Author: Now, let the first episode begin.

Everyone turned their eyes to the screen and the title "Equality" opened.

I know it's a bit sudden to ask, but please take a moment. I want to hear your honest opinion.

Are everyone equal?

Everyone was surprised by this sudden question.

Hachiman: The answer is no. No one is equal in this world.

Kaguya: Exactly, human society still has a distinction between rich and poor, there are people who are always full, but out there there are still many people who have nothing to eat.

Yotsuba: But we shouldn't accept the reality of this issue, we can still strive for equality.

Chitanda: I agree.

Chika: Me too.

Miyuki: Equality still exists, but it is never absolute.

Oreki: Sometimes we should still accept the reality in front of us. Striving for equality is not wrong, but I don't think they will spend their whole lives on an issue that is so vague and fragile.

Everyone else nodded and agreed with the other person's point of view. After that, they waited for an answer from Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

A proper association will always strive for equality. There are those who call for men and women to always be considered equal. As a result, we have increased the employment rate for women, we have created specialized train cars just for women. Sometimes, women even argue about the order of names in the household registration book. Public views on people with disabilities have also changed. Now we are told not to use the term "disabled people" when referring to them, so as not to discriminate. Today, all children are born equal.

Nino: That's right, men and women are equal.

Satoshi: We also can't call disabled people disabled right in front of them, that will make them feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.

But is that true? I feel doubtful.

However, we ignore the important issue that adults should not be stubborn towards children. But naive children often act unconsciously and cause heavy damage, then the ones who suffer are the parents and the victim.

If men and women have different abilities, their roles must also be different. People with disabilities are still people with disabilities, no matter what euphemisms you use. No matter how hard you try to avoid reality, the meaning of "disability" will never change.

Hachiman: Well, he's right, everyone doesn't have different abilities, so in a team, we must know how to divide the roles of each individual.

Hayama: This view is correct. But I don't think it's good to call them disabled like that.

Miura: I agree with Hayato.

So, my answer would be no, we are not equal. Being human is not equal. Equality does not exist. It's just a concept created by humans to make society respect each other.

Masachika: I also have to agree with Ayanokouji's opinion.

Alya: Even though I don't like this reality, I'm convinced by Ayanokouji-kun's reasoning.

Maria: It is true that equality is known for its purpose of helping people respect each other, but not many people dig deeper to understand it.

Yuki: This guy has an objective view of society, right?

Once upon a time, in a bygone era, a great man said that heaven does not place one person above another. However, he does not say that all must adhere to the ideal of all men being equal. Did you know that there is more to that famous passage? The rest goes like this: everyone is equal from birth, so I wonder, why are we different in position and status? And it continues: Do you encourage or discourage learning to make a difference? So, education has created an imbalance in society. That point of view was clearly stated in the very famous work Gakumon No Sume. Even though this is 2015, modern times, nothing has changed in these teachings. The situation only becomes more complicated and tense.

All the smart students were impressed by his thinking.

Yotsuba: I give up.

Yui: I don't understand anything.

Nino: Ahhh mouuu, my head almost exploded.

Ichika: How can he think so much? If it were me, my brain would be overloaded.

Hiratsuka-sensei: Well, he's saying exactly what we said before about not everyone being equal but in a more complicated way.

Uesugi: Honestly I'm impressed that this is the thinking of a high school student.

Yukino: He has the potential to become a philosopher.

Haruno: This guy is interesting.

Miura: Hmm I wanted to refute something but I gave up.

Iroha: It's hard to believe he's just a high school student.

Tobe: E-Even I can think like that.

Miku: I don't deny it, but I wonder if this is a necessary element for an excellent student?

Itsuki: He must read a lot of books, right?

I don't think it's right to say that we are not equal and then base our lives on pure instinct. In other words, even though "equality" is a lie, it deceives people into respecting each other and maintaining social balance. But we also cannot accept inequality.

Everyone in the theater nodded in agreement with this thought.

However, is it true that children are always born equal? This is completely wrong. Will children born in extremely difficult circumstances still be able to study and eat nutritious food like children born in good circumstances?

Maybe just a few out of a billion of the world's population. But just those few are enough to break the verbatim saying that children are always born equal.

What about children who grow up in bad environments? Are the children strictly controlled by their parents?

Maruo was startled to realize that Kiyotaka was referring to himself in the last two questions.

Kaguya: T-This problem cannot be denied.

