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: Basketball Loving JC Is Vigorous

What is Summer?

The answer to that question can vary quite a bit depending on the person.

For some, it might be places like the beach or river, while for others, it could be foods like watermelon or ice cream.

Certainly, this season was filled with many enticing things, but among them, I’ve always liked “summer festivals.”

When I was taken to a festival happening nearby by some friends, back when I had no idea about festivals and had no parents around, it was an eye-opening experience.

Even though it was nighttime, the area was brightly lit by the lights of stalls and lanterns.

Everyone was smiling, seemingly intoxicated by the festive atmosphere, and witnessing that scene filled my heart with excitement.

Since then, despite being a guy, I’ve even gone as far as to prepare a yukata and occasionally went to festivals with some friends I got along well with at the time.

Now, as for why I was reminiscing about that…

It’s because I was invited to my favorite “summer festival” by Yuka.

[There’s a pretty big summer festival coming up…]

Yuka’s invitation was something I couldn’t turn down.

By the way, shortly after that, I was also invited to the same summer festival by Shiori-chan, but when I told her I already had plans with someone else, she started crying. She was crying but seemed happy about it. It’s scary.

I was waiting for Yuka at the meeting place, the station, absentmindedly playing with my smartphone.

Since she contacted me a while ago, she should be arriving soon, right?

I placed my hand on my chest for a moment.

“Why am I feeling nervous…”

I can’t help but be amazed at myself.

After all, the other person was just a first-year middle school student. Considering I was already a university student, in general terms, there was a significant age difference. It’s likely to be considered a crime.

If it were to be known by Koiumi or Mizuho, I’d probably be accused of being a lolicon.

Until recently, I didn’t even pay attention to such things.

For me, Yuka was like a cute little sister. What came to mind was her frequent challenges, followed by her diligently practicing after losing to me with a frustrated expression.

I thought she looked really cool as a basketball player, and at the same time, it made me feel warm inside.

She’ll probably become even better and become a more amazing player than me.

That’s all it was, really.

However, that changed on that day. Everything was turned upside down.

[I don’t want to be treated like a little sister.]

With a face that looked like she was about to cry, she said that. There was nothing I could do but comply.

And then—

[Can I do more…?]

“~!!”

Just remembering it makes my face flush.

No, no, this can’t be! That’s not right! It’s impure!!

…Why do I sound like a girl? No, but is it right? In a way…

I fanned my face with my hands.

Honestly… what should I do?

Feelings are delightful. Of course they are. It’s natural to feel happy when someone expresses genuine affection, especially when you hold them in high regard. There’s no reason not to be happy about it.

But… there’s still an age barrier.

Yuka will surely meet many more people in the future, and this time spent with me should just be like a childhood memory to her.

“Hey, Onii-san over there!”

“Hm?”

Lost in thought, I was called out by a pair of girls who seemed like typical gals.

Wow. Do gals these days know how to pull off yukatas too?

“If you’re free, wanna hang out with us~? We’ll pay!”

“Wait, are you guys trying to pick me up?”

Gah, it’s a reverse pickup!

Or, wait, is this actually a regular pickup in this world?

“Um, sorry. I’m waiting for someone, actually.”

“Huh, a boy? Then let’s all hang out together~”

…Surprisingly persistent. Did girls in the previous world receive these kinds of pickups?

Must be tough. (Feels like someone else’s problem.)

I thought it was about time to firmly reject them, so at that moment, as I considered it…

“Hey!!”

It was an especially loud voice. The two girls, who had momentarily frozen, turned around.

There, wearing a bright blue yukata, was Yuka.

“That person is my..boy…boy….Onii-san, so could you please step away?”

“Ah, is she your little sister?”

“Yeah, sister! Onii-san was waiting for me, he’s so considerate~”

From… here, the pause felt unusually long, is everything okay?

“Ah, then, little sis, how about just giving me your big brother’s contact info? We can hang out next time, right?”

“Yeah yeah, you have a date with your Onii-san today, after all? Sorry, we’ll come back another time~”

Ah, they totally think she’s my real sister.

Yuka, who swiftly came around in front of me, was now trembling.

“Um… Yuka?”

When I called out to Yuka in a small voice, she raised her head decisively and took a deep breath.

“You should give up and go home because my Onii-san is my boyfriend after all!!!”

“”What do you mean by ‘after all’?!””

—-

In the end, the girls who had come to hit on us gave up and left. Yuka blushed as I told her to try her best, but what exactly did I make her try her best at?

Now, the two of us were walking towards the festival grounds.

“Um… sorry for suddenly raising my voice like that.”

“Mm. Actually, I’m relieved. I was wondering how to get them to leave.”

I looked at Yuka walking beside me. The soft blue base and the modestly arranged floral pattern were charming. The crimson obi served as a nice accent, enhancing the overall look.

Yuka usually wears normal hairpins, but today, she’s wearing an ornate hairpin. It played a sufficient role in giving her a mature impression.

“Um… what do you think?”

Whether she noticed my gaze or not, Yuka stretched out her hands a bit and showed me her entire figure.

