"Please don't be surprised, Mr. Satoshi… But based on my findings, it's apparent that you currently have a case of Misophonia."

"…

Oh, I see. Hahaha."

Of course, the doctor did not expect such a lukewarm response from his patient who explained his symptoms and sentiments thoroughly. And to think that after finding and explaining the definition of the case, Ginji was still wearing a smile along with a straight face.

Ginji Satoshi's academic year as a first year student in college has come to an end. Immediately after, he opted to consult a psychiatrist to get a broader background on his now officially found diagnosis, and just to make sure. And just like he and Gin had speculated after a brief research, it turns out that their inference was true. Ginji indeed has a sensory disorder in which certain sounds in specific situations tend to "drive him crazy."

"I-I'm surprised that you are taking this in quite well, Mr. Satoshi…" and it looks as if the doctor is more depressed than him.

"I've guessed that it may have been the case."

"Also, do you recall some disorders that might have happened to you?"

"I can't be specific even if I wanted to… but I suppose there was already a time where I went insane. I also have a friend that is the same in this regard, but I'm amazed that he recovered by himself."

"I-I see…

Anyway, it would be fine not to give you any kind of prescription. But it would be best for you to find an environment that will less likely trigger your symptoms if possible. What I would recommend is mostly being in a quiet place that is absent of the sounds you are avoiding. Some people take several months to many years to recover from it based on their situation."

"I will try my best.

Oh, also, doctor?"

"Yes?"

"Is there some study being conducted about… how should I explain this… like I just mentioned that I have gone insane in the past but not for a long while. If I'm being specific, it was three days or less, and there are people that experience it for hours only or even for a moment.

My friend described it as something that happens when a person has reached a point of despairing, and an unconscious, or probably the inner psyche of that one lets loose. It's certainly similar to insanity, but to some extent, there is still logic behind it, although bordering to the point of the unreasonable with the psyche fading from logic and being twisted."

"I think I have patients like that in the past, but your description is very specific so they might still be a different case. Is there more that you can share?"

"Hmm… probably a… change in personality, yes. Or rather, surfacing of the personality that is not meant to come out. But I think it varies…"

"I think there might not be a study about that, and it's the first time that I am hearing that concern. Also, it's more of a subjective and psychological variable at this point, and the science of it shall come later if researched. Maybe that is a new disorder that we still don't know of."

"I understand. Also… it's not really medically appropriate, but we for now call it cognitive distortion, or something close to that."

"Distortion… that is one way to put it. I shall ask some of my colleagues about that. It was fun talking about that, and I am open for further talks about it. May I have your email in case I find something?"

"Ah, sure."

With that, I wrote (one of) my email address on a scrap paper and prompted to leave.

"I hope that you will be well, Mr. Satoshi."

"Thank you very much for your help."

▪ ▪ ▪

‹Ginji›

Finally, I have put a nail on that concern.

Immediately after finding about my diagnosis, I gave my family a copy of the results of my consultation to finally address the things that an extremely reserved person like me can't say. It turns out, all I needed was proof to make my own mouth speak. It's not that I really can't talk about it with them until now, but it's because my condition is illogical for the many and would think that I'm just acting it, and also because I never really wanted to speak up even if I want to. It's weird.

"I know this may be extremely sudden and arbitrary on my side, but… I think it's best for me to live on my own for a short while.

Still, I'm sorry that I never told this to you for so many months."

"No, we're the one who didn't notice for so long.

We're not really against you moving out temporarily if the doctor recommended an environment to you, but are you sure you will be fine?"

"I still have a lot of savings from my commission work from an entire year so I'll be fine for a few, but of course I'll also look for sources of income before coming back to college.

Besides, I've already found a place in my commute."

"That fast…?" my sister doubted.

"It's ran by my friend's family. He will never give me a discount, but the rent is reasonable. Though I would probably be away for the rest of my break."

"Ah, right. We'll attach your medical certificate to the promissory since you would immediately be absent for a few months."

"Got it."

"Also… are you going to move immediately?"

"I need to, otherwise my condition will get worse and worse. The apartment I found in Sector T1 is quite isolated.

So while it's still so hot in the day, I'll pack the so little that I'll bring with me, and then I'll head out there to discuss my move at night.

I guess I'll be on my room."

~ ~ ~

And so, the parents and the eldest child remained in the living room.

"So it was true that CSU wasn't very fruitful for him because of that," the daughter declared.

