After conducting a thorough internet search, I finally grasped the unique world view of this world. It presented a setting that was quite detached from reality.
First and foremost, the most significant information I discovered was the decline in the male population. Although it couldn't be considered a rarity, the current gender ratio seemed to have reached approximately 1:4.
Several decades ago, there was a gradual shift in the gender ratio at birth, and the inability to halt this progression has become the reason for the current situation.
Naturally, various experts in different fields conducted extensive research. However, they failed to discover any means of altering one's gender, and it seems the only option is to reluctantly wait for a natural balance to be restored.
As a result of this impact, it appears that women, in any country, have become more proactive in seeking the scarce male population. The era of cautionary statements like "beware of men" has become a thing of the past, and the concept of carnivorous women has become the norm.
Simultaneously, there has been an increase in the phenomenon of men becoming passive. Men seemed to have become timid due to being taught from childhood about women's eagerness regarding sexuality and absorbing the atmosphere around them.
Particularly when it comes to sexual activities, many men hold an image of the ones being passive. The sentiment of eroticism has become exclusively associated with women.
Consequently, the number of free love relationships and sexual encounters between men and women continues to decline. Naturally, the issue of declining birth rates has also become a problem, leading to a society where in-vitro fertilization has become the norm. It seems it's quite challenging for men to provide sperm during that time.
Due to this current state of affairs, the act of giving birth after engaging in free love and sexual intercourse has become highly valuable. It appears to be regarded as an honor for women.
Having gathered all this information, I lay down on the bed. Fully convinced that this convenient situation was nothing but a dream, I let out a sigh.
It would be interesting if this dream continued into tomorrow, I casually thought as I attempted to fall asleep, realizing that engaging in eye contact and conversing with beautiful women would deplete my energy, dream or not.
Surely, if I were to fall asleep at this moment, I would return to the real world. With such thoughts in mind, I closed my eyes, ready to wake back up to reality and let it slap me across the face.
-
I opened my eyes once again after sleeping through the night, my eyes half-lidded, only to find myself greeted by the exact same scenery when I get my bearings right.
"Huh...?" I couldn't help but mutter to myself. The notion that sleeping in a dream would lead to waking up to reality was a common belief, and if that wasn't the case, I had no idea how I could possibly wake up, unless...
Could it be that this world was actually the reality? Is it possible for such a ridiculous notion like transitioning to a different world to exist?
I pondered various possibilities but eventually decided to abandon my thoughts. This so-called dream, with its uncertain awakening, seemed to closely resemble reality, so there was no need to force myself to wake up.
Fortunately, my consciousness remained clear, and I could even savor a meal. I could feel the sweetness of plain white rice. Between a colorless reality and a dream that might contain colors, if I had to choose, I would prefer to spend my time in the latter.
Gradually, I started contemplating within this world and decided to return to the living room. There should still be two individuals who, for now, appeared to be on my 'side'— my supposed mother and my sister, along with the maid.
It could be an opportunity for me to regain the art of emotional communication, a skill I seemed to have forgotten. I couldn't help but entertain the thought of indulging in such a luxury for a moment.