“Yeah… You look amazing. You give off a more mature vibe than usual, and you’re beautiful.”

“T-Thank you very much…”

Why am I feeling so embarrassed?!

Well, I know the reason though.

“Masato-san, you also… look cool. The yukata suits you very well.”

“…Hehe, thanks.”

What’s with this ‘hehe’ nonsense? It’s too creepy.

Yuka, who was snuggled up next to me, was blushing. I was probably blushing a bit too. It’s too hot.

But… Come on~! She’s in middle school?! Moreover, she’s only in her first year! It feels like a crime to be this cute, but actually dating her… that’s dangerous, right?! She was a little kid until just recently, you know?!

“U-Um… Masato-san?”

“Hm? What’s up?”

Before I realized it, we had reached the entrance to the shrine, the venue for the festival. The direction of the shrine was glowing brightly with the lights of stalls and lanterns. The surroundings were filled with families, couples, and children, giving a truly festive atmosphere

In the midst of all this, Yuka was looking up at me with upturned eyes.

“…Is it okay if we… hold hands?”

“…Yeah, sure. Shall we?”

If there’s anyone in the world who can refuse this, I want to meet them.

I’d punch them.

—

“Wow, amazing! We got a lot!”

“Surprisingly, I’m pretty good at this kind of thing.”

For a while after that, Yuka and I enjoyed the festival. We ate food from the stalls and tried our hand at shooting games.

Now we were scooping at SuperBall. It’s not that the game itself was particularly fun, but I liked the special feeling of doing it in this atmosphere.

At first, it was embarrassing, but I started to enjoy going around the festival with Yuka and forgot about the embarrassment.

Seeing Yuka laughing, I couldn’t help but think that maybe it’s better to just enjoy this moment together rather than thinking too much about the problem at hand.

I know it’s just postponing the issue, but still.

“Um, sorry to bother you guys, but you can only take up to 10.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Instead, you can take a prize from these.”

Saying that, I was pointed to a lineup of prizes for missing shots at the shooting game. I can’t seem to find anything I really want.

“…It’s an exquisite lineup, isn’t it?…”

“Oh, can I choose for you?”

“Huh? Do you want something?”

“Yes. Please give me that fox mask.”

The one Yuka chose was a cute fox mask. With Yuka in high spirits, we left the superball scoop stall behind.

“Do you like foxes, Yuka?”

“Not particularly… Here, Masato-san.”

“Eh, I have to wear it?!”

Yuka handed me the fox mask with a smile. Succumbed to her smile, I reluctantly put on the fox mask.

Wait a minute…

“Yuka, I can’t see in front!”

“It’s okay! I’m holding your hand!”

“Is that the issue?!”

As we were messing around like that, an announcement came from the speakers set up around the shrine.

[We will soon begin the finale of the festival, the fireworks display.]

Oh, is it already that time?

“Yuka, should we move somewhere to watch the fireworks?”

“Yes, let’s.”

But I still can’t see in front with this mask on. I should take off the fox mask.

Or so I thought.

“…Wait a minute, Yuka. I can’t get this mask off.”

“Eh?!”

Surprised yet laughing, Yuka.

No, I’m surprised too?! It’s really snug on my head and won’t budge!

“I’ll take it off. Can you squat down, Masato-san?”

“Oh, sorry…”

Since it would be a nuisance on the main street, we turned down a side street. As I crouched down, Yuka reached behind my head and began to untie the string holding the mask in place.

…Perhaps because she’s doing it from the front, even though there shouldn’t be anything in my field of vision due to our proximity, I feel a bit nervous.

It’s similar to that time.

After a while, the mask came off. I was about to thank Yuka, then…

Again, before me was the face of Yuka.

A familiar scene.

A familiar sensation.

“Ah…”

Slowly, she backed away. Involuntarily, I collapsed backward into the thicket.

“Hey, Yuka, what are you…?”

“Fufufu… Carelessness is forbidden, Masato-san…”

As Yuka peered mischievously into my face, her movement abruptly halted. Her gaze was fixed on my body.

Huh?

I hadn’t noticed at all, but my yukata had snagged on a small branch protruding from the ground, causing my left shoulder to expose. Underneath, I wasn’t wearing anything. I had no idea how dangerous this situation was.

Uh-oh, by the time I realized, it was already too late.

Yuka, whose eyes widened in alarm, threw herself onto me with full force.

Before I knew it, I was being dragged deeper into the thicket.

People were all focused on the fireworks at the shrine’s precincts, so nobody paid attention to the thicket where Yuka and I were.

The bustle faded into the distance, leaving only us in this secluded spot.

Or so I thought, at least.

“Yuka…! Stop… this isn’t right…!”

“It’s your fault, Masato-san. You provoked me by showing off such a provocative figure…!”

Every inch of my body was thoroughly explored by Yuka’s delicate hands and lips. I had lost count of how many times she kissed me. The sound of fireworks echoed in the distance.

All I could see in my field of vision was Yuka, flushed with desire, and the summer night sky.