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?)

{Gathering of the Saints}

<Mana>: [Isn’t tomorrow the second day of the cultural festival? Has anyone invited a guy?]

<Hatsumi>: [Didn’t Miaki say she’s bringing her boyfriend? Why don’t you bring a friend of his along too?]

<Miaki>: [Oh, he asked if it’s okay to bring a male friend.]

<Mana>: [Whoa, seriously?! That’s awesome!]

<Miaki>: [But I declined.]

【Mana removed Miaki】

<Shiori>: [Such a swift exit act. You’d miss it if it weren’t for me.]

【Hatsumi invited Miaki】

【Miaki joined】

<Miaki>: [You guys are too much.]

<Mana>: [Why did you decline? Are you stupid?]

<Miaki>: [You two would definitely go all out. I didn’t want that.]

<Hatsumi>: [Hmm, that’s disappointing. I’m quite the lady, you know?]

<Mana>: [I even offered to escort you gracefully.]

<Miaki>: [You’re definitely lying…]

<Hatsumi>: [Oh? What about Shiori’s prince charming?]

<Shiori>: [Uh… well… I think he’ll come.]

<Mana>: [Really?! Finally get to meet him in person!]

<Miaki>: [Oh. Well, that’s simply something to look forward to.]

<Hatsumi>: [Why are you so lackluster?]

<Mana>: [Why isn’t he bringing a guy?! Oh, no, even if the prince himself came, he’d be totally welcome!]

<Shiori>: [I’m not bringing a guy……]

<Mana>: [Not bringing a guy…?]

<Hatsumi>: [Oh… (realization)]

<Miaki>: [LOL]

Shiori: [I was told, ‘I’m going with one of my alumni’s friends!’… How ladylike.]

<Mana>: [Simple hell, lol.]

—-

Cultural festival.

Last year, I went through it, but back then, I didn’t have any close friends, nor did I have anyone to invite, so I just spent the whole day manning the store.

But this year was different.

“Morning! Oh, Cuckold Shiori.”

“Good morning. Your words are sharp even in the morning; should I put them away for a bit?”

The one who entered the classroom while throwing snide remarks was Hatsumi, the number one tomboy (according to our internal survey).

While I haven’t known her or the other members for that long, we seem to get along very well. Or at least, that’s what I like to think… maybe it’s just me…

“Your taste for cuckolding scenarios is quite deep, huh?.”

“Well, it’s not like it’s been decided yet.”

“But your voice is trembling.”

Well, I can’t really deny it.

When I think back to that summer festival day…

Considering my own shallowness at the time, my fetish must be pretty deep and twisted.

The woman that Masato-san said he’d bring today was probably in that kind of relationship too.

But honestly, it doesn’t bother me. Come to think of it, my image of Masato-san has changed a lot.

At first, he was just a stunningly handsome big brother figure. Then, he became a perfect superhero, even on the inside… Recently, his relationships with women…

But honestly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing for me. Sure, at first, I wanted to be Masato-san’s number one, wanted to be his girlfriend, but thinking about it calmly, there’s no way a super perfect handsome guy like him would belong to me alone.

If Masato-san isn’t irresponsible with his relationships, maybe there’s a chance I’ll get some crumbs too…

“Morning, Cuckold.”

“My name is not Cuckold.”

And everyone thinks they’re referring to me.

But in the first place, he’s not my boyfriend, so it’s not like I can be cheated on.

“Class 2-B Haunted House is open!”

“We have a café too!”

“We’ve got freshly made takoyaki!”

When the school premises are enveloped in such hustle and bustle, it truly feels like an extraordinary experience.

Honestly, I couldn’t get used to this noise last year, but this year, I don’t feel that bad.

Perhaps it’s just an issue with my own feelings.

“Shiori, it’s fine, I’ll take over the sign. The prince should be coming soon, right?”

“Oh, is it already that time…”

Although I was just standing in front of the classroom, it seemed time had unexpectedly passed.

But still… I suppressed my gloomy feelings and tidied up my appearance in the student restroom.

