Chapter 3 - September 20th (Monday, Public Holiday) - Yuuta Asamura

I rode the express train west from Shinjuku Station for 40 minutes.

Exiting through the station's south exit, a small roundabout with only one lane appeared before me. As I glanced around, I couldn't help but notice the absence of towering buildings, which made the sky feel more expansive than I had anticipated. The green trees planted between the sidewalk and the road provided a soothing sight for the eyes.

I walked around and emerged onto a two-lane road that continued south from the station, feeling the closeness of the surrounding thicket and the scent of grass on my right as I strode along the sidewalk.

A little further ahead, the thicket of trees suddenly disappeared from view, revealing an entrance that seemed to lead into a campus. According to my phone, this was indeed the gate to Ichise University's National Campus. The university grounds had been nearby all along. Upon closer inspection, I saw that there were even signs posted for the open campus.

After completing the registration at the reception desk, I was handed a pamphlet and a campus map. I stepped onto the university grounds.

To be honest, I was feeling a bit anxious.

Yesterday and the day before, I had attended open campuses at Keiryou and Waseda. But, neither felt quite right. I couldn't picture myself attending either one of them.

So, on the last day of this three-day weekend, I visited Ichise University. Leaving here without feeling anything would mean that none of the three universities I had considered moved me at all. That thought alone was unsettling.

Well, to be fair, you can't learn everything about a university just from a two or three hour visit. Still, I couldn't help but think, "This is impressive" or "It looks so mature," as I took in the atmosphere of the universities and the energy of the club introductions. Just that alone made the visits worthwhile. The concept of a university as an institution of learning only became more concrete in my mind.

But it just didn't have that decisive 'this is it' feeling. I get that I might sound presumptuous, especially concerning how prestigious these universities are. But perhaps that's not really the point. Participating in these open campuses isn't just about deciding on what university you prefer; it's also about moving away from the uncertainty of not knowing what I want to do..

I came here hoping to find some clue about my future.

What do I want to study over the next four years?

I've realized that, even while verbalizing my thoughts during class, the reason I read books is partly to get a simulated experience, but mostly to encounter new ways of thinking.

I've grown to appreciate discovering new perspectives and ideas through reading—something I might not have reached on my own.

Realizing that there are as many ways of seeing the world as there are people, and that all of them are valuable, has made me appreciate a range of diverse viewpoints; consequently, I've become wary of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.

Because of this, I've concluded that my biological mother embodies the belief that "a good parent sends their child to a good school." While I don't agree with her, I have kind of come to accept that this is her worldview, shaped by her experiences. So, I can now tolerate it more than I used to, even if it wasn't the right fit for me.

But, what it also meant was that even parents can have views and ways of thinking so different that they are hard to accept, making me realize the depth of the gap between myself and others.

Isn't that frightening? The reasons behind a person's actions might be influenced by motivations and emotions unimaginable to me.

The desire to encounter perspectives different from my own—does that mean I'm just afraid of the unknown?

Where do the reasons for people's actions come from?

As I mulled over these things, I eventually found myself in front of a large brick building.

According to the map, the building before me was labeled "Lecture Halls." It's probably meant for holding lectures, as the name suggests.

Looking around, I noticed several other buildings of similar heights scattered around. As you'd expect from a leading national university. According to the pamphlet, there were also buildings dedicated to research, various research institutes, libraries, and a range of other facilities.

 …Wait, what's the difference between a research building and a research institute?

Anyway, where should I start looking around first?

As I looked up from the campus map in my hand, my eyes caught sight of two people emerging from the lecture hall—an elderly man and a young woman in a suit. The woman seemed vaguely familiar.

She suddenly looked right at me.

"Oh. If it isn't Yuuta Asamura."

Huh? How does she know my name?

The woman, dressed in a light purple suit, briskly approached me… Oh, this person is…

"I'm impressed that you're interested in this place. You have a good eye. If you join now, you could be part of the first cohort."

"What?"

I didn't really get it, but this person…

"…Um, you're from Yomiuri-senpai's university, aren't you…?"

"Eiha Kudou."

She quickly extended her hand, and I instinctively shook it.

Eiha Kudou… If I remember correctly, she's an associate professor. I believe she's an ethics professor at Tsukinomiya Women's University, where Yomiuri-senpai studied. I've met her twice before. Strictly speaking, the first time was me just eavesdropping on her discussion with Yomiuri-senpai and some other students, so it's hard to say we "met."

The second time was during Halloween, when I accidentally let how I knew she was a professor slip, and she managed to match my face with my name.

"Ah, I apologize if I'm being too familiar. Yomiuri-kun and Ayase-kun have told me so much about you that it feels like we already know each other."

"Huh…" I responded vaguely.

I was surprised that on my first visit to the university, I was recognized and greeted so warmly. Wait, this is Ichise University, right? Professor Kudou's supposed to be at Tsukinomiya Women's University.

"Sorry to interrupt your lively conversation, but isn't it a bit inappropriate to chat at the entrance like this, Kudou-kun?" The man who had been silently waiting behind Professor Kudou said.

