Making Friends Is Exhausting

The world was so peaceful that even someone with superpowers like him found it a bit boring.

So, it was highly probable that the school name and certain character names were just a coincidental similarity.

Turning a simple school life into something complex or a conspiracy theory was something only people with too much time on their hands would do.

Anyway, the Yosuke Hirata in front of him looked like a typical representative of a good student: warm-hearted, capable of leadership, and fond of taking care of others.

As long as he didn't take the initiative to disturb his slacking off, or try to assign him some "class duty" or drag him into some "group activity," then whether they interacted or not didn't matter.

Letting things take their natural course and keeping a distance was the best way to get along.

After finishing his introduction, Yosuke Hirata smiled and looked at the audience, his tone encouraging: "So, is there anyone else who would like to come up and introduce themselves to everyone?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a nimble figure stood up with a "swish."

Kikyo Kushida wore a sweet, harmless smile on her face, walked briskly to the podium with light steps, stood still, and turned to face the whole class.

Every move she made appeared natural and appropriate; she showed no stage fright at all, and her approachability seemed to be overflowing.

"Hello, everyone~"

She bowed slightly, her voice lively and filled with a comfortable sincerity. Her gaze swept over every face in the class like warm sunshine, with pure anticipation and friendliness in her eyes.

"My name is Kikyo Kushida! 'Kushida' as in the comb, and 'Kikyo' as in the bellflower.

My hobby... it might be a bit special, actually."

She winked playfully, and after successfully piquing everyone's curiosity, she continued in a tone full of longing:

"My biggest wish is to become good friends with all of my classmates at this academy!

Whether you're a boy or a girl, or from any class, I hope to get along well with everyone.

So, in the days to come, no matter what difficulties you encounter, or if you just want to find someone to chat with or share happy things, you can come to me at any time!

I'm also very happy to help everyone connect and meet more new friends! Anyway—please take care of me!"

This self-introduction perfectly matched the "social butterfly" and "warm little sun" persona she had been projecting all along: enthusiastic, friendly, and with a clear goal (to be friends with everyone).

It instantly made many students in the audience, especially those who were also eager to integrate into the new environment and make friends, feel a sense of goodwill and closeness.

Applause rang out again, even more enthusiastic than the response for Yosuke Hirata just moments ago.

A few boys sitting in the front row even boldly responded with smiles: "Kikyo Kushida, then I'll definitely be your friend in the future!" "Please take care of me!"

(Anyone who has watched the anime should know that this is the masterpiece of the girl from the black room.)

Lin Mu watched from the back row, swapping in a new green apple-flavored lollipop; the sweet and sour taste made him squint his eyes.

In his heart, however, he muttered to himself: He really couldn't understand why anyone would treat "making friends with everyone" as a "hobby" or even a "life wish."

Isn't making friends in itself a rather energy-consuming thing?

Having to remember so many people's preferences and habits, maintaining so many relationships, and dealing with potential misunderstandings, friction, or even betrayal...

Just thinking about it made Lin Mu feel exhausted.

Perhaps there really are some people in this world who are naturally fond of and skilled at handling such complex interpersonal networks, and who are keen on the feeling of being surrounded by liveliness and crowds.

Anyway, he had no such luck, and he preferred to keep his distance; for him, going his own way and keeping things quiet and worry-free was the golden rule.

After Kikyo Kushida made a good start—or rather, set a tone of "enthusiasm and friendliness"—the girls began to walk up to the podium one after another to introduce themselves in a poised manner.

Some liked reading, especially classic literature;

Some were skilled at musical instruments, having reached high levels in piano;

Some preferred painting, having studied sketching and watercolors since elementary school...

Everyone tried their best to show their best and most unique side, occasionally stumbling due to nervousness or making cute slips of the tongue.

This drew good-natured chuckles in the classroom, and the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.

Once the girls were mostly done, the boys took the stage in turn.

Most people's introductions were standard: name, middle school of graduation, hobbies (usually sports, games, anime, etc.), and expectations for school life.

Some tones were shy and quiet, some feigned boldness, and some were plain and unremarkable.

In Lin Mu's view, these were all much the same, like standard templates coming off an assembly line, with nothing worth paying special attention to or remembering.

He maintained a lazy, half-asleep posture throughout, swapping one lollipop after another—green apple, cola, strawberry milk...

It wasn't until the self-introductions of two boys that he regained a sliver of spirit, pulling himself slightly out of his completely vacant state.

The first boy to walk onto the stage was thin, wearing the same school uniform as everyone else, yet he gave off a strange sense of "blankness."

His expression was so flat it was almost cold, with no emotional fluctuations in his eyes or brows, the corners of his mouth drooping naturally. He radiated a sense of detachment that warned others to keep their distance, as if he were encased in a transparent membrane.

He walked to the side of the podium, not even fully facing the crowd, just standing sideways and spitting out a few words in a flat, monotone voice:

"Kiyotaka Ayanokoji."

He paused for a second, as if feeling he had to add something, then added another sentence without any sincerity:

"I don't have any particular hobbies."

Having said that, he didn't even look at the reactions of the people below, turned around directly, and walked back to his seat with a steady gait.

There were no unnecessary words, no superfluous expressions, and certainly no attempt to integrate into the lively atmosphere.

He stood out from the overall vibe of the classroom, like a bystander who had wandered in by mistake.

The boy who took the stage immediately afterward was the exact opposite.

He was tall with broad shoulders and long legs; even in the standard school uniform, he could not hide his flamboyant and extroverted temperament.

Furthermore, Lin Mu had an impression of this person—he was the boy from the bus who had taken the priority seat, refused to give it up to an elderly woman, and had even exchanged a few words with Kikyo Kushida.

After walking up to the podium, he didn't speak right away. Instead, he tilted his chin up slightly, scanned the entire class with a gaze that was almost critical, as if he were admiring a work of art, and a curve of confidence bordering on arrogance tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"My name is Rokusuke Koenji."

He spoke, his voice resonant and carrying a sense of natural superiority.

"In terms of looks, strength, or future potential—everyone here is, fundamentally, no match for me."

He declared this without the slightest concealment, even letting out a few low, amused chuckles. "Hahaha... for the next three years, I hope you all look forward to it, and witness my excellence up close."