The moment I stepped into the gym, I was immediately overwhelmed by what I saw.

Girls. Girls. Girls.

As far as the eye could see, it was women everywhere. The teachers were women, the students were women.

Only a few males could be seen here and there, but the realization that classes with boys were the rarity sent a chill down my spine.

And many of them, like Aoi, didn’t come across as very masculine.

Because of that, girls from other classes kept sneaking glances at me. They didn’t openly stare, but I stood out whether I wanted to or not.

Soon after the female principal’s greeting ended, the student council president began her speech.

“—Student representative address. Student council president, Ouran Onikisu. Please come forward.”

…What a ridiculous name, I thought to myself—but the instant she appeared on the stage, a wave of shrill cheers erupted from the first-year girls in the audience, leaving me staring with my mouth agape.

Apparently, the student council president was incredibly popular. A lot of students must have already known about her even before enrolling.

Standing on the podium, President Ouran was tall, her long, glossy black hair swept back, her cool eyes calmly surveying the hall. Her posture radiated a refined beauty, like the top star of a Takarazuka revue. With such cool, confident movements, it was easy to see why the crowd was so captivated.

“Congratulations to all our new students on your admission. From today onward, you are members of Hanabira Academy High School. Our school is not merely a place to study academics. It is a place to learn about love, to nurture love, and to weave the future.”

…Huh? Love?

Something felt off about the direction of her speech.

“Friendship will one day turn into romance. Romance will one day turn into marriage. And marriage becomes the foundation for nurturing new life. At this academy, we hope that each and every one of you will—one day—take someone’s hand and walk forward together.”

What?! Wait a second, is she serious?!

Normally, this is where they’d be saying things like “No inappropriate relationships between boys and girls!” or “Academics come first!”, right? But instead, this school is straight-up encouraging us to date!

Hey hey, so this is what passes for common sense in this world? Was that weird questionnaire they made us fill out at the entrance ceremony for this exact reason…?

“The school motto of Hanabira Academy is ‘Pure, Strong, and Bound Together.’ Under these words, we hope that over the next three years, each of you will meet someone important, form a bond, and grow together. Please engrave this day in your hearts, and make the school life that begins today a shining one. Once again, congratulations on your admission.”

As the president concluded her speech with confidence, the hall erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. High-pitched shrieks rang out once more, and the way she disappeared into the wings was nothing short of charismatic.

…That said, the content of her speech was terrifying.

What exactly are we men supposed to do from here on out…!?

◇◇◇

“Phew…”

After the entrance ceremony ended and I got home, a wave of exhaustion crashed over me. I slumped forward onto the living room table, still in my shirt with my blazer off and my tie loosened, feeling like my soul was about to leave my body.

“Kazuto, how was your high school class?”

My mom asked gently as she poured a cup of steaming tea.

There was just too much information to process… Asuka not remembering me, there being only two boys in the class, the school’s bizarre, inexplicable policies. My head honestly felt like it was about to burst.

But there was one thing I was certain of—the world I was in now was completely different from the one I’d lived in until yesterday.

I didn’t know why I’d ended up here. No matter how much I thought about it, I wasn’t going to find an answer.

So rather than standing still, I decided to adapt to this world while trying to rebuild my relationship with Asuka.

“Well, it was surprising, but I managed somehow. Also, there was one other boy in my class.”

“Oh my. Is that so? Then you should make sure to get along with him.”

After everything that had happened today, there were a few things I really wanted to ask her.

“…This might sound strange, but Dad’s at work… right?”

The answer that came back was exactly what I’d expected.

“Dad? Who are you talking about?”

“…”

It was a fact I’d already accepted the moment Dad’s contact disappeared from my phone.

And the reason he hadn’t been in the living room that morning wasn’t because he’d slept in—just like my male classmates, my father’s existence, too, had vanished somewhere simply because he was a man.

“Mom, you married Dad and gave birth to me and my sister… right?”

“…Just to be clear, when you say ‘Dad,’ you mean a man, don’t you?”

“Yeah, but…”

At my question, Mom frowned, looking troubled.

“I did get married once, yes. But my partner wasn’t a man. She was a woman. Isn’t that obvious?”

What I’d imagined was confirmed by my mother’s words.

She hadn’t spelled everything out clearly, but it was enough. Marriage between women was normal, women could have children with other women—and with no place for men to intervene, a society centered entirely around women had taken shape.

And then, right at that moment—

The news came on from the TV we had left on in the living room.

“—This morning, actress Aragaki Yura and model Honda Tsubame announced their marriage. It has also been revealed that Honda-san is already carrying new life.”

“N-No way…”

Celebrities who had existed in my original world were now announcing a same-sex marriage—between two women. And on top of that, one of them was pregnant.

At this point, it was getting harder and harder not to believe it.

“Kazuto, are you alright? Did something happen at school that shocked you so much that you’re acting a little strange?”

I didn’t know this world’s common sense.

So from my mother’s perspective, what I said must have sounded strange.

“Hey… Mom, do you hate talking to me?”

