Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051598917319858
The day of the entrance ceremony.
I gave up on going back to sleep, got out of bed earlier than usual, and slipped into the business suit I’d bought in preparation for this day.
A shirt, a jacket, a belt, and a tie.
In terms of the outfit itself, it wasn’t much different from the school uniforms I’d worn through high school, but just wearing a suit made me feel a little more grown-up.
“Rintaro, good morning.”
“Good morning, Elis.”
While I was waiting in the living room, drinking coffee before leaving the house, a sleepy-looking Elis came in. It seemed I’d woken her up.
“Your ceremony is in the afternoon, right? Make sure you leave early so you don’t get lost.”
“It’s okay, I can handle it just fine on my own.”
We’re supposed to leave the house separately today.
It’s not that I wanted it this way; it’s because the university entrance ceremony is being held twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
They say even if they rented out a venue with a capacity of thousands, it still wouldn’t be enough. I wonder just how many freshmen there are.
“Let me know if you run into any trouble.”
“Got it. Have a good day, Rintaro.”
After being seen off by Ellis, I left the house and headed straight for the nearest station.
I rode the packed train, swaying along as I made my way to the entrance ceremony venue.
Mixed in with students and office workers were people in suits who, like me, seemed to be heading to the entrance ceremony.
I guess you could say that if you’re not used to wearing a suit, you really stand out.
Though I suppose, from the outside, I’m probably just one of them.
As I got off the train, the number of men and women in black business suits increased even more.
A sea of freshmen in suits stretched as far as the eye could see.
(College is amazing…)
It hit me all over again just how massive the university was.
★ ☆ ★
As for the entrance ceremony itself, it ended so quickly it was almost anticlimactic.
A representative from the freshmen gave a speech, we listened to a speech from a high-ranking official, watched a video message from a famous alumnus, got a brief overview of what was to come, and that was it.
While the scale was massive, the content was exactly the same as what I’d experienced in high school.
I had a chance to chat briefly with the guy sitting next to me before and after the ceremony, but since we were in different departments, I figured that would probably be the last time we saw each other.
I don’t mean that in a cold way; I think that’s just how university is.
You pass each other, chat a little, but then drift apart before a relationship even begins.
Unlike high school, we aren’t gathered in the same classroom every day, so unless I make an effort, my relationships will probably remain broad but shallow.
As I was thinking about that, my phone vibrated.
“I found some guys from our old high school—let’s take a picture together!”
The message was from Shino.
Seeing the casual message on the screen, the tension in my shoulders eased just a little.
That’s right. I have someone I’ve known from the very beginning.
Just that alone makes it a little easier to breathe amidst all these people—humans really are fickle creatures.
“Where?”
“By the pillar to the right of the exit. If you can’t find me, let me know. I’ll dance right there to get your attention.”
“If you actually do that, I’m just going to go home.”
I replied and headed to the spot she’d mentioned. There, a few of my high school classmates, including Shino, had gathered. Maybe because we no longer shared the common bond of our school uniforms, I felt a bit more distance between us than before.
“Oh, Rintaro’s here.”
“It’s been a while… though maybe not that long.”
“That suit doesn’t suit you.”
“Shut up. You’re not much better yourself.”
We exchanged lighthearted banter like that while casually catching up on what we’d been up to.
Even though the conversation wasn’t anything special, just seeing familiar faces made me feel strangely at ease.
After that, I asked someone nearby to take a group photo of all of us.
It was just an ordinary snapshot—probably from a college entrance ceremony.
But I bet when I look back at it later, it’ll feel pretty nostalgic.
“Let’s grab a meal sometime.”
“Sounds good. Once things settle down.”
“That ‘when things settle down’ stuff—that’s never gonna happen, is it?”
We made a vague promise and called it a day.
People from the same department huddled together, then went their separate ways.
Only Shino and I were left there. Apparently, Shino and I were the only two in the Business Department.
Looking at her again, Shino looked strangely good in a suit.
A black jacket and a white blouse. Her long black hair was a little neater than usual, making her look even more serious and refined than a typical freshman.
Well, actually, her grades are good and she has a good reputation, so I’m not wrong.
“Phew, it’s finally over. What do you say, Rintaro? Want to grab a drink?”
“You sound like an office worker getting off early.”
Shino laughed heartily and readjusted the bag slung over her shoulder.
As always, the gap between her appearance and her personality is huge.
“Speaking of which, what did you choose for your second foreign language, Rintaro?”
“German, of course.”
“I figured. By the way, I’m taking German too.”
“…Why?”
When I blurted that out, Shino made a gesture of rubbing the bridge of her nose with her index finger and said in a strangely theatrical tone.
“Don’t make me say it, it’s embarrassing. It’s obvious—it’s because Rintaro’s here, isn’t it? ♡”
I don’t know why, but I’m not happy about this at all.
“So, you’re fully planning to rely on me, then?”
“Count on me, my friend!”
With that, Shino, without a hint of embarrassment, gave a sharp thumbs-up and declared her intention to rely on others.
