"Just a waiver?"
Zhang Han wasn't satisfied with this outcome.
Unlike in China, there's no unified high school entrance exam in Tokyo. If you want to study at a particular school, the most direct way is to take that school's entrance exam. If you pass the exam and meet basic conditions, then you can enroll.
The so-called waiver invitation is a special admission slot. If you have a special skill, and that school has a relevant department and policy, they can activate a special admission slot. The biggest advantage is direct admission without needing to take an exam.
Anyone who's watched Slam Dunk should have some impression. Not every person exceptionally good at sports is also excellent at academics. This backdoor, in fact, was specifically opened for these people.
To be honest, this policy was quite useless for Zhang Han. Although his academic performance wasn't top-notch, he could still rank in the top three in his class and top ten in his grade. If he were to rely on his own ability, there seemed to be no school he couldn't get into.
As a Director, Ono Binchi, of course, also knew Zhang Han's predicament. He put most of the materials aside; clearly, those invitations were just simple special admissions with waivers. He only kept a few in his hand.
"I've also communicated your situation to those high schools. Within the rules, they are willing to provide some consideration. Tuition fees, miscellaneous fees, and textbook fees will be waived. However, school selection fees and accommodation fees definitely cannot be waived. At most, only a portion can be waived!"
Zhang Han's eyes lit up. This was what he needed most. Otherwise, he really didn't know what Ms. Lan would do.
Ever since that middle-aged man met him, she insisted on pestering him to be a model. If it were in China, although somewhat unwilling, Zhang Han might grit his teeth and agree for the sake of money. This job, while perhaps not considered respectable, wouldn't be shameful.
But here, all models, performers, celebrities, and idols are all called male actors! The most terrifying thing is that the protagonist of those movies that can be finished by two or three people is also called a male actor.
If his retired grandfather found out about this, who knows what would happen? His grandfather always believed in the saying, 'A filial son comes from under the stick.' Back then, when his grandfather hadn't retired yet, Zhang Han lived with him for a period in the military family compound. In the military family compound, hitting children was completely normal; basically, no one intervened.
Occasionally, passersby would see it and at most offer a piece of advice: "Just hit them a couple of times, don't cause any permanent damage!" Listen to that, is that even human talk?
If his grandfather found out he was a male actor in Tokyo, Zhang Han couldn't even imagine his pitiful fate.
"Which ones?"
Seeing the excitement in Zhang Han's eyes, Ono Binchi felt a little reluctant. He knew Zhang Han's thoughts.
Originally, Zhang Han didn't have much interest in baseball. His purpose in joining the team was simply to defeat him. But Zhang Han achieved this goal after less than a year of practice. After that, the main reason he stayed and worked hard was his stubborn streak. As long as he was defeated by someone, he would definitely find an opportunity to get revenge.
These star players in the Tokyo area had basically all defeated him, and he had basically gotten revenge on all of them. This was the main reason he hadn't left all these years.
Spending a long time playing baseball, Zhang Han would, subtly, be influenced. He didn't know when it started, but his ambition also grew; he wanted to participate in Koshien. He wanted to become the first player from the mainland to participate in Koshien!
For this goal, Zhang Han naturally wholeheartedly wanted to join those prestigious teams. Although the internal competition in such teams was brutal, there were also many opportunities. Joining these teams would naturally bring him one step closer to his dream.
There were about five or six high schools that could be called prestigious. For example, Teito High School and Nioh Gakusha in East Tokyo, and Ichidai Third High School, Inashiro Industrial, and Seidou High School in West Tokyo.
Except for Seidou High School, which has been in a slump for the past few years, with two generations of players failing to make it to Koshien. Players from the other teams, as long as they became core main players before their second year, had basically all played in Koshien.
Unfortunately, none of these prestigious schools extended an invitation to Zhang Han.
Oh, not exactly.
Seidou High School did send an invitation, but it was just a simple waiver. The other party didn't send anyone over, so Ono Binchi couldn't discuss it in detail with them. He knew without asking that Zhang Han wouldn't be interested. Seidou High School did not meet Zhang Han's two goals.
First, he requested a reduction in the school selection fee. Since Seidou High School didn't specifically send someone to invite him, it showed that their level of attention for Zhang Han was likely insufficient.
Secondly, Seidou's performance has been plummeting ever since they changed to a new Director, and they haven't made it to Koshien for several consecutive years. For Zhang Han, who dreams of making it to Koshien, this was naturally not a good choice either.
Since it wasn't suitable, Ono Binchi didn't plan to say anything more.
"There are no prestigious schools you want. Players choose high schools, and high schools also choose players. Although many high schools will compete for our Matsukata players, those truly prestigious high schools also have countless geniuses breaking their heads to get in."
Ono Binchi's words were like a basin of ice water poured over Zhang Han's heart.
"I don't want to go yet! Tell me about the ones that can reduce tuition fees."
"Several schools are very sincere. I screened them and kept a total of five. Although they are not prestigious, they also have a certain competitiveness in our Tokyo. If luck is good, making it to Koshien is not impossible. And they are eager for talent, and the proportion of school selection fee reduction is not small."
A regular textile factory foreman's annual income is only two to three million, and she's raising two children.
Ono Binchi believed that for Zhang Han, the proportion of school selection fee reduction should be more important than joining a prestigious school.
Seikou Gakuen in West Tokyo!
Yakushi High School in West Tokyo!
Kukoshikan High School in East Tokyo!
Haruichi High School in East Tokyo!
"They're all strong teams in the top eight and top sixteen!"
Seeing the invitation letters Ono Binchi handed over, Zhang Han was somewhat surprised. But then again, this was actually within reason. Being able to have special admissions itself indicated that the baseball team was very strong at their school. And they could even use the school's authority to reduce the school selection fee. Then it wasn't just a matter of being very strong, but that their entire school, their entire team, was very ambitious.
"There are only so many star players in Tokyo, and they've all been divided up by the prestigious teams. A hidden powerhouse like you naturally becomes a hot commodity. If it weren't for the school selection fee reduction, you would have received even more invitation letters."