Uneasy daily life

"Amnesia?" Sakuta Azusagawa asked hesitantly. "Do you even know your own name?"

[Rio Futaba thinks Sakuta Azusagawa is a pig-headed boy. Daring to approach an elementary school student just to verify your theory is enough to get you killed.] Rio Futaba's disdainful tone reassured Sakuta Azusagawa—thankfully, it seems the problem isn't too serious.

What was written on that note?

[Regarding quantum collapse and the observation problem, there might be a touch of Murphy's Law? In short, it's a completely unfounded and arbitrary conclusion, and I find it hard to believe it came from my own hand.] Rio Futaba deflected some responsibility and proceeded to read methodically, [Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment that brings a microscopic problem to a macroscopic discussion—if radium decays, it triggers a mechanism that kills the cat; if it doesn't decay, the mechanism won't be triggered. Since radium decay is probabilistic, the cat's life or death becomes a probabilistic problem.]

[Unless the box is opened and the cat's condition is observed, it's impossible to determine whether radium has decayed. Therefore, the cat is in an uncertain state before the box is opened. However, if the timescale is extended sufficiently, the probability becomes clear: radium will definitely decay, and the cat will definitely die.]

In other words, assuming a person is X, X is unobservable, and forgetting is an inevitable outcome. To achieve this outcome, everyone must forget X. If X remains in a superposition of being observable but not forgotten, and being seen by some and not by others, then no outcome will occur.

[X may have been tacitly 'ignored' by classmates, leading to a state of being forgotten. Collective ignoring of X does not mean that all individuals will ignore X. As long as those anchor points exist, even if someone is completely forgotten, it is possible to pull them back from an unobservable state.]

A cat cannot come back to life from the dead, but X can go from being unobservable to being observable.

Only when an outcome is determined can change be made.

[Stuck in the middle, it'll just be a cat whose fate is uncertain.]

"...What's all this nonsense?"

I also think it's a mess.

Rio Futaba hung up the phone.

Sakuta Azusagawa frowned, pondering. What was this X? Why was it written as X? Considering the context, was it perhaps a way of saying he was afraid of being forgotten, so he used X to represent someone? But how would I know who someone I'd forgotten would be?

After sorting out his thoughts, Sakuta Azusagawa called Shirokage.

[Whew—I'm so busy! Is there anything important that you need to call?]

"Bai, what kind of morning exercise are you doing?"

[Going for a run! Mai Sakurajima is still relentlessly pursuing me!]

Who is Mai Sakurajima?

[Huh? You forgot too? Looks like even fellow sufferers have little resistance; God's dice have finally landed on your head.]

Sakuta Azusagawa seemed to be deep in thought before relaying what Rio Futaba had told him.

[I see... I completely understand now, run for your life first!]

The call is hung up.

Sakuta Azusagawa tried to recall again, but couldn't remember anything.

Okay, I should go prepare breakfast.

Before Azusagawa Sakuta could even leave the bedroom, his phone rang again. He picked it up and glanced at the slightly unfamiliar number. Could this be Yukino Yukinoshita, the one whose thoughts were half-hidden in her dialogue? He was grateful for the other person's normal investigative approach, which gave him a direction for his investigation.

The number of phone numbers in my phone has increased without me even realizing it...

"Hello, this is Azusagawa."

[Azusagawa-kun, I'd like to consult you about Sakurajima Mai and puberty syndrome...]

Sakuta Azusagawa said knowingly, "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I've already forgotten about Mai Sakurajima."

The conversation on the other end abruptly ended.

I have some inferences about Futaba here that might be helpful.

Sakuta Azusagawa repeated his words once more.

Chapter Ninety-Seven: Let's Shake Hands

Must the outcome be determined before any changes can be made?

Yukino Yukinoshita washed her face with cold water, her brows furrowing deeply without her noticing.

Must we first forget Mai Sakurajima, and it has to be a genuine forgetting of Mai Sakurajima by everyone, and then someone remembers Mai Sakurajima, observes her again, and only then can Mai Sakurajima reappear, thus resolving the problem? This solution sounds a bit far-fetched, but the whole thing is indeed quite far-fetched.

