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 45.5: Everyday Lives

～Dinner with Seira Mochizuki～

“It’s just that, you see…”

“Oh, is that so? That’s unfortunate. Well, if you can manage some light exercise, I’d like to try some next time.”

I was accompanying Seira-san today. Just like last time, we were supposed to eat dinner at a restaurant on the top floor of the station building before heading to the shop.

The restaurant we went to last time was incredibly delicious, but this one today was also very tasty. …I can only say it’s delicious; I’m really sorry, but I’m just not very sophisticated when it comes to food…

Perhaps because I said I hardly disliked anything last time, unlike the Italian cuisine last time, today we had Japanese food.

After enjoying some seafood dishes, we’re now chatting over tea.

“…Ah, sorry, may I go to the restroom for a moment?”

“Yes, of course. It’s about time, so when you return from the restroom, shall we head to the shop?”

“Yes! Understood!”

Seira-san showed a gentle smile.

She has a calming presence.

It might be that she’s somehow managed to stay calm in a good way. I wish she’d stop trying to make me laugh with gross jokes sometimes, though…

After finishing in the restroom and washing my hands, I checked my appearance in the mirror.

Hmm, everything seems fine.

As I try to return to my seat slowly…

“Huh?”

“Yes, I’m coming, Masato. Here’s your bag.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

Seira-san, who was waiting in front of the restroom near the entrance, was standing holding my clutch bag. When I accepted it, she walked towards the outside of the shop.

Uh, excuse me, what about the bill…?

“Seira-san, what about the bill…?”

“Hm? It’s already taken care of.”

“Eh?! I’m sorry, how much was it…?”

“Well… Look here, Masato.”

Seira-san turned around and held her index finger in front of my eyes.

“Understand? I have no intention of letting you pay a single cent while you’re with me. You don’t even have to bring your wallet, okay?”

“But, that’s…”

“But it’s not. I won’t let you pay, Masato. That’s what I’ve decided. So, okay?”

Given that she said that, I had no choice but to back down. I guess I’ll just have to accept this as a cultural difference…

I put my wallet, taken out of my clutch bag, back into my bag reluctantly.

“But you know…”

“?”

Seira-san took my hand. I couldn’t help but feel a flutter at the smooth sensation of her skin.

“The attitude you have, Masato, where you don’t think ‘having you pay is normal’… I really like it.”

“…Thank you very much.”

“Oh, you’re blushing. So cute.”

…Recently, I feel like I’m being pushed around by Seira-san a bit.

—-

～The University Life of Koiumi Igarashi and Mizuho Tonosaki～

Most of my University classes were taken with either Koiumi or Mizuho. So, I hardly had the opportunity to communicate with other classmates.

“What do you usually do, Masato-kun~?”

“Masato-kun, do you have a girlfriend?!”

“Would you like to come to our circle?”

Sometimes, I get bombarded with these kinds of questions when I’m alone.

What should I do? Even though I didn’t have to worry much when it came to group activities since one of them was usually there…

Well, I have to be able to handle this alone as well.

I’ve made up my mind and decided to talk to these kids.

“I just work part-time~ I don’t have a girlfriend either. And the circle might be a bit too much since I’m busy with my part-time job…”

While I was talking, the three female classmates’ eyes  were gleaming with excitement the whole time. Honestly, it’s kinda… scary.

“You don’t have a girlfriend! Even though you seem super popular~! Don’t you want to get a girlfriend?”

“If it’s about the club, you can take a break anytime! Camps are fun!”

Whoa, isn’t this physical contact a bit too much? They’re getting too close, aren’t they? It’s scary when they come on so strong like this.

And suggesting a club outing as the first proposal was just… too scary.

As I was pondering how to handle this situation…

Running over from behind the three of them was a familiar face.

“Masato~~~!!!”

“Gah!”

Mizuho rushed over to me, then jumped into my arms.

“Sorry for the wait~! Oh, wait? Were you in the middle of something? Sorry?”

“Ah, no, um… Tonosaki-san and Masato-kun…”

The three girls, looking surprised by Mizuho’s sudden appearance.

“Oh, did we get caught? If we did, oh well! That’s right, Masato and I have a bond…”

“A bond…?”

While still clinging to my waist, Mizuho started explaining with a bright smile.

Uh, we just toasted with water bottles though…

“Don’t say weird things. Sorry, Mizuho suddenly…”

“Koiumi~! You’re slow~!”

Koiumi also came running from behind at some point.

She stood next to me… on the side opposite to where Mizuho was clinging.

“Sorry, but Masato’s busy with work. He’s not interested in joining the club. I invited him too, though.”

“Ah, I see…”

“Well, that’s how it is. Give up, okay? See you later.”

