I, Nijo Nako, live with my mother and older sister.

However, a few years ago, another person came into our home...

My father.

There was never a time I was glad he was my father.
I never once let my guard down around him.

From when I can remember, I always wondered why my father was so insensitive.

"You... are you going out again? It's dangerous outside. The news reports many victims of perverted men... And lately, you've been spending money too recklessly. Kyoko and Nako both need money for school. For their future, you should think a little—"
"Shut up! It's my business!"

My sister and I often watched my mother and him argue through the crack in the door.

"Nako, it's okay..."
"Y-yes... Big sister..."

I still vividly remember my sister holding my hand tightly when I was scared.

My sister must have been scared too... but she always protected me because I'm her sister.

My sister's name is Nijo Kyoko.

A beautiful woman with long silver hair and a cool demeanor.
The word "cool beauty" truly suits her.

My sister was popular among the female students in high school.
There were rumors that she even had a fan club that adored her as "Ojou-sama"...

My sister is mine alone, you know?

My sister is cool, but not cold. She's observant of others, and I can tell she dotes on me, her younger sister.

My mother is also gentle and kind, and she praises me for even the smallest things.
I love my mother and respect her as a person.

Both of them are important people to me.

On the other hand... he was a sloppy person, barely worked, didn't do housework, and only caused trouble when he went out to play alone.

Women, gambling, alcohol, smoking... it even escalated to fights, and we had to accompany him to apologize to the other parties and the police.

Even when he was home, he rarely spoke to us, drank, ate messily... and if he was in a bad mood, he would yell at my mother, doing whatever he pleased.

Because he was so conspicuous, our family situation seemed to have spread to the neighbors and those around us...

"Men are all like that."
"Actually, just having a man in the house makes you a winner~"
"Men are few and precious. Women have to do everything for them."

There were hardly any words of sympathy or concern.
Only two of my friends showed concern.

In this world, there's a significant imbalance in the gender ratio, with men being overwhelmingly outnumbered.

At school, there are only about three boys in my class.

Even so, boys rarely come to school...
Recently, they've switched to a remote system.
This system is exclusively for boys.

Perhaps because there are so few men... everyone tends to be lenient with men's behavior.

However, his insensitive words and actions should not be forgiven.

"You should be grateful just because I, a man, am here?"

He would say such things without hesitation, and I could never see him as a father.

Is this family life?
No, this isn't family.

He was the king, and we were like convenient slaves.

Then, an event occurred that put an end to that daily life.

My mother decided to divorce him.

"...I can't take it anymore. I'm divorcing you. I'll take care of Kyoko and Nako."

He just scoffed at my mother's serious words.

After the divorce.
The three of us started a new life in an old house owned by our maternal grandmother.

With the disappearance of him, who was so reckless with money, the burden of living lessened... but it didn't mean life became easy.

We were barely managing to maintain a life where we could eat... but after he was gone, the atmosphere in the house somehow felt lighter.

Even when he wasn't around, the air in the house was gloomy, and conversations didn't flow.

But now, we laughed together with my mother and sister at all times.

"From now on, let's live happily, the three of us."
"Yes, Mother."
"Yes, Mother!"

When my mother said that, my sister and I nodded vigorously.

One week later.

My mother was forcibly laid off from her company.

Apparently, one of his affairs was with a senior executive at a major client company of my mother's workplace... and that executive woman suddenly came to the company and said, "It's Nijo's fault," and abruptly terminated the contract.

The company did not protect my mother... and by cutting her off, they maintained their dignity.

Rather than resenting my mother's colleagues or him... at that time, I was simply despairing.

I was disappointed, thinking, "Are all men like this...?"

My mother spent some days in a daze, but then she said, "I'll work hard for you two," and found a new job, working from morning till night.

My sister also went to work part-time immediately after finishing her school studies, helping to support our household.

As for me, a middle schooler... I had no means of earning money, and all I did was housework.

I felt so powerless and frustrated...

"Why can't I do anything...?"

My mother and sister worked desperately, and they must have been tired, but they always smiled in front of me...

"Nako, you don't have to worry about it."
"That's right. Nako, you alone should live happily without any hardship."

Even though my mother and sister spoke kindly to me... my heart ached.

◆◆

"Nako. I have an early start tomorrow, so I'm going to bed. Please don't overdo it, okay?"
"Thank you, Big sister. Good night."

As my high school entrance exams approached, I was immersed in studying every day.

On the other hand, I kept thinking about what I could do for my family... but since I couldn't earn money, I thought I could at least reduce the financial burden.

So, I was looking for a high school with low tuition fees...

Suddenly, I remembered the parent-teacher conference at school.

"Nijo-san, your grades are excellent. How about applying to a technical college or a school outside the prefecture? Around here, you could try Sotei Academy. Also, Sotei Academy is becoming co-educational this year~"

The teacher smiled at the end, but my expression stiffened.

Co-educational.
...In other words, there would be boys.

Due to my father's influence, I had developed a strong aversion to men.

My sister also acts cool, but I, her sister, know.
My sister is also not good with men.

When I see men, I unconsciously avert my eyes, become flustered, or my voice trembles slightly... I'm aware of it.

I want to avoid interacting with them as much as possible, but... I was often approached by men.

I inherited my mother's lustrous hair and refined appearance.
While girls my age often pursued the few boys available... perhaps because I didn't try to please them, I was the one who was approached.

I was hit on by a popular senior at school, and confessed to by a seemingly gentle boy from the next class.
I was even approached by male teachers, but... I politely refused them all to avoid future trouble.

My friends called me a waste, and girls from other classes were jealous.
Sometimes, seniors would call me out and say, "Aren't you getting too full of yourself?"

