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

Looking at the bouncing path

There are many opportunities to meet people, but the probability of intersecting is very small. Whenever I stand at the subway entrance waiting for the train to arrive, I naturally have this thought.

Now, I encounter hundreds of people in this space and pass by them, not caring if we'll ever meet again, nor focusing on someone's future life. Even though there are many people around, for those who have taken different paths, they are still alone.

"The train is about to arrive at the station. Passengers wishing to board please move to the back of the yellow line..."

The vibrations I could feel under my feet gradually intensified, and then the speeding train appeared before me through the isolation window. The people around me also became slightly nervous and gradually moved closer to the boarding area.

"Hmm...tsk..." "Ah..."

As we squeezed into the train, the guitar bag I was carrying on my back became a nuisance to the people around me. They murmured complaints, but since we didn't know each other, they couldn't say anything.

There were so many people on the bus that there was practically no room left. My house was five stops away, not far, and I could get there with a little patience. And the more stops it passed, the more passengers piled in, and the more crowded it became.

“…”

The guitar on the back should also have some damage.

That's why I don't bring that guitar... the one she gave me. It's now nicely placed in my room in a prominent place. I pick it up and play it a few times when I'm free, and then tune it up. I'm not really sure what the point of doing that is... maybe it's just self-consolation.

Come to think of it, I feel like I lied today.

Well, although I didn't mean to do that, people all enjoy the good things. If a story doesn't have a happy ending, most people won't be happy. Even though many people can accept a sad ending, they definitely won't hate a happy ending that's taken for granted.

"...How should I put it..."

I certainly hope things turn out the way I said they would.

But reality can't be reversed... All I can rely on are virtual things. I don't have the ability to create anything... But the person before me, I have a feeling he has that talent. I feel like even the slightest hint will spark a flood of ideas. So I told him the story I wanted to hear, hoping it would be helpful...

Well, maybe I just wanted to tell him. Some things are really uncomfortable if you keep them in your heart for too long.

It's been a while since I last mentioned her... I still feel a little sad, but mostly helpless. After all, I've spent quite a bit of time with her, and I can more or less understand why she did what she did.

"...Where did you go after that..."

Did he successfully convince his parents and then walk his own path, or did he fail in the bet and reluctantly carry on with the planned life?

“…Ah, really.”

Later, I suddenly realized that I didn't even have your contact information. Was it because I was so careless that I never thought about parting, or was it because you left too hastily... or... was it because you simply didn't want to contact me anymore?

Well, it's been so long, there's no point in thinking about it anymore.

To me, you are indeed a very important person... Just like a stone thrown into the water by external force, it touches the calm water surface and creates ripples, and then the stone touches the water surface and splashes... everything becomes extraordinary.

"..."

But...

Episode 10 [Memory] Looking at the Bouncing Path

I don't know if it's because of the atmosphere or because I'm too involved, but now, besides being happy, I also feel more tired than ever... I feel like I'm sweating all over.

"...Huh...it's over."

"Well, it's time to step down." She whispered to me.

"Ah... that's right."

The performance is over, and we've already bowed. There's no reason to stand here any longer. Well, that's perfectly normal... I still have some regrets, but if I work hard, there will be plenty of opportunities.

.........

"Oh, even though we've rehearsed it many times, I can't help but want to perform even harder once I get on stage." I said, looking at her who was following behind me.

"Yeah, I'm excited now for the first time in a long time. I actually suddenly want you to play with me."

"Honestly, I was scared..." He complained slightly, "Luckily I didn't make any mistakes and was able to keep up... I have to say, I was really lucky."

“…”

The moment I said it, I realized I'd said something I shouldn't have. After all, if we were really lucky, we wouldn't have ended up performing alone. Then, I looked at her nervously.

I thought she would be angry, but after hearing it, she was just stunned for a moment, and then smiled calmly.

"Ah~ What are you talking about? Xiaozhi, you should have a little confidence in yourself. I have always believed in you."

"Well...I said the wrong thing..." Wait, what did she just say? "Uh...wait a minute, did you just say all the time?"

"Well, because you've never let me down since the beginning." She sat down on a resting seat nearby and continued with a relaxed look on her face, "Whether it's joining the music club, learning guitar as I requested... or accompanying me on things that have nothing to do with the program... In short, I'm already very satisfied to have made it this far."

"..."

Maybe she was very tired, I always felt that she spoke without much energy.

"So...if I've made you angry, please forgive me for my presumptuous behavior."

"No... I'm not angry." Rather... I was grateful to her. It was then that I realized I was capable of that.

"That's good." She looked relieved. "Come to think of it, how long have we known each other?"

"Huh? Are you asking this suddenly... Let me think... school starts in September, and now it's December, so it's been about three months." I thought about it and responded.

"Three months? More than a hundred days..."

"Oh, now that you put it that way it feels like time has gotten longer."

