Even though I tried to make a good first impression, it would be too inconvenient if it stayed that way when dating someone from another world.
To give an easy-to-understand example, consider races like Orcs and Goblins. In novels about other worlds, these two races are famous as cannon fodder or are chosen by climbing protagonists.
There are even races that are exclusively male and have a scandal of kidnapping women from other species to reproduce. However, these impressions are largely based on fictional fantasies from Earth, and there is no proven or corroborated evidence.
In fact, this company has many individuals from these two races. Moreover, among Goblins, there are some with high aptitude for magic, and in the past, there have been Goblins who rose to become Demon Lords.
Additionally, although they are not participating in this party, both races have women, and I have met them before. Goblin women’s skin is green, but they are characterized by being petite and cute, with an image of being demure and considerate.
The characteristic pig nose of Orc women is unique, but it’s not that noticeable. Otherwise, they have a voluptuous, almost Latin-esque physique and often possess a cheerful, big-sister personality due to their racial traits.
Therefore, it is generally not true in this world that Goblins or Orcs kidnap women from other species. Monsters in dungeons are instilled with the thought to kill immediately if they have time for anything unsavory, so their killing intent outweighs their desire to reproduce.
Thus, before a female knight can utter “Kuh… kill me,” she is mercilessly slain in a common trope.
First and foremost, both Goblin and Orc men have preferences. Since joining this company, I’ve gone out for meals and drinks with them several times, and when alcohol flows, these topics invariably come up. Most men say they prefer women of their own species.
There are also cases where they date women from other species, but those are always situations where feelings are genuinely reciprocated, never forced.
However, as you’ve probably realized by now, for those who know about such fictional narratives, approaching someone for the first impression can often lead to failure.
In fact, Tatsuya’s group, due to their job of demon extermination, despises beings other than humans. It’s probably because they can’t shake the impression that non-human species commit wrongdoings and cause trouble.
But here’s something I want you to realize: are there no bad people among humans? Both good and evil people exist among humans.
Therefore, there should be good and evil among non-human species as well. Regarding that, they might make excuses saying, “That’s different.” I believe most people who categorically judge all Oni as evil are either unable to distinguish between good and bad Oni, or they have a physiological aversion to Oni.
From my perspective, having interacted with various species, I find this way of thinking to be narrow-minded. Therefore, this masquerade party is a strategy to break free from such thinking.
The staff of this establishment brought floating trays, each laden with red and blue masks that cover the nose and eyes. Blue masks were distributed to the men, and red masks to the women.
The women accepted the masks without hesitation, but the men received them tentatively, looking at the masks with expressions of “What is this?”
“The masks that have been distributed to you are magical tools.”
Once everyone had received one, I resumed my explanation. Keiri and I also received the same masks, and I gently put mine on.
As soon as I put on the blue mask, a change occurred.
“!”
With just covering my face, I instantly became someone else. This mask is a phantom transformation mask that changes one’s appearance to a preset form. You might think it could be used for espionage, but it has drawbacks: it can be easily detected due to its unique magic, and it hinders strenuous movement because the entire body is concealed by illusions.
It’s a low-grade magical tool that works fine for walking or talking normally, but movement becomes strange if you try to run. The men were astounded when I put on my mask, but they shouldn’t be surprised by something like this.
Following my lead, the women, including Keiri, all put on their red masks at once. As if to demonstrate their safety, they put them on gently, and their appearances transformed simultaneously.
“!!!”
The men were astonished again by the sight. Their hair color, faces, and body shapes had all changed instantly, creating a scene as if a group of foreign beauties had assembled. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the illusion, the clothing couldn’t be finely detailed, so they are all unified in red dresses.
However, this allows them to temporarily conceal the impression that they are from different species. This is significant. Although their appearances have changed, their inner nature as other-species beings is understood. Since they were talking in their original forms just moments ago, changing their appearance doesn’t mean they are falsifying themselves.
This is an event, and from here on, the dilemma of how to initiate conversation will arise, but the masks in their hands will solve that. After all, from this point forward, they will be speaking as someone other than themselves, so if they just embrace it, there will be no problem.
