"Why do you think being noticed is a good thing?"
This question stunned Yamamura Miki.
She raised her head, a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes. This was an angle she had never considered.
"Because... because then you won't be lonely. If someone notices you, it means you exist and are valuable."
After saying this, Yamamura Miki felt his heartbeat speed up.
She rarely reveals her innermost thoughts to others.
Kazehara Tetsu was silent for a while, and he could feel a deep sense of loneliness from Yamamura Miki's words.
This kind of loneliness is not temporary, but the result of long-term accumulation.
"But there are downsides to being noticed."
"For example, everything you do will be scrutinized by others, and every decision may be questioned. Sometimes, it is good to do your own thing quietly."
Yamamura Miki Hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes.
She had never considered the problem from this perspective.
In her perception, it is always good to be noticed, and it is always bad to be ignored.
"But... if you are ignored all the time, it will make people feel as if they don't exist."
This sentence is said very lightly, but the connotation contained in it is very heavy.
"Do you have any hobbies?" Kazehara Tetsu suddenly changed the subject.
Yamamura Miki was a little overwhelmed by this sudden question.
She blinked, thinking about how to answer.
"I... I like to hear sounds."
Her voice became weaker, as if this was a very strange hobby. "For example, right now, I am listening to the voice of Vending Machine."
Kazehara Tetsu glanced at Vending Machine behind him.
Indeed, the machine will emit a low-frequency buzzing sound when it is running, which is particularly obvious in this relatively quiet environment.
"Why do you like to hear this sound?"
Yamamura Miki's face turned red again.
She never explained this hobby to others because she thought others might not understand.
"This sound... makes me feel calm."
"When the surroundings are too noisy, or when I feel confused, listening to this regular mechanical sound can help me clear my mind."
She paused, then added, "It's like... like there's something with me."
"Sounds like a very interesting hobby. But wouldn't it be too lonely to listen to it alone?"
Yamamura Miki was stumped by this question.
Because Kazehara Tetsu hit the nail on the head - she did feel lonely.
"Actually, I... have always been alone. Ever since I was a child, I haven't had many friends."
"Why do you feel like you have no friends?"
Yamamura Miki raised his head, with a complex emotion in his eyes.
"Because I don't know how to talk to people."
"I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing, afraid of being disliked by others, afraid... afraid of being laughed at after speaking out my thoughts."
She took a deep breath and continued, "And I am also afraid that if I tell others what is in my heart, these words will be spread. So I would rather not say anything and stay alone."
"But being alone can be lonely, right?"
"Yes, it's very lonely. Especially when I see other people chatting easily and laughing naturally, I feel very envious."
She glanced in the direction of Recreation Area, and the laughter and laughter coming from it felt like a longing for her.
"Just like just now, I really want to go in, chat with everyone, and laugh together. But I don't dare."
"I'm afraid that when I open my mouth, I'll say something strange and make everyone think I'm weird."
As soon as she finished speaking, the corridor fell into a brief silence.
Only the continuous buzzing of Vending Machine witnessed the precious moment when this girl, who was usually ignored, opened her heart to others for the first time.
"What... isn't she very good at talking? She is obviously a very lovable girl."
This sentence completely stunned Yamamura Miki.
She blinked, even wondering if she heard something wrong.
Likeable?
Her?
Yamamura Miki's mind went blank.
Growing up, she had never heard anyone commenting on herself like this.
In her perception, she is the type who is easily ignored.
"Kagihara... Are you comforting me?"
Her voice was filled with obvious uncertainty, and her eyes wandered, not daring to look directly into Kazehara Tetsu's eyes.
"No one has ever said that about me."
Kazehara Tetsu shook his head with a serious expression.
"I don't have to comfort you. I'm just stating the facts."
"You just said so many things to me, and your expressions were very clear and your logic was very clear. Doesn't this prove that you are good at communication?"
"But... but I usually don't dare to talk to others. Just now it was because..."
Yamamura Miki bit his lower lip and tried hard to find the right words, "Because you took the initiative to ask me, and your tone was very gentle and would not make people feel oppressed."
"That explains the problem even more. It's not that you can't speak, you just need a suitable environment and partner. This is normal, and many people are like this."
"... Would you like to try going in and chat with everyone?"
Yamamura Miki instinctively wanted to refuse, but the conversation she had just had with Kazehara Tetsu made her feel a long-lost feeling of being understood.
This boy will listen to her carefully and call her a "pleasant girl".
This feeling of recognition gave her the first impulse to try.
"If I enter, will it make everyone feel weird? After all, I have never participated before..."
"No."
"Didn't you say that you envy those who can be noticed by everyone? Then why not give yourself a chance?"
Yamamura Miki took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and tried to calm down the tension in his heart.
When she opened her eyes again, there was a hint of determination in her eyes.
"Okay... Okay. I'll give it a try."
"Very good. Remember, you had a good chat with me just now, so have more confidence in yourself."
Yamamura Miki walked slowly in the direction of Recreation Area, each step seemed hesitant, but she was still moving forward.
This is the first time... I want to actively contact everyone.
But at this moment, Recreation Area's door was suddenly pushed open from the inside.
"Oh, it's getting late, we should go back and rest."
"I'm really happy today!"
"Let's meet again next time we have a chance!"
Yamamura Miki froze in place, watching the students come out of Recreation Area one after another.
The party is over.
Her expression darkened and the light in her eyes gradually disappeared.
The courage that I had finally mustered up was instantly deflated like a balloon punctured by a needle.
"There is nothing to be sorry for. There will be many opportunities in the future." Kazehara Tetsu walked to her side.
"But... but it took a lot of effort for me to muster the courage."
"Courage is not a one-time consumable. What's more, aren't you now able to make the determination to get along with others?"
Yamamura Miki lowered her head and thought about these words. Indeed, although she was unable to attend the party in the end, she had indeed made the decision to try.
This is already a huge breakthrough for her who usually finds it difficult to even take the initiative to talk to people.
"Thank you, Kagihara."