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?)

I like shopping at outlets and shopping malls.

It’s partly because I like fashion, but I also enjoy thinking about things I won’t buy but like, or imagining which accessories would look good on someone.

So, I often choose shopping for outings on holidays. And if, by chance, I had a boyfriend, I thought it would be really fun to go shopping together for clothes.

“Mizuho, don’t you think this would look good on you? I think it would go well with the casual tops you usually wear.”

“Huh, well, maybe…?”

Actually, going shopping with someone I like is quite a high hurdle!!

While glancing at Masato seriously choosing clothes, I tilt my head up a bit.

How did it come to this…

—

University summer vacations were really long.

To give you an idea, it’s mostly all of August off, and then September, from mid to late, was also a break.

When I first heard about it, I thought, ‘Wow, such a long vacation! How nice!’

About a month has passed since the beach trip in August. My emotions were still all over the place, and I didn’t feel like I could fully enjoy the break.

“Sigh…”

It’s late September. The heat has subsided quite a bit, and the weather was starting to feel autumn-like.

I lay on my bed in my room, staring at my smartphone.

[Hey, Mizuho… Let’s, you and me, become Masato’s girlfriend.]

[Ugh!! I really don’t know…]

I flop onto my bed and spread my arms out.

The promise we made that day.

It seemed like a pretty strange proposal at first glance, but when I searched the internet, it seemed surprisingly common.

That’s how it is, and I even swallowed it for a moment.

“Whether Masato will allow it is a separate issue…”

I absentmindedly twirl my semi-long hair, which I usually wear in twin tails, with my fingers.

Even if we’re all excited about it, I don’t know if Masato will allow it.

Honestly, I already thought Masato was out of my league, and I was already feeling quite burdened about taking him on alone.

So, I thought maybe there’s a chance if I did it together with Koiumi? But…

If Masato says, “I’m not really into that,” then it’s over.

And if that happens, he probably won’t hang out with us anymore…

Masato was a good person, so choosing one or the other also seems difficult…

“Sigh…”

I just keep sighing.

That’s when it happened.

Ping! My smartphone chimed.

I picked up my smartphone, which I left on the bed earlier.

“Huh…”

I was startled by the name in the notification, prompting me to sit up from my reclined position and straighten my posture.

I opened the SNS app and pressed and held to read the message without marking it as read.

<Masato Katasao>: [Mizuho, are you free this week?]

[I don’t have any autumn clothes, so I want to go buy some~]

“…!”

I could feel my body getting a little warm.

Just being invited out like this made me so happy. It made me realize once again that I really liked Masato.

“Um, wait, what should I do? We haven’t met recently…”

Even though we weren’t planning to meet now, I found myself naturally running my hand through my hair, which was kind of funny and made me laugh.

What should I do? I’m totally flustered!!

“R-Right, at times like this, I should send out an SOS!”

From the same SNS screen, I searched for Koiumi’s name and pressed the call button.

After a few rings of the call tone…

[Hello?]

“Uh, sorry for calling so late!”

[Mm, it’s fine. What’s up?]

“Well, you see…”

I carefully chose my words as I explained to Koiumi about being invited on a date by Masato. I didn’t want to seem too giddy, even talking to Koiumi…

[Uhh, I’m so jealous… Hey, why isn’t it me, Masato?!]

“Haha, well… Masato and I have been out together before, so maybe he was just being considerate…?”

Since our beach trip, I haven’t seen Masato, but Koiumi apparently has met him a few times. I really admire Koiumi’s assertiveness…

[Well, that sounds good, doesn’t it?! How about you go to the outlet or something?]

“Oh, that could work! We’ve been to one before, right?”

[That one near the beach park, right? Yeah!… If you’re buying clothes, a car would be better right?]

“Oh… I hadn’t thought about that at all.”

[Well, if you’re going anyway, why not take the car? A drive date sounds nice.]

I got my license around the time I finished high school, along with some friends, so I can drive.

Well, about the car… renting one would be fine too… But…

“But, isn’t a drive date kind of high-level?”

[What are you talking about! Actually, wasn’t it you who said, ‘To catch a good guy, a license is a must☆’!]

“Ugh! I was such a fool back then!”

In many ways, I was invincible back in those days… High school girls are tough…

As I was lost in thoughts about my date with Masato, Koiumi said something unexpected.

[And besides… if you go by car… there’s a chance for something later, right?]

“W-W-W-W-What do you mean by ‘something later’?”

[Don’t act innocent…]

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Well, surely it won’t come to that… right?

—-

And that’s how things ended up like this.

End of flashback!

“…? What’s wrong, Mizuho?”

“Huh?! Oh, it’s nothing!”

Phew, that was close. I shouldn’t be lost in such reminiscences right now.

Gathering myself, I look at Masato next to me, earnestly choosing clothes.

