OreGairu knows what it’s like to sit in that corner of the classroom, by yourself, never talking, with you finding your mouth a little stale when it’s time to leave because it’s been closed for so long. You see it in the droop of his shoulders, hands finding solace where his trouser pockets were, as his bag bounces in perfect rhythm to each of his slow, dreary steps. You see it in the slight furrow of Hikigaya’s brow as his head rests on his palm, eyes brooding over to the noisiest parts of the classroom. But, hey, at the very least I’ve come to realise how silly I used to be, trying to stay away from people like the plague – it’s all just a natural part of growing up, and only now did I get the chance to finally join the club. I ended up cutting ties with most of those who didn’t, and I still don’t find myself talking a whole lot with those who did. When we graduated, that was that – some of us went to the same university, some didn’t. It’s been almost a year since I graduated and I’ve… moved on… since then, but I’d be lying if I said it’s all just in the past. I might’ve preferred being by myself, sure, but I still had a few friends – it wasn’t like I hated being around people. And it’s not like I was bullied or anything – no one picked on me or hated me in particular.

Why? I’d tell you I was shy, but I wouldn’t be saying very much. That was just how I was, I guess – I didn’t like talking, and I wasn’t very comfortable around most people. I remember a few of my classmates sometimes asking why I was so quiet all the time, why Even then, I’d always decline if they ever asked me to go out somewhere, telling them about how busy I was or how I “had other plans”. I had a group of friends, yeah, but there were only a few that I’d ever really talk to. I spent a lot of time by myself, reading in the corner of the classroom or somewhere quiet in the library at lunch.

I don’t know about you, but my high school years were… not very exciting.

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