He appeared to be in his late fifties; maybe even pushing into his sixties. Most of his hair had turned white, and he sported a magnificent beard, much like Santa Claus.

If he had been holding a long staff, he could have passed for a wizard from some fantasy movie. In fact, it was his business suit that seemed out of place. Unlike the tall, slender Kudou-sensei, the man was slightly shorter than me and had a smaller frame. But, as he turned his eyes—hidden behind his glasses—towards me, I felt compelled to straighten my posture.

His calm gaze carried an air of scrutiny, as if he was taking everything in without missing a single detail. It felt a bit like being under a microscope or X-ray.

"Oops, you're right. Well then, you'll take us to a more appropriate place to talk, won't you, Sensei?" Kudou-sensei smiled warmly at the elderly man.

The elderly man, addressed as "Sensei," smiled wryly. "Haha, you haven't changed one bit… Well, alright. How about I treat you to some tea?"

"Yay!"

But, Kudou-sensei's delighted expression would soon shift to a distressed one just a few minutes later.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

"How cruel. This is betrayal, Mori-sensei."

"I did mean the lounge when I said tea earlier."

"I was looking forward to enjoying a fresh cup of coffee brewed by your own hands for the first time in a while."

" We're out of beans unfortunately. Oh, and by the way, I should have asked earlier, but are you doing okay on time? Do you have any plans?"

"Oh, no—" I glanced down at the pamphlet I was holding as I replied. "—I'm fine. I came quite early, and, well, I hadn't decided where to go yet, so…"

After I finished speaking, I looked up. I'd been caught up in Kudou-sensei's pace and was led to a rest area inside one of the buildings. The space was walled off and resembled a room, but it only featured vending machines and a tea dispenser, along with several tables and chairs. It felt kinda similar to the "breakroom" at my high school.

Sitting at the round table were Kudou-sensei, me, and the elderly, wise-looking man who had guided us here. Come to think of it, I hadn't been introduced to him yet.

"I see. Since you have that pamphlet, I assume you're a high school student considering our university. Let's see, Yuuta Asamura-kun, was it? A third-year at Suisei High?"

"Ah, yes."

I was genuinely surprised. Not only had he remembered my name Kudou-sensei had mentioned only once, but he had also correctly guessed my high school based on the uniform I was wearing.

"My name is Mori."

"Mori… sensei?" I asked hesitantly, and Mori-sensei nodded.

"I research sociology here."

"Sociology…" I quickly looked down and traced the pamphlet with my fingers. Let's see… The departments at Ichise University include the Department of Commerce, the Department of Economics, the Department of Law… the Department of Sociology. This must be it.

Even though I had done some research beforehand, there are so many faculties at universities that it's hard to keep track of them all. Plus, even if different places offered the same faculties, what they study could vary from university to university. The fact that he said "research" rather than "study" or "teach" also struck me as something befitting of a university. It underscored that this is not just a place of learning, but a place where the frontier of knowledge was being pushed further and further. Such subtle differences in wording made me acutely aware of how different it was from high school.

"Asamura-kun, does the name Mori Shigemichi ring any bells?" Kudou-sensei asked.

I frantically racked my brain, but I had no recollection of hearing the name before; not even vaguely.

Given that I was unfamiliar with the Department of Sociology itself, I couldn't recall anything. Feeling a bit awkward, I decided to be honest rather than pretend to know.

"Uh… Ah, sorry. I don't really…"

"Hmm. Looks like you've gotta work harder, Mori-sensei."

"Hahaha, don't be unreasonable, Kudou-kun. D'you have any idea how many researchers there are in the world? It's like I've said, people can only remember about three names in fields they're not familiar with."

"Isn't that a little too little?"

"Alright then, Kudou-kun, how many physicists can you name?"

"Galileo, Newton, Einstein."

"That's three. Now, who else?"

"…A-as if I'm interested in that."

"See, three names."

"Guh…"

"How about you, Asamura-kun?" Mori-sensei turned the question towards me.

I couldn't help but recall how similar it was to the time at that café when Kudou-sensei was debating with Yomiuri-senpai and her other students. Do all university professors do this?

"Physicists, huh…? Well, Kepler was around the same time Galileo was. Then there's Laplace, Maxwell, Lorentz, Schrödinger, Heisenberg…"

"Oh, Heisenberg! The uncertainty principle! Seeee, Mori-sensei, I knew that one!"

"Are you a child?"

It was the first time I'd seen Kudou-sensei look dejected. I didn't know a professor could make a face like that. I always thought she was so confident and self-assured… but maybe not.

"Well, if we're talking about physicists involved with mechanics, knowing the three names Kudou-kun mentioned would certainly make any physics teacher happy. Are you particularly knowledgeable about physics, Asamura-kun?"

"No, not really…"

I couldn't bring myself to say that I remembered the names from reading science fiction. Laplace's demon, Maxwell's demon, Schrödinger's cat… they were all classic sci-fi themes.

"Then, Asamura-kun, can you name any sociologists?"

I was completely stumped.

