April 3rd (Sunday) Yuta Asamura

● April 3rd (Sunday)

On a Sunday morning, a time when I would usually be more relaxed, I found myself standing in front of the bathroom mirror, struggling. I combed my hair and adjusted my tie several times, glaring at the minute hand of the watch on my wrist as I fought against the clock, but ultimately, time ran out. I resigned myself to the thought that this would have to do.

I really don’t know how to wear a suit…

However, I couldn’t afford to take any longer, or I would be late for the entrance ceremony.

The fact that I hadn’t even thought about it until now was my own fault. Just the day before, on Friday, my father had asked me, “What are you going to wear to the ceremony?” and I panicked. I had vaguely assumed that if I were to attend a formal event, I would wear my uniform. Habits can be frightening.

I also recalled thinking that turning eighteen was the age to start preparing for adulthood.

So, I thought that perhaps this was a good opportunity to buy a formal suit. But when I actually tried it on, I felt as if the suit was wearing me instead.

Feeling a bit gloomy, I made my way to the dining hall.

“Good morning,” I said as I entered.

Ayase-san, who was setting the breakfast on the table, looked up and saw me.

“Yeah. You look fine. It suits you.”

Unable to hide my embarrassment at Ayase-san’s words, I almost replied with a denial, “Not really,” but then reconsidered. If Ayase-san thought it suited me, then my own opinion didn’t matter.

After the entrance ceremony, I returned to Shibuya and headed straight to my part-time job for the first time in five months.

Today marked the start of my shifts again. While I had visited the store a few times just to buy books, it had been far too long since I had shown my face in the office. The staff might have changed a bit, and I felt nervous as I entered, greeting everyone.

The manager, who was seated at the back of the office, looked up and smiled.

“Asamura-kun, it’s great to have you back.”

“Yes.”

Just as I was about to head to the locker to change, the door swung open.

“Manager, is it possible that—”

Rushing into the office with a rolling gait was my junior from work, Kozono Erina, whom I hadn’t seen in a while.

“Hello, Kozono-san.”

“Oh, yes. Hello—Yuta-senpai! That suit is amazing! You look cool!”

She clapped her hands together as if applauding. With every movement, her hair, which had inner color highlights, swayed. Seeing her after six months, I felt that her face had matured a bit, and I couldn’t help but have a strangely parental reaction.

“No, no. It’s nothing like that.”

“It is! You look cool. You really give off an adult vibe. I wish I could be like that.”

Afterward, familiar coworkers kept telling me how well it suited me, and I began to wonder if formal suits were somehow designed to look good on anyone.

Aside from a couple of times when I fumbled the register keys, I surprisingly managed to finish my part-time work without much trouble. The skills I had acquired didn’t just vanish.

Surrounded by books for the first time in half a year, I thought again that even if I were to quit my job, I would continue reading books forever. I love books. That said, two new installments in the series I had been reading had come out, and I discovered about six interesting new titles, including some practical books. I couldn’t help but wonder why, even though I was alone, so many authors seemed to be coming at me all at once.

Having plenty of time during my train commute might actually be a blessing. It seems I can secure some reading time there.