“That’s why I’m getting married. Now, I’ve succeeded at life! I’ve gotten on the right path. Now, I think I can go forward, all the way, in a straight line.” She was walking quickly, about three feet in front of me. I couldn’t see her expression, but I assumed from her tone that she was honestly excited. She was happy. She had to be.

“That’s really great. Really great. Really great.” I said the same thing three times in a row to celebrate the start of her new life with appropriate ceremony.

“It doesn’t bother you, Satou?” Her steps ceased.

“No, not really.” I stopped in place, as well.

“I don’t know why, but I’m in pain.”

We had arrived at a street lined with hotels. There were several couples hanging around who had their arms around each other’s shoulders, even though it was the middle of the day. I felt a little shiver of excitement.

“Shall we have an affair or something?” The girl smiled as she said this.

“An affair with a young wife! It’s like on TV!” I grew even more excited.

“I only let you do it once, so I feel bad for you.”

We stood in front of a hotel, directly facing each other. I really wanted to stay there with her.

We were both laughing. “You’re happy now, aren’t you?” I asked.

“That’s right.”

“You’re in a place where the giant organization can no longer reach you, right?”

“That’s right,” she repeated.

“Then, I’m going home.” Hunching over, I left the spot immediately.

As I passed her, I stole a quick look. She was crying. It seemed impossible. It should have been easy for someone as cute and friendly as she was to find a happy, healthy, and gentle life—something that anyone would envy. Someone that beautiful should be able to live a carefree life.

In actuality, there’s nothing to do about a useless, recurring depression. A person could become disconsolate or angry. Even if they’re enraged enough to punch something, they won’t find a target. A huge organization… They wish that some huge, evil organization existed. That becomes our dream…

Terrible things inundate the world. This world is wrapped in complex, messed-up, senseless, and incomprehensible misfortune and sadness.

She told me that her college friend had committed suicide, leaving behind a stupid will that said something like, “I’ve been broken by both dreams and love, and so I shall die now.” A classmate from elementary school had married and divorced. Yamada was now raising two children on his own and going gray, which made her laugh. Kazumi, who had been living with a man, went home to her family, Yuusuke, who was trying to become a public servant, failed his test. Yamazaki, who was making erotic games, had all his dreams destroyed.