"At least part of the problem is clear enough - our school system isn't well equipped to handle people who don't learn by reading. Instead of trying to meet someone halfway, they just say 'try harder.' He retains things perfectly well after a visual demonstration."

She sighs. "She insisted on a shogi game before climbing the mountain, and didn't bother mentioning she was just kidding until after I'd approximated a to-scale playing space."

They really shouldn't have expected anything less.