Social Anxiety and the Rock of Loneliness

Turning to ask others a question was too difficult. If she was rejected, her existence would completely disappear!

She wouldn't dare talk to anyone for the remaining three years of high school.

She'd just wait for him to talk to her... No! What if he was a scary person?

She... still needed to observe.

But she didn't dare look back... In that case, she could only...

Hitori lowered her head and abruptly quickened her pace, cutting through the throng of students like lightning as she rushed towards the school.

Ah, she got away.

Ishikawa Hayato couldn't continue following the girl.

However, he didn't really mind. After all, judging by Hitori's demeanor, she probably hadn't joined a band yet. She was a first-year student, the same grade as him, so he was sure he'd run into her again.

Besides, he had already decided. He wanted to join a band and experience a new way of life.

More than that, what he wanted wasn't just to experience it, but to make a living from it.

"I'm going to create perverted music, music that all the perverts in the world will listen to!"

Ishikawa Hayato pointed at the sky and declared loudly.

His shout instantly drew the attention of the surrounding classmates, who looked at the new first-year student with surprise, confusion, and bewilderment.

But Ishikawa Hayato wasn't one to back down. Like an emperor, he strode towards the school, stepping on their gazes.

Dozens of meters from the school gate, behind a tree, Gotou Hitori nervously watched the students approaching the school.

Not that one, not that one either... Ahh, who was it just now?

She finally met someone she wanted to talk to, and why did she run away!

Ugh, ugh...

There were too many people looking. She was starting to feel sick.

She sighed, withdrew her gaze, and shrunk back behind the tree, lowering her head.

My life is more pathetic than an insect's, I'm a caterpillar... a caterpillar...

Thud.

Footsteps approached, and Hitori, immediately feeling her personal space invaded, looked over.

Drawing on his past experience, Ishikawa Hayato walked near the school, avoiding the crowds and looking around.

Generally, people with social anxiety, when faced with someone they don't strongly want to avoid but also don't dare approach, will simply flee to a safe place to observe.

Once inside the school, he finally spotted the conspicuous pink color under a tree in a corner of the school.

He walked over.

He didn't try to hide his footsteps, walking openly to the base of the tree.

Hearing the movement behind her, the girl flinched and tentatively peeked out from behind the tree.

Her cute, soft pink hair was scattered and disheveled from her crouching position, and her skin was so pale as if she never saw the sun. Her cute pink tracksuit made her look tender and rosy.

At this moment, she had the nervous expression of a small animal, her blue eyes uneasily looking up at Ishikawa Hayato.

"Hello there, the weather's really nice today."

Ishikawa Hayato greeted her with a smile.

Neat, jet-black short hair, deep brown eyes, a cheerful and confident smile.

Hitori's eyes widened, and then... she covered her eyes with both hands.

My eyes, my eyes are burning!

Why is the first person to talk to me someone of max level? Facing a world boss right after leaving home is just too terrible.

No, my soul, my soul is being scorched.

I can't breathe.

Ishikawa Hayato, stroking his chin, looked at Hitori, who had already collapsed on the ground, with a strange, amused smile.

He hadn't expected it to be this interesting until he saw it with his own eyes.

Afraid of others, yet wanting to make friends, a timid personality, a rich inner monologue, and the way she was startled by the "normie aura" – it was all incredibly cute and amusing.

She was millions of times better than his past self, who had completely given up on growing.

"Are you alright?"

Ishikawa Hayato moved a little closer.

"Ahhh... sorry to bother you!"

Hitori instantly stood up, channeling the power of self-preservation into her meager athletic abilities, and rushed out in an instant.

Bother you... he's the one bothering me, isn't he?

It seems difficult to get to know Hitori from her side, Ishikawa Hayato thought, then gave up on trying to get close to her first. Besides, his goal was to join the band, which would make it easier to interact with her later. More importantly, how would he even join?

To be clear, I don't know how to do anything.

According to the Kessoku Band's setup, they were basically fully staffed. He didn't want to push anyone out.

No, if my true nature is discovered, it's more likely I'll be the one pushed out, haha.

He thought to himself as he walked towards the school.

He found his classroom and after entering, his gaze swept around. Hmm, he wasn't in the same class as Hitori. A bit of a shame.

After that, the teacher gave a standard opening speech, followed by self-introductions from the students.

Ishikawa Hayato stood with his arms crossed, his fingers tapping incessantly on his shoulder, his face a mask of disdain. He couldn't wait.

Everyone is so ordinary. Where's the spirit of youth?

