" Upon receiving my notification of acceptance to the university, my parents noticed that they were obliged to submit to the university, among other things, a copy of my official family register. After much mental anguish, they decided to inform me of the secret of my birth. "
- Koichi Tanaka

This quote describes a moment when a young person learns about their family history upon receiving an acceptance letter from a university. The parents realize they must provide documentation that reveals details about their child's background, leading to a situation where they feel compelled to share a significant secret related to the child’s birth.

The deeper meaning of this excerpt touches on themes of family secrets and the impact of truth revelation at pivotal moments in life. It highlights how institutional requirements can force families to confront long-held private matters that may have profound emotional consequences for all involved. The quote also underscores the complexity of family dynamics, where parents face difficult decisions about when and what to disclose to their children regarding their origins.

Koichi Tanaka is a renowned Japanese scientist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2002 for his development of soft ionization methods for mass spectrometric analyses. His quote reflects on personal experiences that are likely intertwined with broader reflections on science, ethics, and human relationships.