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?)

The season had finally transitioned into summer, and as a result, I find myself waking up more often due to the heat in the mornings. Rubbing my sleepy eyes as usual, I leisurely enjoy a late breakfast that doubles as lunch, and prepare to head to university.

Today’s third period class was with Koiumi, so I needed to leave early. It’s always a hassle to secure seats.

As I was packing my bag, the doorbell suddenly rang.

“Hey, Masato, are you home?”

“Oh, Aika-san.”

Aika-san had been acting as my guardian for a while now. She occasionally provides dinner for me, and I still can’t seem to repay her enough.

“Hey there! Good morning!”

“Hey, good morning. I think a package arrived for you from the facility you used to live in. Here, it’s all in this box.”

“Oh, thank you very much.”

Honestly, I don’t really understand what kind of life I’ve led in this world. Perhaps my previous self from another world and my current self swapped places… something like that. I wasn’t good with sci-fi. It’s hard to grasp.

In both the previous world and this world, it seems like I didn’t have parents. That part hadn’t changed. Being an only child with no relatives, I had no family ties and lived in a kind of care facility. Then, just as I was about to go to college with a scholarship, I was transmigrated.

In this world, just like in the previous one, I hoped to meet someone like Aika-san. But I doubted things probably won’t go as smoothly as that.

Aika-san removed the electronic cigarette from her mouth and exhaled into the air.

“Well, I’ve decided to take care of you no matter what kind of past you have. If you ever feel like going back to the facility, just let me know.”

“No, no! There’s no way that would happen. I really appreciate everything, Aika-san. Once I graduate from college, I’ll definitely repay you.”

“Fufu. Looking forward to it. For now, just enjoy your college life. We can think about what comes after when the time comes.”

“Yes!”

With a fluttering wave of her hand, Aika-san left.

I’m truly grateful for everything… I really have to repay her. But could repaying her mean becoming number one in ‘Festa’? That’s a bit of a high hurdle for me, isn’t it?

Carrying the cardboard box, I return home.

“Heave-ho!”

Using a cutter, I open the lid of the box.

Inside, various items are packed chaotically.

“Some things feel nostalgic, while others I’ve never seen before…”

That must be the difference from the transmigration. There are familiar items like my worn-out basketball shoes, but there are also unfamiliar letters? I don’t remember receiving such letters. Even though I lived in the facility, I still went to school. I wonder if my friends are doing well.

“Hmm…?”

Most of the items were unfamiliar letters and reference books. As I rummage through them, something familiar caught my eye. A small baseball glove and a soft rubber ball.

“Wow~ brings back memories~ We used to play catchball a lot…”

Suddenly, I stopped and pondered. Indeed, I have memories of frequently playing catchball in the park during my childhood. But who was I playing catchball with, again?

“Hmm…? Oh no! I’m running late!”

While I’d love to bask in nostalgia, I realized I’d be late for university if I lingered. I quickly closed the box and stored it neatly in the closet.

—

“Masato~, Good morning!”

“Good morning, Koiumi~ Sorry for always getting you to save seats for me.”

“Hmm~ Not at all! I had class from the second period today, so it’s fine!”

Upon arriving at university, I was greeted by Koiumi. Today, she was wearing a square-neck T-shirt with a light lace top and white shorts. She often met me for lectures, but she always put effort into her outfits, showing her keen fashion sense.

Today, she mentioned she would introduce me to her friend.

Certainly, since she’s been attending lectures with me frequently, I worried if her own friendships were being neglected. So, it’s best if I get along well with her friends, and I wholeheartedly welcome that.

“But it’s good. I’ve been worried if you’ve been having fun with your friends lately, Koiumi”

“What’s with that?! Don’t talk like my mom!”

“No no, it’s not like that! But I’ll do my best to get along with your friends too.”

I need to be careful not to be disliked. She then turned her back on me.

“…Don’t get too close, though.”

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“Hmm~! Nothing!”

She muttered something under her breath, but I couldn’t quite hear it.

Anyway, I followed her nto the classroom.

There, in the back corner, I spotted a girl.

Is that her friend?

As we approached the girl, Koiumi introduced us.

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

Sitting in her chair, the girl—Mizuho—looked at us with wide eyes.

She had large, expressive eyes and her twin tails tied low perfectly complemented her youthful features. She’s the cute type with a hint of innocence, I thought.

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

“…”

Oh, wait. Did I mess up the first impression?

“Mizuho?”

Curiously, Koiumi called out to her too.

“Ooooh!! Forgive me! So you’re Masato-san! I’ve heard about you from Koiumi-dono~!”

“R-really?”

“Of course, of course! Wow, I was surprised! You’re quite the handsome one, aren’t you…”

“Mizuho, do you really understand what you’re saying?”

“O-Oh, scary! My apologies~!”

Phew, that’s a relief. She’s quite a cheerful one.

Mizuho nodded vigorously and reached out her hand towards me.

“I’ve been entrusted with the introduction. I’m Mizuho Tonosaki… Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Haha, you’re quite amusing. I’m Masato Katasato. You can call me Masato.”

Grabbing the offered hand, we shook hands. It was delicate. Perhaps because Mizuho’s stature was a size or two smaller than Koimi’s, it made her hands seem smaller.

“Masato, if you try to match Mizuho’s energy, you won’t last a day, so feel free to handle her casually,” Koiumi said, teasingly.

“Gah! Koimi, you really think of me like that?! How dare you!” Despite Koiumi’s words, her expression remained bright. They seemed to have a really good relationship.

Yeah, that’s a good thing.

The bell signaling the start of class rang, so we took our seats. I wonder if we’ll be attending more classes together with the three of us from now on?

—

The fifth period ended. Since meeting Mizuho-chan and having subsequent classes together with her, we’ve been together the whole time.

“Phew, I’m tired! That last class caught me off guard with that surprise quiz,” Koiumi said.

“If you hadn’t taken photos for me, I would’ve been in trouble,” Mizuho added.

Leaving the classroom and heading home, the time was already quite late. The area around us was filled with the hustle and bustle of students heading back.

“Oh, no.”

“What’s wrong, Kouimi?”

Koiumi, who was looking at her phone, stopped, so Mizuho-chan and I stopped too.

“I think I left something in the classroom… I’ll go get it, you two can head back!”

I see. But we had just left the building and our fifth-period classroom was on the second floor, so it wouldn’t take long to go back.

“We’re not in a hurry, so we’ll wait. Here, let me take your bag. I’ll hold onto it for you. What about you, Mizuho-chan?”

“I’m totally chill! I’ll wait with you!”

Mizuho-chan cheerfully made a peace sign. Every action she took was lively and picturesque.

“Sorry! Thanks! I’ll be right back!” Entrusting me with her tote bag, Koiumi went against the flow of students returning and headed back to the classroom building.

“Well then, shall we wait for her at that bench over there?”

“That’s a good idea! Oh, Masato-dono, you’re so kind!”

“Nah, it’s nothing special to wait, right?”

“Oh, but I’ve caught a glimpse of it now. The kindness deep within you, Masato-dono…”

“You’re exaggerating.”

Sitting on the bench, we waited for Koiumi. Although the sunset was dazzling, it seemed like the sun would set soon.

The waves of students leaving after class had settled down, and now the university front was relatively quiet.

Then, there was a moment of silence, and that’s when it happened.

“Masato-dono.”

“Hmm?”

Mizuho-chan, who had been sitting, stood up abruptly. She came in front of me and adjusted her navy marine cap.

“I have something to tell you, Masato-dono!”