Cherry blossoms are in full bloom, a new spring, enjoying cherry blossoms with family.
No longer a high school student, but on the verge of becoming a University student, Aki Tomoya finally had time to truly rest for the first time in two years.
"Eriri, where is the entrance ceremony for your Tokyo University of the Arts?"
Both sides are lined with cherry trees in full bloom. During the flowering season, it is a riot of color. The slowly falling petals are accompanied by a faint floral fragrance, and the gentle spring breeze is refreshing.
Ten minutes ago, they were still enjoying cherry blossoms with their parents, but now they were walking alone on the cherry blossom path.
With nothing to do, Aki Tomoya took the initiative to chat a bit.
"...If you didn't say anything, I wouldn't have thought about this at all!"
Eriri replied with some embarrassment.
She hadn't heard where the entrance ceremony for Tokyo University of the Arts was. She estimated that her Mother would only remind her to prepare a few days before the ceremony.
University entrance ceremony, it seems Eriri is not very interested in this matter.
As Aki Tomoya thought, it is estimated that this childhood friend is also indifferent to University life.
After all, even if she goes to Tokyo University of the Arts, besides being able to find a famous teacher for guidance, there won't be much change around Eriri.
"Is the entrance ceremony for Tokyo University at Budokan?"
She had no idea where her own University entrance ceremony would be held, but she knew where the boy next to her would attend his entrance ceremony.
Should I say it's because Tokyo University is too famous, or is it that Eriri's thoughts are not on herself?
Aki Tomoya didn't want to think too much and replied casually: "Yes."
Many universities do not hold their entrance ceremonies on campus, but rent large event venues.
For example, Tokyo University prefers Budokan, Sophia University loves the Tokyo International Forum, and the College of Humanities and Economics likes to go to the Tokyo Dome.
Shortly after passing the interview, Aki Tomoya received an invitation to the entrance ceremony. The location was Tokyo Budokan, and the time was April 11th.
"In the blink of an eye, you're going to Tokyo University... Have you completely abandoned your otaku identity? Are you not planning to pick it up again? You've already been admitted to Tokyo University."
"Don't try to preach to me a second time. I cherish the things I fought desperately to protect in the past, but now there are more things waiting to be done."
"Hmph, you're getting good at acting cool now!"
Eriri also understood Aki Tomoya's words.
It wasn't abandoning, but letting go. She wasn't very interested in the current two-dimensional world, but she truly loved the things she cherished in the past.
Perhaps one day she will also let this go, but for now, let's just do what she wants to do, since she has the opportunity.
"Oh right, although it's a bit late, congratulations on your admission to Tokyo University of the Arts."
When the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, Aki Tomoya gave Eriri a slightly belated congratulation.
His childhood friend was also going to a top National University of the arts.
Slowly strolling along the path under the cherry trees, the cherry blossom season was almost over.
And by April 11th, the day of the Tokyo University Budokan entrance ceremony, the cherry blossoms in Tokyo would have pretty much withered.
For the Budokan entrance ceremony, each new student could only invite two relatives, and the entrance for parents was also separate from theirs.
On the day of the entrance ceremony, accompanied by his parents, Aki Tomoya got off the subway.
A black suit paired with a white shirt was the uniform required for new students on the day of the entrance ceremony, while there were no special requirements for the attire of accompanying parents.
However, since it was the Tokyo University entrance ceremony, and it was also at the Tokyo Budokan, the time parents spent on their appearance was even more than Aki Tomoya's.
"Is my tie straight?"
His Father's first question after getting off the subway station was whether his attire was okay.
Aki Tomoya couldn't help but laugh: "It's fine!"
After he finished speaking, he looked around and found a person holding a sign in the corner of the subway station. Next to him was someone in the same formal attire, wearing the Tokyo University emblem on his shoulder.
They were reminding people going to Budokan which exit to take.
"Go this way."
Aki Tomoya turned back to remind his parents, who were still a little excited.
Stepping out of the subway station and onto the street, more and more people were also dressed formally. Along the road, there were also people holding signs indicating the direction to Budokan and maintaining order.
"University entrance ceremonies are really lively!"
He muttered to himself.
Outside Budokan, the advertising board set up by Tokyo University in advance was incredibly eye-catching, visible at a glance.
"It's the mascot, Aki Tomoya, let's take a photo first!"
Just as Aki Tomoya was looking at Budokan, his Mother beside him pulled his shoulder.
Outside the entrance to Budokan, many temporary tents were set up, and there was also a Shiba Inu holding a sign celebrating admission, which was the mascot his Mother mentioned.
There were places around where you could buy entrance souvenirs. Aki Tomoya himself wasn't interested in these, but his Mother was quite interested.
Not only did she drag him to take photos with the mascot, but she also bought many souvenirs, and finally asked the University staff on site to help them take a group photo.
"I'll go this way, you go that way. See you after it's over."
After his Mother had calmed down a bit, Aki Tomoya reminded them that they should go to their respective entrances.
After saying goodbye to his parents, Aki Tomoya came to the new student entrance area.
After arriving at the parents' entrance area, his parents also received some information about Tokyo University, roughly about the procedure for today's entrance ceremony, as well as information about the school.
Entering the venue from the new student entrance, Aki Tomoya heard a pleasant melody.
On the right side of Budokan, there was an orchestra, and they were continuously playing as people entered the venue.
Before the entrance ceremony had even started, the atmosphere in the venue was already building up.
Following the student number to find his seat, many new students like him had already taken their seats around him.
All the new students were seated in the inner area, while the parents were all on the second level of the stands.
As all the new students in the inner area were seated, the large screen hanging on the solemnly arranged rostrum began to play a promotional video for Tokyo University.
"I think I saw you on the second test day?"
"Hello, Aki Tomoya, please take care."
The entrance ceremony had not officially started yet. It was now 1:48 PM, twelve minutes before the official start of the entrance ceremony.
Before the entrance ceremony started, there was nothing else to do, and it was common to get to know the people around you like this.
And about five minutes before the entrance ceremony began, when a sign language interpreter entered and went on stage to prepare, all the new students in the inner area fell silent.
As the host began to remind everyone, this year's Tokyo University entrance ceremony was finally about to begin.
At exactly two o'clock, accompanied by the orchestra's music, two school flags appeared in the venue, leading two different teams slowly walking in.
One team was the school leaders, and the other team was the Professors.
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