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?) - Chapter 19: Introducing My Childhood Friend Like JD

The day after Mizuho was brutally rejected…

I came to university today thinking Mizuho might be feeling down, so I thought I’d treat her to some ice cream on the way home.

But my consideration was proven unnecessary first thing in the morning.

“So, this is what they call a fateful encounter!!”

“Mizuho, that’s the fifth time today~”

“Have you been telling the same story to everyone?”

With several friends from the circle, I found myself listening to Mizuho’s affectionate (?) stories for what seemed like the umpteenth time today. Each time a different friend arrived, she would tell the same story, so I, who had been there from the beginning, had lost count of how many times I’d heard it.

“Well, fate is real! Life is unpredictable!”

“Sure, but meeting that person isn’t guaranteed, right?”

“Well, I’ll search for him! I’ll search for my destined one, no matter where he is! Even if it’s on the other side of the earth!”

“Do you even know how long a ‘mile’ is, Mizuho?”

“Um… about 100 meters?”

Mizuho sticking out her tongue playfully was adorable. Mizuho laughed heartily, and everyone around her laughed along with her infectious smile.

Well, as long as she’s feeling better now, I guess it’s okay. Honestly, it was so painful to watch right after that confession… But I guess I’m at fault for peeking…

“Okay, we’re next! See you later!”

“If I find my destined person, I’ll let you know!”

“Such shallow information won’t help you find him…”

As Mizuho saluted smartly, her friends chuckled wryly. Our next class is in the same room.

Walking down the corridor, the sunlight streaming in from the windows felt pleasant.

Meanwhile, Mizuho, walking beside me, was in a cheerful mood, humming a tune.

“But it’s a good thing, right? It’s the first time you seem  genuinely interested in someone, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, that’s true. Falling in love is like this, huh, kind of like this~!”

“Oh, come on…”

I heard the whole story first thing in the morning.

Apparently, Mizuho was helped by someone with searching for her dropped contact lens, and when he found it, he returned it by placing it on a handkerchief.

Maybe it was a ring?

Honestly, if someone was that kind, they’d probably already have one or two girlfriends… But it’d be rude to say that to Mizuho in her current state, right?

“So, Watson-kun.”

(T/N: Dr. Watson from Sherlock Holmes)

“Who’s Watson?”

“Never mind that! I want Watson to help me find my destined partner!”

“Sure, but… Even if he was a freshman at our university, there are about 2000 candidates, you know?”

According to Mizuho, the pen he dropped was distributed to this year’s freshmen at our university, so the chances of him being a first-year student are high. I remember there were about 10,000 freshmen, and since our university had slightly more boys, maybe around 2,000.

Narrowing it down from there, it becomes quite difficult. Plus, Mizuho’s contacts were out, and she was crying, so she hardly remembers the other person’s face.

I feel like our circle of friends alone has its limitations.

“Chicchicchi… If you give up now, that’s the end of the game, you know?”

“Why am I being blamed for this…?”

With a relaxed expression, Mizuho seemed to have some kind of secret plan.

“When I see him, I’ll definitely remember!! He had an undercut!”

“Hairstyle, huh…”

According to Mizuho, the guy had an undercut hairstyle fixed with gel. It’s certainly uncommon, but he might not wear it like that every day…

“I’ll return this handkerchief like the crane.. and I’ll convey the message! I came to repay the favor, like the crane that helped him!”

(T/N: Tsuru no Ongaeshi (鶴の恩返し, lit. “Crane’s Return of a Favor”) is a story from Japanese folklore about a crane who returns a favor to a man. A variant of the story where a man marries the crane that returns the favor is known as Tsuru Nyōbō (鶴女房, “Crane Wife”)

“A bedtime story begins…”

Mizuho holds the handkerchief tightly, which apparently belongs to the guy. He told her she didn’t need to return it, but Mizuho is determined to return it when she meets him.

And then, at that moment…

Ping!

I received a notification on my phone.

<Masato> [That’s certainly true haha]

<Masato> [Koiumi, can we take the 3rd period class together today?]

Oh… right, the next class is usually taken together with Masato. Until now, I’ve been taking it with him instead of Mizuho… but.

(Of course, SHe’s so cool that I’d be in trouble if Mizuho fell for him, but… Mizuho seems fine now, so does that mean it’s okay?)

Needless to say, Mizuho, walking cheerfully beside me, seems to be completely absorbed in her so-called destined partner.

Sho doesn’t seem to have any university friends other than me, which is a bit pitiful… and isn’t this a good opportunity?

“Hey, Mizuho. If you’re okay with it… how about the next class, we take it with Masato?”

“Eh? Is that okay?! I wanted to meet and talk to him~! Koiumi’s pippi!”

(T/N: Pippi meaning= “彼ぴっぴ“ means someone’s boyfriend, and this is one of the slangs. Boyfriend is said “彼氏” correctly in Japan. Therefore, some girls changes “氏“ into “ぴっぴ” , and calls their boyfriend so.)

“I told you, he’s not my boyfriend…! Just don’t say anything weird when we meet, okay?”

