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?)

《Masato-nii-san》

『It’s fine, but I don’t feel like I can wake up in the morning… haha』

《Yuka》

『Um, if it’s okay with you, should I call you in the morning?』

《Masato-nii-san》

『Haha, understood! Please do! I’m sorry if I can’t wake up! I’ll do my best! Haha』

《Yuka》

『Then, I’ll call you around 6 o’clock tomorrow morning! Good night』

《Masato-nii-san》

『Okay! Good night』

I took a deep breath as I scrolled through yesterday’s SNS exchanges.

It’s currently 6 in the morning.

I’m used to waking up at this time, but it seems Masato-nii-san isn’t.

Even when we usually communicate, he often replies very late at night or doesn’t reply until noon, so I’m used to it. I feel guilty about forcibly waking Masato-nii-san up, but this is something he asked for… I reminded myself and reached for the call button.

First call, no answer. Second call, no answer.

I started feeling really nervous.

And then, the third call.

The call connected.

“Um, hello, good morning, Masato-nii-san?”

[….]

I could only hear the rustling of the futon for a while.

“Um… Masato-nii-san?”

Maybe I shouldn’t have called after all. In that moment, guilt struck my chest.

　[… Yuka?]

　”H-Huh?!”

A bombshell of unexpected proportions dropped. A groggy voice, not fully awake. 　My heart started racing. Even though nothing was actually wrong, it felt like I had done something terribly wrong.

“G-Good morning. It’s Yuka.”

[Mm…]

..W-Why is this so… suggestive…?

D-Don’t use that seductive voice!!!

After that, We talked until Masato-nii-san fully regained consciousness…

And then I hung up.

“What was that… it’s messing with my head…”

The destructive power of a groggy Masato-nii-san in the morning was tremendous. Honestly, it was quite dangerous. In many ways.

I took a deep breath. And then, I rolled around in bed for about a minute.

—-

After getting Masato-nii-san to do morning practice, I came to the tournament venue with my team members.

We warmed up together, getting ready for the first match.

Since it’s a tournament, if we lose, it’s over. I don’t think I’m nervous… I don’t want the third-years to retire if we lose, but if I think the opponent isn’t stronger than Masato-nii-san, I feel a bit relieved.

“Yuka, I’m going all out, so I’ll be couting on you!”

“Yes! I’ll do my best!”

The captain who encouraged me is a kind person. She always spoke kindly to me even when I suddenly became a starter. With a ponytail that feels like it belongs in the basketball club, she’s cool.

I stood up from the folding chair and regulated my breathing. I tightly gripped the black wristband on my left hand.

The wristband Masato-nii-san gave me. When I looked at the back, there were definitely the initials “MK” in Roman script.

…I’m happy. It feels like Masato-nii-san is fighting with me, and that’s reassuring.

“Okay, line up!”

Upon the referee’s command, I stood on the court with my seniors.

Alright. I’ll do my best…!

Coach had told me I could go wild, so when I got the ball, I boldly attacked. Defense didn’t scare me at all, and I knew I could score aggressively like this. Mixing up shot and pass options, I got involved in scoring. Even though the opponents put two defenders on me, I wasn’t bothered by it.

After all, it’s hundreds of times harder with Masato-nii-san alone to score!

“Nice, Yuka! Keep going!”

“Yes!!”

As I returned to defense, I lightly high-fived the captain.

Games are fun after all!

My performance didn’t drop even in the second half.

Today, I’m in really good shape.

Though it’s the opponent’s offense, they’re making high passes overall. I seized the opportunity during dribble and stole the ball.

“Nice! Over here, Yuka!”

Passing to a senior, I went on the offense. Despite facing two defenders, it didn’t matter. I created space as usual, evaded, and fooled the opponent who came to help with a pass fake.

Nearly open for a jump shot.

Alright. It went in—.

And at that moment. My gaze was drawn beyond the rim.

There sat a man in the stands.

Masato-nii-san was there.

—

“Hey, wasn’t there a super handsome guy in the stands?”

“Yeah, I saw him too!”

“Who’s that? Someone’s brother?”

“Introduce him~!!”

Why is this happening…?

We managed to win both matches safely.

That’s a good thing. But after the game in the locker room, it was all about Masato-nii-san.

“I heard from my dad that he’s Yuka’s brother.”

“Huh! Really, Yuka?!”

There are only players here. In other words, there are no friends of my classmates… Being a freshman feels really awkward…

“Um…”

“Hey, Yuka, introduce us to your brother! He’s super cool!”

“What’s his name?!”

Masato-nii-san is my Nii-san, but he’s not actually my “Onii-san” so why is this so confusing?

And absolutely no way to introduce him! Somehow leaving the locker room, I returned to where everyone was. There was my mom who had come to support.

That’s good. If mom’s here, there shouldn’t be any misunderstandings with the other adults…!

“Yuka, when did I have such a cool son…?”

“What are you talking about, mom?!”

“Because if I did, I’d be so happy…”

“That’s not okay! Not okay!”

We shouldn’t be talking about this.

