"Morikawa Tomoki, you'll be presenting your group's perspective on the complexities of relationships between men, women, and family structures?"
"Yes!" — I responded, standing up confidently.
"Alright, feel free to begin."
"Hello, everyone. With the help of Edomae-san, Satou-san, and Tachibana-san, I'll talk about the complexity of relationships between men, women, and families in general. I understand the main focus is polygamous relationships, especially since it's one proposed solution to our country's declining birthrate."
After giving a speech in front of a full auditorium before, presenting to just my classmates felt easy. I'd practiced enough to speak clearly and confidently.
Besides, doing well on this presentation could help maintain my scholarship.
"I want to start by acknowledging that every family dynamic is shaped by various factors—like socio-economic conditions, religion, culture, and even access to technology. But ultimately, what really matters is how we face relationship challenges and grow through them."
The class was paying close attention, so I moved into the core issue.
"We all know how difficult polygamy can be. Just think about it—being in a relationship with one person already has its challenges, right?"
The class chuckled a bit. It helped ease the tension.
"As a man, you'd be expected to give equal love, time, and attention to multiple partners. But in my honest opinion, that's impossible. Time, affection—those things aren't easily divisible. No matter how hard you try, someone will always end up receiving less. Even just slightly."
The room grew quiet again.
"And for the women… it's even more complicated. Imagine having to share the man you love with another woman. Worse, what if he spends more time with her? Unless you have extremely high self-esteem and an open mind, that kind of relationship can become unbearable."
The girls in class started glancing at one another, some thoughtfully, some uncomfortably.
"And then, what about the children? If even an adult woman struggles, imagine how a child feels when their father is rarely around—or seems to care more about someone else's child."
The mood in the classroom turned heavier. I noticed some girls placing their hands near their mouths, and even Tachibana-san looked down, somewhat sad.
"But don't misunderstand me. I'm not criticizing polygamy out of nowhere. I'm talking about it because it's part of the current social discussion. But no matter the family structure—whether you're raised by a single parent, both parents, or in a larger household—problems will always exist."
I saw Ayame-san, Ryuichi, and Tachibana-san smile faintly in support.
"That's why it's important to speak up—share your concerns, your opinions, your feelings. If you just accept everything others impose on you, it'll become unbearable. And communication goes both ways. Sometimes, you might be the one who needs to change. And that's okay too. What matters is creating a healthy, heartfelt connection."
I saw a mix of expressions—some smiling in relief, others deep in reflection. Even the homeroom teacher looked thoughtful.
"And that concludes our presentation. Thank you very much."
Applause filled the classroom. Then our homeroom teacher asked:
"Satou-kun, Tachibana, Edomae— could each of you share your thoughts on the matter?"
"Like Tomoki said, expressing your feelings and listening to others may be the key to resolving most relationship issues. I'm an only child with both my parents. They argue sometimes, but they always talk things through. Not just with each other, but with me too. Being honest with the people you care about—that's a blessing." — Satou Ryuichi.
He's right. I only realized that blessing once I came here.
"My mom is like a best friend to me. We laugh, go out together, and talk about everything. I don't have a dad, but it's okay—she was always there for me. But... if I ever become a mother and my future husband had other wives, I'd wonder if he could truly care for my child. Talking with my group made me realize a bit of what my mom might've gone through." — Tachibana Himari.
Hearing that made me think back. I used to believe my current father didn't care about me or my mother. But I was wrong. Talking with Tachibana-san changed my perspective.
I'm glad I spoke with him that day.
"Like Tomoki-kun said, it's hard to accept seeing someone you love with another woman. Sometimes I wonder if polygamy would even be legal if the gender ratio weren't so skewed. I'm also an only child, and I have a wonderful father and mother. We argue sometimes, but we always make up." — Edomae Ayame.
Ayame-san is really smart. Just like she said, polygamy probably wouldn't be acceptable if the current gender ratio weren't so skewed. And maybe she already understands that men won't get too many privileges either.
But...
If I didn't know about her family circumstances, I'd probably think Ayame-san had a perfect life. But it's actually the opposite, and I can't help but wonder how she manages to live so well with them. I guess Sasaki-san plays a big role in that. I really hope Ayame-san was able to make amends with her.
"Thank you all. Now, Tomoki-kun." — the teacher turned to me again — "Normally, I wouldn't ask someone who already presented, but my curiosity got the better of me. I realized you have a tendency to take the side of women. Why is that?"
The answer was obvious.
Until now, I was living in a place where men were expected to protect women. Don't get me wrong—I'm not saying women actually need a man's protection. That's just our pride as men talking. And honestly, I just want to be that kind of man too
But I can't tell her that.
So… let's see…
"Well... I think it's because I'm aware of the advantages we men receive. Like the male scholarship—it's a good example. So, I just try to acknowledge the hardships women go through. Like Ayame-san said, if the gender ratio were different, things might be more balanced."
Some classmates started whispering. Ryuichi scratched his head awkwardly.
"Interesting answer. Thank you. And great job with the presentation. Now, let's move on to the next group."
The other groups gave their presentations. They spoke clearly and concisely, and I picked up some interesting points from them:
[What makes the current relationship between men and women difficult is the disagreement that arises—and especially when it doesn't end well. Morikawa-san said that communication is important, and we all agree with that. But the truth is, there are many cases where men feel overwhelmed by women. Otherwise, most men wouldn't feel uncomfortable around them.]
[One of the biggest concerns in relationships today is actually the tendency to avoid them altogether. Like some people said, relationships come with a lot of problems to deal with. And honestly? It's a pain. So many guys would rather stay single than go through all that trouble. That's why we're seeing more and more men choosing not to seek serious relationships.]
[These days, it's not unusual to see a man with multiple wives or girlfriends—but let's be real, that only applies to the good-looking guys with great personalities. Sure, lack of communication might be a factor, but lookism—judging people by their appearance—definitely plays a big role too. So girls, be honest: would you really go out of your way to approach a guy who's ugly, overweight, or too skinny?]
And just like that, the group presentations were over.
♦♦♦
Ding dong, ding dong
"So, Tomoki, you're moving to your new house today?" — Ryuichi asked as we packed up.
"Tomorrow, actually. I'm gonna miss my old home."
"It was cozy after all. I get it." — Ayame-san added.
"If there's anything you want to talk about, I'm all ears." — Ryuichi offered.
"Thanks, but don't worry. I'll miss it, but I'm also excited to meet my sisters."
"I'm sure everything will go fine, Tomoki-kun. They'll love you." — Ayame-san smiled.
"Thanks, Ayame-san."
After chatting a bit more, I went home with my mom—just like usual.
It hit me then. This would be my last night here.
Even in this unfamiliar world, this house gave me a sense of peace. But now, it's time to say goodbye.
Father... Mother...
I'll never forget you. I hope you'll stay together forever, no matter what hardships come your way.
Well… time to sleep.