[Prompt of Happiness] 13

Chapter 49: Studying was harder than I thought

Life at the University of Tokyo began wrapped in anticipation and excitement. However, the reality was completely different. We spent our days holed up in each other's rooms, desperately studying for daily assignments and tests. "Hey, how was class today?" Maja asked me. I nodded deeply while facing my desk. "It was difficult. I wonder how to solve this assignment..." Maja smiled and snuggled up next to me. "Let's do our best together. I'm sure we can do it." We spent our days studying hard, encouraging each other. I realized once again that university life is not just about play and fun, but also a place for effort and growth. At the beginning of university, we had no time to play at all, and we spent our days holed up in each other's rooms, studying for daily assignments and tests.
"Hey, shouldn't we explore Tokyo soon?" she said while reading a book by the window. I nodded while facing my desk. "That's true, but not until this assignment is finished." However, by around May, we gradually got used to this life and were able to use our time to go out together to various places in Tokyo.
"Where should we go today?" she asked excitedly. I thought about it while spreading out a map. "How about trying to go to Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree?" In that way, we left the hustle and bustle of daily life and went on an adventure to explore the streets of Tokyo.
And, before summer vacation began, as part of a memorable trip to Tokyo, we also visited
Disneyland. We boarded a log boat on Splash Mountain and set off on a fun adventure. As the boat slowly climbed the waterfall, cute animals and fun songs were waiting inside. "This scenery is really nostalgic, isn't it? It's fun," she said with a smile. I also nodded with a smile. "That's right. This place is a very important memory for us, isn't it?" At that moment, she suddenly said, "I'm thinking of going back to Sweden for about two weeks during summer vacation." I happily accepted her proposal. "That's a wonderful idea. During that time, I'll go back to my parents' house and spend time with my parents and friends from high school."While the two of us were enjoying our conversation, a 16-meter waterfall suddenly appeared in front of us. The boat plunged from that 16-meter height into the basin of the waterfall, experiencing a dive with a maximum slope of 45 degrees. Water splashed, and not only the thrill but also a refreshing feeling enveloped us.
The next attraction we visited was
Mickey's PhilharMagic. It was a 3D attraction, and it felt as if multiple Disney movies were combined into one story. The magic of Disney was truly here. "The Lion King, Peter Pan, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid..." I said the names of my favorite works. I enjoyed seeing the famous scenes from my favorite works come back to life before my eyes on a huge 3D screen. Maja also spoke excitedly. "This attraction can be enjoyed with all five senses, right? Pictures popping out, water flying at you, the smell of food... it's really fun." We were drawn into the world of each movie and were intoxicated by the magic of Disney.

Chapter 50: Summer Vacation

Summer vacation began, and Maja returned to Sweden. "See you later, Maja, have a good summer vacation," I said with a smile, and she responded with a smile. "Thank you, I'll be back in two weeks."
I also parted ways with her and left Tokyo for my parents' home in Kansai. When I opened the front door and said "I'm home," my parents welcomed me with smiles. "Welcome back, you look well." "Studying is hard, but I'm doing my best." When I answered with a smile, my whole family looked relieved.
After spending some time relaxing at home with my parents, I heard from my friends. They had been obsessed with surfing since entering university. "Kaito, let's go to the sea!" my friends suggested. I responded with a smile. "That sounds great! You two can enjoy riding the waves in the sea, and the other friend who can't surf and I will enjoy swimming." On the way to the beach with the four of us, fun conversations flourished in the car.
Today, there were beautiful waves, and the two friends were enjoying surfing to the fullest. The other friend and I had no surfing experience, but we spent our time entering the sea to swim and enjoying sunbathing. The two came up to the beach and invited us, saying, "We'll lend you our boards, so why don't you try it?" The other friend refused, saying, "I can't, I can't," but I answered with a smile. "Well then, shall I give it a try?" After being taught various ways on the beach, I borrowed a surfboard and entered the sea.
I paddled out to the offing and sat on the board to wait for the waves. The feeling of bobbing on the waves was very pleasant. There were many surfers around, and I watched their movements intently. While sitting for a while, I decided to take the plunge and ride a wave, watching what I had been taught on the beach and the movements of the surfers in front of me. I thought I could do it smoothly if I rode a wave with energy, so I waited for a good wave.
"Come on, let's wait for a good wave," my friend said. "Yeah, I'll aim for a wave with as much energy as possible." When I said that, a wave with just the right amount of energy came. I paddled in time with the speed of the wave and stood up on the board all at once. And, as the wave broke, the feeling of moving while riding on the board was a first, but I was able to ride the wave well.
"Wow! This is fun!" I shouted, and "That's a good ride! You're good for a beginner," my friend said with a surprised expression. My friend smiled and suggested surfing in Shonan. "If you're in the Kanto region, you can go surfing in Shonan." I thought for a moment, mentioned my busy study days, and replied, "My studies are quite busy, so I might not be able to go, but let's go together when I come back again."
My friend looked at me with a surprised expression, looked back at the road to the University of Tokyo, and said, "You're a Todai student, after all." "To think you passed the entrance exam for the University of Tokyo while working on a working holiday without even going to a prep school." "As expected, Kaito, you're amazing," he said with admiration.

Chapter 51: A Message from Maja

When I checked my phone in the car on the way back from the sea, I had received a message from Maja. The content was that a client of her father's work had been attacked by hackers and needed help. While surprised by the request to come all the way to Sweden, I immediately sent her a message asking for the detailed situation.
"Maja, are you okay? What happened? Can you tell me the detailed situation?" I decided to return to Tokyo straight from the sea, and first decided to deal with it on my computer in my Tokyo room. Then, I contacted Maja that I would head to Sweden the next day. I would arrive in Tokyo around 11:30 PM. Since it would be around 3:30 PM in Sweden time, I decided to contact her from Tokyo first.
"It's still daytime in Sweden time, so I'll contact you from Tokyo." I had to return to Tokyo suddenly, so I asked my friend to take me from Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport. They kindly agreed, and I booked my flight ticket from my smartphone on the way to the airport. I headed to Tokyo (Haneda) on a flight departing from Kansai International Airport at 21:05 and landed at 22:15. After that, I transferred trains from Haneda and was able to return to my home in Tokyo after about an hour.
"Maja, I've arrived in Tokyo. I'll handle it on my computer and head to Sweden early tomorrow morning." When I contacted her, a message from her arrived while I was on my way back to my home in Tokyo. "Russian government hackers are attacking my father's company's client. Right now, the company staff and I are desperately defending against it." Reading that message, I felt the seriousness of the situation. I immediately contacted her that I had booked a flight ticket. "Maja, I was able to book a ticket departing Haneda on a Singapore Airlines flight at 16:40 and arriving at Stockholm Arlanda Airport at 11:35 the next day."

To be continued