[Short Story] Eccentricity is Fine! The Curse of Perfectionism: The Courage to 'Reveal' at 30% - His Silence Isn't Slacking Off. It's a Signal That He's Fighting Desperately

[Prologue: The Hell of Being Unable to Speak]

"Haruto, how's that document coming? Even if it's just halfway done, show it to me for a second."

A casual remark from his boss, Mr. Kato. Around them, the sound of keyboards clattered, the usual afternoon scene. But for Haruto, it was different. That voice sounded like an alarm piercing his heart.

Haruto's vision suddenly went dark. On the screen was a table that was still mostly empty. Not even the numbers were entered. (...I absolutely cannot show anyone something as trashy as this.)

In Haruto's mind, there was a troublesome rule. "If it's not 100 points, it's the same as 0. Showing a version of myself that isn't perfect is so embarrassing I want to die."

His mind was filled with panic, thinking, "How can I escape?" and "What excuse should I make?" He didn't have even a millimeter of room left to respond.

"...."

"Haruto? Are you listening?"

The smile vanished from Mr. Kato's face. Haruto's throat wouldn't move, as if it had been sealed with invisible glue. This was the true nature of the 'freeze phenomenon' that others mistook for 'ignoring people' or 'lacking motivation'.

[Chapter 1: The Appraiser of Hearts]

"Hey, that's enough. Stop blaming yourself now."

A low, powerful voice echoed. It was Honda, the Guild Master. He placed a hand on the shoulder of Haruto, who was frozen and sweating cold, and gave Mr. Kato a grin.

"Mr. Kato. This kid isn't slacking off. He's in the middle of a life-or-death battle with the monster in his head that says, 'You have to do it perfectly.' If you try to force him to answer now, his heart will break."

Guild Master Honda stared at Haruto and continued.

"Haruto, it's not that you're no good. What you're lacking isn't talent, but the 'courage to reveal your 30% incomplete self.' Listen, being an eccentric is fine! That 'obsession' of yours will surely become your greatest weapon someday. Right now, you're just pointing that weapon at yourself."

[Chapter 2: Change How You Think About 'Reporting']

Back in the room, Guild Master Honda wrote in large letters on the whiteboard.

• Mistake: Reporting = A 'test' where you are evaluated

• Correct Answer: Reporting = 'Just communication' to ensure the team doesn't get wiped out

"Haruto, you think of reporting as a place where you'll get scolded, right? But in the workplace, a team that can say 'Help!' at the 30% stage is much stronger than a team that waits for 100 points and gets wiped out."

Haruto said in a trembling voice, "But... I'm deathly afraid of showing something half-baked and having people be disappointed."

"It's okay to disappoint them! You're an eccentric, so don't try to act like a normal person from the start." Honda bestowed upon Haruto a certain **'magic password.'** "Next time you're asked for progress, just let these words fly out of your mouth without thinking."

[Chapter 3: Rebooting the Heart]

The next day, Kato-san came by again. "Haruto-kun, how's the continuation from yesterday?"

Haruto's heart skipped a beat. The perfectionist monster in his head screamed, "It's too early! Don't show it!" (...Ah, it's starting again. But this isn't my fault. It's just a bug in my heart.)

Haruto stopped thinking, just as Guild Master Honda had told him. And then, he forced the practiced words out of his mouth.

...Kato-san.I'm at 30% right now. I don't know what to do from here on, so could you take a look at it once?

For a moment, there was a silence that made Haruto close his eyes. He waited to be scolded. But what came back was a voice so bright it was anticlimactic.

"Oh, that's fast! It helps me most when you consult me at 30%. Ah, here. I'll handle this part, so could you take care of this over here, Haruto-kun?"

Haruto opened his eyes. The world hadn't collapsed. On the contrary, his heavy shoulders felt unbelievably light.

[Epilogue: A Weapon of One's Own]

That evening, Haruto reported to Guild Master Honda. "...I was able to say it. It was surprisingly okay."

"Of course it was. The 30% you thought was 'trash' is a 'hint for moving forward' to the team." Guild Master Honda pointed at Haruto's materials.

"Look at this. It's still halfway done, but the framework is incredibly clean. Use that 'power to obsess' for the final touches next time. That is what it means to "}, {earn a living as a professional while remaining an eccentric."

Haruto smiled faintly for the first time. It wasn't that the curse of perfectionism had vanished. But he wouldn't return to that hell where he couldn't move anymore.

"Eccentricity is fine. I'll use my obsession to surprise the world."

🛡️ Guild Master Honda's "Strategy Memo to Lighten Your Heart"

To you who freezes up when asked "How's the progress?" like Haruto. Remember this [Magic Command] starting today.

1. "I'm at 30% right now."

   • Even if you think it's 0% yourself, declare it's 30%. Just by stating a number, the other person will switch into "help" mode.

2. "I don't understand this part."

   • Instead of blaming yourself by saying "I can't do it," toss the problem outside of yourself by saying "I lack information."

3. "I'll start now."

   • If you haven't started at all, this is the most powerful phrase. It's 100 times more trustworthy than telling a lie.

The next Eccentricity is Fine! story will be... teaching you a 'debugging method for those who get tired from reading the room too much.' I'll turn that sensitivity of yours, Haruto, into the ultimate analytical skill. Just you wait!

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