Chapter 11 Summary

The Hoanden, a concrete structure that houses the official royal portraits of the Emperor and Empress, is an object that sparks H's curiosity. He makes several attempts to get inside but is unsuccessful. On holidays, the portraits are taken from the Hoanden and put on display at the back of the school assembly hall. During an assembly, the students are standing with their heads bowed as the curtain covering the pictures is removed. H sneaks a peek as the curtain is raised and sees that the pictures are the same as the ones hanging in everyone's homes.

Later, H asks the vice-principal why students are not allowed to look at the photographs at school and why they pay their respects as if they are worshipping a god. The vice-principal explains that even though the Emperor looks like a person, he is really a...