“What are you saying? You’re my son, you know. Of course I don’t.”

“No, it’s just… the girls at school seemed like they didn’t want to talk to me—to men…”

“Fufu… that might be true. And that’s exactly why I’m worried.”

As she said that, my mom’s expression grew a little more serious.

What did she mean?

“—I suppose I’ve never told you this before, Kazuto. It may sound harsh, but… in this society, giving birth to and raising a boy is truly difficult.”

…Yeah, I figured.

In this world, men were an inferior species. From the moment they were born, they were bound to live with a sense of constraint.

“When you were little, I was criticized so many times just for having a boy. But I carried you, endured the pain, and gave birth to you. Even if you weren’t normal, you’re still my precious child.”

“Mom…”

“But the only man I truly cherish is you. I don’t think I could ever feel affection for any other boy.”

Hearing those words, I reached one conclusion.

If Dad didn’t exist, then I should have had another mother. Yet in this house, there was only the one mother I’d always known.

“…Is the reason Dad—no, my other mother—isn’t here… because I was born a boy…?”

“…I didn’t want to say it, but yes. I’m sorry for hiding it all this time.”

Mom lowered her gaze, her expression pained as she murmured the words.

“No, it’s okay. I know how much you care about me, that’s enough.”

“I’m so happy you grew up to be such a good boy, Kazuto… I feel like I’m going to cry.”

Watching her eyes well up with tears, I became certain of something.

Not every woman in this world was discriminatory. There were people who truly saw me for who I was. The girls in my class… no—even if not in my class, if I looked across the whole school, there might be at least one person willing to talk to me face-to-face.

And if that was the case, then maybe Asuka, too, could change her mind—maybe one day she’d start talking to me again, like before.

“Yaahoo! Big sis is hooome!!”

At that moment, a lively voice echoed from the front door.

My sister, who didn’t have any club activities or anything scheduled, burst energetically into the living room. It looked like she’d just gotten back from going out somewhere.

“Oh, Kazuto’s here.”

Come to think of it, my sister also talked to me normally.

…Thinking back, the words she’d said that morning—“You’re a high school student starting today, so if anything happens, come talk to me, okay?” She really had been worrying about me.

“…Hey, Nee-chan. Do you know Onikisu, the student council president?”

“Ah, President Ouran! She’s beautiful, right?”

“Yeah. Her entrance alone got the first-years shrieking. I was surprised.”

“Ahaha… she’s always been popular. She beat out the upperclassmen in the election and became president back in her second year. This is her second term now.”

“Huh, she really is charismatic.”

The president certainly was attractive

Still, I was confused about what she’d been talking about.

And then there was something else about that questionnaire that had been bothering me. So I decided to bring it up with my sister.

“…Hey, do you know what a ‘Uribou’ is?”

The moment I said those words, both my sister and mother froze in place, looking at me with shocked expressions.

Since it was written right there on the questionnaire, I’d assumed it was something normal. But… was it not?

“There was a section asking whether it was necessary or unnecessary. I didn’t really get it, so I circled ‘necessary,’ but… I don’t have one, right?”

As I explained, both of their faces grew redder by the second.

“Do I… really have to explain this…? I mean, but… there’s really no one who could explain it except someone in the family… Even if they cover it in class, it might be better to know beforehand…”

“You’re overthinking this way too much…”

My sister, who usually only nagged me, was now blushing bright red, fumbling over her words.

It was so unlike her that, somehow, it made her look strangely cute.

“…Wasn’t there one more item on the questionnaire?”

“The one asking whether I’m a virgin or not?”

“…Yeah. It’s related to that, but—a ‘Uribou’ is… a rod used to break the hymen.”

I froze the moment I heard that.

All the knowledge from my original world kicked into overdrive.

“…”

That’s a di◯do, isn’t it!? Hey, that’s totally a di◯do, right!?

What do you mean ‘Uribou’!? Slapping a cute name on it doesn’t change what it is! You’re just trying to run away from using a lewd name, aren’t you!?

“You know the term deflowering (破瓜), right? It seems the name comes from that uri (瓜). It used to be different, but these days they’ve made it less painful and even redesigned it to look cuter.”
TN: Bou (棒) literally means “rod” or “stick.”

Perhaps because this is a female-centered society, the term has spread under such a cute name.

In this world, sexual intercourse with men doesn’t exist. I’d wondered how the breaking of the hymen was supposed to happen… but now I get it. Using a dedicated tool must be the norm.

A cute tool meant to help take that first step—apparently, that’s accepted as common knowledge in this society. But as for how babies are actually born… that remains a mystery.

“…Do you know what they used to call it?”

“Huh? I don’t know… why?”

“No, it’s fine if you don’t. I get it now.”

“Ughh… why do I have to explain something this embarrassing to you of all people!? Seriously!”

My sister’s face had been red the entire time she was explaining it.

There was just one more thing I wanted to ask her.

“…So that means… you’ve used one too, right?”

“——!! You’re such an idiot!!”

Her face turned even redder as she started lightly pounding my shoulder and head over and over.