After washing up and eating the breakfast Akashi went to the school as he already took a leave at work. He took a bag with him which had various required papers and money.
The school was a kilometer away from his house. Akashi decided to walk as he didn't want to waste money.
(At 9.00 a.m
The Itsuki public school had a very big infrastructure. Akashi was surprised, as it was his first time visiting such a big school. As he was entering the school he was stopped by a gate keeper.
Usually the kids, with their parents come to school for admission. Since Akashi was alone, the gate keeper thought that Akashi was trespassing the school. When Akashi showed the admission letter, the gate keeper let him in.
Akashi entered the school, he didn't understand where to go. He then asked a weird old man who looked like a cleaner, to show him directions.)
'Sir, Can you please tell me the direction to principal office.' I asked a weird old man who was mopping the floor.
The old man slowly stared at me and asked, 'Son, what are you doing here alone?'
'Sir, I came here to apply for an admission.'
'Ho, ho! Son, Don't joke with me. Then where are your parents?' asked the old man.
He asked me a sensitive question, which hit me hard. I didn't want to say anything about my parents, since I don't like people having pity on me.
Even though the old man was a cleaner, he was old in age. I didn't want to disrespect him by saying something absurd. So I replied sincerely by showing the admission letter, ' Sir, I am telling the truth. See, I have a letter for admission.'
'Ok, I will tell you the directions. Turn left and then right and straight down the hall way, you will find principal office.'
Before turning left, I turned back to say thanks to the old man, but he disappeared. I thought he went away somewhere. So, I walked to the principal's office. Outside the office children with their parents were sitting in a row. They were happily laughing and talking with each other. I searched for Ayami and Misa-san. I didn't find them. It looks like they are going to visit the school another day.
I heard some parents talking that, the children should enter the principal's office after 10 with their parents. I was queued in the last, since I was 'alone'.
After 10 a.m the parents with their kids went in the principal's office one by one. A parent who was infront of me asked another parent 'Do you know about the principal of our school?'
He replied 'No.'
He described 'It is said that the principal is a very successful man. He is the president of all the Itsuki schools in Japan.'
'Oh! Is that so? Then why is he here. He must be a busy man.'
'Because he is a Noble man, who deeply cares for the children who are interested in studying. The entrance tests that are kept for the Itsuki schools are all prepared by himself. He wants to see the young raising talents who are going to attend the school in person.'
'Oh! I see. Now I understand why he is here.'
After an hour and a half, most of the parents with their kids met the principal. It was my turn next.
The attender came out of the office and said ' Akashi Kazami, you are next.'
As soon as I heard him I went near the office. As I was entering, the attender saw the admission letter in my hand and then let me in.
I entered the office. It was very cool compared to outside because of A.C. There were three people sitting at the table. A man and a women in their thirties and a Old man in his fifties who looked similar. As soon as I saw the old man, I recognized him as the cleaner I met in the hallway. But he was the principal. A name card was written infront of him 'PRINCIPAL: SHOUTA OKAMOTO'
The man in his thirties said' What is a kid doing here alone? Where are your parents?'
The woman also nodded as she heard him. Those two were staring at me. I was terrified by their stares. The principal signalled them to stop staring.
Then the principal turned to me and called me near and asked 'Boy, what is your name?'
'Sir, I am Akashi Kazami.'
'What?! He is Akashi Kazami?' The woman exclaimed. The other man was also surprised.
(The entrance test prepared by the Principal Shouta Okamoto is considered pretty difficult as it contains many high level problems. But Akashi scored full marks in it, which had never happened before. All of the previous toppers in the entrance exam never scored full marks before.)
It seemed like the principal knew my name. I gave the letter in my hand to him. The principal then looked at me and said 'Kazami-kun, Why are you alone?'
'Sorry, for my rudness Sir. But my parents died. Since I don't have any relatives I came to meet you alone.' I think that he knew about me, but it seemed like he wanted to know my answer.
The man in thirties shouted 'Then how are you going to pay the fee, boy? Even though I feel sorry for you, we just can't ignore your fees and other expenses, even if you are a top student.'
I knew that something like this would happen. I think I have to change schools.
( Akashi saw the fees on the board near the table. It was something that he can't earn while studying. He became sad all of a sudden. But the principal was impressed at Akashi. He was amazed to see a twelve year old kid looking after himself without the help of an elder.)
As I was frowning the principal, looked at me and smiled. He asked 'Kazami-kun, don't worry. I want you to attend the school. I can also agree to your demands if they are in reasonable limits.'
I was surprised. I asked ' Is that true sir?'
'Yes. You can ask.'
'Then, Sir. Please allow me to work at a part time job. Please compensate the fees as you promised for the school topper. And please use my scholarship to cover the other expenses.'
'Ok. Agreed. Pay the fee after joining the school. Or collect the receipt after paying the fee at the fee counter.' replied the head master.
The other two were stunned as they saw the principal agreeing to my demands.
I left from there happily. I went to the counter and paid the fees,that I brought with me in the bag which my mother saved. After that I went home.
(1st demand: What Akashi didn't know that, It was the first time Souta Okamoto agreed a student for doing part time job.
2nd demand: And The fee is not that high after compensation but the expenses needed to pay are very high compared to the scholarships.
3rd demand: Akashi didn't know the price of those expenses. But the principal made it negligible.
It can be understood that Souta Okamoto 《The Principal》considers Akashi as a Diamond in rough.)
