The Miura Household, a typical family of three: a father who works in a company, a stay-at-home mother, and a child in their third year of middle school. It's an ordinary yet warm and loving family, a reflection of countless households.
After dinner, Mrs. Miura is washing the dishes, while Mr. Miura is watching a TV show, only to be scolded by his wife: "How many times do I have to tell you to keep the TV volume low at this time? Hikari is doing his prep school homework."
"This is the most crucial time! Whether he gets into AN High School depends on this period! If he gets in, universities like Tokyo U or even world-renowned schools will be his for the choosing!"
[T/N: I'll use AN High School instead of AN High School from now on.]
People say education in Japan has become more relaxed lately, but that's only true for those who aren't aiming high. If you don't want to further your education, you can finish school by 3 PM and do whatever you want. But for those with ambition and the desire to climb higher, attending expensive after-school prep classes is necessary.
These prep classes for middle to high school and high school to university transitions are everywhere, all focused on getting students into top schools.
"Huh?" Mr. Miura looked surprised as he glanced at his son, Miura Hikari, who was staring intently at his laptop. "What's he studying? He's just watching a video."
"Hikari!" Upon hearing this, Mrs. Miura immediately put down the dishes, quickly wiped her hands, and walked out from the kitchen. "How many times have I told you to limit your internet time to 15 minutes a day during this crucial period? You can have more freedom once you get into AN High School. Why are you online again?"
"Oh, come on," Hikari complained, setting the laptop down on the living room table so his parents could see. "I'm not playing around. I know how important this time is. But this is a promotional video for AN High School!"
"Mom, Dad, you both know how mysterious AN High School is—hardly any information gets out. But now they've released a promotional video. Watching it helps solidify my determination to attend this high school."
"What?! A promotional video for AN High School? Quick, Hikari, let me see it too!" Mr. Miura suddenly lost interest in the TV show.
Who wouldn't be curious about this high school, fully supported by the country? Who wouldn't long to attend? For someone like him, a working adult, there's no chance. His only hope is for his child to attend this school.
Now that there's a chance to see what this incredibly mysterious AN High School is like on the inside, he immediately moved closer, wanting to watch it with his child.
Mrs. Miura also stopped her scolding and joined in: "So that's what it is. Let's watch it then. Honestly, I'm curious too about what the inside of that school is like."
Seeing how interested his parents were, Hikari couldn't help but feel proud. He hit play to restart the video.
The first thing that appeared on the screen was the grand entrance of AN High School—majestic and impressive, exuding an aura of prestige.
Next, the video quickly showcased the interior environment, leaving the Miura family in awe: "Isn't this too large? It's just a high school, but it covers such a vast area with so many buildings?"
Hikari, still a third-year middle school student, was particularly excited: "Shopping Mall? Shops? They even have entertainment facilities this complete? Is this really a school?!"
Mrs. Miura started to worry a bit—wouldn't so many entertainment facilities distract the students?
But Mr. Miura, with his broader perspective, pointed out the key aspect: "That's understandable, right? Once you're in, you're closed off for three years. If there weren't any facilities for relaxation, being stuck studying all the time might cause psychological issues."
"Ri, right." This reassured Mrs. Miura, and they continued watching.
The next part of the video was straightforward. After quickly going through the campus buildings, Karuizawa made an appearance. Her sparkling blonde ponytail streamed behind her as she ran across the spacious sports field.
Then, the scene shifted to the library, filled with countless books. Karuizawa, dressed in a red school uniform jacket, was shown holding an old book, her expression thoughtful as if deeply engrossed in its contents.
Her serious expression was palpable through the screen, making viewers instinctively feel, "No wonder she's a student of AN High School—so dedicated."
Meanwhile, corresponding comments flew across the screen:
"Mom, I'm in love!"
"Ah, I want to go to AN High School! If I get in next April, this blonde girl will be my upperclassman, right? Senpai is so cool! Her skin is spotless!"
"How wonderful, this must be what youth feels like, right? To be honest, when I was in high school, my deskmate was also a blonde girl. I still remember her to this day."
"Give me an hour, I need to find all the information on this senpai!"
"This is the uniform of AN High School! I remember it! I once caught a glimpse of it at the pier!"
"The pier? Does AN High School organize regular sea outings for the students? That's incredible!"
The comments didn't disrupt the Miura family's viewing; instead, they found it quite entertaining.
As the screen showed Karuizawa slowly walking out of the library, the sun was already setting. The twilight's glow seemed to drape a delicate golden veil over her, making the scene look so dreamy and surreal.
At that moment, the girl fittingly looked up, her expression slightly melancholic.
What was she looking at? This scene tugged at the hearts of all the viewers—was she looking at the sunset, the twilight, or something nostalgic and sorrowful?
The answer was revealed as the video continued to play. Karuizawa, in a soft voice, murmured, "Dad, Mom."
Everyone then understood—she was homesick. Anyone could relate to this. Entering Advanced Nurturing meant being cut off from the outside world for three years. For this girl, it was likely her first time being separated from her family for so long. It was a feeling everyone could understand.
Even Mrs. Miura couldn't help but look at Hikari with some sadness. If he got into AN High School, they wouldn't see him for three years.
The video continued. Karuizawa lingered in her sadness for a few seconds, then walked into an eel restaurant and, for the first time, spoke a longer line: "Do you have Fujii brand eel rice here? My family would take me to eat this eel rice every year on my birthday."
Though she was alone in the shot and the restaurant was empty, it was as if she received a reassuring response. Karuizawa's face immediately lit up with a smile, her joy impossible to hide!
The happiness she displayed was even more exaggerated than the previous sadness. Every viewer could tell how truly happy this girl was at that moment—her squinting eyes, the upturned corners of her mouth, all her subtle expressions revealed pure joy.
The comment section exploded again: "Ah! She's so cute! Senpai's smile is so charming; I've really fallen for her!"
"Being able to taste something that reminds you of home, it's understandable to be this happy..."
"Eh? Is it just me, or does it seem like Senpai is this happy because she's thinking of a lover?"
The final scene showed a beautifully grilled eel rice dish being served, accompanied by a voiceover: "All our eels are sourced from Fujii Farm, high in protein for better skin nourishment. Please enjoy."
The video ended with a shot of the appetizing eel rice and Karuizawa's continued joyful smile.
The video was short, just over a minute long, and the storyline was easy to grasp, carrying a warm and cozy vibe.
Youngsters like Hikari Miura watched with admiration, genuinely believing the video was a promotional piece for AN High School—no surprise, considering the video was titled as such.
However, adults with more experience, like Mr. Miura, couldn't help but stroke his chin thoughtfully: "This... this feels like a subtle advertisement for Fujii-brand eel. They even mentioned skin whitening at the end."
...
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