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

"...what are you up to..."

For some reason, that troublesome girl named Lin Chenruo seems to appear in my sight very frequently recently.

"You still have the mind to read."

The indignant tone of her voice caught the sidelong glance of Lin Quanchuan beside her. If Ye Hui hadn't gone out for something, she would probably have asked me what happened... No, if Ye Hui was near me, she probably wouldn't have come over.

"Ahh... I understand..."

I sighed, closed the book, and headed for the door, with her following closely behind.

How should I put it...it's like following a pet that has just been tamed and doesn't seem very satisfied with its owner.

"Alright, alright, what are you going to say? I can't just lie and get away with it if I pique Rinquanchuan's curiosity."

I leaned against the corner of the stairs. There were no one here at the moment, and few people passed by, so it was the perfect place to talk... Incidentally, this was also where she brought me the key yesterday.

"How dare you complain!"

"...Um, could you please keep your voice down?"

Although I personally don't think there's any problem, after all, no matter what the misunderstanding is, I can basically find an excuse or explanation...but for her, I find it a bit difficult.

And given her intelligence... I'm worried that this will disrupt or even destroy the plan I have already made.

"...Okay... I'll keep my voice down then." He seemed to be suppressing his anger while answering me. "So... I did everything you said, but nothing changed. You said you would help Yehui... How did you help?"

"...oh."

So what she wanted to talk about was this matter...it's really troublesome.

"You may not believe what I'm saying... Anyway, things are gradually changing." It's just that no one except me noticed it.

I responded.

"...Are you kidding me? Or are you just trying to fool me?" She grabbed me by the collar. She was quite strong, by the way. Even though I didn't struggle, I could tell from the first few tries that I couldn't easily break free.

"Ugh..."

So, this kind of person who only has brute force is really troublesome. If possible, I want to block her.

"Huh? Why are you sighing?"

"Nothing. I just think you're impatient." That was the most tactful thing I could say. If I weren't a pacifist, I'd probably call her stupid or something.

Of course, this doesn't mean I'm afraid of her.

"What?"

"...Is it really that difficult to use your brain and think for a moment? Think about it, if you planted a seed in the soil today, wouldn't it be too much to expect it to bloom overnight?"

Hearing this, the hand that was holding me tightly finally loosened.

"That being said, it's been too long, hasn't it? It's been a few days already..." She continued unwillingly, "She's still in a state where she could be bullied at any moment... I don't want her to endure this anymore."

"If you fail, you'll have to wait until graduation to get out of this situation. Do you want to trust me and quietly wait for the results I promised you, or do you want to let things remain as they are now just for your own impulsive needs?"

“…”

"Ah, it's true."

If I show that kind of expression, I'll look like a villain... What a troublesome guy.

"Come on, cheer up. If Ye Hui notices you with this expression, she'll definitely question you and try to stop me." She was overly kindhearted... that's just the way she was. "So... please, take some of the pressure off me, I beg you."

"..."

"If you're really worried, then just keep protecting her as usual. Aren't you two friends? It won't do to push everything onto me..."

"Shut up."

Without any warning, she stepped hard on my foot.

"I get it! Talking like that is really unmanly."

"..."

It's just you who's being unreasonable...well, forget it.

"Hmph, I'll just trust you for now."

"No need for now. Besides, even if you don't believe me, I will do it anyway."

But it's not just for someone...it comes from my own inner judgment.

"Okay, okay, I get it..." She ended the topic impatiently, "Anyway, don't let me down."

"..."

disappointment...

As far as I can remember, I've never disappointed anyone. All I bring is something that surprises them...

"Well, whatever."

That's all for now.

. . . . . . . .

"Um...you should be in Mr. Nan's class, right?"

After taking a short breath, I turned my head and looked back.

It wasn't a familiar face. But since he was here, he was most likely the teacher... In short, he was a middle-aged man who seemed easy to talk to.

"Yeah...it is."

My hands were still unconsciously fiddling with the exercise books piled on the table, even though Lin Yi had already sorted them out when he handed them to me.

"Where's the girl who was moving things with you before? Why didn't she come today? You look exhausted."

"Something happened. And I'm not tired."

