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?)

Even during summer vacation, I had shifts on Fridays.

There’s no summer break for the kind of people who come to that store, and since I was on a fixed schedule, I can’t just take off because it’s summer break. Besides, I was driven by the simple mission of needing to earn money, so I was here at work today as well.

As usual, my main task was at the reception. I guided the high-spirited ladies and left them to the assigned boys.

At first, I was a bit reluctant, but since everyone who comes here leaves with a smile and I don’t really mind talking, I thought it was not that bad after all.

…Although I didn’t feel like my talk skills as a host were improving.

Suddenly, I checked the time.

It was nearing 8 o’clock.

“It’s about time…”

I temporarily stopped the work in the back and returned to the reception.

Normally, I would only go to the reception after receiving notification of a visitor, but… I knew that one particular customer would come at this time.

So, I returned to the reception, and not even five minutes passed.

The entrance door opened.

“Hey, Masato.”

“…Welcome, Seira-san.”

My only regular customer, Seira Moshizuki-san, had arrived.

—

“That’s why I told them it’s none of your business!! I’m perfectly satisfied spending money on Masato!!”

“Seira-san, please calm down.”

It’s been about two hours since I have been with Seira-san. If it were a new customer, we would have switched boys once or twice, but that’s not the case with Seira-san.

And no one in the store dared to approach. They know Seira-san will decline.

She seemed to be quite drunk, and her complaints about her college friends have been non-stop.

Once she gets like this, it’s hard to get her to stop.

“Well, well, aren’t you worried about your friends?”

“No way! They just pity me because they’re happy themselves…!”

“Isn’t that a bit self-deprecating…?”

As I refilled her glass with alcohol, I continued listening to Seira-san’s complaints.

Since that incident, she seemed to have softened, or something…

Before, I used to find her a little intimidating, but recently, that feeling has disappeared. On the contrary, there’s been an increase in explicit jokes and borderline sexual harassment. Maybe this was the real Seira-san.

As the alcohol was poured into the glass and the ice melted, making a satisfying clinking sound…

“It’s fine. I don’t need to worry about anyone better than Masato showing up. I’d rather spend money on you than run around for some other guy.”

“It’s really hard to comment from my position…”

“It’s fine. Whether it’s genuine or just an act, as long as you seem happy, it makes me happy too.”

“It’s not an act?!”

With a gulp, Seira-san drank from her glass and let out a sigh.

Whether it’s because the shadow has left her face or not, seeing Seira-san from the side like this, she looked attractive.

The suit suits her, and although her eyes were slightly upward slanted, her eyelashes were neatly arranged, giving her a lively impression. Her makeup doesn’t seem too heavy, but you can tell she’s putting in a lot of effort, especially around her eyes.

“How about you, Masato? How many girls do you actually have?”

“Eek?!”

I was a little captivated by Seira-san’s face and then made a careless remark.

“Eek? Not cute at all. Let’s see, how many? Around five or six?”

“N-No way! There’s no…not that m-many!”

As I was about to assert that there wasn’t anyone, an image suddenly flashed in my mind: Yuka’s enchanting smile against the backdrop of fireworks.

Having experienced that, having faced her feelings directly, and yet the other party was still in middle school…

I was at a loss for words regarding what kind of relationship I should define with that girl.

Seeing my dilemma, Seira-san let out an easily understandable sigh.

“Oh well… It doesn’t matter. I never thought for a moment that there wasn’t a girl for you, Masato. If it’s just hearing about it, it’s no big deal. Don’t hold back, spill it.”

“I, I’ll still ask, but when you say just hearing about it…?”

“I might just lose it if I see someone flirting with you right in front of me.”

“Isn’t that a bit too much?!”

This was the so-called “improved version” of Seira-san, completely unapologetic.

I wish her eyes would stop suddenly losing her light; it’s unsettling!

Well, I’m glad she seems to like me, but still…

“You know, what about the friend you saw at the entrance last time? She had that unmistakable look of love, too.”

“You mean Mizuho…? N-no, it’s not like that at all. We’re just classmates, she doesn’t like me or anything like that.”

“Oh…”

“Can you please not look at me like that?!”

Seira-san reached for her glass again, as if expressing her utter disbelief.

After taking a sip, she gently placed the glass back on the table.

“You know, it’s impossible. Being born as a woman, meeting you, and talking to you—falling for you is inevitable. Even if she doesn’t fall for you, she’s definitely seeing you with sexual eyes somewhere in her mind.”

“That’s totally inappropriate, isn’t it?!”

“Hey, well, most college girls are like, ‘Can I take him home? I want to take him home, take a photo of him sleeping in the hotel, and then post it on social media to show off.’ You see?”

“I really didn’t need to hear that.”

