Chapter 29: Registering at the University

Over the rest of the day, our footprints were left all over Tokyo, with hundreds of photos taken. At night, we passionately demanded each other’s bodies; if possible, I felt as though we wished we could merge as one.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, tomorrow was the day to depart. I returned home to rest and adjust my state of mind. Early the next morning, urged by Mom and Dad, I got out of bed, packed my things, and went to the train station with my family. Standing in the bustling, crowd-filled waiting hall of the station, Mom and Dad didn’t show the reluctant sadness one might expect—in their hearts, they were very much at ease with their son. They simply instructed me to be careful on the journey and make sure to call home once I arrived at school. I nodded repeatedly, but my eyes were scanning the surroundings.

I looked at the big clock hanging on the wall of the hall; it was almost time to board the train. Why hadn’t Shin Garei shown up yet?

"Attention passengers, Train 1346 bound for Bunkyo Ward is now boarding. Passengers taking this train, please proceed to Gate 2 for ticket check..." The broadcast announced the start of ticket checking.

Why hadn’t she arrived yet? I remembered telling her the time—did something happen on the road, or...

Mom and Dad were already helping me carry my luggage, urging me to get my ticket checked. Just then, a figure appeared in my line of sight: Shin Garei was wearing a pair of oversized sunglasses, her hand resting on her chest as she gasped for breath.

I was about to walk over with joy when she hastily made a stop gesture with her hands, then pressed her hands together from afar to form a heart shape toward me.

I understood her intention—she didn’t want my parents to know about our relationship, so she didn’t want me to get close; that single heart represented her eternal love for me.

Rather suffer a hero’s abandonment than betray a beauty’s grace. I respected her choice, refraining from approaching her and taking her deep devotion with me on the journey.

After passing the ticket check, looking through the massive floor-to-ceiling glass of the hall, I saw Shin Garei pressed entirely against the glass, her tears pouring down like rain. I admit I was deeply moved, pounding my chest a few times with my fist: You will forever be in my heart!

She understood my gesture and offered me a faint, beautiful smile. I nodded, leaving her with a smile of my own, and boarded the train!

....

After the tiring journey, I finally arrived at the University of Tokyo. I didn’t bump into any beauties on the train like those anime always describe. Still, the moment I saw the gate of the University of Tokyo, I found myself getting excited about finally starting university life.

Reaching the main gate at last, I saw several upperclassmen warmly offering directions, explaining the procedures, and even helping newly arrived students with their bags. But there was a clear pattern: the guys were all looking to help the girls, and the girls naturally sought out handsome seniors. As for me... I had been standing there for quite a while.

"Excuse me, are you a freshman here to register?" A sweet voice called out from behind me.

I quickly turned around: "Hello, I am..." Good grief, what words could even describe the beauty before my eyes?

She wore a pale pink off-the-shoulder knit dress that perfectly outlined her slender, graceful figure. Shoulder-length hair cascaded down her shoulders, paired with a delicate chin, slender eyebrows, clear, bright eyes, and a playful, adorable smile that formed two sweet dimples on her cheeks.

My reaction elicited another wave of soft laughter from the beauty. "Hello! I’m Kakae, a second-year student in the Foreign Languages Department. Welcome to the University of Tokyo!" She extended her fair, delicate hand toward me.

Trying my best to compose myself, I recalled the etiquette Venus had taught me. I gently took her four fingers, offered a polite smile, and said: "Hello, Senior! I’m Fuitsu."

"WHAT? You’re Fuitsu?!" The beauty let out a shocked shout that silenced everyone nearby. Her delicate hand unconsciously tightened its grip on mine, leaving me secretly astonished by her strength.

Looking at her in confusion, I asked: "Yeah, I’m Fuitsu. Is there a problem?"

The beauty placed her hands on my shoulders, turning me around to face the main gate. Looking up, I saw a massive red banner hanging high: A Warm Welcome to All New Students at the University of Tokyo! A Very Warm Welcome to Fuitsu, the National Top Scorer of the College Entrance Exam!

Isn’t this a bit too exaggerated?! Sweat immediately dripped down my forehead. I had been standing right beneath it without even noticing!

"Fuitsu-kun, you’re my idol!" This girl named Kakae had sparkling stars in her eyes as she announced loudly.

