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?)

Koiumi’s POV

Summer vacation of life.

Japan’s university life was sometimes referred to as such because while it’s difficult to get in, it’s relatively easy to graduate. Vocational schools or science-focused universities were exceptions, but for humanities, it was generally the case.

The university I attended was more on the side of having a “summer vacation of life,” so to speak. If you live normally, you should be able to graduate without much trouble. There seemed to be few students struggling with assignments.

And since it’s called the “summer vacation of life,” students want to enjoy their university life to the fullest.

“Men!!! Won’t get caught!!!”

Mizuho, who sat next to me, was the type who wanted to have fun in the romance department.

“It’s been two months since we started school! Shouldn’t we have caught at least one or two guys by now?”

“You’re aiming too high…”

Mizuho swung her trademark twin tails as she expressed her emotions openly.

“No way! This is our precious university life! We have to go on lots of dates with boyfriends and have fun!”

“Could you not talk about that so loudly?”

“For starters, we’ll definitely hold a mixer. I hope you’ll join us, Koiumi-dono.”

“Who are you?”

My friend seemed to have gone a bit crazy from the heat.

Well, she’s always been this high-energy.

As I’m thinking that, Mizuho suddenly turned her head and twin tails toward me.

What’s with that scary look?

“Hey, Koiumi. You’re hiding something from me.”

“Huh? I-I don’t think so…”

“No, you are! So…”

Mizuho pointed her finger at my face.

“Who’s the handsome guy you’re taking classes with?”

“Gulp…”

I did have something I was hiding.

“I-I guess there is…”

“I knew something was up. You’ve been saying you can’t take classes together all of a sudden. And when I asked our other friends, they said, “Koiumi has suddenly stopped taking classes with us.”

I always knew it would come out eventually. I mean, until now, I had friends who I took almost all my classes with.

And since I refused to take classes with them anymore, it was obvious I would be found out quickly.

“So I checked the corner of the classroom… and there’s a handsome guy there??? And you’re all lovestruck with him???”

“I-I’m not lovestruck!”

“No, you were lovestruck. It was a face women make.”

I guess, I was that obvious… I’m starting to feel embarrassed.

“Well, it’s fine, but… you’ll introduce him to me, right??”

“Uh… well…”

I had a feeling it would come to this. Basically, there weren’t many guys around, and the one… well, he’s not mine yet, but Masato was handsome and perfect in every way. He’s definitely a catch. I mean, he’s way beyond just a catch. If people knew what Masato was like, they’d be lining up to date him.

But I’ll fend them all off.

That’s why meeting him at that time was truly miraculous. More like fate, really. Because it was, wasn’t it? Encounters like that hardly ever happen outside of manga.

“Excuse me, Koiumi-san??”

“Oh, um, sorry, sorry.”

I can’t be spaced out right now. Well, I guess she’ll ask for an introduction… So, what should I do here?

Honestly, my mind was made up a long time ago.

“Sorry. That’s the one thing I can’t do.”

“Huh?! Why not? We said we’d share information about guys!”

“I’m sorry!”

“…..”

As if to cut off Mizuho’s words, I bow my head.

Indeed, as Mizuho said, that promise was made.

Honestly, at the time, I didn’t think I’d be so fixated on one person, and I only had a light-hearted desire to try dating someone.

Now, everything is different.

“I’m serious. Sorry, but… I can’t give up Masato to anyone else.”

My first realization of love.

This was the one thing I couldn’t compromise on for anyone else.

Mizuho sighed as I bow my head.

“Sigh… if you’re going to bow like that, I can’t say anything anymore.”

“Sorry… and thank you.”

“But! In that case, I’ll get all the information about other guys! If you’re going to hog that handsome guy all to yourself, then introduce me to other guys!”

“Haha… I’ll handle it…”

As expected, Mizuho is a good girl.

If, by some chance, I have the opportunity to talk to another guy besides Masato, I’ll definitely introduce Mizuho to him.

—

After parting ways with Mizuho, I headed to the classroom for my second period.

“Hmm… Masato’s not here yet?”

He usually arrives about 15 minutes before class starts, but I haven’t heard from him yet.

“Oh well. I’ll just save a seat.”

Entering the still-empty classroom, I made my way to the back.

I secured my seat and placed my bag next to it.

Masato will come here.

Just thinking about it made the corners of my mouth naturally curl up.

“I should send a message.”

Sitting down, I opened my smartphone.

We exchanged contact information right away. When I mentioned wanting to send pictures of class materials, he was instantly on board.

I must have seemed silly, feeling even a bit nervous.

I wonder if using hearts and stuff would be too creepy… But it’s Masato, so he probably wouldn’t think that way.

What I’ve noticed after spending about a month with Masato in school life was how incredibly good-natured he was. I had a feeling from the beginning, but he’s truly too good. Almost worryingly so.

What worried me was that his good nature also meant his guard was down around girls. Way down.

Sure, I’ve benefited from that, getting closer to him, but now that we’re close and I’m actively pursuing him, it’s quite concerning.

The thought of him being taken advantage of by some terrible person sends shivers down my spine.

