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

"No..." He retracted his right hand as if by reflex.

"Since everything is fine, then sign it."

Is this guy even listening to me?

"No, I already said... You can't sign it now."

"So when can we sign it? Tomorrow?"

“It’s not a matter of time…”

"Is it a question of money? But I'm not very rich."

I'm actually ready to take out my wallet!

“No, no, it’s not about money…”

I don’t know if it was my illusion, but I actually felt my head starting to hurt.

"Oh, I see." She showed an expression of sudden enlightenment.

"..."

Although I don’t think she really understood, but since she can let me say a few more words, I can’t miss this opportunity.

"Now that you understand..."

"But... I always feel that this is not a good idea..."

"Hmm? What?"

"Well...um...if you want my body..."

"No, no, no, I don't want to."

What the hell is going on in this guy's head?

"Hey? Why did you reject me? Is it because of my appearance?" This question is really difficult to answer.

"...That's not the question..."

"Then why did you refuse?"

I must have been worrying about the wrong thing!

"Any normal person would refuse that!"

"I don't care, you have to join the music club today!"

"Since you want me to join, can you please listen to me carefully?!" Why can a normal conversation be interrupted again and again?

"Well... okay... okay." She was stunned for a moment, then sat on the chair, "If you agree to join..."

It seems to be a little quieter.

"...Really... Then I'll just say it straight."

"Yeah." She nodded and looked at me expectantly.

"After watching your performance..." Let's be more tactful here.

“Isn’t it great?”

He actually stood up again.

"Uh...it's really great. Or rather, it gave me a great..."

"It's a big surprise, right? Then why not join us now?"

“So that’s not the problem at all…”

"Oh, do you want to listen to a longer song? Hmm, then wait a moment~" Then he picked up the guitar again.

"Stop! I already told you that's not the question!"

"Uh...hmm?"

The hand that wanted to pluck the strings stopped there.

"I just want to know...what qualifications do I have for you to invite me to join you."

From the beginning, I knew I was just an ordinary student with no special talents. Her invitation must have been because she desperately needed members to fill the club quota, and I was the only one in the class willing to pay attention to her... But even though I knew the reason, I still held on to a glimmer of hope.

I hope the reason she gives me isn't "because you're just making up the numbers," but some other answer... If that's the case, I'll probably be... a little happier.

"...Huh? Qualified?"

However, she didn't react at first.

"..."

As expected, she couldn't even think of a reason... Well, after all, she's asking someone like me, so it's really hard for her to ask this question.

"Well, before I answer, I want to clarify one thing."

"..."

I could clearly feel that her current attitude was completely different from the state where she just didn't listen to what people were saying... In other words, the conversation just now was probably deliberately diverted by her.

"Although it's a music club in name only, I don't plan on treating it as a normal music club. If I had to say it, it's more like a band, and one that performs publicly."

"...Is it really possible? I feel a little..."

"Of course it's not possible now. After all, we don't have enough people." She laughed heartily, "But who can predict what will happen in the future? Although I don't have much time, it's just the beginning, so there will always be a chance."

"...That's right..."

"Based on the current situation, I would like to set my sights on the stage provided by the school."

“…”

Hearing her say that, I finally remembered that the school did hold some kind of Christmas event. But it was usually just solo or choral singing accompanied by music, and renditions of existing crosstalk or skits... As for bands, there were never any.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but imagine that scene in my mind... and I actually had some expectations.

"I've already learned that although the schools here provide a stage, the performances by the participants are generally boring."

"...That's right." This was something I felt so deeply about that I couldn't refute it at all.

"So first of all, let's change this situation. Don't you want to make a difference? For yourself, for others, let's make this boring stage lively."

Maybe, I can really try it... I don’t know why, but I suddenly had such an impulse even though I knew nothing about it.

"So...what exactly can I do..."

If I could really do it...