Firstly, the term "sociology" itself wasn't familiar to me.

"He he he. I can name them, Mori-sensei! And not just three, even thirty's easy."

Mori-sensei once again looked exasperated when presented with Kudou-sensei's pompous display.

"If that wasn't the case, what would my two years of teaching have been for?"

"Um…"

I had to interject before the conversation left me behind.

"What exactly is your relationship…?"

"Oh, sorry for leaving you out of the loop. Actually, I used to go here. And Professor Mori here, Mori Shigemichi, was my mentor."

So, he was her professor.

Wait, her mentor…?

"But didn't you study ethics, Kudou-sensei?"

"That came later. Hmm, since you're here, does that mean you're unsure about your university plans?"

Her direct question left me speechless for a second.

"Ah, um… yes."

"Well, universities aren't the end goal, so you can choose more freely, you know?"

Universities aren't the end goal. It was the second time I'd heard that phrase, and it hit home.

"I'm a pretty useful example in that sense. Let me tell you a bit about it. But before that… Mori-sensei, I'm still pretty thirsty, so can you grab me another drink?"

"Alright, alright. I was thinking of getting another cup myself anyway. Let's see…"

"I'll pour it."

"But you want to continue, don't you? Just keep talking. I'll get it for you. How about you, Asamura-kun?"

I glanced down at the cup in front of me. It was still half full of brown liquid.

Honestly, even as a coffee lover, I could only take light sips when I unexpectedly found myself sitting in front of a much older associate professor and a professor.. Besides, is it really okay to let them treat me like this?

"I'm fine," I replied.

Professor Mori got up with a "up we go" and walked to the vending machine. Kudou-sensei watched him with a slightly awkward expression.

"Darn it. Maybe I was too forward," she murmured, looking like a child caught in mischief.

Kudou-sensei quickly composed herself and turned back to me.

"Now, about what we were discussing earlier," she continued, swiftly switching gears.

"I don't know if it'll be helpful, but—" Kudou-sensei started telling me her story.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

The Department of Sociology in the College of Integrated Human Sciences at Ichise University.

It was the name of a department, written with complicated looking kanji characters. This was Eiha Kudou's alma mater.

So, what is sociology?

It is the study of society.

While that might have sounded like some Zen dialogue[1], but that's essentially what it boiled down to. Its main subjects of research are "society itself" and "social phenomena." The mission of sociology is to uncover how society forms, how it changes, the reality of social phenomena, and the casual relationships behind said phenomena, as Kudou-sensei explained.

[1: Dialogue that Zen monks (monks in the Zen school of Mahayana Buddhism) engage in to attain enlightenment]

I wasn't sure if it was correct, but for now, I decided to take it as it was.

"In other words, sociology is the study of society, but you could also say it's the study of human beings. Society is a collection of humans, after all. Social phenomena are essentially the result of the aggregation of individual human actions, don't you think?"

Kudou-sensei stopped to take a breath. She tried to gulp down the rest of her coffee, but there wasn't much left, so she ended up just licking the rim with the tip of her tongue. She stared regretfully at the bottom of the cup before continuing.

"Each person acts freely based on their own free will. However, within society, those actions accumulate and become social phenomena. You've heard terms like 'boom' or 'trend', haven't you?"

"Like Asimov's psychohistory?"

"Oh, it's impressive that you can rattle off a big name in sci-fi so easily; you must be a big reader."

When a professor says something like that, it makes you want to be modest and say, "Oh, it's not that big of a deal." The term "psychohistory" here refers to pseudoscience proposed by the sci-fi writer Asimov. He conceived it as an analogy to the movement of gas molecules. Individual gas molecules move randomly, but an entire body of gas can sometimes exhibit specific tendencies. Similarly, individual humans may act randomly, but society as a whole can exhibit certain behaviors—that's the idea.

"Sociology seeks to understand the mechanisms and causes behind these societal phenomena, but I was more interested in the actions of individuals and the motivations behind them."

I see, so that's why…

"It all started with a book I came across in high school about the 'looking taboo.'"

"Ah… The mythological kind?"

Most cultures' mythologies feature similar patterns, and one of them is the "something that cannot be seen" archetype, where a protagonist falls into tragedy because they look at something they were forbidden to see. This is known as the "looking taboo."

"It was during my high school years, so about the same age as you, Asamura-kun. I read that book then and gained some knowledge from it, which I remembered during my uni years. It started to interest me why people look at things even though they're not allowed to, and the psychological direction that leads to that."

Just as the thought came to me that it sounded like she was saying that it was a bad thing to have that interest—

"And then Kudou-kun took the knowledge I taught her and went on to graduate school at Tsukinomiya," Professor Mori spoke in a regretful tone as he placed the freshly brewed coffee in front of Kudou-sensei.

"I'm grateful to you, Mori-sensei."

"It's truly a shame. You were a valuable talent for sociology, in many ways."

"It doesn't sound like you're praising me, now does it?"

"If you want praise, then hurry up and publish your next paper. You're a researcher—"

"Publish or perish," Kudou-sensei responded flatly, and Professor Mori flashed her a deep smile.

