Vol 1 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter One

A boxer, a soldier, a gigolo, a detective, even a Yakuza boss—

I met so many different types of people that winter; the winter I was sixteen Technically they were all classified as NEETs, but they were different kinds NEET, the teres to find its way into newspapers or television At the tiht it merely referred to unmotivated and unemployed youths, but the reality was that there werereason they remain jobless and fail to attend school

“The term NEET refers to neither ‘useless people’ nor ‘lazy people’” It was those words which that detective said to me “The only difference lies in the rules While everybody see the board to play checkers we play chess instead”

“I don’t get it Doesn’t thatin the way?” The naive me of then questioned The detective see those cherry-like lips which eventually gave way to a silent smile

“I suppose that it would seem that way to those who just want to rush ahead I understand that society wants to just group us together and label us: flinging us out into a rubbish duh ue with it, the fact ree, that’s undeniable”

The detective lowered her head, gazing at her opened palain This time her smile was not one of sarcasm or of bitterness, instead it was one co winter’s day “We will never laugh at ourselves Just as earthworuins are not asha of life, is it not?”

I couldn’t ht so deeply about ardless of how you dress it up, of how many metaphors you use, doesn’t the main fact remain? You’re still all useless people

However, it was that same winter I saw my first corpse, that I assaulted another person It was the first time in this life of mine that I had conteh, I suppose anyone who’d witnessed another person forfeit their life and seek death ht feel the same way

But I regress, that is a story for later For noill tell you about the winter I first irl

Near the end of November, I met Ayaka for the first time

After school ended on Tuesday, I sat on the water tower on the roof of the southern cas far away Noro to the computer lab and focus on club activities that only need one person But on afternoons with co to play on the computers that they usually don’t have access to I aup to the roof to waste ti at the coave off a lot of ”Get lost already!” waves, and sighed as I looked at the streets below

The streets of the city I currently live in can be divided into two colors, while the long thin river that flows like the artery of a patient is the divider of the colors The side closer toside by side, and then there is the high school I araves in this area; My house is also on this side On the other side is a tall flyover bridge with a highway leading to the capital, a gigantic train station with countless railways, tall buildings packed along co malls and television stations On sunny days, you can even see the shadow of the govern place to let boring housings that can be found anywhere in japan and tall s co-exist peacefully here

Looking down from the roof, the train station is like a scene in an advertisement on TV, without realiset close to that area? As we can wear our school uniforo out to play immediately after school, I heard that our school is rather popular in Tokyo; If the sailor costuht even increases the attractiveness by around 40

That day was a cloudy day, just nice enough that you can closely exas that are nor of which, they are just a bunch of glass s that are cut using silass squares with colors inpixel art

I've gotten used to killing time like that I think it's because I' schools due toof October, when I transferred into h school, I joined the Computer Club just because there was no one else active there, and went aboutnoticed by anyone I've often thought that there's no point in h school, while I couldn't follow the lessons as well

As I was gazing at the building, I suddenly heard a clattering sound below me, and thus I leaned my upper body outwards to have a look The water supply toas set on top of the stair roo out from the roof while the sound was that of someone who had climbed up the stairs and opened the door

”Eh? He's not here?”

I heard a girl's voice When I carefully leaned forward and peered directly below, she turned around, aze

She had short hair, and strong-spirited eyebrows, in contrast her eyes, which gave off a cute, friendly impression I felt like I'd seen her before As Iout a ”Wah!”, causing me to tumble down from the water supply tower

It was lucky that I fell froainst the concrete wall, the first thing she did ecan she had

”Why would you clierous!”

She said while applying plasters onasked such a question, I couldn’t answer her

“……idiots and soh places, after all”

“You have to play down the ‘idiots’ part when you say that!” [1]

She calh I wanted to escape, I couldn’t do so as htly

“There, I’htly tapped ht hand that was full of plasters, just like a caretaker as scolding sh I said all that, I actually cliives you an urge to climb it, doesn't it?”

Anyho on earth is this girl? As I can’t recall neither faces nor nairl ould talk to me with such a friendly tone

Suddenly, I saw the yellow badge on her left arh it was quite old and was already so Committee’ could still be seen on it At that e nus Does our school even have a Gardening Committee?

