Living in a Class-Based World - Chapter 28: Tomoe and Ayaka ②

Currently a woman was extending her greetings with her head bowed inside Yuuta’s room.

“Thank you kindly for taking the time to meet me. Yuuta-sama…”

“It’s been a long time since our last meeting, Tomoe-san. Sorry that I gave you so many troubles back then.”

“A-Absolutely not! I was simply too incompetent, and so…”

“No, Tomoe-san, you didn’t do anything wrong. Back then…I simply couldn’t process the events that happened to me. Please don’t mind it.”

“Uuh…Yuuta-sama.”

It was the day of Yuuta meeting Tomoe. Ayaka had brought her colleague to Yuuta’s room.

Catching sight of Tomoe’s appearance which was quite estranged from the looks of normal Nihon people, Yuuta ended up thinking that she looked just like an elf as he knew them from the fantasy lore of his previous world. However, elves were fictional creatures in the Old World and thus it wasn’t as though Yuuta had actually seen one before.

The elvish-looking Tomoe became deeply moved by Yuuta’s words, starting to cry a few minutes into their meeting.

“I was overjoyed to hear that you would become my caseworker starting in April. Oh, of course I don’t mean to talk you down with that, Ayaka-san,” Yuuta corrected himself quickly, even though they’d stay connected behind the scenes anyway.

“I know, Yuuta-sama,” Ayaka answered with a wink and smile.

Due to Yuuta piling even more gentle words on top, Tomoe succumbed into loud wailing, her tears continuing to run down her cheeks. Ayaka gently patted the other woman’s back while soothing her.

“F-Forgive me.”

“No, no, don’t worry. Did you calm down?”

“Yes…,” Tomoe replied with a tear choked voice, and after sniffing her nose, “For you to have grown into such a fine young man…”

Yuuta stood up and started to pat Tomoe’s back together with Ayaka. Right now he had a height slightly above 170 cm. Or in other words, he was a fraction taller than Tomoe with her height of 170 cm.

Being impressed by Yuuta’s growth, Tomoe became teary once again.

The tits of both are way too big. If surrounded by women with such lewd figures, it becomes a real challenge to rein in my erection.

K-Cup Ayaka and J-Cup Tomoe; in front of such bombastic bust sizes, Yuuta continued to calm his heart so as to avoid his dick bulging in his pants.

Around the time when Yuuta and Tomoe had finally settled down, the three went back to discussing the current circumstances. But, even during their talk, Tomoe once again broke out in emotional tears, being moved by Yuuta’s ability to express himself so cogently.

Eventually their discussion naturally shifted to Yuuta’s future. In other words, his high school life.

Now having calmed down again, Tomoe confronted Yuuta with a question while smiling sweetly, “Yuuta-sama, do you have a female student you would like to participate in your class for high school? I have heard that you recently attended School Day…”

Her look was so obvious that it was apparent that she was expecting something from Yuuta’s response.

“Yes. Umm…I was thinking that it’d be really great if A-Aoi-san could become my direct affiliate.”

“Oh my! What a wonderful idea! I am sure that Aoi-sama must also wish to become your direct affiliate, Yuuta-sama.”

“Y-You think so?”

Yuuta had heard from Ayaka that Tomoe was a high woman deeply connected to the Eternal Yoshiwaras. Yuuta hoped that Tomoe might have heard something about Aoi wanting to become his direct affiliate through Yoshiwara.

“As a matter of fact, my family falls under the umbrella of Aoi-sama’s family. I have heard the story through an acquaintance serving at the Yoshiwara estate, but according to her, the people of the mansion are very excited and delighted about Aoi-sama finally having found a man she desires as husband.”

“H-Husband…”

A marriage with Aoi. Imagining it, Yuuta felt very glad and happy, but at the same time, also somewhat embarrassed.

“S-Suddenly becoming her husband would be a bit…”

“Of course. It does not mean a marriage right off the bat. I think it is preferable to follow the proper steps of going through the phases of lovers, engagement, and then marriage.”

“T-That’s right, isn’t it?”

At that point, Ayaka asked Tomoe, “How should Yuuta-sama conduct himself if he is going to marry a high woman, and moreover, an Eternal like Aoi-sama?”

“Oh, right. Let’s see…”

This was something a commoner like Ayaka had no knowledge of. Just like Ayaka had never attended a zone junior high during her own junior high student days, she was never affiliated to a man during high school, although she had applied for a temporary affiliation.

