Ready, Set, Love [Almond]

Know Your Date

Chapter 1 | Know Your Date

The pandemic of February 1974 had a devastating impact on the global population, with male birth rates falling to a staggering 1%, leading to a 99% female population. Research shows the disease caused abnormal hormonal activity in women, though the exact cause remains unknown. 

The remaining male population is protected as mandated by the government, who provide a secure facility where males are raised. Once they reach a suitable age, the government arranges for them to be married through the TV Series, Ready, Set, Love.

Today, the ratio of male-to-female birth rates in both organic and IBM pregnancies remains below 1%. Even more concerning, there have been no new male births in the past four years, and the current male population is only 314. 

In response, the government has taken charge of these 314 crucial human resources, ensuring they live in comfort and safety at The Farm.

That was what Ray had heard from the news as she was working. She found it utter bullshit that was being spread around. They comfort the men and use them as resources, whilst mothers around the world have to suffer. She knew what the government was really like.

Now that she had finished college two years ago, she works hard on her everyday job whilst still trying to have a good life. Her sister, Day, sacrificed her happiness just to see her little sisters happy. It resulted in Ray having a high-paying job to spoil her sisters for all the years she had saved up before graduation. 

Ray sighed as she carried more ❝Milky Moo Moo❞ due to May texting her to get specifically Son's design. She was most thankful that her paycheck came in and used her debit card to pay for all the expenses. She cringed as the shouts of her little sister were heard loud and clear as she turned the corner of the street. 

"I'm already dreading what Day brought home now," she mumbled to herself as she walked up the stairs to their apartment complex. Her phone dinged, and she looked down to find that May had taken a picture of her and a cut-out of Son in their room. "Oh, no. Day, why did you bring it home?" She talked to herself as she quickly ran home. 

She quickly opened the door and found May bringing out all of the milk she had bought with the cut-out behind her. "Oh... my..." Her eyes widen. "Ray! I see you saw my message. Isn't he hot tofu?" May asks with a smile. "Hot tofu?" Ray asked in confusion and looked at Day for guidance. 

"Don't ask," Day tells her and takes notice of the plastic bag, "She asked you to buy more?" May stops scanning the caps and squeals to see more milk cartons. "I didn't think she would buy her own," Ray lifted her arms in defense and walked past Day. As she got closer to May, May was quick to bring Ray into a hug. 

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She exclaims as Ray takes out one ❝Milky Moo Moo.❞ "Here," she gave the cap to May and drank the milk. "Thank you!" May held onto it and continued her thing. "Please, I don't want to get in the show," Day complains, "How come love has to be between a man and a woman to be love?" 

"Oh, you're a love guru. Here, I thought that Ray was the love expert," May smirked at Ray. "Yeah, it doesn't have to be between a man and a woman, but perhaps they have to think that way so that more natural males can be born," Ray shared. 

Day mocked the two, "Besides, you've already won, and Ray will be participating. That should be more than enough," she walked over to the fridge.

Despite having a .00001% chance of winning, Ray won the first round, and May made sure to type in Ray's name. It had been four years since Ray had last dated anyone, and she hadn't planned on getting in one again as she was more focused on family.