Ozawa: "It's not that I hate people... but talking to them just feels pointless."

  Mio: "Pointless?! How can you say that? Sometimes, a single word can change someone's life."

  Ozawa: (calmly, with a hint of sarcasm) "I doubt words change anything. The world isn't a movie, Mio."

  Mio: (pauses, then asks) "Why do you think like that?... It feels like you're carrying a lot inside."

  Ozawa stays silent, staring ahead without answering. Mio continues walking beside him quietly.

  Mio: "Well, if you don't want to talk, I won't push you. But I'll be here if you ever need someone to listen."

  Ozawa: (in a softer tone) "... Thanks."

  They reach a crossroad where they must go separate ways.

  Mio: "Well then, this is where we part. See you tomorrow, Ozawa-kun!"

  Ozawa: (looks at her for a moment, then says) "Yeah, see you tomorrow."

  He watches her walk away before continuing on his path, thinking about her words.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Someone to listen, huh?… Maybe, just maybe, it’s not as bad as I think."

  He keeps walking until he disappears into the horizon.

  ---

  Ozawa arrives home and tosses his bag onto a worn-out sofa, heading to the kitchen. He opens the fridge to check for food and stares at the contents with disappointment.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Great... just a few eggs, a small piece of meat, and an old bottle of sauce. That’s it?"

  He shuts the fridge with a sigh and opens his wallet. Inside, he carefully takes out a 10,000 yen bill.

  Ozawa: "Thanks, Yuko-nee-san. If not for this money, I would've gone hungry today. She always says, 'It’s a big sister’s duty. Take this and take care of yourself.' I wish I could rely on myself instead."

  He puts on his shoes, grabs his canvas bag, and heads out to shop.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Alright… I’ll buy enough to last the week. Gotta be careful with money."

  He walks down a street slowly lighting up as evening approaches. The sound of passing cars and people in the background reflects the buzz of life around him, yet he walks in silence, lost in thought.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "I hate depending on my sister. But what can I do right now? I need a part-time job… anything to ease her burden."

  He arrives at the neighborhood store and walks in quietly. He browses the aisles, picking up rice, some vegetables, a pack of ramen, and a small carton of milk. He carefully places each item in his basket, trying not to exceed his budget.

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  Ozawa (inner voice): "This will do. Gotta make it last the week. Every yen spent matters."

  After paying, he carries the bags home. The road is a bit dark, but familiar. He walks faster, eager to return to the warmth of home.

  At home, he puts the groceries away in the fridge, then looks at them with a faint smile.

  Ozawa: "Alright, this is better. At least I have enough for now."

  He sits on the kitchen chair, staring at the table for a moment before murmuring softly to himself.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "One day… I’ll make Yuko-nee-san proud. I won’t need her help anymore."

  He gets up and begins tidying the house, preparing to do his schoolwork, hoping to end the day with some sense of accomplishment.

  ---

  End of the day:

  After finishing his chores, Ozawa sits on his bed, staring at the dark ceiling. His thoughts swarm as usual, but he tries to push them away.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Time keeps passing, but I feel unchanged. Same routine, same thoughts. Will I be stuck like this forever?"

  He slowly closes his eyes, ready to face a new day, hoping it might bring something different.

  ---

  The next day:

  The morning begins with the shrill sound of the alarm clock piercing the quiet room. Ozawa groans, turns it off, and slowly gets out of bed. He stands still, looking out the small window beside his bed, where faint sunlight cuts through the gray clouds.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Another morning… same routine."

  He puts on his school uniform and eats a piece of stale bread with a small cup of water. Grabbing his bag, he heads to the door. Before leaving, he glances at the old photo hanging beside the door—one of him and Yuko-nee-san—and sighs silently.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Someday… I’ll make that photo mean something."

  He steps into the street, where the morning is still quiet, save for the soft sound of his steps on the sidewalk. He walks past shops just beginning to open and young children playing nearby.

