Kohei Katsuragi's Awakening

Kohei Katsuragi gradually grasped the technique under Star Color's guidance. The two put on their gloves and began to enjoy a leisurely summer afternoon of fishing.

Watching Katsuragi, a complete novice, haul in six fish of respectable size over the afternoon filled Star Color with envy.

Star Color's tally for the afternoon was zero. He finally hooked a small one, then fumbled it right back into the river.

As a seasoned fishing enthusiast, Star Color trembled with rage. Little Fist Stone Katsuragi had a [newbie protection period], while he himself got no [returning player welcome package]. That damn Kohei Katsuragi must have sucked away his [fish luck]!

"Hey, Otonashi."

The dim golden sunlight fell across Kohei Katsuragi's resolute face.

"What's up?"

Star Color cast aside his irritation and looked at him.

"Fishing... is actually pretty fun."

Damn it. Little Fist Stone Katsuragi had caught the fishing bug. And don't say something like that with such a straight face! It's like some over-the-top sports manga development—[Coach! I want to play basketball!]—followed by a national college fishing league or something!

"Haha... I see. It's normal for guys to like fishing. It's a pretty relaxing hobby."

Star Color felt like he'd led another person astray. A relaxing hobby? Inside, Star Color had already boiled over several times.

Kohei Katsuragi cooked himself. Star Color sat in his room, leisurely sipping a cola.

Last time, Star Color had complained about him not having cola stocked. This time, he actually had a bottle ready. Touching, wasn't it?

Retrieving his own game console, Star Color played Front Mission, a high-quality, hardcore mecha strategy game.

"I'll dig in."

Star Color picked up a piece of fish and took a bite. It tasted homey—not bad, with that warm, comforting feeling.

"Not bad," Star Color commented.

"Glad you like it. Eat up."

Kohei Katsuragi served Star Color a bowl of rice.

"Classmate Little Fist Stone Katsuragi is part of the dorm-cooking faction too?" Star Color asked, noticing the rice cooker.

"Yeah. I'm used to cooking for myself. I usually have to take care of my little sister. My family situation is special, so this is the only way."

"Oh..."

Star Color didn't pry or cross the line. Every family has its own troubles.

"Otonashi. What do you think of Sakayanagi's faction..."

"Huh? A boring, vulgar game."

Star Color felt their petty infighting wasn't even as interesting as this bowl of rice. For now, eating came first.

"Honestly, I want to unite this class. I don't want to see it split over things like this. I hope everyone can enjoy a meaningful school life here."

"That's quite a resolve."

Compared to Sakayanagi Arisu's faction with its unknown agenda, Katsuragi's slogan moved me more... As if. It's just boring schoolyard play.

"Otonashi, are you in Sakayanagi's faction?"

"Strictly neutral. Classmate Sakayanagi tried to recruit me, but I'm not interested in that kind of trouble."

Star Color scratched his head, speaking dully.

"That fits your lazy personality."

"I don't want people ordering me around."

Star Color picked up another piece of fish, chewing it in small bites like an underdeveloped feline.

"I don't want any of my classmates dragged into this pointless mess either."

"If you keep giving in, you'll never accomplish anything."

Star Color set down his chopsticks, then pointed at him, like a master swordsman aiming the tip of his blade at Katsuragi's head.

"Kierkegaard said: when playing chess, an opponent says of a piece on the board, 'This piece cannot be moved.' I feel like I'm in the same state as that piece."

"You've fallen into that pointless state."

"For peace to last on Earth, humanity needs a new evolution—first, becoming beings that learn to see the whole picture."

"Your vision is too narrow. No offense meant. Your 'love' for your classmates is undoubtedly correct."

"But can you learn for yourself? Abandon your 'little sister.' Abandon your 'love' for the class. For no one, for nothing—just for yourself."

"You... what are you trying to say?"

Kohei Katsuragi stared at Star Color's serious, earnest expression—that aura of an [adult] beyond a [high school student], tinged with decay and filth. The contrast with his usual self was so stark that Katsuragi could only stammer out those five words.

If Manabu Horikita's presence was that of a [leader with calm and strength], Star Color was a [dying man who'd crawled through the depths and fallen into despair].

"You do have worries, hidden deep within your heart and personality. This 'love' is what makes you hesitate..."

"You think too much from others' perspectives, always considering their feelings. People like that tend to overlook their own consciousness..."

Star Color took a sip of the cola that had lost its fizz. It was summer now, the season for summer days and rising fireworks.

"Then what should I do..."

Kohei Katsuragi, hearing these words, found his thoughts and mind uncontrollably seeking that 'perfect, full-score answer' from Star Color.

"I don't know much about Little Fist Stone Classmate Katsuragi's family, but if this is what troubles you, then your choice is 100% correct. Letting others choose is, in fact, choosing not to choose. Trust the thoughts in your head—that is your best choice."

"I really do still love my 'little sister'... and my 'class'..."

Kohei Katsuragi recalled his frail, sickly little sister and everyone in the class. His voice choked up a little...

Perhaps having pierced through the hesitation in Kohei Katsuragi's heart, Star Color withdrew his chopsticks and lowered his head to eat.

"Then, for the sake of your ideals, do it well... not for others, but for 'yourself.' Strive to make it happen..."

"We don't need to become twisted because of the absurdity of the world. So, Kohei Katsuragi, you can occasionally be a bad student—doubt others, be selfish, fight with dirty means. 'People' are animals that exist for their own ideals and happiness."

"Perhaps humans come to know themselves through others' words and actions; at first, people treat the outside world as a mirror."

"So put down that burden, feel everything properly, and fall in love with 'yourself' for your own sake."

Those bright purple pupils shimmered like flowing water stretching out, like summer fireworks rising—

Star Color needed to untie the knot in his heart... and that cowardice.

After all, for Star Color, a one-sided situation was a bit too boring.

Between two factions, there had to be a evenly matched opponent like in a battle of wits manga; a one-sided crush only made the plot feel dull.

Wouldn't that kind of situation be interesting?