I, who advocate giving up, feel like a disqualified person

Even though I complained about it, I didn't hate it.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Hmm...boys who are good at sports..." He frowned after hearing my question, "Isn't it because they sweat a lot and then look sparkling when hit by the sun that they are called shining..."

"Uh..."

I always feel that this explanation...is not very thoughtful.

"It's not just boys who are good at sports... there are also handsome boys and beautiful girls..." I added.

"...This world where looks are everything..." He seemed to complain, then changed the subject, "But Ye Hui, when did you start paying attention to this kind of thing... handsome men and beautiful women..."

"Hey? Is it strange to ask this question? I just have some questions about this phenomenon..." Is it really that strange?

"...I see." This time he seemed ready to answer the question seriously. "Actually...I think their so-called 'shine' doesn't actually bring light to others."

The moment I heard this, I was suddenly stunned.

I always feel that this sentence is familiar, as if I have heard it somewhere.

...............

My father once told me the meaning of my name. Although I haven't forgotten what he said, I haven't had much chance to recall it.

It was only when I listened to Sheji's speech this time that I suddenly remembered.

"Your name is 'Yehui', which means 'the light in the night sky'. So, what is shining so brightly in the night sky?"

My father asked me this question after explaining my name.

"...It should be the moon, right? It's so big... and it's shining."

I thought about it and answered.

"...While the moon is often seen and does shine, that light isn't its own, but simply reflects the sunlight. Therefore...it's something else that truly illuminates the night sky with its own power."

"Is it... a star?"

Because in the night sky there are only stars besides the moon.

"That's right." My father seemed very happy because I answered the question correctly. "Because stars shine on their own, just like the sun, they silently drive away darkness for people. Even if they themselves are trapped in darkness, they still spare no effort to bring light to others."

"..."

Bringing light to others...

"So when I gave you this name, I hoped that you could be like the stars in the night sky. You don't have to shine brighter than others, as long as you can bring light to others, that's enough."

Sounds pretty impressive... just like that guy.

"...Can I...really become that kind of person?"

I can't believe it... can I become someone like him...

"It's not difficult, just work hard."

............................

"So, like moths to a flame and a light source that doesn't give off any warmth..." Sheji paused for a moment before explaining, "I'm not being jealous... I'm jealous of guys who are more handsome and athletic than me... I just feel that way."

Her face turned red...kind of cute.

"I don't think so...I rather agree with your theory." I must have been laughing when I spoke to him at that moment.

"Well... that's good." He scratched his cheek and suddenly smiled, "But it wouldn't be a bad thing if I could be a little more handsome."

"You just said you don't care about appearances."

"Oh, it was just a joke."

Whether it was a joke or not...it didn't matter anymore.

I have come to understand that it is impossible for people to be like the sun, emitting dazzling light and bringing warmth to others. However, it is enough as long as we try our best to make people around us feel that the world is bright and warm.

I glanced at Sheji beside me. He was looking into the distance, wondering what he was thinking.

Just keep doing this habit, and you will be super handsome.

Thinking of this, I also smiled and looked into the distance.

Memories hit by raindrops

I had a premonition when I left home.

From the window I saw the gloomy sky without the sun, and a few leaves occasionally flying by.

Is it going to rain...

After opening the door, I felt a cold wind that didn't seem to belong to this season. It was clearly summer... It was really strange.

So I picked up the umbrella at the door.

It looks very new and probably hasn't been used much, but the style is very common, the kind you can buy in convenience stores.

Although it is in my home, it does not belong to me.

"Will I be able to meet him again..."

I muttered to myself, facing the wind, and took the first step towards school.

Chapter 8: Memories Beating by Raindrops

"Pap...pap..."

The sound gradually became clearer, and my mind gradually became clearer.

"Um...ah..."

He groaned unconsciously, as if he was about to get up, but then he felt numbness in his legs.

I tried to move my legs, but no matter how many times I tried, I couldn't get used to the feeling. It felt like I was about to lose a leg.

“Ohhhh…”

With the stimulation from moving my legs, my mind finally started to think. I only had to look around to realize that I had just fallen asleep in the classroom.

And school is over now.

"It's raining..."

I looked out the window. The gloomy weather had brought night early, and the neon lights that normally wouldn't appear at this time now seemed to have been on for a long time.

