New Normal

is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akito Aihara. The story follows two high school students in a near-future Japan after approximately 80% of the world's population has died due to a viral pandemic. It has been serialized monthly by Funguild through its Comic Owl imprint on a variety of digital platforms since December 4, 2020. An official English translation began publication on September 4, 2021 through Book Walker.

Main

 * A second-year high school student, he has a crush on his classmate Natsuki.
 * A second-year high school student, he has a crush on his classmate Natsuki.


 * A second-year high school student and classmate of Hata, she is curious about life prior to the pandemic.
 * A second-year high school student and classmate of Hata, she is curious about life prior to the pandemic.

Supporting

 * An adult working for the Outbreak Prevention Ministry who encounters Hata and Natsuki.
 * An adult working for the Outbreak Prevention Ministry who encounters Hata and Natsuki.


 * A first-year high school student and the younger sister of the president of Hata's club.
 * A first-year high school student and the younger sister of the president of Hata's club.


 * A second-year high school student who befriends Natsuki due to their shared interest in life prior to the pandemic.
 * A second-year high school student who befriends Natsuki due to their shared interest in life prior to the pandemic.

Background
The story takes place in a near-future Japan after approximately 80% of the world's population has died due to a viral pandemic. At the beginning of the story the virus has been brought under control due in part to drastic efforts such as walling off heavily infected areas such as Tokyo. However, despite these efforts the virus remains endemic within the population and risk of infection is a persistent threat. As such, societal norms have shifted, normalizing behaviors such as social distancing and hand sanitizing.

Most notably, continuous mask-wearing has become a social norm to the degree that it is exceedingly rare for those born after the pandemic to have ever seen the full face of anyone outside their family. As such, the lower halves of people's faces, especially the mouth, have become sexualized. Likened to the genitals, seeing someone else's mouth is considered a highly intimate act. Erotic images now include thinly veiled noses and mouths, and some individuals wear light facial coverings even at home, seemingly just for privacy rather than to prevent infection.

Synopsis
Haruto Hata is a second-year high school student who has a crush on his classmate Emi Natsuki. They were born shortly after the pandemic and have grown up never having seen the faces of most of those around them. One day, after school, while going to refill his water bottle Hata sees Natsuki's full face after she drinks from the water faucet without her mask on. Embarrassed, she shoves him and runs away. However, Natsuki is very curious about the world prior to the pandemic and invites Hata to have a "picnic", something she has only heard of from her father. Hata, eager to get closer to her, agrees, and the two sneak into a park to have a picnic without their masks. Thus, the two begin to develop a relationship based on their mutual secret.