I graduated from the Prefectural University of Hiroshima in 2008. At first I thought I would want to work in Hiroshima. I had already gone to college there for four years and had a lot of friends and acquaintances, which would make it easy to stay. However, I couldn’t find the type of work I wanted. I began to think that it might also be a great idea to move to a new area and start fresh.

I talked it over with my mother, and she suggested moving to Osaka, where I had family. Of all places, I thought Osaka would be terrible to work in. I had the impression that it was hectic and never settled down, and I didn’t think it would suit me at all. However, I spent some time thinking about my options. Incredible though it may be, I started to think that Osaka wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Then, one day, something happened that convinced me Osaka was the place I was meant to go. I was on my way to visit a graveyard in Osaka, and I had to switch trains at Okayama station. I caught a glimpse of someone there on the platform that I never expected to see. I couldn’t believe my eyes. By chance, I　had bumped into my brother. I had thought he was in Tokyo, but instead he was on his way to Hiroshima on a business trip. We decided to go together to Osaka. The chances of that happening were so low that for me, it was a miracle. I took it as a sign. Today, I am happily employed in Osaka.