“I won’t say anything~! I’ll just become Koiumi’s good points promoter. Leave it to me!”

Mizuho tapped her chest with a “don” sound.

Considering she hardly has any chest, it made her look even cuter.

“But why? What kind of change of heart is this?”

“No, but Mizuho, you’re really into that ‘destined’ guy, right? It’s dangerous if you don’t have someone to love. You know, with a guy like Masato, it’s risky. If you spend just 30 minutes talking with him, you might end up falling for him. He’s that incredibly ultra-handsome.”

“Love is blind, huh?”

“Hey, don’t make fun of me.”

With a smile, Mizuho looked at me with eyes that seemed to see something heartwarming.

Masato really was devastatingly attractive. I don’t know any other guy as perfect as him. It’s almost like the one I used to like—well, that’s not important anymore.

“Rest assured. I’m currently desperately searching for that destined person! I’ll make sure to promote you to Masato-kun. So hurry up and confess to him!”

“Mind your own business!!” 

I really shouldn’t say more than necessary. I hope everything goes okay.

For now, I’ll reply to Masato..

<Koiumi>: [Good morning!]

<Koiumi>: [We can take it together! Since it’s the same class my best friend’s taking, how about the three of us together, if you’re okay with it?]

Maybe because we’re on campus, before I even closed my phone, I received a quick response.

<Masato>: [Oh, that’s great, thank you very much!]

With a cat stamp bowing politely.

He was too cute even in SNS…

“He’s okay with it. So let’s take the 3rd period together.”

“Yay! We get to see the hottie, nii-nii…”

“You’re really going overboard.”

I’d be happy if my crush and my best friend got along. It feels like university life is going to be even more enjoyable!

—

Mizuho’s POV

Guess what? Koiumi’s meeting her crush! Koiumi is so cautious. She probably worried I’d accidentally fall for Masato-kun. Well, she’s really into him. That’s good! 

But don’t worry! I’m busy gathering information right now!

It’s too early to judge that we’re in the same university just based on a pen, you say? Hmph. Even if that’s true, as long as there are clues, I won’t give up!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could meet again? Just thinking about it is enough, isn’t it?

I take out the handkerchief from my pocket once again.

Simple navy design with red and black lines on the corners.

I clench it tightly.

One day, I’ll return this handkerchief without fail. And then, I’ll convey these feelings.

“Hey, there are still quite a few empty seats. Should we take three?”

“Understood!”

I carefully fold the handkerchief and put it in my bag. I secure seats at the back of the classroom with Koiumi.

Securing seats in university is survival of the fittest! Sorry to those still having lunch. Reality is harsh, huh. Yo-yo-yo…

“He should be here soon, so I’ll go meet him in front of the classroom.”

“Alright! Have a good one!”

After seeing Koiumi off outside the classroom, I took out the ballpoint pen.

“Not a freshman… Could it be?”

This ballpoint pen design was distributed for the first time this year.

So generally, freshmen would have it, but if I go to the faculty where faculty members are, I might be able to get it too.

So, one or two… or maybe even three years older?

He seemed a bit older.

Well, honestly, age doesn’t really matter.

I remember that moment.

[Excuse me! I’m looking for contact lenses!]

[Sure. Be careful!]

[Oh, you don’t need to return this handkerchief. See you!]

I remember that dazzling smile.

(He was so cool…)

If someone treated me like that, anyone would fall for them. 

I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I don’t care about his face anymore. That kindness and smile, the face doesn’t matter.

(If only I could have burned that image into my eyes… Yoyoyo…)

I slump onto the desk.

If I hadn’t been crying… No, even if I hadn’t been crying, could I have taken out my contacts?

Just remembering it makes my heart flutter.

(Yes. I definitely want to meet him properly again. To thank him, and then…)

What would I do if we met?

If I immediately said “I like you,” it would seem suspicious, right?

Starting with being friends? That might seem like I have ulterior motives.

Anyway, I just want to express my gratitude.

Thanks to you, I was saved from the depths of despair.

…Is that a little too heavy?

But I’m really grateful… and I admire him.

So, even if it’s a bit heavy, I hope you’ll forgive me.

“Fufu..”

Uh-oh. I might be making an unattractive face.

If I’m treated as a weirdo when meeting Koiumi’s “favorite,” it would be too sad!

Maybe the guys in the network of boys will help me find my destined person… First impressions are important!

About 10 minutes before class starts.

Koiumi entered the classroom. Behind her, there’s a guy.

Ah, Koiumi’s face was totally that of a lovestruck girl. Or maybe he’s really cool…? He’s also quite tall.

Just by entering the room, the girls around the classroom are glancing over.

Of course Koiumi would be worried.

And as I was thinking all that, Koiumi and the guy made their way over to me.

“Here! So, this is my best friend Mizuho Tonosaki. And this is, um… and this is my friend Masato Katasato!”

From behind Koiumi.

An attractive guy popped his face out.

“Hello! I’ve heard a bit from Koiumi~ Nice to meet you!”

…Huh?