He still looks so cool.

[Let’s be Masato’s girlfriend together.]

“…!”

No, no. I shouldn’t be thinking about that right now.

Since Masato kindly invited me, I should just enjoy this date!

I asked Masato about something I’ve been curious about while he was earnestly choosing clothes.

“Hey, um, why did you invite me, Masato?”

“Huh? Well, why wouldn’t I…?”

At that moment, I forgot. I forgot what kind of person Masato was.

“I guess because among my acquaintances, you have the best sense of fashion?”

“…T-That’s… Well, I’m honored to receive such praise! Were you really thinking that, Masato?”

“Ah, wait, let me hang this up for a moment!”

Embarrassed, I instinctively nudged him with my elbow so he couldn’t see my expression. Why is he saying such nice things to me? “You have good fashion sense.” Of course, those words themselves make me happy, but more than anything, it’s because he’s always watching me.

“Hey, how about this? I think this would suit you, Mizuho.”

Masato showed me a maroon-colored culotte skirt with a slightly shorter hem. The thin black belt added a touch of maturity to its casual style.

To be honest, I loved it. Especially because Masato chose it for me.

“Wow, it’s really nice! I’ll buy this!”

Decision made! Good things come to those who act quickly!

“Wait, wait, wait! Shouldn’t you try it on first?!”

“Oh, right!”

It seems fine in terms of size, but… just to be sure. As we passed by, Masato called over a passing shop assistant.

“Excuse me, where are the fitting rooms?”

“Huh… oh, ah, right this way!”

The shop assistant, momentarily taken aback, guided us to the fitting rooms. Well, it’s probably rare to see a man in a place like this.

And such a handsome one, too!

I couldn’t help feeling a little proud.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you. Oh, Mizuho, I’ll hold your stuff.”

“Thanks~! Well then, wait for me for a moment!”

Such thoughtfulness from Masato makes me happy. Leaving my belongings with Masato, I entered the fitting room.

Now, since I’m keeping Masato waiting, I should try on the clothes sooner—-

“Excuse me, are you her boyfriend?”

My hand suddenly stopped.

It seems the shop assistant from earlier spoke to Masato.

Well, Masato was quite handsome, after all. I’ll let it slide.

“Oh, no! She’s just a friend.”

A sharp pain stabbed at my chest.

—I know.

Masato and I are, after all, just friends.

So why does my chest hurt so much?

“Really? I’m sorry, I just assumed…”

“No, no. It’s okay.”

“So, um, do you have a girlfriend or…?”

“Well, no, I don’t…”

Wait, wait, wait! Something seems off here.

“Huh?! Even though you’re so cool… Oh, um, if you want, maybe we could exchange contact info?”

Hey, hey! You can’t hit on someone while someone else is trying on clothes!!

“Masato~~~!?”

“Whoa! What’s up?!”

“This looks amazing~~!”

“Then can you show me for now?”

With my ultimate quick-change technique, I opened the curtain.

“Wow! It really suits you!”

“Fufu. See, I knew it! Okay, I’ll go with this. Can we pay, please?”

“Uh, sure…”

With Masato unaware, I smiled (with a hidden meaning) and urged the cashier.

—

On the way back.

Having left the shopping mall behind, we were driving home.

“Wow, I bought so much stuff! Thanks, Masato!”

“No, no, thank you for driving.”

It had been a while since I last drove, but just having Masato by my side made it neither boring nor painful at all.

Talking alone was fun enough. It really was the best.

[Oh, no! She’s just a friend.]

I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter.

That’s why I remember.

I’m not Masato’s girlfriend.

{In 2 kilometers, turn right.}

“Next is a right turn, Maybe you should get into the right lane soon…..Mizuho?”

“Ah, um, yeah, right.”

Once we turn right on this main street, we’ll soon have to say goodbye.

This dreamy time will come to an end. Even though I should switch to the right lane, my heart resists.

I just want to go somewhere like this forever. Just Masato and me, just the two of us, to some unknown place.

With Masato… I want to pledge our love together.

I can feel the dark emotions spreading in my chest. The irresistible desire I felt that night to monopolize this person. There’s a place to rest just ahead if I keep going straight.

“Um, hey… Masato, um…”

“Ah, it was really fun~ inviting you was definitely the right call! Got some cool new clothes~ and when that salesperson bothered me, You helped out, right?”

The sounds outside faded away in the somewhat empty car.

“Ah, hahaha! Did you catch that? As long as I am alive, I won’t let anyone lay a hand on you, Masato~! Just kidding!”

…Quietly, I activated the right turn signal.

Quietly, I flicked on the right turn signal.

Telling myself I won’t let it happen, what a lie.

I’ve already crossed lines I shouldn’t have long ago.

Guess I’m just irredeemably awful after all.