set theory 6

Makoto: I’m really sorry, Isara-kun. I just wasted your time, didn’t I?

Mao: Nah, it wasn’t a waste. We did manage to meet up with the guy who dropped out to work for a gaming company at least.

I didn’t expect it to be nearby. We just had to take the train there and back.

And they let us in even without an appointment.

It ended up that most of the stuff in the game clubroom belonged to him.

And he told us we could do whatever we wanted with them, since he wasn’t interested anymore.

He gave us contact info for everyone else in the club since they’re all friends.

So now we just have to contact each one and negotiate with them.

So it’s possible we can get the other members to come back and actually do things for the club, and if they can prove they’ll be active, we can save the club.

Probably. I’ll talk to the student council about it, anyhow.

And you, get out there and do your best. Sorry I can’t help out any more than this.

Makoto: No way. You don’t have anything to do with the game club, but you still went out on a limb for me. I seriously can’t thank you enough.

Makoto: And, well. Sorry I made you out to be some bad guy out to destroy the game club...

I just laid into you with the whole “and here I thought you were nice” thing without considering anything else.

But you’re in a pretty tight spot, too; I see that now. I can’t believe I thought you were my enemy.

Mao: No, it’s fine. I was just putting on airs of being a good person, when really I’m more like the assassin the student council sent out to take down the club.

So no thanks necessary, and no apology either.

If I really wanted to save the club, I would have gone all in and joined up, turning my back on the student council completely...

But I wasn’t gonna do that.

I never take a stance against anyone—I just kiss ass to try to be everybody’s friend and never let myself get roped into anything.

I’ve always been this way. I’m scared of not being liked, and I don’t wanna rock the boat any.

I can’t stand people thinking I’m a bad person, or that I’m useless or mean—because then they might leave me, y’know?

Uh, crap, I dunno what I’m saying anymore... I’ve been so busy today, I must be exhausted.

Makoto: Fufu. But really, I do understand how you feel. It’s terrifying when people dislike you. And it feels good when you’re helpful, right? We all want to be recognized and praised for what we do.

So much so it starts feeling like that’s what we were born for.

But if you’re only ever looking for someone else’s approval... you’ll end up losing yourself.

And before you realize it, the “you” you’d been ignoring will be all torn to shreds and covered in scars.

Ah... anyway, I’m sure you’ll be fine, Isara-kun, because that’s what I was like, too.

Mao: Okay, how do you define “fine,” huh? You’re making me nervous here. Don’t get all mysterious and profound on me.

Never mind. You good with going home together?

Looks like our houses are in the same direction, so maybe we could grab something to eat.

Makoto: Oh, thank you for the invitation, but... I’m supposed to cook dinner tonight, so I have to get home ASAP.

It’s just my mom and me, so we take turns doing stuff around the house.

Mao: Really? That’s awesome. My family’s more laissez-faire, I guess. I can’t remember the last time I had dinner with them.

I’m usually just heating up leftover rice in the microwave.

Makoto: Ahaha. You remind me of an overworked salaryman, Isara-kun.^[1]

Mao: Watch it, you bastard... I’d love to have gotten a more carefree life, but before I knew it, I’d ended up like this.

I don’t know how, but I always seem to pull the short end of the stick.