Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980

That evening, after dinner, the Kiryu siblings sat facing each other seriously in the dojo.

"This is our ledger."

Chiyoko spread the account book in front of Kazuma, then placed their bankbook beside it.

"I've done the math. We can get by until you take the university entrance exams. But even if you pass the entrance exam for a national university, we won't be able to afford the tuition unless you get a scholarship."

"The compensation money should help a little," Kazuma said.

"It'll help, but it won't be enough," Chiyoko replied, pausing before adding, "So… I think I should get a part-time job. The economy's doing well right now. If I take a leave of absence starting this summer and work hard, I could at least cover your expenses while you're preparing for the exams…"

"No." Kazuma shook his head firmly. "You focus on your studies."

"But if you don't get into Todai, we're both finished!" Chiyoko said urgently. "If I work, you can concentrate on studying. Maybe we'd even have enough to enroll you in a prep course! And even if not, all those exam prep books are expensive—we can barely afford them right now!"

Books in Japan were incredibly expensive—so much so that lower- and middle-class families often couldn't afford them. That's why bunkobon existed.

Bunkobon were affordable paperback editions aimed at the lower-income demographic. When Japanese authors released new books, they'd first put out expensive hardcovers to target the upper-middle class, then release bunkobon a year later for everyone else.

Naturally, university prep materials were no exception—high demand and high prices. Buying enough resources for exam prep was already a serious expense.

And prep schools? Even worse.

Without prep courses, getting into a top university in Japan became significantly harder—all thanks to the individualized entrance systems of each school.

Students aiming for the University of Tokyo couldn't even use the same materials as those aiming for Meiji University. The focus of their prep work would be entirely different.

Right now, Kazuma had zero prep materials. Not a single book. He wasn't enrolled in any prep course, either.

If he wanted to pass the Todai entrance exam, he'd need a lot more than just tuition money—he'd need a considerable sum well before even taking the test.

And at the moment, they simply didn't have enough.

Chiyoko suggested again, "Please, let me work."

Kazuma looked at her, then spoke gently but firmly. "If it truly comes to that, I may have no choice but to let you. But before it reaches that point, I intend to find another way. Trust your big brother for now, alright?"

Chiyoko nodded. "Okay. But this is my responsibility too. If you can't get into university, I'll suffer for it as well. So if it comes to sacrificing for the family… please let me do it."

Kazuma wanted to scold her—tell her not to think that way—but when he thought about how much determination it must've taken for a young girl to say something like that…

He could only remain silent.

He had to respect that resolve.

Rather than lecturing her, he needed to focus on preventing the worst-case scenario.

He needed to find a way to make money.

Right now, I should be studying as hard as I can to avoid a tragic March next year… and instead, I have to worry about this mess.

This must be a hell-difficulty world I transmigrated into.

Still, the current Kiryu Kazuma was no longer the clueless novice he'd been when he first arrived.

Now, he had the resolve and courage of a man—and the determination to overcome any obstacle in pursuit of his goals.

No matter how steep the mountain, I'll climb it step by step!

Kazuma's confidence swelled.

He thought for a long time and concluded that the most reliable way to earn money right now… was to run the dojo.

With the reputation he'd gained from single-handedly dismantling the Tsuda-gumi, he could likely attract new students.

Kazuma recalled that during the fight at the Tsuda-gumi office, Tsuda Masaaki had called in a bunch of delinquents for backup.

Those kids had witnessed Kazuma's martial prowess firsthand. Surely some of them could be recruited as students.

Another option was teaching part-time at a school.

Kazuma was now stronger than even Daimon Gorō or that Etsukawa Girls' head coach he'd beaten.

If he could persuade Etsukawa Girls' board of directors to hire him as a kendo instructor, that would bring in another source of income.

And he'd also get to spend time on the Etsukawa Girls' campus. Of course, the main goal was earning money—cute girls were merely a bonus.

That said… convincing a school board to hire a third-year high schooler might be a tall order.

At that moment, Kazuma suddenly remembered—he'd promised Nanjo-san from Etsukawa Girls' to spar with her at some dojo.

After thinking it over, he recalled the name: Akutagawa Dojo.

If I spar with her there… maybe I can lure her to our dojo and get her to pay tuition!

Nanjo-san definitely looks like she's loaded.

If I could get her to prepay a year's tuition… no, three years'!

A pointed cough from Chiyoko snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Bro, you were grinning really creepily just now."

"Was I?" Kazuma rubbed his cheeks, realizing they'd gone a bit stiff from all his scheming.

Yeah, he had been grinning evilly.

"You're not thinking about Nanjo-san, are you?" Chiyoko shot straight to the heart of the matter!

Kazuma replied smoothly, "You're overthinking it. Why would I? And besides, trying to woo her wouldn't make us any money."

"Why not? A sheltered rich girl like Nanjo-san looks exactly like the type who'd get tricked by a smooth-talker into being his sugar mommy."

Chiyoko's blunt evaluation was merciless.

Kazuma frowned. "You think she's that naïve?"

"She is. Remember that coach you beat up? Nanjo-san knew something was off but still trusted him. A girl like that, without her family's servants around, would get conned in no time."

Kazuma gave an "oh" and silently bumped up Operation Recruit Nanjo-san on his priority list.

Wait—this isn't "conning" her. I, Kiryu Kazuma, am neither a gold-digger nor a playboy. I'm just getting her to enroll as a paying student.

And I fully intend to teach her properly. How could that possibly be a scam?

Chiyoko shot him a look of pure disdain. "Bro… you are thinking about Nanjo-san."

"Ah, not at all."

Chiyoko sighed. "Whatever. If it's just tricking her into paying tuition, I don't mind."

Huh?

Kazuma stared at her. "So you're ready to be your brother's partner-in-crime?"

"I don't really have a choice," Chiyoko said, exasperated. "I've heard the story of the three arrows."

In China, the "three arrows" story usually referred to Li Keyong teaching his sons.

But in Japan, it was the tale of Mōri Motonari teaching his sons Mōri Takamoto, Kikkawa Motoharu, and Kobayakawa Takakage about the strength of unity.

Japan borrowed quite a few Chinese tales and proverbs.

Chiyoko smiled suddenly.

Kazuma asked, "What?"

"I was just thinking… Bro, you're pretty charming now. You might actually sweep Nanjo-san off her feet. If you married into the Nanjo family, all our financial troubles would be solved!"

Kazuma scratched his head. "And what about Mikako? What then?"

"Oh, Mikako's just ordinarily pretty. Nanjo-san's a true beauty—though her bust's not as good as Mikako's. If you ask me, you should go for Nanjo-san!"

Kazuma looked at his sister, realizing Mikako clearly hadn't won over her future sister-in-law.

He scowled and scolded, "Have you forgotten about the 'bet' coming up next March? Don't drag unrelated girls into it."

"Which is exactly why you should choose Nanjo-san," Chiyoko countered. "The Kanto Union might come after Mikako-senpai, but they'd never dare touch Nanjo-san."

Kazuma thought about it.

That… actually makes sense.

(End of Chapter)