So she picked her second foreign language for such an impure motive…
“Anyway, if we end up in the same class, let’s get along♪”
“Got it—”
She’s as shrewd as ever.
Shino’s pretty savvy, so she’d probably manage just fine on her own, but she’s the type who’ll take the easy way out whenever she can.
Looks like my fateful connection with Shino is going to continue.
“Well, I guess I’ll head home now. See ya~”
“Yeah, see you later.”
Shino waved her hand flippantly and walked away.
After watching her back disappear, I let out a small sigh.
At least the entrance ceremony is over. I even got to see some people I knew from high school.
Not a bad start, I guess.
At the very least, it doesn’t look like I’m destined to be a loner right off the bat.
Just as I thought that, I suddenly remembered Elis.
(Elis doesn’t know anyone here besides me, does she?)
Elis can speak Japanese fluently, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be able to build relationships from scratch easily.
(I wish I could help her out in some way without drawing attention to myself…)
Just as I thought that, my phone vibrated.
“Rintaro, is the entrance ceremony over?”
It was from Elis.
“It’s over. Are you about to arrive at the venue?”
“Yeah. But I’m in a bit of a bind. Mom wants me to take some photos of the entrance ceremony.”
“Ah, I see.”
It’s only natural that Elis’s parents would want to see photos of her on her big day.
And it would be strange if I—who’s supposed to be there with her—weren’t in the photos…
“It’s okay, Rintaro. I’ll ask someone else to take them for me.”
I read her message and paused for a moment.
Elis’s consideration stung my heart like a thorn.
I didn’t want to do anything that would make us stand out in a crowd like this on the very first day.
But the thought of Elis’s entrance ceremony photos being nothing but pictures of her alone… just didn’t feel right.
“Elis. I’ll take a picture—with you.”
“Is that okay…?”
“But only somewhere with fewer people. In front of a sign or something is out of the question.”
“Yeah! Actually, that’s great! Just the two of us!”
Her reply was quick.
She was definitely clutching her phone, waiting for this.
“Where are you now?”
“I’m already near the venue.”
“Then let’s meet up a little ways away. I’ll send you the location.”
I opened a map of the area around the venue and looked for a spot slightly removed from the crowd.
After walking a short distance, I found a spot where cherry blossoms were in bloom.
The venue’s sign won’t be in the shot, but it should be good enough for a photo from the entrance ceremony. Actually, that might even be better.
After sending her the location, I decided to go ahead and wait there.
★ ☆ ★
After a while, I spotted a head of golden hair through the crowd.
As soon as Elis saw me, her face lit up.
But she immediately glanced around and lowered her voice slightly.
“…Rintaro.”
It was a quiet voice.
It seemed she was trying to keep the promise we made yesterday.
“Over here. There aren’t many people here.”
“Okay.”
As she approached, I saw that Elis was wearing her entrance ceremony suit.
Even though it was the same suit, it looked strangely elegant on her—maybe because Elis has such long limbs.
She looked so refined and beautiful; we’d definitely stand out if we were together.
I was glad we’d avoided the area in front of the signboard.
“Is this a good spot for a photo? We can get the cherry blossoms in the shot too.”
“Yeah. As long as I’m with Rintaro, anywhere is fine.”
Since she said that, I decided to look for someone to take our picture.
Just then, I spotted a woman who looked like a parent holding what appeared to be an entrance ceremony pamphlet, so I approached her.
“Excuse me. Would you mind taking a picture for us?”
“Oh, of course.”
The woman gladly agreed to take the photo.
Elis and I stood side by side under the cherry blossoms.
At first, Elis stood a little distance away, as if she were being shy.
Wait, isn’t that distance a bit unnatural?
“It’ll look weird if we don’t get a little closer.”
“……Is that okay?”
“Sure. It’ll look unnatural if there’s a gap between us.”
When I said that, Elis’s face lit up, and she took a step closer.
Not close enough for our shoulders to touch.
But much closer than before.
“Oh, how nice. High school classmates?”
Holding her smartphone, the woman asked cheerfully.
Then Ellis looked at me, flashed a mischievous smile, and spoke up.
“Is it okay if I say we’re lovers?”
In German, which the woman probably wouldn’t understand.
This girl… there’s no way she’s serious.
She knows exactly what she’s doing, doesn’t she?
“We’re childhood friends.”
“Oh, really? That’s lovely.”
I answered immediately, ignoring Ellis’s words, while she giggled merrily beside me.
She’s totally toying with me. Just because no one around us understands, she’s starting to abuse her German.
“Okay, I’ll take the picture. Say cheese.”
The shutter clicked.
She handed me back the phone, and I checked the screen.
There we were, Elis and I, standing side by side under the cherry blossoms.
The entrance ceremony sign wasn’t in the shot.
No crowds, no university name, nothing that looked like a ceremony venue.
Even so, Elis in that photo was smiling more happily than she had all day.
(Well, I guess it was worth taking the picture after all.)
That’s what I thought.
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