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?)

From high school, Mizuho and I have been close friends. While I was in the softball team, Mizuho was in the dance club. Although we were in different clubs, we often spent time together during breaks and on days off.

We were in the same freshman class, and Mizuho, who easily made friends with anyone, quickly became close to me. While I thought she was friendly with everyone, I soon found myself gravitating towards her group. Mizuho was always at the center, bright and cheerful. Her smile and innocence lifted my spirits countless times.

When I heard we were applying to the same university, I was secretly delighted. Mizuho noticed my expression and jokingly asked, ‘What’s with that face? Don’t tell me you’re not happy about being with me again!’ Her laughter eased any concerns I had. If I were with Mizuho, I felt reassured about my social life in college.

What I’m trying to say is, I liked Mizuho that much, and I was confident she liked me back to some extent.

But still…

We returned to our room, sitting face to face. It was a guest room at the inn, with a view of the sea from the window.

Mizuho was already in tears.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Koiumi…”

“Even if you apologize…”

The atmosphere was hellish.

I had come here worried about the condition of the sleeping Masato. Knowing Mizuho was also here, I was about to ask about Masato’s condition when I entered the room.

Then I saw Mizuho leaning close to Masato’s face.

Anger and sorrow didn’t immediately surface within me.

I felt my mind go blank. But I could still comprehend the situation.

I understood I had to stop this.

“Even though I knew you liked him, Koiumi… I… I…”

Mizuho wiped away her tears with her hand.

The usual carefree Mizuho was nowhere to be found.

…I took a deep breath. I still hadn’t fully accepted the situation.

Then Mizuho slowly raised her head. Her eyes were red and swollen…

“Hey, you know, Masato turned out to be my destined person. Masato is my fate… I found out…”

My heart skipped a beat.

But strangely enough, I wasn’t as surprised as I thought I would be.

“At that time, it was Masato who saved me!? Masato saved me entirely… It’s impossible! It’s painful…! Why Masato?! Why… is he the one I love?!”

“…”

I couldn’t look at Mizuho’s face… directly.

I didn’t know what to do either.

When Mizuho tried to do something to Masato earlier, I did feel a sense of anger inside me. But more than that, what I felt was sadness, and… a sense of guilt towards Mizuho.

To be honest, I had half realized it. I had considered the possibility that Masato might be the person Mizuho was searching for, her destined partner.

When I heard that Masato was working at a boys’ bar…

Considering the situation Mizuho described, I thought Masato could very well help, or rather, he would help. But if they had met back then, wouldn’t Mizuho have recognized him…? I had just thought of it as a possibility, but I had imagined it a little.

But I didn’t tell Mizuho about it… I couldn’t.

I was scared. What if it was true, and Masato was Mizuho’s destined partner?

I didn’t want to accept that.

And because I postponed it… this is what happened.

I looked straight ahead.

Mizuho, who had fallen forward again, was trembling slightly.

My best friend… was crying.

“Even before knowing who my destined partner was, I gradually became aware of my feelings… I tried my best to keep them away… because of you and my destined partner… but now even that’s gone… I couldn’t hold back anymore…”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have introduced you”

“No… th-that’s not…”

Why did I say something like that?

I reacted to the words ‘even before knowing who my destined partner was.’

But that was my fault too. I knew what kind of person Masato was, yet I approached him for my own desires. And because of that, I made Mizuho suffer.

Another sigh escaped me.

I looked outside suddenly.

The sound of the waves was soothing… I felt a little calmer.

“Hey, Mizuho… Do you like Masato?”

“…”

Mizuho nodded silently.

She probably couldn’t give him up. She had already reached that point. Masato’s existence in Mizuho’s heart.

“Even if I ask you to give him up, you probably can’t”

“…”

“”It’s okay. I understand. I’m the same””

It seemed like I had to prepare myself. I took a deep breath and then stood up.

Beyond the sea… the moon was reflected on the water’s surface, creating a fantastical view.

After calming my mind while admiring the scenery, I turned back to Mizuho. What I was about to propose was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

It was…

“So, Mizuho… let’s… let’s become Masato’s girlfriends together”

“…Huh?”

I had thought about this a little. I didn’t want to share him, but if it were Mizuho, I’d be okay with it.

“You know, recently, it’s become common for guys to date multiple people”

“T-yeah.”

“In the near future, they say polygamy will become more common… So, let’s both marry Masato, Mizuho.”

“…!”

Mizuho’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Mizuho, do you mind?”

“I-I don’t mind, but… what about you, Koiumi?”

“Well, I actually wanted to date him alone… but if it’s with you, Mizuho, it’s okay.”

Besides, I felt it would be tough to win over a saint-like Masato all by myself. Especially after hearing he works at a boys’ bar.

I think it’s a miracle that no stalker-like behavior has emerged yet due to Masato’s kindness.

“Of course, I haven’t asked Masato about this… Let’s say it together when we confess. I think Masato would accept it if it’s the two of us, Mizuho.”

“Koiumi… Ugh… Waaaah, Koiumi!”

“Don’t cry so loudly! But that’s how it is! If Masato says he only wants me, You’ll have to give up!”

“Sniff… Okay… I was scared… S-sorry, Koiumi…!”

Mizuho, her face soaked with tears, clung to me. Mizuho’s inner conflict must have been greater than mine.

I pat her back gently.

“I’m sorry too, Mizuho. I actually thought about it. I wondered if Masato might be your destined partner. But I was too scared to say it. I’m… equally guilty.”

“No… It’s not like that… It’s my fault… I’m really, really sorry…!”

Unbeknownst to me, tears streamed down my cheeks. I didn’t want to dislike Mizuho. Maybe that’s why I was able to calm down and relax for a moment.

To calm Mizuho down, and to calm myself down too.

I continued to hold Mizuho gently in my arms.

—

“Hey, Koiumi, are we really going to do this?”

“Yeah. Let’s do it.”

Then.

We were back in Masato’s room.

Despite all the commotion we caused, Masato was sound asleep. It was somehow frustrating… but cute… and endearing. Mizuho and I sat on either side of Masato as he slept.

I gently stroked Masato’s head.

“Geez… Masato you are too cool, You ended up making Mizuho fall for you too.”

My voice was soft. Masato was just breathing peacefully, showing no signs of waking up.

“So, this is punishment, Masato. Both of us… need you to take care of us, okay?”

I whispered that and brought my face close to Masato’s neck. After hearing what Mizuho was trying to do, I also wanted to do it. So, I suggested to Mizuho that we do it together.

At first, Mizuho was embarrassed… but she agreed. Isn’t it nice? The two of us, marking Masato’s body together.

I pressed my lips against the left side of his neck. Masato’s scent raced through my mind.

My body trembled with joy. Every part of me screamed that I wanted to make this person mine.

Stronger. I need to make it stronger. No matter how long it takes, it’s not enough. It’s still not enough.

“…Haah…!”

I slowly pulled away. There was a distinct mark left on his neck.

Proof that he belongs to me. My feelings surged.

“Mizuho, you too.”

“Y-yeah…”

Mizuho also left a mark on the other side. Just like me, a long and deep marking.

I could see Mizuho’s cheeks flushing, just like mine. And then, we parted.

There were two “marks” on Masato’s neck.