After pondering for some time, Tomoe faced Yuuta and told him, “High school has important events during each term. The specifics of the events change with every school year, but one event is firmly set for each term. It’s the cultural festival taking place in November.

“A cultural festival…”

“Yes. A ball will be held in the evening of the cultural festival.”

“A ball? You mean the sort of ball where you dance while being in full dress and so on?”

“Yes. Only the women, who received a dress from a man, are allowed to participate in the ball.”

“A dress…”

“And during the first-year’s ball, the female students will enter the venue first.”

“I see.”

“The boys will enter with a slight delay, and afterwards, they will be allowed to invite the girls, whom they presented with dresses, to dance with them. But, just because a girl obtained the qualification to join the ball does not automatically mean she has to be invited for a dance.

“D-Dancing…me…?”

The scene of him wearing a tuxedo while requesting a dance from Aoi, who was wearing a beautiful dress, crossed Yuuta’s mind.

“A boy inviting a girl to dance with him during the ball is an expression of his affections towards that girl. Moreover, it is an implicit rule for the boy to confess his love to the girl after finishing the dance with her.”

“A confession!”

“Yes. All the girls are working hard with the goal of becoming a boy’s lover by receiving his confession during the first year’s ball.”

“How dreamy…”

Even Ayaka seemed to have slipped into some sort of delusional world while listening to Tomoe’s explanation.

“It is not necessary to be overly conscious of suddenly becoming lovers with a girl, but if you strongly wish to tie the knot with Aoi-sama, I think it would be smart to set the first year’s ball as goalpost, Yuuta-sama. I believe that would be a very joyous approach for Aoi-sama, too.”

“I see…during the cultural festival…a dance…”

“The sports festival will take place in the middle of May of the first term of the first year. It will be possible for you to also meet and interact with Aoi-sama during summer vacation. Then there will be a trip in October, right before the second year’s cultural festival. I believe that it would be the perfect schedule to confess during the cultural festival in November after having continuously deepened your relationship with Aoi-sama throughout all these events.”

Tomoe had pushed on with her story, assuming Yuuta confessing to Aoi to be a premise, but at that point Ayaka snapped back into reality.”

“Tomoe-san, umm…what would the exalted matriarch, Nanase-sama, think about all this?”

“I doubt that Nanase-sama would personally have any issues with any of this.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I am convinced that Nanase-sama would never say anything about the man chosen by Aoi-sama. But, as might be expected, she still has her position as matriarch of the Eternal Yoshiwara. As such, she must also pay attention to outward appearances.”

“R-Right. That makes sense.”

The partner of the Yoshiwara’s next matriarch would not only be no elite, but to top it off, a leftover E-Rank guy. Furthermore, that boy used to be an F-Rank until right before his graduation from junior high because he refused to carry out Service Activities while being commonly shunned as shut-in trash.

If that sort of information made its rounds among the high families, it’d undoubtedly hurt the Yoshiwara’s name and lower the family’s evaluation.

“Assuming you become the lover of Aoi-sama, you must strive even harder to work on yourself so that your relationship would receive the blessings and consent of the surroundings, Yuuta-sama. But, seeing how we are talking about you, I am certain it will be alright! After all, you have grown into such a fine, young man!”

Ayaka looked uncomfortable after hearing Tomoe’s remark. Yuuta directed a gentle smile at her. For the sake of assuring her that it’d be no problem.

I just need to keep raising my rank from now on. I think it’s better for an irregular existence like me to slowly grow in this world rather than standing out by shooting through the ranks.

“There will be a ranking exam during each term of high school, right? Then I have to work hard to become a D-Rank as quickly as possible.

“Let us do our best together! If you manage to reach C-Rank until high school graduation, you will be regarded as excellent. And I have no doubt that you will be able to reach C-Rank with ease, Yuuta-sama!” Tomoe exclaimed with her eyes sparkling.

Even the elite boys starting high school as D-Ranks would still be assessed as elites, if they reached C-Rank until their graduation. After all, becoming a B-Rank during high school was beyond improbable.

Graduating high school as C-Rank, reaching B-Rank within ten years after that, and becoming an A-Rank until the age of 40; that was the course for a man to be called an elite amongst elites.

