[Thoughts on Rii-san's Creative Award Entry] Why does this give me so much courage?

Today, I am sharing my thoughts on Ayano Rii-san's entry for the Creative Award 2025 Essay Category, "The Gears Turned by Social Pleasantries."

As an aside, I had been gradually getting back into my daily routine after recovering from a bit of poor health. However, I still couldn't quite bring myself to write a note article, and I spent the whole day worrying about what to do for today's post.

In the midst of that, while reading notes from various people, I suddenly found myself starting to write. Rii-san, thank you once again for such a wonderful piece that moved my heart.

I think that is the initial scramble crossing.

University life. Some people got into their first-choice university. Others got into their second or third choice.
A freedom overwhelmingly different from high school.
It's not quite "youth." The colors have already become deeper than just blue.

But even for those who got into their desired school, many still carry a great deal of anxiety in their hearts. We dreamed of getting in, but we didn't really know what lay beyond that.

Of course, we could have researched it if necessary. Some might have even raised their resolution by asking people who were already university students.

Still, while I was excited, the anxiety was also great.
That was the same for me, as I only got into one school and had no other choice. I had no idea what would happen after becoming a university student.

I could get a part-time job. Some friends had gotten their driver's licenses. Some friends were already experienced in romance and beyond. Drinking and smoking were no longer issues, and I didn't have to be sneaky about it.
Moreover, few people knew about my past school life, and there was no way to verify it anyway.

It was like the first time I got off at Shibuya Station in high school and stood before the scramble crossing.

This was the scene I had always seen on TV. I could go to any shop I wanted. I could go up the hill toward Dogenzaka. I could just head to Marukyu. Should I go to Marui after all? I want to try going to that TSUTAYA.

Great possibilities and great freedom. And now, I even had the power to fully enjoy them. But along with those seemingly infinite possibilities, there was also great anxiety.
Going somewhere also means choosing not to go somewhere else.
Furthermore, what lies beyond that is an even greater source of anxiety.

The beginning of my campus life felt like a constant game of probing each other's intentions. We acted in large groups at first, then gradually split into smaller ones. Perhaps that is unique to a freshman department.

With such high expectations and a spreading sense of uncertainty in my heart—the anxiety of not knowing what to do or if I was on the right path—what really strikes a chord isn't the people who are succeeding academically or starting businesses, but people like Rii-san who have found something they can be passionate about.

And that is even more true if you hadn't expected much to begin with.

Teachings that are truly golden words

The words Rii-san cherished, "Even if it was just a social pleasantry."
These words hit home so deeply.

For example, even if you get into your desired university or department, if you spend four years doing nothing in particular, you have nothing to talk about. And that doesn't just apply to graduating from university; the same can be said for the workplace and other areas.

"What to learn"
It is so profound. Because it's not just about studying. What kind of experiences do you have, and what do you learn from them? These words also apply to a person's very way of life.

People tend to lose sight of this.
It's easy to make belonging to a group or getting a certain job the goal itself.
But in the end, it's just a matter of what you do from there.

I really feel like everything is packed into that one sentence.

Are you enjoying XX?

This time, Rii-san's note concludes with, "Instead of thinking of people who have experienced setbacks as 'pitiful,' I want you to tell them, 'You're doing your best.'"

"Pitiful"—I asked myself if I would ever think that.
Probably not about myself.
But, perhaps I would if it were my own children or someone close to me.
I see, I thought, that's what it means.

At such times, I suddenly thought of the words I want to say to myself again when my mental state starts to get tough. Of course, these aren't words just for myself.

That is,are you enjoying XX?.
For example, freedom. Work. The company. Depending on the situation, maybe even note.

Of course, there is no need to force unhappy events into this, but if the image of something you were previously positive about has become a little dull, I want to chant these words.

This turned into a bit of a rehabilitation-style note, and it ended up with a different taste than usual (lol).
I am simply grateful for Rii-san's wonderful work, which made my heart light enough that even I, in my mental rehabilitation phase, could start writing right away!