“Ah, so you have to clih to see the computer lab! Are you that type of person, Fujishi+ma-kun? Those who can’t concentrate when someone else is in the room? The type that people call the artistic type?

The girl held on to the railings, saying all that while looking at the school building opposite of us I was taken aback

“——How do you know about that?”

I let out a shout that startled even myself She turned around to look at me with a look of shock on her face

“Well, our class is on this side of the third floor, so that's why the computer lab can be seen from there Besides, Fujishi+ma-kun always sits beside the s”

I was found out Color drained out of irl know? She doesn’t know that I was drawing naughty pictures on the computer, does she? Wait, that’s not the main point…

“Why do you know my name?”

She raised her ar ready to pitch the ball It seemed my question surprised her

“Don’t you remember me? We’re even in the same class!”

“Huh?”

I started to become anxious From the time when I transferred to this school, I practically avoided all contact with other people, which is why I can’t remember the names of my classmates

“It was I who told you where the canteen is and also collected infor clothes during PE class, I have helped you out!”

“Wa- Wait a minute!”

“That last comment was just a joke~”

Ugh, this girl…

“Although I thought that you otten about me, I didn’t really believe that it would really be true…”

Seeing the girl with tears glistening in her eyes, I can’t help but feel souilty

“My name is Ayaka shi+nozaki, and I sit just beside you in class How can you forget about me even like this?”

“I’m sorry…”

“Fujishi+ma-kun, you don’t think that you are a part of class 1-4, do you? You even skipped school during the school festival

But the school festival was held just a week after I transferred, so I had no other choice but to skip it!

“And you aren’t even wearing the class badge It's rare for public high schools to have class badges, so it would be a pity if you don’t wear it!”

I didn’t really think it’s a pity, so I lied to her: “ I lost it”

“Then I’ll lend you mine then, I have some to spare at hoe from her sailor uniform

“Huh? No, there’s really no need to”

“Seriously, don’t move”

She caughtto escape I couldn’t help but freeze and pausefor a moment She moved her hands to the front of e on the collar of le, wouldn’t it see me from behind? No, wait, I have to calm down

After what see time, the warmth of her body finally faded from my back

“Hmm, that’s better”

She turned me around and nodded with a satisfied look on her face With a coazed at the blue and green badge It was as though an alien thing appeared on my neck Why did she help ood care of transfer students, but it was the first time I saw someone as that helpful

“It is a requiree, so don’t you take it off”

“Why do the schools in Tokyo have so many odd rules…”

Actually, isn’t itthat Tokyo is a very free place in the first place? One of therules is that students must join at least one club It was all because of these rules that I got into these kinds of troubles

“If it weren’t for the school rules, you probably would have been in the Going-Home-Club, wouldn't you?”

So? So what?

“But isn’t the Co to be abolished next year?”

“……Huh?”

“You see, the Third Years are going to graduate soon I heard that they are going to abolish clubs that have less than two ets next April”

It was the first tiht of the pale, touy wants to let the Co, huh? No wonder

“As I was saying…”

Ayaka suddenly raised her voice, startlingback half a step

“I have so to discuss with you If you accept my conditions…” Her expression was that of one who ree to join the Computer Club!”

“……Conditions?”

“Actually, I’ Club as well”

Ayaka, who had a triumphant look on her face for some reason, placed the ar Club? Isn’t it the Gardening Committee?

“The co around in a cupboard Isn’t it cool?”

“Not at all”

“Why do you always say things like that!”

Her whole face flushed red Why do you have to be so agitated, I don't understand at all

“Sht?”

In the end, I succumbed to Ayaka’s threats and accepted her conditions We went to the staff roos were supposed to end just like that Realizing that I cannot stay at the rooftop alone anymore, I could only find another place to while away tiht to myself: Is the library better or is the restroom exclusive for teachers better?

