Chapter 330: Aiki
Interest.
Every love begins when one starts to have an interest in others, and as that interest grows, one will be unable to get that person out of their head, then slowly fall into an inescapable maze known as love.
While Tobe didn't want to mess around, sometimes it was the woman who messed around first.
If he made an example, he was like a fierce lion, who lazily lay on the grassland, but in front of him, a delicious-looking meat appeared. When he was full, he wouldn't do anything and just let it stay there, but when he was hungry, what would happen?
Yet, somehow, those women never realized how much temptation they had given him, and how hard it was for him to endure everything.
Still, he also understood that it was because he was shitty that everything became like this.
'If I was a good person, then this wouldn't have happened.'
However, if he were a good person, would he be able to get close to many women?
"W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No, I just think that it is unexpected of you to ask me that question."
"Is it?"
As Yui showed his doubt, Tobe smiled and said, "You are the type that won't go after trouble and just fit in with everyone, right? So, isn't it strange of you to ask me that question?"
"..."
Yui was shocked, never expecting those words from him, but as someone who had done this from childhood to fit in with everyone, so she could blend in and live peacefully, it was surprising that someone could notice what she did.
Even in the original story, neither Yukinoshita nor Hikigaya ever noticed that Yui had always been the one who had connected everyone.
If Yui wasn't there, then, whether it was Yukinoshita or Hikigaya, it was impossible for them to be connected.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that she was an unsung hero since she had always suppressed her feelings, so everyone could be happy and at peace.
Still, this thoughtfulness and empathy of hers were impressive, but she had always held back, patient, and never expressed what she wished for.
Probably, because she knew that Tobe wouldn't get angry or answer her question, she asked this question, but unexpectedly, he saw deeper, which made her show an awkward expression.
"Are you jealous of me, Yuigahama?"
"Well..."
To be able to get what he wanted, yet he was still able to fit in with everyone.
Unlike Hayato or Yumiko, who forced their thoughts and beliefs on everyone with complete force, Tobe was different since it was like Yui saw her enhanced self.
"Well, I can't deny that I am like you, trying to fit in."
"Then... how can you change like that?"
"Hmm... instead of changing, I just think about how to improve myself better."
"Improve? How?"
"Have you heard of a martial art called Yuigahama?"
"Martial arts?"
Of course, Yui knew a martial art, especially since this country had a rich culture of martial arts, including karate, judo, kendo, kenpo, and many others.
Yet, what does it have to do with their current conversation?
"In the martial arts, we commonly see that everyone is trying to compete, force by force, and the one who is stronger is the winner."
"Well, that's true."
Yui frowned since she didn't like that.
A winner or a loser.
Why can't everyone be happy?
Why did it always end up in a competition?
Yet, she knew well that competition was also needed so that people would improve.
If everyone were satisfied with the status quo and never tried to change it, then society and civilization would stagnate; therefore, competition was necessary.
However, once again, what did this problem have to do with their current conversations?
"Among all the martial arts, there is one principle known as Aiki."
"Aiki?"
"Unlike other martial arts that fight a force with a force, this martial arts principle tells the user to blend in."
"Blend in?!"
"Yup." Tobe understood Yui's surprise since this martial art was similar to what they did in their lives. "Not to clash, but to blend in, join in, merge." Still, as he watched her reaction, he said, "But to blend in doesn't mean to give in."
"...." Yui.
What she always did wasn't to blend in, but to give in.
When she wanted something, such as during a childhood when she played with a group of her childhood friends instead of being a mother role that she wanted, she took the role of the dog since another wanted that role and she didn't want to fight and clash, which would make a conflict among the group.
So, was she wrong?
No, instead, Tobe thought that Yui was so mature, despite being a child, since she prioritized the harmony of the group and sacrificed her own wish for it.
For a child to have such an understanding, if she wasn't mature, then what was she?
On the other hand, the others were childish as they were all selfish.
Then again, it was those with selfish wishes who would mostly stay at the top instead of those who had always given in.
However, in society, while being direct was good, it might hurt others. If the one that they hurt had a lower position, or about the same, they might not care, but what if the one that they hurt had a higher position?
By then, they might lose their jobs, lives, and everything, right?
Yet, even so, it was impossible to give in, and because of that, one had to blend in before they led those people around them into giving what one wished for.
"Lead?"
"Yup. That's why I can have what I want."
If Shinra had to describe it, it would be like how one twirled their finger on a cup, rotating it fast, before creating a spiral in the water in the cup.
Society was nothing but water, and as we could control the water in the cup, we should be able to control how we wanted our life to be if we wished to.
"....."
At that moment, Yui was so shocked that she was unable to believe what she had heard; yet, this knowledge was similar to that of forbidden knowledge that she shouldn't have learned.
However—
"What are you two talking about there?"
Yui and Tobe turned and saw Yumiko, who was looking at them with a suspicious expression.
"I know that you can do it. How about you try it on her?"
Like a whisper of the devil, Tobe's voice seduced her to do something bad, yet while her heart was beating so fast, her face was so natural as Yui said, "N-No, it's just Tobe-kun is curious about your make-up, Yumiko. Your make-up is nice and makes you so beautiful, so he is a bit curious, but he is too embarrassed to ask."
Like a natural liar, Yui made her first lie.
Oh, no, she applied Aiki to her life!