Although I don’t know the details.

"Hmm... So, you're the monitor of Mr. Nan's class?"

"No...she is. I'm...the vice-class monitor."

Although it hasn't been finalized yet, no one wants to do this kind of work, so this statement is completely irrelevant.

"That's it..."

"Um..."

We started talking for some unknown reason.

"In that case... well, there's still some time before class starts, would you mind doing me a favor?" He pointed to the office next door, "I'm a little embarrassed... Could you please help me move some things?"

"...All right."

.........

"It seems like you are an art student, right?"

He was the one who brought up the topic again. Well, a teacher with this personality is really troublesome.

"...No, why do you feel that way?"

Even though he asked me to move some things, he was already carrying quite a lot of stuff. It seemed like he'd be struggling without help...

"Ah... I just work with a painting tutor, so I figured most guys who are into art would want to tie their hair up or something."

“…I see.”

This may be what is called arbitrary judgment.

"Come to think of it, if I hadn't known where the students in my club were taking classes, I wouldn't have bothered you..." He said apologetically, "The clubs we instructors teach are different from the grade levels we normally teach... It's hard to find someone to help."

Although it's usually difficult to get along with him, this guy who's not wary of others is surprisingly easy to deal with. Before I even asked anything, he had already told me a lot of things that were very important to me.

"....that..."

This is it. This is the opportunity I've always wanted.

It's no wonder I've been so frequenting the office with Lin Yi since the beginning... After all, it took so long to attract anyone's attention. Although my original purpose had nothing to do with Ye Hui, being able to use it now is a win-win situation.

"Ok?"

"If you don't mind, you can come to me for help if you have any trouble in the future. Also...if the teacher in your office has any trouble, I can do my best to help..."

“…Uh-oh.”

He looked very surprised when he heard what I said.

"...What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just think it's hard to find students like you... offering to help. Wouldn't most students try to refuse such useless work?"

"Well..."

In fact, it was not for any noble reasons.

"After all, people have to take responsibility... If others are unwilling to do it, then I have even more reason to do it."

As expected, speaking against one's will sounds beautiful. Even I couldn't help but be moved by my own words and actions.

"Of course...if you don't need it..."

"No, no, of course they do." He quickly interrupted me. "Besides, I really admire students like you. I'll introduce you to them after I'm done."

"..."

Well, it's a bit troublesome, but in this way, the initial goal has been fully achieved.

"That's really... sorry."

There shouldn't be anything wrong with the smile I'm showing right now.

滞惑

I always feel...something is strange.

"I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you."

Without any warning, the environment around me seemed to have changed before I even noticed anything.

"Eh? What...what do you mean?"

The person who apologized to me was a girl who had been studying painting techniques with me since the beginning of the school year. She'd occasionally be used as an example when the teacher took time to explain our copying, but most of the time she'd just point out the shortcomings.

"That... is to get together with those who are dissatisfied with you... and make things difficult for you."

Even though it was difficult to talk about it, she still said it. It must be very difficult... It is difficult for a person to admit the mistakes he has made.

"......"

Should I forgive her?

I was caught in a tangle of confusion. It wasn't so much confusion as it was a bit of anger. As soon as I brought it up, even if I tried to forget... those things kept coming back to me.

"..."

If you understand it, it is a very simple thing.

Even though the person before her was a novice, she didn't show any talent for painting. She probably chose this path not out of interest, but simply to escape what she considered to be boring classes... So, in terms of talent, she wasn't even "mediocre."

Even a guy like this...

"I'm really... sorry..."

Even though I didn't react, she still lowered her head. Her usual arrogance was completely gone.

But I still wonder if she is truly repentant...

There was no sign of this. And clearly... he wanted to repeat what he had done to me before...

"Even though I've known for a long time that I don't like this kind of thing at all, I still followed those people... I'm sorry, I just felt that if I didn't do this, I wouldn't be able to fit in with this group..."

"Ah...Is that so..."

It wasn't about his own dignity as a painter, nor was it about venting his accumulated resentment due to frustration at his own poor skills. Was he simply imitating others by doing something so excessive?

...I feel like I'm being looked down upon. I'm clearly a clueless person.