Prologue: Checking Answers
When asked, 'If your life were a line graph, what would be the highest and lowest points?' I think it was around the time of my job search.
I don't remember which company it was. I do remember thinking the interviewer seemed kind. It was probably a group interview, and since I had never really thought about the peaks and valleys of my life, I was stuck and couldn’t come up with an answer, which I clearly recall.
That's why I was so surprised when the woman sitting on the far left spoke up first.
“The peak of my life was in my second year of high school, and the lowest point was during my third year of university.”
She must have anticipated this kind of question.
She paused for a clear moment and then continued.
“I’ve been playing volleyball since middle school. The peak of my life was when I was chosen as a regular player in the prefectural tournament during my second year of high school. We ended up as runners-up, but the hard work I’d put in paid off, and I was really happy.”
“What about your lowest point?”
“I continued playing volleyball after entering university, but in my third year, I injured my foot, and because of that injury, I couldn't play properly until I graduated. So, when I think of the high and low points of my life, my third year of university was definitely the lowest.”
Without hesitation, she finished speaking smoothly.
The interviewer, seeming satisfied, shifted their gaze to the man sitting next to me.
He was around my age, but taller and more muscular than I was. From his tanned face, I guessed he was part of a sports team.
“When I think of my life as a line graph, there are no valleys. Right now, I'm at my peak.”
His voice was deep, slow, and full of confidence, and as he spoke, it felt like his body was swelling several times over.
I guess the interviewer felt the same, as they leaned forward slightly and motioned for him to continue with a hand gesture.
“I’ve always enjoyed overcoming things I couldn’t do. I played American football in university, and in my third year, I became the captain of a team of sixty players.”
The interviewer nodded deeply. I could tell they were likely impressed by the fact he had played American football.
At the exact same moment, I found myself nodding too, understanding exactly what the interviewer meant.
"When I first became the captain, I didn’t know which way was up. It was a series of things I had never done before, and not only was I unable to unite the team, but I also neglected my own performance, which led to a decline in our results."
He said this cheerfully, without a hint of sarcasm, as if inviting us to laugh along with him.
After waiting for the interviewer to smile in response, he continued.
"However, I focused on the things I couldn’t do and conducted an analysis of the issues. I thought about what was causing the team’s discord and how to resolve it, applying the PDCA cycle to gradually bring the team together."
With that, he prefaced with, "Specifically," and continued further.
He spoke about how he learned methods to connect with his teammates by reading books and watching videos, the failures that occurred as a result, and how he would use what he had learned after joining a company. His way of speaking was almost a perfect example of how to approach a job interview, and he wrapped up by summarizing.
"From all of this, I’ve enjoyed turning the things I couldn’t do into things I could do. Because of that, if I were to plot my life on a line graph, it’s always been on an upward trend."
After hearing that, I thought to myself, What a big mouth.
At that moment, the interviewer finally turned their gaze toward me, and I realized my turn had come.
"Now, finally, please."
Invited with a smile from the interviewer, I began to reflect on my own life for the first time.
University, high school, middle school. I traced back through my memories and began to visualize my life as a graph.
"Was it difficult? Take your time, it’s okay."
The interviewer, probably thinking I was struggling, kindly offered assistance. I could only give a polite smile in return.
There was nothing.
When I looked back on my life, there were no peaks or valleys.
Looking back, I was in the "homecoming club" in high school, and I didn’t join any clubs in university. I didn’t work hard at part-time jobs, nor did I focus on internships.
The most I did in middle and high school was play video games. But it wasn’t because I liked them.
It was simply an escape because I didn’t like studying. I spent a lot of time with manga and anime, but only touched on the popular ones discussed on social media.
I hadn’t worked hard at anything, nor had I immersed myself in anything.
"...Is something wrong?"
The interviewer furrowed their brow, noticing I remained silent for too long.
Desperately trying to find something to say, I failed to form any coherent words.
I had nothing.
If I were to plot my life on a line graph, there wouldn’t be a single bend.
There were no happy events like a mountain, nor sad events like a valley.
It was a straight line, like an endless horizon.
That is my life.
——.