Seijun: A Girl's Bygone Days

What's Up with Ruriko Amano?

I'm Ruriko Amano, 20 years old.

Back in high school, I was known as a prominent member of the weather observation club, as well as the girl who has a predilection for novels, online or offline.

My interests in these two fields basically blaze clear paths for my future career.

I can be a weather girl, a novelist, or I can be both at the same time.

My dedication to those paths knows no bounds.

And then you, Gunpei Imahara, came into the picture.

Even though I would not be sidetracked by your above-average looks... I admit that you kind of stand out from the school crowd.

We first met each other back when you transferred here from Hokkaido during junior high.

When you first introduced yourself, you had this unique aura.

You looked timid, but then you were brimming with confidence as you declared your name to the rest of the class.

And after class, I've had the chance to talk to you.

You confessed to me that you are a tech prodigy and you aimed to become a robotics engineer.

You also confessed that you once won in that quiz show on TV that's still on air to this day.

And in those confessions, you never once bragged.

Not in your voice, not in your mannerisms.

You seem so... approachable.

That was when my heart first skipped a beat.

When we both ascended to high school, this humbleness and approachability never seemed to escape you.

Not to mention your approach in coming up with solutions.

You never once complained, and you just explained why this solution works in a language I could understand.

Truly, the engineer's spirit is within you.

I knew I would be friends with you... and maybe, something even more.

And then, the prom came.

I was excited for that event because I knew I would be your partner.

But considering how it actually turned out, it wasn't what I expected.

Sure, our class was gender imbalanced, but the way you came up with the harem solution was something I didn't anticipate.

But then... I also knew Anya and Saya pretty well, and they are as dependable as us.

You were right. You wanted to save the prom from turning into a disaster, and thus you came up of a solution.

A win-win solution, in fact.

This was so you.

And thus, I was one of the three girls who were in your arms that auspicious night.

It was... magical.

Like I could feel clear and fair weather at that time – and I was right. That night indeed had fair weather, so we could all see the stars after the event ended.

Gunpei...

Though we may be far apart now, I wish I can relive those moments with you.

Even though you have your own girlfriend, I can still consider myself as just a friend.

Because I had to set aside my selfishness if it meant your true happiness in her arms.

Enough romantic musings for now.

I need to tell what I'm currently up to.

As stated before, I'm currently pursuing a degree in meteorology.

Yes, it's not strange that a former member of the weather observation club would naturally take up that degree.

While the club used techniques that came way before computers were in vogue, the actual field of meteorology will have me use computers extensively, as they are now the default tool in predicting the weather.

I'm no stranger to computers personally, but taking to heart this fact makes me want to actually become more capable of using one myself beyond using them to write documents or surfing the internet.

Since I miss my friends at the weather observation club, I decide to give one of them a call.

“Hello. Who's on the line?”

“It's your old friend, Ruriko.”

“Ah, yes, it's you! Glad you have the time to call me on a busy day... sorta.”

“Hey, Sachie. What are you currently up to?”

“Just chilling at home, going through the backlog of novels you lent to me.”

“Oh, yes. I still remember that huge pile of books that were still sitting in your room for God knows how long.”

“That's because we were all busy with our studies. Now that we're afforded some free time, we can't let that opportunity pass, can we?”

“Yes, you're right. And once you're all done with that huge backlog, can you please return these books to me, pretty please?”

“Obviously. We just live just a stone's throw away from each other, so we don't need to worry about walking long distances.”

“Then make good on that promise.”

“Yup, I will.”

“Alright then, I need to finish this novel... and take on 27 more.”

“Wow, you sure have lots of free time on your hands. So, talk to you later.”

“Yup, later.”

And speaking of novels...

Yes, I confessed to Gunpei one time that I am sick and tired of the rampant themes of promiscuity – which festers more on online novels rather than their offline brethren – and is caused by a toxic and too demanding fandom.

I mean, who would ever want to be turned on by... ugh. I can't say the words lest I be branded a hypocrite for mentioning these sensitive themes by their names alone.

But the fact still remains. These toxic readers, being addicted to those types of questionable content, even have the guts to castigate writers who try their best to veer away from those kinds of stuff.

It seems they've went too far.

Even prominent novelists are noticing this pandemic of problematic themes and how they feed the toxic fandom.

Said Tomonori Kurando, who is in the business for ten years and is known for writing military action-thrillers, “It's sad to say that they've become so close-minded and never expanded their horizons. Schools should encourage those troubled youths that there is so much more to novels rather than the trashy romance ones they read online. Once they realize that, a host of other problems will be nipped in the bud.”

Well said, Kurando-san. Voices of reason like you also inspire me to become one.

Speaking of my novelist ambitions...

Yes, you're right, Anya.

I am indeed surrounded by novels of various languages, any my parents are both storied novelists – so it was easy for me to trudge the path they've taken.

At just the tender age of eight, I showed mom and dad my very first novel.

They commented that it's a little rough at the edges, but a least I was off to a great start.

And thus, surrounded by love and the pages that surround it, I started to write more.

It was no surprise that I would eventually end up getting consistent high marks in literature-related subjects.

But this gift I've inherited from my parents... was a double-edged sword.

Almost every school day, I would be pestered by other students who would demand that I either write a novel for them, or have me revise their own.

This kind of pressure was gradually eating away at my soul.

Until... one lunch break... I couldn't take it anymore.

I escaped towards the roof of the school and locked the door.

And then...

I saw the blue and fair sky.

The tiny patches of clouds and the sun's rays all complemented the cerulean blue that the sky is mainly composed of.

And then, I had an awakening.

If I can see how the sky's doing each day, then I can trudge another career path.

That is, to become a meteorologist.

No sooner did I convince myself to join the weather observation club.

The people there were all passionate in that specific field; and they also sympathized with me, eventually knowing of the struggles that come with being the daughter of two novelists.

Even Gunpei was also highly supportive of my decision, too – for he knew all along that it was I who did this out of my own free will.

After all, the passion for a chosen field is largely fueled by the things around us that tickle our fancies.

And now, I'm at the point where I can walk one path, or I can walk two.

With all those rich experiences I shared with Anya, Saya, and Gunpei, it seems I would choose both.

After all, thanks to computers, the art of meteorology should be a bit easier; and I thus I can dedicate quality time to develop my next masterpiece.

However, I must still brace for the inevitable, since weather predictions can sometimes go wrong.

In an article I've read just recently, climate change is the chief culprit for those predictions going awry nowadays.

In particular, the decrease in the temperature difference between the North Pole and the equator contributes to unpredictable events such as sudden rain in the summer.

Even with those uncertainties, I will never waver in walking the two paths I am on, as many people will help me in this peculiar quest of mine.

Someday... we'll all meet again by the shore.