Jichan looked at Maru, who was smiling at him. That was rather sudden, asking him to swear. He needed an explanation.

He had been trying very hard not to use harsh words until now, even in private places. He had seen numerous seniors and juniors who ruined their images because of saying a single wrong word. He did not want to ruin the idol life that he staked his life on with just words.

“That’s rather sudden.”

“There’s this thing I heard,” Maru said, “that all people wear a mask. I might sound like a bad guy who labels people as those that are different on the outside from the inside, but it’s not that. Apparently, people wear masks as some defense mechanism.”

“Defense mechanism?”

“I’m sure you know better than me since you have more social experience. There are many times when you have to smile even after hearing something disgusting. If you accept everything other people say wholeheartedly, people just don’t last, apparently. Those who endure supposedly reached nirvana a long time ago.”

“As you say, if you pay attention to everything like that, people will have to visit the psychologist constantly.”

“Exactly. That’s why it almost becomes impossible to have a social life if you respond...