However, Ayaka walked by ht after school

“I’et the gardening tools first! You knohere they are , right? You can find the Committee” on it”

My classazes fluttered between Ayaka and I, as busy putting away my books

“Ahost member?” I started to say

“…A ghost member?” With her face pale, Ayaka turned away and covered her ht, I’m so sorry I- I was just too excited, and that confused me for a moment”

It looked like tears could pour out of her eyes at any h it was I who made Ayaka cry…… No, it was I who made her cry Anyhow, this situation is just terrible

“Erm, uh, wait a sec!”

“Fujishi+ma-kun, you’re busy with your activities at the Co you”

“O- Of course not——”

“Aren’t you going to coirl on the coht?”

“UWAAAAAAHHHHH!”

I hastily covered Ayaka’s mouth

“Alright, alright! I got it I’ll help you then”

“…… Really?” The tears vanished from her face in a flash “Thank you so much!”

She stuck out her tongue, as though it was just a prank just now Arrggh, this girl…

“Aya-chan, there's a new member in your club?”

A fe me a suspicious look

“Oh, yes That’s e haveabout plants!”

My classed looks

“Oh, yeah!” a male classmate raised his hand “There’s a lot ofto help”

“Mold isn’t even a plant!” exclaimed Ayaka

“No, it should count as a plant, shouldn’t it?” “Differentiating organisms by animals or plants is already outdated!” “Aren’t the ones in the washroom moss?” “Lichen are definitely not plants!” “The ones in the Biology Club, shut up” “But it's growing really quickly” “Looks like a person's face” “Seriously?”

The guys started to discuss the topic with vigor What is wrong with this class? After about twentya mold spray to clear it away I hastily stopped Ayaka, as about to dash into the men’s washroom

“……Allow me!”

My class to clear away the mold that have spread on the whole wall A few of theive ent odor of chlorine

“Fujishi+ma, it was hard on you……”

They started to pity me

“Of course, shi+nozaki is not bad too” “Not a bad person” “Yeah”

I nodded tiredly while scrubbing the wall vigorously with a sponge

I suddenly noticed that it was the first time my classmates called me by my name Even so, I just stammered, unable to even answer them properly

“Let’s have a welcome party! My treat!”

She said that evening as ere carrying the orchid plants indoors

“I work part tiive you a discount”

I thought to irls to work part time

“As I often went there, I beca custoo with me?”

“Why——”

Thinking that I would have to see Ayaka’s tearful face if I refuse her, I nodded reluctantly After keeping the tools in the cupboard and returning the keys to the staff’s office, I walked out of the school entrance with her

After learning that I haven’t even gone across the Shuto Expressway, she was astonished

“But don’t you live just nearby?”

“Well, I’ve just moved here recently, and there’s a lot of people at the station, so I didn’t really feel like going Besides, I don’t even have a reason to go there”

“Don't you usually go to bookshops or record stores?”

I nodded Usually, I would just buy books or records that I want online, as I s that I want even if the actual shops are big

“Is that so? But the shop that I’ve just mentioned is very far froood, but the ice-cream there is extremely delicious, so it’s still very famous”

“Then just start an ice-cream shop instead…”

“Try not to say that to Min-san, or you’ll get ramen served with ice cream”

Min-san would probably the owner of the ramen shop Is he Chinese?

Ayaka walked a bit faster thanaround, I was extre? How did it turn out like this? Why is she so nice to me?

When ere crossing the bridge, a large delivery truck passed by, spraying dust on us After entering the streets, alked past the Shuto Expressway viaduct and towards the station Then, ent along with the crowd and entered the south side of the underpass and exited it through the east side

We walked back to the surface in the direction of the railways After we passed by a tramp’s tent in a park, we found the rahts On the first floor of the building that had both shops and lodgings, only the signboard that says ‘Hanaathered around the shop looked like bugs attracted to a bug zapper

The interior of the ramen shop was very cramped Most of the space in the shop was taken up by the kitchen, while only five tables were in the shop The other customers could only dine outside on a steel chair There were even so on turned over beer crates, eating their ra the bowl

“You can just sit wherever you like”

After saying that, she entered the shop Although she told me to sit wherever I like, the problem is the chairs and beer crates are already fully seated

I saw aand another one that Ayaka just went in, located by the entrance of the kitchen Beneath the stairs, there were stacks of worn tires, sas tanks and some cardboard boxes full of stains

When he raised his head, I couldn’t help but take a step back The man was about twenty and had darkish skin It was already Nove a T-shi+rt, co biceps On the et killed

“Are you a student of M High School?”