"Was it a repeat of want happened in his fourth year…?"

"From what I heard from Yui, it wasn't like that at all. But she said that he became very depressed and nothing really happened to him in his first year."

"I suppose he lost trust to say his sentiments to us while his disorder is eating away at him…

I guess what he really needs at this point is a space for himself. We really can't force him to talk."

~ ~ ~

"Ah, yes. I'm ready to move in immediately. It might be tomorrow or the day after."

"You said temporarily… Do you any plans to how long you are staying?"

"Tentatively… for two months.

I also have the installment for my first rent at hand. If it is fine, I can now do a partial payment."

"If that is what you say, we can immediately jump in to the paper works."

"Ah, yes please."

"So to reiterate once more, the room is Room 102 and be assured that our area is quite elevated so flooding does not occur. We have here our terms in renting a room and the contract in front of you. Please read them carefully. After that, you can fill the blank spaces and sign our contract."

"Thank you. Please give me a moment."

…

"Thank you very much. I will be in your care from now on."

"We hope you will be okay with your stay here.

…

Wait, aren't you our son's assistant…?"

"I was… but I worked for him indeed, Mrs. Ayame. It's just a coincidence. I only found that you have an open room earlier in the day."

"I see… Then please take care of this key. Do you want a quick tour of the room?"

"Oh, thank you. I haven't seen it empty yet. I'm also aware that the rooms are identical."

"Then let's head out now. I'll be sure to keep this a secret from my son and her girlfriend for now."

"I guess I will surprise them…

Actually, how are they these days? I've only ever heard news of him by reading his manga."

"Our son's fine, really. He's now gotten the hang of balancing his college life to his work.

But he's still as protective for Minase."

"Even I would also feel like that…"

"Oh…?"

▪ ▪ ▪

The next day.

Really, I could have headed out immediately at the start of the day, but it's not a very nice thing to move in empty-handed. I therefore spent the entire morning making mochi of different flavors courtesy of Yui-sensei's tutelage. It turned out quite nicely and so I said my temporary farewells to my family and headed out to my new place.

It still honestly feels unreal. Even if it's only for a short time, I am going to be living by myself. Of course, it is definitely very different from the time when I was inside the Void. Frankly, I can't call it a home, unlike Gin, and it's apparent that it doesn't look homely. It truly serves a very specific purpose.

I suppose it is like a place for people like me to exist in that place but not in the outside world. For Gin, it's not like a Schrodinger's Box as he has a very deep connection with the room, but it wasn't the case for us.

But I have talked too much, and I have arrived.

Of course, aside from the minimal furniture and (thankfully) appliances, the room is very bare. It is indeed an open plan format that brings out the space of the entire room. The only difference to Yuuga's room is that it was renovated to split the bedroom from the entire room to accommodate to his mangaka needs.

But in the end, there really isn't any difference. After a small foyer is already a greeting to the kitchen and the bathroom while turning to the right is where a small dining table is situated beside a shelf that partitions the hallway from the space of the bed. Lastly, on the other corner adjacent to the bed is the living space where I imagine that this is still Yuuga's preferred workspace.

But enough of him, this is my own place. It certainly is very spacious as this is an empty room, and I don't think it wouldn't make a difference with me living here. When I said that I wouldn't bring a lot of things with me, I meant it. The only things that were added to this empty room is clothing for the closet, a laptop and a pen tablet on the desk, and all the boring stuff that is essential inside a living space. Certainly, I am going for the minimalist approach here.

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And also, there is a TV here, un-fluffing-fortunately. I've thought of grabbing a knife and slashing it in half, and even put an image of a dartboard in my USB and plugged it in the noise machine. The only thing is that I don't have real darts to bullseye right on the screen.

In the end, I tucked it away somewhere hidden that wouldn't trigger my being a psychopath. Clearly, I am not mentally well.

But it's time to bring out the mochi.

…

This is by no means a tradition here in Orio, but am going to knock on the other doors of this apartment door to meet them briefly and also give them the mochi that was made with my blood and tears. I say that, and it sounds very rude not to introduce yourself to neighbors, but it really isn't a thing here. We're not very social in this kind of conditions.

Then I climbed the stairs to the second floor after giving the soft things on my two neighbors downstairs. I have expected that it will be awkward for both of us three as the two out of three rooms here knows me, and that one of them will be going to collect my rent. But to be honest, I think that I'll just need to knock on two doors this time.

I'm saying knock on the doors, but I am actually ringing their doorbells.

