Loneliness and Rock and Roll with Band Observer

After the band ended, they finally officially accepted me.

family...

Although she knew that this was only used in a metaphorical sense, the word itself was enough to make Qiu Hui overjoyed.

This feeling of forming a firm bond with someone you met by chance...how should I put it? It's actually surprisingly "youthful".

Qiu Hui spent the class time in a state of wandering thoughts.

"Alright guys, see you next class."

Mr. Hikigaya, who was about to leave the classroom, suddenly changed the subject.

"Oh, I almost forgot one more thing. Togawa Akee-san. Is Togawa Akee-san here? Please come to my office during lunch break today. Don't worry, it's not a bad thing. I'll repeat..."

...Are you calling me? Qiu Hui was a little surprised.

Many people in the class seemed quite surprised that Aki was called to the teacher's office. Judging from their expressions, they were probably whispering questions like "So who is Togawa Aki?"

How should I put it? A person of integrity has nothing to fear.

Knowing that she had not done anything too out of line, Qiu Hui was not too worried about being called to the teacher's office.

...Not to mention that he's a guy like Hikigaya-sensei who's not really scary.

When the lunch break began, she went directly to the faculty office.

"Oh, Togawa-kun, you're here. Please sit down."

Mr. Hikigaya warmly invited Akie to sit down.

"You must be aware of your teacher's style, right? So don't be so reserved. Just treat it as your own home."

"Hello, teacher." Qiu Hui greeted politely and then sat down properly.

Anyone with a little bit of basic emotional intelligence would not really treat this kind of occasion as their own home...

"I called you here this time mainly because I wanted to talk to you about the essay we wrote before."

Hikigaya said straight to the point.

Composition? Qiu Hui was stunned.

Are you referring to...the one titled "What is Youth"?

"It's the 'What is Youth?'" Hikigaya continued, "Togawa-san submitted something very... novel. So as a Chinese teacher, I really want to hear about the original author Togawa-san's mental journey."

Why are you asking now? It's been a while since you submitted that essay, right?

And why, after all, do I feel any affection for the crappy stuff I write, which has a stilted argumentation process, deliberately plays with concepts and technical terms, and is written with a deliberate attempt to be different and to get things done in a casual manner?

Although she was full of urge to complain, Togawa Aie did not show it. She just followed the rules and talked about her thoughts in a calm tone.

"…In short, influenced by the above ideas and combined with my own personal experience, I came to the conclusion in the article that 'youth is a vain landscape constructed by others'."

After Akie finished her statement, Hikigaya fell into deep thought.

A rare glimmer of rationality seemed to be reflected in his dead fish-like eyes.

"Although there are many minor issues in the details, and the definitions of many concepts are not clear enough, the whole article more or less has a kind of "lack of personal experience and relying on hearsay" color. To be honest, this also supports the argument of this article in a sense..."

Hikigaya smiled meaningfully.

"…But overall it's still a very good essay. By high school students' standards, it can be considered an excellent piece of writing. And, although he has such unorthodox ideas, from the discussion just now, it can be seen that Togawa-san has a very down-to-earth attitude. He wrote this essay with the mentality of seriously discussing the problem."

Hikigaya Hachiman smiled somewhat nostalgically.

"...It's much better than when I was your teacher."

He looked at the girl in front of him with the steady and concerned eyes that are unique to older people.

"Did I mention this when I assigned this essay? As a teacher, I also wrote a similar essay. Because the viewpoints were too outrageous and I deliberately sang the opposite tune, I was severely reprimanded by my teacher at that time. This also used this as an opportunity to trigger a series of stories that are really ridiculous when I think about it now."

“Looking back now, it’s really nostalgic, and I can’t help but want to comment on myself back then. Maybe this is what Togawa-san mentioned, ‘Only those who have been excluded from the concept of youth have the ability and willingness to discuss it’?”

Looking at Mr. Hikigaya, who for some reason began to feel sad about the passing of time, Akihime couldn't help but smile because she found it interesting. How should I put it, he is worthy of being a Chinese teacher?

"But, Togawa-san, I have a question for you."

Hikigaya Hachiman's expression suddenly became serious.

Combined with those eyes that look like dead fish but have an inexplicable aura, it can be said that he has a certain majesty.

"How do you view 'your' youth?"

Qiu Hui was stunned.

My own.

It is not such a big and general concept as "youth".

But it is limited to "myself".

She was about to speak, but was interrupted by Hikigaya.

"It doesn't matter. You don't need to tell me the answer, because the answer itself is definitely meaningless."

Hikigaya Hachiman said with a smile.

"I just want you to try to think about this question. The process is enough. As for the answer, it is completely irrelevant."

"I want to give you a piece of advice. I think that for a student like Togawa who seems to be good at thinking, you should pay special attention to this."

“It’s good to like thinking, but as Socrates said, before trying to prove that you know something, you should first clearly realize the fact that you know nothing.”

"Perhaps Togawa-san doesn't want to admit it, but Togawa-san is undoubtedly in the stage of 'youth' where you are incapable of self-reflection and self-discussion. Speaking of which, isn't Togawa-san's essay intended to prove this point?"

