It seems Koiumi has a guy she’s interested in now.

Ugh~! I’m jealous! I’ve only seen him from afar, but he seems tall and cool. I’d like to talk to him sometime! I want to join in the conversation too!

But for now…

“Hey. Aren’t you with him for the third period? You should go!”

“Huh… But what about you, Mizuho?”

“I, a humble servant, wish to feel the night breeze~! Don’t keep him waiting! Go on!”

“Mizuho…”

With an apologetic look, Koiumi turned her back to me.

Ugh, why make such a complicated face!

If Koiumi is happy now, then I’m happy too, you know?

Koiumi knows that she dragged her childhood crush along for quite a while and struggled. Koiumi didn’t turn back once.

She kept walking away until she disappeared from my sight, and I took a deep breath.

“Haah… Well, that’s how it is!”

I stretch widely.

This area is a bit far from the lecture halls, and there aren’t many people around at this time when the third period is about to start.

I start walking slowly.

“Now then! For her sake, Time to switch gears and find someone new!”

[Why did you misunderstand that? lol]

I don’t know why, but it’s a bit hard to speak right now.

“Shall… I… look… for something… else?”

[…That’s kind of creepy.]

――This flowing down my cheeks.

――Creating stains as it falls to the ground.

Please, just stop.

—

The afternoon classes ended with hardly any content registering in my mind.

Honestly, I was mostly absent-minded.

It was a relief that one of my friends who usually attends classes with me was absent today.

Right now, I’m taking a break in a vacant space on campus.

“Looks like it’s a defeat…”

I report my confession on social media to my close friends, of course leaving out the details and Keito-san’s personality.

Even though Koiumi sent me a worried message, I didn’t feel like replying now.

Surely, spending enjoyable time with him would be better for her than worrying about me.

Closing my smartphone, I lean back in my chair.

The setting sun is streaming in through the window.

It seems like the sun is about to set.

“Should I head back?”

My steps feel heavier than usual.

Geez… I wonder if I’ll be able to recover mentally by tomorrow.

But still, it’s a failure. It’s especially tough knowing I’ll have to face the senior from the club from now on.

Just thinking about it makes me feel depressed.

—

After riding the train for a while from the nearest station to the university…

I’m now crouching in the restroom at the transfer station.

It seems like I got motion sick on the train.

“Haha… How pathetic. Was I always this weak?”

Pathetic. Truly pathetic.

Looking at my face in the mirror above the sink, I was shocked by how terrible I looked.

My eyes were terribly red from crying too much, and my makeup was all smudged.

My face was unnaturally pale.

(Horrible… If someone I know sees me like this…)

I removed the hair tie that was holding my hair in twin tails.

(For now, this will do.)

I changed my hairstyle to just long hair, and I put on a mask because I don’t want anyone to see my face like this.

Right now, I’m not the energetic Mizuho Tonosaki. But please forgive me, because I’ll do my best again from tomorrow.

“There should be a drugstore nearby…”

I want some motion sickness medicine, even if it’s already after getting sick.

Dragging my heavy feet and my body complaining of fatigue, I leave the restroom at the station behind.

—

What am I really doing?

Getting so hurt over just being rejected by a guy.

Just because his tone was a bit harsh, my mental state is still like this.

[That’s kind of creepy.]

“…!”

It keeps echoing in my head.

They say memories associated with strong emotions are more deeply ingrained, but isn’t this a bit too much?

Tears start flowing again. I can’t believe I’m crying again, despite everything. I want it to stop. I’ve cried enough. I instinctively rub my eyes forcefully. To start crying again just because of a memory—it feels stupid.

—

Bam

I feel a jolt on my shoulder. I’ve bumped into someone.

“Tsk…! Watch where you’re going, ugly…!”

…

Wait. I can’t see ahead clearly. My vision feels blurry.

Did I lose my contact lenses? This is the worst. My vision without glasses is only 0.1.

“I’m sorry…! I dropped my contact lens…! I’m so sorry…!”

Ugh… today really is the worst day ever.

――And then, at that moment.

“Are you okay? It’s your contact lens, right? Let’s look for it together.”

“Huh…?”

A voice speaks up. A man’s voice.

I lift my head. Because of the tears and my blurred vision, I can’t see clearly, but…

A waistcoat with a black bow tie. Hair neatly slicked back, a gentleman standing there.

Even in this situation. I can’t help but think he looks handsome.

“I’m sorry, thank you very much.”

And I immediately bow my head. I don’t want him to see my terrible face.

“Excuse me! I’m just looking for contact lenses!”

I’m surprised. A man who seems to be busy working, helping a woman like me…?

My thoughts are in disarray. It’s a strange feeling. In this bustling crowd. Where other noises are drowned out. It feels like there’s only me and this man in the world. My heart suddenly pounding loudly sounded too noisy.

“I found it…! Here it is!”

How long has it been?

It feels like it happened in a flash, yet also like it lasted forever. The man happily reported to me and brought it to where I am.

“Here you go, be careful.”

“Thank you very much.”

Carefully placing the contact lens on the handkerchief. The way he handed it over was so courteous… Maybe it’s because of what happened earlier today.

His kindness melts into my heart… Overflowing. My container, too small to contain, lets the overflow of emotions turn into tears. But these aren’t tears of sadness like before.

I’m smiling now. Feeling warm inside.

Tears of joy.

—

Suddenly, I realized.

Why is my heart pounding so fast?

“Oh, you don’t need to return this handkerchief. Bye!”

“Huh…?”

He started to leave.

Wait, no. Stop.

I haven’t even asked anything yet.

――Stop!!!

“Um, excuse me! Please wait!!”