The chapter opens with the publication of the year's report from the student council. The principal's and director's offices thank the council for its work. The entrance exam student tells the office that he is happy to have been helpful to everyone. He thanks them for brightening up the office. He tells them that he has just received a call from the hospital in Japan requesting him to enter a thesis competition. The student asks the director if he can stay at his place for a while. The director says that he can't because he has to go to the competition, but the student tells him to gather what he needs and come stay with him. He says that it is okay to be sweet at this time, but not to push yourself beyond your limit. He asks if she is also leaving work to enter the competition. She says that she is too busy to do so, but that she has recommended to her acquaintance that he invite the student to participate in the contest. She tells the student that he must be doing something keeping him busy, like getting his thesis written. She asks the student if he is also working on his thesis. He replies that he was only getting more and more excited about entering the contest, and that he would like to be recognized for his hard work. He wants everyone to see his effort, not just his background, so that he will be recognized as a successful student. The girl asks if the boy is making sukoyaki, which is a Japanese dish. The teacher says that the boy was able to submit his thesis, and the girl is sorry that he did not wake up. She thanks him for always being there for her.