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

"Because it sounds more impressive that way, and she's a grown-up girl anyway. Isn't it normal for her to travel abroad to spend her summer vacation?"

"...Well, logically speaking, there's nothing wrong with that." However, Mark Twain once said, "Reality is often stranger than fiction, because fiction requires a certain degree of logic, but reality is completely illogical." So, I regretfully have to tell her...

"Your guess is totally wrong. It's better to say that it's not even close to the truth."

"Eh? No way... So what is she doing? Why not just tell me directly?"

"Well... you'll understand after you see it."

After I found the flyer I handed it to her.

"What is this..." She took it hesitantly, then took a look, "...Newcomer Award?"

"Yeah, that's right. I found out about it by accident. She and another artist, I think his name was Jiu or something... they decided to team up to draw a manga for the competition. So I guess she's not traveling, but quite the opposite... She's definitely staying at home and not going out much."

Regardless, being able to ignore the feeling of being sorry for the readers and completely disregard everything else for the sake of a decision is quite impressive. At least it's much better than me.

"...This is too much nonsense...If that's the case, please at least explain the reason." There was a hint of complaint in his words, but more of it was relaxation. It seemed that the confusion in his heart had been resolved, and Xiaoye should be much more relaxed at this time.

"This way you can go back and report... She will return on her own initiative after the deadline." I guessed.

"That's right... well, those two might actually be able to achieve something. After all, that artist named Jiudie is really good... plus with Aaliyah's plot, even I can't help but look forward to it."

"...To be honest, I'm looking forward to it too."

I don’t know what subject she will choose, and I’m also very curious whether Jiumuting can do a good job of arranging the storyboards... After all, illustrations and comics are different.

"The deadline... seems to be in these two days. In that case, there's no need to worry about the planning work for next month..." After carefully reading the promotional leaflet, Xiaoye finally seemed relieved.

"Wait...it's due in two days?!" How come I didn't know about this? I had the impression there was plenty of time... Okay, that was about a month ago.

Now it was my turn to be less calm.

"Huh? Yeah... isn't it written here?" Xiaoye said, holding up the flyer for me to see. "It's written right down there. If it's a manuscript, it'd be best to find a post office and mail it out in the next two days."

“...No way...”

I don't know if Ye Hui is aware of this at the moment, but if I miss it... all my efforts will be in vain. And since most of the missed opportunities are due to me, I will of course feel guilty.

"...What's wrong?" Xiaoye noticed that something was wrong with my expression. "Are you worried about something?"

"Sorry... Can you wait for me for a moment? I suddenly remembered that I have something to do. I'll be back soon." I said and prepared to go out.

"Eh? Is it something serious? If so... I'd better leave."

"No...it's just a small matter...Well, it shouldn't be a small matter. But it would be a shame to ask you to leave in this weather, and it would be hard to get a taxi around here, so I'll take you away after dinner later."

"This... How can I be so embarrassed... I'm clearly here to cause you trouble..."

"It doesn't matter. Just listen to me."

Then he gave her a smile that he thought would reassure her, "I'm going out. I'll be back soon."

...........

"Why are you drawing the curtains in broad daylight?"

My room was bright, but downstairs it seemed as if night had fallen. Because of this, my eyes couldn't adapt for a while, and all I saw was darkness.

"If you don't help me, I'll do it myself. Do you have any objections to this?" Ye Jin retorted nonchalantly.

"Damn it... I'll settle the score with you when I come back." After my eyes adjusted a little, I continued running down the stairs.

"Brother, are you going out?"

Ye Jin noticed this and asked me about it.

"Yeah, there are some things I need to do...Xiaoye is still in my room and might come down later." I still gave her some instructions, "If she wants to leave, stop her politely."

"...learn."

Her response seemed unconcerned.

"Well..." I took out my shoes from the shoe cabinet in the dark, then sat on the floor and started changing.

"Oh, that's right, bro."

"What?"

"If you pass by the bookstore, please buy me the newly released comics."

"Today is not a new month, how can Monthly Shonen be on sale?" I raised my objection.

"Who told you I want Monthly Shonen Magazine? I want Touya Shuuka, which was just released today."

"What's that? It sounds like some cheesy, third-rate novel."

I couldn't help but complain about this strange book title.

"Don't ask so many questions, just help me take care of it." She didn't react much to this.

"Okay, okay...I get it."

Although I don’t necessarily go to the bookstore.

"Then I'll be leaving now."

I stamped my feet, but didn't feel anything wrong.

"Bon Voyage."

