The Doll That Took A Detour: Chapter 1: If I Have To Do It, I'll Do It Quickly; Subchapter 13 min read

Hyouka Volume 4: The Doll That Took A Detour
Chapter 1: If I Have To Do It, I’ll Do it Quickly
Subchapter 1
I understand well those people with a personal preference for something; it’s the ones who say they need it that bother me.
Thinking back on it, my upbringing had nothing to do with it. My father wasn’t home often, but he was always there for us. My sister, Tomoe became rebellious and defiant; like the oddball that she is, she saved money as soon as she entered college and went off on a trip. That doesn’t mean she can act like she’s a three-headed deity with six arms. And  I, Oreki Houtarou, have never endured such an intense experience before.

Only once have I been involved in a unique once-in-a-lifetime troubling situation. It was during that time, back when I didn’t understand, that I met Fukube Satoshi, who is my friend even now. In those days, my older sister used to say “It happens, it’s no biggie,” but knowing that made me resent them more. I was so busy twitching my eyebrows mulling over this just-as-stressful situation that the Middle School Graduation Ceremony had ended. When I think about it later on, yeah, each and everyone of them were trivial.
My grades weren’t all that bad. I wasn’t anybody who could pass as a genius,  but I wasn’t someone who stressed over studying either. I wanted to enroll into Kamiyama High School to ensure I wouldn’t be called one of those “Unscholarful Middle Schoolers” of Kamiyama Town. I remember the Entrance Exam being difficult and at the same time normal.
The cooperation between the Middle and High Schools is perfect; as the locally renowned prep-school, Kamiyama High School’s Examination Scale did not exceed 22%. Considering the existence of private schools, almost every one of the applicants were able to pass. I too somehow passed.
Perhaps I thought of it during the entrance ceremony. Perhaps this so-called Kamiyama High School might have much to offer. I’m sure something will catch my eyes within those 3 years. However, everyone here will go through personal experiences that catches their attention. To say “I see, this is different from the others” as I puff out my chest was something that didn’t happen. While it seemed that that was somewhat troublesome, “In the end, I was never able to say that ,” I muttered as I looked up at Kaburaya Middle School. In three years, I wonder if I’ll mutter  the same thing after leaving Kamiyama High School as well.
Because for me, I have one firm belief.
That even if I try to so hard to remember it, I won’t remember why I held onto this firm belief for so long. It’s not something that someone is taught or something that you can read somewhere. Despite knowing all this, I know I want to hold onto it tightly.
As I always say…
If I don’t have to do it, I won’t.
If I have to do it, I’ll do it quickly.