"Shiro, when you say your goal is to make the world more interesting, is that just a throwaway reason, or is it the actual principle of the Assistance Club?"
Shiro smiled faintly, pushing the question to its core.
A reason!
Nothing in the world happens without cause. From the orbit of planets to ants moving their colonies, natural laws govern everything. Human society is no different. What often seems illogical is simply logic hidden beneath layers of unseen information—hence its apparent randomness to most people.
Even acts of helping others must have some underlying reason—large-scale ones may stem from a deep recognition of universal social values; small-scale ones may arise from personal experiences of having received help.
Correct reasoning, correct logic, and correct methods lead to proper outcomes when assisting others.
Shiro asked, "Shiro-san, how would you define 'interesting'?"
Shiro thought briefly. "Positive, engaging, dynamic, lively—could be things, could be events."
"Exactly."
Shiro snapped his fingers casually. "Helping others, letting flowers bloom in their own colors, letting rivers sing notes, letting sunlight and darkness each hold their charm—making the world more interesting. That is the club's guiding principle."
"Exaggerated words, ambiguous, logical leaps, abstract motivation."
Shiro's critique was sharp. "Your words and reasoning are far too frivolous and unclear. Could you speak properly?"
"The more convoluted and twisted the words, the deeper people sink into confusion. Humans naturally pursue simple goals, so the word 'interesting' is enough to encapsulate enthusiasm for life, hope for the future, and recognition of the present."
Shiro snorted lightly, inviting challenge. "Shiro-san, what's your well-reasoned opinion? Let me hear it."
Shiro accepted openly. "Wealthy people, motivated by compassion, help the poor. We call them volunteers—supporting impoverished areas, developing local products, feeding the homeless, aiding disaster-stricken regions, or correcting someone whose logic is too detached from reality. That is my thinking."
"That's not a reason!"
Shiro objected sharply. "That's a definition of behavior. Defining behavior is not the same as giving a reason!"
"I haven't finished," Shiro retorted, unmoved. "Picking at others' words to attack them is like a restless monkey jumping around. Only the weak abandon direct argument and resort to outside tricks."
"We're talking reasons here—this is a duel of principles!" Shiro insisted. "Arguments that don't revolve around the core are meaningless!"
Shiro countered, "Would you read a mystery novel by flipping to the killer's page first?"
Shiro blinked. "How did you know?"
"Let's set aside your incomprehensible penchant for dull hobbies—"
Shiro: "I'm adorable."
Shiro nodded. "Oh, I'm handsome too."
"Huh… so that's how others feel when someone brags. Narcissism in its negative sense? I'll reflect on that—it's a bit nauseating."
Even while introspecting, Shiro's competitive spirit remained. "In elementary school, my indoor shoes were hidden over fifty times. Too cute, so everyone envied me and excluded me. Every day I had to carry my shoes and recorder home. It was exhausting."
Shiro's eyes softened. "Facing that as a child is tough. Harder still is remembering it all now—it can't be easy."
"Hm…?"
Shiro looked slightly surprised that the other hadn't pressed further. Swallowing her prepared rebuttal, she continued: "There's no helping it; nobody's perfect. Weak skills, fragile personalities, ugly tempers—these lead people to jealousy and exclusion. The more talented you are, the harder survival becomes. It's wrong, strange, and unjust."
"So I want to establish the Service Club, to change people, to change the world—that's my reason."
Shizuka, leaning against the window, took a slow drag of her cigarette, sighing. A high schooler claiming they want to change the world? Odd. Speaking so earnestly? Stranger still. Talented and serious as a student? The problem just gets bigger.
Shiro slightly raised the corner of her mouth, studying Shiro intently.
Laugh? Refute as unrealistic? Doubt and deny?
To most, this would seem an absurd logic and thought—helping others as a goal? Idle. Changing the world? Cliché. Helping because others excluded you? Overloaded with sympathy.
When something is hard to understand, people reject it—sometimes vehemently.
