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?)

[What do you mean you’re not going tomorrow?]

[Sorry… I just can’t sort out my feelings right now.]

“I understand, you know? That boy from your first love you’ve always mentioned, that was Masato, wasn’t it?”

[..Yeah.]

[That’s amazing! Only Koiumi could have such luck! It’s like fate! Ah, I’m so jealous.]

[…]

[But he didn’t acknowledge it, did he? I see… Maybe Masato has his own reasons.]

[I don’t know.]

pBut even if he feels differently, doesn’t it change nothing about your Masato? Your feelings of love for him have always been there, right?]

[That’s true, but…]

[I understand it’s a shock. It must have been unimaginably shocking for you.]

[…For now, just go tomorrow, the two of you, okay?]

[…Really? Are you sure?]

[…Yeah.]

[I love you, Koiumi, and even when I started liking Masato… it was because you were so kind to me, and I’m really grateful for that.]

[I also thought we could definitely win Masato over together, especially with you being his childhood friend―that’s like the ultimate trump card! It’s almost like we’ve already won!]

[―And yet, Koiumi, are you giving up?]

[…I’m not giving up! I don’t want to give up…!]

[..Yeah, that’s right. I knew you’d say that.]

[…I’m going to confess to Masato tomorrow.]

[…Eh?]

[Eh, what? We said we’d both try our best before someone else gets to him. Tomorrow is the perfect chance, isn’t it?]

[But…]

[No buts! So, Koiumi, you too, properly convey your feelings. I won’t get an answer tomorrow.]

[Mizuho…]

[Are you really okay with not coming tomorrow?]

[…]

[I’ve confessed to many people before, but this time, I’m serious.]

[Yeah, I know.]

“So, come. I’ll be waiting.”

[Otherwise, I’ll take Masato-kun’s heart for myself! Just kidding!]

[Mizuho…]

—-

Despite what she said, I sighed while looking at my smartphone screen at the meeting station.

<Koiumi>: [Sorry, have fun without me. Don’t worry about me, okay?]

“I wonder if she knows it’s impossible not to worry…”

I imagine my friend, probably feeling down right now. Yesterday evening, Koiumi suddenly contacted me. She said she couldn’t make it to today’s date.

When I asked her about it, it was indeed a shocking event… I thought maybe I could talk to Masato a little about it.

As for me, I had been looking forward to this date, hoping to win Masato’s heart and make him ours.

That was the plan about a month ago.

“So, there are more girls around Masato, huh?”

“Seems so… Well, he does work at a boys’ bar…”

On our way back from university, at a café, my Koiumi shared information while sipping her café au lait.

Now that Masato’s secret of being my destined person was out, I had no choice but to mention his job at the bar. When I told Koiumi, it turned out she had heard about it from him a little while ago.

“Why didn’t Masato tell me first~”

“Well, he probably didn’t want to say he works at a boys’ bar, right? Because you’d stop him, Koiumi.”

“That’s true, I guess.”

Koiumi puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, poking at her café au lait glass.

“Anyway, we need to secure Masato for ourselves first, right?”

“Exactly! I talked to a high school girl who tutors him, and she said she likes Masato too.”

“Well, that’s to be expected. It’s Masato, after all.”

A rare specimen in this era, perfect both inside and out.

Our friends around us are like, ‘Are there really guys like that?’ but maybe their eyesight must have gone bad.

“…Sometimes, I think about just surrounding Masato with all the girls who like him…”

“Eh!? Koiumi, that’s bold…”

“Because, someone as good as him, it’s probably impossible to monopolize… Of course, I’d prefer if it were just me and you, but if there’s someone more attractive, I can’t handle being rejected by Masato.”

“I get the feeling of not wanting to be rejected by Masato…”

Indeed, the world is increasingly supportive of polygamy, so it’s not entirely out of the question… But still.

“But even then, I still want us to be his number one…”

“That’s true…”

Even if polygamy becomes a thing and Masato wants to date others… I still want to be his first, his number one.

“Plus! If someone else starts dating him now, it’s over for us, right?!”

“Ugh…”

“I believe we urgently need to secure Masato-san!”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

I saluted Koiumi as I proposed the idea. I’ve always been one to act on my thoughts immediately, but this time, my feelings were so serious that I hesitated. However, I knew we probably didn’t have much time left.

So, I thought, let’s go for it with my usual headstrong approach!

“Alright, let’s do it! We’ll come up with the ultimate date and confession plan!”

