Misaki handed me a marker and a vermilion ink pad,[34] saying, “A thumb print will be fine.

“After all, someone like you, Satou, might start liking me, right?” she asked. “I mean, you’re even more worthless than I am, after all. As I’ve been carrying out this plan for such a long time, you should be my prisoner by now, right? Please, be nice to me, and I’ll be nice to you, too.”

“No. This won’t work.”

“Why?”

“It’s no use. Nothing’s changed. This agreement just makes everything more painful. On top of that, it’s too empty.” I got up and returned the marker and ink.

I tried to be enthusiastic. “You’ll be fine, Misaki! This is just a momentary lapse of confidence. Have a rubdown with a dry towel, and train your mind and body! If you do that, these stupid thoughts will disappear. A cute girl like you will be able to have a great life! Don’t look down! Look up, and you’ll be okay!”

Then, I ran away.

The contents of the contract had seared themselves into my brain.

Contract Regarding Mutual Support for Worthless and Lonely People

Defining Satou Tatsuhiro as party A and Misaki Nakahara as party B, the two parties agree to the following:

A will not start to hate B.

In fact, A will start to like B.

A will never change mind.

A will never have a change of heart.

When one party is lonely, the other always will be at his or her side.

As B is always lonely, basically, A always will be at B’s side.

If we do this, I think our lives probably will move in a good direction.

I think the painful times will go away.

If you break this contract, the penalty is ten million yen.

“Hey! Aren’t you lonely?” Misaki called out.

Turning around, I answered in a loud voice, “No, I’m not lonely.”

“Well, I’m lonely!”

“I’m not.”

“Liar.”

“I’m not lying”, I said. “I’m the strongest hikikomori in the world, so I can go on living by myself. Pain doesn’t mean anything to me. Misaki, you, should stop relying on other people, too. In the end, everyone is alone. Being alone is best. I mean, it’s true, isn’t it? In the end, you’ll be absolutely alone; therefore, being alone is natural. If you accept that, nothing bad can happen. That’s why I shut myself away in my six-mat, one-room apartment.”

“Aren’t you lonely?”

“I’m not lonely.”

“Aren’t you lonely?”

“I’m not lonely.”

“Liar.” Someone spoke in a low, muffled voice.

I turned around to look behind me.

I found myself standing in the middle of my six-mat, one-room apartment. In the corner, I sat hugging my legs to my chest, melting into the deep darkness.