"Good morning, Mr. Representative Landlord. I'm the new tenant from Room 102."

Dot, dot, dot.

"WHAT?!"

In any case, I was welcomed to the familiar apartment room.

"I wanted to surprise you two, and I already expected Minase to be here. So I've brought with me homemade mochi."

"Ooohhhh… Have a seat, but don't suddenly touch my pages."

"Got it, sensei…"

"My word, I never expected this… Just what happened?"

"I consulted a psychiatrist and he recommended to put myself in a quiet environment for a while and I found myself in your apartment building. Basically… sound, me wrath; quiet, me calm."

"That's some monkey brain explanation right there…

When did you sign the contract anyway?"

"Literally just last night. I also had my checkup yesterday."

"You work way too fast…

But that being said, do you have any gig aside from the commissions right now?"

"Well, TAC is basically freelancing right now… so I'm basically a NEET."

"Mina really isn't very helpful on the manga so I'll appreciate you helping me."

"Hey…!" Yuuga received a whack on the head.

"I guess I'll be on your hands again, sensei."

"Do you have some leftover things to get done with, though? I might get in your way if that's the case."

"Nahh…

…

Actually, there is."

"Oh."

"Even a NEET like I am have something I'm very busy with.

I'm busy being depressed," and confidently said at that!

"Oh my word… I don't even know if I should employ you now."

…

"Oh, right. The academic year in CSU just ended, right?"

"The same to your college?"

"I guess so. I'm still surprised that I haven't gone to a hiatus with the addition of more schoolworks."

"Good for you. I'm going to transfer in a vocational school here in Ginga."

"Say what?"

"It feels odd not having met for so long that we missed stuff so much. But I'm trying to ease my load so I left CSU. Classes will start next month but I already filed a leave and I'll start in August. I really need to sort out my head."

"I see… How about Yui, then?"

I may be a total wreck right now, but even I can pull a disgustingly happy face.

"About that…"

"Quit being bashful."

"We've started dating not long ago…"

"Wooohhhh… Congrats on that one."

And in case you're wondering why Yui suddenly pulled me back to their house and prompted to declare something, she didn't even nod or say yes to my question and outright declared that we are now in a relationship in front of her parents. Nonetheless, things went well, and I finally made her look at me. That is why I have the right to have this disgustingly happy face.

"Hm, I think I'll have to take my leave for a moment. The fridge is still empty and I need to do grocery."

"Have lunch with us for today, why not?"

"Even so, it'll be very hot later so I need to get going."

"Alright. But do you like asparagus, G?"

"I shan't say no to that."

~ ~ ~

And finally, my room is now fully functioning after a full day of setup. My dinner has been secured, my workspace is now ergonomic, and the bed has been treated with nice sheets that I splurged on. I also discovered that a stable internet connection built in all of the rooms is part of the rent so I was enjoying a fast connection right off the bat.

Honestly, there are so many factors that affect my disorder, but prominently, it is very loud sound. I am not affected by the sounds that people make everyday, but there are certain sounds that trigger my fits. You see, most commonly it feels like a stimulus is being sent to my brain. It also feels like my head and my ears are tightening. The doctor warned me that my condition could worsen to even affect my visual senses if not mitigated. Sometimes, I have felt that it may have happened a few times.

I am sick and tired of hearing the news, and I hate the sound and all the shows in Netflex. I don't even watch my anime there. I hate the bass sound that comes from the speaker of the noise machine especially at high volumes, I hate hearing the sound of the news, I hate the sound of gunshots, I hate action movies, and I hate it when people just can't decide if they will watch or work. It honestly sounds like a tangent and some aren't related to my disorder, but they aren't peeves. They are what drive my mind insane.

My ears only accept the sound I like, the sound that I don't mind, but not the unnecessary sound and the sounds that I don't have a single care about and would better be rid from my life. This is indeed sounding like a rant, but they aren't something to be heard from a person whose logic is not slowly fading away. I have realized it already—this is the reality of the people with disorders like me.

But for this matter… I am quite worried about the relationship that I have just established with Yui.

▪ ▪ ▪

Three days later.

"Hello, Yui? Ah, yeah, I'm doing fine. I actually have something to tell you. I was supposed to tell it to you but it slipped my mind so I'm sorry.

Please don't be surprised, but I have actually-"

Ding-dong

And I also faintly heard the ringing from the other side of the line.

Nervously, I approached the door of my room and hoped for the best after opening it.

