Prologue

Sometimes I wonder if the act of “living” is less a fact of existence and more a performance we put on; a mask we wear in order to fit in with the rest of society. A mask everyone wears in order to fit in with everyone else.

We go to work/school every day. We socialize with enthusiasm in our voice. We hug and kiss and get pumped up about the small things in life. We put effort into everything we’re supposed to put effort into. We run around like we’re having the time of our lives.

Are these not just roles we play? Would we really behave this way if we weren’t pressured to by society?

Would we not rather be at home watching anime all day, hiding away from the world like a shut-in? But no, we play the role of “having a life” in order to avoid being labeled a shut-in.

This act we call “life”... It’s so exhausting…

I wonder how everyone else is able to maintain it.

I wonder how I’m able to maintain it.

At least, that’s what I’ve been thinking lately.