"Just exemption from the test?"
Zhang Han wasn't satisfied with the result.
Unlike in China, Tokyo doesn't have a unified entrance exam system for middle school or high school.If you want to enroll in a certain school, the most direct method is to take that school's individual entrance exam.Pass the test and meet some basic criteria, and you can get in.
So-called "test exemption" refers to special recruitment quotas.If you have notable talent in a specific area, and the school has related programs and policies, you may be offered a spot through this system.The biggest advantage is obvious — you're admitted without taking the entrance exam.
Anyone who's seen Slam Dunk would be familiar with this: not all athletes are good at academics.This kind of "backdoor" is specifically designed for students like them.
But honestly, this policy wasn't much use to Zhang Han.
His academics weren't at the top, but he still ranked in the top three of his class and the top ten in his grade.Even if he took regular exams, there probably wasn't a school he couldn't get into.
As his coach, Ono Binzhi was naturally aware of Zhang Han's situation.
He set aside the majority of the invitation letters — most were simply offering standard special admissions.Only a few were left on the table.
"I've spoken to several schools about your case. Within the bounds of their policies, they're willing to make some concessions.They'll waive tuition, fees, and book costs. But they absolutely won't waive the school selection fee or dormitory charges — at best, only part of it."
Zhang Han's eyes lit up.
This was exactly what he needed.
Otherwise, what would Ms. Lan do?
Ever since that middle-aged lady met him, she'd been pestering him to become a model.
If this were back in China, Zhang Han might have reluctantly agreed for the money, even if he wasn't thrilled about it.After all, it's a profession for young people — not glamorous, but not shameful either.
But here in Japan… modeling, entertainment, celebrity work…
All of them were grouped under one strange term — "male actor" (男優).
The scariest part was that even in movies with only two or three people, the lead was still called an "actor."
If his retired grandpa ever heard about this, who knows what would happen?
The old man believed in the saying: "A good son is raised by the stick."
Back before he retired, Zhang Han lived with his grandfather in a military compound.
In that kind of place, beating your kids was normal.No one batted an eye.Even if someone saw it, they might just advise, "Hit him, but don't break anything!"
Are those even human words?
If Grandpa ever found out Zhang Han was a "male actor" in Tokyo…Zhang Han didn't even dare imagine the consequences.
"Which ones?" he asked.
Seeing the excitement in Zhang Han's eyes, Ono Binzhi felt a slight twinge of reluctance.He knew what Zhang Han was thinking.
Originally, Zhang Han wasn't even interested in baseball. He joined the team for one reason — to beat Ono Binzhi.
He actually did it, too — in less than a year.
So why did he stick around?
Because this kid was stubborn.
Every time he lost, he'd find a chance to get revenge.
Over the years, he'd been defeated by almost every standout player in the Tokyo area — and he'd paid back almost every one of them.
That was why he hadn't quit the team all this time.
After playing baseball for so long, it started to influence him.
At some point, Zhang Han set a new goal:To enter Koshien.
To become the first player from mainland China to play at Koshien Stadium!
And to get there, he needed to join a top-tier baseball powerhouse.
Those teams were competitive, but they offered plenty of opportunity.
As long as he could make it onto the roster, he'd be one step closer to his dream.
There were five or six such "powerhouse" schools in high school baseball:
Teito High School and Niou Gakusha in East Tokyo,
West Tokyo's Third Municipal High,
Daocheng Industrial,
and Seidou High School.
Only Seidou had been unlucky in recent years, with two graduating classes failing to reach Koshien.Players from the other schools, as long as they became key players by their second year, almost always made it to Koshien.
But unfortunately, none of these schools invited Zhang Han.
Wait — there was one.
Seidou High School did send an invitation.
But it was just a basic one, offering test exemption.No one even came in person.
So Coach Ono had nothing to discuss with them.He knew Zhang Han wouldn't be interested in such a half-hearted offer.
Seidou failed to meet either of Zhang Han's conditions:
Fee reduction — they didn't send a representative, which meant they didn't value him much.
Koshien potential — ever since they changed coaches, Seidou's performance had tanked. They hadn't been to Koshien in years.
For someone like Zhang Han, whose dream was to play at Koshien, that wasn't acceptable.
Since it didn't fit, Ono didn't bother bringing it up.
"There's no such thing as a perfect match," Ono said."Players choose schools, but schools also choose players.Matsukata players are highly sought after, but those powerhouse schools have tons of geniuses competing to get in."
His words were like a bucket of cold water dumped on Zhang Han's head.
"I don't want to give up just yet! Tell me which schools are offering tuition discounts."
"There are a few schools that are genuinely sincere. I narrowed it down to five.They aren't nationally famous, but they're still competitive in Tokyo.With some luck, making it to Koshien isn't impossible.More importantly, they're eager for talent and willing to waive a significant portion of fees."
For an ordinary textile worker earning 2 to 3 million yen a year while raising two children,Coach Ono believed reducing costs mattered more to Zhang Han than getting into a powerhouse.
Here were the schools:
Nishitokyo Chengkong Academy
Nishitokyo Yakushi High School
Tohoku Kuroshikan High School
East Tokyo Kasuga High School
"All of them have made the top 8 or top 16!" Ono added.
Zhang Han was surprised as he read the invitation letters.
But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense.
Being specially recruited meant their baseball teams were strong.And the schools were clearly backing their baseball programs enough to lower or waive fees.
That wasn't just about strength — it was about ambition.
"There are only so many star players in Tokyo," Ono said."The big teams have already locked them up.A quiet talent like you, who doesn't show off — you've become a hot commodity.If it weren't for the tuition waivers, you'd have even more offers right now."