The Seventh Delusion (2)
After putting all the various disturbances behind us, the two of us made our way to the movie theater.
Her face is still completely flushed, isn't it?
Well, I did hug her in front of everyone, so it's no wonder she's embarrassed.
Ah. Just thinking about what happened earlier is making my own face heat up.
“Ah! Hey, we have to get popcorn if we're watching a movie.”
“Yeah, you're right. But isn't popcorn expensive these days? Is that okay?”
“Don't worry, I've been working hard at my part-time job and saved up quite a bit. Besides, the movie's running time is over three hours. It'd be boring if we went in empty-handed, right?”
Hell yeah.
The other “me” is so cool. So this is what a capable woman looks like in this world.
Huh? But three hours?
“Wait, the movie is really three hours long?”
“Yeah. A little over three hours, to be exact.”
“Can you even make it without going to the bathroom?”
“Go beforehand.”
“Okay. Then I'll be right back.”
“Huh? Hey, let's go togeth— Oh, right. You can't.”
What the hell? How far is this girl planning to follow me? If you tag along while I go to the bathroom, that'd be the same as a guy following a girl into the restroom in my original world. You'd get arrested for that, idiot.
“Jeez, no matter how much you're 'me,' we're still different genders. If you follow me in there, you'll get arrested for a sex crime, you know?”
“That's true… Okay, go to the bathroom. I'll buy the tickets and popcorn. Can you find your way back here? You don't have a phone or anything, so if you get lost, you won't be able to find me.”
“I've been coming to this theater since I was little, you know. Sure, it's originally from my world, but still. Anyway, I'll be right back!”
I understand why she'd worry. From her perspective in this world, I'm basically a foreigner. But no matter what, I've been to this theater more than once or twice. There's no way I'd get lost.
Besides, the other “me” is bringing popcorn, cola, and the tickets. I'd feel bad if I kept her waiting too long, so I should hurry to the bathroom and back.
When I reached the area in front of the restroom, I saw a huge crowd of women waiting around.
What? Why are all these women waiting in front of the bathroom? Normally, guys finish quickly while girls take forever, so the guy waits for the girl, right?
Then a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Oh!
I get it now! In my original world, the reason women took so long wasn't just because of using the toilet!
They were fixing their makeup to only show their best side to men, touching up their hair, and doing all sorts of things that took way more time! So in this world, does that mean men are the ones taking longer with their makeup and stuff, which is why the women are waiting?
Tsk tsk. So in this world, men have become the privileged gender. And among those privileged men, I am the ultimate apex predator—an insanely handsome pretty boy! (Well, I guess the correct term in this world would be a beautiful man.)
Huh? But why are all the women staring at me?
Is it because I'm good-looking? Or did I wear something weird? I changed into the clothes I bought at that store earlier. What is it?
Having everyone stare like this is actually a little scary.
“Excuse me.”
Eek!
Shit, that scared me. A woman suddenly spoke to me from behind.
She was a beauty with brown hair tied in a ponytail. She was wearing a suit, too, and she gave off an overwhelming aura that practically screamed 'I'm an incredibly successful person.'
“Excuse me?”
“…Y-yes? Me? Were you calling me?”
“Yes. I'm interested in you, so would you mind giving me your phone number?”
The woman smiled brightly as she said that.
What the hell is going on? Is this what people call hunting? Getting hit on?
No, seriously, what's happening… I'm the one getting hit on?
“What? My number? Is this some kind of penalty game or something?”
It couldn't be that she got picked in some penalty game to ask for my number, right? If I misunderstood and gave it to her, it'd be way too embarrassing. That kind of thing happened to me a lot back in school.
It was back during my first year of middle school. I was sitting at my desk reading a novel during lunch when a female student approached me.
'Gaeul…'
The girl fidgeted awkwardly, struggling to get her words out before finally continuing.
'Gaeul! Let's date!'
Back then I was incredibly naive, so I thought the girl had actually developed a crush on me and was confessing. I happily agreed to date her, but suddenly the kids sitting behind me burst out laughing.
'Hey, Gaeul! You got totally pranked! Hahahahaha, that was a penalty game where we dared her to confess to you. What, did you get excited?'
Ugh, even now just remembering it makes me want to die of embarrassment.
After that incident, the girl who had “confessed” kept coming to find me. She’d apologize, saying it wasn’t a joke and that she really meant it, bringing me all sorts of snacks, chocolates, and even writing me letters.
Once, I even saw her in an empty classroom sniffing my gym clothes. That was probably part of some other penalty game. I didn’t want things to get awkward, so I quietly turned around and left without saying anything.
Not long after, she transferred schools because of her parents’ circumstances, and we never met again.
She must have done all that out of guilt. There’s no way she actually liked me.
Anyway, because of those memories, I felt a bit hesitant about this whole hunting thing.
“What? My number? Is this some kind of penalty game or something?”
“…Huh? No, not at all. Haha, I’m not like that. You were just so beautiful that I couldn’t help but approach you. If it’s not too forward, could you give me your number?”
“Um… well, the thing is… I don’t have a phone right now…”
Wait, does this mean I can finally get a girlfriend?
And a really pretty one at that?
Whoa, holy shit. This is insane.
Huh?
Hold on a second. I don’t have a phone.
When I crossed over to this world, my phone didn’t come with me. Even if it had, it probably wouldn’t have worked properly anyway.
The service would be meaningless here. Oh, and my number would technically belong to the other “me” in this world.
“I… I don’t have a phone yet. Or more precisely, I did have one, but due to certain circumstances, I don’t anymore…”
“Do I not appeal to you? Or do you already have a girlfriend?”
“No, no! I like you a lot! If I had my phone, I’d give you my number right away, but I lost it because of some stuff I had to deal with.”
“I see. Then just a moment.”
The beautiful woman who had approached me looked surprised and a little flustered before pulling out a wallet from her suit pocket. She took out a business card and used the pen that had been clipped in her pocket to write something on it.
“Here’s my card. I really do like you, so please contact me at this number.”
“Okay, I will.”
“Then I’ll be going. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
The woman handed me the card, turned the corner, and walked away with confident steps.
Yes!
Awesome!
I almost missed this golden opportunity because I didn’t have a phone, but I still managed to get a girl’s number! Does this mean I can finally have a girlfriend? My twenty-three years of being a lifelong solo is finally coming to an end.
It sounded like the women around me were talking about me… Were they thinking of hitting on me too?
Hell yeah.
This is it. This is what gender reversal feels like. I can finally live a life where people love and adore me!
“Hey. What are you doing over here?”
“Ah.”
Right. I was on my way to the bathroom. The other “me” was standing there with popcorn and cola in both hands.
“Sorry. Sorry for making you wait so long. I’ll be right back from the bathroom, just give me a minute!”
I quickly ran into the restroom. Damn it, I completely forgot about the movie while I was getting that number.
She must have waited a long time. How am I supposed to make this up to her?
“Sorry. I took way too long, didn’t I? We’re not late for the movie, are we? Let’s hurry and go watch it!”
“We still have plenty of time. You took so long that I thought you got lost.”
“I’m really sorry. Something came up. I’ll tell you about it on the way…”
Movie Theater - Restricted to Authorized Personnel Only
“Haaaa…”
The woman let out a long sigh.
“No way. A man with that level of appearance actually exists? And what is this intense scent? I approached him without even realizing it. I nearly lost my mind and kidnapped him on the spot. So that’s why the precious one from that family was showing such unusual interest.”