Ignoring that fateful encounter, I spent the rest of the day in the nearby park, reading about the history and some fun facts displayed on the billboards meant for tourists. My plan was to stay there until evening since I was interested in an event called Nuit Blanche, when I received a call from Misaki-sensei.
"Kuze-kun, we have your results. Please come to the same place as before."
"Yes, I'll arrive in about half an hour."
I didn't hesitate and started walking since the university is close to the shrine. After about 25 minutes, I arrived and stopped at the same spot as the other day, waiting for my redheaded teacher to show up. Before long, she arrived.
"Oh, you got here before me. Is your hotel nearby?" she asked.
"No, sensei. I visited the Yasaka Shrine—it was all a coincidence."
"That's a great place. There's also..."
And so we spent our time talking about interesting nearby places to visit and my impressions of them.
"You know, students usually aren't so laid back with their teachers," she commented.
"Yes, but luckily I'm not one yet, so everything's daijoubu~"
"...I have to say, you're quite enjoyable to talk to, but I have a feeling you might become a real handful..."
"Hey! Don't use such vulgar language while there's a child present!"
She looked at me with a deadpan expression before sighing.
"Yes, that's what I was talking about. Let's hope you don't attract too much attention from the female students. Anyway, we're here. Just go inside and ask the secretary about the vice president—you shouldn't have to wait long; he should be free right now. I have other things to attend to at the moment. Well, see you another time?"
I opened the door and exchanged our last words.
"Yes, thank you for your time. Next time, we'll talk as student and professor..."
We started to part ways when Masachika suddenly stopped and glanced back.
"Also, you don't have to worry about the female students. I always bring protection..."
"Wha!?"
She stood there, mouth agape, in disbelief. She didn't know how to respond or how to continue with whatever she needed to be done.
"...Isn't he... 8?"
She shook her head, trying to dismiss the implications of his words and their surprisingly hidden meanings from her mind.
---
"Please, sit down."
The man in front of me was the one who granted my unusual requests and was an old friend of my father. I sat down, thankful for my high level of [Etiquette], even if its lessons were boring as hell. Vice President Nagahiro raised an eyebrow at my demeanor... he was clearly impressed.
"So, Masachika... Kuze-kun, it's an honor to be chosen by such an outstanding talent from this area. I don't think anything like this has ever happened in Japan..."
"I'm not the first case of a child becoming a college student. There's one in India and one in the USA. I believe there was even one who got a degree at the age of 17 five years ago, if I remember correctly..."
He looked at me, clearly impressed.
"Oh, so it's safe to say this isn't a unique case?"
I smirked. "Generally speaking? Yes, there have been young people who obtained their degrees earlier than others. But in this instance? No. I'm currently the youngest in history to become a college student."
"Do you think you passed the exam with a high enough score to enter?"
I widened my smirk. "I don't think it, I know. I am certain that I passed the exam, and I know my score is perfect."
"How arrogant. So, you are here just to brag?"
"No. At least, not completely. I wanted to wait for the results because, first, you requested it, and I know how exhausting it is to manage a unique situation. Everyone sane hates paperwork, and bureaucracy is bad for health. Second, I've come to have some personal requests considered... if possible."
The Vice President closed his eyes, slowly absorbing my words.
"Well, let's listen to your requests first."
From this point on, it would be a negotiation.
"I plan to become an art student, contrary to what my father thinks. However, his observations aren't entirely wrong."
I looked intently at him, the amusement from my previous words fading away, replaced by a serious expression. "I want to create a company, and while books are helpful, they aren't enough for what I envision. I need something more. I want to take courses in management and economics."
Once again, he closed his eyes, not to absorb my words this time, but to prepare his answer. When he opened them, he stood up and walked toward the window, the only one in the room. It provided a clear view of the garden museum, with some shrines visible in the background.
"Kuze-kun, why do you think I became the Vice President of Kyoto University?"
For a moment, I doubted the reason behind his question, but I eventually realized the answer lay in his feelings. Nagahiro Minato obtained his degree here in 1975, then worked in America for two years before returning to take a position as a professor and later becoming involved in multiple research projects. He became Vice President a few years ago after the previous VP retired due to age.
Given that information, what could be his reason?
"Mmh. Vice President Nagahiro, I don't know you personally, but I've read your curriculum, and I think you enjoy leading the next generation toward a better future."
His response was a smile—not the smile of a teacher looking at a favorite student, but one of a family member proud of a nephew.
"Kyoutarou told me that you are one of a kind, but you have surpassed even my imagination. So, why do you think I asked you this question?"
I took a moment to breathe before answering. After all, this was the response I was expecting from someone like him.
"You're uncertain if accepting me as a student is the right decision. You don't want me to lose my youth and the memories that come with it."
"Yes, you're completely correct. I don't want a child to regret taking the 'smart' path and miss out on the more innocent experiences of youth."
Yes, it's not unfounded fear.
But it's one he doesn't need to have.
"Then, let me ask you a question, Nagahiro-sensei. What do you think I would do after obtaining my degree?"
For a moment, he looked confused before responding the way a normal person would.
"You'll create the company you want and pour your heart into it."
"You're half-right and half-wrong."
I got up and walked beside him, admiring the majestic view from the window.
"You see, I would certainly create the company, but it wouldn't be my sole focus. I don't want to be like the typical Japanese, consumed by work. I have bonds outside of my professional life that I want to maintain."
I looked him in the eyes.
"I plan to recruit people and have them follow my cause, bringing them on as partners or employees. This way, my company wouldn't always require my leadership. I envision my company as a child: it would take my advice but grow independently. I won't abandon it; however, I have other things I want to pursue.
I want to attend school—I'm not sure whether I should go to junior high or high school—but I want to spend time with my sister, given our family's situation... well, you understand how it is."
Nagahiro-sensei looked at me with a mix of surprise and understanding regarding my goals.
"It will be more than just difficult," he stated.
"Yes," I replied. For someone who isn't a Gamer, it will be nearly impossible to cheat.
"Entering school after graduating from college?" he questioned.
I grinned. "It's not against the law. It might be socially unusual, but I really want to reconnect with Yuki. Is that wrong?"
A few seconds passed, and he placed a hand on my back.
"Well, congratulations, Masachika Kuze, you have achieved a score of 100 on the entrance exam. You'll be a student in the art department... as soon as I finish some paperwork."
I laughed at that. Yes, paperwork is definitely a creation of the devil.