After the promotional video was played, the host came on the stage, followed by a sign language interpreter. After reading out a short notice, two school flags guided the two teams of leaders and professors in doctoral uniforms to enter accompanied by music, and then sat on the podium.

The audience burst into applause.

Those with green ribbons are school administrators, and those with red ribbons are professors. They sit on both sides of the stage.

"By the way, who is Arisu-chan's elder?" Nishino suddenly remembered and asked.

The members don’t know much about Arisukawa, except that she is a primary school classmate from Wugeng and has a good relationship with the operation.

"We haven't come on stage yet. We should give a speech later. You're here." Arisukawa said, then looked at Nishino and asked with a smile, "Nanasai is the one, isn't she going to take a video of the entrance ceremony?

"

"Ah, yes! I almost forgot!" Nishino reacted belatedly and hurriedly took out the DVD from his bag.

At this time, the school choir sang the school song. Then the principal gave a speech. He talked for thirty or forty minutes. After that, the honorary professor spoke and the department head spoke. They talked about the country's future scientific and technological development as well as humanities, history and personal sentiments.

The host takes the stage.

"Finally, we are honored to invite Mr. Haruki Murakami, a graduate of the University of Tokyo, to give a speech to our freshmen! Everyone is welcome!"

There was an uproar in the venue, and then there was warm applause. Neither students nor parents knew the news before. Although there was a space in the information distributed at the entrance to indicate the graduates' speech, it did not specify where it was.

It seems that this is a surprise specially prepared by the school.

"Mr. Murakami?" Nishino's hand holding the DV shook.

Haruki Murakami was born in Fushimi District, Kyoto, Japan on January 12, 1949. He tried writing in 1979 and has been writing nonstop since then. He has won a series of well-known domestic and foreign awards many times, including the Nobel Prize for Literature. Now he has become a major figure in Japanese literary circles.

The Taishan Beidou-level character has a large number of readers not only in Japan but also around the world.

Many people know that he entered the drama major of the Tokyo Faculty of Literature in 1968. However, this was the first time since his graduation that he participated in the entrance speech for freshmen at his alma mater.

Murakami, who is 65 years old, is still strong and healthy because he likes running and other sports. He walked on the podium with vigorous steps. He has short hair, is about 170cm tall, and has nothing special about his appearance. He just looks like an uncle you can see everywhere.

That's all.

"Hello, freshmen," Murakami said after taking the stage. His voice was not loud, and there was the noise of electricity. The staff on the side immediately bent over and went to the stage to adjust the microphone.

Murakami smiled, stood aside with his hands behind his hands and waited quietly, and soon came forward again.

He stood in front of the stage, first glanced at the students in the inner court, and paused slightly at Wu Geng. Then he looked at the many parents of students on the second floor, and his eyes met Arisugawa. Arisugawa nodded.

"I can be regarded as graduating from the Department of Literature, Film and Drama of the University of Tokyo," Murakami said unhurriedly. "The reason why I use 'calculate' is because in my impression, I have rarely been to the school, let alone entered.

The class is in session. Before I was admitted to the University of Tokyo, my grades were not very good. The reason why I applied for the University of Tokyo was because I had made some achievements in other fields at that time. Even if I didn't go to university in the future, my life would not be a problem.

So I was a bit angry, thinking that if I couldn't go to the best school in Japan, I might as well not go to university.

"But I didn't expect that my admission score would be just over the line. Of course," he laughed, "this is not an example worth following. Now that the admission standards of Dongda University are becoming more and more stringent, there are more and more fish like me slipping through the net.

The less. At least, the freshmen who are working today, your starting point is much higher than mine at that time. I will not feel sorry or regretful because of this, and everyone here can be proud of this.

This pride does not come from me, or from thinking that I am superior to others. The foundation of this pride is Tokyo University itself.

"As a school that enjoys a high reputation around the world, the glory of Tokyo University is made up of the afterglow of countless graduates' self-achievement in various industries. So for me, Tokyo University is not the sun, but the moon. Everyone here

Dear friends, you are the sun that lights up this university."

The audience burst into applause, and Murakami had to stop.

"I'm not motivating all the freshmen. Come on, most people will naturally be motivated to improve when they come here. However, exceptions cannot be ruled out. For all of you here, I am happy to be admitted to Donghua University.

, but for some people, it may not be a matter worth celebrating, but due to the atmosphere at the moment, they have to pretend to be happy. In fact, when I first entered the University of Tokyo, I was full of melancholy.

.

"Like you all, I am also a person who cannot bear loneliness. Otherwise, I would not devote myself to writing with a high degree of freedom. Many people are determined to pursue freedom. In my opinion, those who have set a goal in life and go in this direction

People who move forward are one of the manifestations of pursuing freedom. Being able to choose is a very happy thing. And a society that allows us to make different choices, I think, is also free.

"I am very fortunate that my financial level is enough to support me in my middle age when I make the major life decision of writing for a living. Frankly speaking, if I had no food and clothing at that time, I would have no confidence in the freedom of the spiritual world.

Chasing requires a big discount. Maybe I have been running for food and clothing all my life, and I will never pick up a pen, let alone stand here to give a speech to everyone at this time."

He paused, and when the students in the audience were about to applaud, Murakami raised his hands and suppressed it.

"Actually, I don't feel qualified to stand here and give a speech to everyone. Students who know me should know that my 'resume' at Tokyo University is really not very good. I skipped classes, failed classes, and my attendance rate was seriously insufficient. Even so, I still

I graduated at the normal time. It was all thanks to Mr. Antang, who taught me French literature. Unfortunately, he was not here today. I asked and found out that he retired last year. If it were not for his help and vigilance to me, I would have graduated.

Maybe I will stay in Dongda for another two years.

"After he read my graduation thesis, he suggested to me, 'You must take this path of writing in the future.' When I started writing "Listen to the Sing of the Wind," it was the teacher's words that inspired me.

The motivation for me to write. Haruki Murakami standing here today may be just a coincidence caused by the teacher's words, but now this coincidence is reality. I hope that all the freshmen who are admitted can have a rewarding time at the University of Tokyo.

During your college years, I also hope that you can encounter more little things that lead to different coincidences and diversity in life.

"Finally, thank you for listening to this nonsense."

applause.

Arisukawa applauded and looked at Wu Geng's back on the field.

Murakami sat down in the seat prepared by the school.

After the student representatives took the oath, it was the last part of the entrance ceremony for the freshmen. All the students sang the school song. During the singing, the university's flag was raised.

At this time, the entrance ceremony for new students at Dongda University is officially over.
Chapter completed!