"Um..." I responded and opened the door.

Then the bright sunlight hit my eyes.

"Ahh, sunshine! Ahhh, my eyes!"

At that moment, my understanding of the role of vampire seemed to rise to a new level.

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

It took some time to get used to the sunlight.

Perhaps it's easier for the human eye to adapt to darkness than light. I haven't had the time to test this, so maybe it's just me.

"Anyway..."

In order to save time, I decided to ride my bike. Normally, I wouldn't ride my bike in this kind of weather because, while I could get to my destination quickly, it would be difficult to get off the bike after it's been parked outside in the sun.

"You'd better tell her quickly."

But compared to this, I am more concerned about Ye Hui's progress. Although I know she wants to do this on her own, if she can't catch up... all her efforts will be in vain. So if something really goes wrong, I will help her no matter how much she resists.

“Huff—”

Fighting against the resistance of the air... in other words, the wind whistling in my ears, I realized how fast I was going. The distance, which had originally been short, now seemed to be within five minutes.

"......"

What should I say to her?

I suddenly thought about this. Although it's dangerous to think about such things while riding a bike, I couldn't help it... If I can't think this through, it will be difficult to bring it up even if I see her.

"rustle----"

As we continued to turn familiar streets and head towards another familiar intersection, I began to realize that the distance between her and me was shrinking.

I admit that I relaxed a bit when I realized she wasn't coming. After all, this way I could distance myself from others as I had hoped, and my strength in life would gradually return to its previous level.

However, I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Is this really okay?”

“Squeak—rustle—”

I squeezed the brakes on the handlebars, and the wheels stopped rolling. But the inertia of the car and my body didn't stop. I felt off balance, and before I could react, my body subconsciously helped me maintain my balance.

A near miss...or just business as usual?

I just stopped like that, in front of the building where Ye Hui lived.

"......call...."

Even if it's a bicycle, it's still very tiring to pedal.

"...floor...room..."

While adjusting his breathing, he recalled the floor number where Ye Hui's house was located, and after confirming it, he sent a message to him.

"......"

But after waiting for nearly three minutes, there was still no response from the communication machine.

"Not at home..."

Although I wanted to explain it to him in person, since that's the case, I might as well give him a call. I have Ye Hui's phone number anyway... His hand habitually reached for his pants.

“…”

I just remembered that I hadn't brought it with me since Ye Jin and I went out. I didn't think about it when I talked to Xiao Ye afterwards... After all, no one usually calls me, so the presence of my phone in my heart has decreased.

"...There's nothing I can do."

I was unwilling to give up, but there was nothing I could do. There was no point in just standing here, enduring the sun's rays.

Your best bet is to go home and let her know by text or phone.

"...well...."

He sighed slightly, turned around and got on his bike.

"Yes."

I think I also promised Ye Jin that I would go buy books.

"Well... let's go."

If you have a car, the distance isn't that far, and you can also look for any new publications that you're interested in... But print media is declining now, so there are very few new publications, especially comics and the like.

"..."

Anyway, still holding on to some expectations, I started driving to a nearby bookstore.

Like a chance encounter

Most people in the world are imitating.

It doesn't seem to matter what is imitated.

Maybe it's just a paragraph——

"You have to be a calm adult now. No more emotions, no secret longings, no looking back. Go and live your own life. You have to be obedient. Not all fish live in the same sea."

The act of retelling seems to be the same as the person being spoken of.

When you understand, it is like doing what you say.

"Love has been deep for a long time, but I can't express it in words." - Memory.

"Since then, I have never reminisced." - Memories.

"I am like two different people before and after my life." - Memories.

"Looking at others, I feel like an alien." - Memory.

Or maybe it's what others say -

"I was thinking about dying, but I got a kimono from someone this New Year. It was like a lucky gift, I guess. It's linen. Mouse-gray pinstripe pattern. It's perfect for summer. So I'd better live until summer."

A thorough examination of one's own heart reveals a feeling of being covered in scars.

Looking back at myself, I seem to be just trying to survive.

"I have been seeking death for a long time, but I still lack a reason." - My inner voice.

"I have never repaid the gifts given by my friends." - My inner voice.

"The things of this world are rarely touched." - Voice of the heart.

"That's probably the reason why we live in such a state." - Conclusion.

How ridiculous is the imitation thing.

No matter who wrote the text, I could always find similar experiences. This led to an overflow of emotions, leading me to talk about the hardships of life, or even worse, to talk about giving up on life.

It was just that the illusion suddenly occurred at that moment.