Chương 11: Volume 2 - Ch. 3 A Casual Holiday
On the second day of the weekend, I sat on a bench a little away from the shopping mall that had not opened yet. I was waiting for someone I had made plans to go shopping with today. Originally, I had planned to go shopping alone, but coincidentally, this person also had plans in this area, so we decided to go together.
We were buying items for making kusa mochi (mochi with mugwort) and sakura mochi (cherry blossom mochi), such as bowls, pots, and plastic wrap. By the way, I had already arranged for yomogi powder and domyoji rice flour to be delivered.
When I first thought about making mochi after eating kusa mochi, I went window shopping at the shopping mall, but they didn't have the items I needed at the time, so I used some points to order them in advance. We planned to pick them up around noon.
Until then, I just needed to accompany my companion and pass the time, so the day was going perfectly according to plan.
But still, it's quite unexpected for me to go shopping with someone and get along. The teachers who created me would surely be disappointed if they saw this situation.
The long-cherished wish, wisdom, and hope of humanity—the informal name "Ultimate Hope." Unlike Makoto Naegi, who was called the "real genius" by Sakayanagi, I was an artificial hope created by ego.
The other day, Sakayanagi Arisu called me a "genuine genius," but is that really true? What defines a genuine genius, and what does it mean to be a genius in the first place?
For example, a person who can excel in one particular thing to the point where others can't catch up is considered to have innate talent. A person who can excel in various things above average is called a person with diverse talents.
There are other examples as well, but what is a true genius?
Sakayanagi Arisu referred to someone who stood out among numerous geniuses as a "genuine genius" based on her own theory, but is that person truly a genius?
A person who possesses both examples of genius mentioned earlier—that is, a person who can excel in all sorts of things to the point where others can't catch up.
This could certainly be considered a "genuine" genius.
But do you realize something?
The closer you get to perfection, the more that genius departs from the framework of being a "human." They become an "outsider" or a "monster."
And the fate of that monster is either described by blind believers as "god," a banal term, or they become a convenient "tool" for parasites.
Somewhat self-deprecatingly, I am now reevaluating my own existence.
Furthermore, it's quite boring that the definition of a genius will eventually───
"Hey."
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a voice.
I mechanically turned my gaze in the direction where the voice came from.
There stood a girl dressed in a neat casual outfit, but her sharp, hawk-like eyes made her appear anything but neat.
It was Ibuki-san. She was also the person I had been waiting for.
Yesterday, she contacted me asking for help with shopping. Apparently, she wanted some male assistance, and I was chosen for the job.
Going out with someone of the opposite sex on a holiday, in other words, a date. My heart should be dancing with excitement at this first experience.
What clothes should I wear on the day? What approach should I take? Which route should we take to go around the shopping mall?
If I were able to think that way, it would prove that I have some emotions. But in reality, I just see the person accompanying me as a companion for the shopping trip. I also had plans to go shopping, so I had no reason to decline and agreed without any particular excitement.
"Come on, let's go. Stand up quickly."
"Well, let's finish this efficiently."
I responded with these words and stood up from the bench, dusting off my clothes.
"The outfit that's making me feel hot just by looking at it. It's tasteless, and it doesn't match the season."
A plain white shirt, a black jacket, skinny jeans, and sneakers.
It was the same color scheme as the spare department uniform I used to wear, but in a slightly more casual form as everyday clothes.
Her comment was an expected evaluation, so I didn't really mind.
"As long as I can wear clothes, it's fine."
"Don't you ever think about wanting to be popular or anything?"
"I'm not interested."
Upon hearing my response, Ibuki-san placed her hands on her hips and sighed.
"Hey, should I choose your clothes? Because, seriously, that outfit is..."
"It's alright. I have talents like a designer or a stylist, you know."
Upon hearing my statement, Ibuki-san looked surprised and shot me an incredulous glance.
At the same time, she seemed to be doubting whether it was possible at all.