"Hmm? It seems to be true."

"Right? Doesn't it feel magical?"

"And... compared to that time, you've been speaking louder now, no longer covering your eyes, and gradually developing good relationships with people around you. From what you said... you seem to have developed a love for music. As your friend, I'm very happy."

"...Um, thank...thank you."

She always felt that she couldn't say such words at all.

"So, have more confidence in yourself... Well, since this is all I know, I can only talk about topics related to music. In short, you still have many possibilities when it comes to music. If you truly love it and aren't just doing it to please me, then you must persevere."

"Of course. After all, you have to persevere. I will never give up until I catch up with you."

"...That's good."

"hey-hey..."

. . . . . . . . . .

"If everything is fine, you can go home. Did your parents come to pick you up?" I asked her as I packed my things. "My parents just called and said they were in the audience. They even recorded the performance. If you don't mind, I can send you a copy tomorrow."

"Oh...oh...thank you."

She seemed to be thinking about something and didn't seem to hear what I said clearly.

"Your parents should be here too, right?" I said, looking at her. "Should I go say hello to them too?"

"...Don't bother. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet each other in the future." She smiled and continued, "You should reunite with your parents as soon as possible. There are still many things to do."

"Yeah, but in terms of excitement, it certainly won't be as good as our show."

"Yes."

"Well, I'll be leaving now." I said as I walked out the door with my bag and guitar bag. "See you tomorrow~"

"Ah, see you tomorrow."

She waved to me, and then as if she remembered something, she suddenly said to me, "Merry Christmas~"

"...Well, you too, Merry Christmas."

Yes, today is a holiday, I just realized it.

"Well, I'll give you a Christmas present tomorrow. Look forward to it."

"...OK."

...........

After overcoming the noisy sounds around me, I was able to find my parents' location by contacting them on their cell phones.

"Oh, have you changed into your school uniform?"

"It looked pretty good when I put it on, but now it's not so eye-catching."

The first thing they did when they saw me was to reveal my identity. After hearing what they said, the eyes of the people around me fell on me and they recognized me.

"Isn't this the guy who played the guitar just now?" "Oh, there's a guitar in the bag, right?" "I really didn't recognize you after you changed into your school uniform..." "You're really handsome." "Who's that girl? Is she your girlfriend?" "Yes, yes, it seems like you two work well together..."

Being surrounded by so many people asking questions that are not easy to answer...I suddenly want to return to my previous state of not attracting much attention.

"Hey, bro...look up on the stage! Isn't that the girl you were partnered with?"

While I was busy responding to them, someone kept tapping me on the shoulder and told me to keep my eyes on the stage.

"No way? Did you recognize the wrong person?" Our club should have only submitted one program, so there should be no chance for me to go on stage... Even though I thought so, I still looked towards the stage.

"...really...why?"

That's her on the stage.

However, compared to her previous performance outfit, this time she was wearing a more casual red sweatshirt and jeans. After scanning her surroundings, she took a deep breath and put her mouth to the microphone.

"..."

But after hesitating for a moment, he still said nothing.

"Hmm...never mind, it's better to just get started."

As if talking to herself, she reached out and strummed the guitar in her hand. It wasn't an improvisation, nor was it any original music of hers... but a song written by someone else.

"I'm afraid I won't have the chance to say goodbye to you."

This song is... "Goodbye" by Zhang Zhenyue. Goodbye? Hello, hello... What on earth is this...

"...Is this true?"

I suddenly understood why I was feeling uneasy. Could it be that... she had been hiding this from me? Why did she have to hide it from me like this?

"Because I might never see you again"

Is this what she wants to say to me?

"Tomorrow I will leave the familiar place and you"

...Tomorrow... Is it really tomorrow? It's already this late, why are you still in the mood for such a wicked thing...

"Ah...really."

I placed my right hand on my forehead and lowered my head quietly.

"To separate..."

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

A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.

"...stop, we've arrived. Passengers, please get off..."

It's time to get off the bus.

“…This is really…” It makes people feel helpless.

Once a melody appears in my mind, it takes a long time to forget it. Even if I only think of it occasionally when reminiscing, the song is already echoing in my mind.

She was able to find time to sing that song on stage before she left, but despite having so many opportunities to say goodbye, she never said a word. When I rushed backstage to see her later, she was gone.

I couldn't understand this approach at all.

Until I saw someone who was... a lot like her.

"Because he made me change from the bottom of my heart, my life is now on the right track."

She has a deep gratitude...and admiration for the person who once changed her.

However, the story does not have a happy ending.

The heartfelt confession did not keep that person by her side. She could only look at his back and hold back her tears.

I couldn't help but think so when I witnessed all this accidentally.

"Can you really perform normally like that?"

After going through something like this, it must be difficult to adjust her emotions. However, during the official performance, she did not show any negative emotions and looked no different from usual.

"That is to say..."