The moment those words left her mouth, the temperature at the main entrance seemed to drop three degrees. Every guy around shot me a freezing glare. I finally felt the legendary "murderous intent." Athena even popped out anxiously, asking in confusion: "What’s going on here?"

I glanced down at my hand, which was still firmly gripped by Kakae, and gave Athena a helpless smile. Seeing the situation, Athena instantly understood. She snapped bitterly: "Femme fatales are nothing but trouble, and you’re no good either!"

Finally realizing the strange expressions on everyone’s faces, Kakae hurriedly pulled me toward the campus interior, talking as we walked: "I’ll take you to the registration desk."

"Sure, thank you, Senior! But... could you let go of my hand first?" I really couldn’t take the piercing glares from everyone along the way.

"Ah..." Hearing me say that, Kakae realized she had been clutching my hand the entire time. She let go in a panic, a soft pink blush rising up her fair, cute face, matching her pink dress perfectly. I truly couldn’t wrap my head around how such a spacey girl got into Tokyo University in the first place—though I wasn’t really qualified to judge, considering my score came from cheating.

Without further conversation, we reached the registration desk. I leaned toward the window and said to a staff member who looked like a teacher, busily writing something: "Hello, I’m a freshman registering today!" I handed over my admission letter.

The staff member gave me a smile, took the letter, and tapped away at the computer. A moment later, he looked at me in shock: "You’re Fuitsu-kun?! You’re amazing!"

I offered a friendly smile.

"I actually can’t process your registration here. The President instructed that when you arrive, he wants to handle it personally so he can hear your thoughts on choosing a major!"

"Then how can I find the President?" I asked.

"Haha, I’ll just give him a quick call!" He picked up the desk phone and dialed.

Turning to Kakae, I said gratefully: "Senior, thank you so much for today. Since I’m all set here, if you have other things to attend to, please go ahead! I can manage on my own."

"Ah? Oh, then I’ll be off!" Kakae nodded, looking a bit disappointed as she turned to leave. After two steps, she turned back and said: "I’m Kakae from Class 2 of the Foreign Languages Department. You have to remember me, Junior!"

I nodded: "Got it! I’ll buy you lunch sometime!"

"Mmh! It’s a deal then!" Hearing that I was going to buy her lunch, Kakae nodded happily, sealed the promise, and finally departed with a bright smile. What a cute senior, I thought, shaking my head with a chuckle as I turned back to the staff member.

He smiled at me and said: "The President heard you’ve arrived and is heading over right now. Come inside, rest up, and have a cup of water!"

I nodded to thank him. The sun outside was getting intensely hot, so standing out there was indeed uncomfortable. Sitting inside with the air conditioning felt great! Halfway through my glass of water, a middle-aged man in his fifties walked in.

The staff member quickly stood up: "President, this is Fuitsu-kun!"

Realizing it was the University President, I quickly stood up and bowed respectfully: "Hello, President. I’m Fuitsu from Tokyo."

The old man looked me up and down, smiling warmly: "Good, very good! We are thrilled to have you here at Tokyo University!" He turned to look at the stream of arriving students outside. "Let’s not interrupt the staff’s work. Come chat in my office!"

I smiled, nodded, and followed the President out. Arriving at his office, the President asked cheerfully: "Fuitsu-kun, when did you arrive in Bunkyo?"

"Yesterday, sir. I stayed at a hotel overnight."

"Why didn’t you inform the university? We could have arranged for someone to pick you up!"

"Haha, it’s alright, President. The Tokyo taxi driver was very friendly and helped me find a hotel."

The President nodded with a smile, opened a folder, skimmed through it, and said: "Our university welcomes exceptional talents like you with open arms. As stated clearly in your admission letter, we won’t assign you to any specific major, nor will you belong to a single department. This is an absolute first in the entire history of Tokyo University!"

"Then where should I go for classes?"

"As long as your earned credits meet our standards, we won’t restrict which classes you attend. You are free to choose any subjects to take exams in, provided your core majors are no fewer than four. This decision was made by the entire university faculty based on your extraordinary exam performance! However, if you ever fail to meet the requirements, we will immediately select your best subject to designate a single major for you, and you will lose these privileges!"

As he finished speaking, the President stared intently into my eyes, as if searching for something on my face.