Honestly, my feelings were complicated.

Of course, I was happy that Masato-san was coming to the cultural festival, and my excitement was rising.

But… however.

How should I introduce myself to the person Masato-san brings along when I’m told he’s bringing a woman?

If this were a typical romantic comedy, perhaps that person and I would end up clashing over Masato-san.

But I just couldn’t bring myself to do that.

I look in the mirror. There’s the usual me, albeit with a polished appearance, but Masato-san knows the Shiori Shinomiya hidden within.

I like Masato-san.

But precisely because I know Masato-san’s high specs, I understand that I’m not the kind of person who can monopolize him.

Today, the woman Masato-san will probably bring along is undoubtedly aiming for him. Of course she is. Being near Masato-san and not falling for him is a flaw as a woman.

And surely, she’s much cuter and more feminine than me.

What kind of emotions will I feel when I see that? Jealousy? Self-loathing?

Or… that twisted yet exhilarating feeling I felt on that summer festival day…

Bzzt, my phone vibrated lightly.

I took it out of my pocket, and saw the name ‘Masato Katasato’.

Confirming the message about arriving at school, I let out a sigh.

“Well… I guess I’ll just have to see how it goes.”

—

“Now then, let’s go watch Shiori get cuckolded right before our eyes!”

“I’m looking forward to it. Being able to see a friend’s brain break directly is quite something.”

“You guys are really despicable, you know that?”

While waiting for Masato-san to arrive in the corridor, friends from the classroom peeked their faces out.

Oh, I’m starting to feel really miserable.

“Oh, there she is! It’s Shiori-chan!”

The voice sounded out suddenly.

The figure walking from the other side of the hallway, coupled with Masato-san’s model-like body and face, looked like a scene from a drama.

The problem was the woman walking behind him…

He was wearing a deep blue and white apron-checkered long-sleeved shirt, paired with black skinny jeans. Even his shoulder-slung pouch seemed to accentuate his coolness.

“Thanks for inviting Shiori-chan! Um, this is my friend, Koiumi, an alumna of this school.”

“Yeah, that’s me! I’m Koiumi Igarashi! It’s not particularly nostalgic after just a few months!”

Peeking out from behind Masato was a cute woman with a short bob.

Oh, this is bad. She doesn’t have a single aspect where I could win.

She wore a short culotte skirt with an off-shoulder blouse. She practically radiated a sunny aura.

Then, hands were placed on my shoulders from both sides.

“Shiori, it’s hopeless. Give up. The opponent is too strong.”

“Yeah. It’s not even a competition. You’re dust, just dust.”

“Can’t you guys just stay quiet!?”

I brushed away the hands of my pitiful friends who were looking at me with pitying eyes.

I knew all along that this would happen!

“…? I was planning to start with your class, Shiori-chan, but is it okay now?”

“Oh, it’s fine. The place isn’t crowded right now…”

I started to feel incredibly miserable…

Anyway, I led Masato-san and his friend, Igarashi-san, to the classroom.

Our class’s exhibit was a café. It’s just a regular café with nothing particularly unusual about it.

Entering the classroom with Masato-san, the atmosphere suddenly became lively.

“Huh… who’s that handsome guy?”

“Shinomiya-san’s boyfriend?”

“Nah, that’s probably not it…”

Hey, who was it that just made a snide comment about me in the confusion? I agree with them, though.

“Oh, isn’t that Koiumi-senpai!”

“Hey! Long time no see! How have you been?”

Just as I was guiding the two to their seats, classmates called out to Igarashi-san. I’m pretty sure she’s from the softball club…

“Um, is that Koiumi-senpai’s boyfriend…? Wow, he’s really cool.”

“Yeah, seriously, such a handsome guy!”

Female classmates flocked around Masato.

Hey, cut it out, you guys! Don’t crowd around him! I understand how you feel, but…

“Yeah yeah, I understand how you feel, but don’t stare too much at Masato, okay? He might get uncomfortable.”

“That’s right! Koiumi-senpai can be scary when she’s angry, so let’s not make her mad, okay?”

