Chapter 108: Interest

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Translator: Soafp

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Saturday, 6 a.m., in front of a station about three stops away from my nearest one.

Dressed in easy-to-move-in sportswear, I stood there.

It's been a while since I've been here. Come to think of it, it's been more than three months, since spring break in my first year. I'm worried if my body will be able to move properly.

“Are you Hajime Toumachi?”

“Ah… yes.”

“Alright, please get on the bus—hey, you're ○×-san, right?”

At this quiet hour with few people around, the staff was calling out to those waiting along with me.

When I got on the bus, there were some familiar faces. No one spoke to me, nor did I speak to them.

We were strangers to each other, and there was no awkwardness, just a comfortable silence.

“Alright, we're departing.”

“……”

This unique atmosphere felt nostalgic. Today's job was a one-day stint at a factory that handles food preparation and inspection.

Eight hours of work, a 45-minute break, and a daily wage of 9,000 yen… Time to give it my all.

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After transforming into an all-white figure (work uniform), I was exposed to an air shower, and from there, it was nonstop work.

“Hey, can you help out over here?”

“Oh, sure.”

In front of me, a pile of pineapples.

I kept cutting pineapples for an hour straight (a haiku for the introvert’s heart). Then came inspecting the finished fruit packages.

Any that had too much or too little were mercilessly sent to the defective products area. Only items that met the standards were shipped out.

With a heavy heart (not really), I sorted out the outcasts to the defective area.

“……”

It goes without saying that the work is monotonous. Since it's a food factory, there's no chit-chat either, no sense of fulfillment. For many, it would be pure drudgery.

But for me, it's comfortable. I don't have to talk to anyone.

I'm about as introverted as they come (fully embracing it).

Still, even though it's monotonous, the kind of work where mistakes aren't tolerated takes its toll on you mentally.

At times like this—it's all about efficiency. The more efficient, the better.

I am a precision machine. I am a precision machine (self-hypnosis).

Just when I thought that, the flow of defective products stopped completely.

I guess the person in the previous process has gotten used to it.

Looks like I can relax for a bit. Ah, wait, spotted an issue—a pineapple with way too much skin left on it.

I can't let my guard down.

“……”

Looking at the clock on the wall, only 20 minutes had passed since I started this task.

This is rough!

What did the old me used to do in times like this?

Right… I used to think about Kisaragi-san, the girl I liked (cringe).

Back then, my head was full of romantic fantasies.

I was truly a mess. But thanks to her… maybe things weren't so hard.

When Kisaragi-san sat next to me, every day was filled with hope, even though I had zero chance with her.

“…Love, huh.”

While sorting out another defective item, I muttered under my breath.

The sound of my own voice, muffled by the mask, seemed oddly cold.

The day I wished to “change,” I also experienced my first heartbreak.

There's no way someone like me could ever be liked by anyone.

That feeling hasn't changed.

I dyed my hair rainbow, found lots of hobbies. According to the people in the thread, it seems like I've changed—at least from an outside perspective.

But I still lack confidence. I feel like I'm slowly getting there, but there's still a long way to go.

Every now and then, I fear everything will just fall apart—that anxiety never quite goes away.

“……”

While sorting out defective products, my mind wanders.

No male friends. Rainbow-colored hair. And all sorts of other things.

I can't help but wonder if, at some point, “they”—the girls I've been hanging out with—will just drift away from me.

“Ugh, come on.”

I'm getting tired of these negative thoughts.

Yeah, that's right. After this shift ends, I'll go somewhere.

After all, I'll have some money! And no plans for the weekend! (shouting this with a super loud inner voice).

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“It’s over…”

From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., I worked hard, and by the time I got off the shuttle bus, it was just before 4 p.m.

Unlike when I arrived, it’s now Saturday afternoon, and there are way more people around… I better put on a beanie.

I don’t know, but right now, I just don’t want to stand out. Maybe I’m being overly self-conscious, though.

“So… what now?”

I thought about going somewhere fun, but it’s already late. My energy is at less than 20% (roughly). Clubs or libraries are out of the question.

So, what now? Since I’m on a “returning to old habits” kick, how about hitting up an arcade?

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“Oh, there it is.”

I got my first cell phone right before starting high school, back in my third year of middle school.

It was my first smartphone, so I filled it up with useless apps out of curiosity, clogging up my storage for no good reason.

I also installed some tower defense and action games… but almost all of them died out eventually. I didn't really have friends in middle school either (half crying).

My parents told me not to get too caught up in social media, and even when I did, it just made me feel lonelier.

I didn't spend money on games, so I always quit halfway through. But the one game that stayed with me till the end was a rhythm game. It wasn't about collecting characters or anything.

It was just the perfect distraction when I needed a break from studying.

[GAME START!]

The company that made the rhythm game I got hooked on also had similar rhythm games in arcades. I used to stop by and play a bit after work.

By my second year of high school, I quit my job and, naturally, stopped playing… In fact, I stopped gaming altogether.

[SUPER GREAT! SSS Triple S!]

“Huh, I remember more than I thought.”

I tried out three songs for 100 yen, and while I wasn’t as good as I used to be, I hadn’t fallen too far behind.

[PERFECT! SSS Triple S!]

Still, something felt off.

Where did the me who was so obsessed with full combos and maxing out scores go?

… Maybe I'd enjoy dancing at home more. My apologies to the game developers (bowing in shame).

[Come play again!]

I’ll come if I feel like it (90% chance I won’t).

Then again, it’s not like anyone ever invites me anywhere, so I never get to say that line in real life (tears).

Saying that to an arcade machine is just too sad… My mood dropped.

“……!”

I quickly fled from a serious player next to me, whose incredible movements made me feel out of place (in a good way). I thought about heading to the bathroom, but…

In a corner, against the wall, far from the crowds and excitement…

My eyes were naturally drawn to a completely different rhythm game cabinet from before.