In the blink of an eye, the end of the month arrived.
The academy was closed for the holidays as scheduled. For a multitude of students, this was a holiday to rest and relax.
However, for some people at the academy, this holiday would be relatively busy.
The day before the holiday, Tojo had already taken Symboli Rudolf and her team to Chiba Prefecture to make final preparations for the Satsuki Sho Race at Nakayama Racecourse on April 30th.
Koji had also disappeared to God knows where a day earlier, according to him, he was going to travel to various places during this holiday.
Before leaving, Xiao Hai Wan specifically exchanged emails and added LINE accounts with Kazuo.
As for Kazuo, he was currently standing in front of a large shop in Odaiba, repeatedly comparing the address information Tojo had sent him with his phone.
Carrying his backpack, a change of clothes, and various study materials, Asama Kazutomi arrived here early in the morning.
The shop is located in the commercial center of Odaiba, and the shop's name is—
"Grand BLUE"
The signboard has a surfboard hanging on top, with "Grand BLUE - Sports Shirase" carved into it.
Below, carved from wood, are the words: [Horse Racing Supplies Store].
"This should be it, right…?"
Though, just from the exterior decor and title, it looks more like a surf club.
However, that being said, displayed in the window are all sorts of Horse Racing athletic equipment, as well as mannequin models dressed in Horse Racing competition attire.
On a poster in the shop, Kazuo even saw an advertisement for Symboli Rudolf participating in the Satsuki Sho.
According to online reviews, this seems to be a particularly famous shop. Besides students, many Central event competitors often come here to purchase and adjust their Horse Racing equipment.
The owner's name seems to be Kiryuuin.
And by the way, it wasn't until he arrived here that Kazuo realized something.
This shop is only one street away from Yuriko's flower shop; what a coincidence.
He'll go bother her when he has some free time.
However, thinking about the seven days he would spend here, Kazuo couldn't help but exclaim:
"I can't believe it's a Horse Racing supplies store…"
Looking at the time, it seemed the shop had just opened for the day.
After standing outside for a while, Kazuo made up his mind, pushed open the shop door, and walked in.
The wind chimes at the entrance swayed gently, emitting a pleasant sound.
Upon entering the shop, a sense of professionalism immediately greeted him. The spacious interior was filled with Horse Racing competition equipment as far as the eye could see.
Here, Horse Racing boots, maintenance tools, special horseshoes, cleaning supplies, and even competition outfits—all necessary Horse Racing supplies—were readily available. This was Kazuo's first time in such a place, and he couldn't help but widen his eyes, scanning the dazzling array of items in the shop.
In addition to Horse Racing equipment, there also seemed to be products for other sports, but overall, at first glance, about eighty percent of it was related to Horse Racing.
After all, Horse Racing is currently the most popular global event. It is not only popular among the public in Japan but also has an extraordinary influence and attention overseas.
Not to mention, the Japan Cup held at the end of the year in Japan is an international invitation race. At that time, excellent competitors from various countries around the world will also be invited to participate in the competition, competing on the same stage with the generational standouts from the Central events.
A display board for Horse Racing boots on the side even read, "Competition boots designed to circle the Earth once." Although it was a somewhat exaggerated advertising slogan, it showed that the Horse Racing boots used for competition were specialized and not ordinary athletic shoes worn by people.
Just as Kazuo was still standing there, observing and full of admiration.
A fresh-faced girl with beautiful, shoulder-length black hair, wearing a white T-shirt with the shop's logo printed on it, walked over from the counter.
"Welcome, how may I help you?"
The girl, as a shop assistant, asked very politely. Seeing this, Kazuo quickly pulled out his phone.
"Hello, I'm Asama Kazutomi, introduced by Tojo to help out at the shop."
"Ah," the girl seemed to realize, covering her mouth lightly and saying, "You're the one my brother said was coming to the shop today. Excuse me, please wait a moment."
With that, the girl turned and jogged to the staircase at the back of the shop, shouting loudly upwards:
"Brother!! Time to get up! Ahua's helper is already here!"
Soon, there was a thumping sound from upstairs, followed by a dull thud.
A disheveled man with long, unkempt hair, wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts, and flip-flops, came downstairs, rubbing his hair and yawning.
"Brother, why are you only wearing that out here!?"
Ignoring the girl's lecture, he walked downstairs, still sleepy-eyed. Seeing Kazuo, he patted his head and greeted him somewhat lazily.
"Yo, I already know the details from Ahua. You're her student, right? Asama Kazutomi?"
"Um… it's Asama Kazutomi."
"Well, close enough. Nice to meet you, I'm Kiryuuin, and this is my sister, Aoi."
"Nice to meet you, Asama-kun. I'm Kiryuin Aoi, and this is the person in charge of this shop, Kiryuuin Kiryu."
Apparently, Aoi couldn't stand her brother's slovenly appearance, so she introduced herself again.
However, when his name was mentioned, Kiryu made a displeased 'tsk' sound.
"Hey, go ahead and laugh. My parents were extremely irresponsible back then, just slapped a name on me, like Yamada Maya." He was still sleepy-eyed. "Anyway, you can call me manager, or Kiryuuin."
He is the owner of this Horse Racing equipment shop called Grand BLUE.
Although he doesn't look very old.
"Brother and Ahua were college classmates, but unlike Ahua, he didn't choose to become a Trainer after graduation. Instead, he came back here to run the family's original shop."
Perhaps sensing what Kazuo was thinking, Aoi thoughtfully added from the side.
"Oh. If Senior Kiryuuin and Tojo are classmates, then that means… he's also classmates with Koji?"
"Hmm, you know him?"
Seeing Kazuo mention that name, the usually laid-back Kiryuuin clearly sobered up a lot.
"Senior Okino and I are roommates."
"Tsk, has that guy come back?"
Surprisingly, although one might have expected them to be good friends, upon hearing that Koji had returned, a murderous aura instantly appeared on his face.
"That guy owes me money from college and hasn't paid it back until now. How dare he come back?"
—
Well, it's something Koji would do, you can imagine.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/TripleCrown07
If you guys wanna check it out.