Daily Life 2

Another ordinary day. Nearly a week had passed since Hirata invited Qiuyue.

The end of term was drawing closer, and most of Class D had started preparing for the final exams.

Only Qiuyue knew that the real battle was the uninhabited island during summer vacation after the exams.

Qiuyue: (...As soon as we land, I need to find Class B and talk cooperation before everyone adapts. Their attention won't be sharp yet, so they probably won't notice me.)

(Using drones to map the terrain is also necessary—that counts as part of the points.)

(Setting two or three plans for now should be enough. Imagine some possibilities, but I'll need to improvise on the spot. Plans can't keep up with changes, so I have to adapt.)

As soon as lunch break arrived at noon, everyone paired up to eat together—except for Qiuyue, Ayanokoji, and Horikita.

In stark contrast to the three of them was Kushida. Both boys and girls were inviting her, even upperclassmen and students from other classes.

Hirata, who fell slightly short of Kushida's popularity in Class D, didn't get many invitations because he'd already been taken early in the term. He usually ate with Karuizawa's little group.

The highly popular Ichinose Honami was in a similar situation, though she chose to eat with most of the girls from Class B.

As for Qiuyue, he went to the second floor of the cafeteria as usual—the familiar two meat dishes, one vegetable, one soup, plus extra rice.

Qiuyue didn't have to worry about any of this. Just as he put on his earphones and started digging in, an uninvited guest sat down across from him: Hirata Yosuke.

Qiuyue took off his earphones, looked at Hirata sitting opposite him and the food on the table, and knew he must have something to say.

"Hirata, is there something you need? Your girlfriend is waiting for you."

As Qiuyue said this, he pointed at Karuizawa Kei, who was watching from not far away.

"It's fine. I'll eat here today."

"...Is that so..."

Qiuyue: (...Why is he suddenly coming to me? Last time too, inviting me to join him... What does he really want?)

"Hirata, if you have something to say, just say it. I usually like to eat with my earphones on, not talking, just focusing on my food."

Hirata Yosuke's face showed an awkward expression. After hesitating for a long time, he finally decided to look up at Qiuyue and speak:

"Qiuyue, you might think I'm meddling, but I still want to say it—why are you always alone?

Whether after class or during meals, you're always by yourself. I asked the classmates—are you even alone during holidays?"

"When I have nothing to do or on holidays, I go to the library. I read books there and discuss stories with others. Is that enough?"

"That's not the issue. Don't you feel bored being alone, Qiuyue? No friends, always by yourself—don't you feel lonely? Wouldn't it be better to properly integrate into the class?"

Qiuyue: (Playing the friend game? I see. Now I know what Hirata's after.)

(Is he worried I don't have a sense of belonging to the class? He'd do anything for class harmony. Or is he afraid someone will be isolated and bullied like in his middle school? Who'd bully whom is still up in the air.)

"...It is a bit lonely, I guess. But I'm used to it."

"You can't get used to that, Qiuyue. This won't do. Let me help you fit into the class circle, okay? Don't stay alone anymore."

Qiuyue didn't take it seriously. He played on his phone, picking songs, ready to put his earphones back in.

"Qiuyue, are you listening? I'm worried about you. This is for your own good."

Qiuyue: (...Troublesome. I hate it when people say 'it's for your own good.')

"Hirata, I think you've misunderstood something. I don't like hearing 'it's for your own good.' I'm not antisocial, and I don't have zero friends.

Like you said, being alone does get lonely, but I'm used to it. That's not something I can change overnight. I like reading alone, listening to music alone. I'm someone who enjoys immersing myself in my own world. That's how I got through elementary and middle school.

I just want to prove one thing. Lonely people aren't pitiful.

I know these are just my own stubborn thoughts. But I won't deny the person I was. Spending time alone isn't a sin, and being alone isn't wrong. I absolutely refuse to accept that.

That's all I wanted to say. So, Hirata, thank you for your kindness. I'm not saying you're meddling. Humans are social animals—maybe your way of thinking is right. Maybe I will change, and maybe I should. But I don't think now is the time."

After saying this, Qiuyue put his earphones back on, stood up, grabbed his food, and moved to another spot.

Qiuyue: (People stay up late playing games, watching anime, reading manga, then crash hard, pretending to be obsessed with it all just to fill the void inside.)

(But that alone won't fill the emptiness. Everything they do is just a distraction. In truth, the void only deepens, following them through this miserable life.)

(The problem isn't whether it can be filled—it's whether they're willing to let it be filled. So I know clearly: I'm running away.)

(...Hirata... Even if you're right, even if you say all the right things, people only see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear. I'm no exception.)

After Qiuyue left, Hirata was visibly down, a little stifled.

Karuizawa, seeing Qiuyue leave, quickly came over and sat beside Hirata.

Given Karuizawa's personality, she could have completely ignored Qiuyue and sat with Hirata from the start. The only reason she didn't was that Hirata told her not to follow, so he could talk to Qiuyue properly. Qiuyue had seen through that from the beginning.

After lunch break, the afternoon classes passed quickly. Every time Hirata passed by Qiuyue's seat, he looked like he wanted to say something but held back. And Qiuyue's seat was always empty.

Because Qiuyue knew Hirata wouldn't give up so easily. To prevent rumors from spreading in class, Qiuyue ran to the bathroom every break and only came back right before class started.

At 3:30 PM, the school gate was packed with students heading home. Hirata understood that Qiuyue was avoiding him. Though helpless, there was nothing he could do. Detaining Qiuyue in class would only stir up resentment.

Qiuyue, earphones in, phone in hand, walked alone through the crowd. He went to the library to read for two hours, then ate dinner at the cafeteria. After a tiring day, he returned to his room.

He took off his uniform, organized his books, sat down at his desk, turned on the computer, opened an emulator, and played Head-Patting Village.

When it got late, he did a little exercise before showering. After his shower, he opened Tomato Novel, read for a while, and then drifted off to sleep.