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?)

Recently, I’ve been zoning out a lot.

It’s been five days since the shocking incident… Frankly, I’m not really absorbing much in my university classes either. The professor’s voice just passes from one ear to the other like background music.

Replaying in my mind is that exchange from that day.

[No need for an answer. From now on… I’ll prove my feelings by being with you forever!]

I tried suggesting to her that she might just be fantasizing about me because I’m older, and she might change if she meets other guys. But she brushed it off with that line.

As she left with a smile, Yuka’s face… seemed very lively.

I genuinely think so. Adolescence is such a sensitive time, and she’s just clinging to me for now, but she’s bound to experience many more loves and losses in the future, even with me around.

If she’s so happy to hear those words, I can’t just brush her off. She’s just so cute. And I’m a guy, after all.

Since then, Yuka has been quite proactive in contacting me.

As Yuka said, until now, I’ve just thought of her as a little sister-like figure, so I never imagined she harbored such feelings.

Her expression and actions from that day were burned into my mind.

With the setting sun behind her, and me pinned beneath Yuka…

“Oh, you’re spacing out again!”

“…Sorry, sorry.”

I snapped back to reality at the sound of Koiumi’s voice next to me.

“Here, this is cold.”

“Oh, thanks. Just a sec, let me pay you…”

“It’s fine! Let me treat you to this much.”

Today, Koiumi was wearing brown suede frilled shorts from a high-waisted position, paired with a white, refreshing square-necked half-sleeve top with a slightly relaxed fit at the hem. Koiumi’s good figure shines in such setups that accentuate her legs.

“Buying me a drink from the vending machine doesn’t make you cool, you know?”

“But you bought one the other day, Mizuho!”

“That was at Starbucks! Mine’s the better one!”

Poking her head out from behind Koiumi, her best friend, Mizuho, interjected.

Mizuho, in the same shorts as Koiumi, but in black, and a pink sheer blouse on top, with lace sleeves. Her fashion emphasizes her cute side, and she seems to know her strengths. It suits her, and she knows it.

“But Masato, you really seem down lately. Is something wrong?”

“Nah… it’s nothing.”

Although Mizuho tilted her head cutely, she realized I had no intention of discussing this when I started drinking the juice Koiumi handed me in silence.

Well, I’ve been asked this so many times in the past five days, I’ve lost count…

Maybe I’m pretty shocked myself.

It’s been almost four months since I came to this world. Honestly, not much has changed, and I thought I could continue living as I always had… but it’s different. I feel like I’ve been slapped in the face with the realization that this is a different world. Honestly, I let my guard down. I got along with Yuka, and I had a cute little sister-like figure around, so I got a bit carried away.

I look at the two of them talking in front of me.

I’m confident I’ve formed a good relationship with these two, and in the previous world, I’d probably just be living without feeling anything. I would’ve been ecstatic just to have gotten along with two cute girls.

But it’s different now. I don’t know if they harbor romantic feelings… but at the very least, I think both of them have positive feelings toward me.

So, I shouldn’t do anything to stir things up.

Come to think of it, a sleepover trip was pretty risky… It would have been better if there was another guy or something, right? Unfortunately, apart from my buddies from the boys’ bar, I don’t have any close male friends.

“Next week is going to be fun, right?”

“Y-Yeah, I guess.”

My response unintentionally faltered.

Next week. Summer vacation was approaching, and at the beginning of that vacation, we were planning to go to the beach.

In the past, I would have gone along with this without any worries. But basically, in the old world, isn’t it like when a girl goes with two different types of handsome guys? If I were a friend of the girl, I’d be worried, like, “Are you sure it’ll be okay?” By the way, it’s not.

So let’s draw a clear line. I’m feeling a bit late to the party, but…

I can do what I can.

“Hey, listen, Masato, Mizuho was saying she might go for a slightly daring swimsuit—”

“Aaahhh!! I can’t hear you! I’m not listening! Nobody benefits from hearing that!”

Grinning mischievously, Koiumi, who told me that, got tackled by Mizuho.

It’s kind of heartwarming, and it’s somewhat calming to see them solve whatever issue they had between them.

I’ve been feeling like there’s been some tension between them occasionally lately, so I’ve been wondering what’s going on.

If they’ve resolved it, then that’s fine.

“Well, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Uhh… it’s not like that at all… It’s the worst… I’m so flat-chested, and…”

Well, this should be fine.

