"They said I ran away again."
Haru murmured in the corner of the library.
"From what?" Ren put down his book and asked.
"Club problems. But it's not even my responsibility."
Noa looked up. "If it's not your responsibility, maybe it's not running away."
"Huh?"
Ren thought. "'Running away' refers to avoiding responsibility. But if there's no responsibility to begin with?"
"Not running away?"
"Taking distance. Self-protection," Noa said quietly.
Haru was confused. "But everyone says I ran away."
"Others' evaluation and reality are separate," Ren pointed out. "The question is whether that reality is 'something to face' or 'something to distance from' for you."
"How do I distinguish?"
Noa answered. "Whether the problem connects to your growth. Or whether it harms others."
"Growth?"
"If facing it yields something, it's worth confronting," Ren explained. "But if it only exhausts you, you should distance yourself."
Haru pondered. "How do I tell exhaustion from growth?"
"Imagine time passing," Noa suggested. "One year from now, yourself having faced this problem versus having distanced from it. Which is better?"
"Difficult."
"There's another criterion," Ren continued. "Can you change the problem yourself?"
"Unchangeable problems?"
"Like weather or others' emotions, things outside your control. Obsessing over them is meaningless."
Haru nodded. "Stoic philosophy?"
"Yes. Epictetus said, 'Distinguish what you can change from what you cannot.'"
Noa added, "But the boundary is ambiguous. Some problems you can influence slightly but can't fully control."
"For example?"
"Human relationships. You can change your actions, but not others' reactions."
Ren nodded deeply. "So you need to direct your efforts. Focus on process, not results."
Haru asked, "Then what realities is it okay to escape from?"
"Harmful and unchangeable ones," Noa said clearly. "Toxic relationships, environments that don't match your values."
"Isn't that weakness?"
"The opposite," Ren said strongly. "Protecting yourself is proof of strength. No need to force battle."
Noa added, "There's a concept called strategic retreat. A preparation period to challenge again."
Haru felt a bit relieved. "But how much is it okay to run?"
"That's a difficult question," Ren admitted. "Running continuously creates a habit of running. But continuously confronting breaks you."
"Balance?"
"Yes. Sartre said 'freedom is punishment.' You can't escape the responsibility of choice."
Noa said gently, "But you can decide what to choose. That's the meaning of freedom."
Haru looked outside. "If the club problem isn't my responsibility, it's okay to distance myself?"
"Ask yourself," Ren prompted. "By facing it, what do you gain? Lose?"
Haru took a deep breath. "I gain...nothing. I lose time and peace of mind."
"Then the answer is clear," Noa smiled.
"But I feel guilty."
"That's society's voice," Ren pointed out. "The norm 'don't run away.' But there's no obligation to face every problem."
Noa said quietly, "Protecting yourself isn't running away. It's a wise choice."
Haru laughed a little. "Realities to face and realities to escape. Distinction matters."
"Life is a series of choices," Ren said. "Facing everything is impossible. Prioritization is necessary."
"Prioritization?"
"Based on your values, decide what's important," Noa explained. "No need to fight everything. Choose battles to fight."
Haru stood up. "Got it. I'll distance from the club problem. But I'll face my own challenges."
Ren nodded. "That's mature judgment."
Noa added, "Running or fighting, both are options. What matters is choosing consciously."
The three left the library. Haru's steps were a bit lighter.
How to distance from reality. That too is a technique for living.