“For your information, the hair color of these women also cannot be used as a criterion. While their features have been improved, other elements have been set completely randomly, so their appearance is not a reference while wearing the mask.”
Therefore, at this point, their appearances are equal, and the real competition will be based on their inner selves.
“And now, I will add one condition for your conversations until the masks are removed: discussions about social status are prohibited.”
The men were once again abuzz at the condition I presented.
“Since names are also related to social status, you will now call each other by the number displayed on your chest with this mask.”
As I explained, I pointed to the white circular area on my chest, which bore the number ‘0’.Incidentally, Keiri and I, as organizers, will remove our masks later.
While I was explaining this, the men’s transformations varied. Some men who had been boasting about their lineage earlier wore expressions of doubt, while those who lacked confidence in their background appeared relieved.
To reset things like this, after initially introducing themselves and taking an interest in a woman. Some men even shot skeptical glances, as if questioning if I intended for them to build relationships.
“Now, I will explain the reason why such an event was held.”
If things continue like this, the men will hesitate to wear the masks. Therefore, it’s necessary to remove that hesitation.
“The purpose of this event is to fundamentally change your perception of dating someone from another world.”
However, this is within expectations. A normal jurisdictional event might be held like a game to liven up the venue, leading to some couples forming or not, but when it comes to cross-world interaction, the situation is different.
“First, upon joining this company, I realized that common sense that is considered normal on Earth, or rather, on Earth, is often considered abnormal in other worlds.”
First, there will be a mismatch in customary concepts. This can range from minor things that can be laughed off to serious matters that could lead to a deadly confrontation.
“The gap in common sense is greater than you might imagine. It’s not at a level that can be dealt with by simply thinking ‘I’ll adapt to the other person.’ It’s at a level where you truly have to accept the other person’s nature.”
In novels and manga, there are often cases where people easily become lovers with races like Elves or Beastkin, but in reality, some people might feel aversion. Fortunately, I’ve experienced and accepted various things through my interactions with other species like Suella, Memoria, Himik, and Evia.
“Let me use my fiancée as an example. As a prerequisite, I will state that I accept this behavior and love her, including it. Also, please understand that this is a specific expression of affection unique to her race.”
We don’t know what I’m going to say next. As a ripple of tension ran through the men, I decided to speak with Memoria’s permission.
“As a species whose appearance is very close to humans, my fiancée is a vampire. Yes, a vampire, just as you imagine. As is characteristic of her species, her life cycle involves drinking others’ blood. However, she cannot drink so much blood that it causes them to wither. While magic can be used to extract blood, when she naturally bites into your neck with her fangs, there is a limit to how much she can take and the amount needed is minimal. At most, she drinks about once a week, or three times if it’s frequent.”
Even as I speak, several people are making faces, predictably Tatsuya and his cronies. Several others also look disgusted.
“However, that act is a survival instinct and a physiological phenomenon born from their ability to adapt to nature by ingesting a special energy called magic through drinking blood.”
However, some men are nodding in agreement to this extent. There is no disgust on their faces; rather, they seem to accept it as the nature of such beings.
“Therefore, vampires have a tendency to prefer the blood of those they show affection towards. I too am asked to comply with such actions and do so.”
You are not dating a normal human. Even if you vaguely think something that is impossible for humans is okay, dating will not go well. I clearly explained beforehand that this is the nature of their species, but I am stating it clearly again.
While it might be acceptable for ordinary people to learn this after a relationship has begun, it is not possible for this matchmaking event. It is not possible for either party, or for the organization, to deepen their relationship without understanding this.
“What I want you to understand is that for them, this act is natural, and it’s an instinct they want to act upon when they feel affection. The dangerous notion that vampires drink blood to increase their numbers is solely an Earth-based common sense. Vampires in this world kill for instinct, not to increase their numbers. I, who have been bitten many times, can guarantee this.”
There is already a considerable difference here. I do not want you to wound each other by acting as if it is normal, based solely on Earth’s common sense.
“To help you understand such things gradually, we will temporarily conceal their appearances. This is so you can understand that they can talk with you and understand each other.”
Although it’s a gamble, it’s unavoidable. With a slight sense of unease, I waited to see what would happen next.
A word for today: There are things that must be said.
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