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

She finally showed an expression of impatience and anger, and spoke to me with gritted teeth, revealing her small, white fangs, like a pissed-off kitten.

"..."

"Since you've agreed, don't act like I'm forcing you. This nagging is annoying."

"...Feel sorry."

This reaction really seems a bit excessive. It's not that I don't want to go, but I just don't know how to get her to talk to me... A journey without conversation is kind of boring, especially since I'm a bit sleep-deprived today, so I'm sure I'll be breathing heavily... Well, anyway, driving while tired isn't the best idea, even if it's just a bicycle.

"You seem quite bored... Let's stop for a while."

She sighed helplessly, then stopped the car first, and I quickly stopped too. I looked around unconsciously. This seemed to be a remote place just away from the bustling neighborhood... Usually this is where high-end residential areas are gathered or under construction.

She actually ran to this road... I don't know what she was thinking.

"Well... let me take a look, don't worry." As she said that, she took out the folded picture from her black shoulder bag, and then took out her mobile phone, as if to confirm it.

"Are you looking for directions? You don't know the location..."

"Just watch carefully." She looked as if she didn't want to pay attention to me and double-checked, "Oh... Looks like it should be nearby. Try harder, useless knight."

"Hmm?... Um... You're still calling me that..."

It seems like I haven't heard that nickname in ages. I thought she'd never say it again. After all, it's a somewhat shameful and revealing name. It's fine now when no one's around, but I probably wouldn't react to it in front of others.

"Is there anything wrong with that? Regardless, you still look like a loser. If this is what you call 'chivalry,' then you truly have stayed true to your roots. In that respect, it's quite admirable."

"...No, no, there must be some changes..."

"...Oh."

It seems that simply escaping from reality doesn't seem to have any effect.

"Come to think of it, riding a carefree warhorse, then nonchalantly exercising his own principles, with a different kind of brilliance hidden in his lifeless eyes... Isn't that a very endearing image of a knight?"

As if she was talking about something off topic, she quickly put away the things in her hands and looked into the distance.

"...Let's go. The first destination isn't far away."

As she spoke, she rang the bell twice, probably to get my attention.

"I know, I know."

He exhaled a breath, then looked at her in a trance.

"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" She turned around to check my condition and asked after noticing that I was staring at her.

"No, I just feel that being alone with you like this... feels a bit weird."

The person in front of me has become quite independent now... I don't have to worry about her doing anything inappropriate like before, and now I feel relieved...

"What? No wonder you've been sighing and looking so listless since just now. Are you planning to go to an amusement park or someplace suitable for a date with me?"

"Hey, I didn't mean it, don't talk nonsense!"

Why are such words spoken so unrestrainedly?

"...So, if I asked you out on a date, you would refuse?" She asked again, a question that sounded like a joke, but her tone was serious.

"...Well, if you mean the two of you going out shopping and eating together...I probably wouldn't refuse."

If this can be called a date, then this wouldn't be my first time.

"Oh." She smiled slightly and then confirmed with me, "So, is this also considered an agreement?"

"Well... well... if that's what you think, I have no objection."

For things like this, just keep a normal mind...and judging by her expression, she was probably just joking with me or asking casually.

"You're quite decisive," she sighed with a smile, then made a gesture to set off again. "...Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. The distance left isn't long, so let's just go all the way."

"...All right."

"Don't stop just because you're tired."

"..."

This is because you said you wanted to stop, okay...

Those who expect change

Along a narrow path weaving through vast fields, besides farmers irrigating their crops under the scorching sun, there were two figures who, by contrast, looked quite relaxed. Well, under such intense sunlight, perhaps the difference in their perceptions wasn't that great... If they knew their efforts would yield a good harvest, then the figures working in the fields wouldn't be so worried.

Indeed, how could the people roaming the fields at this moment have any relaxed expressions? For some reason, in this exceptionally hot summer, water evaporates incredibly quickly. This uncontrollable natural factor renders all efforts in vain. Even with all their efforts to combat the unusually dry weather, no one knows what the ultimate outcome will be. Indeed, even with the manpower invested in irrigation since before, this amount has little effect on the weather and the crops. And without this, a good harvest is simply impossible... So, despite all the effort, one still has to rely on the heavens. Looking at other industries, they seem to be faring much better than agriculture.

Perhaps that's what he wanted to change... This is the point. It's natural to have such thoughts, but how can he actually achieve them? I'm genuinely curious.

Looking at the figure in front of him that was floating in the air, he felt salty sweat flowing into his eyes.

"Tsk... walk a little slower..."

As he paused to wipe away the sweat, he noticed it pouring down his skin. It was a first for him, walking in such scorching heat, and not just his body, but his skin itself burned. It was obvious how much worse it must have been for those working in the fields.

After all, his family didn't farm the land, but rather had a successful business, so their financial situation was naturally much better than most people here. Normally, he would be sitting in front of a worn-out fan, reading comic books and books most people wouldn't have, waiting for the temperature to cool before opening a bottle of soda and sipping it before heading out the door.

...If it weren't for the agreement, who would go out in such awful weather? Thinking of this, he couldn't help swallowing and exhaling.

"We've only walked this short distance, could you be unable to walk anymore?" The person walking in front of him seemed to hear his panting, then turned around and looked at him with a relaxed expression, although his forehead was also covered with sweat.

"I'm just... thirsty. It's so hot out here."