Publish or perish—Write a paper. Or perish. I was lucky enough to remember this phrase from a manga I read, but I never expected to hear it in real life.

Kudou-sensei exhaled deeply and turned towards me.

"Anyway, that's how I ended up going to Tsukinomiya Women's University's graduate school to study ethics."

Apparently, she still appreciates her experiences in Professor Mori's seminars at Ichise University and often consults him when she hits roadblocks in her research.

More than understanding why she was here, I was surprised to learn that even Professor Kudou faces setbacks.

"So, as you can see, I'm someone whose life path took a significant turn in university. And the root cause goes back to high school."

"I see…"

"Looking back, I could have aimed for ethics back in high school, but I guess the timing wasn't right."

I chewed on Kudou-sensei's words.

Timing, huh…

"But it was thanks to what you learnt at this university, wouldn't you say?" Professor Mori said in a gentle tone, his eyes looking kind.

What a good teacher-student relationship they have.

"By the way… how did you know I was a third-year?"

I could understand recognizing my name instantly and identifying my school from my uniform, but I couldn't figure out how he knew I was in the third year. At this time of year, most visitors at open campuses should be second-year students. How many third-year students actually visit in September…?

So how did he guess I was a third-year?

"Well, because Kudou-kun mentioned that you could join the first cohort of students," Professor Mori explained. I recalled Kudou-sensei's earlier words:

"I'm impressed that you're interested in this place. You have a good eye. If you join now, you could be part of the first cohort."

—That's it. She did say something like that.

"Which means you might be a prospective student for our school next year. So, you'd have to be a third-year student this year, correct? Well, I guess you could have also been a ronin[2]. But it seems I was right?" Professor Mori casually explained his reasoning.

[2: Contemporary Japanese slang used to describe a student who has graduated from high school but has failed to gain admission into any of the universities they have applied to. Also applies to graduating junior high schoolers]

But I still didn't really get it.

A first cohort student?

Seeing my confusion, Kudou-sensei interjected.

"Judging from your expression, I guess you really did come here without knowing. But this is a good opportunity, Yuuta Asamura-kun. A new department is being set up here in the next academic year, and I think you'll find it really interesting."

"A new department…?"

This was the first I'd heard of it. Wait, was it in the pamphlet?

"…Could it be this? The Department of Social Data Science?"

The Department of Sociology was already unfamiliar enough. But social data science…? What's that?

"You really don't know about it, huh? So, it wasn't what you were aiming for?" Kudou-sensei responded.

I nodded honestly.

"What kind of department is it?" I asked Kudou-sensei, but she conspicuously looked away..

"It's better to ask Mori-sensei than me. He got a position in the new department."

"No, no, Kudou-kun, I'd really love to hear your explanation."

Kudou-sensei visibly flinched, clearly taken aback.

Interesting. So even someone like Kudou-sensei gets nervous when tasked to do something in front of her mentor.

"Um… Me?"

"You attended my seminar, so you should be the right person for this, shouldn't you? It's within the range of what I taught you."

The smile on his face didn't reach his eyes.

Scary.

"Alright, fine. Yeah, I'll give it a try. Umm, let's see…"

"Good."

As I simply waited, Kudou-sensei cleared her throat and began speaking.

"First, we need to explain what 'data science' means. What comes to mind when you hear that, Asamura-kun?"

"Mathematics or… statistics, maybe?"

Kudou-sensei gave me a relieved smile.

"Yep. Good. It includes mathematics and statistics. Machine learning and programming too… Basically, it's how to analyze and interpret data."

"I understand," I said, grasping the general concept even if I wasn't familiar with the details.

"Think of it as a field that uses various methods to discover the underlying rules and patterns from vast amounts of data," Kudou-sensei explained.

I chewed over her words a few times in my head before nodding.

"Everythin' clear so far?"

"Yes."

"Now, this is the social version of that. Hence, the Department of Social Data Science.'"

"Got it."

Our eyes met, but she looked away for some reason.

"So, um, it's…"

"…?"

"It's the social version of that, okay?"

Why the uncertain tone?

"Huh?"

No way. That's it?

"That's why…"

"I-I understand. In other words, it's a discipline that applies data science to sociology… Is that right?"

"Exactly!" Kudou-sensei fired back with a smug look on her face, albeit it didn't quite fit the atmosphere.

Professor Mori shrugged and took a sip of coffee.

"You're bold enough to challenge me in debates, yet you become so timid with juniors?"

"That's not…" Kudou-sensei began to protest, but her words trailed off.

It was rare to see her so inarticulate, especially since I'd seen her eloquently debating with her own students.

She then muttered an excuse about being uncomfortable because her mentor was watching.

I kinda get that. Though Professor Mori had a kind Santa Claus-like appearance, his eyes gleamed with an intent focus, as if not missing even a micron of fault in those before him.

"Sociology, Asamura-kun," he began, clearly deciding to explain it himself rather than leaving it to his student, "Is a historical discipline that studies the structure and flow of society. This new department attempts to merge data science, a cutting-edge field that emphasizes statistics and data, into it."