  While walking, his head is filled with tangled thoughts.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Is it normal to feel like I don’t belong in this world? Everyone’s moving, working, talking… and me? Just a shadow taking the same path every day."

  He reaches a small bridge crossing the river near his school. He pauses and gazes at the slowly flowing water, feeling a brief moment of peace before moving on.

  ---

  At school, the courtyard buzzes with students chatting and laughing. Ozawa walks past them without saying a word, heading to his class.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "All these voices… why do they sound so far away?"

  He enters the classroom and sits by the window, staring outside with blank eyes. One by one, students begin to arrive, but he doesn’t look up.

  Classmate: "Good morning, Ozawa-kun!"

  He slowly lifts his head and nods without saying a word.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Even saying good morning feels exhausting."

  The first class begins, but his mind is elsewhere. His eyes are on the board, but his thoughts drift to places he can’t even describe.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Will this always be my day? Just a repeat of the same script?"

  ---

  After classes, Ozawa quickly gathers his things. As he gets ready to leave, he realizes he forgot his wallet in the classroom.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Great… as usual, I forget something. Fine, I’ll go back for it."

  He walks back to the classroom. The hallways are mostly empty, with only a few students lingering. As he approaches the door, he hears faint voices from inside.

  He pauses and listens unintentionally.

  Girl 1: "Mio, is it true what they’re saying about you and Ozawa?"

  Mio: "What? What are they saying?"

  Girl 2: "That you’re going out together… or dating?"

  Mio (lightly laughing): "Haha! Are you kidding? Me, dating Ozawa? That’s impossible."

  Girl 1: "Then what’s your relationship with him? You seem to care about him."

  Mio (coldly): "He’s… just a hopeless person. I don’t even consider him a friend. Sometimes I can barely stand him."

  The words hit Ozawa like a punch to the chest. He clenches his fist quietly but keeps his face blank.

  Ozawa (inner voice): "Hopeless… that’s how you see me, huh?"

  Suddenly, he hears footsteps approaching the door.

  Mio: "Anyway, let’s go. I’m starving."

  The girls open the door and Mio finds herself face-to-face with Ozawa, who stands there silently.

  Mio freezes in place, eyes wide with shock.

  Mio (stammering): "O-Ozawa?"

  He says nothing. He looks at her for a moment, then walks calmly to his seat, picks up his wallet, and turns his back on them.

  Ozawa: "... Don’t bother."

  He leaves the classroom without looking back, leaving Mio and the others stunned and speechless.

  ---

  Scene: The bridge on the way home

  Ozawa stands on the bridge, staring silently at the flowing water below. His thoughts are heavy, Mio’s words echoing in his mind. Suddenly, he hears hurried footsteps behind him.

  Mio (panting): "Ozawa! Wait!"

  He slowly turns to look at her. Mio stands there, breathing heavily, her face showing regret and anxiety.

  Mio (nervously): "Ozawa… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said back in class."

  Ozawa stays quiet for a moment, then speaks in a cold, flat voice:

  Ozawa: "Sorry? That’s all you’ve got?"

  Mio (pleading): "Please believe me! I didn’t mean anything by it! I was just… trying to go along with the conversation. I was scared they’d think something weird."

  Ozawa smiles bitterly, shaking his head.

  Ozawa: "So, to protect yourself from others’ judgment, you didn’t hesitate to mock me and crush my dignity? I see now. That’s your definition of friendship."

  Mio (desperately): "No! That’s not it! You know I didn’t mean what I said. You know I care about you!"

  He looks directly into her eyes, his voice sharper and more direct.

  Ozawa: "Care? No, Mio. Someone who cares doesn’t say things like that—even as a joke. You only did this because you hate being alone. You saw me as a tool, someone you could pretend to care about just to feel better about yourself."

  Mio (stammering): "I didn’t… I didn’t mean that. I swear I didn’t!"