"You have to believe in science. There are no superpowers in reality," Hiko said, trying to enlighten Ai.
Ai heard Hiko and remembered how effortlessly he handled his studies, even achieving first place while distracted in class, which left her perplexed. "But you are very unscientific."
"How am I unscientific?" Hiko thought about his actions. Aside from the peace talisman, he hadn't displayed any special abilities.
"You chat with me during class, yet you still maintain first place in your studies. Isn't that very unscientific?" Ai asked what she was thinking.
"Oh, you mean that."
Hiko had thought that the peace talisman would disappear after being used up, leading her to discover a problem, but it was just this.
He had a slight understanding of having an overly strong memory, so he explained, "That's because I've already previewed what the teacher is going to say, and I also have something called Hyperthymesia[1]."
"Hyperthymesia?" Ai heard this term for the first time and was confused.
"Yes, Hyperthymesia, or highly superior autobiographical memory."
Seeing Ai's puzzled expression, Hiko explained, "It is a condition of extremely strong memory. Perhaps you think having a good memory is a good thing, but it's not."
"People with this condition can remember everything they have personally experienced in vivid detail, down to every single aspect. This leads to an inability to forget anything they've seen in the past, and memory images often replay uncontrollably before their eyes..."
After hearing Hiko's explanation of Hyperthymesia, Ai did not give up her envious thoughts. "Even though you say that, I still think having a good memory is a good thing. You won't forget what you've learned, so wouldn't exams be a piece of cake?"
"Even if you have a good memory, it doesn't necessarily mean you can solve all the problems, as exams don't just test memory."
Hiko pointed to his chest and said proudly, "So, I can get a perfect score not because of this, but purely because I am a genius."
However, even though Hiko said this, he knew very well in his heart that he was by no means a genius. He was just a lucky ordinary person.
"Although what you say makes a lot of sense, I still feel like you're misleading me." Ai was convinced by Hiko's evidence, but she still vaguely felt like something was missing. She quickly thought of one point: "How do you know so many things?..."
"That's because I've loved reading since I was a child." This statement from Hiko was true, but it wasn't his real situation.
As they chatted, the two arrived at the Shibuya train station.
"Let's get on the train first." Ai was too tired to dwell on it anymore.
At this moment, she felt a bit sleepy.
"Ha~ ah~ ha~" Ai felt a yawn coming on, so she covered her mouth with her right hand, let out a long yawn, and her eyes welled up with tears.
"You should have rested earlier."
Hiko heard Ai yawn and thought she was getting sleepy as it was almost her bedtime.
"It's fine. Yawning actually makes me more energetic." Ai, having just yawned, felt less sleepy and replied, "I'm not very tired, and I don't really want to sleep."
It was past nine o'clock, and although there were many people on the train platform, it wasn't as crowded as during rush hour.
"Still so many people," Ai exclaimed, looking at the crowd.
"Last time..." Hiko originally wanted to say, 'Didn't you come last time?'
But considering that this would only anger her and serve no other purpose, it was better not to say it.
After deliberating, Hiko said, "Yes, if you were looking from a high place, you might even exclaim, "People are like trash!"."
"Why would I say that? I probably wouldn't, would I?" Ai followed Hiko's topic.
"Ai, I think when the train arrives, you should stay closer to me. It'll be easier to look after you when we get on." Hiko looked at the passersby waiting for the train on the platform. "If there are too many people, I'll protect you. I hope you won't mind then."
"Okay, I can do that," Ai replied obediently. She also knew that bad things could happen if there were too many people.
The train arrived very quickly, and the passersby waiting for it all walked over.
Hiko watched as the train arrived, and the people on the platform stood beside it, as if in a queue.
"Excuse me." Hiko apologized to Ai, and before she could react, he put his arms around her to protect her, preventing people boarding the train from touching her.
"It's okay." Ai understood Hiko's actions and even actively snuggled into his embrace.
Hiko, carrying Ai, struggled to squeeze into the train. Once inside, he found a corner where two people could still stand, so he quickly pushed his way over.
He successfully reached a corner inside the train.
"It's so hot, and it's only early February." Hiko felt like he was radiating heat all over from fighting for a spot with the surrounding passersby.
Ai heard Hiko say this and looked up at him.
She looked up slightly to meet the gaze of the young man in front of her and saw fine beads of sweat on his forehead.
So, she reached into her clothes, fumbled for a moment, found a handkerchief, and handed it to Hiko: "Wipe yourself. Otherwise, you'll catch a cold."
Hiko took the handkerchief and wiped his forehead, as well as his steaming neck, shoulders, and other areas.
The distance between them was very close, and this proximity allowed Ai to feel the heat radiating from Hiko's body.
"Thank you."
Hiko held the handkerchief, hesitating whether to wash it clean before returning it to the young girl in front of him.
"You're welcome." Ai saw Hiko stop wiping his sweat and thanking her. She felt he was done and no longer needed it, so she took the handkerchief back from his hand and held it.
The train quickly began to move.
Hiko had no choice but to brace himself against the wall with both hands, just as he had on the way there, to protect Ai.
But this time, because he had exerted himself to squeeze in, sweat began to appear on his forehead after only a short time of bracing, dripping onto Ai's clothes.
Ai, who had been looking down at her feet, felt warm drops of water on her clothes. She couldn't help but look up and saw that Hiko's forehead was sweating, and the drops had gathered into a large one, ready to fall again.
She took the handkerchief and wiped the sweat from Hiko's forehead.
Why was he sweating so much this time?
"You're sweating so much; are you that weak?" Ai asked what was on her mind.
"???"
Hiko was about to thank her again, but then he heard her ask this, and his heart immediately felt depressed. "I ran for so long just now, and I protected you as we squeezed in. With all that exercise, it would be strange if I didn't sweat!"
[1] Hyperthymesia, also known as hyperthymestic syndrome or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM), is a condition that leads people to be able to remember an abnormally large number of their life experiences in vivid detail.