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Wow, love that blazer!

You'd look right at home on a TV show.

Yeah?

Yup.

It looks great on ya.

You're our pride and joy, Mitsumi-chan.

Pride and joy...

Anyway, I gotta run.

Can't be late for the entrance ceremony, ya know?

Later!

Yeah, bye.

I'm Iwakura Mitsumi, fifteen years old.

And my life as a Tokyo high schooler starts today!

I came here from a tiny, remote town on the border of Ishikawa Prefecture.

Mitsumi-chan!

I'll be back for summer break!

Take care! Break a leg!

Take care!

I wish I coulda sent you off like that.

Haha, I know that feeling.

The nearest train line got shut down more than a decade ago.

My middle school only had eight students in my year.

Here, Mitsumi-chan.

Fumi-chan and I have been together since kindergarten.

Cute.

I know you like pandas.

If you see Liang Liang, send me pics.

She's my best friend.

You got it.

Growing up with my best friend. How cool is that?

Heh. Perfect.

Listen, Mitsu.

Change trains at the third stop, 'kay?

This is Nao-chan, my dad's sibling.

If anyone strange talks to you, just ignore them.

She's taking care of me while I'm in Tokyo.

You worry too much, Nao-chan.

Can you blame me?

You only just found out that there's more than one railway company!

I wish I could go with you, but my work starts early today!

Relax.

My intuition tells me that today will be nothing short of perfect.

Plenty of time.

It won't just be today.

There will be zero screwups for the entirety of my time in high school.

Why? Because I have a clear road map for my life!

I will obviously go to Tokyo U,

attend law school, and graduate as valedictorian.

I'll join the Ministry of Internal Affairs

and build a career there providing key solutions to rural depopulation.

After I retire, I'll return to my hometown and become mayor there,

using the knowledge from my career to greatly improve our finances.

And when I die, I'll have my ashes scattered in the Sea of Japan.

In the next three years, I'll develop the brains I need to fulfill those ambitions!

However, my family doesn't really get it, which is why...

Are you having fun at school?

Made any friends?

They'll probably worry about those things,

so I'll try to put them at ease, too.

Just wait and see, you guys.

Ikajima Town's prodigy, your pride and joy,

will return to you as a total big shot!

Third stop, third stop...

The entrance ceremony for Tsubame West High School will now begin.

Please welcome the new first-years.

Hey, Sousuke?

Where are you?

Changing trains now.

Taking it easy, huh?

The entrance ceremony's already started.

Oh, really?

Maybe I should just go home, then.

At least try to get here, dude.

But...

I probably won't make...

She's stuck.

Wha?

A girl in our uniform. She's stuck to the wall.

She crazy, you think?

Beats me. Why don't you ask her?

I gotta go, so I'm hanging up.

Are you a first-year?

Yes.

The others have already entered.

Sorry. I was fighting for my life in there.

Get going!

Yes, sir.

You still can't reach her?

No...

What do we do?

What's going on with Class 3?

Huh? Where am I? Do I go that way? This way?

I got lost... Huh? Where am I? Do I go that way? This way?

Huh? Where am I? Do I go that way? This way?

Got caught in rush hour...

And got sick from the crowd.

This wasn't the plan.

I wanna die.

Hey...

Are you okay?

Yikes!

Actually, never mind.

Eek!

H...

H-Huh?

How many years has it been since I spoke to a stranger my age?

How...

How do I get to school from here?!

Oh, you're lost?

I'm running late, too.

Let's go together.

High school, college, and employment...

They're, uh... all about the people you meet.

Er...

After passing our rigorous entrance exams, uhm...

Oh, really? You're from Ishikawa?

Yes...

Which city?

Yes...

I've never been to Ishikawa.

What if I don't make it in time?

I know I'm gonna get a call from home today.

They'll ask how the entrance ceremony went.

If I tell the truth, they'll worry about me.

Should I lie?

About all of it?

Hey, it's not the end of the world.

It's just the entrance ceremony.

Maybe that's all it is to you!

W-Wait, no!

We will soon be making a brief stop at Miyamaeyama.

Oh, here's our stop. We will soon be making a brief stop at Miyamaeyama.

The doors on the right side will open.

It's about a ten-minute walk from here.

But you're in a rush, right?

Wanna run?

Dad. Mom.

Maharu. Kippei.

Granny. Satonosuke.

Omiso. Oshio.

Everything in Tokyo moves at lightning speed.

I got swallowed by its waves. I panicked, made things worse,

and in the end...

It's straight down this road. Hang in there.

I lashed out at this kind, helpful guy.

I feel like I've seen my own true colors in just half a day.

I'm ashamed of myself.

Y-You okay?

I'm... fine...

But for now, I'm gonna forget all that...

and run for my life!

Oh!

Iwakura-san?!

...es...

Shima-kun?

Yes. Sorry we're late.

Sor...

There, there. I'm glad you made it.

Wait, are you okay, Iwakura-san?

Did I... make...

Yikes!

Yes, you're just in time.

Be sure to thank the person we asked to sub in for you.

I will. I'm sorry.

Hmm?

Representing the incoming class, Iwakura Mitsumi.

Yes!

You're top of the class?

Urk.

"Urk"?

Wait, did she forget her script?!

As the warmth of spring rolls in,

we 216 students stand here at the entrance ceremony for Tsubame West High School.

On behalf of my class, I would like to thank you all for this wonderful ceremony.

She memorized it? On behalf of my class, I would like to thank you all for this wonderful ceremony.

Whoa.

Our hearts are filled with hopes and fears,

just like the sakura trees in the school courtyard, with flowers yet to blossom.

The experience of overcoming the tough entrance exams

will give us confidence and strength to overcome the days ahead.

Haha...

None of us could have made it this far alone.

We must remember the support we received from our families and friends,

try to live up to their expectations,

and in our time at Tsubame West, think for ourselves...

I'm blessed to join a school that values independence, individuality, and autonomy.

And, last but not least,

to the teachers and the older students:

We hope that you will watch over and guide us new students.

Thank you.

She didn't blink once!