おれは
三年間まあ
卒業してから
I was lying in my room and thinking about how to use my 600 yen. It wasn't really enough to start a serious business. And starting a business would take a lot of effort and likely end in failure. Even if it did succeed, I would never be respected in society without an education. I decided to forget about working capital and invest the full amount in further studies. If I split it into three parts, I could study for three years on 200 yen per year. If I worked hard for three years I should be able to accomplish something. So now the question was which school I should attend, but I had never cared for any kind of learning whatsoever. I especially dislike languages and literature. When it came to modern poetry, I could read twenty lines and not understand a single one of them. Since I disliked everything, I figured it didn't matter much which subject I chose. However, it just so happened that I passed a physics college and saw a notice calling for new student enrollment. It must be fate, so I stopped immediately and filled out the paperwork for enrollment. Looking back, this was another blunder I can attribute to my reckless nature.
I put forth a solid effort for three years. I wasn't a particularly sharp learner, so it was always easier to count my class rank from the bottom of the list. However, even to my own surprise, after three years I graduated. Though I found it hard to believe I had actually earned a degree, I had no reason to object, so I quietly received my diploma.
Eight days after graduation the school principal came calling. When we met formally he told me that a certain middle school in Shikoku was looking for a mathematics teacher. The salary was 40 yen per month, and he asked if I would be interested. I had studied for three years, but I had never thought of becoming a teacher, not to mention heading off to teach in the country. Then again, I had no better idea, so I accepted his offer on the spot. This quick decision was the curse of my reckless nature in action yet again.