Extreme Individualism

The gathering soon came to an end, and Yi Chen walked back to the dorms with Ichinose.

The party had been quite lively.

Ichinose was very happy.

The two of them walked back to the dorms hand in hand just like that.

Yi Chen felt a different kind of sensation that night.

Yi Chen's inner thoughts:

Is this the charm of socializing?

It's actually quite fun.

No wonder so many normies couldn't understand shut-ins before.

And Ichinose.

How wonderful.

Yi Chen watched as Ichinose, whose hand he was holding, skipped along joyfully.

Inner thoughts:

Although I don't know if my way of loving is correct.

I also don't know if I'm good enough to Ichinose.

I don't know if I've fulfilled my responsibilities as a boyfriend.

No, that's just self-deprecation and individualism.

Still, I think I will be good to her.

Yi Chen looked at Ichinose with a gentle gaze.

Soon, Yi Chen saw Ichinose back to her dorm, and after a brief embrace, they each went their separate ways.

After returning to his own room, Yi Chen washed up and lay on his bed, savoring everything that had just happened.

He took out his phone and scrolled through his chat history with Ichinose, the corners of his mouth curling upward involuntarily.

There was also the matter of how to earn private points.

Should I participate in the competitions?

How much would they give?

Ichinose, is Chabashira really telling the truth about guaranteeing that Class B won't be demoted?

Forget it, for now, I'll just reserve the only spot where I can give my true heart for Ichinose.

As Yi Chen lay on his bed, his thoughts continued to pour out:

I'm so tired, I still don't quite understand—this world is truly vast.

And all these social nuances and whatnot, true friends?

A girlfriend like Ichinose?

What a hassle~

Having been raised by others since he was small, Yi Chen felt he understood the world better than his peers.

He treated everyone the same, feeling there was no need for pointless socializing.

It was hard for him to take an interest in anything.

He lived his life however he could be happy each day.

Of course, provided he didn't affect others.

Besides, as a shut-in, he had a broader perspective.

Right? Perhaps.

When it comes down to it, everyone is just a person, an ordinary human being.

If you are human, you will have seven emotions and six desires.

Yet, in reality, one is subject to all kinds of constraints.

The darkest side of people is rarely revealed under the sunlight.

There must be absolute good people in the world.

Because the world is vast.

Conversely, there are also absolute bad people.

Because the world is vast.

But most people are probably just ordinary.

Ordinary people have times when they are in a good mood, when they encounter something happy.

But what about when they are in a bad mood?

"Some people keep everything bottled up."

"Those who don't end well are often far more terrifying than those who vent."

"Because you have no idea just how much they've been enduring."

"Who knows when someone like that might snap?"

"Some people find ways to release it."

"Venting to friends, doing something fun to fight off a bad mood, or perhaps using extreme methods?"

"Building one's own happiness upon the suffering of others?"

"Yes, the world is vast, and everyone has their own way of surviving."

"However, as those in the know understand, the internet is a double-edged sword."

"On the unseen side, what kind of people are there?"

"Shut-ins often see more of the world's malice."

"Because they don't go out, they can't feel the sweetness of reality."

"But is that really the case?"

"The internet doesn't have as many rules as reality."

"The world of the internet is even larger."

"Are the people on the internet not human, too?"

"There are still absolute villains in reality, but when they lash out, they face sanctions."

"Is this world truly beautiful?"

"If everyone has two sides, then which side of your friends are you actually friends with?"

"Can you truly make sincere friends?"

"Aside from your own family."

"But some people, even their own family..."

"In this world, is there really anyone you can trust absolutely?"

"Have you ever inflicted pain on others yourself?"

"Of course, because no one is born a saint."

"People all go through a process of growth."

"Along the path of growth, you see more of the scenery."

"Slowly, everyone becomes silent."

"Where should I go from here?"

"Don't think too much?"

"Of course, have I had friends before?"

"Certainly, I've known some for many years."

"Friends from the same village since childhood."

"Friends from junior high through high school, six years in total."

"But just because you get along well at the start, does that immediately make you friends?"

"I don't think so."

"It's more about time."

"Shouldn't friends be people you've known for years?"

"Only when you know each other inside and out can you give your all—is that what a friend is?"

"Why do some people pour their hearts out right from the start?"

"Modern friendships, to put it bluntly, are just polite formalities, aren't they?"

"Do I have friends in Classroom of the Elite? Does Ichinose count?"

"But Ichinose is my girlfriend, right?"

"What a hassle."

"But this isn't reality, is it?"

"Perhaps I can give it a try, to experience a feeling I've never known before."

If the sun were never to rise, and the rain were never to stop.

What would happen then?

Tonight, a meteor streaks across the sky, and clouds gradually gather.

The rain begins to fall.