The fourth day of working at Grand BLUE.
However, today Grand BLUE welcomed new members.
"Happy Miko, I was called by Aoi to help out."
"Th-that! My name is Rice Shower! I'll do my best starting today, and I hope I can be of help to everyone!"
Her soft, long black bangs covered half of her face, and the girl's blinking eyes seemed to well up with water.
She lightly waved her clasped hands, looking as if she was secretly cheering herself on.
Although it was clear she was still a bit nervous and couldn't fully relax, Rice Shower had already made up her mind to take this step.
Not afraid to talk to others, to help Kazuo through this period.
It's worth noting that yesterday, Kazuo and Aoi had both advised Rice Shower against it, as it didn't have much to do with her.
But Rice Shower always believed it was her fault that Kazuo was in this state, so her attitude became uncharacteristically firm.
She proactively asked to help, wanting to fill in for Kazuo and do her best to assist Asama-sensei as much as possible.
However, Rice Shower seemed not to be good at conversation, with a timid appearance that suggested she might run away if slightly startled.
Kiryuin Aoi understood her intentions, but she had originally planned to politely decline Rice Shower's offer. However, considering that if Kazuo, in his current physical condition, were to help with physical labor, suffering a secondary injury would be the most troublesome outcome.
Furthermore, Rice Shower's attitude was unusually firm, and the group exchanged glances, naturally understanding the deep meaning in her eyes.
Therefore, if she couldn't do anything, a sense of inescapable guilt and remorse would linger in her heart, unable to dissipate for a long time.
So, after consulting Kiryuin, Rice Shower also became a temporary part-timer for this Golden Week.
And as mentioned before, although Kazuo could walk normally today, it would still be very painful if he accidentally touched the injured area.
When he came out this morning, he accidentally bumped into the corner of a cabinet, and it took Kazuo most of the day to recover.
Seeing him like this, Kiryuin Aoi arranged for him to do sitting accounting work this time, sitting at the counter to organize documents, and occasionally he could look at the review materials Toujou Hana lent him, taking notes while working.
For Kazuo, who was preparing for exams, this was indeed a good choice.
However, this feeling of being taken care of still made Kazuo somewhat unaccustomed.
It was like he was always running around, busy with two ends, but now he was told to rest and was assigned relatively easy work… sitting in a chair felt like a dream… But when he saw Kiryuin Aoi introducing the current two to their tasks, just as she had done for him before, Kazuo couldn't help but show a relieved smile.
Although Rice Shower always felt that her "misfortune" had led to all this.
But to see her so full of vigor now, after being accustomed to her timid and clumsy side, it gave people a sense of novelty.
It was like discovering a new and different side of her.
On a side note, Rice Shower, wearing the Grand BLUE staff uniform (which was actually an apron embroidered with the logo), due to her petite size, made the apron look like a dress.
The hem of the skirt reached her knees, and the loose apron made Rice Shower's body appear even smaller and cuter.
According to Kiryuin Aoi, this was already the smallest size available, and when Rice Shower wore it, it gave the impression of a child playing house.
And compared to Rice Shower, who was utterly serious, afraid of missing any detail, and listening attentively to the explanation—
In stark contrast was—
The other person, who appeared much more relaxed and leisurely, showing no emotional fluctuation from the very beginning.
Happy Miko.
That was her name; according to Kiryuin Aoi, she and Kiryuin Aoi met about half a month ago, also at the Branch School's freshman grade race.
Miko's performance was outstanding.
With balanced strength and good leg quality, after achieving a perfect record of three wins in three simulated races in the Rookie King battle, she signed an agreement with Kiryuin Aoi.
This white-haired Uma Musume, though normally appearing dull and unenthusiastic, revealed astonishing potential once she stepped onto the racecourse.
Both were highly anticipated newcomers at the Branch School this year, and their collaboration gave the Branch School even greater prospects for the future.
After all, since Representative Chiaki gained fame and won the Triple Crown with her strength, the Branch School's attention has been steadily increasing.
Before this, prejudices regarding the Branch School's early establishment, such as "a gathering place for students abandoned by the main school" or "the loser's group," were all countered by Representative Chiaki's perfect performance, who rose unexpectedly last year.
Therefore, Kiryuin Aoi and Happy Miko have already received widespread external attention. There are even fan clubs established for Miko, documenting Miko's training progress.
This is the level of attention brought by a mature system.
However, if one had to say, actually, the combination of Asama and Xiao Hai Wan, those in the main campus were also constantly discussing them.
Of course, compared to the former group, these two inspired anticipation, oddity, disbelief, indifference, and disdain.
Various voices appeared around him, but Kazuo remained unaffected, acting at his own pace.
And if given time, when Kazuo truly steps onto the racecourse, it is highly likely that in the future, as Trainers of the same generation, the two will eventually have the opportunity for a true confrontation.
Regarding cross-level learning, Kiryuin Aoi, despite being similar in age to him, had already obtained her Trainer qualification certificate. Moreover, her theoretical knowledge was exceptionally strong; without a doubt, Kiryuin Aoi was a genuine star of the Branch School.
Compared to her, Kazuo was much "poorer," as anyone who knew about it considered him to have "stumbled upon immense luck, meeting a contestant willing to reverse-nominate him."
Although Kazuo didn't say it, the pressure he faced was that this opportunity was only once.
If he truly delayed others because of himself, Kazuo.
If he truly failed, even if Xiao Hai Wan was willing to wait for him for half a year, he would not allow himself to wallow in self-pity.
Therefore, if he truly failed, he would first propose to terminate his contract with Xiao Hai Wan.
Although the two had only made a verbal agreement before, Kazuo took all of this extremely seriously. If he failed to fulfill the agreement, it would mean that he was indeed not qualified. At that time, no matter what Xiao Hai Wan said, he would definitely terminate the contract.
After all, if one is not qualified to bear the other's efforts, then letting go is the best decision.
Of course—
That's what's said, but it doesn't equate to thinking that way.
Fighting for the May exam, not just for himself—
Just as Xiao Hai Wan said, she wanted to be Kazuo's first, so how could Kazuo not cherish this person who was willing to choose him?