Essay: Deep Analysis on the Life as a Student in the Japanese Society
Student Name: Hikigaya Hachiman
Exam code: 689FG4500ANHS
Youth is often seen as this amazing, fleeting time full of possibilities. But honestly, a lot of what people think of as "glorious youth" is just a bunch of illusions. It's a fantasy built on contradictions and double standards. Society pushes this idea of what youth is supposed to look like, then expects everyone to live up to it—even though those expectations don't always make sense or are totally unrealistic.
If someone's popular or well-liked, their mistakes get brushed off, sometimes even seen as charming. But if you're quiet, distant, or just don't fit in, those same mistakes are proof that you've failed. You're stuck at the bottom, carrying the weight of everyone else's expectations. You become the background—just there to make everyone else look better. And your struggles? They're not seen as part of growing up. They're treated like something's wrong with you, like you need to be fixed or tossed aside.
It's not that youth itself is bad or something we should avoid. But the way we put it on this pedestal can really mess people up. We act like it's the most important time of life, but not everyone gets to experience it the same way. Maybe it's time we stop pretending everyone's youth is perfect because for some people, it's not something they got to enjoy. It's just something they had to survive.
So for the conclusion, youth is just a rough draft of adult life, still shitty, just hidden behind school uniforms and the pressure to pretend it's something special.
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"So for a conclusion, youth is just a rough draft of shitty adult life." Chairman Sakayanagi's eyes rose from the paper, an amused expression flickering across his face. He leaned back in his chair slightly, tapping the paper thoughtfully. His voice carried a touch of intrigue as he remarked, "A rather bold choice of words, especially for someone so young."
An administrator sitting beside him let out a soft chuckle, his tone tinged with mockery. "I've seen kids like this before. Smartass edgy kids who read two or three philosophy books and suddenly think they've figured out the world. But in the end, they're just lonely teens with no one to hang out with—so they lash out and hide behind these fancy words."
He reached across the desk and picked up the student file with casual disinterest.
Chairman Sakayanagi responded with calm dignity. "Perhaps there's some truth in that. But still... this doesn't read like someone pretending to be a philosopher. His tone isn't performative; it feels genuine. It's as if this is truly how he sees the world around him. Rather than being bitter, his perspective seems detached yet empathetic at the same time."
The administrator hesitated before replying, voice a bit more reserved. "Well, if you say so, Sakayanagi-sensei…"
He flipped open the folder and began reading the personal details aloud, his tone light again. "Hikigaya Hachiman, age sixteen. Dropped out of middle school in the middle of his second year. Failed both Math's and Science in the entrance exam—how unfortunate."
But then, his expression shifted.
"…What? This kid got a special recommendation?"
He skimmed further down the page, eyes narrowing, the air around him suddenly more serious. When he finally spoke again, his tone was heavier, laced with something between suspicion and concern.
"Were you already aware of this student's case… and the one responsible for the recommendation, Sensei ?"
"Yes, this special recommendation was quite unexpected, and it immediately caught my attention," he replied, his tone carrying a mix of curiosity and seriousness. As he leaned back slightly, his gaze turned thoughtful. "Following that, we launched an investigation and gathered several reports about him. The more I looked into it, the more intriguing his case became."
"If that's the case, are you certain we should allow a student like him to enroll?" the administrator asked, his voice carrying a mix of hesitation and seriousness.
"You know his record isn't exactly clean. This could raise some concerns regarding the school's reputation." He placed the folder back on the table, fingers tapping lightly against the cover before withdrawing. His expression tightened slightly, reflecting his unease.
"No, this matter isn't widely known, and I'm quite certain of that. Even if some become aware of it, this school's reputation isn't so fragile that it would be damaged so easily. Besides, this might give the kid a second chance. He has a lot of potential, and it would be a shame for it to go to waste." Sakayanagi-sensei replied firmly, picking up the file and scanning its details, his thoughts clearly deep and reflective.
"It seems you've already made your judgment, Sakayanagi-sensei," the administrator remarked in a more relaxed tone, as the heaviness in the room eased slightly.
"So, Sensei, will this boy also be placed into Class D this year?" the administrator asked, seeking to confirm the suspicions lingering in his mind about Hikigaya. Chairman Sakayanagi responded with a polite nod, silently answering the question.
"Then," the administrator continued, his tone laced with humor as he rubbed his chin, "it seems this year's Class D will have its fair share of problematic kids with great potential. Chabashira-sensei is sure to have a tough time managing them all. I already feel a little bad for her."
"I believe the classes this year are going to face much fiercer competition than before. There are so many students with much more potential this year." the chairman thought as he rose from his chair. His demeanor shifted as he focused on the administrator, his tone sharpening. "There are still more students to assign and evaluate. It would be best if you didn't fixate on just one student. Time is a precious resource, especially at this time of the year."
"Y-yes, Chairman. Forgive me for getting distracted. I'll sort it all out shortly," the administrator replied hastily, sensing the change in atmosphere. He straightened his back, returning his attention to the stack of files—but not before noticing that Sakayanagi had already stood and begun to walk away.
"Seems there are quite a few students this year who might just be capable of defeating Arisu. Hopefully, that will help her grow too." A thought about his daughter crossed his mind, and a faint smile brushed his face.
He paused at the door, casting one last glance at the file left on the desk. The smile slowly faded, replaced by a subtle expression of concern as his eyes lingered on one peculiar important detail.
Hikigaya Hachiman (Age 16)
Special Recommendation for Admission from :
Ichihara Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Chiba Prefecture