"Doubtful."
"It's the truth."
"Just this time, I doubt it! If you have such talent, then you should naturally have good taste."
It's true that her comment was to be expected, and I had felt a certain attachment to this color scheme of clothes that I had been wearing for so long. I had bought them without giving much thought.
So, I have absolutely no sense of style.
"I don't need your approval no matter how much you doubt it. I still possess the talent."
"...Well then, how about this? Try choosing my outfit as a test. If you have good taste, I might even acknowledge it."
She said that while turning away from me.
Her cheeks were slightly blushing, and she avoided making eye contact.
With a different outfit than usual, she seemed somewhat more attractive.
Although she has a tomboyish personality, she seems to take care of her appearance to some extent. She had applied light makeup, and I could tell she was wearing perfume from the different scent compared to her usual self.
For her to let someone else choose her clothes, especially someone of the opposite sex, it must have required a certain amount of courage.
If Ishizaki-kun were to witness this situation, he might sense a hint of romance. Unfortunately, I am the one present here, and I don't get moved by someone's appearance. To be honest, I even think that she should choose her own clothes.
"There's no need for me to gain your acknowledgment."
"Hey, I'm also a girl. Pay a little attention to those things."
"Do you think I'm interested in other people's clothes and would even go so far as to give compliments?"
I could almost hear the sound of something snapping in Ibuki-san's forehead, with multiple veins appearing. But she quickly sighed and showed a slightly disappointed expression.
"...I had high hopes for you."
She said in a low voice. There was no need to provoke her any further, so I let it slide.
"Let's go."
"Hmph."
With Ibuki-san in a bad mood, we entered the shopping mall and began shopping...
***
It has been about two hours since we entered the shopping mall.
I was dragged along, pushed around, and made to walk by her while accompanying her shopping, but it wasn't so boring that I couldn't tolerate it.
There were various clothing stores, electronics shops, daily necessities sections, and grocery areas in the mall. Carrying bags with various items, it was somewhat tiring to keep up with her.
By the way, I had already collected the yomogi powder and domyoji rice flour.
It wasn't even noon yet, but fortunately, they arrived early, so I was able to get them during the shopping trip.
"It's quite heavy," Ibuki-san complained while walking at her own pace on the way back.
However, her mood seemed to have improved considerably compared to when we started shopping.
It seems like she was reasonably satisfied with this shopping trip.
"So, are you planning to make wagashi (Japanese sweets) with these?" she asked, looking at the utensils I bought, such as bowls and pots, and the ingredients like sugar and anko (sweet bean paste).
"Yes, this time..."
I briefly summarized the plan for making kusa mochi.
"Oh, can I join too? I've never tried making sweets before, so I'd like to give it a try."
"That's fine. But aren't you planning to go to the movie theater afterward?"
"Yeah, it's fine. I was originally planning to go alone."
Unlike watching movies at home, going to the theater always gives the impression that it should be done with someone else. Personally, I expected her to go with Shiina-san, but it seems that's not the case.
"That's unexpected."
"Before graduating, I want to watch all the movies shown in this school. It would be a waste of time if I went with someone else, right? That's why I'm going alone."
I don't have any intention to comment on other people's hobbies, but it's not a typical interest for her. However, it's a typical Ibuki-like statement of acting like a lone wolf.
"You said you want to watch all the movies, but aren't there some that you won't like?"
Watching something you don't like is not only a waste of money but also a waste of time. If she's such a movie enthusiast, she should be able to enjoy movies from all genres, but I can't help but feel it's somewhat wasteful.
Movies are not something I enjoy, so I naturally think this way.
"You can enjoy the misses as well, and there might be surprising good movies too. Besides, sometimes it changes your perspective. For example, I never watch anime or had some kind of aversion to it, but the romance anime movie I saw the other day was actually interesting, and it slightly changed my bias."
"Watching a romance movie alone, that's also unexpected."
"How do you want to die?"