I tapped my legs, and when I felt better, I started packing my bag... but no one asked me to go home... Is anyone else in school now? Normally, the club would still be going on at this time, but since it was raining, it wasn't surprising that it ended early.

Thinking about all these things, I picked up my schoolbag and looked at the classroom covered with darkness and my seat again.

See you tomorrow.

Thinking this silently, I locked the classroom door.

....................

My footsteps echoed in the silent corridor.

The dark corridor and the sound of rain around me always make me feel like I'm playing a horror game.

So he stopped for a moment, felt in his pocket, took out his headphones, put them on, and then connected them to his phone.

...Let’s just play this one.

"Gililigili love!" A cheerful and magical singing voice came to my ears.

Even though it's an expired poison...it can still relieve the horror.

I had a feeling it was going to rain, but it was still very heavy... Fortunately, I had an umbrella. Thinking this, I pulled the last umbrella out of the canopy.

At this moment, my shoulder was patted gently, and my relaxed mood suddenly became tense again, so I was startled.

When I turned around, I found a boy saying something to me with an apologetic look...Oh, by the way, I was still wearing headphones.

"I'm sorry...um, I didn't mean to scare you. Because you didn't respond when I called you just now."

This is what I heard after taking off the headphones.

"Ah...it's okay. I was wearing headphones after all...Um, what's going on?"

"Hmm...that umbrella..." he pointed, "it looks like it's mine."

"what?"

What nonsense is this guy talking about? I obviously bought this umbrella from home... I looked at the umbrella in my hand and found that it was not my style and was different from any other one in my home.

Ah...a little embarrassing.

"Well...well, I accidentally saw it wrong. Well, I...I seem to have forgotten that I forgot to bring an umbrella today." I explained hurriedly, and then felt my face getting hot.

Ah, damn, I slept till I was confused...

"It's okay, I'm just checking." He waved his hand to signal me to calm down.

"Then... I'll give it back to you."

I handed him the umbrella, but he didn't take it.

"You should use it. I have a classmate going the same way. She should have an umbrella for me to use."

"Hey? Is it okay?" Although this is not bad...it's not so easy to accept other people's kindness.

"Of course..." He looked outside the door, "I have to go find her quickly, otherwise if she leaves, I'll be caught in the rain."

"Ah... In that case..."

"Just remember to return it to me tomorrow." He said this and immediately ran into the rain.

This boy is quite handsome...

I couldn't help but think so in my heart.

"Well, let's go..." After I came to my senses, I opened my umbrella and walked into the rain.

I had just taken a few steps when I suddenly remembered something important.

He hasn't told me his class or name yet.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

The next day, I deliberately waited for a long time at the corridor entrance, but I didn't see him...

Maybe I saw it, but due to nervousness and embarrassment, coupled with the poor lighting, the face was no longer clear in my mind.

Just like that, I lost the opportunity to thank him in person, and the umbrella was not returned.

It is still in my home.

And that memory...

...............

"This comic's plot is really well-written! I didn't expect you to grow so quickly. The heroine's thoughts and the hero's gentle words are all perfectly portrayed... It's almost like it's happening to me."

There were exclamations of admiration coming from the other end of the phone. It came from the novelist whose illustrations I was responsible for... It was one of them, and there was another one I was also responsible for, but I didn't have his contact information yet.

"You're so long-winded. I'm not the only one who can draw illustrations." I responded happily.

Although this story is indeed based on something I have experienced.

"So... why don't you become a full-fledged manga artist? Why do you have to just draw illustrations and the occasional short comic strip? It would be great if you could collaborate with me. My work has already been decided to be turned into a manga, so I'm sure they'll agree to it after discussing it with the magazine. And with my current situation, if everything goes well, we can discuss animating it within a month."

Is it so amazing... I still can't believe that I am working with such an amazing novelist.

"Well... I don't think my comic skills are very good, so... illustration is more suitable for me." I expressed my thoughts.

There was silence for a while on the other end of the phone, and no one pressed the issue.

"By the way, have you contacted that 'Lingcun Sheji'?" She suddenly asked this.

"No... no contact yet." It would be more accurate to say that there are very few people who can contact him.

"Really?... You didn't even say hello to the teacher who drew illustrations for you. Isn't that too arrogant and unreasonable?" The person on the other end of the phone sounded angry.

"Hey, Teacher Ailiya, don't be too angry..." I advised her helplessly, "Why should you be upset when someone else makes a mistake?"