"Rejoice! Here lies the third floor of the school's grand library, housing textbooks, practice exams, and supplementary books for modern literature, classical history, math, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, world history, civics, economics, politics, foreign languages—every subject!"
The vice-principal spread his arms, as if embracing an ocean of knowledge, a blissful smile on his face.
"This is your training ground! Your new classroom!"
Escorted by karate master Yasukawa Tomoko, Takizawa gazed at the bookshelves crammed with tomes and workbooks, the air thick with the scent of paper and pencil graphite. The beast called studying loomed like a tidal wave, jaws wide. His soul's failing grades screamed for him to bolt for the door.
No escape. A sharply dressed man with graying hair stood tall by the entrance, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Principal, back from the exchange program?" The vice-principal asked surprised.
The man didn't acknowledge him, his piercing gaze fixed on the boy before him while exuding an intense aura.
"Kid, your eyes betray fear."
"There's just… so many books. The weight of human wisdom's legacy is beyond my imagination. I got overwhelmed," Takizawa clasping his hands.
"The path to exams is grueling, but fear not—you don't need to become a walking encyclopedia," The principal offering mild reassurance before pacing elegantly to the window, his tone turning wistful.
"Tell me, what is Tokyo U to you?"
"It's the nickname for the University of Tokyo!" Takizawa answered firmly.
"…" The vice-principal stared.
The principal's poise held, though his silhouette grew lonely. He continued softly.
"I come from a scholarly family. At two, I fell asleep to Man'yoshu audiobooks. By four, I was reading, drawing, and studying music. In kindergarten, I practiced mental math with three-digit operations and wrote my own poetry. From elementary to junior high, I took first place effortlessly, never missing a competition. When parents scolded their kids for slacking, I was the example—the 'other people's child.'"
"For that, I had few friends. I went to movies and ate barbecue alone, no girlfriend. Peers saw me as from another dimension. Girls only spoke to me for homework answers. But I wasn't sad—I knew my destination."
"I, Kozumi Yusaburo, was to break the family curse. My father, Yujiro, and grandfather, Yuichiro, failed. Their regrets were mine to redeem."
His voice shifted from pride to sorrow, then to reflection.
"That year, I was brimming with confidence, certain I'd reached a high schooler's peak. I poured everything in—and failed. People pointed and whispered, circling my downfall like vultures or hyenas. I locked myself away, reflecting, then resolved to face the doubts and strange looks as a ronin—a re-taker."
"But I failed again. Seeing third- and fourth-time ronin in cram school, I felt exam panic for the first time, my heart shattered. No words helped. I couldn't bear my own doubts, so I fled, abandoning pride and dignity. I went to Waseda, tears streaming as I wrote my name at registration."
The vice-principal listened with his mind conflicted, he himself was a Waseda grad, but he'd barely scraped through as his top choice.
"Every student has the 'Tokyo U disease.' Partly emotional, but mostly because that school's political clout is unmatched," The principal turning slowly with his eyes holding faded youth.
"In civil service exams, Tokyo U grads make up 62.5% of passers, nearly a monopoly, especially in law and medicine. The word 'elite' was made for them. In a rigid class system, Tokyo U is the dragon's gate—leap it, and you break your born shackles. Understand?"
"I get it!" Takizawa nodded vigorously.
"Takizawa-kun, as the principal says, with your talent, you can nail it. Study law, graduate, and with your perfect memory, a few years could make you a politician!" The vice-principal said boldly.
"Uh, I'd rather go for literature," Takizawa scratching his head.
The vice-principal fumed—how could he not pick the star department?—but before he could lecture, the principal boomed.
"Well said!"
A grin spread across the principal's face with full of admiration.
"Politicians are elite? Laughable! Elitism isn't so narrow! Studying culture makes you a has-been? People are so shortsighted, chasing only what's visible but blind to civilization—the core of human history!"
"Why not… no, not 'why not'—just aim for Waseda or Keio instead? Private universities, backed by conglomerates, don't stress performance and are kinder to humanities," The vice-principal ventured timidly.
"Plus, private school kids usually come from money—easier to find a rich and pretty girlfriend."
"What a joke. That won't do," The principal said with his head high, flashing the disdain of a former academic titan. "Tokyo U as a public institution is harder. I always aim for the toughest!"
'A two-time ronin failure talking like that in front of me, a Waseda man?' The vice-principal seethed but held his tongue.
"Kid, why'd you choose this path? Speak your ambition—make this stubborn baldy admit his folly!" The principal urged.
"My math's trash, so humanities it is," Takizawa said honestly.
The three exchanged silent glances.
"Math questions aren't that hard," The principal trying to lift the mood.
"Tell me more."
"Just up to calculus," The vice-principal chimed in.
"Calculus on the entrance exam?!" Takizawa yelped while eyeing the door for an escape.
"Kid, where's your grit!" The principal barked lunging to grab his sleeve, baring the fangs of a hardcore educator.
"Tokyo U's score combines the national exam and its own test—not one and done. The national exam covers basics, all multiple-choice. Nail it, and you've got a huge edge!"
"Give me a score benchmark," Takizawa asked when unable to break free.
"National exam's out of 900. Below 750…" The principal's tone darkened.
"750?!"
"Of course not. That low, and on a bad day, you won't even qualify for the school's test. Past years show 820's a safe bet," The vice-principal said.
"Out of 900?!" Takizawa's face twisted.
"What's to fear? I've heard of your gift. With that speed-memory, world history and Japanese history are guaranteed full marks. Other memorization-heavy subjects? Crushed. Logic questions? Question-sea tactics will find their weak spots. Lose a few points, no big deal. With my and baldy's ultimate cram method, you'll make miracles!"
The principal flashed a wicked grin, like a mad scientist nearing his grand scheme's fruition.
"My Kozumi family's lifelong wish lives on, even as principal! Half my life buried, now it sees light! My greatest shame and defeat will finally be cleansed! Hahahahahahaha!"
The vice-principal watched then snapped to holding up his fingers.
"Pull this off, and you'll get this much—publicity bonus and payment for saving our sweaty principal."
"Who're you calling sweaty?!" The principal roared.
"Who're you calling baldy?!" The vice-principal shot back.
"Gentlemen," Takizawa said gravely quelling the client squabble. "Which book do I memorize first? Hand it over."
***
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