Putting aside her death threat, I'm actually impressed. Her current way of thinking requires the attitude to challenge things she's not good at. It's a feat that can only be accomplished with the willingness to try something out of one's comfort zone.
It's natural, but it's surprisingly difficult.
Depending on the degree of dislike, people generally tend to distance themselves from things they don't like. That's unavoidable.
However, overcoming that and seeking to change is the act of taking on challenges. It means seeking the truth through one's own will, in other words, "experience."
With repeated experiences, true confidence begins to form, and the way of thinking changes.
It's the first step toward changing from a boring person.
"You really lack tact."
While I'm impressed by her way of thinking, Ibuki-san starts to sigh.
Suppressing the urge to ask if it's something you would say, I continue the conversation.
"You think I should care about others and smile to avoid making them uncomfortable?"
"...It's creepy just thinking about it. Definitely stop it."
"Do you know what tact is?"
"You're annoying."
Ignoring Ibuki-san, whose forehead is about to burst, I slowly look around.
Some time has passed, and the shopping mall has become quite lively.
There are groups of same-sex friends, large groups with a mix of males and females, and pairs that seem to be in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, among various gatherings.
Among them, I notice a group not too far away that seems to have a tense atmosphere.
"It's getting crowded here. Let's get out of here quickly."
"Well, that's what I would like to say, but it seems we can't do that."
Upon hearing my words, Ibuki-san moves her gaze in the direction I'm looking.
Right after she does, a shrill scream echoes through the shopping mall.
"You bumped into me on purpose, didn't you! Don't get cocky just because you're in Class B!"
The surrounding people's attention focuses on the source of the commotion.
I recognize one of the girls involved, as her face is familiar.
"That's Manabe and... a student from Class B."
Manabe Shiho, who is hysterically shouting, seems to be a student from Class C, while the other girl is from Class B.
"So, you're planning to make a scene with something so trivial... I see."
Ibuki-san seems to have understood the true meaning of the situation. Her assumption is most likely correct.
At first glance, this situation may seem like a simple quarrel, but the reality is different.
The reason they are quarreling is that they have been secretly ordered by Ryuuen Kakeru to harass Class B.
He is currently using his classmates as a means to understand how the school is responding to the situation.
They diligently work even on holidays to create this situation.
It's pointless.
Moreover, this is a public facility. If the commotion escalates further, it could affect the points.
From my perspective, he should have given instructions to consider these aspects.
Well, from his perspective, anyone who stumbles in a situation like this is a disposable target.
"Stop!"
Suddenly, a voice mediates between the two arguing students, and I shift my focus to them.
A lively girl with light pink hair flowing in the wind has stepped in between them.
"Ichinose-san!"
The expression of the female student who is the victim brightens with relief and trust.
From this scene, it is evident that Ichinose Honami is highly respected.
"Chihiru-chan, this is a public place. Don't raise your voice so loudly... And Manabe-san too."
"Ichinose-san..."
"Is this also a 'directive' from Ryuuen-kun?"
"...Ryuuen? What are you talking about?"
The situation is progressing quickly. Ichinose-san has taken control of the conversation and is cornering the Class C side.
The disadvantaged Manabe Shiho seems frustrated as she bites her lip.
It seems that Ichinose-san's unexpected appearance caught them off guard.
Their attitude speaks more than words.
If they continue to argue, there is a possibility of being caught with some kind of evidence.
In other words, it could lead to a decrease in points.
"Do you want to stop it?" Ibuki-san asks with a simple question.
She seems to have realized the possibility of a decrease in points if they continue like this.
However, I have no intention of stopping it.
This mistake was due to his directive error. I won't go out of my way to help with that.
Besides, the victim, Manabe Shiho, is boring.
When we were in the library, I only stopped it because Ryuuen directly instructed me. There is no need for me to intervene like this time.
"...It's boring, isn't it? Well, then I'll go and see Manabe's embarrassing state. Hold this."