“Aye aye, sir!”

—

That’s how the theme park date was decided. But just before it, this accident happened. Still, my feelings haven’t wavered at all.

“Koiumi, I’m serious about this.”

I’m going to confess. I’ve confessed many times before. But most of those times, I realized I was just in love with the idea of being in love.

And this unstoppable feeling inside me screams that I absolutely must express it. If I don’t, I feared it would seem like I was trying to outdo Koiumi. That’s why I had planned to settle things today, at this place where the two of us were supposed to be.

“I’ll do it alone if I have to.”

With my resolve set, I take a deep breath. It’s okay, I’ve put a lot of effort into my outfit today. It’s winter, so I can’t go with bare legs, but I’ve paired black tights with black leather shorts. On top, I’m wearing a white knit sweater, a necklace, and a navy down coat over it. This is what you’d call my “battle outfit”!

“Mizuho!”

“Oh~! Masato-chi! Good morning~”

Just as I was thinking this, Masato arrived. Ah, a handsome guy walking towards you with a smile is the best!

However, his smile soon turned into an apologetic expression.

“Sorry, Koiumi suddenly couldn’t make it… It’s my fault, so I thought maybe we could postpone to another day…”

“It can’t be helped! We’ve already bought the tickets! …Or, are you dissatisfied with just me…?”

“No, no, no! That’s not it at all!”

“Then that’s great!”

The two of us head to the theme park. Masato seemed to be struggling mentally, so I didn’t forget to crack jokes. It’s a date, after all; he has to enjoy it!

Along the way, I tried to ask about the situation as much as I could. He couldn’t talk much, but it seems he’s not the person Koiumi met in the past.

Hmm, it’s hard for me to judge.

“Ah! Masato, let’s wear these! Matching ones!”

“Oh, why not? It’s nice to do this kind of thing once in a while.”

At the entrance shop of the theme park, there were headbands modeled after characters for sale. Having matching items with a boyfriend was a dream of mine!

We bought matching items and tried them on. I took off the hair ties from my twin tails, let my hair down, and then… put on the headband.

Seeing Masato’s slightly surprised look made me a bit happy.

“Did you get mesmerized by Mizuho-chan with her hair down?”

“Ah, sorry. I’m just not used to seeing you like that.”

“Hehe… It suits you perfectly, Masato!”

“No, you definitely look better in it!”

I wonder if he remembered a bit, just then.

…Of course, I’m worried about Koiumi. But I’ve decided to convey my feelings today.

I’ll do my best to make Masato like me!

“Let’s go on that, Masato! The super spinny one!”

“Isn’t that super scary?! Are you sure?!”

Finding out Masato is surprisingly a scaredy-cat on thrill rides…

“I’ve really wanted to try this! Oh, let’s take a photo!”

“Mizuho really likes taking photos, huh?”

“Of course! I love preserving precious memories in physical form!”

Taking lots of photos. I enjoyed the theme park to the fullest.

Perhaps because I was having so much fun, the day quickly began to fade. It’s getting dark much earlier these days, I thought.

Masato and I, after getting off an attraction, decided to take a break and use the restroom. In front of the mirror in the restroom, I checked my complexion.

“I might be a bit dizzy…”

I had tried a newly installed ride that spun visually quite a bit, and I ended up feeling a bit nauseous.

This isn’t good. I can’t let Masato worry about me…!

I slapped my cheeks lightly, psyching myself up. I need to pull myself together. Today is an important day.

When I came out of the restroom, Masato was sitting on a nearby bench.

“Masato, sorry to keep you waiting! Let’s go to the next one~”

“Ah, sorry, Mizuho, can we take a break? I’m a bit…”

“Really? That’s great~ I wanted to take a break too!”

It was genuinely how I felt, so I sat down opposite Masato.

“Ah, I bought some water over there, do you want some?”

Seeing the bottle of water he offered, I understood everything. Because I’ve come to know Masato well over the time we’ve known each other, I couldn’t miss the meaning behind this gesture.

“…I can’t beat you, Masato…”

“Hahaha… You looked a bit strained, so…”

It seems he had noticed I was feeling unwell from the ride to here. Really, it’s Masato’s thoughtfulness like this… that I absolutely adore.

After taking a sip of water from the bottle he handed me, I faced Masato directly.

“…Hey, Masato-chi.”

“Hm?”

Now, I too, am ready.

“Let’s go on that last thing today.”

Where I pointed.

There stood the largest attraction in the theme park―the Ferris wheel.