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

Not to mention his habit of saving energy, his leadership ability and cohesion are far behind Mo Xiaozhi.

"Well... that's not the case. If you truly love something, you'll definitely want to keep doing it." Liu Yan continued my topic. "We just happened to like music. If it were something like writing or painting, others wouldn't necessarily be less enthusiastic than us."

"...Passion..." As I said this, I couldn't help but turn my gaze to the guys playing nearby. "I can definitely feel it... and this proves that my approach is correct."

There is nothing wrong with the choice of subject matter.

"By the way, Master, what exactly is your purpose for coming here this time?" Liu Yan suddenly seemed to remember something, "Could it be that you're here to join the gang?"

"Not really... I originally just wanted to ask you about the specifics of the band's activities and composition... but now that I've seen it myself, I don't have any questions anymore."

The idea that was just a little inspiration at first is constantly enriching in my mind.

Chapter 3: The gradually approaching distance

The work at hand has been completed... Whether it is the focus line or the background, the dots that need to be applied and the areas that need to be blackened are all done.

"Huh... I'm so tired."

Although the workload wasn't heavy, my eyes still felt sore. Rubbing my brow, I stood up, my body stretching freely... I don't know how long I've been sitting there. For the first time, time seemed to pass quickly. Perhaps it was because that fellow Tongyou wasn't chatting with me... and it felt like progress had sped up as well.

but...

"It's really a shame that no one is talking to me..." I feel a little lonely.

I think he'll be here tomorrow. I heard he's not feeling well... If he doesn't come tomorrow, I might as well take some time to visit him.

"It's time to catch the subway." I checked my phone and it was about the same time I usually left.

I glanced at the other rooms, but nothing seemed to be happening. It looked like they'd be busy until late. What's it like to work hard for your dreams? I'd love to experience that, if I could.

"Well...it won't be that easy."

I have neither talent nor skills, and most people can do what I can put my energy into. Rather than dwelling on this and feeling down, I'd rather just accept this reality and be an ordinary person.

"...Ugh."

I sighed, found the shoes on the shoe rack at the door, put them on and prepared to leave, when suddenly a voice came from behind me.

"Are you leaving?"

This really scared me. My mind, which had felt numb, was suddenly shaken and I became much more awake.

"Uh...yeah."

I looked back and saw Jiumuting standing not far behind me. Her eyelids were drooping and she looked a bit listless... It seemed she was about as tired as I was.

"You look a little... yawn... uh-huh... a little weird. Be careful on your way back." He yawned while speaking, and tears appeared in the corners of his eyes.

"...Well, if possible, you should also go to bed early." Although it is basically impossible.

It was just one sentence, but I still felt a little warm. Jiumuting's personality is really gentle... It's hard to imagine that such a girl can draw such an excellent battle scene.

"I'll definitely have a good rest after this is over, but we still have to work hard... I'll have to trouble you again tomorrow."

"It's okay, see you tomorrow."

I smiled and waved at her.

"Give my regards to Tongyou-san."

"no problem."

. . . . . . . . . . .

Perhaps because of my presence, they seemed to temporarily change the course of their practice after a while, and then proposed to play games together, and enthusiastically invited me to join in.

I originally wanted to just check it out and leave, but I couldn't refuse the invitation, so I reluctantly joined in. These weren't games based on electronic devices, but games based on physical objects... like Friendship Flying Chess and Three Kingdoms Kill, where I often forget to check cards and character skills.

After they had unknowingly blended in, the sky gradually darkened, and it was almost time for them to disband.

"See you tomorrow, then."

After Mo Xiaozhi, the club leader, announced the end of the event, everyone began to pack up their instruments and leave. This atmosphere... it felt like returning to a club activity at school.

Well, our club doesn't have that many people, and it's rarely this lively.

"See you tomorrow!" "Keep up the good work~" "I'm leaving first." "Wait for me a moment..." The others also left one after another.

If that's the case, then it's time for me to leave.

"How about it? Our club is pretty good, isn't it?"

After I said goodbye to Liu Yan, he suddenly asked me this question.

"...Well, everyone's very nice, and they're very serious about music. They just cheat a lot when it comes to games...but overall, they're a nice group of people."

I hadn't noticed it before... In other words, if I start paying attention to the people around me from now on, will I continue to find people I feel comfortable getting along with?

"Hmm~hmm~"

Liu Yan nodded proudly as if he was being praised.

"It's easy to tell. You're enjoying it, too." He's practically assimilated by them... His increased intelligence seems to be influenced by them. That being said, it's truly something to celebrate.

"Ahaha, right?" He laughed heartily. "So... I'm really glad I listened to your advice, Master, and found a club to try to join."

"..."

"Although I didn't feel anything special at the time, after spending some time together, I realized how happy it is to be working towards the same goal with a group of like-minded people... I've always had no goals, and even though I'm just running along with other people's dreams, I finally feel like I can finally muster the energy to do something."

"...That would be great."