"Please keep it short."
"Nn."
She nods and leaves her belongings with me as she walks away.
She values the class points.
That's why she acts this way. There's no other reason for her to help someone like Manabe Shiho, who she doesn't get along well with.
Left with nothing to do and bothered by the belongings, I look around for a place to sit.
I find a resting area a little further away, so I walk straight toward it.
I place the belongings in an empty space and sit down next to it.
Since I have nothing particular to do, I relax and watch over Ibuki-san's situation.
The expressions of Manabe Shiho and the others are hidden because they are blocked by Ibuki-san.
By now, she is probably exposing their embarrassing state, just as she declared.
Being too idle, I start to think about boring people to pass the time.
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
I hear someone's voice from the side.
There's no one around me, so it's unlikely to be a case of mistaken identity.
I shift my gaze toward the source.
"...What do you need?"
A girl with short bobbed blonde hair and a voluptuous body stands before me.
She is about 155cm tall. Her outfit suits the season and looks good on her.
Her eyes, filled with fear and disgust, are directed at me despite her smiling face. I'm slightly interested in the combination of her smile and negative emotions.
"Um, I have something I 'want to ask.' Can I have some of your time?"
She leans down to meet my eye level and brings her hands together to emphasize her chest.
"Sure, go ahead."
I nod in agreement, returning her smile with a brief acknowledgment.
"Thanks!"
She exclaims happily and lowers her voice, bringing her face closer.
"You're Kamukura-kun from Class C, right?"
"Yes."
"My name is..."
The conversation with the girl wearing a false mask begins.
***
A few minutes later, I quickly finished the conversation and headed back towards Ibuki-san and the others, carrying the bags.
They seemed to have noticed me since they weren't far away. Ichinose-san turned towards me and waved her raised left hand widely from side to side.
I couldn't see Manabe Shiho and her entourage anymore. It seems they were repelled. As promised, it ended quickly and efficiently.
"You're slow," Ibuki-san said, her expression turning displeased as soon as she saw my face.
"Long time no see! Kamukura-kun!" Ichinose-san exclaimed with a joyful expression that she had been wearing even before looking at my face.
This is where the difference in charisma becomes apparent.
I acknowledge that fact.
"It's been a while. Well then—"
"Yes, stop! Can we talk a bit? Please?"
Smiling in response to my indifferent attitude, she quickly moves to block my way.
She seems to have learned from our previous encounter and doesn't appear flustered this time.
"It's meaningless, isn't it?"
"Just a little, just a little bit."
She gestures with her thumb and index finger, as if pinching time. At a glance, it seems like an adorable girl making a request, but I can sense a strong will behind her eyes, indicating that there's something more to it.
I already have a pretty good idea, but I don't want to get involved since it's bothersome and I want to go home quickly.
Also, the gaze I've been receiving from the girl who was the victim of the previous incident is annoying.
"Hey, Ichinose-san. Is this person really..."
As she directs her gaze towards the girl, she quickly hides behind Ichinose-san and asks.
"It's okay! He wouldn't do something like that! Just because he's from Class C doesn't mean everyone is harassing others. Ibuki-san was the same!"
"I-I understand that! But... he's 'that' Kamukura Izuru, right? The only person recognized by Ryuuen-kun as an equal..."
"Well, that might be true, but he's fine."
Ichinose-san looks at me and smiles mischievously.
Experiencing something like self-inflicted damage for the first time was refreshing and good, but I'm starting to get tired of this exchange.
"You still stick your nose into troublesome matters, don't you?"
"Hehe, but you were the same during the library incident, right? You can't say anything about others!"
There's no way we're the same.
The difference between intervening out of self-interest and intervening out of goodwill is significant. The only thing they have in common is that they stopped the conflict.
The process of how they respond based on their personality is what truly matters.
But even if I were to tell her this, she wouldn't listen.
