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 33: The Childhood Friend Like JD Realizes

In dreams, there are times when I can recognize, “Ah, this is a dream.”

[Bye-bye! Let’s play catch together again tomorrow!!]

[Yeah! See you tomorrow!!]

Memories from childhood.

I still dream about them like this.

[Koiumi, please stop going there.]

[Why? He’s a really nice boy, you know? Fun and kind?]

[…I won’t say anything bad, so stop it.]

[Why?! No way! You’re stupid, Mama!!]

Looking forward to meeting, I used to go to the nearby park every day.

Day after day.

[I wonder what time he’ll come today. It’s about time, I think.]

But one day, things changed.

[He’s still not here. Maybe he’s sick…]

[Yeah, something must have happened today. He’ll come again.]

[…Is he still not coming today?]

They stopped coming.

[It’s raining…]

In the cold, pouring rain, Something fell down my cheek. It was washed away by the rain.

[Why… why did you stop coming…?]

—-

“Ah…!”

I woke up.

Taking the smartphone by the bedside, it was past 3 a.m. Still the middle of the night.

“A dream… huh.”

I scratched my head.

For some reason, I’ve been having a lot of dreams about the past recently. Truly, memories from when I was very young.

I remember the person I used to play catch with often at the nearby park. We played together for about a year… and then he suddenly disappeared.

It was very lonely . Whether it’s lingering attachment or something else, I ended up playing softball until high school.

I think I’m really foolish for that. Even though I kept doing that, he would never come back.

I thought I wouldn’t remember anymore after meeting Masato, but it seems that memories with childhood emotions stick unexpectedly.

“I don’t even remember his name… but I hope he’s doing well…”

As long as he’s doing well, that’s all that matters. With those thoughts in mind, I drifted back to sleep.

—

The summer break in college is long.

August is often completely off, and it even  extends into the latter half of September, which I think is quite lengthy.

We were about to enter such a long summer break for college students.

“Mizuho, I want to make plans to hang out with Masato during summer vacation.”

I told my best friend, who was cutely sipping an iced café latte through a straw at the café set up in the university.

Surprisingly, with summer vacation right in front of us, I still haven’t made plans to hang out with Masato!

This is a serious situation!

“Yeah, why don’t you just do it?”

“Don’t say it so easily!”

For some reason, Mizuho’s attitude has been distant lately.

Even though Mizuho’s charm was always her smiling face and boundless energy… Did something happen? Even if I ask, she just sadly shakes her head with a wistful smile.

I’ve known Mizuho for a decent amount of time, but this is the first time something like this has happened.

“What do you want to do for fun?”

“What to do… Hmm…”

Resting my chin in my hand.

The caramel latte I ordered has already melted, leaving only the liquid that had solidified at the bottom.

“Since it’s summer vacation, how about going to the beach?”

“The beach! That sounds great. I love the beach too.”

Oh, she perked up a bit.

We can get to the beach in about an hour and a half by train, which isn’t bad.

And…

I leaned a bit closer to Mizuho and said softly.

“It’s okay… if it’s not just for a day trip, right?”

“Huh?!”

“I mean, we’re college students, right? It’s not weird to go on an overnight trip together, is it?”

I think it’s not a bad idea.

Using a long trip as an excuse, we could go for an overnight stay…

In a traditional inn, on a summer night, a young man and woman… There’s no way nothing would happen…

“I-I think that’s not good!!”

“Huh?! Why not?!”

While I was lost in my fantasy, Mizuho objected. Seeing her blushing, it seems Mizuho was thinking the same thing.

“I-I mean, you’re not even dating yet, right? I-I think it’s not good to start with something like that when you’re not dating!”

“You’re talking a big game! Weren’t you the one saying stuff like ‘let’s do it’ right after entering college?!”

“T-That was just a slip of the tongue or something…”

Stumbling over her words, Mizuho put her mouth back on the café latte’s straw.

But indeed, if I suddenly suggested going on an overnight trip to the beach for just the two of us, Masato might be wary and refuse, right?

Hmm, then, maybe…

“Then why don’t you come along too, Mizuho?”

“Huh?!”

Mizuho was surprised, her mouth leaving the straw with a pop. I feel like her twin tails bounced together.

Her reaction is still adorable as ever.

“If I say it’s just the two of us…. he might refuse, right?But If I say you will be going along too, Masato might feel more reassured, right? Besides, it seems like you and Masato have gotten quite close.”

“U-Umm… That’s…”

Even I think it’s a good idea. With this, I can make some time for just the two of us during a romantic night…

“You were talking about dreams, right, Mizuho? Going to the beach with a boy?”

“W-Well, that’s true, but…”

“Alright! Let’s decide on that and propose it to Masato today! Make haste while the sun shines!”

“H-Huh?! Koiumi, are you serious?”

“I’m serious! You should prepare your swimsuit too, Mizuho!”

