In the blink of an eye, a few days have passed again.
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Today is Friday, and tomorrow is the weekend.
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The school is filled with a joyful atmosphere everywhere.
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In the past, Chongzong would have been infected by this happy atmosphere, thinking about doing something different on the weekend.
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For example, taking Yuki and Mizuo to the park for an outing, or accompanying Yukino and Yui to buy groceries, then cooking a sumptuous meal together at home…
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But now, he doesn't have the mood for it.
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It's like playing games sneakily when homework is unfinished, the heart always hanging in suspense, the longer you play, the stronger the sense of guilt.
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In the end, the joy of playing games is not gained, and time is wasted.
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In abstract terms, in one sentence:
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Knowing it's wrong, but still choosing to do wrong.
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—But what else can be done?
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In reality, Chongzong wants to talk to someone.
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In reality, Chongzong hopes that there's someone who can help him, tell him how to solve the dilemma in front of him.
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Or maybe just someone to listen to his complaints would be fine.
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This is the first time Chongzong has had such thoughts since he was a child—thoughts of being "weak."
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But he doesn't reject it.
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He understands now that he's not some extraordinary, special being.
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He is just an ordinary high school student.
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By himself, he can't do much.
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Whether in "culture" or "martial arts," he has many shortcomings compared to others.
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He, is a weakling.
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Through all that has happened, Chongzong has come to understand this.
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Fortunately, Chongzong didn't get discouraged upon realizing his weakness; on the contrary, understanding his weakness made him realize not to pretend to be strong.
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It taught him how to calmly think.
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It taught him not to cause trouble for those behind him.
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But here, in this high school, other than Yui Uesugi, Chongzong has no one to talk to about these things.
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And he wouldn't choose to communicate with Yui.
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Because Yui Uesugi is even more tormented than Chongzong.
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Some say, sharing joy doubles it, sharing pain halves it.
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But is that true?
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Perhaps it's just a lie.
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Human nature is evil.
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Sharing joy can make people jealous, they just don't say it out loud.
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—Why is it lucky that you're not me?
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Sharing pain can make people feel annoyed, they just don't say it out loud.
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—Are you tired of spreading these negative vibes all day long?
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Unless there are people who sincerely consider each other, is it better not to share joy or pain?
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Chongzong doesn't know.
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Being unable to make a move, constantly pondering every day, is driving him crazy, almost to the point of madness.
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—Should I go back to visit the high school?
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For some reason, Chongzong had this thought.
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So after school, he followed his inner thoughts and made his way to the middle school he used to attend.
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On the way, he passed by an alley.
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This alley, he remembered.
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It was where he had once saved a black cat named Anna.
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— I wonder if Anna is doing well now?
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— With Mai taking care of it, it should be doing fine, right?
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— If I hadn't come to save it back then, it might have died, right...
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—Although I am "weak," but in some situations, am I still "strong"...?
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As Chongzong was pondering these thoughts, three teenagers surrounded him.
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"Never seen you before, new face?"
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"Want to join our gang, we're recruiting recently?"
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Saying incomprehensible things.
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Chongzong didn't reply.
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The uniforms these three teenagers wore, Chongzong recognized, were from the Industrial High School.
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That place breeds such bullies who are idle and the school can't control these students. It is also rumored that there are gang forces within the school's top management.
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None of this matters.
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"What are you doing, what gang?" (Chongzong)
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Chongzong looked at these teenagers, asking them expressionless.
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Perhaps Chongzong's aura was too cold, and these teenagers didn't dare to approach further, just standing around Chongzong at a distance of three to four meters.
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"We're from the Kuroda group, recently…”
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Before the person could finish speaking, Chongzong had already rushed to him in an instant, gripping his throat with his left hand, clenching his wrist with his right hand, taking a big step with his right foot outward, turning his waist, sinking his center of gravity, starting to transmit power from the bottom of his foot to his arm, and with one breath, he sent the person flying from his back.
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The youth who was thrown, his back hit the wall, making a dull thud sound, then fell to the ground unconscious.
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"Why do young people like you have to join the Kuroda group?" (Chongzong)