"Honestly, I didn't expect to see you here. Maybe today is a lucky day!"
"For me, meeting someone as annoying as you is an unlucky day."
"Oh, that's mean... Oh, I see!"
Her sad expression changes to a look of realization.
"You're on a 'date,' aren't you? I guess you don't want to be disturbed."
That's what it seems like when you say it like that, but unfortunately, it's not the case.
...If I get flustered here, I might be able to gauge whether or not she's interested in me. It's a pointless idea that I, myself, came up with.
I glance discreetly at Ibuki-san, who is standing diagonally behind me, without her noticing.
As expected, her expression hasn't changed at all.
"I'm not on a date. Besides, Ibuki and I are not together. Don't misunderstand."
"More importantly, can you please take these bags from me?"
Ignoring Ichinose-san's completely off-base assumption, I reach out my hand towards Ibuki-san to return the bags.
"It's... a chance for you to show off."
"I don't feel the need to increase your favorability."
Ibuki-san seems to have already realized what I was thinking, and her response is quick.
She snatches the bags from my hand roughly.
The expression on her face at that moment was genuinely bothersome.
"Huh!? Are you seriously making a girl carry your bags!?"
The girl who had been hiding behind Ichinose-san exclaimed in surprise. It seems that witnessing our lackadaisical interaction made her lower her guard.
"Yes, I am. I was carrying them before, but originally—"
"You... it's terrible to make a girl carry your bags! Ichinose-san, this person is definitely a bad person! He's close to Ryuuen-kun!"
"...What misunderstanding do you have?"
She blushes and directs a disdainful gaze towards me.
"Ha...ha... Well, maybe it's a misunderstanding, Chihiru-chan."
"Ichinose-san is too kind! This guy, he looks at girls with such lascivious eyes and orders them to do this and that!"
A discriminatory remark that's so absurd. But behind those words, I can sense something abnormal and twisted.
Probably, this girl, who later introduces herself as Shiranami Chihiru, is likely to be a lesbian.
Upon closer analysis of her behavior, it's clear that she looks at Ichinose-san with a gaze that's far more lascivious. So it's highly likely that my assumption is correct.
In other words, it's possessiveness. Ichinose-san is her number one, and to maintain that position, she doesn't want her to get close to anyone, especially men.
Perhaps due to that possessiveness, she unintentionally let out that discriminatory remark.
How absurd.
Shiranami-san, who introduced herself later, grabs Ichinose-san's shoulder and shakes her as if to bring her back to her senses.
Ichinose-san doesn't resist and allows her face to move rapidly up and down as she's shaken.
"...That's unfair."
I can hear Ibuki-san's frustrated voice from the side.
When I look at her again, she's touching her modest chest with both hands.
I glance at Ichinose-san once more.
Currently, Shiranami-san is shaking Ichinose-san.
With each movement of her face, Ichinose-san's ample bosom sways in sync.
I see, indeed, she is blessed with proportions.
If this school didn't prohibit interaction with the outside world, and if she had a little more confidence in herself, there's a good chance her gravure talent would blossom.
Well, it's irrelevant to Ibuki-san, though.
"Hey, you compared us, didn't you, you beast."
"...It's pointless, isn't it?"
"Don't try to deceive me! You definitely compared us!"
Saying that, she grabs my collar, as if to confirm the truth, and pulls me closer so she can see my face.
But right after that, her movements, which were not calm, froze as if she had entered a state of suspended animation.
Why did she stop? I was about to ask, but before that, she timidly reached out and touched my chest.
Ibuki-san collapsed from her knees.
Anyway, let's put that aside.
"Phew, Chihiru-chan, have you calmed down?"
Things were about to get noisy, so we moved a little away from where we were before.
"Yes, I'm sorry for losing control."
She says that, but her gaze towards me hasn't changed much.
Or rather, there are now two similar gazes.
"We should probably head back now."
It's already past noon.
I urge Ichinose-san, as I want to start making the rice cakes as soon as possible.
