"That's really surprising… I didn't expect Manager Kiryu-in to be so amazing…"
Watching Symboli Rudolf follow Kiryu into the back room, Kazuo couldn't help but sigh. Although the people around him usually gave off an unreliable or difficult-to-get-along-with vibe, when they were serious, each of them was a master hiding their true abilities.
"Oh? Kazuo, are you talking about my brother?"
Aoi, who had just come downstairs, heard Kazuo's sigh, her face full of surprise.
"Yes, Manager Kiryu-in seems very skilled in maintenance and repair, as well as in selecting accessories…"
Learning by his side these past few days, Kazuo had also come into contact with professional knowledge he had never had the opportunity to learn before.
Although this might not be a particularly important skill that a Trainer absolutely needs to master, knowing these things is not a bad thing for a Trainer.
As the saying goes, 'many skills don't weigh you down.' Especially understanding these aspects of planning running styles and characteristics that suit the athlete provides more leeway in formulating training plans and assessing intensity and volume.
"Sigh… As for that guy, how should I put it… that's his only good point…"
Compared to Kazuo's admiration, Aoi seemed a little troubled. She rested her cheek on one hand, leaning against the wall, looking somewhat melancholic: "He's stubborn, doesn't like interacting with others, stays cooped up in the shop all day, and even has a slight dead-fish eye. He's 27 years old and has zero dating experience. His parents often try to set him up with girls, but he's always indifferent, even ditching several matchmaking events specifically organized for him…"
"If this continues, he'll definitely end up alone!"
The thought of having to take care of her brother in the future made Aoi's temples throb.
Kazuo, however, understood Kiryu's type of person, someone dedicated to his work.
If you really want to fall in love, the time, energy, and money required are immeasurable.
Japan's low birth rate is actually somewhat related to this.
They all say that "summer has ended" and "the moon is beautiful tonight" are subtle and elegant hints.
Like "the moonlight is like snow in a clear sky," the youthful story of boys and girls will, in an instant, step into the world of adulthood.
And when one is busy running around, mostly striving for their career, those who can balance love and career development are actually very few.
That's why high school romances are so frequent in Japan. Prematurely mature boys will bow and extend one hand in front of everyone, gathering the courage to loudly say, "Please go out with me!"
Girls will slip love letters into shoe lockers and give chocolates on Valentine's Day, pretending they are "giri" (obligation) chocolates.
There are also campus legends about confessions coming true on rooftops, behind warehouses, and under the school's century-old cherry blossom tree.
However—
For Kazuo, this was just the role of an observer.
He would cheer and clap with the crowd during public confessions, or help a female classmate deliver a love letter.
When others in their third year of high school were worried about whether their relationships would survive long-distance separations,
Kazuo didn't even have time to attend cram school. Instead, he stayed home, doing chores, tutoring his sister, and reviewing for himself through "Z Education" correspondence courses.
Although Kazuo eventually ranked first in his grade on the national academic achievement test, and even had the opportunity to receive a scholarship to reduce tuition fees when university results came out in January,
considering the limitations of his major and subsequent expenses, Kazuo ultimately gave up the chance to attend a public university and instead came to Tokyo to seek opportunities.
And now, he has finally reached this point, only needing the last push.
So, Kazuo cherishes this current opportunity immensely.
But similarly, precisely because of family and other factors, Kazuo has never once had any thoughts of falling in love.
Moreover, his view on relationships is quite old-fashioned; compared to fast-food romances, he hopes that both parties can approach the relationship with a sense of responsibility.
Of course—ultimately, he's just a pure-hearted novice in love.
So, hearing about Kiryuuin's situation, Kazuo actually thought he lived quite freely... Of course, if he were that old and still causing trouble for his family, being a NEET who lives off his parents, then he would respectfully decline.
Thinking of this, Kazuo couldn't help but imagine the day some scoundrel would appear before him, directly snatching away his carefully nurtured sister, whom he had watched grow up—
"Ah, no...! Unforgivable!!"
Kazuo's mood soured as his thoughts wandered from Kiryuuin's non-existent love life all the way to Xiao Bei.
Rice Shower and Aoi watched Kazuo as if he'd been in a daze for a while, then suddenly started trembling with anger. He muttered "bastard" while clenching his fists.
"But... to actually meet the President here, even though I just saw her on TV two days ago... when I see her in person again, it feels so unreal..."
