Volume 04: Second Term of Self-awareness

Chapter 97: A Debut in the Second Term

The summer vacation, both short and long, had ended, and a new semester had finally begun.

This year’s summer was truly eventful compared to the last.

Yes, so much had happened.

And so, I found myself alone in a noisy classroom at the start of the new semester, reading a book in a corner.

Yes, my life was the same as before the summer break: a solitary existence.

After much thought, I decided to give up on making a “second semester debut.”

There were two reasons for this.

Firstly, life became complicated after I underwent a more drastic change in appearance than I’d anticipated. I tried various things during the remaining days of summer vacation, but it turned out to be…odd. I got followed around by multiple women on the streets, got hit on, and even had my pictures taken.

At that point, I felt that my previous, less conspicuous self was easier to live with.

Maybe it would’ve been paradise for someone who enjoys standing out, but that’s just not who I am.

While it’s hard to believe that this situation is real, it’s a fact, and I have no choice but to accept it.

The second reason might be that I gained some emotional space.

After being put in such situations, the inferiority complex that had always burdened me seemed to have lifted considerably.

Sure, I did think that I wanted friends.

However, I found myself wondering: if someone comes close to me just because of my changed appearance, can they really be considered a true friend?

This is what I currently think.

So, even if you say that’s why I’m a loner, that’s all there is to it. I’ll probably never be genuinely close with such people; their previous actions would always be in the back of my mind, leaving me feeling emptier than before.

Additionally,

“Mamiya-kun, good morning. Things have become quite interesting, haven’t they?”

Upon reflection, there are people who would talk to me as I am now.

There’s this slightly odd guy who cares about me.

“Ah, Tanaka-kun. Good morning.”

To be honest, I had been limiting myself by thinking I was a loner and shutting myself away, effectively choking myself.

This summer vacation made me reevaluate that perspective.

Sure, appearance matters, and my current situation stems from my own lack of effort.

But I don’t intend to remain this way forever.

Now, more than ever, I feel like I might be able to make genuine friends.

That’s what I’m thinking.

For starters, I’m thinking of becoming friends with Tanaka-kun.

“Mamiya-kun! Good morning! Let’s give it our all in school again starting today!”

“Ah, good morning, Alice. Let’s do our best.”

Even now, Alice is showing me her dazzling smile.

Yes, there are friendly people like her around me.

“G-Good morning, Mamiya-kun.”

“Ah, good morning, Yamamoto.”

“Yeah, good morning!”

Yamamoto is also like that. She has somehow become a good friend…

Yes, it’s okay to change little by little, just as I am.

___________”Alright, in today’s homeroom, we’ll be deciding the organizing committee members for the cultural festival. We need one boy and one girl. Any volunteers?”

So, the next major event is the cultural festival.

No one has responded to the teacher’s call yet.

Well, that’s to be expected. No one really wants to be on the organizing committee.

People probably look forward to the cultural festival itself, but no one wants to deal with the hassle of preparations.

Last year in my class, no one volunteered either, so we ended up drawing lots.

“Hey, is there really no one? It could be a good opportunity to make some great memories.”

Still, no one responds to the teacher’s call.

Well, that’s expected.

Everyone knows that you can make good memories on the day of the cultural festival itself.

This conversation is likely to continue without any resolution.

Yes.

“Eh? O-oh, you’ll do it? W-well, that’s great. Yes, that’s great. Alright! We have one volunteer! Great!”