And forget...

Yukino Yukinoshita let out a muffled sigh, quite annoyed by the situation. If she really forgot everything, how could Mai Sakurajima still be alive? Besides, her memories just vanished into thin air, changed without her even noticing, and she was completely unaware of them... Wasn't this just a way to lie down on the spot?

Is puberty syndrome related to quantum mechanics? Can it be interpreted using quantum mechanics?

Yukino Yukinoshita cheered up; having a direction made things much simpler, at least she knew how to do it.

I collected some relevant information online and studied it carefully...

Later, the genius girl came to understand that there are things in the world that are impossible.

By the time it was time to set off in the afternoon, Yukino Yukinoshita had a disorienting feeling, as if she had seen a lot of things, yet also felt like she hadn't seen anything at all.

Desperate times call for desperate measures; I was overestimating my own abilities.

Yukino Yukinoshita composed herself, met up with Yui Yuigahama, and then went to the Hikigaya residence together.

Today, Yui Yuigahama was wearing a short skirt and T-shirt, with very light makeup on her face. She had obviously dressed up, and was carrying a small, exquisite gift box.

"Xiaoxue—!"

The familiar, impactful embrace didn't bother us with the heat.

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at her friend and said, "Your preparations are a bit too thorough."

"You definitely have to prepare something nice for a friend's birthday," Yui Yuigahama chuckled, then added regretfully, "Chihiro and Origami went back to their summer vacation, so it's a shame I couldn't invite them to come."

"Hachiman-kun probably doesn't like scenes with too many people."

Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but yawn.

"Hmm? Why does Xiaoxue look so sleepy?"

"Because I'm studying quantum mechanics."

"?"

……

……

The Hikigaya family.

To be honest, celebrating a birthday is a very trivial thing. It's just one day, right? There's nothing special about it. Because there's nothing special about it, there's no need to make a big fuss or invite friends and family.

Schools obviously won't give students a day off because of their birthdays, and bosses and companies won't give their employees a day off because of their birthdays, so birthdays are not important.

"I think celebrating birthdays is a tedious and meaningless thing."

Hachiman Hikigaya argued, "Inviting others would disrupt their schedules. Adhering to the principle of not causing trouble for others, for a birthday celebration, wouldn't it be enough to just have a couple more dishes at night?"

"Um……"

Bai Ying cracked sunflower seeds and asked in return, "Why do you think I'm here to celebrate your birthday?"

"It's not my birthday?" Hachiman Hikigaya asked cautiously. "What brings the minister here?"

"With my righteous army at the helm, and with the help of an inside traitor, we will successfully invade the Hikigaya family home. We will occupy the living room sofa and hold a victory celebration. The grandest event will be hanging Hikigaya Hachiman on a cross, cutting the cake into pieces and stuffing them into his stomach, leaving behind a mess before leaving with laughter and joy."

Bai Ying pointed to the cross in the corner: "Look, I've prepared all the props for you. Are you ready?"

"..."

Damn it, the minister's description perfectly matched my own expectations and feelings!

Hachiman Hikigaya gave an awkward but polite smile.

"Ugh, my brother is so awkward." Komachi Hikigaya was doing her homework when she heard this and complained without any mercy. "Normally, my brother wouldn't sit properly on the sofa and chat with others. He would just lie on the sofa playing on his phone and reading novels."

"I get it, I get it. On one hand, I'm looking forward to friends coming over, but on the other hand, I feel like it doesn't fit my own way of thinking. I'm constantly struggling with myself." Bai Ying slapped her thigh and said as if she had just had a revelation, "Well! You thin-browed, dead-fish-eyed guy, you're actually a tsundere after all!"

Hachiman Hikigaya lay down, took out his phone, and started playing games, highlighting his rebellious phase.

"Komachi, what gift did you prepare?"

"Hmm~ It's a handmade cake!"

"Great! Quickly bring it out so I can taste it!"

"No! Brother wants to have the first bite!"

"Hmph! It must taste awful, right?"

"...Brother Bai, could your provocation be any more blatant?"

