I Will Inspire Your Insipid Days - Volume 1 Chapter 2.5

Finding

Before I knew it, I found myself agreeing to accompany her.

I had only spoken to Komachi-san a few times in class, but this was our first time having a conversation face-to-face.

Yet, despite this, she maintained a comfortable distance and somehow took control of the pace. I couldn’t help but think her communication skills were exceptional.

After leaving the gallery, we moved to a café located a short walk away, where Komachi-san and I took our seats. Exiting the art-surrounded otherworldly space, I almost felt thrown back into reality, and at the same time, my legs felt particularly heavy. Come to think of it, I had been walking non-stop since leaving the dorm, except for when I was on the train.

Ordering two iced coffees, I looked around. The café was spacious, with large fans whirling on the ceiling. Perhaps due to the time of day, groups of middle-aged women chatting at the tables and college students facing their laptops at the counter were sporadically visible.

“This is my first time in a Tokyo café. It’s a nice place.”

“This is a chain store, though.”

My comment didn’t seem to bother Komachi-san, who replied casually.

“Are regular chain stores not nice?”

“No, no, it’s not about that. Places like this café are found all over Tokyo. There should be 3 or 4 stores near Shumonzuka Girls’ Academy.”

I didn’t know that. I hadn’t had a routine that involved going out since I lived in the Hanabishi household, so I hadn’t visually checked the surroundings of the dorm. Therefore, I didn’t know what the area around the academy was like.

Soon, our drinks were served.

“So, Hanabishi-san. About my consultation…”

I owed her for the art explanation she had provided. If listening to her could serve as a form of thanks, it was a small price to pay. After refreshing myself with the ice coffee, Komachi-san started speaking again.

“I can’t decide on a piece for the Hogan Festival. I know it’s because of my lack of sense and skills…”

Komachi-san continued like a waterfall.

“There are so many incredible people at Shumonzuka , you know? Those who have been pursuing their dreams since they were children, creating overwhelming works even to an amateur’s eyes, or even actively thriving in their fields.”

“Yes, it’s that kind of place.”

“I understand that, you know. It’s pointless to compare myself to others. But… those people, they’re always absorbing something, constantly creating something. They run endlessly, not thinking of it as a hardship. Creating is just natural to them. And that’s why… it feels like I’m completely stagnant because I spend so much energy trying to create something.”

“Stagnant…?”

“Continuing to create something worthless is just a waste of time.”

Komachi-san said, almost spitting the words out.

“When I talk to the other kids, everyone thinks of their work first. Shumonzuka is that kind of place, it should be, and students enroll wanting it to be like that. Of course, I also sought that environment, coming all the way from my hometown to Tokyo. But… the more I think like that, the less my head and hands move. I don’t know what to do.”

Her torrent of words halted.

Confirming her intent, I asked.

“Komachi-san, you’re specializing in fashion design, right?”

“Yeah, you know it well.”

“I remember what everyone at school is doing.”

“Everything? That’s crazy.”

Smiling wryly at Komachi-san, I recited the classmates in alphabetical order, each with their specialty. Then, I moved on to the next class and the next, even starting on the details of the year above us, until she finally said, “Stop, stop!”

“You remember all of that?”

“More like it gets etched in my memory.”

“Wow, Hanabishi-san, you must be good at Japanese history.”

“That’s unrelated…”

Regaining my balance after nearly stumbling, I responded.

“I’m not good at studying. Due to family circumstances, I couldn’t attend elementary or middle school much.”

“Really? Surprising… Then, what about Article 24 of Shumonzuka Girls’ Academy’s rules?”

“‘When a student who has been suspended under Article 22 wishes to return to school, they must clearly state so in the required documents, attach the necessary documents, submit a request through a guarantor, and obtain approval from the principal.'”

“What’s the name and profile of Shumonzuka Girls’ Academy’s principal?”

“Shumonzuka Asuka, 44 years old. Joined the Higanbana Acting Troupe at age 4, made her acting debut as a child actor. At 15, she won the Cinema Leading Actress Award for her role in ‘Silent Sky,’ and from then on, also thrived as a talent alongside acting. Retired from the entertainment industry at 35 to establish Shumonzuka Girls’ Academy to nurture the next generation of entertainers and artists, serving as the principal for nine years.”

“How many benches are there in the student dormitory garden of Shumonzuka Girls’ Academy?”

“Five on the grass, two inside the gazebo.”

I answered based on the scenery recreated in my mind, and Komachi-san stared at me, mouth agape.

“Something wrong?”

“No, it’s just… that’s not just being good at remembering things.”

Her reaction seemed flustered.

“I’m sorry, I interrupted the conversation.”

Apologizing, we got back on track.

“Why did you become interested in fashion design, Komachi-san?”

“Considering practicality, I deemed it a suitable field for me. That’s all.”

“…Excuse me?”

I asked again, unable to grasp her true intentions.

“I believe the greatness of humans is determined by ‘how much they can influence others.'”

Komachi-san began to explain in detail.

“Look, I don’t have a particular passion for fashion or design. Everyone in modern times wears clothes, right? So I thought, if I become a designer, I’d be in a position to influence many people. That’s how I ended up choosing fashion design, by working backwards from what I wanted to achieve.”

“…It’s so logical, I can’t see where the problem lies.”

“It’s a big problem.”

Komachi-san sighed before continuing.

“As I said earlier, talented people naturally keep creating. Among them are definitely people who love design, think about it all the time, even when eating or sleeping. Shumonzuka is that kind of place. And I… I definitely can’t win against those people. Being confronted with that reality is despairing. But what I hate is…”

Her voice was strained, as if being squeezed out.

It was hard to imagine from her sociable demeanor in class, this voice devoid of any composure.

tln : MC good at remembering thing, or should i say Camera memories? but bad at studying? hmmm interesting.