Pathway to Japanese Literature

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Original Title	途上
Author	嘉村 礒多
Genre	Modern Short Fiction
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	From the remote mountain paths, a young boy arrives at Y Middle School, thrust into a world of unfamiliar rules and judgmental eyes. Plagued by deep-seated insecurities—his dark complexion, his rural origins, his awkward demeanor—he embarks on a relentless, often misguided, quest for belonging. From fumbling attempts at academic diligence to manipulative friendships and a heartbreaking first love, each step is shadowed by the yearning to erase his perceived shortcomings. But as he navigates a life of betrayal, scandal, and fleeting triumphs, the weight of his past—and the persistent whispers of his own "imprisoned ugly bird" nature—threatens to shatter any hope of true peace. Can he ever escape the relentless current of his own making, or is he forever condemned to carry the chains of his transit?