At that time, I felt so lucky and excited about becoming a lector. Due to covid, we had to used the 200m app for the lector test. A few days later, there was an announcement of who had qualified to become a lector, and my name was not on the list! My mom was shocked and asked why I hadn't been accepted. She asked her friend who was also a lector at our church, and found out I was rejected because I didn't turn on the camera.

In 2023, I applied for the lector position again, and before I knew it, I had been accepted. I was so happy at that time. My first assignment was at St. John Paul's chapel and I was so excited that I felt sick. But luckily I read fluently and well. Since September 2024, I have been serving during Sunday Mass at my church, St. Yakobus Church. I didn't expect that being rejected for not turning on the camera would lead me to serve God joyfully. I am happy with my acceptance as a lector, but being accepted as a lector is only half of my journey; I need to keep practicing in order to serve God well.

The high price of square watermelons in Japan makes sense both because of how they’re grown and because they’re seen as luxury items. Growing these watermelons takes a lot of effort since they have to be carefully shaped in special boxes. Plus, their rare shape and unique look make them really popular as fancy gifts. So, the high cost isn’t just about the fruit itself but also about the hard work and special meaning behind it.

While some may think spending so much on a watermelon is ridiculous, it’s important to understand the cultural significance behind it. Square watermelons represent creativity, tradition, and the joy of giving. So next time you see one, remember that it's more than just a fruit, it's a unique part of Japanese culture!