“Nonono, I’h schooler?” I lied for no reason at all He put down his bowl and said:

“Really? There's a teacher teaching Maths, fukumoto-sensei Does he still have any hair left?”

“No, a lot of his hair has already dropped o……AHHH!”

He approached h it bore a hole on my forehead

“…… Uuuuuu…… That’s too despicable of you Since you’ve graduated from our school, why don’t you say so in the first place!” I, myself, don’t understand why I feel that he is despicable (It was obvious froh School, itsforehead and crouched dohilebehind me:

“He didn’t graduate This guy was kicked out of school: a drop out Here, eat this”

When I turned ray, sleeveless vest standing behind me Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and you could see a white sarashi+[2] around her chest She looked just like a laborer It was only because of the black apron with ‘Hanamaru’ printed on it in white that I realized that she was from the shop Does that mean that she is Min-san? So she’s a woman!

The thing that Min-san just stuffed into my hands was a paper cup filled with ice cream

“Master, I’ve told you many times already, I was not kicked out I dropped out myself”

“Say that after you’ve cleared your tab, you bum”

“Babies are jobless when they are born too! It’s just that they are tainted in the large bathtub called life after that!”

That would be colorless, not jobless [3] But Min-san doesn’t seem to want to reply to him, but instead turned around and went back into the kitchen that was filled hite smoke I held the paper cup with the ice cream and just stood there in a daze for quite some time

“Hey, you there!” the person as kicked out of school called me As soon as I turned around, I hastily covered my forehead

“What are you so nervous for! So you’re in first year now, huh?” He said while looking at et in your test?”

“Huh?”

Why on earth are you askinglike this?

“Fujishi+et the NEET virus!”

Ayaka, ore her black apron over her school unifor out of the kitchen with a tray full of bowls The dark skinned guy —— Tetsu-senpai gnashed his teeth, but only pretended to flick Ayaka’s forehead This is just plain preferential treatue, and started to serve the customers outside the shop

“Oh, just answer me already! Your face is that of one who fails a lot since first year”

Although I thought that he was a busybody, what he said was still the truth I could only answer in a slish and japanese History” Tetsu-senpai caught hold of as tank and made me sit down

“Actually, the seats here are specially for NEETs You have the potential to be a NEET, so if you drop out, feel free to come here! We will alelcome you”

“No, please don’t expect that of me” We? Is there anyone else who’s with him?

“Why? I can start fro you how to choose pachinko machines! Also, I know some of the ehest frequency of hitting the jackpot!”

When I had a closer look, I saw so stashed in Tetsu-senpai’s hind pocket Whoa, so this guy is a professional pachinko player What a useless person I averteda wooden spoon Basking in the evening sun of this late autuhtful aro ice cream is indeed exceptionally scrumptious

The second person of the ‘we’ that Tetsu-senpai spoke of appeared when I was eating roast pork noodles He suddenly pressed a hard object against the back of my head and said: “Don’t move Throay your weapon, raise your hands, declare your name and unit” I almost spitted the roast pork out of my mouth

“Erm…… Err…… But……” If I raised my hands, the roast pork will fall down!

“Major, you are so slow Stop doing idiotic stuff and sit down”

Tetsu-senpai said while stirring his vanilla flavored ice cream and caramel sauce

“But he’s sitting on my seat! Who is this fellow?”

“Narumi He’s in the same club as Ayaka”

“Hiro-san said that he’s coh seats then”

“Hiro can just sit on Naruh”

“Oh, I see”

What do you mean you see?

The guy called Major then walked into reen and coffee-coloured ca helles He was somewhat thin and his skin was a beautiful shade of pink that belongs to prie While putting away the un, but what if it’s a real gun?) into his khaki backpack, he looked at me and said:

“But isn’t this guy a high schooler? He doesn’t fit the description of a NEET”

“Don’t worry, he’s reat NEET after a year or two”

“I definitely won’t becolared at me and sat on a cardboard box

“In this era when there are about a billion NEETs in our country, NEETs-in-waiting like you are necessary, are they not? The future of our country sure is dark”

“……in waiting?”