"…

I'm really sorry for not telling you…"

Unsurprisingly, she looks very upset.

"Do you want to come in? I still have some mochi…"

"I heard it from Ane Chise (Ginji's sister)."

"I see… But I have no excuse. It really slipped my mind. I'm sorry for making you come all the way here."

"Hahh… it's fine. Please worry more about yourself.

…

But this sure is a nice place, huh. Isn't this place expensive?"

"It's a fair rent. I get what I expected."

With that, Yui then started to look around the minimalistic place.

But I guess even she can be very curious in this regard. I was busy brewing some tea on the kitchen while I let her roam around the place. I didn't even know how curious she was to the point that so many question marks have floated on her head which a pair of imaginary cat ears have popped out with the sight of my laptop on sleep yet unfolded. When I came back, she had already seen my lock screen.

"…"

No, I don't have a single reason to be embarrassed about this. At first glance, my wallpaper was just a mere digital painting I made, but it seems that Yui had quickly caught on to the meaning behind that work. I'm not one to do this, but I indeed painted her.

"That was a project before the school year ended. Seems like you're the only one who noticed that that's you."

Seeing her flustered look made me ask myself—is this actually real? Am I actually together with Yui now?

On the sound of the teacups being placed on the table, she came back to her senses. I then invited her to the floor or study table while I took the laptop and sat on a sitting cushion next to her.

There are only pleasant sounds in this place. Actually, my room unlike others is almost devoid of any sound from the outside.

As always, I admired the sound of the tea pouring to the cup and the sight of the steam rising up until it was invisible. For a moment, I unwittingly plopped by back to lean on the couch as I felt like I was on cloud nine for a second.

"Umm… isn't this a page from Rabumonogatari…?"

※ Rabumonogatari is the official abbreviation for Yuki Amagami's currently serializing manga.

"Wait, what the?! You know the password of my…"

I totally forgot to close the program, and I just exposed a WIP page right on her face. But thankfully, the panels weren't very significant to be called spoilers. Anyways, I still closed the program and set aside the laptop.

"So you're working for Yuuga again… What do actually do as an assistant?"

"Well… some assistants have their own forte. Authors aren't perfect beings so they have weak points too. Some wants to ease their work, and others hire to compensate to what the author may not excel at.

I say that, but what I'm mostly doing is typesetting his script and get my English translations approved.

**Oh, did you know that I can actually speak Japanese?"

"Wha?! How are you so good at it?! Teach me, teach me!"

"Hahaha, will do. But it feels unreal for me to translate his stuff on my own. It feels like I have a share on the narrative.

Look out for the limited English release of this week, and my name will appear on the translation credits."

"That's so cool. Are you going by your assistant name, though?"

"It's up to sensei."

You know, what's funny about not having a TV is that I can force people not to play video games. But in our case, we were better off without it. Six rather intense games of scrabble and we realize that we sort of skipped lunch. But fear not as delivery enchiladas came to the rescue.

Realizations. We have not really had very chill and fun times for both of us because of school. I found out that Yui has a very energetic tendency seen from her endless request for rematches which I unhesitantly accepted. I also wanted to spend this time much, much longer. I realized that I should be thankful just as much as Gin—for there is someone on our side that lends their shoulder for our tired bodies to lean on and carry us up on our lowest.

I don't even care if Gin has said the same things, but I will definitely cherish this moments, and absolutely never let go of it.

"You know… there will still be two more months before we go back to school, but I will sure miss you," Yui clearly asserted.

"Mhm, same for me. If only you knew how much I regret it being with you when we pretty much see everyday just like back then. But even if we're just a tad separated, things are different now, isn't it?"

"Yeah. Even so, I'll still miss your face."

"Hahaha. I guess you really like me," I teased.

"Yup, I love you."

"…"

Well, that came back to me in an instant.

"I'm sorry that I'll make you feel lonely. But still, I will try my best to go on ahead. It is still my goal to be advanced in college while I continuously decline any recognition whatsoever. I'm only doing this because this is what I wanted to do, and because I have a very heavy sense of responsibility.

This time, I will strive to become like Gin. We are on the same boat now with our condition, but I feel so slow compared to him. We sure don't have our lives sorted out, but he's doing so much better than me, and I want to have security in the future so I really need to get my act together.

I'm sorry if this is going to be a bumpy ride for us… when we just started."

"I understand…" she snuffled, "I know that time will come where it will be fine.

