"What follows will not be on the test. Please relax and listen as if it were casual conversation."
With that preface, the classroom atmosphere eased.
"I'd like to say we're moving on to the much-anticipated risqué topics, but whether you'll enjoy it is another story."
It was an ambiguous introduction.
"Currently, due to the scarcity of men, the prohibition of prostitution—or rather, the protection of men's rights—and the cultural destruction activities by radical feminists, the state has taken over the management of semen. Artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization are becoming the norm."
"While it's a common adolescent fantasy to experience romance and have a partner directly involved in conception, this is sadly a rare scenario. Finding a partner is nearly impossible."
"In the past, there were opportunities for natural conception through figures like the 'seed-sowing uncle' or 'seed-sowing grandpa,' bathhouse attendants, and local customs like night crawling. However, due to the declining male birth rate and the efforts of male protectionists (feminists), these practices have been largely eradicated."
A sigh escaped from the listeners. The situation seemed hopeless, with almost no opportunities for practical experience.
"It's difficult to perform under pressure. Being unable to perform is a common issue, so it's somewhat understandable."
Everyone nodded in complex agreement, acknowledging the difficulty of performing under coercion.
"It's strange to be told to be grateful after having everything taken away. With few opportunities for practical experience, all we can do is lament."
The struggles of those directly affected were numerous, and the loss of these opportunities was genuinely painful.
There were calls for free love, but since 99% of us are romantically challenged, we're on the sadder side of the equation.
"In education and public administration, there's a goal to have at least one male per school district, but it's not going well. There simply aren't enough men."
"Even when they are present, there's a high chance they'll become reclusive, making encounters uncertain."
"Well, the burden on men is heavy, so unless it's managed well, it won't be sustainable."
Given the male-to-female ratio, each man would need to impregnate 100 women to avoid population decline and eventual human extinction, making it a critical issue for every country.
"Even a local revitalization poster featuring a bathhouse attendant was criticized and banned for promoting male exploitation."
That poster, once displayed at home, was said to have rights. It was just a drawing.
Behind the scenes, the poster combined local myths and legends, featuring settings like enjoying night crawling, helping with chores as a bathhouse attendant, dancing naked after drinking, and being ravished. But on the surface, it was just a drawing.
Incidentally, the original stories included tales of being impregnated by a god in a toilet, the dance of Amanouzume no Mikoto during the heavenly rock cave incident, and Susanoo no Mikoto, from whom gods emerged when he bathed. The Kojiki is full of such stories, so it's no surprise that combining these elements results in risqué content.
"Thus, overt risqué content faces strong headwinds these days, making it difficult to find material. It's a tough world, isn't it?"
That feeling was relatable, though hearing it from a teacher in class was another matter.
"By the way, Misago, didn't your family have a bathhouse attendant in the past?"
Suddenly, the spotlight was on me.
A bathhouse attendant is a male profession involving washing clients' bodies in bathhouses or hot springs. In this world where men are scarce, it was a highly popular job, and attendants were treated like local idols. Sadly, that's no longer the case.
"It was a long time ago. My great-grandfather did it, I hear."
He retired due to health issues and passed away peacefully. He was quite the ladies' man and even modeled for the local bathhouse attendant posters.
He passed away when I was young, but his funeral was a major event, covered by national news, with thousands of mourners attending. To me, he was just a kind grandfather, and I thought all men were like him—good-natured and gentle. Meeting other men later in life was quite a shock.
"We can't display the posters anymore, but we do have a mascot cat instead."
Using pets like cats or dogs as temporary greeters is a common practice, but they don't attract customers as well as a bathhouse attendant.
"I was thinking of visiting if I had the chance, but it's a shame."
Half the class seemed to know about it already, sighing in disappointment. Many in this area are descendants of that great-grandfather, including me, so we're all somewhat related.
"What's a bathhouse attendant?"
Someone who didn't know raised their hand. Even in a rural school, there are newcomers from elsewhere.
"Originally, a bathhouse attendant is a man who tends to the fire, cleans, and washes clients in public baths. In this context, however, he also performs the duty of impregnation. He was said to be quite the figure."
Feeling the silent pressure not to say anything inappropriate, the explanation ended on a positive note, which was commendable.
In reality, the absence of the bathhouse attendant, who was a major attraction for hot spring tourism, has led to the decline of the entire hot spring district. Relying solely on local seafood and souvenirs isn't enough to sustain the area. The future is uncertain.
Sigh...
The bell rang, overlapping with a sigh.
Well, I still go out daily to collect souvenirs.
Author note :
This is all within the context of this world. If you reverse the situation of the controversial hot spring girl incident, it might look something like this.
In this world, men are so scarce that someone as proactive as this grandfather could turn an entire region into his harem. Genetically, this leads to many half-siblings, raising concerns about inbreeding. Occasionally, the state intervenes.
This novel has been lovingly translated by https://www.patreon.com/Jenuinez_translation