(Sunday)
...
It has been 17 years since I reincarnated into this world. A world where most things from my previous life no longer exist… though not everything disappeared.
Even so, only a few things remain that I can still recognize.
And honestly, it still feels strange to me.
From the moment I was born into this world until now… I feel like I haven't changed at all.
I'm still the same person I used to be.
Still the same utterly useless person.
Even in this completely new world, my life is still filled with difficulties.
But that doesn't mean I've given up.
I'm still trying… trying to try harder.
Maybe it sounds foolish, but at the very least, that's the only thing I can do.
…
Huh.
I let out a quiet sigh as I looked at the crowded street in front of me. The sun hung high above, its heat pressing down on everything.
Still, I spent my entire day off coming all the way here. There's no way I'm going to waste it.
I continued walking along with the crowd.
I have to admit… just walking among so many people already makes me feel exhausted.
Maybe this is what happens when you spend your previous life as an extreme loner.
-
After walking for a while, I finally found a place that suited my preferences.
It was right by the side of the road, in front of a shop that didn't seem to be open yet. Because of that, it felt like the perfect spot.
Especially considering I didn't want to disturb someone's business.
"Alright… I should get ready first…"
I muttered quietly to myself.
I took the guitar case hanging on my back, set it down, opened it, and took the guitar out.
Standing upright with the guitar in my hands, I stared ahead.
Then a thought crossed my mind.
"How exactly am I supposed to do this?"
To be honest, this is my first time trying to perform on the street like this.
It's not like I'm short on money or anything.
But my parents in this world once told me that I should chase my dreams.
The problem is… I've never really known what my dream is.
But after thinking about it for a while, I realized that I've always liked music.
So why not just become a musician?
When I told them that dream, they supported me wholeheartedly.
They bought me this guitar. My father even taught me a few things.
Back then, for a moment, I started to feel hopeful.
But in reality… it was nothing more than a meaningless hope.
Even so, I still decided to live up to what I told them.
Maybe… I just think of it as a promise I have to keep.
Life really is troublesome.
I pulled my cap down slightly to cover part of my face, then looked up at the sky, trying to gather the resolve I needed.
Taking a deep breath—
"Alright… let's do this."
With a faint sense of nervousness in my chest, I whispered those words to reassure myself.
Then my gaze turned toward the street ahead, where people continued to pass by.
And with that—
I began my very first street performance.
–
"Kunou ni mamirete~~ nageki kanashimi~~
Soredemo todaenu uta ni~~ hi wa sazazu tomo~~~"
With that final line, the song came to an end, and the sound of my guitar slowly faded into the noise of the crowd before disappearing completely.
My breathing felt heavy after singing that song—
"Kisetsu wa Tsugi Tsugi Shindeiku".
I had to practically shout just so my voice could be heard.
But in the end…
It didn't go well.
People only glanced at me briefly before continuing to walk past, completely ignoring me.
Huh.
I knew it would end like this.
With that, I put the guitar back into its case and slung it over my shoulder.
Then I left the place and started walking home.
Along the way, my head hung low, unable to look at anyone.
A thought crossed my mind.
"Was any of this even worth it…?"
The answer is probably no.
In the end, a useless person like me will only end up doing useless things.
It fits perfectly, doesn't it?
And with that thought, I left the commercial street behind.
…
After walking for quite a while, I finally arrived home in the late afternoon.
My house isn't actually that far away.
I just deliberately slowed down along the way.
I took out my key, only to realize the door wasn't locked.
So I opened it.
"I'm home."
Before stepping inside, I took off my shoes and placed them where they belonged, then changed into my slippers.
At that moment, a voice came from inside.
"Oh, Hiromu. Welcome home."
It was my father.
I nodded slightly and gave a small smile.
"Yeah. It's rare for you to come home this early."
"Well, I finished my work, so my boss let me leave early today."
I could tell he was a little awkward.
"I see."
"So, Hiromu… how was your day? Was it good? And I see you brought your guitar. Are you still playing it?"
"Yeah… I did say I wanted to become a musician. So I have to at least try a little."
"I see."
Then he added,
"By the way… how about we go out for dinner tonight?"
I looked at him in mild surprise.
He rarely asks something like that.
I nodded.
"Mm. Sure."
-
After that, I headed to my room.
Once I got there, I dropped my guitar case somewhere without much care.
Then I simply threw myself onto the bed.
-
Ever since my mother died, we haven't talked much—even though we're family.
That's why things between us became awkward.
I'm not sure why, but maybe he's trying to spend time together to fix that.
Relationships really are troublesome.
…