With that, Koiumi took my arm and started walking. The three female classmates were dumbfounded the whole time.

Being dragged along by Koiumi as she walked briskly, I glanced back for a moment. That was pretty harsh, but I wonder if it’s okay…

“Is… is it okay?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. We’re just acquaintances at best. Those girls, they’ll go for anyone they think is cool, extreme as that may sound.”

“Those girls are pretty pushy, huh~! They say they’re in the tennis club but they hardly play tennis at all, it’s famous!”

“I-I see…”

Mizuho was also making a cross sign with her fingers. Maybe she’s trying to convey that we shouldn’t get involved.

“Mizuho, why am I always the one everyone dislikes…”

“Sorry sorry, I just can’t bring myself to speak forcefully…”

“Hey, what are you gonna do when I’m not around?”

“I’ll take Masato and make a quick getaway! Of course!”

Koiumi looked exasperated, while Mizuho laughed mischievously. Somehow, I always end up being helped by these two.

If there’s one thing that concerns me…

It feels like the strength in the hands held by these two has become a bit stronger than before. I wonder if it’s just my imagination.

—-

~~ Book Impressions with Shiori Shinomiya

“Wow, that was really interesting. I felt kind of strange after reading it.”

“Well, I’m the one asking for your thoughts after lending you the book, so I’m the one feeling the most strange and complicated about it…”

Since then, Shiori-chan’s demeanor has changed quite a bit. Or rather, this might be the real Shiori-chan. She used to give off a very refined ladylike vibe with her clothing, but now she’s changed into something more unpretentious and cute.

“So, who’s your favorite character? Kazu-kun, the youngest, right?”

“Ah… Well, if I had to choose, I liked Rika-kun, the second son.”

“You should really go see a doctor…”

“Isn’t that a bit harsh?!”

Shiori-chan, with a face devoid of emotion, said this in a way that was somewhat more expressive.

“No way. At least pick the eldest son, Ei-kun. But the second son… No way…”

“Typical novices…” Shiori-chan shrugged her shoulders. The slightly irritating current mood was just right for me.

Only Shiori-chan talked  to me with this kind of atmosphere, and that’s what makes her special.

“Alright, what about reading something else next?”

“Oh, do you have any recommendations?”

“Hmm… Let me see…”

Shiori-chan looked at the bookshelf. The bookshelf that used to be protected by a tension rod and curtains was now wide open, with the curtains folded and placed to the side.

“How about this one?”

Shiori-chan took out a book.

“Let’s see…”

I looked at the cover of the book she handed me. “Please, Teacher~ Teach Me Things They Don’t Teach at School~” A forbidden romance with a private tutor. Restricted to those under 18… Yeah.

“How should I feel about reading this?”

“Definitely imagine yourself in the story.”

“I absolutely refuse.”

—

〜Searching for a Basketball Court with Yuka Maeda〜

Since we found out that the court where Yuka and I used to play basketball was being demolished, Yuka and I have been searching for a new practice spot.

Although we don’t expect to find one by just searching aimlessly, we’ve done some research on the internet beforehand and then go to scout the locations.

“Hmm, this place seems quite popular…”

“Yeah… Even though it’s a holiday, it looks like there are several groups waiting.”

Still, it’s not easy to find one. Popular spots that come up first on the internet don’t always guarantee availability for basketball. It would be best to find a moderately hidden gem, but they were not that easy to come by.

“There’s apparently another spot nearby, should we walk over and check it out?”

“Yes!”

Taking Yuka with me, we started walking again. I took out my smartphone to look up directions to the next location.

“Um… We go straight ahead from here…”

We walked along the sidewalk of the main street, just the two of us, when suddenly…

“Huh…!”

“…?”

Realizing something, Yuka swiftly moved from my side to the other.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing!” she replied with a smile, looking happy.

Although I found it curious, I decided not to say anything since Yuka seemed cheerful.

“We need to turn left here,”

“I see. I haven’t been this way much,”.

“Me neither,”

As we crossed the signal and walked along the sidewalk again, Yuka suddenly exclaimed once more.

“Ah!” she said, then swiftly moved to my other side, snugly close.

“Huh? Is this a screen-out move…?” I joked.

“N-no, it’s not!” she quickly denied.

I thought she might be practicing basketball moves, but it seemed I was mistaken.

“Why did you…?” I began to ask.

“I saw it on TV. It said that good girls don’t let guys walk on the side of the road! It’s dangerous!” she explained a bit awkwardly.

Her manner of speaking was a bit clumsy, but her concern for my safety was evident.

Hesitantly, Yuka peered into my face, asking, “H-how is it…?”

“Fufu… thanks,” I replied, and her face lit up with a bright smile.

I couldn’t help but think that her smile was truly something special.