Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

“…Based on the research results, while the predictive effectiveness has not been fully affirmed, it also hasn’t been entirely dismissed. Some dimensions showed positive results. The government should establish a sound suicide risk assessment and prediction mechanism as soon as possible…”

“Beep.”

“…I believe the lack of compulsory legal provisions in family and school education should take full responsibility for the series of suicide incidents! The modern Japanese education system and policies are too weak from top to bottom! If there were more hardliners like Congressman Shishino…”

“Beep.”

“…Oh my, that’s why I’ve been saying, young people these days really have weak willpower. A few days ago, I encountered a girl selling flowers by the roadside in Inokashira Park who was crying and shouting in front of everyone. I mentioned this before, right? Maybe she was also one of those suicide volunteers…”

“Beep.”

The Novelist repeatedly pressed the remote control buttons, and the images on the TV kept flashing. However, after browsing for ten minutes, he didn’t find any valuable programs or discussions.

…

Just as Miyagi-san had said, the topic of the “suicide wave” had clearly become the focus of public opinion in recent times across TV channels and programs.

The guests and experts invited by TV stations and production teams were discussing it animatedly in front of the screen audience. Not only on regular interviews, talk shows, or current affairs programs, but even the hosts and participants of entertainment shows would occasionally joke about the suicide incidents.

As such, the attention of people from all walks of life would inevitably be drawn to it sooner or later. This major issue of nationwide discussion, like a huge tide sweeping the focal point, once unable to subside, would eventually form a certain kind of “trend” or “phenomenon” in society.

For the Japanese government and police, it was undoubtedly a headache. But on the contrary—the general public was enthusiastic about it.

On the internet, heated discussions were also taking place. Busybodies had set up anonymous forums themed around the suicide wave, where countless messages converged. With each click of the refresh button, seven or eight new posts appeared on the homepage. The massive amount of information cascading down the webpage was as if taking your eyes off the screen for even a second would make you fall behind others who had immersed their minds in the online information—

“It’s simply like…a carnival.”

The Novelist sighed and scratched his cheek.

Having never paid attention to such matters before, once he focused on the online discussions—the virtual world where information of unknown veracity from all over the country flew about—it was undoubtedly a rather strange sight from the perspective of a bystander.

“It’s very normal, this kind of thing.”

Miyagi-san, however, seemed quite used to it.

“After all, everyone living in modern cities is very bored most of the time.”

People who constantly repeat mechanical work or study, their daily lives have been thoroughly chewed to pieces, leaving only tasteless crumbs with no trace of joy to be found.

“Besides…”

The Novelist randomly clicked on several of the most popular posts, skimmed through them, and quickly closed them again.

“The vast majority is meaningless junk information. Trying to find valuable information from these places is like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

“For everyone, just being able to find companions and a place to vent their boring lives together is meaningful enough. Even if it’s arguing red-faced over ridiculous conspiracy theories and baseless speculations, or being anxious and uneasy because of unfounded rumors…it’s actually all part of enjoying this pleasure.”

Perhaps people themselves are completely unaware of this.

The root cause of the ineradicable online rumors is not stupidity, not a lack of knowledge, not gullibility, but the empty experience of humans living in a “hyperreal” era composed of symbols and media.

…

“But where there’s one truth for every nine lies, to excavate treasures from a garbage dump, what’s needed at this time is the ability of professionals, or so-called information powerhouses.”

Miyagi-san pounced from behind with a “heave-ho,” her soft hands circling around his waist and landing on the keyboard. The girl affectionately rested her head on the Novelist’s shoulder and began typing intently.

This intimate posture made him a little uncomfortable. No, of course it wasn’t that there was anything wrong with being close to Miyagi-san. It was mainly…

Yayoi’s gaze from the side was so piercing…!

The next day.

The Novelist yawned and pushed open the classroom door, deciding to take a nap at his seat.

Miyagi-san’s information had been handed over to Yayoi. But since he was right next to the two, he naturally overheard a lot of valuable content. Thinking and organizing the information with a writer’s mindset, quite a few ideas had emerged in his mind, resulting in not getting much sleep last night.

To his slight surprise, but in some sense also as expected, on the way to the classroom, he heard students discussing the suicide wave.

In the past three suicide incidents, all the participants were young people under the age of twenty-five. Apart from the second incident of group suicide that occurred in a rental house involving a group of young adults, the rest of the deceased were high school students. This trend of younger victims was also one of the reasons why recent incidents had attracted public attention.

…It has nothing to do with me though.

Thinking about topics he considered irrelevant, he returned to his seat.

…

“Maho-chan, you don’t look too well! Did something happen?”

The round-faced girl leaned over with concern.

At this moment, the girl surrounded by the female classmates was absentmindedly staring at the figure who had just walked into the classroom.

“…No, no…it’s nothing.”

Itou Maho seemed to wake up with a start and shook her head in a fluster.

“Where were we just now? About the suicide cult trending in school? Seriously, would anyone actually believe in that kind of thing?”

Seeing that she seemed fine, the round-faced girl turned her head to continue participating in the conversation.

“It’s true. I heard from a friend at Harumida Girls’ High School mentioning that there was a club at their school before that worshipped some weirdo. The members were all girls who don’t usually talk much and are always bullied…”

The speaker was another girl with dyed brown hair.

“Really? Sounds a bit scary…”

The bespectacled girl beside her subconsciously hugged her arms.

“But I think it’s quite interesting. What do you all think?”

“No way, in this situation, we should report it to the police immediately. I don’t want to lose you, Yuka-chan.”

The remaining girl with braided hair said in all seriousness.

“You guys are so mushy~”

The girls all laughed.

“By the way, what does the Class Rep think?”

“Me? I…”

The girl’s expression was a little hesitant.