ALL NOVEL chapter 20
20: Trends and the Majority
I don’t discriminate based on gender.
Because, you know, what’s the point of distinguishing based on gender?
Regardless of gender, many people are a source of persecution for me.
“Majority” – something I have never become even once in a million reincarnations. I have always been a minority, and all life forms are of higher value than me, and I have been persecuted by them.
Humanity is divided into “me” and “everyone else.”
That’s why I don’t choose my friends based on gender.
“Playing with girls is lame, isn’t it!”
Yeah, you’re right!
I don’t discriminate people based on gender, but I think playing with girls is lame.
There was a trend among the boys in my class that playing with girls was lame. I think so too. Why? Well, there’s no reason, but it just feels lame, you know? It’s not trendy.
So, I hang out only with boys. Boys are good. It’s easy.
Since playing with boys within the group of boys is the trend, there is also the purpose of erasing my presence by joining them. My goal in elementary school is to “not stand out,” and that should be a goal I carry for the rest of my life.
In the first place, the reason why I stand out in tests or physical activities is because Sheila competes with me all the time, so it’s the girls’ fault.
That redhead girl. Why does she target me? Why does she always pick on me? Girls really are the worst!
“Rex, have you invited girls to your house?”
My classmate, Martin, said. Inviting girls – I have no idea. I don’t understand what he’s talking about. I naturally responded that I don’t understand. But another guy said,
“You’re inviting third-year girls, right?”
Third-year girls?
I realized it. Anna. Anna and Milim… Our friendship continues even now, about once every four weeks, but the two of them come to my house.
Oh well, geez. It seems that not only the first-year elementary school kids but also the older and younger ones think “playing with girls is lame.”
Well, it’s fine. My goal is to “not stand out.” Let’s resolve this peacefully. I’m already five years old. I’ve learned how to smile politely. First-year elementary school students are already adults. I tried to respond with an adult smile.
“Don’t invite girls anymore, okay? They smell like girls.”
Huh? I’ll kill you.
I snapped. I don’t understand the meaning. What’s with “don’t play with girls”? Why do you have to say that to me? And Milim smells like girls? Are you kidding me, you brat, seeing a girl in a preschooler?
I got into a fight. “Not stand out,” “not stand out,” “not stand out.” I chanted it three times in my mind. I fought my classmates, utilizing the martial arts I acquired in my previous life. I am alone. You are ten. But battles are not about numbers. Battles… are won by the power of will.
I won’t let anything separate me and Milim. “Not stand out,” “not stand out,” “not stand out.” I chanted three times, took a breath, and exhaled. While involving unrelated people, I fought. Because of the lunch break fight, students from all classes came to watch, and eventually, about four teachers came.
In the end, we all apologized and made up, and after that, no one in the class said “playing with girls is lame.”
Good, now I can play with girls without standing out.
I have plans to play with Anna and Milim this weekend.