Ch.2: Shigeru Mizushima

Note: This is Chapter Two, which follows the Ch.1: Masanori Kawana. While it can be read on its own, it’s best enjoyed in order.

Shigeru Mizushima, Bachelor’s graduate at APU (Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University), former Business Consultant at IBM Japan, Senior Manager of the Strategy Office at Fanatics Japan

Thrillingly, I found myself back in that showroom that had fascinated me. The date was Tuesday, November 12th—exactly as mentioned in the email.

Just like last time, Ms. Matsumoto picked me up at the front door on the 8th floor. What was different this time was that there was one unknown man in the showroom. Obviously, he was Shigeru Mizushima.

I think there are many words to describe him—and you’d likely nod at them all—but my first impression was that he was aggressively approachable. He was casual, somewhat bold, and easy to talk to, which eased my nervousness. At the same time, he seemed like he knew exactly what he was doing, in terms of his job or anything else. The confidence gleaming in his eyes captured my attention; the aura he carried was something different from what I had seen in Mr. Kawana.

As they let me into the same room where I’d met Mr. Kawana, the meeting got underway.

The questions were more specific this time, though my answers didn’t differ much from before. Mr. Mizushima then asked me a follow-up about my desire to study at a U.S. college and how that connected to this internship.

Of course, I expected that this internship—if it worked out—would be a great addition to my Activities Section on the college application portal. But I was, and still am, damn sure that wasn’t all. I emphasized that point in response to his question. He apparently loved that answer.

He advised me that, as the internship proceeded, I might face challenges, or tedious and seemingly meaningless tasks, but that everything I would encounter would have a meaning. He told me not to over-calculate everything. I would only truly understand what he meant much later.

Thirty minutes passed more quickly than I expected. As I walked back through the front door, he and Ms. Matsumoto chatted that I was probably the first high schooler intern at the company, which made me so proud of myself. With a smirk on my face, I waved goodbye to them.

After I got home, my phone buzzed with another email from Ms. Matsumoto. The summary of that email was a confirmation: my willingness to really become an intern at Fanatics, along with my parents’ consent.

That night, as I saw my father on the couch and my mother on a yoga mat, I gave a brief presentation of what had happened and what I had discussed with those two people, reminding them how zealous I was to grasp this incredible opportunity. They seconded me, and that was enough to make me smile.

Since I was busy during that period with a regional competition and loads of school assignments, I sent the official answer to Ms. Matsumoto in late November: that I was wholeheartedly honored to be part of the company.

After the fall term of high school, on December 20th, I stepped into the same office building. This time, I ran into a woman named Caroline from Brazil, with whom I had a short English conversation on the 8th floor.

Different from the past two visits, I was escorted to the 4th floor, which felt more like a real office. That made it all the more realistic, telling me my internship was truly on the way.

Clueless and just following Caroline, I reached one of the meeting rooms—to set up the digital environment, she said. Inside was one more person: a woman in a formal suit, bracing herself with composure. Caroline and Ms. Matsumoto both stepped out, leaving an awkward silence that I believe she also felt.

She looked like she was in her mid-twenties, and I once again realized how unusual it was that I—a sixteen-year-old boy—was able to be there.

Ms. Matsumoto returned and explained that my laptop hadn’t arrived yet, so we moved on to the next topic. Then Mr. Mizushima entered.

She gave me a printed oath: a list of rules I would have to obey in order to proceed with the internship. She meticulously read it aloud, instructing me to bring it home, consult with my parents, and sign it if everything looked right. Then she passed the mic to Mr. Mizushima and left the room.

Since there was no laptop, Mr. Mizushima handed me about a hundred printed pages of introductory materials on Fanatics Japan. He then gave me a short speech to welcome and motivate me.

He described himself as someone who works diligently, as if he were the most passionate and driven person for work, and said that even if he sometimes threw me challenging or even plaguing tasks, there would always be something to learn from them; otherwise, he wouldn’t assign them.

Far from scaring me, it motivated me. My internship had finally tipped off.

Aside from my excited face, he promptly threw me my first task:

“Read them. Write down questions, and I’ll answer you later on.”

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This chapter is entirely written by Genki Kano. Any disclosed information of people in this story has been generously approved for public sharing.

Stay tuned for the next chapter: Winter Cup.