"Be individual, they say."
Haru said with dissatisfaction. The teacher pointed it out in her career counseling.
"But what is individuality?"
Ren showed interest. "A deep question."
Noa joined them. "Society is contradictory. Demands individuality while also demanding conformity."
"Exactly!" Haru agreed. "Too individual and you stand out."
Ren began analyzing. "The demand for individuality is a relatively new value."
"New?"
"A product of modernity. Related to the rise of individualism."
Noa supplemented. "In the past, adaptation to the group was emphasized."
"Now it's different?"
"Superficially, individuality is praised," Ren said. "But essentially unchanged."
Haru was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Individuality is also standardized."
"That's contradictory."
Noa gave an example. "Fashion. Says 'be individual' while following trends."
Haru understood. "Individuality is also in a mold."
Ren added a philosophical perspective. "Nietzsche criticized herd morality."
"Herd morality?"
"Following majority values. True individuality resists that."
Haru said anxiously. "Resisting takes courage."
"That's why it's rare," Ren admitted. "Most people choose safe individuality."
"Safe individuality?"
"Small differences within socially acceptable range."
Noa said quietly. "But that might be okay."
Ren was surprised. "You're saying that, Noa?"
"Extreme individuality invites isolation. Moderate individuality is balance."
Haru asked. "So individuality isn't necessary?"
"It's necessary," Ren answered immediately. "But we should reconsider the definition."
"What definition?"
"Not difference from others, but self-consistency."
Noa nodded. "Not individuality directed outward, but inward."
Haru began to understand. "Not individuality for show, but for yourself."
"Yes," Ren acknowledged. "That's true individuality."
"But," Haru countered. "Without individuality, you get buried."
"What's wrong with being buried?" Noa asked.
"...Not valued."
"Whose valuation?"
Haru thought. "Society's."
Ren pointed out. "That's the trap. Individuality for society's evaluation is fake."
"Fake?"
"Performed individuality. Not essential self."
Noa added. "Tiring. Constantly performing."
Haru admitted. "True, I'm tired."
Ren asked. "Why do you think individuality is necessary?"
"...I don't know anymore."
"That's the starting point," Ren smiled. "Questioning assumptions."
Noa said from another angle. "Diversity is necessary for society. But can't be forced on individuals."
"What do you mean?"
"People who want to be individual should be. But the right to be ordinary should also be respected."
Haru was surprised. "Right to be ordinary?"
"Yes," Ren agreed. "Forcing individuality is the same as conformity pressure."
"Deep," Haru was impressed.
Noa said quietly. "I'm called individual. But I don't want that."
Haru was surprised. "Noa?"
"I'm just honest with myself. That's incidentally called individuality."
Ren nodded. "That's real individuality. Unintentional individuality."
Haru asked. "So aiming for individuality is wrong?"
"Not aiming for, but discovering," Ren explained.
"Discovering?"
"By knowing yourself deeply, it naturally appears."
Noa added. "Not from comparison with others, but from self-exploration."
Haru wrote in her notebook. "Individuality is result. Not goal."
"Good understanding," Ren acknowledged.
"But," Haru voiced anxiety. "What if self-exploration finds nothing special?"
Noa smiled. "That's fine."
"It is?"
"No need to be special. Just be honest."
Ren supplemented. "Honesty might be the rarest individuality."
Haru felt relieved. "So I don't have to force myself to be individual?"
"Rather, you shouldn't force it," Ren said. "False individuality invites self-alienation."
Noa stood up. "Individuality is born from dialogue with yourself."
Haru asked. "Others don't matter?"
"They matter," Ren corrected. "But the subject is you. Others' gazes are just reference."
Haru took a deep breath. "I'll stop chasing individuality."
"Good decision," Ren acknowledged.
Noa said quietly. "You as you are is your individuality."
Haru smiled. "That's okay?"
"No more, no less."
The three quietly began walking. Not to search for individuality, but to live themselves.
"Is individuality really necessary," Haru murmured. "I don't know, but that's okay for now."
Ren nodded. "Continuing to question is your individuality."
Noa smiled. No words, but a smile of agreement.