　Since I hadn't yet decided on the university or department I wanted to attend, I decided to first make that decision. I enjoyed researching and giving presentations on various topics myself. So, I thought about universities and departments that offer such activities, and I immediately thought of those that emphasize English and globalization. Then, my mother found an event for university admissions counseling in Shinjuku where universities emphasizing overseas study and English instruction would be present, so we decided to attend together.

　The main purpose of this event was to visit the university booths and gather information. However, the impression I got from interacting with them was completely different from what I had gathered from their websites and brochures.

　At the booth, there were two people seated: a middle-aged, overweight man and a woman in her twenties. The woman introduced herself as the university's public relations officer and introduced the man next to her as the chairman. The chairman did not even bother to uncross his arms or engage in the conversation; he simply nodded without much interest.

　While the woman was diligently explaining the features of the university's curriculum, the chairman remained silent, occasionally glancing around as if distracted.

　When asked if we had any questions, I inquired about using a high school equivalency certificate for admission, which suddenly caught the chairman's attention. He leaned forward and asked if my daughter was not currently attending high school, to which my mother politely replied that I was on a leave of absence and considering withdrawing from high school.

　The chairman seemed dissatisfied with the response, implying that their university wasn't lenient about such matters. The woman, with an obvious forced smile, reassured us that a high school equivalency certificate could indeed be used for admission. Since we had no further questions, we left the booth.

　While reading about the university on their website and pamphlets, I had thought it was a wonderful university with a strong focus on globalization. However, judging from the chairman's attitude, it seemed that the mindset of the people working there hadn't embraced globalization.

　Once again, I felt the condescending attitude I often encountered when I wore earrings, painted, or expressed interest in moving abroad. If even someone like the chairman exhibited such behavior, I no longer felt inclined to attend that university.

　It's not that I'm disparaging Japanese education. It's just a matter of compatibility, and I really wanted to attend a university with an active teaching style, which I believed was closest to globalization in my mind.

　Disappointed by the unexpected atmosphere of the school, as we were about to leave, my mother suggested, "Since we're here, why don't we check out other booths?" and pointed to the language school booth, inviting me to join her.

　Feeling disillusioned, I initially wanted to go straight home. However, I reconsidered, thinking it would be a waste to miss this opportunity after coming all the way to Tokyo, so I decided to at least listen to what they had to say.

　Just as another family finished their explanation and left, we approached the man at the booth. Though he was the only one there, his cheerful personality came through in his clear voice, making us feel at ease and not inferior to other university booths.

　While explaining, he showed pamphlets to my mother and asked me about my interests in various subjects, showing concern for me as a student.

　As I listened to his explanation, the language school began to seem very appealing to me. Since it was a language school, its goal was to thoroughly train students' English skills before supporting them in advancing to overseas universities. He also talked about the appeal of overseas universities, where students can specialize even further in their areas of interest compared to Japanese universities. There are no entrance exams, so as long as you can study English, you can get into most universities.

　What appealed to me most was that the language school offered classes specifically designed to prepare students for overseas universities. Graduates from overseas universities who are fluent in English teach all classes in English, and students write essays, give presentations, and engage in debates in English.

　It was the kind of teaching system I had always wanted to try.

　After visiting all the other university booths, my mother and I went to a restaurant for an early dinner. Over the meal, we discussed which university seemed the most promising, and both my mother and I agreed that the language school was the most attractive option.

　So, it didn't take much time from visiting the school to actually enrolling. Upon enrollment, we took an English test, and based on the scores, we were placed in classes. I was initially placed in the second-highest class. However, since the language school operated on a trimester system, I was soon moved up to the top class.

　I was deeply engrossed in my studies, and having a clear goal of entering a foreign university made my daily studies enjoyable.

　It was during the final class change that I first met Yua.