The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “Life is a journey, so everyone is a tourist.”

Life is sometimes compared to a journey. We grow through various encounters and experiences, and the scenery before our eyes is constantly changing. Some paths are smooth and easy to take, some are dead ends, and sometimes one can’t even tell where they’re walking. What should one do when they get lost in the forest?

This is a story of how we come to a standstill over trivial matters, struggle with indecision, and learn from the experience.

Prologue

The trees lining the street outside the window were vividly colored. It was already November, the time of year when fall had settled in and one could sense winter’s approach.

Time flies. The four seasons had passed in the blink of an eye, and before I knew it, I—Aoi Mashiro—was about to enter the winter of my second year of university. My schoolmates were starting to prepare for the upcoming job-hunting season. I knew I had to think about it too, but now just wasn’t the time. I couldn’t focus on studying or job hunting when my thoughts were fully