“…A-Are you really serious…”

I can hang out with Mizuho, progress my relationship with Masato, kill two birds with one stone!

Now, all that’s left is whether Masato will agree or not!

—

“So, let’s go to the beach, Masato!”

“What are you talking about? I have no idea whatsoever?!”

Inviting Masato to the beach right after arriving at the university.

Though Masato looked at Mizuho, who was by my side, seeking an explanation, Mizuho just gave an awkward smile.

“Let’s stay overnight and go to the beach! Doesn’t it sound like a typical college summer vacation?”

“The beach, huh… Sounds like fun, but… staying overnight, huh…”

Hmm… Even Masato seems concerned about that, huh… Well, I guess that’s understandable. I was hoping he’d agree without any reservations, but it seems that’s not the case.

But I still have another card up my sleeve!

“It’s okay! Mizuho will come too!”

“Is that a good enough reason?”

“Haha…”

Mizuho laughed apologetically.

If he declines, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll suggest a day trip or another place!

I won’t give up!

Masato puts his hand to his chin and thinks for a moment…

“Sure. But we should definitely have separate rooms, okay?”

“Yes! Absolutely! Alright, let’s set the date!”

Yes!! Mizuho probably helped with that, it seems!

“Let’s decide together, Mizuho! I’m looking forward to it!”

“Y-Yeah…”

I’m already excited.

This summer vacation is going to be so much fun!

—

On our way back that day…

Mizuho said she had plans and hurried home, leaving just Masato and me to walk to the station together.

It’s a good opportunity, so maybe I’ll ask Masato if he knows anything about Mizuho acting strange lately.

“Lately, Mizuho seems distant… Do you know anything about it, Masato?”

Masato, walking beside me, looks up for a moment, thinking.

“Huh… Ah, Mizuho’s acting distant?”

“Yeah, that’s right… Even when I ask, she just says it’s nothing…”

That cheerful Mizuho acting distant… It makes me feel uneasy too. If there’s something bothering her, I want to help her with it…

“Sorry, it might be my fault.”

“Huh?! Why?”

“Oh… It’s probably because I did something wrong. I’ll apologize to Mizuho about it.”

Is Masato the reason Mizuho is acting distant…?

It makes me curious…

“B-By the way, if I ask what the reason is…”

“Well, I can’t really say in detail, but maybe it’s because Mizuho found out about something I’ve been keeping secret, and now she feels burdened not to tell anyone?”

“Huh…”

“I might be overthinking it, but there’s a possibility. I’ll talk to her about it.”

So Mizuho is the only one who knows Masato’s secret?

It hurt a little in my chest.

Is this something he can’t talk about?

Suddenly, my heart felt  lonely.

“I-Is it… something you can’t tell me?”

The words slip out unintentionally. As we walked towards the station, my feet stop.

My hand holding the tote bag tightened. Masato, noticing my hesitation, showed a troubled smile.

“What should I say… If I tell you, you might hate me…”

“I won’t hate you!”

“…Koiumi?”

“I won’t… I won’t be disappointed… It’s… harder to be pushed away like this…”

No matter what he says, I won’t be disappointed in Masato.

These feelings of mine are not so easily shaken.

I might be surprised or hurt.

I don’t know…

But to hate Masato because of that, to be disillusioned… I can say for sure that won’t happen.

He lightly pats my head.

“Thanks… Koiumi. Well, then, can I tell you?”

“Yeah… Of course.”

It’s a little scary.

What should I do if he has a girlfriend or something…?

Even though I said I won’t hate him, I can’t react badly now.

I’ve made up my mind inside my heart.

“Actually… Remember when I said I was working part-time?”

“Yeah. You said it was tutoring.”

“Well… I’m actually working another job too.”

I didn’t know that. I did think he was working on weekdays too, though. Masato seemed hesitant as he continued.

“I’m actually working at a boys’ bar.”

The fact hit me like a ton of bricks.

Sure, there was surprise. But there was also a strange sense of understanding that Masato might be capable of something like that.

I do worry if he’s being bothered by strange women because of it.

I had been wondering what I would do if he mentioned having a girlfriend or something, so surprisingly, I didn’t feel as shocked at that moment.

But then, the next moment…

It became completely irrelevant. A shock ran through my mind. What came to mind was the conversation with my energetic best friend.

[He was so kind, you know?! I was so happy to meet a guy like him!] 

[I found out where my destined person works! It turns out, he’s a boy at a boys’ bar!]

[I can’t believe it was all an act or a lie…]

That was one possibility.

I thought there might be someone like Masato out there.

But maybe it’s different.

But when I introduced him to her she didn’t react like that.

Could it be that she didn’t realize? Is that possible?

I want it to be different.

I want to believe it’s not true.

But my gut feeling is telling me otherwise.

The person Mizuho believes is her destiny… could it be Masato?

It felt like my heart was being firmly grasped.