After the glamorous middle-aged woman left, silence once again descended upon the scene. Ryuto slowly got up once he realized what had happened. The atmosphere was truly uncomfortable, somewhat awkward... He was just pondering on how to change the mood when he heard, "Why..."

Seto Sayuri muttered to herself with her head lowered, as if reciting a spell. "No, even if you ask why, wasn't it the only choice? Since you're so capable, you should have spoken up earlier. If I had known how capable you were, I wouldn't have had to do that."

"That's not it," Seto Sayuri suddenly shouted, and then returned to her previous state.

"What I mean is... why did you believe what I said?"

"Oh, you mean that," Ryuto replied with a slightly pensive tone. So, that's what it was. No wonder why the conversation between the two seemed off. After understanding, Ryuto spoke with a contemplative voice, "Hmm... Isn't the person involved in these matters the one who understands it the most? If the person involved says it's not true, then isn't it indeed not true?"

"Don't you... ever consider that what I said earlier was a lie?"

Huh? Was it a lie? Ryuto was surprised in his heart. To cover up his surprise, he forced a bitter smile and shook his head. "I don't think so, at least not from my perspective."

"..."

After hearing the response, Seto Sayuri fell silent, stood still, and then reluctantly spoke in a resigned tone, "You really are an idiot... a hopeless idiot."

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Seto Sayuri suddenly squatted down, buried her head in her arms, and couldn't help but sob. Hey, hey, isn't this scene too easily misunderstood? Let me clarify in advance, I didn't do anything, okay? (This reporter swears it’s the truth.)

But now is not the time. If I don't end it quickly, things might not go well. Ryuto thought so and decided to take the initiative.

"In reality, it wasn't you who took the money, right?"

"... "

Seto Sayuri didn't directly answer, just slightly nodded with her face buried in her arms. Perhaps she couldn't speak right now, given the current state.

Let me emphasize once again, it's not that kind of state, don't misunderstand.

After receiving the answer, Ryuto calmly stated, "The reason you didn't reveal the source of the money is because you're afraid of people knowing you work here. After all, working is also prohibited by the school regulations, not to mention working in a place that's not suitable for a student's identity. Moreover, the most important reason is that you don't want your family to know."

"..."

"So, the reason you admitted to the truth is because you don't expect anything to change."

"Because... even if I tell them, no one will believe me... Nothing will change."

Seto Sayuri answered with a choked voice. For her, she could go to such an extent and depend on her own beliefs to move forward because she was a necessity to her mother. Even if others didn't believe in her, it didn't matter. No matter how misunderstood she was, Seto Sayuri didn't mind, because as long as her mother believed in her and understood her, it was enough for her.

So even if Seto Sayuri was considered unnecessary by others, she was still necessary to herself if she was necessary to her mother.

Based on this, if her mother denied her, denied everything she had done, and didn't believe in her, it would be equivalent to denying Seto Sayuri's existence itself. In the end, Seto Sayuri would become unnecessary to anyone, so who should she trust? And why should she exist? Why should she continue to live?

Because no one will believe even if she speaks out, she can only choose to remain silent. Because she can't change the fact, she can only admit it. Even if it's right, she can't say it out loud.

Furthermore, even if she does speak out, no one will believe her, and in the end, nothing will change. Established facts are difficult to change.

The truth cannot be changed, and facts are hard to change. Because of the similarity between the two, in many cases, what is called a fact will evolve into the truth.

The reason for this result ultimately stems from modern society. The conveniences brought about by modern society have inadvertently made people lazier. The constant pursuit of efficiency exacerbates this outcome, not only physically but also mentally.

Therefore, modern people don't have the time or the inclination to differentiate between the so-called facts and the truth. To modern people, if the two are similar, why not just classify them as one? This way, it is both efficient and easy. Even though they know this broad classification could have unimaginable serious consequences for many people, in the face of the enormous temptation called efficiency, they can only reluctantly ignore these consequences.

Moreover, since others see themselves as non-essential, as long as the negative effects of this broad classification don't affect them, it's not their concern what will befall these other people. After all, they are just non-essential.

As long as the consequences don't affect themselves, it's not a problem. As for those who suffer greatly from this, they can only blame their bad luck. After all, isn't there the concept of "survival of the fittest"? This can only prove that fate didn't choose them. Yes, isn't that a good and reasonable excuse?

So, even though they understand the harm of this broad classification, modern people still greedily reach out their longing hands for it time and time again. Yes, as long as they can console themselves with the excuse that others had bad luck, as long as they can show a little sympathy for their plight later, they can alleviate their guilty conscience. Although this guilt cannot be completely eliminated, this level of guilt is insignificant to modern people because...

In today's irrational world where one must do whatever it takes to protect oneself, everyone carries a sense of guilt. Therefore, guilt-free people do not exist. As a qualified modern person, they have long been accustomed to this guilt. Once they become accustomed to it, it becomes neither painful nor itchy. But along with this lack of pain and itchiness, their sense of feeling also gradually becomes numb.

In this process, both sides are taking action for the sake of the other, but the result is continuous harm to each other, as well as harm to oneself. It is not difficult to see that the end of this path is that even if one is correct, they will not receive a good outcome. So, in the end, where is the problem?

"Tell me... what should I do..."

At this moment, Setsuna, who is always independent and never relies on others, uttered these words in an attempt to seek redemption. This cry is from the heart, it is genuine, without any falsehood, and there is no need to doubt it.

Faced with this long-awaited question, Ryuto's answer was unexpectedly surprising.

"You don't have to do anything, and can you promise me one thing?"

"..."

Setsuna couldn't help but lift her head from the arm that she was burying her face in, and she stared at the person in front of her for a long time. She looked at the only person who believed in her, a person she could clearly see even in dim lighting situations.