Chapter 18- Recognition
"If 'absolute' means that everything in the world has an objective standard for measurement—and setting aside the question of whether such an absolutely 'objective' reference point even exists—then how should 'justice' be defined?"
Yukino's voice was steady, her logic sharp as always.
"The weak do not envy the strong or exclude others because of their lack of ability. Instead, they choose to enrich themselves, strengthen themselves, and become strong in a reasonable and correct way. This is the justice I want to achieve."
Narumi raised an eyebrow. An interesting perspective. So this was the "justice" Yukinoshita referred to.
"Leaving aside the question of jealousy," he said casually, "how exactly are the strong and the weak defined? Who decides what constitutes strength and weakness?"
In one environment, the people who work overtime, earn promotions, and receive raises are praised as elites—recognized as strong. Meanwhile, those who clock out on time, go home to relax, and play games might be labeled as weak and unambitious.
But shift the environment. Suppose those who enjoy life are content and even excel in games, while the career-driven elite struggle no matter how hard they try. Then who is strong, and who is weak?
"Furthermore," Narumi continued, "when the justice of the majority conflicts with the justice of the minority, who is 'right'?"
Yukino fell silent.
"Let me put it another way." Narumi leaned back. "Sometimes a rule exists for so long, followed by so many people, that it becomes accepted as 'justice.' But that doesn't mean it's actually correct."
Yukino nodded almost immediately—she already understood where he was heading. Narumi's faint smile showed his acknowledgment.
"Exactly. Think of feudal superstitions that persisted for thousands of years, or tribes whose customs included cannibalism. We know those are wrong, but to them they were 'correct'—even 'just.'"
There were many such examples scattered throughout history.
"In the same way," Narumi continued, "if someone threatens my own interests, or contradicts the beliefs and consciousness I've built up so far, I can claim that what you believe to be correct… isn't correct at all."
He waved one hand lazily. A simple hypothesis, nothing more.
"So can 'absolute justice'—which some people may disagree with—really be absolute? When both sides insist their justice is the only justice, the voice of the majority will drown out the minority."
And when the crowd decides correctness through sheer numbers, does the meaning of "correct" even remain?
"Furthermore…" Narumi added, "if something that seems wrong to others brings immense comfort to one person, then for that person, it is right. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. For example, if a terminally ill patient wants to spend their final days however they want, but their family strongly objects because it's bad for their health—who's right?"
On that particular example, Yukino couldn't refute anything. She only lowered her eyes slightly.
"...Could it be that you were spacing out earlier because you were thinking about things like this?" she asked after a brief silence.
Her tone changed subtly. Was Narumi intentionally referencing something similar to the simulation? Was he testing her reaction?
"No," he said flatly. "Thinking about this kind of thing every day would be too taxing. I'd rather go home and play games."
That was the truth.
Avoiding complicated thoughts isn't weakness—it's healthy survival instinct.
"...Is that so?"
Not the answer she had been hoping for. Yukino turned her head away, the faint disappointment slipping into her expression before she could stop it.
Narumi jolted his head lightly, satisfied with himself. He pulled out a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth—
And stopped when he noticed Yukino staring at him.
"...1000 yen each."
"What?"
"Just kidding."
"Huh?!"
Narumi took another candy and tossed it toward her. Yukino, startled, reached out—but instead of catching it, she smacked it mid-air and sent it bouncing against the activity room door.
And at that exact moment, the door slid open, revealing a dead-eyed boy with a reluctant expression plastered across his face.
"Hey, how are you two getting along? I brought you someone your age this time… um?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka's enthusiasm froze as her eyes landed on the candy lying on the floor.
When Yukino first saw Hachiman Hikigaya, a strange thought flickered through her mind—that she wanted to sweep him out of the room immediately.
It wasn't jealousy, nor romantic interest, nor curiosity.
Rather—
Is a beautiful and cute same-sex person who makes Narumi-kun's imagination run wild about to show up?
Hachiman's gaze drifted uncertainly.
One reason: the safest seat—the one tucked into the corner—was already occupied by the friendly, radiant curly-haired boy. So his defensive position had been lost.
The second reason: Yukino Yukinoshita's piercing gaze had been locked onto him since he walked in.
After delivering them, Hiratsuka left promptly, clearly throwing the situation into the hands of the three students.
"Sensei, you didn't knock before coming in…" Yukino said calmly, ignoring the chaos she felt internally. "My name is Yukino Yukinoshita. Please, have a seat. You can begin introducing yourself whenever you're ready."
Just as her name implied, she was a cool, dignified beauty—so composed that most students only admired her from a distance.
"Hello, hello! You must be Hachiman-kun, right? My name is Narumi Toru. You can call me Narumi or Toru, either is fine. Nice to meet you~"
Hachiman blinked. Compared to Yukino's aloof elegance, the curly-haired boy's friendliness was almost blinding. Where had he seen that harmless face before…?
One thing was certain: both of them were far more socially capable than he was.
"What the hell… these two are clearly a mixed doubles team of 'positive' and 'negative' characters…"
"...Hello. I am Hachiman Hikigaya…"
Being around strangers was painful, but for someone like Hachiman—constantly ignored, constantly overlooked—even initiating basic self-introduction felt like climbing a mountain.