"Do you think we should just play other people's music and repeat the lyrics that have already been published?" She did not answer my question, but continued, "I personally hate repeating what others have done."

"...So?"

"So, I'd like to ask you to lend me a hand."

"..."

Isn't this really just a mockery of me? What on earth do I have to offer...

"It might be embarrassing to say this, but I'm not very good at thinking. My only strength is probably my ability to improvise... like expressing my inner feelings with the right melodies."

I have already felt this.

"But the performance effect is not enough with just a simple melody. The best choice is to have the lead singer sing the appropriate lyrics."

It seemed as if he had a premonition of something.

My heartbeat suddenly started to speed up.

"So, how about using your talents to help me write the right lyrics?"

Talent...

Should I be happy or sad for myself? This was the first time I'd heard someone say I had talent. I'd never been acknowledged, never even noticed... to hear something like that.

"...Are you serious?"

Still can't believe it...

"Of course, what do you think? Will you agree?"

Serious and urgent eyes. Being stared at by such eyes, I have no other choice.

"...Then I'll join. If I really have the talent you think I have, I will do my best..."

With the awareness of... not letting others down.

"Great! Now I finally have a real member!"

"...ha..."

Although I agreed to it, I still don't know what this matter means to me...

"Come to think of it, it doesn't look good with your hair covering your eyes..." I lowered my head and was secretly happy, not noticing the guy who was already very close to me. "How about trying to lift it up?"

"Hey? Wait..."

Before I could finish my words, a gentle touch brushed my forehead. Without my hair to block it, the surrounding light was a bit dazzling.

It was...opened.

"Oh..."

A look of surprise appeared in her eyes.

"Isn't this... kind of cute?"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear that word!"

While immersed in water

"Come to think of it, I don't know when it started, but when I talk to others, I like to extend the topic to other topics... When I look back, I find that I have strayed far from the topic I wanted to talk about before."

“I think that’s the situation right now…”

Because I seem to have forgotten the reason why we are chatting here...it's not that important anyway.

"Hahahaha... Maybe I was influenced by her. After all, chatting with her is quite tiring, and the topic often changes very quickly."

"..."

"But once I got used to it, it became normal. Just like when I gradually got used to lifting my hair to show others, other people's impression of me gradually changed. Then, everything just became natural and gradually calmed down." He stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "It's like skipping stones on water. A stone flying quickly on the surface of the water will always cause a series of splashes, and in other words, even the calm surface of the water will undergo a series of changes with just a little external force."

"......"

I didn't respond because it seemed like he hadn't finished speaking, so I didn't want to comment on his own initiative.

Glancing at the sky, I saw the sun had already set, obscured by the buildings. This meant... darkness was about to set in. I was riding my bike, which was fine, but Mo Xiaozhi was just walking. I was curious whether he lived nearby or had to rely on other means of transportation.

"Sheji, do you feel like you've changed in your interactions with others? It's like you've become a little more imbued with their presence."

"Ah... now that I think about it." I quickly recalled the people I've come into contact with, "It seems not."

Putting aside the idea of ​​emulating Ye Hui's thoughtfulness and gentleness, I have absolutely no desire to be infected by Ling Can's chuunibaku and Lin Yuchuan's aloofness, not to mention Ye Jin's... how should I put it... calculating? Anyway, I don't think I'll be like her.

"I see... I thought you... well, never mind."

She seemed to be hesitant to speak, but managed to hide it with a smile. Did she have something to say, or did she have questions about my response?

"Um?"

"I just suddenly remembered something someone else said to me. Well, since Shaji-san answered like that, I guess I shouldn't remind you."

"...Ah...ha."

What exactly does he want to say...

"So, Shaji-san, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"

"....This..." To be honest, I haven't thought about it.

"That's true. Generally speaking, most people don't think about that." He didn't seem to care much about my answer. "It's better to set a goal. After all, I know you're very talented, Shaji-kun."

What the hell...what talents do I have?