Miyuki: That's true.

Oreki: Children are not born completely equal, that's true. But I wonder why he puts such emphasis on issues related to children?

Hachiman: I see that Ayanokouji really cares about this issue.

Masachika: Even though his thoughts were a bit monotonous, I still felt the weight of his thoughts.

Ahh, maybe I've been thinking too harshly about children's problems.

Although it's true that I had serious problems when I was just a child. But I got through it thanks to him.

"Kiyotaka-sama, freedom will never find others, only when people truly find freedom can they be themselves."

Now it begins, my journey to find freedom has begun.

Everyone was shocked by these thoughts.

Free?

What does he mean?

Maruo is the most shocked person here.

Maruo: "H-He has regained the human will to seek freedom?!! How is this possible? I tried to save this boy for 4 years, but I failed and gave up. Really... has he begun to form his own will?!!"

In April, the opening ceremony, I rode the bus to school, shaking and trembling in my seat. While I looked out the window, admiring the cityscape, the bus picked up more and more passengers.

Most people are teenagers wearing high school uniforms.

There were also a number of staff members, who looked like the type of people who once groped someone on a crowded bus. An old woman stood unsteadily in front of me, staggering as if about to fall. Considering how crowded I knew this bus would be, I figured I was just reaping what I sowed when I got on the bus.

Chika: I feel so worried about the old woman.

Chitanda: I hope Ayanokouji-kun will give up his seat to the old woman.

Oreki: Just based on Ayanokouji's concept of equality between people and the way of thinking that seeks freedom. I doubt he'll give up his seat.

Hayama: Why?

Oreki: Just keep watching and you'll understand.

I was lucky to find a seat, but it was still very crowded. And I have no intention of helping that old woman. Helping the elderly is like a form of obligation.

I have lived 15 years of my life because of my "duty" since birth.

Obligation is like a chain that binds people's freedom, I hate that. I hate people who can't control their freedom, including my younger self.

I didn't help the old woman, not because I was heartless. I'm simply too selfish and obsessed with "duty".

Kaguya: It seems that Ayanokouji-kun has very extreme thoughts in a certain direction. "This problem is really similar to me when I was young."

Ishigami: He's so obsessed with freedom, I wonder how terrible his past is?

Lino: It's so heavy!

Sakisaki: sometimes we still have to obey "duty". But for Ayanokouji to hate "duty" to this extent is scary

Hachiman: Furthermore, I don't find Ayanokouji wrong. He has the right to choose to give up his seat or not. The problem here is each person's belief in common sense.

Yukino: Today you talk more than usual, right?

Hachiman: It's just that Ayanokouji's thoughts are quite fascinating to me.

My train of thought was destroyed when a voice spoke.

"Sorry, but can you give up your seat for this old lady?"

My eyes slowly opened. Huh? Who is this person angry with? Hope it's not me. But I realized that someone else was being scolded. A young, blond, muscular, high school-aged man sat down in the priority row. The old woman stood near him, and another woman stood next to her. This second, childish woman appears to be an office worker.

Kaguya: Ohh...

Kaguya's face turned black when she realized who the young man being asked to give up his seat was.

Hayasaka: Damn it! It's that name...

Yuki: Oh my god, I didn't expect to see him here.

Masachika: Oh isn't that Rokusuke? When I was little, I met him a few times and we were quite close.

Yuki: No, that guy is only close to you because you and he are both prodigies and respect each other.

Masachika: He's not that bad.

Kaguya: Kouenji respects you? Then you must be very good, right?

Hayasaka: Surprisingly, I thought Kouenji would respect someone.

Masachika: Oh man, I'm actually not that good.

Alya: Prodigy?

Maria: Kuze-kun?

Yuki: When he was young, Masachika-kun was called a natural genius by everyone, even the Suou family respected him. However, the older he gets, the lazier he becomes, so he has regressed a lot compared to other geniuses his age.

Masachika: You don't need to say it so clearly.

Yui: Does everyone here know Kouenji?

Kaguya: Yes, he is the heir to the Kouenji corporation. He has a very annoying and narcissistic personality. But I don't deny that he is a natural genius.

Hayasaka: Thinking about Kouenji respecting Kuze-kun, I feel surprised and unbelievable.

Masachika: Ehh, we can be considered childhood friends. But maybe I'm his only close friend, that's why I receive that respect.

"Hey, there you are. Don't you see this old woman is in trouble?" The office worker said.