“That’s not true!”

Conversations continued and escalated in my absence… this person really knows how to charm people. They’re definitely a good match.

At that moment, Masato, who had just sat down, lightly tapped my arm.

“Sorry, I couldn’t make time even though you invited me.”

“Huh… oh, no. Rather, thank you for coming.”

This consideration, this kindness, it’s truly unique to Masato-san.

“…You could be more casual, you know.”

“! Uh, well, this is still school…”

Ah, really, it’s just like him.

Even though I’ve already half given up, these things still stir my heart.

—-

“Shiori, that’s impossible. That senior is completely into your prince charming, and there’s no way you can compete with her specs.”

“I know that even without you telling me.”

Leaving the two classmates who were still very popular among our classmates at their seats, I returned to where my friends were.

“But I understand. He’s someone you’d fall for. He’s decently good-looking, and seems to have a good personality. If I didn’t have a boyfriend, I might be in trouble too.”

“Taking a dig, huh?”

I was being outdone by Miaki, who has a boyfriend. She’s getting cocky…!

But in reality, with that level of attractiveness and still no girlfriend, anything is possible in this world.

“Uh, are you really okay, Masato?”

“It’s totally fine, sounds like fun!”

“Really?! Thank you so much!!”

Hmm…? It seems like the conversation is getting lively.

What’s going on?

The classmates who were just talking to Masato-san earlier came over with smiles on their faces.

“Hey, Shinomiya-san! I thought we’d have that cool guy put on a butler outfit and do a little promotion, what do you think?!”

“…Huh?”

There’s nothing to say but “???”.

—-

“Here at Class 2-C, we’re running a café!”

“Huh? There’s a handsome guy in a butler outfit over there.”

“Wanna go take a look?”

Before we knew it, things escalated, and there stood Masato-san in front of our classroom, dressed in a butler outfit brought by a member of the drama club.

And the customers started pouring in. What’s going on here?

Well, I’ll take a photo later, I guess…

“Masato, you really accept anything, don’t you?”

“Haha… yeah, you’re right.”

And next to me was Masato’s friend, Igarashi-san.

Honestly, my stomach hurts. A lot.

Igarashi-san then, after taking a breath, starts talking to me.

“Shiori-chan, do you like Masato?”

“Um… well…”

Here it is, the curveball. It feels like the curveball hit me directly as the runner. Am I okay?

What’s the right answer to this?

If I say yes, will I get stabbed right now?

“Sorry, sorry, it’s hard to say, right? But, being around Masato, you can’t help but like him, right? He’s just too good of a person.”

“Well… um, yeah, I guess… it’s like that.”

It feels impossible to hide, so I’ll just agree for now.

Am I supposed to vanish now? Will I be told to disappear? Is it okay?

“Yeah, you know… I’ve kinda been thinking that ever since I heard Masato is a tutoring high school girl.”

She sighed, but surprisingly, her reaction was calm… although, don’t let your guard down.

I need to assert myself properly too…

“Oh, but you know, really, someone like me never thought I could monopolize Masato-san. But just a little, just a tiny bit of his attention would be nice…”

…Is this getting creepy?

But this is my true feeling.

Besides, wouldn’t it be more sinful to monopolize such a godlike person? What do you think?

After hearing my rather off-putting confession, Igarashi-san, who was clearly taken aback, hesitates for a moment.

“…I see. Yeah, that makes sense. We all feel the same, huh…”

And she muttered.

Perhaps Igarashi-san also has her own thoughts.

As she watched Masato, who was smiling and serving customers, she wore a somewhat melancholic expression.

“Well, you know, there’s a theory that everyone around Masato-san is after him. I mean, I was really surprised when I saw him fooling around with a middle schooler the other day.”

That girl probably really loves Masato-san. She must be in her prime adolescence.

But even so, she’s gone too far. I wish she would include me. (Sincerely.)

As I was thinking this, Igarashi-san looked at me with widened eyes.

“…Huh?”

…Wait, did I do something again?