I promised to go home with Masato-nii-san…

Last meeting before disbandment. The captain talked about the game review and boosted morale for the next match.

We’ll be back to club activities from tomorrow. And as we were about to disband, the captain solemnly clapped his hands.

“Now we’re going to select someone to introduce Yuka’s brother to.”

“Huh?!”

What a ridiculous thing to say, Captain?!

“I volunteer~! I’ll do it!”

“Me too~!”

“I want to flirt with the handsome guy too!!”

Seniors volunteered one after another. No, no, this is not okay!

“…Just kidding. We won’t do something like that.”

Phew… Even though seniors were booing, I felt relieved.

The captain cleared his throat and then.

“I’ll be the one to introduce myself to him.”

Huh…?

“Trash captain!”

“This jerk!”

“You’ve got a boyfriend, don’t you!!”

Now there was a huge booing for the captain…But she remained calm, ignoring it, and looked at me.

“Yuka, care to introduce him?”

Even when she stuck out her tongue like that…

I-I have to say it. He’s not my big brother…

And, he’s… he’s my—!

I took a deep breath.

“He’s the person who will become my boyfriend, so no!!!!!!”

Embarrassed, I dashed away as if fleeing.

“Invite us to the wedding, Yuka~!”

“Good luck, Yuka-chan~!”

“Ah, youth~!”

The noisy voices behind me were embarrassingly loud.

At the school gate, I saw Masato-nii-san waiting.

“Let’s go, Masato-nii-san!”

“O-Oh…?”

I pushed Masato-nii-san’s large back with force.

—-

Riding on the back of Masato-nii-san’s bike. Embracing his broad back, I spent blissful time. It was good to be selfish.

Maybe I showed him some of my cool sides today, and being able to cling to Masato-nii-san like this, it’s the best day. My heart involuntarily leaps.

“I… like you.”

The wind was blowing, and my voice from behind couldn’t be heard.

This softly murmured feeling doesn’t reach him. I remembered what I declared in front of everyone earlier. I still want to be with Masato-nii-san.

I want him to be my boyfriend.

But… Masato-nii-san probably sees me as a sister-like figure.

It’s evident from what he said in the stands today. It’s frustrating.

I want him to be aware. How can I make him notice my feelings?

I tightened the arms around me.

I want to hold on tightly.

I don’t want to let go.

How can I make him realize these feelings?

Masato-nii-san.

—-

While Masato-nii-san went to stop the bike, I came to secure the court.

Perhaps because it’s already getting dark, there’s no one around.

Thinking it’s alright, I was about to enter the court when—.

“Hmm?”

I noticed an unfamiliar notice posted at the entrance of the court.

I read the contents.

“Huh…”

It said that this court will be “unavailable from next week.”

…Why?

Just when I was so happy, my mood turned cold as if doused with cold water.

This place will be gone.

The first meeting.

So cool.

I wanted to meet again and went to see him.

The first time I talked to him.

[U-Um, would you… play against me, please?!]

[Huh?!]

Playing basketball with Masato-nii-san was fun…

I looked forward to Fridays.

[T-Today, I’ll win! And then, I’ll… take this place from you!]

[Here comes the little one~]

There were moments in the rain where my heart pounded.

[Wear this. It’s short-sleeved so it might not be enough. But it’s better, probably.]

[Huh…]

He helped me.

[――You seem to be having a lot of fun practicing.]

[…You did really well, Yuka. You looked cool.]

Countless memories swirl around in my head.

It was always, always here.

Everything about Masato-nii-san and me is here.

And yet.

It’s going away…?

Does that mean I won’t be able to see Masato-nii-san anymore…?

“What’s wrong?”

Masato-nii-san, who had stopped the bike, had somehow come up behind me.

I managed to suppress this painful feeling and turned around.

“…Masato-nii-san… this…”

Masato-nii-san also looked at the notice.

“…Seriously?”

Masato-nii-san, after reading the contents, seemed shocked. This is the worst. This place filled with memories is disappearing.

From next week, I won’t be able to see Masato-nii-san—

“We’ll have to find a new place.”

“Huh…?”

“Huh? If this place is going away, we’ll have to find a new one, right?”

It took me a few seconds to understand Masato-nii-san’s words.

“S-So easily…”

“It’s incredibly sad that this place is going away… It’s where I met you, Yuka. But…”

A sensation on my head. The large palm of Masato-nii-san.

“The memories won’t disappear, right? We’re still together even outside this park. Memories will remain within us… So, we just have to find a new place to make new memories, right?”

…Various facts stir up my emotions.

That I can meet Masato-nii-san again. That he called our meeting a memory, which makes me happy. That he’s willing to search together again.

He’s saying all of this for me, I know. Again, I feel happy.

I cling to Masato-nii-san.

“Whoa?!… What’s wrong, Yuka?”

“Masato-nii-san, thank you… so much…! Really, for meeting me…!”

“Don’t be so dramatic…”

He stroked my head.

It’s not dramatic at all.

I’m glad I met this person.

I really――love him.

Feeling a bit calmer… I realize that I’m being stroked.