The Entrance Ceremony

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

The edges of the road are covered in a blanket of pink, creating a path of petals on the ground.

Seeing this scene, I realize that spring has come once again.

In my previous life, I had no interest in the changing of the seasons or the events that marked the passage of time. Still, whenever I saw cherry blossoms, I'd feel a faint sense of excitement, recognizing that spring had arrived. Not that it ever made me want to start something new or switch jobs to reset my environment.

"Itsuki, are you nervous?"

"No, I'm okay."

My mother's voice brought me back to the present, and I shook my head.

We were standing in front of the main gate of my elementary school. There, a white signboard with the words "Congratulations on Your Entrance Ceremony" was decorated with red and white fluffy ornaments around the edges. There was no need to explain where we were or what was about to happen.