"…Oh really?"

"In this newly established department, we combine the insights of sociology with the analysis of vast amounts of real-world data that are accumulated daily. We then address various issues in fields like politics and business—this is the research and education we're committed to. Something born to adapt to the new era, if you will; a department that integrates the humanities and sciences… That's what the Department of Social Data Science is."

Professor Mori's more detailed explanation was easier for me to understand.

"Many sociologists have long emphasized data and empirical research, often conducting studies based on statistics. This new department simply clarifies that focus."

"Uh, Sensei, does that include you?".

Professor Mori's eyes narrowed behind his glasses in response to my bold question, and nodded.

"Yes, I was one of the first sociologists who focused heavily on data and statistics. It was a natural transition for me."

So, that's why he's affiliated with the new department. Kudou-sensei, who had been quietly listening, grinned.

"See, told ya it'd sound interesting, didn't I?"

She's spot on. My curiosity was definitely piqued. But, I needed to think things through carefully.

Even if I could understand "society" through research at university, how would that be useful in the real world? Obviously universities are big research institutions, so I understand that research itself is important. But I don't think I have the right personality to be a researcher.. Still, if there's meaning in learning…

Even if it's said to contribute to overcoming challenges in business, what's the reasoning behind the effectiveness of "social data science" as a solution? And can it be applied beyond business?

"Um…"

I decided to take a chance and ask the professor in front of me.

Those eyes behind the glasses looked at me.

A chill ran down my spine. Though he wore a smile, it felt like if I were to reveal even a hint of shallow knowledge, he'd instantly call me out on it.

"You mentioned solving issues in politics and business…"

"Yes, that's right, as a starting point—but I believe it can eventually be applied to solve various social issues."

"Solving all sorts of social issues… Uh, what d'you mean specifically?"

"Hmm. For example, how should society approach the phenomenon of 'divorce'?"

"Huh? Divorce…?"

Divorce. The separation of a married couple.

I understood the word, but the moment it registered in my brain, it felt like my expression stiffened. I realized that my breathing had become shallow, and a cold sweat was forming on my forehead and under my arms.

Professor Mori shot a brief glance at Kudou-sensei.

"Hmm. Since this is a sensitive topic, let me clarify that my question is not out of mere curiosity."

"Ah, okay."

Professor Mori seemed to choose his words carefully as he looked into my eyes, "Do you think the phenomenon of divorce can be classified as a personal issue or a societal one?"

The question didn't immediately make sense to me.

I probably repeated his words in my mind three times. The fact that he said "the phenomenon of divorce" rather than just "divorce" must have some significance.

"Let me clarify something. When you say 'the phenomenon of divorce,' do you mean seeing it as a social phenomenon?"

Responding to his question with one of my own made Professor Mori's lips curve into a small smile.

"That's correct."

But that means…

"Isn't the question itself strange?"

"Why do you think so?"

"I believe that a couple separating is fundamentally a personal issue. It's about their personalities, actions, and misunderstandings. It's something between two individuals, which ultimately leads to divorce."

"Then, let's change the phrasing a bit. The data showing increasing divorce rates is recognized as one of the social issues in recent years in Japanese society, correct?"

"Yes… Huh? Ah…"

I realized it after saying it. I couldn't help but let out an awkward sound.

"You accepted it as a social issue without hesitation just now, didn't you?" Professor Mori smoothly added.

So he wasn't nitpicking…

Instead, by rephrasing his words, he challenged my perspective and showed that divorce can actually be viewed as a social issue.

"When you put it that way… It does sound like a social issue."

Kudou-sensei sipped her coffee (she usually doesn't make any noises like that, so this was probably her way of signaling me to listen carefully), and after waiting for me to turn my attention, she spoke up.

"It's like Asimov, you know? Asimov."

Ah, right. We were talking about him earlier.

Individuals act freely based on their own free will. However, these actions, within society, accumulate to become social phenomena.

Even if each divorce is based on individual free will, the accumulation of such actions within a society makes it possible to view them as a social phenomenon.

Professor Mori chuckled as he spoke, glancing at his student who had given me a hint.

"Well, sensational media headlines like '30 percent of marriages end in divorce!' don't quite capture the essence of the issue. They're comparing the latest number of marriages against the number of divorces. Newly married couples don't get a divorce right away, and with this, even if the number of divorces remain steady from year to year, if the number of people getting married decreases, this 'divorce rate' increases."

Facing the brunt of this rapid-fire explanation, I had to think hard again.

"Is the often mentioned 30 percent divorce rate really that misleading?"

"Those figures only compare the number of marriages and divorces each year. Can you see why that's overly simplistic and problematic?"

"Um…"

Let's think back to what Professor Mori just said.

Newly married couples don't get a divorce right away—was it? That makes sense.

Let's assume that society influences both marriage and divorce. Whichever of these two outcomes it leads to, generally, the time from meeting to marriage is shorter than the time from marriage to divorce. Most people get married earlier in life, while divorce can happen at any point; from shortly after marriage to in the much later stages of life. Therefore, even if social factors influence both marriage and divorce, the timing of said influences most likely differ.

