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 Comic Owl through a variety of digital platforms since December 18, 2020. Presently, the series is only officially available in Japanese.

Main

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


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

Supporting

 * An adult working for the Epidemic Prevention Agency who encounters Haruto and Emi.
 * An adult working for the Epidemic Prevention Agency who encounters Haruto and Emi.


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

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 and containing heavily infected areas such as Tokyo. Despite these efforts, however, 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 sanitation. Remote observation of body temperature to detect possible infection also appears commonplace. 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 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 he sees Emi's full face after she drinks from the water faucet without her mask on. Embarrassed, she shoves him and runs away. However, Emi is very curious about the world prior to the pandemic and invites Haruto to have a "picnic", something she has only heard of from her father. Haruto, 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.