"In simpler words, the divide happens due to the fear of losing their spot in the friend group. The approval of those around you significantly influences your self-worth and mental growth. And the reason individuals are so reserved in attempting to integrate themselves into a new circle was due to the fear of rejection and judgement from the people around them, hurting their egos."
Is what Hitomi-san concluded, sharing her insights and thoughts with her curious friend Mocha Tsukiyo-san.
Mocha-san then pondered, collecting her thoughts about the subject matter.
"Hm, I-I see... So that's the reason why barriers are formed. It's so to protect egos of those who fear judgment, ..a-and to not lose the dynamics they have grown accustomed to. I-is that right?"
Mocha-san said summarizing in agreement, wanting to contribute to the conversation.
Hitomi-san just simply nodded, seeing as Mocha-san seem to arrive at the same conclusion.
"Yes. Rejection, judgement, approval, these are the main barriers we have to get over with in terms of building meaningful relationships amongst our peers."
Hitomi-san then stared at Mocha-san, inquiring with a piercing gaze.
She asked her,
"So, how do you think Yukiya-kun manage to break down these barriers, hm?"
Hitomi-san inquired, waiting for Mocha-san to answer.
"I, I don't know."
Mocha-san was clueless at what her master did exactly. After all, she wasn't here on the first semester to make out as reference, but it's probably related to him being a social outcast (delinquent). At the same time, Hitomi-san seemed to be eager to tell her the answer, that's why she didn't bother guessing on the spot, letting the conversation play out as is. Plus, Hitomi-san seemed to be enjoying herself in this conversation for some reason.
As expected, Hitomi-san willingly gave out the answer.
"You see, there is where the character role called [connectors] comes in."
She revealed. Proceeding to elaborate that,
"In every friend group, [connectors] are individuals who play the role of facilitating introductions between group members and outside networks. They are the type of people who enjoy expanding their network; excelling at mingling, making new acquaintances, and helping others expand their social circles."
Is what Hitomi-san elaborated, to which Mocha-san interrupted, curiously inquiring that,
"But wait, I thought mas-, Yukiya-kun didn't belong in any circles? So why is he the one making introductions?"
Hitomi-san lips curled up, smiling softly.
"Let me finish" she replied to Mocha-san, to which Mocha-san complied, waiting for Hitomi-san to continue.
"Why do you think Yukiya-kun specifically waited until the second semester before making his moves?"
Hitomi-san asked Mocha-san, referring to the timing of my image change that occurred during the start of the second semester.
In curiosity, Mocha-san inquired,
"Why?"
She asked, feelings of getting closer and closer towards the answer, discovering her master's true intentions.
"After a month's break, returning to school, that timeframe was enough for everyone to grow independently. If you observe everyone around you, your classmates, some became closer, while some drift apart, with different reasonings, and sometimes none at all."
Hitomi-san then proceeded to share her theory, telling Mocha-san that,
"This is just my hypothesis, but I believe Yukiya-kun purposely made himself out to be a social outcast so that the class could have a common enemy."
Is what Hitomi-san formulated, hints of sadness to her tone, recalling times of neglection from everyone around the certain chuuni (me).
"Just like I mentioned, friendship starts after having common grounds. By purposely letting himself sit at the very bottom of the ladder, due to his absurd antics and actions, he set the bar high, higher to be even classified as one of the bottom tier characters."
"With this, others gain confidence, thinking that even they could do better. A typical loner seemed so normal all of a sudden, in comparison to his previous character that everyone commonly avoids."
"With this, he even out the playing ground for those who feels inferior. By letting himself be placed in the eyes of scrutiny, people in the higher part of the ladder couldn't bother looking down at the others, as Yukiya-kun took it upon himself to play the role of the biggest loser in front of everyone's eyes."
As Hitomi-san let out those words, a certain quote with a solemn tone flashed inside her mind, "I am the villain, after all" She recalled, a certain quote that I said in our earlier days working at the cafe.
With those words in her mind, she assumed I did what I did on purpose, playing the role of the fool, so that no bottom tier character would be treated as losers, as I became the biggest diversion, taking all the attention away by play the role of biggest fool.
However, once again, I have no such intentions. It was just Hitomi-san making her own assumptions, assuming that everything that I did had some deeper meaning. In reality, I actually, genuinely thought I was the coolest at that time.
"But that's not all...-"
Just when Hitomi-san was to complete the last portion of her hypothesis, a sudden commotion happened in the boys' crowded corner.
Silence fell to the room, as a loud voice of denial can be heard by everyone in the classroom, drawing everyone present's attention.
Out of embarrassment, the boy stood up from his seat, his face beat red as he ran across the room, exiting through the back door.
Just what exactly happened for him to be running in embarrassment like that?
Actually, moments prior, everyone was teasing him about something. Everyone got worried, including me, and everyone from the class, as that certain boy was usually timid, your typical quiet kid in our class.
'We're not in trouble, are we?'
Everyone in the room thought, seeing the certain incident unfold before their very eyes.