The essay "So You Live Too" by Mitsuyo Ohira, which became a topic of conversation due to her unique story of going from a life at the bottom to becoming a lawyer.
The author's experience of being bullied in middle school, being betrayed by friends she trusted, and then committing suicide by hara-kiri, and then coming back to life, living as a juvenile delinquent, marrying a yakuza boss and getting tattoos all over her body, and having to live as a hostess at a high-class bar is honestly depicted in a sincere and honest style.
The book vividly describes the journey of overcoming a dark past and becoming a lawyer, giving hope and confidence that anyone can achieve anything if they dream and work hard.
The revised edition features a translation that preserves the original text and a portable format.
The author's recent activities are also included.

Now I am grateful to be alive, and I feel very fortunate to have survived that time.
Because if I had unfortunately lost my life back then, I would not have been able to dream of or taste this happiness I have now.
When you're in unbearable pain, it's probably inevitable that you'll think about dying at least once to escape the pain.
But if you are, please stop for a moment.
Because this pain you're experiencing now won't last forever.
I am sure we will find a breakthrough.
Until that day comes, I hope you will do whatever it takes to protect your one and only life.
Please do not treat your own life carelessly.
Please don't do something so foolish as to choose death.
---From the “Preface to the Revised Edition”

I couldn't even get up from my seat and ate my lunch box while holding my breath.
No matter what I ate, it couldn't possibly taste good... ...Eating lunch alone.
The enjoyable lunch hour turned into hell in an instant.

--- p.30

What was most shocking was that the three people I believed to be my true friends were turning over their hands and taking my side.
(…) Even though I was surrounded by many children, I felt a burning hatred towards these three in particular.
And I even thought about killing all three of them right here and now if I could.

--- p.62

'I couldn't forgive them, so I tried to kill them with the intention of getting revenge, but I didn't know that I would end up taking all the consequences.
If I have to suffer like this, it's not revenge at all.
I'm so pathetic... I chose suicide as a way to get revenge, but I realized that all the disasters that resulted from that were pouring down on me.

--- p.73

Not a single child ever said, “Don’t say that.”
Even the homeroom teacher only said one thing, “You bastard!” and then said, “Then it’s your turn,” and urged us to move on.
"No? "You punk!" is all there is to it? How can a teacher act like this? Why didn't you give a sharp warning right then and there to a kid who jeered at me for stabbing himself in the stomach with a knife, telling him that such things are not human words? Do you really think you're qualified to be a teacher? Why did you bring me back to this school? Just to save the school's reputation? Despair washed over me like a wave.

--- p.84

―A bitch who can't even die properly.
When I heard these words from the mouth of a half-child, I felt that there was no place for me here.
'You can't even offer comfort to someone who is hurt and discouraged, but you don't hesitate to say things that hurt.
I wonder if these things even have feelings.
If even these beasts, worse than animals, are to be treated as humans just like me, I'd rather quit being human right now.' With this resolution, I turned from my normal life and began wandering the streets at night.

--- p.95

“It’s all your fault that I ended up like this.”
I spat on my mom.
And then, “I’m sick of you, you dirty old hag. I’m sick of you.”
He grabbed his mother by the hair and threw her to the ground.
Then he kicked it wildly with his feet.
“Stop…stop it….”
I used even more violence on my mother as she cried and pleaded.

--- p.108

I became a hairdresser and prepared for the beauty school exam to make up my mind and start living properly again.
Although I couldn't study as hard as I did in high school, I studied very hard.
I took out a textbook that was practically brand new and untouched, and started reading from the beginning, studying in my own way.
I was so happy to have passed that I went to school clutching my acceptance letter to tell my homeroom teacher first.
With a full heart, I opened the door to the teachers' office a little and looked inside.
(Omitted) “What? With your hair like a gangster’s, what can you possibly do with that hair?”
He headed to the classroom with a displeased expression, showing no interest at all in passing the exam.
'I've only ever rebelled against you, teacher, so I was the first to come running to ask for your forgiveness... ... .'
I don't know if it's because I've been so wrong and I'm angry, but even just one word would be nice.
“Congratulations, you will work hard from now on.”
How nice it would have been if you had said this.
When I got home, I was thinking of dyeing my hair black again right away.

--- pp.110~111

When Mr. Ohira heard this, he started to yell loudly for the first time.
“Of course, it’s not your fault alone that you went down the wrong path.
I have responsibilities to my parents and to the people around me.
But, it's all your fault that you can't come to your senses and live a proper life.
"Stop shamelessly blaming others for your own mistakes! Do you think anyone will understand? Who will take responsibility for your life? Do you think the world is that easy?"
The man scolded me so loudly that the other customers dropped their coffee cups in surprise.
‘Sir… … The always kind uncle, how could he be so angry… … .’ A shock ran through my body as if I had been struck by lightning.
'I finally met someone who treated me like a human being... '
At that moment, I felt like I had been scolded for the first time in my life.

--- p.147

“Then you can take revenge, but if you choose the wrong method, you’ll be in big trouble.
If you take revenge on someone by using violence or trickery, neither they nor you will ever be able to return to your original position.
Besides, you will be responsible for the consequences.
So, in fact, you can't get revenge using such a sloppy method.
The best revenge, in the truest sense of the word, is to live a life that is worthy of your own glory.
To do that, you need to get some kind of certification.
For example, let's say the person you hate has a 3rd grade commercial bookkeeping qualification.
If so, you should get a second-class license.
If your opponent is 2nd class, you get 1st class.
If you do that, you will feel relieved that you have defeated your opponent, and in the end, it will be for your own good.
Don't you think this is the best revenge ever?
--- p.156

My father passed away in February 1998 at the age of 70.
I asked my father, who was in eternal sleep with a peaceful expression on his face.
“Dad, if I were to be reborn, would it be okay to be reborn as your daughter again? I won’t make you sad again...” But Dad remained silent, and I couldn’t hear any more answers.
Even if you hit the ground and regret it, it's already too late and there's no use.

--- p.259