What’s with that? …But maybe that’s the norm in this world?

In my previous world, sure, there were plenty of men with ulterior motives, but… And adding this female-specific mentality of social media bragging… It’s hellishly rational.

“So, what’s the deal? Have you guys already… done it?”

“Aren’t you crossing an inappropriate line today?! Shouldn’t we stop drinking now?!”

“Oh, but wait, if I hear about what you’re doing, my sanity might just shatter, so I’ll pass on that.”

“I haven’t done anything!!!”

“Well, well, that reaction seems pretty genuine. There, there…”

“What’s with the ‘there, there’?”

Talking to Seira-san lately feels like she’s constantly taking the lead. But surprisingly, it’s not so bad, and I think I’ve been completely influenced by her.

“But anyway, you hesitated a bit earlier, so there must be something, right?”

“…It’s surprising you figured it out.”

“Stupid. Do you really think I haven’t been observing you, Masato?”

“That’s a slightly scary way to put it…”

…Well, honestly, I’m clearly undecided about Yuka.

Honestly, isn’t middle school romance just an extension of childhood dreams…? That’s what I initially thought.

Yuka is cute, and she’s quite capable, so she’ll experience various encounters with many boys from now on.

I’d be happy if she just remembered me as “the guy who played basketball with her once” from the past…

But she’s already left memories that can’t be contained by that level…

“What? You’re looking so uncertain.”

“Well… you see, there are some who express their feelings so strongly, but she’s just too young…”

“You mean high schoolers?”

“No, middle schoolers…”

“…I wish I could have met you when I was young too.”

I’m curious about Seira-san’s school days, but…

“So? What are you hesitating about?”

“Well, you know, I think she’ll experience various romances in the future, so I feel like I’ll be closing off her possibilities by being involved with her.”

Yuka is going to become quite popular from now on. Even in this world, it seems like Yuka won’t be short of admirers.

“Ha~~~~”

“Yeah..”

Well that was a big sigh.

“Well… you’re just hopeless, aren’t you, Masato?”

“Huh…?”

After all the exasperated reactions, Seira-san pointed her index finger at me.

“You know, Masato… you just don’t understand your own charm.”

“…Is that so?”

“No, really. I’ve been thinking for a while now that something’s off. Your charm as a man and your self-esteem are completely disconnected. And while that can be a good thing, your lack of awareness is just criminal.”

“…”

“Basically, Masato, you’re too defenseless. It’s like you’re asking to be taken advantage of. Don’t you know women are all like beasts?”

“Well, lately… I’ve been trying to be more mindful,”

Especially after what happened with Yuka. But old habits die hard…

“Hmm… then close your eyes.”

“Huh? Okay…”

I had no idea what closing my eyes had to do with our conversation, but I did as she said. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of citrusy perfume, and then I felt a sensation on my cheek.

“Huh…?”

“You see, you really are defenseless.”

Before I knew it, Seira-san’s face was very close to mine, and I couldn’t help but feel a flutter in my chest.

“I should be commended for not kissing you on the lips.”

“Uh, well, this is… quite unexpected…”

“Listen, Masato…”

Seira-san sat back firmly on the sofa, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, but her eyes were serious as she looked straight at me.

“Understand your own charm. I really do appreciate your personality, but your lack of awareness might end up hurting not just the other person but you too.”

“…You’re right…”

“To be honest, I don’t care what kind of woman ends up with you, but I can’t stand seeing you get hurt.”

“Uh, your way of saying things…”

“It’s the truth.”

Seira-san then picked up her bag with an unassuming expression and stood up. Looking at the clock, it was indeed time to leave.

—-

After settling the bill, Seira-san left the restaurant. I followed her out to see her off.

“Ahh! Fridays when I get to see you, Masato, are the best!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

Seira-san stretched out widely, her long, glossy hair swaying gently in the night breeze.

“Hey, Masato…”

“…Yes? What is it?”

Even though she should have been intoxicated, Seira-san, with a mischievous grin on her face, turned back towards me, her expression slightly enchanting.

It felt incredibly charming to me.

“I don’t mind if you keep me around, you know?”

(T/N: The word used here is “キープ” or “kipu” which means,
It has both the literal meaning in English and the slang meaning in Japanese.

Example sentences:

She’s currently with her, but he’s keeping other girls on the side.

I don’t plan on dating that guy, but for now, I’ll keep him around)

“Keep you around? What do you mean by that?”

“I told you, didn’t I?”

Seira-san closed the distance between us slightly. She took my hand.

The scent of her perfume lingered, and my heart skipped a beat.

“Have confidence in your own charm. At least… since the day I first met you, Masato, you’re the only one I’ve been able to see.”

“Uh…”