Lastly, a word or two on the inner workings of Buemon's mind. Buemon is angst incarnate. Just as Napoleon's head was steeped in ambition, Buemon's oversized cranial cavity is filled to bursting with angst. The occasional twitch of his dumpling nose is the unconscious manifestation of angst at work on his facial nerves. He harbors an uncomfortable mass in his belly, as if he'd swallowed a large candy whole while lacking the means to digest it, and it's tormented him for some days now. The extreme of his torment, with no relief in sight, has led him to seek out his home room instructor. Imagining said instructor might somehow assist him, he now finds himself in the home of this man, for whom he holds no particular affection, humbly bowing his head. It no longer registers with him that he's cajoled and put the screws to this same man on a daily basis, all the while inciting his fellow classmates to follow suit. He's convinced, it seems, that as his home room instructor the man owes him sympathy, any past provocation and cajoling aside. What a naïve young thing. The master's role as Buemon's home room instructor came not by choice but by order of the principal. It's like that "bowler hat" Meitei's uncle sports. It's merely a name. As a mere name, when push comes to shove there's no force of effect. If names were functional, then Yukie, with her fair name, should have no shortage of marriage prospects. Buemon's not just self-indulgent. He also harbors a mistaken belief, stemming from far too great a faith in humanity, that his fellow men must somehow be sympathetic to his plight. The last thing he expected was laughter in response to his tears. If nothing else, Buemon will no doubt come away from this visit to his home room instructor having understood a truth of the human condition. This truth will prepare him to function in the world as a genuine man. The world's response to one's angst is indifference. The world's response to one's misery is shrieks of laughter. Armed with such understanding, Buemon has a bright future and is ready to make his way forward, following in the footsteps of the esteemed Kanedas. My hope for Buemon is that he opens his eyes, takes this all to heart without delay, and forges himself into a successful citizen. Otherwise, no amount of angst, nor any depth of repentance, nor any sincere effort at virtue, will ever bring him success on par with the Kanedas. On the contrary, he'll end up an outcast, at constant odds with his fellow men. Expulsion from Bunmei Middle School is the least of this young man's concerns.