Class 9

You’ve dressed up to meet the principal of Ichihara Nishi High School, knowing that if you land this job, and you do well, the world is your oyster. You’ve been called in on the first day of the spring holidays to interview, and you’ve already seen several would-be teachers enter and leave – you’re the last one. When you’re called, you get up, and walk into the principal’s office.

“you, welcome, have a seat.”

You sit down, keeping your mouth shut for now beyond greeting the principal.

“We have heard much of your accomplishments at other schools, and to be frank, we think you are the right person for the job. We interviewed others only because we are legally required to.”

You nod.

“Here are the students you’ll be working with. All the parents have consented to giving you carte blanche, teach them how you wish but … be aware of the rules and the law when you do. If you do anything illegal, we will have to fire you.”

He then pulls out several pictures and tells you about them.

“Sachiko Kuse, crass, sarcastic and at risk of failing not only math, but English and Japanese as well. Her family is old money in Chiba prefecture, and they expect results sooner rather than later.” “Hanako Iwasaki, athletic, intelligent, refined, yet her pride gets in her way. She thinks the school should bend the rules for her, and she has refused to do anything unless that happens. She is a disgrace to her family, and they have informed us they are not happy with how we handled it so… Good luck with her.” “Kiku Ueda… In truth, there was little wrong with her until this year. She started eating more, and started coming up with excuses not to participate in sports. Her family is worried not only for her health, but the fact that she seems to never stop reading doomed romance novels.” “Chie Nakamura recently was suspended for picking a fight with some of the other girls. She was always capable, hard-working and kind, but now she’s on a mean streak, cursing and fighting with any she deems ‘beneath her’. Her family has demanded we fix her personality problem, and get her grades back up to what they were.” “Amayo Ando. Recently she got a make-over, rapidly making herself into a Gyaru… She’s always been irreverent, argumentative and … libidinous, but its so bad now that we’re scared she’ll one day be caught with someone in school. Her family is equally worried, and asks for a behavioral correction.” “And finally Izumi Okazaki – a truant who has been ditching school, and has been incredibly moody the few days she does attend. Her grades have slipped and there’s a serious risk she might need to redo the year – something her family fears as they have already secured her a placement in one of the countries best universities at great expense.”

Finally the principal looks you in the eyes.

“you, you are our only hope.”