"I want to succeed."
Haru sighed. Looking at test results.
"What is success?" Simon asked.
"Getting good grades. Getting into a good university. Getting a good job."
"That's society's standard," Ren pointed out.
"Are there different standards?"
"Many," Simon answered. "By culture, by era, by individual."
Haru looked puzzled. "So there's no absolute definition of success?"
"Maybe not," Ren said. "Success is a relative concept."
"Relative?"
"It only exists in comparison to something. Past self, others, ideals..."
Simon gave an example. "In Germany, mastering craftsmanship is also success. In Japan?"
"Academic background or entering a big company, maybe," Haru answered.
"In America, starting a business and making wealth," Ren continued.
"All different."
"Yes. Standards of success are socially constructed."
Haru pondered. "So when I think 'I want to succeed,' am I brainwashed by society?"
"Brainwashed is a strong word," Simon smiled. "But you're influenced."
"What's the difference?"
"Brainwashing is coercive. Influence is environmental."
Ren supplemented. "You've internalized society's values. But you can also question them."
"If I question them?"
"You can create your own standards."
Haru was confused. "How? I don't know what 'my own' standards are."
Noa passed by and joined the conversation. "That's a difficult question."
"A completely independent standard from society probably doesn't exist," Simon said. "But you can choose."
"Choose?"
"From society's values, select what fits you."
Ren asked philosophically. "But where does that judgment of 'fits' come from?"
"Society again?" Haru asked.
"Partially," Noa answered. "But individual experience and sensitivity also influence."
"It's mixed."
"Can't be completely separated."
Simon changed perspective. "Maybe we should ask 'why do you want to succeed' rather than the standard of success."
"Why?" Haru repeated.
"For happiness? For recognition? For security?"
"...Maybe all of them."
"Each seeks different success," Ren said.
"What do you mean?"
"Success for happiness is subjective satisfaction. Success for recognition is others' evaluation. Success for security is stability."
Haru was confused. "Which should I choose?"
"You don't have to choose," Noa said. "Balance them."
"Balance?"
"You can't completely ignore others' evaluation. But being dominated only by it is also dangerous."
Simon nodded. "Existentialist Sartre said, 'Man is condemned to be free.'"
"Condemned to be free?"
"You must create meaning yourself. It's a burden, but also a possibility."
Ren continued. "You choose your own standard of success. That's freedom and responsibility."
Haru took a deep breath. "That's heavy."
"Heavy," Noa admitted. "But there are ways to lighten it."
"How?"
"Don't seek perfect standards. Allow trial and error."
Simon encouraged. "Today's success might be different tomorrow. That's okay."
"It's okay to change?"
"Rather, you should change," Ren said. "Fixed standards hinder growth."
Haru smiled a little. "Then maybe today's test isn't a failure."
"Why?"
"The score is low. But we had this dialogue. That's another success."
Noa smiled. "That flexibility is maturity."
"Is maturity also a success?"
"One," Simon said. "One of infinite successes."
Outside the window, the sunset descends. The definition of success shifts like light. That's okay.