(I have to protect him…)

So, during our university life, I’ll be the one to protect him. We’ll spend as much time together as possible. And someday… even outside of university, I want to be the one to protect him.

Ping! A notification snapped me out of my thoughts, and I reached for my phone.

It was a message from Masato, with a cute deformed cat stamp saying thank you!

He’s even cute in moments like this… It’s okay. I’ll definitely protect you.

—

About ten minutes into class, Masato arrived.

He entered through the back door, looking around. Adorable.

I waved to get his attention.

Masato noticed me and walked over.

Hmm. His outfit today looked cool too.

Masato also had excellent fashion sense.

“Thanks a bunch, Koiumi. You saved me.”

“Nishishi… for you, it’s no big deal♪”

We address each other by name like this and attend class together.

For me, every day feels like a dream. But it’s been a month since this life began.

It’s about time… it’s about time we move to the next stage, isn’t it? That’s what I thought.

(Hmm… Maybe this situation could be useful?)

While wiping sweat, I gazed at Masato’s profile as he tooj out stationery.

I love Masato.

But if I were to confess my feelings right now, the odds would be slim.

Because I absolutely want Masato to be my boyfriend, failure was not an option.

Everything required steps, and what’s needed now was to become closer.

The quickest way to do that was… a date.

I was making my move.

Finally feeling settled and ready to focus on class, I tugged at the sleeve of Masato’s T-shirt.

“…Hey, since I saved you a seat, how about we grab lunch together today?”

…Was that a bit too forward?

But if I don’t do something like this, he won’t even notice my feelings anyway.

“Oh, um, sorry, I have work today.”

Gah… but I kind of expected that. Because he turned me down last Friday too.

Well, if that’s the case, I still have a chance.

“Hmm, does that mean Fridays are always work days for you, Masato?”

“Yeah,pretty much.”

“I see…. Then how about next Monday?”

“Sure, that works for me.”

“Yay!”

Yes!!! I got a date promise!!! I couldn’t help but do a little victory pose. But it’s inevitable, right? I’m just so happy!

Immediately, I started planning our date in my head.

Since we have classes until the 6th period on Monday, university will probably end around 5 PM.

Of course, we’ll make a dinner reservation, but where should we go before that?

Maybe a little shopping in front of the station?

Watching a movie might not leave us with enough time.

Karaoke could be fun too.

Thinking of facilities near the nearest station, I try to find the best way to make Masato enjoy himself the most.

I didn’t have even a millimeter of space in my head for the class material.

“…Hey.”

“…?”

At that moment, Masato spoke to me in a low voice.

Uh oh. I haven’t been paying attention to the class at all, so what should I do if he asks something related to it?

But then…

“…Hey, are you really okay with this? Rather than taking classes with me, wouldn’t you have wanted to take them with your friends…?”

“…Hmm? No, not at all. I can see my friends in clubs and stuff.”

…What does he mean?

It’s not like that. I want to take classes with Masato. I want to spend time with Masato.

A murky feeling nests in my chest.

And then, he added to my distress.

“If that’s the case, then I’m okay with you taking classes with your friends occasionally. I’m fine being alone.”

…Why would he say that?

A wave of dark emotions swirled in my chest, surprising even myself.

“Why?”

“Huh? No, Koiumiya, I just thought, you know, maybe you wanted to take classes with other girls~”

“Do you not want to take classes with me, Masato? Do you perhaps want to take classes with another girl?”

I didn’t want to say something like that.

The wave of dark emotions keeps flooding in.

“No, no, no! It’s not like that at all. Seriously, I’m grateful, and if I can take classes with a beautiful girl like you, Koiumi, there’s nothing I’d be happier about! And besides, I don’t have any friends other than you!”

…B-Beautiful girl?

Did he just call me a beautiful girl?

“Be-beautiful girl? Really? Do you think so? Do you find me cute, Masato?”

“Y-Yeah, of course. You’re definitely cute. You should have confidence in yourself.”

Wow, I’m incredibly happy.

Suddenly, my heart feels warm and fuzzy.

“I see… Fufufu… I’m cute, huh…”

I didn’t know being called cute by someone you like could make you this happy.

I’m really glad I’ve worked on improving myself so much.

And then, I remember what Mizuho said in the morning.

――I might be acting lovestruck after all.

After the third period ended, Masato went home.

Seeing him off until the university exit, I headed to the fourth period.

During the way. I remembered the events of the second period.

(I didn’t want to say those things…)

I didn’t even understand it myself.

Just the thought of Masato wanting to meet other girls unleashed a dark feeling of jealousy inside me.

Ugly, jealous emotions. I think Masato was flustered too. But he didn’t even say he wanted to take classes with other girls.

(Masato is such a good person… and I…)

I couldn’t help but feel self-loathing. But even now, if Masato were to say he wanted to hang out with other girls, I feel like I’d say the same thing.

I’d think, ‘Am I not good enough?’

I’ve truly fallen for someone for the first time. Every day is so much fun.

――But I feel like I can’t control this overwhelming feeling for the first time.

I have to be careful… If he starts to dislike me, I probably won’t be able to recover.

Oh well. I guess I’m――a jealous woman after all.