Making Friends Is Exhausting

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

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

Complicating simple school days and turning them into conspiracy theories was something only people with too much time on their hands would do.

Anyway, this Hirata Yosuke before his eyes looked like a typical representative of a good student: warm-hearted, possessing leadership skills, and fond of taking care of others.

As long as he didn't take the initiative to come and disturb his slacking off, or try to assign him some "class position" 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 Hirata Yosuke finished his introduction, he smiled and looked at the audience, his tone encouraging: "So, is there any student who would like to take the initiative to come up and introduce themselves to everyone?"

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

Kikyo Kushida wore a sweet, harmless smile on her face, walked briskly and lightly to the side of the podium, stood still, and turned to face the whole class.

Every move she made appeared natural and appropriate; she didn't show a hint of stage fright, and her approachability was practically overflowing.

"Hello, everyone~"

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

"My name is Kikyo Kushida! The 'Kushi' from tree, the 'da' from field, and 'Kikyo' from the bellflower.

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

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

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

Whether it's boys or girls, or whichever class they are in, 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 you connect with each other and meet more new friends! In short—please take care of me!"

This self-introduction perfectly matched the "social butterfly" and "warm little sun" persona she had always displayed: enthusiastic, friendly, and with a clear goal (to befriend 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 one given to Hirata just a moment ago.

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

(Anyone who has watched the anime should know these are the words of the masterpiece of the black room.)

Lin Mu watched from the back row, switching to a new green apple-flavored lollipop, the sweet and sour taste making 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 itself a rather energy-consuming thing?

Having to remember so many people's preferences and habits, having to maintain so many relationships, having to deal with potential misunderstandings, friction, and 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 could be considered to keep them at a distance; for him, walking alone and being quiet and worry-free was the true way to go.

After Kikyo Kushida got things off to 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 preferring literary classics;

Some were skilled at musical instruments, having passed various grades in piano;

Some had a preference for painting, having started learning 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 had finished their introductions, the boys took the stage one by one.

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

The tones were sometimes shy and quiet, sometimes pretending to be bold, and sometimes 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, changing 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 "emptiness."

His expression was so flat it was almost cold, there were no emotional fluctuations in his eyes, the corners of his mouth drooped naturally, and he radiated a sense of detachment that kept people at bay, as if he carried a transparent membrane around him.

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

"Kiyotaka Ayanokoji."

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

"I don't have any special hobbies."

After saying this, 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 was completely out of place with the general 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 remembered this person—he was the boy from the bus who had occupied the priority seat, refused to give it up to an elderly woman, and had a brief verbal exchange with Kikyo Kushida.

After walking up to the podium, he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he tilted his chin up slightly, swept his gaze across the entire class with a look that was almost critical, as if he were appraising 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 in a loud, clear voice, carrying a sense of natural superiority.

"In terms of looks, strength, or future potential—everyone here is fundamentally inferior to 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."

(Activity period: May 1st to May 5th)