In bewilderment, I asked him what he meant by that Major pointed at me and started to chatter enthusiastically:

“Speaking of which, do you know the how a NEET is defined? The teres of 16 and 18 and are not in education or eland, its ed to include people from 15 to 34 As a lot of types appeared after that, they were even classified into an active type and a passive type, a sudden type, challenged type, cave type Besides that, there were also so three-diht quadrants, but they are actually just less classifications to me”

“Mukai-san, sorry for the wait”

Ayaka served Major his salt-flavoured ramen It looks like Mukai is Major’s real name

“I’m so sorry, Fujishi+ma-kun, there would be less customers after a while”

I tried to give Ayaka a ‘justfindanexcuseforet it Major sipped some soup and continued:

“NEETs were originally just a cultural illness of reliance, and will only appear in a prosperous country like ours We should be more proud of NEETs! Love the country that strives to produce NEETs, for world peace, weelites, learn from each other , fore the evil! Grow, NEETs! Grow like blazing fire! NEETs!”

“So noisy! Just shut up and eat your noodles!”

Min-san’s furious outburst echoed fro pan flew out of the kitchen soon after, landing on Major’s head

“Huh? What’s with that guy?”

Ain the alley, and a tall silhouette appeared at the end of the alley

A young htly colored coat with khaki jeans was standing at the end of the alley His occupation was a mystery, but he radiated the aura of a professional person His aura was different froas tank

“He’s Ayaka’s friend See, he’s froh School” Said Tetsu-senpai “Oh? Oh——”That man patted my shoulders and said:

“There was a ti this uniform too!”

He shot a look at the narrow kitchen back door and sat down beside Tetsu-senpai I started to get confused Aren’t the seats here just for NEETs?

“Hi, nice to meet you Here’s my card” He took a piece of card out of his pocket and handed it toso, I took the card, on the card it was printed:

‘NEET - Hiroaki Kuwabara’

…… Huh? I nearly fainted at that moment

To reconfirm the world that I live in, I breathed in deeply and looked atice crea salt-flavored ra bowls in the s a battle royale with flaht skies in this autu was me

“Is…… Is your job a NEET?”

I asked cautiously Hiro-san showed me a s:

“What are you talking about? A NEET isn't an occupation!”

Well, that’s true As I was about to nod, Hiro-san’s next comment completely devastated me

“Being a NEET is a lifestyle”

He actually said that it was a lifestyle? I al back his hair, was lessly handsome What on earth is with these people?

“Did you make these cards before this, Hiro?”

“Well, its quite convenient while flirting People always laugh when they see it”

“Didn’t I tell you that you’ll ry like this, and that you shouldn't flirt with other people so much?”

“Ah, I broke up with her already I’ht club Making it clear that I’m jobless from the start makes my life much easier!”

So Hiro-san is a gigolo! Well, he did say that it was a lifestyle

I listened to their conversation at the sidelines while drinking the ramen soup, but I didn't really notice its taste Froathered that they were about 18 to 19, and are supposed to be teenagers who have bright futures

I vaguely thought to myself: would Tetsu-senpai’s words that I’ll turn out like them soon come true? I could only hope that this won’t be true

After we finished eating the ra the ice crea a second), extremely noisy rock music suddenly blared in this narrow space It was ‘Colorado Bulldog[4] The three i up, took out their cellphones that were altone

Tetsu-senpai picked up the call first, then Major and Hiro-san’s phone i An expression that looked very ret appeared on their faces

“Min-san, Alice has an order for you! Onion ra”

Doesn’t that ht to myself After three minutes, the bowl that Min-san took out did look like there was only leeks and soup

“Tell this to her clearly, we sell ramen” Min-san said with a sour expression on her face

The leeks floating in the soup looked like islands in a sea of soup Tetsu-senpai, Major and Hiro-san looked at each other

“The probleonna take it to her?” said Tetsu-senpai

“Does Alice seem like she’s in a bad mood?” asked Hiro-san

“Definitely”

“Are you guys taking it to her?” n of doom Tetsu-senpai nodded, and then slapped his kneecap