Moreover, this was just a talk about the Male Ranking. The Sperm Rank was a totally different beast altogether.

The Sperm Rank was measured every year during the physical examination. Sperma assessed above C-Rank in quality was deemed suitable for artificial insemination. This was also the standard used for the state, having offered Yuuta a special Sperm Donation Service.

C-Rank sperma was mostly used on common women. When it came to B-Rank sperma, high women would use it, but rich common women could also obtain it. It was said that only outstanding women approved by the country were allowed to use A-Rank sperma. Coupled with the price, usage was basically limited to high women.

“We must do our utmost to present Aoi-sama with a lovely dress!”

“Umm…how much does a dress actually cost?”

“Hmm, if it comes to a dress suitable for the next matriarch of the Eternal Yoshiwara…you need to count several 100,000 Yen at the very least, I would think. If possible, it would be preferable to go with a dress exceeding a million Yen in price.”

“M-M-More than a million Yen…!?”

At that opportunity, Ayaka once again asked Tomoe, “Will the men all buy the dresses by themselves?”

“That is…as a matter of fact, many men have dresses prepared by the women.”

“As I thought.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“A girl must get a boy to present her a dress to be allowed to attend the cultural festival’s ball. But, when it comes to paying for those dresses, many men are rather unwilling to present dresses left and right. Accordingly, the girls prepare their own dresses to be handed to them by the boys.”

“Eh…? That’s acceptable?”

“Yes. It has become commonplace to handle it like that. But, I have also heard that boys buy dresses themselves and present those dresses to the girls they truly like and wish to have as girlfriends. If you cherish Aoi-sama, then I feel it would be a good idea to buy her a dress by yourself, Yuuta-sama.”

“Understood. Thank you for telling me all of this.”

“As long as it makes you happy, that is all I could ever hope for.”

This time Tomoe was able to answer Yuuta with a smile while not starting to cry.

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Afterwards, the three chatted lightly for a while, before Ayaka and Tomoe eventually left Yuuta’s room. Tomoe expressed her gratitude to Ayaka and rejoiced over Yuuta’s growth, him accepting her, and her being able to regularly talk with Yuuta from now on.

The regret, grief, and anger at herself for having been incapable of doing her job in the past hadn’t completely vanished, but right now, Tomoe’s heart was overflowing with new hope and joy.

Ayaka accompanied Tomoe back to the Male Supervision Department, but then returned to Yuuta’s room afterwards. She had arranged with Yuuta that they’d meet up once more.

“How did it go?”

“Ah, there was no problem. I didn’t feel any headaches whatsoever.”

“That is wonderful news.”

Previously, Yuuta had been assailed by headaches when he thought of Tomoe. Yuuta was worried what sort of reaction might occur if he actually met with Tomoe in person, but in the end, he was totally fine.

But…as I thought, the emotions that welled up in me before were ones of regret and sorrowful repentance, huh?

Yuuta didn’t know whether those were the feelings of Yuuta-kun lurking inside himself.

“Having Tomoe-san as a caseworker for your high school time is truly a godsend. Just like Aoi-sama, Tomoe-san doesn’t discriminate against common women.”

“You’re right. I think she’s a very kind woman.”

Yuuta and Ayaka were relieved that the meeting with Tomoe had wrapped up without any problems. Moreover, Tomoe was a case worker with an abundance of knowledge and information about high women which Ayaka didn’t possess. Yuuta suspected that he wouldn’t find any case worker more reassuring than Tomoe when it came to marrying Aoi.

“But a dress, huh…? More than a million Yen to boot.”

“Hihihi, sounds like you must work hard. But, did you forget, Yuuta-sama? The organization mentioned that it would offer you benefits to work hard at Underground Services. That includes monetary assistance as well.”

“I see… I will take them up on their offer when I can’t raise enough money, no matter what I do.”

“Do you plan to prepare the dress through the payment from regular Services?”

“I think it’d be the ideal approach, if that’s feasible as an option. There’s something I’d like to ask you, Ayaka-san. Paid streams aren’t possible for me, right? I heard you need to be D-Rank or above for that, but is that true?”

“Basically it is like that, but you can do it as well, Yuuta-sama.”

It seemed like Shizuku’s story wasn’t quite correct.

“Eh? I can?”

“Ultimately, becoming D-Rank for paid streaming is just a reference point. If a man wishes for it, they can do paid streams even as E-Ranks. However, the subscription fee will be set to be much lower.”