In that case, how meaningful are statements like "30 percent of marriages end in divorce this year"? Simply comparing the number of marriages and divorces in a given year doesn't provide much insight. Let's break it down clearly.

For example—

Let's say last year, there were ten marriages and two divorces, resulting in a 20 percent divorce rate.

And this year, there were still two divorces, but only eight marriages. This now results in a 25 percent rate, as two-eights of the couples mentioned divorced.

Even if the number of divorces remains steady, a decrease in the number of marriages can make it appear that the divorce rate has increased.

So, simply looking at the ratio of marriages to divorces each year can't tell us whether divorces are actually increasing or decreasing, let alone the social reasons behind these trends.

"But then, how should we interpret the numbers accurately?"

"That's why the concept of a 'divorce rate' exists."

"Divorce rate… The proportion of divorces?"

"No. In statistical terms, the 'divorce rate' isn't a proportion. It refers to the number of divorces per 1,000 people in the population. If I were to give a more detailed explanation, it's calculated by dividing the number of divorce cases in a year by the population, then multiplying by 1,000."

The number of cases… I see.

Ah, okay. I get it.

"So, to determine whether divorces are increasing within a society, it's not enough to compare the numbers of marriages and divorces. Instead, we need a more direct measure that reflects the change within the population," I shared my thought process, and the professor nodded along with a pleased look on his face.

"This example shows that careful consideration is necessary when analyzing data. That's what data analysis and interpretation involve. Have you started to see the value of incorporating data science into sociology?"

"I have."

Woah. I'm actually interested. Just looking at the numbers is fascinating, but it's about exploring how we can derive the necessary information from them. Finding new ways to slice and interpret massive amounts of data, huh?

I guess creating new perspectives from vast data is part of research, too.

"I… um, I—"[3]

[3: There are three general ways to refer to oneself in Japanese]

"Haha. You're not a student here just yet, so there's no need to be formal. Just relax."

"No, that's not…"

Facing a university professor who's around sixty years old, I wasn't confident to refer to myself so informally.

"Well, I've always believed that divorce was a purely personal thing between a couple, but from what you're saying, Sensei, it seems like it's not just about individual personalities and values—it's also about structural and systemic factors in society that can lead to these situations, right?"

The causes of divorce, huh?

Recalling my parents' divorce, I felt a sharp pain prick away at my heart.

Nightly arguments, the cold atmosphere at home, tasteless meals, and untouched parent-teacher meeting printouts left on the table… As these memories started to resurface, I struggled to keep them at bay while I thought.

Trends in society are the reflections of individual free will.

I knew that much.

Preferences for onigiri fillings vary from person to person, but when looking at sales data, mayo tuna is the most popular—or something like that.

On the flip side, what does it mean specifically when we say that society itself influences individual decision-making?

In other words, a society with increasing divorces becomes a 'divorce-prone society,' but…

Professor Mori and Kudou-sensei started explaining their different points to me.

There are numerous potential reasons that lead to divorce.

Take work hours, for example. When do people work? How much do they work? Differences in life rhythms caused by these factors can lead to divorce.

Presence or absence of caregiving responsibilities. Whether or not you live with your parents. Whether or not you have children. The number of meals together. What's in the meals. Time spent on social media. The types of entertainment gained from it. Frequency of sexual activity.

All these factors intertwine. Some of that data is easy to gather, while others aren't. In any case, as Professor Mori explained, it's crucial to first collect and categorize this fundamental data.

"Categorize, you say?"

"All sciences begin with natural history. Collect, categorize, name."

Once you've done that, the next step is to look for underlying rules.

Are there any laws related? Any news reports? Is education involved? Is religion a factor? Do new technologies have any influence?

Numerous hypotheses arise.

"For instance, the reduction in the gender wage gap means there's less dependence on men for financial stability, mitigating fear of income loss, and therefore eroding barriers to choosing divorce," Professor Mori explained.

"Or an increasingly competitive environment among law firms leading to a proliferation of divorce consultation ads, encouraging those previously hesitant to go through the cumbersome process to hire a lawyer," Kudou-sensei added.

"Ethics, which Kudou-kun researches, is also relevant here."

"Well, yes. I find personal circumstances more interesting than sociological data. That said, societal ethics change with the times, and human behavior is influenced to some extent by the ethics cultivated by society."

This isn't about some conspiracy theory of manipulating thoughts, but rather a natural law, a phenomenon, as Kudou-sensei explained.

"If the ethical sense of avoiding divorce weakens, then divorce might increase—possibly."

"I understand."

"But first, there's the question of whether divorce should be avoided in the first place," Kudou-sensei said.

The way she questions the very existence of ethics itself is very characteristic of her.

"Anyway," Professor Mori continued.

He went on to explain that as you collect data and explore different correlations, digging into various aspects, you begin to see what might be causing them.

It's also part of his role to unravel the roots of social issues based on data and advise the government and public offices.

