"Perhaps your problem is that you aren't paying attention. I've spoken positively of you since I've been here, not just of what I feel you're doing wrong." Hayami cleared his throat, feeling unsure about saying so much when he knew the mindset Yamada was in. With the way the boy had acted when they'd first met, it was no wonder what he didn't accept criticism well. After all, this was the first chance he'd had to really demonstrate his ideas and exert power over a situation, as far as Hayami could tell.

"I gave you this power because I saw your potential. I had hopes for you." In addition, Hayami had spoken highly of this particular choice of student to the chairman, insisting that Yamada would be different. This one would succeed -- he could feel it.

And yet, again, he was doing something wrong, somehow. None of his new projects would acknowledge him or even look at him. Kijima and Yamada were the same. They were nothing like Sonoda, who had loyally followed him even though she had failed in the end. ... maybe the problem really was with him and what he was doing. Thinking about that didn't make him feel any better. It was no wonder he was feeling so much pressure from Gamou about keeping his projects in line.