"Which should I choose?"
Kaito held his head in front of two pamphlets. In the career counseling room, Leo and Sora sat beside him.
"Both look like good choices," Leo said.
"That's why I'm troubled. University A and University B are equally matched."
Sora observed. "When there are too many options, it can actually become harder to choose."
"The paradox of choice," Leo introduced the term. "A phenomenon where satisfaction decreases as choices increase."
Kaito was surprised. "Isn't more choice better?"
"Intuitively it seems so. But psychological research shows the opposite result."
Sora added explanation. "When there are few options, comparison is easy. But too many make it impossible to examine everything."
"And you postpone the decision," Leo continued. "This is called decision paralysis."
Kaito made a face that said exactly. "That's exactly me."
"Why does paralysis happen?" Sora asked.
Leo thought. "There are several reasons. One is seeking the optimal solution too much."
"Looking for the perfect choice."
"Yes. But perfect choices don't exist. Everything has trade-offs."
Kaito compared the two pamphlets. "University A has cheap tuition but is far. University B is close but expensive."
"Both have advantages and disadvantages," Sora confirmed.
"So I can't decide," Kaito lamented.
Leo presented another perspective. "Another reason is fear of regretting the path not chosen."
"Fear of opportunity loss," Sora supplemented.
"Yes. Choosing means letting go of other possibilities. That's scary."
Kaito nodded. "I think, what if I choose University B and University A was better?"
"Anticipation of cognitive dissonance," Leo explained. "Imagining the discomfort that arises after choosing."
"To avoid that, you avoid the choice itself."
"But not choosing is also a choice, right?" Sora pointed out.
Kaito was struck. "True."
Leo said, "Waiting for it to be automatically decided by deadline. But that doesn't count as choosing yourself."
"The regret would be bigger too."
Sora suggested, "How about clarifying the criteria for choice?"
"Criteria?"
"What you value most. Tuition, distance, major completeness, employment rate..."
Kaito pondered. "Hmm, what's most important?"
Leo advised, "There are no perfect criteria. But prioritize based on your values."
"Values," Kaito repeated.
Sora took out her notebook. "Let's write it out. What do you want from university, Kaito?"
Kaito answered slowly. "Being able to do the research I want. That's probably the most important."
"Then compare the two from that perspective."
Kaito re-read the pamphlets. "Research facilities are... University A has better ones."
"So distance and tuition don't matter?" Leo confirmed.
"No, they're important. But not as much as research."
Sora smiled. "The priorities are becoming clear."
Kaito showed a slightly relieved expression. "Right. I was trying to make everything perfect."
"Decide based on the most important element," Leo said. "For other elements, find compromise points."
"Isn't compromise a bad thing?"
"Being realistic. Balancing ideals and reality."
Sora added, "And after choosing, make efforts to justify that choice."
"Justify?"
"Humans want to believe their choices were right. So after choosing, you emphasize the good aspects of that choice."
Leo laughed. "Resolution of cognitive dissonance. Convincing yourself."
Kaito understood. "So once I choose, I make efforts to make that path the right answer."
"Exactly," Sora acknowledged. "There's no correct answer in choices. You make the chosen path correct."
Kaito showed a determined expression. "Then I'll choose University A. I'll prioritize research."
"Good decision," Leo acknowledged.
"But I'm still anxious," Kaito said honestly.
"That's natural," Sora said gently. "It's rare to choose with complete conviction."
Leo supplemented. "Living with uncertainty. That's the human condition."
Kaito put away the pamphlets. "I understand the heart that cannot choose a little better."
"Not being able to choose is because you fear responsibility."
"The responsibility of deciding your own life yourself."
Sora nodded. "But accepting that responsibility leads to growth."
Kaito stood up. "Thanks, you two. Now I can move forward."
The heart that cannot choose has reasons. Seeking perfection, fearing regret, avoiding responsibility. But only by choosing can the future open. Realizing that was the first step.