Saitama Dungeon - Chapter 8
Episode 8: Grades and Career Paths
I wrote down the name of the local regular high school, Saitama High School, on the career survey form, and as a backup, I also wrote down the name of the nearby private ◇× High School.
I haven’t consulted my parents about it, but it’s a reasonable choice, so I don’t think they’ll have anything to say about it.
While I was doing that, my smartphone vibrated.
It was a sensation I hadn’t felt in 10 years, and it caught me off guard.
When I checked, it was a message from Yuna.
As far as I remember, Yuna never called me during middle school.
“Hey.”
“What’s up?”
“I called you because I have something to discuss.”
“To me?”
“Yes.”
“Go ahead then.”
“Um…”
I can tell she’s having a hard time saying it, but why call me if it’s something difficult to talk about?
“So, about the discussion…”
What could be so difficult to talk about?
“Um, it’s about career paths. What did Ichiro write?”
I don’t understand how my career path relates to Yuna, but there’s no need to hide it.
“I wrote down Saitama High School and ×◇ High School.”
“I see. Saitama High School is an all-boys school, right?”
“I think so, but what’s the matter? Weren’t you supposed to attend Saitama Girls?”
“I was thinking of going to the co-ed ▽× High School.”
“Well, isn’t that fine?”
“Huh? Is that all?”
“Well, your career path is your own, isn’t it?”
What’s she trying to say?
“Got it. Well then, goodbye.”
And the call ended.
What was that all about?
The next morning, I left home early as usual.
It seems I’ve developed a habit of waking up early when it gets bright out during this season.
Mom is pleased with my early rising, so I’ll stick with this style.
Today, I went to school without seeing Yuna on the way.
When I entered the empty classroom and looked around, I saw Yuna’s bag hanging by her desk.
It seems Yuna is already at school.
She’s really dedicated to tennis, huh?
I wonder if she’s also studying for exams?
As for me, I haven’t done any exam preparation yet, but I think I’ll manage somehow.
My brain seems to be working exceptionally well due to the hero’s adjustment.
I’m not sure to what extent my physical abilities have decreased compared to when I was a hero, but I don’t think I’ll lose to Yuna in tennis.
Not just Yuna, I don’t feel like I’d lose in any sport against anyone.
That being said, sports are not life or death battles after all.
It’s not good to look down on others, but as long as I don’t say it out loud, it’s fine.
Sitting at my desk and gazing at the faint blue sky through the window, I pondered over these thoughts until my classmates arrived.
“Good morning.”
“Hey.”
“Sup.”
“Morning.”
I greeted each of them back with a “good morning,” even though it’s just lip service.
Nothing eventful happened that day, and after submitting the career survey form during homeroom, the day ended without any issues. As a member of the after-school club, I left the classroom quickly after finishing my cleaning duties and headed home.
There was homework, but it seems my brain is working quite well, so I finished it quickly.
I’m starting to look forward to the end-of-term exams.
It’s a feeling of relaxation that I’ve never experienced before.
I wonder if the top students in the school are also looking forward to it?
After finishing dinner and waiting for a while, Dad returned from his business trip.
He sat across from me, having finished his late dinner after taking a bath.
I wanted to talk to him about my career path.
“Welcome back, Dad.”
“Hey, I’m back.”
“I want to talk to you about my career path.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m thinking of applying to Saitama High School and ×◇ High School as a backup. Is that okay?”
“If you’ve decided, then it’s fine. Saitama High School is a prestigious school, right? I thought you might say you want to go to a Dungeon High School, so I was surprised. Do your best.”
“Yeah.”
That’s how fathers are, after all.
I was a bit curious about what Dad would say if I told him I wanted to go to a Dungeon High School, but it wouldn’t change anything even if I asked, so I didn’t.
That’s what being a son is all about.
The next day.
During the break after lunch and after school, each student was called in one by one by our homeroom teacher, Mr. Maekawa, to discuss our career paths.
Each session lasted about 5 minutes.
It was just a brief exchange of words.
As I expected, Maekawa-sensei mentioned that with my current grades, Saitama High School might be tough, and suggested lowering my expectations.
“You’ll really have to work hard.”
“Yes. I’ll make sure to surprise you with good grades on the end-of-term exams, so please watch.”
“Really?”
“It’s not that I’ll surprise you with how bad I am, but with how good I am. Please write something good on my report card when the time comes.”
“Of course.”
I boasted in front of the teacher to put pressure on myself.
I shouldn’t just be all talk!
About two weeks later, it was time for the end-of-term exams for the first semester.
They were all easy.
After the tests were over, it took about two days for all the results to be returned.
During the last class of the day, after school, I was called to the guidance counselor’s office by Maekawa-sensei.
“Hasegawa. What’s going on with you? I don’t know about the grades of students in other classes, but at least in my class, Hasegawa was unquestionably the top student. In my science test, Hasegawa and two others were the only ones in the entire grade to get perfect scores. What kind of studying were you doing? I didn’t think you were going to cram school, but did you start going now?”
“I’m not going to cram school. Somehow, it seems like my brain has gotten better.”
“I do think your brain has gotten better, but is that even possible? Well, Hasegawa is an actual example, so I guess it’s possible. Anyway, keep up the good work. If you finish the second semester like this, your first choice, Saitama High School, is guaranteed.”
“Thank you.”
I chuckled and left the guidance counselor’s office, returned to the classroom, picked up my things, and headed home.
So far, I can’t say that my efforts have been rewarded, but at least the 10 years of hardship weren’t in vain.