While he was waiting, the surrounding students were also unconsciously observing their new classmates.

The boys secretly observed the girls introducing themselves, while the girls casually sized up the boys who filled their lives with various hobbies.

However, the gazes of some of the beauty connoisseurs gradually shifted towards the handsome classmate sitting with his arms crossed.

Finally, Ishikawa Hayato saw a classmate finish his self-introduction and sit down. It was his turn.

"Next, please."

At the teacher's voice, the man, immensely proud and confident in his every word and action, slowly stood up.

He began to speak.

"I am a pervert."

His voice, emanating from the depths of his heart, was incredibly loud.

In the classroom, all the students felt as if the visual signals they received didn't match what they were hearing at all.

The entire class blinked repeatedly, refreshing their vision.

Ishikawa Hayato surveyed the surroundings like an emperor. Seeing the confused looks from his classmates and teacher, he continued.

"Everyone, I repeat, I am a pervert. Whether it's boys or girls, regardless of age, whether organic or inorganic, regardless of their life structure, chemical composition, or physical properties."

He spoke with increasing fervor, finally concluding with a drawn-out, word-by-word statement.

"I like them all, such a pervert!"

In the eyes of others, only one madman remained, ranting wildly in this world.

Seeing everyone's stunned expressions, Ishikawa Hayato was satisfied and slightly reined himself in, offering a gentle smile.

"It is my honor to be here today and become your classmate. I hope everyone here can join me in understanding the beauty I speak of."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but wonder if anyone would guess his meaning. However, he had said what he needed to say. The words were out.

Then, this guy started rambling.

"At the same time, I have received my first mission as a high school student: to become the King of Harem! This is an opportunity to prove my strength."

He waved his hand, full of bravado.

"So! Please sign up enthusiastically, whether for yourselves, your brothers and sisters, or your fathers and mothers."

"Everyone, give me your Line! Give it to Ishikawa Hayato, the Ishikawa Hayato whose name rings out like a falcon's cry."

"That is all."

Ishikawa Hayato sat down.

The world's vocal cords seemed to have been silenced. Even the chirping of insects and the singing of birds around them stopped.

After a moment, the teacher, unsure how to react, froze for a long time. Amidst the even more bewildered gazes of the students, he mechanically said, "Next... next student, please."

3. Opening

Kita Ikuyo, who was in the same class as Ishikawa Hayato, hadn't snapped out of it even after class ended.

That declaration, far more independent than the Declaration of Independence, had transcended independence and seemed to reject humanity after surpassing it.

This handsome boy practically had the word "self" written all over his face.

And just as she had expected, after class, not a single student dared to approach Ishikawa Hayato.

During this time, which was most suitable for interacting with classmates, Ishikawa Hayato, unconcerned about being alone, propped his chin on his hand and pondered in his notebook, occasionally writing something down.

His background was a brilliant blue sky outside the window. Illuminated by the bright sky, everyone else's figures were blurred, but only his presence was not obscured by the light.

His posture was upright, his long legs stretched forward, and his thoughtful expression was incredibly focused, his eyelashes unmoving. His long, slender fingers, with their distinct knuckles, casually fiddled with his front hair when he wasn't holding a pen.

"Kita-chan, Kita-chan."

A friend leaning close to her woke Kita Ikuyo from her thoughts.

Kita Ikuyo paused for a moment, then quickly smiled and said to her friend.

"Sorry, I zoned out."

"It's that really questionable guy, huh? Don't tell me Kita-chan, you're the type who only looks at looks?"

A fashionable JK sitting at Kita Ikuyo's desk teased.

Another JK, holding her phone and tapping away at the screen, said with a hint of surprise and disbelief.

"But I heard that guy is a student the school went to a lot of trouble to invite. He ranked in the top ten nationally on exams and won a gold medal in junior high track and field. Look."

She showed the phone to the two of them.

Kita Ikuyo and the fashionable JK leaned in. Just as she said, on the phone was a man holding a medal, a faint smile on his face. It was Ishikawa Hayato.

"Huh... do people who are good at studying have something wrong with their brains?"

The fashionable JK couldn't help but retort.

Kita Ikuyo giggled and waved her hand, joking.

"That's so mean! You should apologize to all the other smart people."

It wasn't until the class had clearly divided into several groups that Ishikawa Hayato noticed Kita Ikuyo at the center of one group, smiling and radiating light.

But at this moment, he didn't plan to interact with Kita Ikuyo. With such a terrible first impression, all he needed to do was focus on himself and be outstanding enough.

Besides, he still had the band to think about.

Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drummer.