"It'll surely work out."
Haru said. Before the test, full of confidence.
"What's your basis?" Ren asked.
"None. But I have hope."
"Hope is escapism."
Haru was surprised. "That's harsh."
Noa intervened. "Ren, your tone."
"No, as a philosophical discussion," Ren defended.
"Hope is escapism?" Haru asked back.
"Hope can become a means to turn away from reality's difficulties."
"But without hope, I can't try hard."
"That's the problem," Ren continued. "Depending on hope prevents facing reality."
Noa showed another perspective. "But can you live without hope?"
"Nietzsche called hope 'the worst of evils,'" Ren said.
"Why?" Haru asked.
"Because hope prolongs suffering. You could be at ease by giving up, but hope makes you continue suffering."
"Cruel view."
"But there's a point," Noa admitted. "Excessive hope hinders improving the current situation."
Haru was confused. "So I shouldn't have hope?"
"Not absolutely," Ren answered. "Depends on the type of hope."
"Type?"
"Hope with basis and hope without basis."
Noa explained. "Thinking 'it might work out' after preparing is rational hope. Thinking 'it'll surely be fine' without doing anything is irrational hope."
"Mine is... irrational," Haru admitted.
"That's why I called it escapism," Ren said.
"But," Haru resisted, "nothing starts without hope."
"That's wrong," Ren countered. "Action also arises from despair."
"From despair?"
"The sense of crisis that 'this won't do.' That prompts change."
Noa supplemented. "Both hope and despair can be motivations."
"So which is better?" Haru asked.
"Balance," Noa answered. "Only hope is naive. Only despair is painful."
Ren quoted a philosopher. "Camus advocated 'revolt without hope.'"
"Revolt without hope?"
"Acting without hope. In an absurd world, continuing to create meaning."
Haru pondered. "Difficult."
"Difficult," Noa admitted. "But realistic."
"Is hope an illusion?" Haru asked.
"Partially," Ren answered. "The future is uncertain. Hope is betting on that uncertainty."
"Betting..."
Noa showed another angle. "But hope has power."
"What kind?"
"Self-fulfilling prophecy. Having hope changes behavior, which changes results."
Haru's eyes sparkled. "So hope is useful?"
"Depends," Ren said carefully. "Hope with action is useful. Hope without action is harmful."
"Hope with action."
"Yes. The effort to turn hope into reality."
Noa said quietly. "Hope isn't the goal, but a means."
"Means?"
"Not seeking hope itself, but using hope to change reality."
Haru understood a little. "Then I'll study for the test too. Hope alone isn't enough."
"That's important," Ren nodded.
"But I'll still have hope," Haru added.
"Why?"
"Because it's more enjoyable that way."
Noa smiled. "That's also an answer."
Ren admitted. "Hope is emotion. Can't be completely controlled by reason."
"Emotions are important too?"
"Important," Noa said. "Just don't be blind."
Haru looked outside the window. "See both hope and reality."
"Both," Ren repeated. "Hope can be escapism, and also power to change reality."
"Depends on usage."
"Yes."
Noa said finally. "Having hope while facing reality. That's maturity."
Haru took a deep breath. "Difficult, but I'll try."
"That's hope," Ren smiled.
The three headed to the classroom. Hope in their hearts, reality at their feet.