I knew it all along, but my personality, cultivated over 18 years, isn’t going to change so easily. This is just who I am.

Still, I need to consider things like body contact and personal space…

—

Today’s Friday.

If I was working part-time, Seira-san would come over around 6:30 pm as usual.

“Welcome, Miss. You came again today, didn’t you?”

“Yes. Good evening, Masato.”

In a short-sleeved white blouse and a suit skirt, she looked like a capable woman, and her black hair, left down instead of in a ponytail today, accentuated her coolness.

When I think about it calmly, dealing with her was the most difficult.

For now, I’ve reduced the frequency of our usual communications. I’m not sure if it’ll have any effect, but…

The biggest problem is that I didn’t harbor any negative feelings towards Seira-san myself, I think.

She’s beautiful, and talking to her is enjoyable…

It’s also just nice to know that she likes me. Looking back now, she was pretty touchy-feely, but… I mean, as a guy, that’s just thrilling.

After serving for a while, Seira-san suddenly pulled something out of her bag.

“Actually… I came today because I have something I want to give you.”

“Huh…?”

As I gazed at the neatly wrapped package, I realized it was some sort of gift.

…But my birthday isn’t for a while yet.

“W-Wait a minute, Seira-san. It’s not my birthday yet…”

“You don’t celebrate with something like this on your birthday… This is just a token of appreciation. For our recent date,” she said, passing me the bag.

The bag wasn’t particularly heavy or large, but it bore the logo of a brand even I recognized.

“Um… Can I open it?” I asked tentatively.

“Of course. It’s yours now,” she replied.

With trembling hands, I carefully opened the bag. Inside, there was a navy tie, a tie pin, and cufflinks, all neatly arranged. The colors were subdued and very much to my liking. But still, I couldn’t help but wonder about the price.

“Wow, these are cool… But they must have cost a lot, right?”

“Oh, please… Don’t worry about the price. I thought they would suit you,” she said with a mischievous smile.

Her smile, so different from her usual demeanor, caught me off guard. Uh-oh… Ever since the incident with Yuka, I’ve been overreacting to opposite-sex expressions.

“However… Please don’t overdo it,” I insisted.

“Fufu… You’re adorable,” she chuckled.

Resting her chin on her hand, she took a sip of her drink.

“And by the way, have you been working out lately? You seem a bit more muscular than before. You used to be such a beanpole when we first met.”

“Huh? Really? I don’t think so…” I replied, but thoughts of Yuka and our basketball games flooded my mind again.

“Look at your arms here…” Seira-san leaned in and gently grasped my arm.

In that moment, I couldn’t help but pull away reflexively.

Taken aback by my reaction, she withdrew her hand.

…This is awkward.

“What’s wrong, Masato?” she asked.

“Uh, it’s not that… Um, it’s just…”

This is bad. How did things end up like this?

It seems like things have been strange since last week… But maybe, deep down, this is how it’s supposed to be.

I need to maintain the right distance…

Just as I thought that, her arm, which had somehow moved closer, wrapped around my waist from behind.

Before I knew it, I was pulled tightly in her direction.

“Why are you avoiding me, Masato?”

The soft, feminine scent enveloped me.

“Um… It’s not that… I mean…”

Seira-san must be quite tipsy by now. Her face was noticeably flushed. With her well-defined features so close, I felt frozen in place.

“I see. You must have been bothered by another girl.”

“…!”

“I get it now. That cute girl you were serving last time? What did she do to you? Don’t worry, I won’t get mad, just tell me.”

“No, it’s not like that…”

My right hand was held tightly. Meanwhile, Seira-san’s left hand remained firmly wrapped around my waist, leaving me unable to move.

“Hey, Masato…”

“Yes…?”

Seira-san’s slender, long fingers interlocked with mine, one by one, meticulously. Eventually, we were holding hands in what could only be described as a lovers’ grip, silently conveying, “I won’t let go.”

“You liked the gift, right?”

“Y-Yes…”

“Then…”

She leaned in close to my ear.

I shouldn’t… I shouldn’t let this happen.

But I couldn’t bring myself to push Seira-san away.

…Ah, I see.

I had been thinking about maintaining distance and avoiding physical contact after what happened with Yuka.

But it was already too late.

With an enchanting smile, Seira-san whispered in my ear…

“…Shall we go to the after party?”

I struggled desperately, but it was futile. I was already neck-deep in the murky waters of this situation.