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 57: Childhood Friend Like JD Confesses

[Are you really not coming tomorrow?]

“…”

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

“Yeah, I know.”

[So, come, okay? I’ll be waiting.]

[Otherwise, I’ll steal Masato-kun’s heart away! Just kidding!]

“Mizuho…”

The sound that indicated the call had ended rang out. I pulled the smartphone away from my ear.

“…Mizuho is so kind…”

Mizuho had always been there to encourage and inspire me. Words that might not be accepted from others resonated with me because they came from her.

I wandered to the closet, slowly opened the door, and gently pulled out a cardboard box.

Inside, as expected, was my treasure. The gloves, old and unused but carefully maintained, were still there.

Masato had the same ones. These gloves, no longer produced, were given to us when we were children—a matching pair. The make, the model, I’ve never seen them anywhere else. So, it wasn’t a coincidence.

Then why?

Why would Masato lie?

Is there a reason?

…I don’t understand.

I sighed and put the gloves away. Then I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes.

Thoughts swirled and vanished.

Why didn’t he just say, “Yes, it’s been a while,” at that time?

That alone would have satisfied my heart.

Now, how should I face Masato?

My feelings for him haven’t changed.

But the shock was too great. I can’t sort out my feelings.

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

Mizuho must be serious. She’s not just in love with the idea of love anymore. Mizuho, who has truly found someone she loves, has been radiant since that day. Dazzlingly so.

…What will Masato do?

I can hardly imagine him turning Mizuho down.

Will he accept her? If so, is there still a place for me?

“Haha… what is this?”

I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t even know how many hours had passed since I closed my eyes. The pillow I hugged felt strangely cold. The notification sound chimed, pulling me back to consciousness.

What time is it now?

I must have stayed awake until dawn. I think I finally fell asleep when the sun was rising. I woke up several times in between but couldn’t bring myself to get up, choosing instead to hide under the covers.

I forced my heavy head to move and looked at the smartphone still connected to the charger.

“…!”

The message jolted me awake.

I sat up abruptly on the bed.

<Mizuho>: [I’m going to confess to Masato now.]

My heart rate soared. I couldn’t do anything, yet my body tensed up for no reason.

Then, another message from Mizuho arrived.

<Mizuho>: [Koiumi, are you okay with this?]

“No, I’m not…!”

I blurted out without thinking.

Of course, I’m not okay. I can’t just do nothing.

Frantically, I typed a message. My emotions, all jumbled up, spilled out into words.

As I turned my feelings into text, I finally understood what I needed to do. After all the encouragement from Mizuho, I couldn’t just sulk in this dim room.

<Mizuho>: [Yes, that’s right. Koiumi, you’re not wrong.]

<Mizuho>: [So, come. It’s not too late.]

<Mizuho>: [If you don’t come, you’ll definitely regret it.]

I threw the smartphone aside and started getting ready to leave. The shock was real, the hurt was real, but my feelings hadn’t wavered even a little.

If I ran away and wallowed in despair, I’d definitely regret it.

I finished my makeup in record time, pulled out my favorite outfit that I usually wear, and stood in front of the hallway mirror… only then did I realize my hair was a mess.

But there was no time to wash and dry it!

I carelessly threw on a cap, not cute pumps or boots, but sneakers. I rushed out of the house.

—

When I arrived at the nearest station to the theme park, it was already dark. The path to the theme park was mostly filled with people heading home.

“Haa…! Haa…!”

I was walking at a pace that was almost too fast to be considered brisk. I didn’t know where the two of them were. I didn’t know what had become of Mizuho’s confession.

Maybe I was already out of the picture, just going to be a nuisance to the two of them. Maybe Masato had come to dislike me because of what happened yesterday.

Unpleasant thoughts circled my mind, tightening around my heart.

I clenched my fist. But still… I had to convey these feelings now, or I would definitely regret it.

As I reached for my ticket to enter, a notification on my smartphone stopped me. Looking at the screen, it was from Mizuho.

I paused for a moment.

<Mizuho>: [The prince awaits at the church.]

<Mizuho>: […Just kidding.]

“…Thanks, Mizuho.”

I took a deep breath and hurried to that location.

—

There’s only one building that could be called a church in this theme park.

I rushed there… and there he was, illuminated by the fantastical light in front of the church.

My trembling legs pulled me forward, and my walk turned into a run.

“Masato!”

Masato turned around, and his figure blended with the scenery, looking like a painting.