"But I should mention that just because a social problem is solved doesn't mean individual problems disappear. Lowering the divorce rate doesn't mean you can prevent divorces around you or yourself. Sociology is a discipline that deals with society; it is not a solution for the individual."

"Well… that makes sense."

"Still, I believe that there are rules behind the large collective of society that drives it, and I want to understand them. I hope the information we research can be helpful to people in society," the old white-bearded professor concluded, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses.

"And besides, there's a genuine joy in discovering something new. Wouldn't you agree?"

I found myself nodding.

My curiosity was piqued. I wanted to know more.

Maybe because my parents divorced, I have always been interested in the personal aspects of why relationships between people can't remain eternal and how bonds are broken. These fleeting emotions of people are often expressed well in novels too.

But now that I think of it, I hadn't really learned the real-life societal aspect of it.

I want to learn about it, and understanding human tendencies from a macro perspective could be beneficial no matter what career I pursue in the future.

A broad smile split Kudou-sensei's face.

"So how 'bout it, Yuuta Asamura-kun? The Department of Social Data Science seems interesting, doesn't it?"

"Well, yeah."

"Yep, yep. Do come and study here."

"And why are you, someone from another university, so keen on recommending it…?" Professor Mori fired back in an exasperated tone at his student's solicitation.

"Well, as a student of Professor Mori, I naturally want to honor my mentor. Plus, Asamura-kun, you won't have to worry about prestige and reputation at Ichise University either. It'll broaden your employment prospects. See? I'm all just good intentions."

"And what's your real motive?"

"…His girlfriend is likely to come to my university. If he comes here, I'll be able to observe a couple for four years."

"…Another one of those comments that would make ethics cry if it were a person, huh?"

Professor Mori's smile turned into a wry grin as he looked at me sympathetically.

Nevertheless, I was genuinely interested in what I could learn here.

It was the first time I felt so captivated by any field of study. Though it is a difficult place to get into, and whether or not I could actually get in was a different matter, this newly established department seemed incredibly appealing. Most importantly, I found myself wanting to hear more from the professor in front of me.

"I think it sounds fascinating."

"Good, good. You'll study under Professor Mori then. That makes me your senior disciple. Nice to meet you, otouto-kun[4]."

[4: "弟クン" a way to call someone "little bro" or "li'l bro" in Japanese]

Why say that when I haven't even gotten in yet? I couldn't hold back a wry smile. Though it would be a pretty complicated relationship chart with Yomiuri-senpai's mentor as my senior disciple if that were to happen.

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

My steps felt lighter on the way back home.

Even while being jostled on the swaying train, I found myself replaying Professor Mori's words in my head.

Individual personal actions accumulate in society, forming certain trends—social phenomena—which then feedback into individuals, influencing their behavior.

That's the gist of it in simple terms.

Once you pointed it out, it was pretty obvious, but I'd never looked at personal events like marriage or divorce from that perspective before.

It was also something that aligned with my interest of "discovering new ways of thinking."

It felt as if a new circuit had been wired in my brain.

After that, I wandered around the university campus and continued to participate in the open campus. I watched videos introducing various departments, and perhaps because my perspective had changed, everything seemed more interesting than before. I wanted to revisit the universities I had previously checked out with my current viewpoint. Though realistically speaking, I probably don't have time for that.

I think I'll review the general info about them again. If I still feel drawn to this university after that, I'll cement it as my first choice.

I felt grateful to Maru for this. The three-day open campus tour stemmed from his idea to "write down my thoughts on paper."

I continued to think absentmindedly even as I got off at Shibuya Station, being pushed by the massive flow of people being spat out from the ticket gates. I thought that the seemingly aimless and chaotic flow of people must also have some kind of pattern when viewed from above. Kinda like "circulation[5]"—imaginary lines that trace how people move and interact in a building.

[5: Circulation ("動線" literally meaning course of action in Japanese) is a term used in architecture that refers to how people move and interact within a building]

Some wander in search of food, others hurry through the bustling streets to return to the comfort of their homes, while others roam through entertainment facilities for fun.

And as if to entice these people, digital signage and vibrant posters were spread across building walls. Some were ignored, while others drew the eyes of people, influencing them to change their destinations on a whim. Tempting voices, guiding sounds, heart-stirring music—in short, advertisements aim to change individual behavior by shaping the environment around them..

Even small things like promotional displays arranged face-out in bookstores are designed to stimulate purchasing desire—loosening purse strings and influencing individual actions. These changed purchasing behaviors then impact the planning and publication of future books.

The thought that one's actions might not be purely of their own free will, instead influenced by external environments, can be pretty frightening.

—I see now. Maybe I'm the opposite of Professor Kudou; I've always thought individual actions were solely determined by the individual, which is why this concept feels so novel and has sparked my interest in social phenomena.

Curiosity can be a powerful motivator.

Whether it shapes my future or not is another matter—right now, I'm deeply motivated to understand the interactions between individuals and society.

Lost in my thoughts, I passed through the entrance of our flat. It wasn't until I saw the Asamura family nameplate on our door that I finally surfaced from my sea of thoughts and landed on the shores of reality.

