The Benefits of Solitude

I apologize for asking you for a ride. I know you’re very busy.

You’re all good! Watching Nagi-kun do his thing has given me a lot of energy lately!

Yes, he has certainly started changing for the better recently.

Just looking at him feels encouraging, doesn’t it? It really pushes me to keep doing my best at everything I want to do.

…Very true.

(Hm? He didn’t really react in the way I thought he would…)

Oh, I suppose I just made things awkward. It’s been a while since I’ve had a conversation about this topic, so it caught me a bit off guard.

Pardon…?

Well, imagine seeing someone your age working hard, seeing a coworker get a promotion, or seeing someone get married and start a family.

It’s been a while since I last compared myself to others’ achievements, felt anxious about them, or been influenced by them.

You talking about Nagi made me realize I’ve spent so much time living in that way that I’ve completely lost the ability to feel those emotions.

(So is he saying that he’s lost the ability to be influenced by other people…?)

Um, would you consider that a good thing for yourself?

Hah, I’m not quite sure. What do you think?

Huh? W-Well, I’m also not very sure… But I do think it’s cool to be able to live life independently without being influenced by others.

Oh, I wouldn’t describe myself as something that impressive. It’s just one of the benefits of solitude.

S-Solitude… Is that something everyone experiences when they get to your age?

Yes, perhaps.

……

(Yodaka-san’s pretty candid, but it always feels like he’s hiding his true feelings… Like, he tends to beat around the bush.)

(It feels like he’s way older mentally than he is physically…)

Haha. I’m sorry, did I trouble you?

Oh, no, not at all…!

Okay! This is a question I always ask people when I want to know more about them…

Yodaka-san, do you have any dreams or desires? Like, something you’d like to be or something you’d like to do. It’s alright if it’s something completely out of the realm of possibility.

……

(Huh? He’s not saying anything…)

…Hm.

(Now he’s closing his eyes and thinking about it really seriously… I hope I didn’t overstep and make him uncomfortable…)

(But I can’t take it back now…)

……

……

……

(I-I can’t do this… The silence is killing me…! I need to change the subject, even if I have to force it⁠—)

…Zzz…

…Huh?

Zzz…

Wha⁠— Yodaka-san, did you fall asleep?! We were literally in the middle of a conversation!

Mm… Hm…?

I…thought you were a royal flycatcher… When did you go back to being a human…?

(He’s still half-asleep… And what in the world is a royal flycatcher…?)

What are you saying? Please come back to your senses! I’m not a royal flycatcher.

…Ah. My apologies, I fell asleep.

I mean, that’s fine, but…are you alright? If you’re feeling tired, you can take a quick nap.

I’m alright. I’m sorry about interrupting our previous conversation.

…In all honesty, I’m not very good at thinking about the future.

When I think about my future or my desires, I always end up falling asleep, as if a heavy curtain is falling down over my vision. As you just witnessed.

Perhaps a part of my brain was modified to react as such.

Th-That’s no laughing matter… Shouldn’t you go to the doctor about that?

Haha, thank you for your kindness. But I’m alright, so you don’t have to worry about me.

Moreover, we’re almost at the bento shop.

(He just avoided the topic again…)

I am elated we have Gari Gari Candy to eat whilst we wait for our bentos. It is so very tasty!

Right!

*sigh*

Hm? Huh? Oh no… Heeey…

The hell you doin’?

My back’s stuck to the wet paint on the wall.

HUH?! I just painted that spot too…!

It’s okay. I’ll repaint it after. No worries.

You should be the one worrying! You’re literally stuck to the fuckin’ wall! How are you so goddamn calm?!

Can you help pull me off? We can start there.

Fuck!

How does it look?

Uuugghh! I spent so much time on this wall too!

No, I mean my back. Do you think a dry cleaner could get it all off?

FUCK IF I KNOW!! DROP DEAD!!!!

What’s wrong? You’re grumpier than usual.

…!

Tch. S’nothing. You’re never gonna get this shit done on your own.

Then let’s do it together. It’ll be faster that way, and your ability to complete it will compensate for my inability to complete it.

It’s kinda pissin’ me off how you’re more calm ‘bout this than I am, even though you caused this.

Here’s your brush.

*sigh*

……

……

Ryui…

Huh?

You’re not very good at painting.

Yeah, well, I don’t got that same experience you got outta necessity. I’m a newbie at this.

That looks uneven.

Tch… It’s my artistic touch.

I might have to do it all myself if we want it to look good.

You tryna pick a fight with me or what?

I’m just being honest. I’m sorry if I upset you.

Your whole damn existence upsets me.

Sorry.

……

……

You’re really close with Toi.

…Well, duh.

Are you on bad terms with the rest of your family?

Don’t poke your nose into other people’s family business.

Sorry.

So, um…

How much does Toi’s divination service cost? Can I sign up for it without a referral?

……

……

Hm…? Wait, let me ask agai⁠—

Forget about it.

Huh?

Don’t do it.

Why not?

Nothin’ good comes outta involving yourself with the Shiramitsus, I can tell ya that.

And gettin’ your fortune told won’t change your reality or your destiny.

……

You get what I’m sayin’, yeah?

……

(I do, but…)

(I still feel like it’s better than doing nothing…)

We’re back!

Let’s all take a break for lunch.

Wooow! Pork cutlet bentos and napolitan bentos! They look so delicioouuus!

We bought some mooncakes too! They’re from a famous local shop, so they’re bound to be super tasty!

Wow, these bentos look so fancy…

We need to make sure we have the energy to keep working for the rest of the day.

I’m really happy that you bought sweet things too!

Thanks.

By the way, Ryui-kun, shouldn’t you tell us what kind of business you’ll be opening?

Ah, right. He told me, but…

These cutlets are pretty good.

Ryui-kun, are you listening?

Good mooncakes too.

S-Stop avoiding the topic!

He might be too embarrassed to say it.

Let’s wait until he’s comfortable.

Ah, I think a lucky charm shop would be good. Like, you always wear that omamori around your neck.

You⁠— Don’t just fuckin’ say that!! Now it’ll sound like I got the idea from you!!

So he guessed correctly, I assume?

A lucky charm shooop!! Mayhaps I should purchase my first one there!

They’d be great souvenirs for our guests!

They all figured it out in no time, Brother Dearest. Ahaha!

Fuckin’ Hachinoya… I won’t forget this…!