Not wanting to admit that his physical condition was slightly inferior to his, he prevaricately picked up the water bottle hanging around his waist and took a big gulp.

"Yeah... If I could, I'd also like to stay home... eat watermelon chilled with well water, and take a nap fanned by a palm-leaf fan."

"..."

"But compared to this, I hope..." He looked towards the fields, "that the people here can escape this kind of life as soon as possible."

Does that mean everyone should go into business? That's definitely not possible. This kind of thing was basically taught in history class. He couldn't help but think.

"If that happens...wouldn't there be anyone left to farm? What would you feed so many people?"

"This situation cannot happen again."

But the man looked relaxed.

"..."

Honestly, he didn't understand the man before him. He came from a family that relied on farming for a living, yet he was obsessed with escaping that life... If he'd simply said he wanted to leave, it would have been understandable. After all, aside from the uneducated, most of his classmates were just trying to escape this destitute place... However, this man's ideals seemed to differ from others'.

Perhaps it was because of this that he felt a little curious about it and stood here at this moment.

"Didn't I say that? Many things change over time... even when it comes to food. The concept of prioritizing agriculture over commerce has changed, and many people no longer have a positive view of agriculture... But who could have foreseen the current situation? So I have reason to believe that all of this will change."

How to say it... He inexplicably had a premonition that what the person in front of him said seemed to be really going to happen.

"Anyway, let's hurry up and get going."

The man in front of him spoke to him. Because the sun was shining behind him, he couldn't quite see his face. But the only thing he could be sure of was that he was smiling. He knew very well that this man loved to laugh.

Even though his family is not rich, even though few people pay attention to him, even though he is his only friend... he will still show his heartfelt smile to many people.

"I've been working a lot since this morning to get permission to go out for a while this afternoon. It wouldn't be worth it if I spent too much time traveling."

"Okay, okay, I got it."

He replied impatiently, but with a hint of sympathy, he followed the guy who was still walking in front of him. Even if what he said was true, who could understand him and remember him?

"snort..."

After expressing his disdainful voice, he realized that he seemed to be starting to care about what he wanted to do.

But he probably wouldn't reveal it to that guy casually.

Chapter 2: Those who hope to change

“It looks like a deserted place...”

Even though it was time for most people to go to work, the street where Lingcan and I were standing wasn't crowded with pedestrians or cars. All we could see was the constantly flashing traffic lights.

"Hmm, after all, not many people can afford to buy a house here... Even though it's not even a third-tier city, given the salary levels here, it's still not easy to afford a house."

She explained, sounding very understanding. Although I understand this principle...

"...ha..."

Well, I'm a little curious about what this place was like before the buildings were built.

"Then, how far is it?"

So far, everything around me seems normal.

"It's not that far anymore," she muttered to herself as she dismounted from her bike. "Anyway, it's better to walk this distance."

"...?"

. . . . . . . . . .

"Take this and remember to return it when you get out, otherwise you won't be able to leave."

The security guard, who seemed to have a good attitude, gave Lingcan and me a card-like thing, which should be a temporary pass or something.

"Thanks..."

After recording my school and name on the registration form, I was able to easily enter the seemingly nice residential area, of course, under the pretext of looking for someone.

Well...if I'm not mistaken, this is probably a high-end residential complex. I seem to have seen similar models in commercials before...and they actually look quite similar. However, only the residents here can tell if the interior environment and layout are a false advertisement.

"You're welcome." The security guard's attitude was quite nice... Well, after all, the responsibility of this industry is to serve the owners... Although I am not the owner of this place.

Anyway, despite being quite confused by Lingcan's unauthorized actions, I followed her deeper into the residential area. Come to think of it, I think I've done this kind of sneaking into places under certain pretexts before...

"You must have made a mistake...like the direction, the location, or something. This place doesn't look like there's anything buried here."

Even in this situation, I still want to raise my own questions.

"Can't you just shut up and follow? And I told you this isn't a treasure map," she replied impatiently, then paused and looked around, as if genuinely trying to locate her. Incidentally, Lingcan and I have our bikes parked in the designated non-motorized vehicle parking area.

“…”

"Alright, follow me." Without further ado, she suddenly grabbed my collar...or rather, the lower part of my collar. The force was surprisingly strong for me...like Kyon being pulled by Haruhi, I reluctantly followed her toward the nearby building.

"...Are you going to visit someone?"

Although I also find it unlikely.

"No, and didn't I tell you to shut up?"

"...Is it not possible to ask?"

"I feel like... you're annoying."

In response to me like this, she took me to the elevator entrance of the building and pressed the button to go upstairs.

"......"

If it weren't for Ling Shen... I probably wouldn't have come to this place. And I wouldn't even consider buying a house here... Speaking of which, although the facilities here seem to be complete, it feels like there are not many people living here.

"We're not going to anyone's house."

"Ok?"

While waiting for the elevator to descend from the tenth floor, she took out the picture from her bag again at some point.

"...Let me take another look."

I leaned closer to her as I spoke. Well, just as I'd imagined, it was incomprehensible at first glance, and even now, after a closer look, I'm still confused... I don't know if it's the author's skill or my own fault.

"Did you see anything?"

"...No."

I always feel a lot of pressure to answer this.

"Yeah, I knew it. You definitely won't understand it with your level." He looked extremely proud.

"..."

However, this is nothing to be proud of. If I had this map, I would definitely be able to take the time to figure out the meaning of those lines.

"Then can you explain it to me?"