It seemed like she wanted the young man to give way to the old woman.

Nino: Well he can't say no, he's sitting in the priority row.

Iroha: Yes, normally we would give priority seats to the old lady.

Hachiman: Huh? I doubt that common sense.

Hayama: What do you mean, Hachiman?

Miura: There's nothing wrong with following common sense?

Her voice conveys well and attracts the attention of many people.

I wondered if that guy was angry, didn't care, or was just too honest. Anyway, he was grinning and crossing his legs, loudly making his point:

"Why do I have to give up my seat? I have no reason to do it."

Miku: What's with that attitude?

Itsuki: He really is an arrogant person!

Ichika: Oh my god, I don't think there are people in this world who go against common sense.

Uesugi: Exactly as Shinomiya-san described. Are you really close to Kouenji, Kuze-san?

Masachika: Yes and I don't think this is a serious problem.

The Seirei High student council were all surprised by Masachika's statement.

"You are sitting in a priority seat. It is natural to give up your seat to the elderly."

"I do not understand. Priority seats are just priority seats. I have no legal obligation to move. Since I'm currently sitting in this chair, I have to be the one to decide whether I move or not. Should I give up my seat just because I'm young? Ha! That reason is absurd!"

Nino: I hate this guy, he's really arrogant and narcissistic.

Uesugi: It's true that he did nothing wrong by giving up his seat. But according to common sense we should give way to the old lady.

Oreki: Who created that common sense? He is the person sitting in front so he has the right to decide whether to yield or not.

Hachiman: Kouenji didn't commit any crime by not giving up his seat. Therefore, we have nothing to criticize him.

Ishigami: Has the common sense of the young giving way to the old destroyed the concept of equality between people?

Masachika: Actually, there were many other people around and no one had any intention of giving up their seat. No one is stupid enough to follow common sense and ignore personal interests. Kouenji is just protecting his own interests.

Everyone was speechless before the statements of these four people.

Yuki: I-I know you're close to Kouenji but you don't need that much protection, Masachika-kun.

Satoshi: Great, now we have four Oreki.

Yui: It's not over, there are four Hikki and Yukinon here.

Yukino: Oh my god, four Hikkigaya-kun... I'm so dizzy.

Chika: It's not over, Kaguya-San!!! There are four Ishigami-kun here.

Alya: I-I'm surprised to hear your opinion on this matter, Kuze-kun.

Maria: I didn't expect you to have this side, Kuze-kun.

Ayano: There are four Masachika-sama.

Yotsuba: Luckily we don't have a logic monster.

Itsuki: I feel the same way.

Miku: Luckily the person taking care of us is Fuutarou-kun.

Nino: If I meet logic monsters every day, my brain will explode.

Ichika: I don't know how to deal with these people.

Raiha: Luckily my onii-san is not like them.

Uesugi: "Should I imitate them?"

Maruo: "White Room's masterpiece and heir to the Kouenji corporation. Fufufu this is getting more and more interesting."

He doesn't talk like a normal high school student. His hair is dyed blonde, making him stand out from the others.

"I am a healthy young man and certainly would not find standing inconvenient. However, it is clear that I expend more energy standing than sitting. I had no intention of doing such a meaningless act. Or are you suggesting that I should act a little more aggressively, I wonder?"

"What is your attitude towards your superiors like that?!!" she asked.

"Senior? Well, apparently both you and that old woman have lived longer than me. There can be no doubt about that. However, the word "superior" implies that she is referring to someone of higher status. Besides, we have another problem. Even though our ages are different, don't you realize that your attitude is extremely rude and unreasonable?"

Mayaka: Ahhh, I hate him.

Irisu: His personality is so annoying!

Raiha: This guy is so annoying!

Shirogane Kei: Do people like that really exist in the world?

Komachi: So hateful.

Yuki: "Sigh, luckily his father did not agree to his grandfather's marriage proposal. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'd be in big trouble."

Haruno: But what he said isn't completely wrong.

"What? You're just a high school student, right?! You should be quiet and listen to the adults."

"It's okay, it's okay."

The old woman muttered, trying to calm the office worker. But after being insulted by that guy, the old woman still felt uncomfortable.

"It's clear and this guy is sharper than you, which is great. Besides, I haven't given up on Japanese society yet. Enjoy the rest of your days."