I called out "I'm home" as I opened the door. Hearing a "Welcome back" from the kitchen, I peeked in to find that, surprisingly, my old man was preparing dinner.

"Huh? I thought it was my turn today."

"It was. But when Akiko-san and I went shopping, we found some delicious-looking fish."

I glanced over and saw a long, slender fish on the kitchen table, unwrapped and ready to be grilled.

"It's in season now. Saury has been expensive lately, but it was cheap today. Besides, grilling fish is something even I can do. I figured you two would be busy studying for your exams."

"I could have at least grilled it, though."

I've been cooking quite a bit lately, so I can confidently say that.

"Well, I had the day off and was just lazing around all day. I'll get stiff if I don't move around a bit. Really, it's no problem, Yuuta. You should go study until dinner time too."

"Too"—so Ayase-san must be studying in her room as well.

"That helps… You sure?"

"You're probably tired from the open campuses. But judgin' by the look on your face, seems like you made some progress," he said as he looked into my eyes.

If he could read me that well, it meant I really did gain something from it.

I suddenly realized something.

"Have you been worried about me?"

"I wondered if you were overworking yourself. But, I mean, it looks like it was a good change of pace."

I nodded.

Though at the same time, I was reminded again that the university I'm aiming for is a top-tier national school.

"I feel like I should study more now."

"How reassuring."

Hm? What does he mean by that?

Maybe noticing the confusion on my face, my old man added, "To me, you seemed to be studying aimlessly without a clear focus. I figured that if you could realize what you're missing, you'd pick it up."

Makes sense.

"I believe there's a right time to learn," he continued. "You've gotta be aware of your own dryness if you want to absorb knowledge. Like dry sand soaking up water. It's tough to learn aimlessly without knowing where it leads to."

"Even for you, old man?"

"Absolutely. Just because you become an adult doesn't mean you stop needing to learn. Learning is a lifelong process if you want to grow. I think your days as a student are about developing the habits and methods of learning. That's more important than what you specifically learn."

"Lifelong, huh?"

"That said, it's more relaxed than during your student years because you learn out of necessity."

Is that how it is?

"Is 8 o'clock okay for dinner?"

I instinctively glanced at the clock on the wall.

About… two hours left.

"That should be fine."

"I'll have everything ready by then, so call Saki-chan when it's time."

Nodding, I left the kitchen, entrusting the task to him.

Just before retreating to my room, I realized I hadn't seen Ayase-san today.

I want to see her.

I went to her room but hesitated before knocking. She had a shift today and might be tired or studying.

I'll be calling her in two hours for dinner anyway… We see each other every day, so it's not like it's been a long time, you know?

Turning around, I returned to my room.

I'll see her soon enough anyway.

By the way, my old man had the day off, but Akiko-san's working as usual. She's already at the bar.

I changed into my loungewear and set an alarm. Then, I resumed studying for my exams, making up for the three days spent visiting open campuses.

Opening my reference books and notebooks, I began solving problems. Once I started, I got so in the zone that I barely noticed the sound at first.

Someone was knocking on my door.

"Yuuta-niisan," said a reserved voice.

I reflectively checked the time on my smartphone, worried that I might have missed my timer. It was 19:15—not yet time. Relieved, I responded and opened the door.

"Sorry. Didn't hear you calling."

"Ah, sorry. Were you focused?"

"No, I was about to wrap up anyway. It's fine. What's up?"

Plus, I'm glad to see your face.

Ayase-san hesitated a bit, as if she was deciding whether to say something or not. Her expression was more like she was about to reveal a well-kept secret rather than being uncertain.

"Um, well… you see."

"Something you wanna talk about?"

"Uh, well, Asamura-kun, I know you're busy with studying, and it's perfectly fine if you say no, but…"

It'd been a while since she called me Asamura-kun instead of "Nii-san" at home. Though using my surname should create some distance, it felt closer than being called her brother.

"I can't decide if you don't tell me."

"Um, uh… It's an invitation to go out."

I see. So that's why she thought it might interfere with my studies.

But still…

"Taking a break is important too."

It seemed I was realizing that I had a tendency to ignore my physical limits when I got focused. Maru said something about how breaking routine is a bad move too. You need to stay calm to solve problems effectively.

"Hearing you say that makes it easier to ask. I always end up relying on you."

Ayase-san's spontaneous invitation to hang out caught me by surprise.

I didn't expect the Saki Ayase-san to be interested in that kinda thing. The look in her eyes as she talked made me think that even if I declined, she would still go alone, driven by her curiosity.

"Are you into live music?"

私 (watashi わたし, atashi あたし): A neutral and polite way to refer to oneself ("atashi" being the more feminine/softer variant), used in the most formal of settings.

僕 (boku ぼく): Generally used by males in more informal contexts. Is more casual than "watashi" but is still modest.

俺 (ore おれ): Very informal and masculine to refer to oneself. Most commonly used among close friends or in very casual settings. Can come off as rough and arrogant when used inappropriately.

Here, Yuuta initially uses "ore," before switching to "boku" after realizing his mistake.