High school years, at the school by the sea
Takeichi's Exposure
At a new high school, Yozo's clowning is successful until the dull-witted classmate Takeichi sees through his act, accusing him of missing the horizontal bar on purpose. This moment of exposure plunges Yozo into terror, as he realizes someone can see his true nature. He desperately tries to win Takeichi's silence by feigning friendship, cleaning his infected ears and spending time with him.