Only a rare few, like Shizuka, would support such a notion…
Shiro was already ready for victory—she would decide the outcome herself.
"The weak, due to their frailty, exclude the strong out of jealousy. That's wrong."
"And what is correct? The weak should face the strong and acknowledge their own inadequacy. Change starts there. The most direct expression is that the weak will encounter problems they cannot solve alone. Being weak, they face many difficulties."
"How to overcome them? By becoming strong—struggle to solve a math problem, learn a recipe you can't cook, find methods, direction, and guidance. The strong assist the weak to become strong, thus resolving difficulties."
"Like impoverished regions supported through aid, developing resources, creating tourism, lifting themselves from poverty. Like disaster areas aided by various support, rescuing refugees and rebuilding homes. Like the homeless receiving meals to survive and one day find their place in society."
"Making the weak strong. When everyone becomes strong, no one will exclude others out of weakness. The world will naturally change."
Shiro smiled brightly, following the logic. "Interesting idea. Those ostracized by the group grow sullen, reclusive, compromising with nature in ways that can lead to anti-social tendencies—common wisdom. But some manage to overcome obstacles, obtaining seemingly impossible gains."
"The cold wind cuts countless blooms, yet some souls grind themselves into solitary brilliance—Shiro-san, you're fascinating."
Shiro smoothed her hair back and said plainly, "It's surprising you understand my reasoning. You're not as frivolous as I thought, but please correct your odd way of speaking—it's a bit harassing."
Her aggression softened. Shiro smiled kindly.
Ah… the atmosphere is good… from argument to understanding, then to recognition. Youth indeed… everyone longs to be understood. Shiro did well.
Shizuka's lips curved in a smile. This battle's outcome was irrelevant; the beauty of it was clear.
Shiro said, "But, Shiro-san, your theory has a flaw—generally, the strong excel over the weak. Because they are strong, they are strong. Because they are weak, they are weak… social ability is also a measure of strength, right?"
Shiro was momentarily stunned; Shizuka's smile froze.
Shiro suddenly tore through the calm, friendly atmosphere, revealing sharp teeth. "Socially strong individuals are not envied or excluded by the socially weak! If there is strong and weak, why exclude social ability?"
"Your conclusion is correct, but your reasoning is flawed. You deliberately ignore social ability, framing jealousy and exclusion only in terms of strong vs. weak, denying your own social shortcomings…"
Shiro widened her eyes, retorting quickly: "The exclusion you experienced came from jealousy…"
"Jealousy isn't about strong or weak, only presence or absence! Your failure had to do with lacking social skills! You are weak socially, not strong! By your theory, shouldn't you envy those who excluded you?"
Shiro pressed, relentless. "Children act on emotion, fail to gauge situations. You antagonized everyone—you owed some of it to coincidence, yes, but social inadequacy was a factor! If I'm correct—"
Hey! Enough already! Are you trying to start a war? Victory at any cost?
Shizuka gasped, nearly dropping her cigarette, but it was too late!
Shiro, standing without notice, pointed decisively:
"Shiro-san—you don't have a single friend, do you!"
Being disliked, or disliking someone, is normal. Being ostracized or bullied is complicated—clashing with the leader, personality incompatibility, or just bad luck…
Shiro knew this well.
In elementary school, she had been called the teacher's little informant—a tattletale! Failing to blend in, overseeing peers like an adult, naturally branded a teacher's lackey.
In her discussion with Shiro, Shiro discerned the underlying factors in her reasoning: perhaps personality, perhaps overly mature thinking, inhibiting social adaptation, resulting in weak social ability and exclusion.
Undoubtedly, Shiro was striking at her vulnerable points—a ruthless tactic.
This was no longer a debate; it was an attack.
A sneak strike during a truce negotiation!
Shiro hadn't expected the sudden counter. She paused, trying to deflect, calmly arguing: "First, let's define what a friend is…"
Shiro sat back, cutting off her seemingly calm, yet pale, defense.
"You're stubborn."