"Oh, Hachiman Hikigaya!"
The boy who introduced himself as Narumi Toru pressed his palms together with exaggerated seriousness, then winked at him playfully.
"What a great name. Just hearing it gives me a sense of security and protection."
Sure enough—people you meet inside a simulation really could cross paths again in reality.
Back in that world, Hachiman Hikigaya had left Narumi with a surprisingly good impression. A guy whose sharp tongue hid an oddly sincere streak. Someone who complained endlessly yet still cared in small ways. If their real-life relationship could end up as decent as the simulated one… Narumi wouldn't mind.
"Wh—my name… praised?! I'm not being ignored?!!"
Hikigaya froze like someone whose entire worldview had just been challenged. He hurriedly shuffled to the nearest seat, turning his head away to hide the faint red rising on his cheeks.
He didn't notice Yukino Yukinoshita's quiet gaze observing the two of them—sharp, unreadable, and subtly tense. Only once Hikigaya sat down did she finally look away.
This scene… she had lived through something like this before.
"So, Hikigaya-kun," Yukino began calmly, slipping into her chairmanship posture, "are you here to join the Service Club? Or to submit a request?"
"Uh… honestly, I don't really want either…"
His voice grew softer and softer before his eyes almost instinctively drifted to Narumi—the one who looked far more approachable than Yukino.
"Narumi… you're also a member of the Service Club?"
Compared to Yukinoshita's sharp presence, Narumi, as a fellow boy and newcomer, naturally felt safer.
"Huh? Me?" Narumi tapped his chin, smiling. "Hmm… what do you think?"
He chuckled lightly, but his eyes carried a subtle edge.
A chill ran down Hikigaya's back.
This one… is dangerous in a different way.
"Don't listen to him," Yukino cut in cleanly, her tone detached but direct. "He's practically an unofficial employee now."
"And just like you, Hikigaya-kun," Narumi added proudly, snapping his fingers, "I'm a hot potato Hiratsuka-sensei tossed into this room."
Then he grinned like he had just insulted himself on purpose.
"Yeah~ that's right. We're all rats in the gutter. Shameful bugs curling up in the corners of youthful sunshine. Self-righteous, annoying, and banished here for observing humanity. That's why we're here, little penguin rat!"
"Some of what you said is true—! But don't drag me into it! And what even is that nickname?!"
Hikigaya's face twisted into disbelief. For once, he felt like the most normal person in the room, which was disturbing in itself.
This conversation felt eerily familiar to Yukino. She kept her silence, watching Narumi's movements closely, every gesture triggering memories she had thought she buried.
"Also," she continued, "what reason did Hiratsuka-sensei give for bringing you here? You didn't write something you shouldn't have on a form, did you?"
"Hmm… that's not important!"
So he definitely wrote it.
And he definitely got tricked.
"Perfect," Yukino murmured, a slight smile appearing. "I'm curious as well."
"Hachiman," she added, "don't be fooled by Narumi's silly looks. He's quite good at changing topics and manipulating the atmosphere."
"Oh, thank you for calling me a silly handsome guy, Yukinoshita!"
"...I never said the word 'handsome.'"
"Being handsome is an objective fact, so I added it in."
"Then I reject it without hesitation."
"The topic is changing too fast!" Hikigaya cried out.
Narumi ignored him.
"Oh dear, does the reason even matter? Adults love slapping labels on people."
He leaned back on his chair, gaze drifting lazily toward the ceiling.
"Don't you think our situation is similar to the opening of a movie called the best teen film ever made?"
"The best teen movie… Stand by Me?" Yukino guessed.
"…The Breakfast Club?" Hikigaya said cautiously, unsure if he should even be answering.
Narumi snapped his fingers.
"Correct."
He flashed a bright grin, the dimple on his face briefly visible.
"Troubled teenagers locked in a room together, forced to write an essay titled 'Who am I?' Doesn't that sound exactly like us?"
Seeing their blank faces, Narumi stood up, stretching theatrically.
"Adults always use oversimplified labels to define us. A wealthy girl with strange ideals. A socially awkward loner. A mentally unstable idiot. And who's next? Doesn't matter. As long as you're considered a 'problem kid,' you get tossed together."
As Narumi spoke, that usual carefree aura faded. His tone sharpened, thoughts flowing naturally. Yukino, who had squinted slightly, now found herself holding her breath.
That keyword—movies.
The one thing that always triggered him in the simulation.
If even their hobbies were identical…
Narumi continued.
"Does a madman care why he's locked up in a mental hospital? No. Does he care what illnesses the other patients have? No. He's already in there too."
He spread his arms dramatically.
"We're the madmen of the 21st century."
But Yukino wasn't focusing on the dramatic tone.
She was staring at the core beneath the exaggeration the logic, the rhythm, the way his mind worked.
It was the same.
Narumi wasn't doing the same exact thing as in the simulation, but the essence was identical. The same warmth disguised as cynicism. The same ridiculous metaphors. The same sincerity buried underneath sarcasm.
Everything—everything lined up.
Her chest tightened.
It couldn't be coincidence.
It couldn't be.
Sure enough, he really is…