That is your aim… but I will always tell you not to push yourself too hard. Please, stay strong, okay? I will too if you do."

"Yes… I may not have the same absurdly strong will, but I have also have a great clinging to hope. We'll be alright."

At that thought, I began to ponder.

Perhaps… there is a singularity. One at which Gin has probably reached as he for one is a coincidence of Eijiro Kurogane. And presumably, I may also have. Maybe our own actions do not influence this one point, but there is a question that follows that enthralled me.

What will be next if I am now in that singularity? Will I stay the same as a coincidence, or will I be me and only myself?

If that is truly the case, I would be very saddened.

▪ ▪ ▪

"Heeeeyyyy, Ginjiiiii. You're not opening your door so I let myself in since it's unlock.

Oh my goodness, it's frighteningly quiet in here…

Anyway, I changed my mind on some things so let's review some revisions that we'll do on the manuscript."

"…"

«A good while has passed, yet the only response to him was the minimal ringing of his ears in utter silence. But although that is the case, Yuuga was very sure that his voice reverberated around the room, exposing the emptiness or the simplicity of the room.

As if Ginji did not hear a word at all, he continued to type away on his machine while occasionally spooning from a mug with ice cream on it.»

"So he's not blasting off his AC, huh. Well, it's cool enough."

«Still, there was no apparent response coming from Ginji.

But after a tight squint as he hasn't left the place where he is standing at, he found something unusual.»

"Is that an 'earpiece…?'"

«Indeed, the gray counter earpieces from Blue Ink's past have been clamped on both of Ginji's ears.»

"O-Oh," in the instant where I turned my head, I immediately realized that there was someone other than me in here. In a hurry, well not really, I held one of the earpieces for five seconds.

"Sorry, I didn't notice. I was essentially deaf earlier."

"Wh-Whaaaaat…?"

"It was a hidden feature in the earpiece."

"How did I graduate not knowing that…"

"It gets creepy. After probably an hour, I started hearing my innards."

"Can you not say that when it's not yet lunch?!"

"Anyway… do we have some concern?"

…

I can't really blame myself for being an idiot. I completely forgot that I still have these handy devices with me, knowing how small they are. But if only I just remembered it a few months ago, my life would have been easier at this point.

I wouldn't be moving out for this reason, and I wouldn't be transferring schools if I realized this sooner.

…

No, it wasn't what I wanted after all. I think Yui have already shown how challenging it is for us, but I have already asserted my hope. Furthermore, I think that I wouldn't get anywhere if I didn't try or even consider being independent. But time will come where I'll return home. This physique that I have obtained is yet to serve its purpose. I have a responsibility in our family in which I have to uphold.

Especially now that the seasons have changed.

▪ ▪ ▪

Itagaki Institute of Arts and Technology.

Named from Hirose Itagaki, Japanese, as the founder of this school. He was one of the people of the North that brought the advancement of technology to this country back in the day after the end of the war and the inception of the Exiles. For a while, he collaborated with engineers in this country and led the technological revolution further, and thus, creating a specialized school that fits his goals and objectives.

Now, in this contemporary era, the integration of art and technology has gotten so much further. It is in essence a home base for me. To this day, it still strives to continuously revolutionize how Orions perceive the art industry broader as there is still that conception that art is only for talented hands, not in-demand, expensive, and not an indispensable skill.

I still wonder how this school is situated in this suburban town. It honestly feels very out of place.

In the course of many graduates of architecture and engineering from this school, the campus has gotten extremely modern. The facilities are well and easily maintained, the engineering of this place is so well-thought to the smallest detail that it might make the skyscrapers of the Capital look cute.

How was this just a passion project?!

In any case, it is August, I have come back home, I'm still depressed but my disorder is kept at bay, I'm still Yuki Amagami's assistant and putting in-house translators out of their job while making Kuni-san sad because of that, I am still dating Yui, I am still a coincidence, and I am finally starting school today.

But just to go on a tangent, I think it is most likely feasible that I can apply as an English translator of Weekly Leap, but I won't be doing that.

At the moment, I just want to know if I can speed run here in IIAT, or "ah-yat" as pronounced.

I'm sorry if that is wrong. I don't know anything about phonetics.

But in any case… this one step backward has led me to move forward.

"I'm Ginji Satoshi from CSU's Multimedia Arts. I'm glad that I have come back to Visual Arts as a generalized course as I also came from Blue Ink High School.

I'm pleased to be working with all of you from now on!"