"...Do you hate me, Kamukura-kun?"
"Not really. If I have to say, I think you're a bothersome person."
She's unsure how to react to my answer and looks to Ibuki-san for help.
"...You haven't been called boring, so I don't think you're hated."
"I see, that's good then!"
Ichinose-san shows a relieved expression and smiles faintly at each other when the conversation ends.
"...But as he said, time is passing."
"Indeed, it's already lunchtime!"
When Ibuki-san hears that, she seems to recall the rice cakes and makes a noticeable gesture.
"Hey, hey, we're planning to have lunch now. Would you like to join us?"
"...Sorry, it's a kind invitation, but I'll decline. If we have lunch now, we won't be able to eat the rice cakes."
"Rice cakes? Ah, so the bag contains the ingredients! I see."
"That's right. So we'll take our leave around here."
With those words, we turn our backs to Ichinose-san and the others.
"Wait a moment, Kamukura-kun, Ibuki-san. Can I talk seriously with you for a moment?"
The atmosphere changes. Ibuki-san also intuitively realizes it and turns to face Ichinose-san with her usual sharp gaze.
We wait for her next words.
"I have something I want to ask. Can you answer me?"
"If it's within my ability to answer."
After hearing that response, Ichinose-san smiles and asks us a question.
"Hey, do you think 'Ryuuen-kun' is behind that violent incident?"
The violent incident. The harassment incident ordered by Ryuuen-kun to observe the school's response.
She is indeed a formidable presence.
It's really a shame that we don't get along well with Ryuuen-kun.
"...Well, it's Ishizaki's own fault."
"I agree with that."
I feel somewhat conflicted about deceiving her, but there's no other way.
No matter how bothersome it may be, I can't sell out the entire class unconditionally.
"...I see."
"Is the conversation over?"
"Yeah... I had more questions, but I can't take up any more of your time."
Ahaha, Ichinose-san gives a smile mixed with a bit of resignation and sadness as she says that.
"Sorry for taking your time! Good luck with the rice cake-making date!!"
She quickly returns to her usual cheerful expression, as if not letting us think otherwise.
Perhaps to regain her composure, she and Shiranami-san leave this place, accompanied by a light joke.
"...Hey, do you think there are people who are unbelievably good?"
It's understandable to feel that way when you observe her words and actions.
She is an existence that strives to be as close to an ideal as possible.
However, an existence that selflessly serves others, unable to recognize their own contradictions, is nothing but a fool.
They do not tolerate "evil," which harms unrelated others. Therefore, it is permissible to punish "evil."
Ichinose-san is not someone who holds such arbitrary emotional beliefs, nor is she an unbelievably good person as Ibuki-san suggests.
She is a "hypocrite."
However, she is not just a hypocrite. She is a hypocrite who touches both good and evil, struggling to determine which is correct, and ultimately chooses the path that brings the greatest happiness to the majority.
An unbelievably good person, in other words, a "genuine" good person, does not exist.
That is merely an ideal.
Now, let's consider it roughly according to dialectics.
Take "a person with a good personality" as the positive thesis and "a person with a bad personality" as the negative antithesis, and sublate them into a synthesis.
What is born is the ideal that cling to it.
That is the "good person."
It is not someone who believes that it is right to be neither good nor evil, like a coward, and it is not someone who is a wishy-washy middleman easily swayed by others, unable to take a firm stance.
It is an existence that reaches out its hand to someone, passing on smiles and hope to many strangers.
However, that existence has no emotions.
It has no contradictions, dreams, or will.
It only does what is necessary as a "good person." That's all it is.
That is the "genuine" good person that does not exist.
If a "genuine" good person were to appear...
...it would surely be an existence like me.
"It's not worth thinking about things that are out of character."
"...And it's not something we should do."
Rarely, the two of them agree and exchange glances.
"Shall we go back?"
"Yes."
We head back to the dormitory.
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