Speech by a Friend Representative
A speech that was praised as the best friend representative greeting in the world. I wanted to preserve these 1500 characters filled with memories.
I met Nako on the day of the orientation for first-year university students. We were invited to go to the entrance ceremony together the next day, and as we talked, I remember feeling a spark, thinking, 'This girl is interesting, I want to be friends with her.'
On the way home from the entrance ceremony, we got a lot of flyers for club recruitment and decided together which club to join. The name DEBU was funny, so we joined the DEBU club. It was in that DEBU club that Nako met Koi. Since they might not have met if I hadn't been there, can I call myself their Cupid?
Looking back on my university life spent with Nako, it is filled with nothing but irreplaceable memories.
Climbing Mt. Fuji with Nako, Koi, and Akinii. Nako, you seemed to be struggling because you got food poisoning from the Sawayaka hamburger you ate before climbing Mt. Fuji, didn't you?
A 5-day growth trip taken for the purpose of self-reflection.
On the third day, we were so excited to ride camels at the Tottori Sand Dunes that we even wrote a song called 'Ride the Camel,' but when we got there, the camels were off duty due to strong winds.
On the fourth day in Shimane, the three of us went to Izumo Taisha Shrine driven by my grandfather. When we went through a red light, we realized we had made a mistake in our prayers to the gods.
We both lied and said we could work four shifts a week at MaxValu, but we both failed the interview. After that, even though it was the closest supermarket, it felt awkward and hard to go to.
We neglected our school classes to produce an original work called 'Nakoto'.
Nako and I took all the same classes, talked next to each other while stealing glances from the teacher, played Big Two every day at lunch, worked on school assignments together, stayed at family restaurants open late before exams, ate free meals at night using Go To Eat to the fullest, went back to Nako's house to sleep, and then went to school again. Even on days off, we were busy going to Saucy Dog concerts or traveling. Thinking about it now, I wonder how we managed to be together every day without getting bored.
Among these, an unforgettable memory is studying together for the national registered dietitian exam.
The reason I was able to work hard at my daily studies, or rather, felt like I could enjoy it, was undoubtedly because Nako was there.
There was even a time when we hit a wall with our studies and went to a campsite in Gifu for a 5-day study camp to change our mood.
We woke up early in the morning and did radio calisthenics. We drew portraits on stones, overcame the accident of the tent roof blowing away, and ate bananas grilled on a net. At night, the two of us talked quietly while looking at the stars, and on the fourth day, we ate a high-end Setsugetsuka yakiniku lunch before heading home.
That wasn't a study camp; it was an escape from reality. We had days like that, too.
On the day of the national exam, we headed straight to a lodging in Wakayama, bought sushi, and checked our answers while drinking alcohol. When we found out we passed, we both cried, hugged each other saying 'Thank you, Nako' and 'Thank you, Koto,' and then Nako started doing the Awa Odori. I love the beautiful Nako in a dress like today, but I love the way you express your emotions in such an interesting way even more.
The next day, we both shouted 'We passed the national exam!' on Yahoo Mountain in Wakayama. I still haven't forgotten that exhilaration.
During the four years of university life I spent with Nako, I was with her so much that I didn't make any other friends. And that's fine. I met a great person named Nako, so it's okay.
Looking back, those four years were the most foolish, intense, laughter-filled, and tear-filled time of my life; it was youth itself. We used to talk about who would get married first. I selfishly thought it would be me. I'm sure that from that time on, Koi's life with you was already decided.
Nako, your kindness in being able to serve others without seeking anything in return, your talent filled with exciting humor, and your ability to involve those around you to accomplish great things—you are my best friend whom I am proud of.
My best friend Nako, please be absolutely happy with Koi.