For those who have never had a goal... just having something to work towards is already a blessing. It's like a stomach that's always been hungry and suddenly filled with delicious food; the sense of satisfaction is naturally intense.

But...this feeling won't last long.

"Yeah, take care~"

But since he has such an idea, I won't tell him to wear it...

"Then be careful not to give up halfway."

That's probably all I can say.

"Of course."

I always feel that this guy is a lot more confident than before.

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

"Ah... is it already six o'clock..."

I glanced at the time and the still-light sky and sighed. I'd planned to just sit for a bit and leave, but somehow I'd gotten involved, and...

"Hey, it's time to decide!" "Really? I forgot~" "You did it on purpose!" "What do you mean by blocking me?" "...I do." "Wait..." "Oops, sorry I knocked over the chessboard~"

They were clearly a group of guys who didn't... no, they simply didn't follow the rules, but for some reason, they seemed very happy.

I have to say...if Ye Hui saw me like this, she probably wouldn't believe me.

"And I completely forgot about Ye Hui..." I really didn't consider anything while playing.

It seems that I have to write the story content as soon as I get back...I can't waste time being distracted by other things.

Thinking of this, I pushed the cart out of Liu Yan's house.

"Hey, Shaji-kun."

Unexpectedly, when I was about to get on the bicycle seat, Mo Xiaozhi's voice suddenly reached my ears.

"...Oh, it's you." He responded in feigned surprise, "Why haven't you left yet? Are you waiting for someone?"

But looking at the situation, even if I'm waiting for someone...who else could that person be but me?

"Sheji, is your home in that direction?" He asked, looking at the direction I was heading.

"Yes, is it possible that you are the same?"

"Yeah~ My house happens to be in that direction, why don't we go together?" He said as he ran towards me, the guitar on his back swaying slightly.

"Well, fine. I don't have anything to do anyway..." Since he didn't look like he was riding a bike, I got off the seat as well.

"That's great~"

Why is his smile emitting such a dazzling light? I always feel...

"Well...isn't the guitar on your back heavy?" I decisively changed the subject. "It must be tiring to carry this here every day."

“I’m not tired at all, not too heavy…”

"Come to think of it, are you rehearsing like this for the next school event? Or is there some other reason..."

It was a casual question from me, just a small talk when we meet, but...

"There is indeed a reason. And I also noticed that, Sheji, you are looking for some inspiration."

...I guessed it right.

"Ah, you could say that." I didn't deny it.

"Well, I can tell you...or rather, I want to tell you why I joined the music club." He paused for a moment, then smiled again.

It was as if he had found someone to talk to, such a happy and innocent expression... It was the first time I saw it.

"If that helps you, that's great."

"...I'll listen carefully."

For some reason, I suddenly remembered the conversation between seniors Li Yinghui and Ming Xinxi.

Maybe...the feeling of listening to other people's inner thoughts is similar in some sense.

Stones streaking across the sky

When some doubts arise in one's heart, one will involuntarily want to resolve the confusion.

I don't know why, even though this is our first meeting, I feel a sense of familiarity. Well, although that feeling is inexplicable, I know where it comes from.

It stands to reason that everyone in the world is different. Family environment determines a large part of one's personality, while the people one meets influence one's inner thoughts.

I have to admit that before I met someone who was very important to me, my life was not miserable, but it was indeed extremely monotonous.

Maybe fate has destined me to have experiences different from others, so I will meet someone special to me.

"You're speaking too quietly. I can't hear you."

It wasn't a complaint, more of a helpless tone. Looking back now, it was probably a gentleness that was unique to her.

"How about trying to speak louder? It would be better if you could do it like me, hehe~ Doesn't that sound a bit shameless?"

He likes to talk to himself, but he is a very cheerful person.

Maybe in the eyes of others she was just a weirdo, but to me, she was like a stone thrown into a swimming pool, stirring up quite a stir in my ordinary life.

And the turbulent splashes of water have not disappeared yet.

Chapter 4 [Memory] Stones Flying Across the Sky

Stability is the norm, and that's all I seek. Maintaining normalcy is good, because then mistakes won't happen, trouble won't arise, grades won't decline, and relationships won't deteriorate... because there are no such things as friends anyway.

My daily routine consists of simply understanding the lectures and occasionally reading a book. This kind of life is enough for me. Well, maybe it's just because I don't have any desires.

Don't expect change, and don't expect anything special to happen.

Everything that happens next will be just like usual.

This is my idea.

However, if things were really as I thought... then the so-called "story" would not have happened.

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

"...saw it yesterday...where was it..."

As usual, I was flipping through the collection of essays I carried with me on the flat road leading to school, wanting to continue studying the content I had not finished reading yesterday.

There is no need to worry about pedestrians and vehicles because I am basically familiar with the road conditions of this road. All I have to do next is to do what I want to do with peace of mind.

"Oh wow, I didn't expect that in this day and age there are still people who read while walking."

The tone was full of wonder, as if someone had discovered some mysterious creature. Yet, it made me feel strangely uncomfortable, because no matter how hard I tried, I knew it was me.

"..."