"Hiss, I never expected you to have such intelligence at such a young age, it's terrifying! We must eliminate you as soon as possible to prevent you from becoming a major threat in the future!"

"What a weird statement."

...We were careless! They actually continued to harass Komachi?!

Hachiman Hikigaya quickly sat up. There was no other way but to let the department head fire at him!

……

Ding Dong!

When the doorbell rang, Hachiman Hikigaya felt as if he had been granted a pardon.

"Yah hello! Kohiki, Komachi, Shiro!"

Yui Yuigahama entered and greeted everyone.

"excuse me."

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at the white figure subconsciously, then looked around strangely. Mai Sakurajima wasn't there? Could it be that she forgot...? How could someone who has forgotten know that she has forgotten? Oh no, staying up all night and quantum mechanics have made my thoughts a bit muddled.

"Welcome, welcome. Please find a place to sit."

Hachiman Hikigaya gave him a warm welcome, then Yui Yuigahama slapped him on the shoulder: "Hachiman, cheer up, it's your birthday today..."

"This..." Hachiman Hikigaya scratched his head.

"I am deeply honored and grateful for your visit and care despite your busy schedules. However, due to feeling unwell, I am unable to receive you. Please leave your gifts and offer your blessings before heading home."

Expressing socially anxious thoughts and opinions from a socially anxious perspective.

Yui Yuigahama and Yukino Yukinoshita subconsciously looked at Hachiman Hikigaya, who silently moved two steps to the side, revealing a white figure behind him.

As expected.

Unexpectedly, Bai Ying pulled out some money from her pocket and began distributing it to everyone: "Come on, everyone's here now, so there's something for everyone."

"Movie tickets?" Yui Yuigahama tilted her head. "The one Shiro took the picture of?"

Yukino Yukinoshita asked curiously, "You sell tickets on the side?"

"It's not about selling tickets, it's about meeting quotas—I buy tickets, distribute them, and then get reimbursed by the director." Bai Ying sighed. "To achieve success, the director has resorted to any means necessary. This is the screening at the Kanagawa Cinema tomorrow afternoon. If Hachiman had been lazy for a day when he was born, he could have celebrated his birthday at the cinema."

"I'm really sorry for being too hardworking."

Hachiman Hikigaya muttered a complaint and then looked at the movie ticket.

Going to the movies as a group? That kind of "socially conscious" lifestyle is totally out of my league. I'll just find an excuse...

The white figure raised its hand and said, "Report, Komachi! Hachiman wants to sell tickets! He wants to be a scalper!"

Hachiman Hikigaya: "I didn't! Besides, would there really be scalpers selling tickets for this kind of art film?"

"Hmm—" Komachi Hikigaya looked at the two suspiciously, then pretended to be serious and asked, "Brother Haku, do you have any evidence?"

The white figure pointed: "Because he's Hachiman!"

"Alright, brother's crime is established!" Komachi Hikigaya pronounced justly. "Tomorrow we'll all go to the movies together, but brother is not allowed to have an upset stomach, stay up late, or pretend to be asleep on the sofa..."

"Hikigaya-kun, don't put up a fight," Yukino Yukinoshita said with pity.

Yui Yuigahama chimed in, "Exactly! What's wrong with going to see Shiro's movie together?"

After a fair and just court trial, Hachiman Hikigaya was successfully persuaded.

My life, which had been smooth sailing, was suddenly disrupted when I encountered a minister—it was like Louis XVI encountering the guillotine—completely baffling.

Komachi Hikigaya invited everyone to sit down, excitedly brought out a handmade cake from the kitchen, and then started fiddling with candles and cutting the cake, while casually attaching a paper crown to Hachiman Hikigaya's head.

Whew...give the gift away, give the gift away...stay calm, stay natural, be cheerful...

Yui Yuigahama, holding a small gift box, was looking for an opportunity when she suddenly noticed a cross in the corner and asked curiously, "What's that? Are Hachiman's parents religious?"

Hachiman Hikigaya said, "It was a gift from the minister, so please don't have any strange misunderstandings about my family."

Bai Ying said smugly, "It's not surprising at all that I gave it to you."