However, it was impossible for me to become close with boys, let alone continue a conversation with them.

I have a strong aversion to men... and more importantly, I don't have the time.

More than anything, I want to be of help to my mother and sister.

After that, I had a second parent-teacher conference with my homeroom teacher.

At that time, I boldly told her that due to financial issues, I wanted to attend a school with the lowest possible tuition burden.

The teacher seemed a little surprised, but nodded quietly...

"...I understand your feelings, Nijo-san. But if that's the case, I still think it would be best for you to go to Sotei Academy."

Sotei Academy.

I know the name well, and several of my classmates were also hoping to attend.

It's the most prestigious high school in the area, boasting high employment and progression rates, with new facilities and comprehensive support.

While not exactly a finishing school for young ladies... it offers a good environment, but I heard the tuition fees are even higher than other private high schools.

It's an expensive school.
Naturally, I couldn't possibly attend...

But the teacher's story wasn't over.

Since Sotei Academy was becoming co-educational this year... there would be new examination slots.

These were so-called recommendation slots for male "support roles."

I don't know the details of the support role job yet... but if I passed, I would receive generous support such as free tuition and transportation costs.

However, it involved supporting boys.

It was obvious that interacting with boys was a mandatory requirement.

I'm not good with boys, and I don't know if I'll be able to do well even if I become a support role...

But I...

"Teacher, I... will aim for the support role slot at Sotei Academy."

I decided on the spot that this was how I could help my family.

◆◆

About a week before the entrance exams.

I was heading to Sotei Academy.
It would be the worst if I got lost and couldn't take the exam.

My mother was scheduled to drive me on the day, but... I couldn't feel at ease without checking the route myself.

As I reached the top of a gentle slope and waited at a traffic light.
A blond man who came from the side suddenly spoke to me.

"Hey, you. You're quite cute, even among girls. Want to hang out with me now?"
"..."

In an instant, my face stiffened.

Although I inwardly wanted to leave quickly... I tried to be as polite as possible to avoid future trouble.

"N-no... I'm fine. I'm in a hurry."
"Come on. It's lucky to be invited by one of the few men, right? You all think so too, don't you?"

The blond man wasn't alone.

There were already three women around him.

And they... nodded with wry smiles at the man's words.

Even though it was a common sight with men... I felt uncomfortable.

After that, the man's advances were persistent... no matter how politely I refused, he wouldn't give up. He simply didn't listen.

"T-that's why I won't become yours!"

I tried to say that with all my courage... but the blond man didn't back down at all.

"No, no, you should become mine while you can. I'm good-looking among the few men, I have a rich family, I'm kind, and the woman who marries me in the future will definitely be a winner. Right, you all?"
"Even if you are a man, I have the right to refuse. So, I refuse your invitation."
"No, no. First of all, it's strange to even have the option to refuse. I, who am one of the few men, am telling you that I like you. So, you should answer immediately with joy. You can even cry and thank me."
"! ... You men are always like that..."

I felt irritated by his words.

My father was like that too.

Always... selfish thinking.

Not considering the other person's feelings.

Not looking at the other person's expression.

Not trying to understand the other person.

Why can't you be kinder?

Why, why...

Why do my family and I have to go through such painful experiences...?

Just as my feelings were sinking... it happened.

"Um, excuse me for a moment?"
"Huh? What is it, you?"

A low, yet somehow polite voice was heard from the side.

As the blond man's gaze shifted from me... I also turned towards him.

There stood... a black-haired boy around my age.

But, more than him... I looked at the person next to him and couldn't help but exclaim.

"B-Big sister!"

My sister was there.

Before I could even wonder why, I ran towards my sister.

I watched the interaction between the blond man and the black-haired boy next to my sister.

The blond man looked obviously displeased, and the atmosphere was a bit scary... but the black-haired boy remained calm even when faced with it.

"When there are so many cute girls around, trying to pick someone up... isn't good. Shouldn't you cherish the girls around you first?"

He said it so casually, as if stating the obvious.

"...Huh. Did you just say 'cute'..."
"No way!"
"This is the first time a man has ever said something like that to me..."
"To think there's a man who says such things..."

The women around him started to murmur at his words.

I also widened my eyes in surprise.

This person is different from the boys I've seen so far.

Or rather, he's different from ordinary boys.

"It's my freedom! Even if we're both men, it's none of your business!"
"If you have freedom, then she has freedom too, right? If she says no, you should back down quietly. Persistent men are even more disliked."
"T-that's why it's none of your business! Besides, we're men! Why are you defending a woman?!"
"It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman when you're bothering someone! And just because you're a man doesn't mean you should be forgiven!"
"! ..."
"If you intend to pester her any further... I will be your opponent. However, if you back down now, no one will get hurt. You choose, what will you do?"
"! ... Tsk... Let's go, you guys."

The blond man clicked his tongue in annoyance and quickly left with the women.

I just stared, but then I snapped back to reality.

"Ah, thank you, Big sister! And..."

I glanced at the black-haired boy.

Then I properly looked at his appearance.

Silky black hair and sharp eyes.
A moderately muscular physique.
He probably exercises regularly and leads a disciplined life.

As I was thinking that, my eyes met my sister's serious expression.

"Thank him properly."
"Ah, thank you!"
"Young master, I also express my gratitude. Thank you for saving my sister."
"Ah, yes... Huh? Sister?!"

The man seemed surprised.

And I also...

"Eh... this person is that Young Master..."

I widened my eyes.

I had heard the name "Young Master" used for boys before.

And a haze spread in my chest.

Because... after him, he's the boy I'm most conscious of, and not in a good way.