Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit

Looking back on how far she’s come, Aoi Yukimura feels the pull of the mountains again. Her chance arrives after school when Koharu Senjuin invites her to visit the Mountaineering Club, where Koharu—its spirited president—proudly introduces the group’s activities and their drive to aim high in competitions.

Aoi admires their commitment, yet hesitates to join, wanting to experience mountaineering on her own terms and at her own pace. Still, the visit lingers in her mind, stirring a deeper question about why she climbs at all. With encouragement from her friends, Aoi continues her training while searching for the motivation that will carry her toward a long-awaited second attempt at reaching Mt. Fuji’s summit.