I felt utterly mismatched with such a wonderful person. The makeshift makeup I had hurriedly applied must have already been a mess.

If I were presented as the heroine to this hero, the public would mercilessly criticize me. I would probably do the same.

But none of that mattered.

My legs moved on their own, just like that time.

[Um… are you here for course registration?]

[Eh?! …Ah, yes. I was a bit late with the enrollment procedures because of some issues…]

The day I had believed was our first meeting, I had found myself speaking to him, who was sitting on a university bench. It must have been my instincts telling me not to let this fate slip away.

It must be the same now.

“Koiumi…?!”

Seeing Masato’s wide-eyed expression, Standing before him once again, I understood hopelessly.

Ah, yes. I’ve fallen too deeply for this person to turn back now.

“I love you.”

The words came out surprisingly honestly.

—

“Uh?”

I froze, unable to comprehend the situation. Lately, this had been happening a lot.

The sight of Koiumi, laughing and crying a little, was unbearably beautiful. I found myself at a loss for words.

She slowly approached and leaned against my chest.

“I’ve always, always loved you. The past and all that is important, but not like this. Because I believe expressing my current feelings is far, far more important.”

My heart rate was higher than ever. The warmth in her words was unmistakably genuine.

It made me feel pathetic for having used the excuse that the person in Koiumi’s memories wasn’t me.

he slowly pulled away. Tears spilled from her beautiful amber eyes.

“So, let me say it. Let me tell you. Ever since the day we met…”

I held my breath.

“—-I’ve been in love with you, Masato Katasato-kun.”

Time seemed to stand still as I held her in my embrace. My face felt hot, and my heart continued to race, reminding me this was real.

I couldn’t catch up with everything… but I knew I had to convey this one thing.

Gently, I grasped her shoulders.

“Koiumi, thank you. But before I respond to your feelings… there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Eh…?”

I thought it was wrong not to prepare her, given everything she had done.

The past and my childhood might be different worlds, but there’s no way to verify what’s happening in the previous world now, nor do I know if it’s progressing simultaneously.

Maybe the me who should be in this world was in the previous one, or maybe not. That’s beyond what I can comprehend.

But there’s one thing I do know: the memories of the seasons I spent with that child were still vivid in my mind.

“I’m sorry for lying.”

“!!!!”

Suddenly feeling a surge of affection, I stroked Koiumi’s silky hair.

“You’ve become so beautiful. I didn’t recognize you… It’s been a while.”

“!!!!”

Tears welled up in her eyes again as she buried her head in my chest once more.

“I’ve missed you…! Ever since you disappeared, I’ve always… always wanted to see you!”

“I’m sorry.”

There might be discrepancies in our memories. When that happens, let’s talk it out. I don’t know how much you’ll believe, but that’s the best sincerity I can offer.

“Let’s play catch again, okay?”

“Yes… yes…!”

I continued to stroke her head for a while longer.

“Ha, I feel so much better!”

Koiumi suddenly looked up, her expression unchanged from usual. Anyway… since she had expressed her feelings, I needed to articulate mine as well.

“Um, about the confession…”

“Wait a minute!”

Suddenly, she held up her hand to stop me and frantically unlocked her smartphone.

… After swiftly operating it, she put it to her ear.

A call…?

I heard the ringing… and then, from behind?

“Hyaa?!”

A voice came from the bushes. A voice I knew well.

“You’re not thinking of just leaving like that, are you?”

Koiumi called out to the bushes.

“…Nyahaha… Did I get caught…?”

“Mizuho!”

“Hey hey, Masato-kun, long time no see…”

Mizuho emerged with an embarrassed look. So… she was watching? Mizuho then moved next to Koiumi.

“Why did you make a call now! It was such a perfect moment! Anyone could see it was a happy ending!”

“That wouldn’t be a happy ending without you, Mizuho.”

“…Oh… you’re such a fool…”

“And you were waiting too, weren’t you, Mizuho?”

“…Muu, Koiumi, you’re mean…”

“Um, uh…?”

After some exchange, the two turned back to me.

“Sorry about that… So, Masato.”

Koiumi and Mizuho. Having spent some time together, standing side by side, they both looked incredibly delicate and beautiful. I took a step closer. Koiumi had a serious look, and Mizuho was smiling shyly.

“Will you go out with both of us?”

“…Eh?”

…It seems my idea of living a normal life in this world was, apparently, mistaken.