“Ohh, I see.”

“It’s common for men, who would consider doing paid streams, to become D-Rank during their junior high graduation. E-Rank men do not want to do something as bothersome as paid streams.”

“Hmm, I see… So, I could earn money if I did a paid stream, correct? What percentage of the subscription payments would I get?”

“There are no percentages. No matter how many women subscribe to you, the man will always receive a fixed amount of money.”

“Huh!? Seriously!?”

“Yes. Well, personally I also have some doubts about that sort of system. I mean, if men get the same amount of money, regardless of how much effort they invest into streaming, there exists no incentive to actually work hard at it, right?”

“Indeed.”

“But, the top is maintaining this system, lining up all sorts of reasons such as men are contributing to society by working hard for women, even if their pay is set.”

“Why don’t they change it to stir the men’s motivation?”

“It is because it is not in their interest.”

“Huh?”

“The high women in the high positions of the state actually do not wish the men to stream all that much.”

“W-Why!?”

“Common women can also watch the men if they subscribe.”

“Yes, that makes sense.”

“However, the high women want to limit the opportunities for common women to get in contact with men as much as possible. Or to be more blunt about it, the high women have built a system where common women can only meet men if they go through high women as mediators.”

“Ohh, I get it. Now I understand somewhat.”

“For high families, streams, which allow anyone to easily watch men, are bad since they cause a loss of authority as access points. However, in regards to its function as a means for the state to recover lots of money by having many women pay for subscriptions, streams are a great endeavor.”

“I understand.”

It meant the paid streams of men had two contradicting aspects where the system of maintaining influence was concerned for the state and the high families.

“However, when directly comparing men and money as two opposing factors in this, men are regarded as far more important. Money is no more than an object to be exchanged for resources that will be consumed for the sake of carrying out social activities. You can print as much of it as you like and if the value of money becomes an issue, the state just needs to adjust it. Of course, it will cause big confusion and chaos if the state actually goes through with it, but it is not impossible.”

“Mmh, yes.”

“On the other hand, there exists no substitute for men. All the more so, if it comes to outstanding men. What matters most for the government to hold onto its authority is its firm grasp on the men.”

“And that’s why the state has no interest in triggering motivation among men, right?”

“Yes. However, from my point of view as a common woman…I feel like complaining that they could give us at least this much. It’s not like we will be able to directly get in contact with men through streams, so I would really love the government to allow us common women to enjoy watching men on the screen.”

“I totally agree with you here.”

The women living in this harsh world had it tough as well, but for now, Yuuta was preoccupied with the issue of how to earn money as a man whose life was strictly monitored in that very world.

“Haah…to begin with, it’s not like I can own lots of money, no matter how much I work at it, right?”

“Well, yes.”

“Hmm. This is just a hypothetical idea, but would it be possible to run a paid stream while keeping it secret from the country?”

“It will be impossible for you to hide from the state that you are doing paid streams, Yuuta-sama. In the first place, the state is actually running the entire subscription system.”

“Right. Figures.”

“Yuuta-sama, our organization will prepare a million or two without breaking a sweat, you know?”

“Relying on the organization, huh…? Hmm? OHH!”

He had an inspiration. Yuuta had heard the whisper of a devil…a dreamseducer.

“Ayaka-san…”

“Y-Yes?”

“The organization will assist me, right?”

“O-Of course.”

“In that case, please put forth an Underground Service request, Ayaka-san.”

“Eh? M-Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“Eh? Huh? Me? W-Why?”

“Please make an Underground Service request, asking me to stream for you.”

Ayaka answered in panic, “Please wait, Yuuta-sama! That is impossible. Even if the stream itself were to be an Underground Service, the network used for the stream belongs to the state. No matter how much we limit the women allowed to watch the stream during the Underground Service, the government would definitely find out about it. After all, the stream would feature your face.”

“Not quite.”

“Huh?”

Seeing his face as he denied her frantic explanation, Yuuta looked like a genuine dreamseducer in Ayaka’s eyes.

“My face will not be on screen. After all, your Underground Service request will be about me doing a stream as V-Streamer. Oh, please arrange it so that the money collection will run through your account, Ayaka-san♪”

Ayaka was immediately able to conclude that she’d have the organization prepare the account for the subscription money.

…