EmologyNote Ep1 :Where Did My True Self Go?”
🇯🇵 *A small window into life in Japan*
In Japan, most people start their first full-time job right after graduating college — all at once, every April.
It’s called the “shinsotsu” system, and it’s full of quiet pressure, expectations… and unspoken emotions.
This story isn’t a textbook.
But maybe, through someone else’s small struggle, you’ll catch a glimpse of what it means to grow up in a world like that.
Let’s begin.
🌿Emology Note - Ep.1
*~ A morning in the life of Nako, a fresh graduate navigating her first year at work.*
♪〜（the sound of music playing from a smartphone）
Face buried in her pillow, Nako reached out blindly and tapped the snooze button.
October began just yesterday.
The relentless summer heat was finally easing up, and a hint of autumn lingered in the morning air.
But still, she couldn’t open her eyes.
“…Ugh. I really don’t want to go to work today…”
The moment she voiced it, something inside her felt like it cracked.
She quickly tried to pull herself together.
—Come on, Nako. You got this!!
Muttering to herself like a pep talk, she managed to sit up.
A cool breeze danced through the curtain and filled her room with a gentle calm.
She was swaying on a packed commuter train, heading toward the office.
That springtime rush of “I’m finally a working adult!” had already faded.
All that remained was a lingering anxiety:
“Am I doing okay? Am I good enough?”
As soon as she arrived at the office, a senior colleague, Ms. Murata, called out to her.
“Good morning, Tachibana-san!”
“Good morning.”
She made sure her smile didn’t droop as she replied, carefully arranging her face.
To be honest, Nako wasn’t very comfortable around Ms. Murata.
Known as the “sixth-year ace,”
she was fast, friendly, beautiful—
the kind of person who seemed to have it all.
“She must be living life on easy mode,”
Nako thought, quietly placing her bag a bit farther away in the shared workspace.
“Good morning,”
she greeted the others nearby.
A few responded, eyes still glued to their monitors.
—Didn’t we learn in elementary school to make eye contact when greeting people?
She sighed inwardly as she opened her laptop and powered it on.
While checking emails after clocking in, a burst of lively energy echoed from the entrance.
“Good morniiiing!”
It was Yoshida, her fellow new hire.
“Hey, Yoshida-kun! Always so upbeat!”
“Oops, bedhead alert—back of your head, buddy!”
Laughter from their seniors followed.
Yoshida responded to each comment with cheerful banter as he approached her.
“Good morning! Looking forward to working with you today!”
The seniors paused their work and returned his greeting with smiles.
—Why do they only make eye contact with him?
Is it just me they avoid looking at…?
Before joining the company, she had thought:
“I want to work in a way that feels true to myself.”
But now she found herself thinking:
• “Don’t get in trouble.”
• “Don’t stand out too much.”
• “Don’t be a burden.”
That’s all she focused on.
From April to June, she had been too overwhelmed just learning the job.
By July to September, she was starting to get used to things…
And now, it was October.
Somehow, she’d started measuring her worth by comparing herself to others:
“I submitted the report faster than XX.”
“I take more detailed notes than YY.”
…That kind of thing.
Then her eyes landed on Inaba, a slightly intimidating and eccentric senior.
At first, she found him unapproachable.
But lately… she felt a twinge of envy.
—How does he stay so true to himself?
Right now, Nako couldn’t clearly see
what kind of person she wanted to be—
or what kind she didn’t want to become.
But one thing felt certain:
Going with the flow for the sake of blending in wasn’t the answer.
Where did I leave my “authentic self” behind?
Is fitting into society… the same as losing who I am?
🌿📘 About *Emology & Emologic Note*
Emology & Emologic Note is a two-layer project that explores
human relationships through:
- Emology — emotional fiction based on real-life patterns
- Emologic — simple explanations of the psychology behind them
If you're learning Japanese or interested in Japanese culture,
you can switch between the English and Japanese versions.
🔹 Start reading in English
- Emology Ep1 → https://note.com/kinari_tokieda/n/n4bea2365c833
- Emologic Ep1 → https://note.com/kinari_tokieda/n/n902b2da6c8a8
🔹 日本語で読みたい方はこちら
- エモロジー1（物語） → https://note.com/kinari_tokieda/n/n308295f38ca1
- エモロジック1（心理） → https://note.com/kinari_tokieda/n/n3948cd102f91
📍Next Episode Teaser
What is the root of the unease that Nako, a first-year employee, is feeling?
🗓️ Scheduled for release: Thursday, October 9, 7:00 AM (JST)
If this resonates with you,
🔗Story Navigation
📖 Next Episode
https://note.com/kinari_tokieda/n/n567b76f0ef1b
🧠 Emologic (Psychological Logic) https://note.com/kinari_tokieda/n/n902b2da6c8a8
🌍 Japanese Version
https://note.com/kinari_tokieda/n/n308295f38ca1
Start reading Anna’s story from Episode 1
https://note.com/kinari_tokieda/n/n367f4fd957ef