"So, I hope that Togawa-san will remember what I am going to say next when you feel lost and at a loss, and feel hopeless and disillusioned because you feel that everything you have believed in so far is a fallacy."

"Youth is a stage where you are bound to make mistakes, so it doesn't matter if you make mistakes."

Togawa Akie did not respond, but just listened in silence.

Hikigaya smiled a little embarrassedly: "I just said something that sounded like a line from a comic book, which was a bit confusing. Anyway, if Togawa is willing to accept it, that would be the best. If he is not willing to accept it, that is fine. If you think that I am just an old guy who said some nonsense in the heat of the moment, then that is only natural."

He smiled and waved to Togawa Akie.

"Okay, it's alright, you can go now. It's lunchtime now, and I don't want to take up too much of your time. After all, there should be friends waiting for you to have lunch together, right?"

"...That's true." Akie smiled a little embarrassedly.

Even though I only made this friend not too long ago, I now do have friends I can have lunch with.

She stood up and bowed to Hikigaya.

"Thank you for your guidance. I have benefited a lot from it."

"I hope this is not just a compliment." Hikigaya responded with a smile.

After walking out of the faculty office, Togawa Aie felt an...inexplicable impulse.

My own youth...

...If I had to answer this, my answer would probably be "That kind of thing has already ended."

Now I am practicing the lifestyle of an adult and surviving in society on my own.

It is precisely because of this view that "my youth has long ended" that I have the idea to seriously discuss the concept of "youth" in my essay. Otherwise, wouldn't my point of view contradict my thoughts?

However, according to Hikigaya-sensei...

…Even this notion is part of youth.

In other words, is it also part of the "inevitable mistakes"?

Thinking of this, Qiu Hui shook her head.

At least at this moment, I am convinced of this idea.

So, let’s leave this question for future discussion…

"Ah, Senior! You are in the faculty office after all!"

Aine's voice interrupted Akie's thoughts.

She turned her head and saw Aine and Touma coming together.

"Akie-senpai..." Deng said with some concern, "...other students in the class said that you were called to the teacher's office. Are you okay? Is there something wrong?"

"It's okay, it's okay." Akie smiled, "It's just a friendly discussion."

“That’s good! Then let’s go to the Astronomy Club to have lunch together?” Aine suggested as if it was a matter of course.

"Okay, I'm happy to accompany you." Qiu Hui nodded with a smile, "But I have to go back to the classroom to get my lunch box first."

"Then let's go! Ah, speaking of Akihoko's performance yesterday..."

The three of them came together and set off happily.

Although I don't seem to be aware of this.

But Togawa Aie's youth is also being played out peacefully and steadily today.

Volume: Volume 2 "Fighting for Love and Salary"

Chapter 1: The Woman at the Origin of Everything

After the lunch meeting, the lunch break is not completely over.

Togawa Aie was thinking about what to do with the remaining time.

Theoretically, she could try taking a nap, but sleeping on the table was neither comfortable nor healthy. Besides, she didn't feel very sleepy at the moment.

Otherwise, find something else to do.

For example, go to the music room and practice piano for a while.

Ever since she played for Su Shi and others in RiNG's recording studio, Qiu Hui gradually felt that her playing skills seemed to be gradually reviving.

Now, playing in a band as a keyboardist has become a very important part of her life.

This is true not only from an emotional point of view, but also from a financial point of view, considering the subsidy from the library and the remuneration paid by Suze and Aine.

Therefore, taking a serious and responsible attitude and seizing every possible opportunity to continue honing her playing skills became Qiu Hui's future course of action.

With this mentality, Qiu Hui came to the door of the music classroom.

During lunch break, no one usually uses this place, but the door is not locked, so people like Qiu Hui who want to practice a little can seize this precious opportunity.

She had only developed this habit in recent days, and it was originally just a means to overcome nervousness before a performance.

Sitting down in front of the piano, Qiu Hui began to think about what she should play today.

First, learn the basics like syllables, arpeggios, chords, and then find some easier exercises.

Qiu Hui began to play.

No one will come during lunch break. But if someone comes, I will give the piano to...

"Hello. Are you a member of the music club?"

...How come you're here just like that?

"Excuse me."

Hearing the voice coming from behind her, Qiu Hui stood up helplessly and stopped playing.

"I don't belong to the music club. I just came here to use the piano during lunch break. I apologize if this has caused you any trouble... Wait, who are you?"

Qiu Hui turned around and saw the other person's face clearly.

Amber eyes, long light blue hair tied up with a headband, a beautiful but slightly haggard face. The familiar appearance made Qiu Hui immediately realize who was in front of her.

"...Toyokawa-san." Akie looked a little strange, "I didn't expect to meet you here."

Toyokawa Shoko, who was recognized, also realized who the person in front of her was.

After a moment of panic, she quickly calmed down and put on a polite and steady smile: "Hello. We...should have met before, right? In the stairwell."

...In fact, before that, the two had met at a convenience store.

But Toyokawa Shoko didn't dare to mention this matter at all.