After giving a meaningless smile, the high school boy put in his headphones and started listening to rather chaotic music. Even though the other girl tried to argue further, his complacent, arrogant attitude remained unchanged. Anyway, I completely agree with that guy's point of view.

There's no reason to give up your own rights for others, right?

Yui: If Hikki was in this situation, would you give in?

Hikki: Obviously not.

Yukino: Bad!

Iroha: Disgusting!

Yui: Disappointed!

Irisu: If Oreki really wastes energy standing, then I think the end of the world is coming.

Ishigami:... No one asked anything?

Miyuki: We already guessed the answer.

Kaguya: It's useless to ask you.

Lino: That's right.

Yuki: What about you, Masachika-kun?

Masachika: Although it's true that I agree with Kouenji, I will still follow common sense to some extent. So, my answer is yes.

Alya: Luckily, Kuze-kun was not infected with Kouenji-kun's bad personality.

Maria: Kuze-kun is still a good person.

Nino: We definitely give in.

Miku: I don't think Fuutarou-kun has a bad personality like that guy.

Yotsuba: Uesugi-kun is a good guy.

Itsuki: Of course you give in, right, Uesugi-kun?

Uesugi: The question is too redundant, of course I'll give in.

Raiha: Onii-san is a good, wonderful person.

"This poor old woman has suffered for a long time. Can't you give up your seat? While you may consider politeness unnecessary, I think it contributes a lot to society."

Cup!

The boy snapped his fingers after the girl finished saying her point of view. He kept the same attitude as before, rebutting:

"You mean contributing to society? Yeah, that's a pretty interesting idea. Surely giving seats to the elderly can be viewed in such a positive light. Unfortunately, I have no interest in contributing to society. I only care about my own satisfaction. Oh, and one more thing. You're asking me, who's sitting in the priority row, to give my seat to that old lady, but can't you just ask for one person when there are still so many people on the bus? If you really care about that old woman, then something like priority seating would be a rather trivial concern, don't you agree?"

Masachika: After many years of not seeing him, he's still as sharp as when he was young, not much better than before.

Hayasaka: I really can't believe there is someone close to Kouenji.

Kaguya: Suou-san calls him a natural genius. Perhaps they are both geniuses so they respect each other's abilities.

Yuki: But now, Kouenji is far ahead of Masachika-kun. Because Masachika-kun is too lazy to try at anything.

Masachika: That's not important.

The young man's arrogant attitude did not change, the office worker and the old woman smiled bitterly. However, the other girl still did not back down.

"Everyone, listen to me for a moment. Will someone make room for this woman? It doesn't matter who. Please."

Everyone in the cinema was surprised by that girl's attitude.

Kaguya: She's so bold!

Chika: I want to be friends with her.

Yotsuba: I want too.

Chitanda: Me too.

Hachiman, Oreki, Masachika, Ishigami: "Why do I keep getting a strange feeling about this girl?"

I feel like that girl is wasting her energy on such a useless thing.

Just thinking about it makes me feel stupid.

"Kiyotaka-sama, helping others is also a good thing."

I frowned as I remembered something before getting on the bus. Even though I tried to put it aside, I couldn't.

"So is my place okay?"

What am I doing anyway? Why do I have to do such a useless thing?

Everyone was shocked at Ayanokouji's actions that were contrary to his thoughts.

Maruo: "Who is it anyway? Who made him change so much? I have to get to know that person. I really admire someone who can make Kiyotaka change, something I can't do either. It wasn't just me, there were many other people in the White Room who tried to help the boy but the result was the same. What made Kiyotaka change? Who could do such a thing?"

Itsuki: He acts contrary to his thoughts.

Yukino: He remembered someone's teachings and it was that teaching that inspired him to do this."

After giving my seat to the old woman, I stood next to the high school girl.

"Thank you so much! I'm Kushida Kikyou, class 1-D. Pleased to meet you!" That girl was talking and getting to know me.

Even though she's not my first friend in life.

But if she was the first friend in the advanced high school, it would be great.

"I'm Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, I'm also in class 1-D." I reintroduced the voices, which were still a bit monotone

Yukino: So they've become friends.

Yui: Is this the beginning of a high school love affair?

Iroha: But Ayanokouji's voice is still very monotone, isn't this a bit funny?

Chitanda: I'm curious what the next episode will be like.

Oreki: Why do I feel like Kushida-san and Ayanokouji-san are not normal?

Hachiman: Agreed.

Ishigami: Same opinion.

Masachika: Me too.