Rice Shower seemed to still be recalling Symboli Rudolf's appearance. After all, she is a celebrity at the Academy and is actually extremely popular among students. Although Rice Shower is timid by nature, a presence like Symboli Rudolf is precisely who she admires and wishes to become.
"President? If I remember correctly, the President of Tracen Academy should be Rudolf..."
Aoi paused for a beat, then clapped the table with a jolt and shouted, "Ahhhhh!! Could it be, could it be!! Miss Symboli Rudolf came to the shop!?"
Her eyes instantly turned into stars, and her face flushed like a ripe apple from excitement, her heavy breathing making her seem extremely imposing.
Kazuo was also slightly startled by her appearance.
"Um... she just went into the back room..."
"What!?"
At this moment, Aoi was completely different from her previous calm demeanor, like a changed person, excitedly rushing towards the back room.
Rice Shower and Kazuo seemed to not have reacted, staring blankly in that direction.
In less than a moment.
"Don't kick me out!! I want Miss Symboli Rudolf's autograph!!"
She was practically carried out by Kiryuuin, like a chick being picked up.
Kiryuuin rolled his eyes at her in exasperation, completely ignoring his sister's pleas, and simply re-closed and locked the door.
"You bastard brother!! Tonight you're eating wasabi-dressed horseradish!!"
Aoi, standing outside the door, transformed into a vengeful ghost, could only relieve her resentment in this way.
Kazuo shivered, listening to Aoi's "vicious" curse.
Just imagining the dark dish she described made his heart clench.
.
"Ha... I'm sorry, my sister made you laugh."
Kiryuuin scratched his head, sighed helplessly, and sat back down at the workbench.
Symboli Rudolf shook her head and smiled, "It's fine. I must say, she's a very lively girl. I heard she's also a Trainer, right? She's so young."
"Well, she's only good at studying..."
Kiryuuin shrugged, but after a moment of silence, he spoke again:
"This is a personal request... could you sign your name on this small horseshoe? I'll have it carved onto a cutting board, and then I'll ask you to give it to my foolish sister..."
"Of course, I can, since I've always been taken care of by you—"
Symboli Rudolf deliberately paused, then smiled and said, "So, should we tell her it was your idea?"
"No."
Kiryuuin sighed helplessly, "It would be more meaningful for her if it came from you than from me, wouldn't it? Besides, I just purely don't want to eat wasabi-dressed horseradish for dinner."
After sulking for a while, Aoi probably realized that she was acting a bit out of line.
She coughed lightly a couple of times, as if to adjust herself.
"Speaking of which, there aren't many customers today, it's rare to have such a leisurely time. Is there anything you two would like to eat? My treat, how about popsicles?"
Kazuo felt that it was somewhat inappropriate, after all, he was just here to work, and he had already received too much care.
So he sat up straight slightly and slowly shook his head, saying, "Um... Aoi, there's no need to trouble you. I'll treat Rice Shower. Aoi, how about treating Miko?"
Upon hearing this, Rice Shower waved her hands in surprise, saying, "Rice Shower... Rice Shower doesn't need it... Besides, I didn't do anything..."
"How can you say that? You helped me a lot. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to work in this state today."
Although Rice Shower herself felt that she hadn't helped much, and had even increased Miss Aoi's workload, she had actually helped Kazuo share the work.
Therefore, in terms of praise, Kazuo still wanted to thank this delicate girl separately.
"That's right, you helped Kazuo, so please relax and accept Kazuo's thanks! Moreover, even if you're here to help Kazuo, we will still pay you the same hourly wage as Miko."
Aoi also chimed in, this cautious girl really needed more attention.
Rice Shower's face flushed slightly as she slowly lowered her head, her small hands intertwined as if expressing the complicated feelings in her heart.
"Thank you..."
Kazuo and Aoi exchanged glances and smiled at each other in unison.
At this moment, Miko also walked over from the product area on the other side, "Why are you all gathered here?"
"Miko, you came at the right time. Have the products over there been put back on the shelves?"
As soon as Aoi saw Miko walking over, she instantly leaned in affectionately. As her Trainer, Aoi was completely transformed into an older sister, hugging her dotingly and unwilling to let go.
Although Miko still had a expressionless face, she didn't reject her actions.
But it was also understandable, after all, Aoi usually only had Kiryuuin as her older brother, and had always played the role of the younger sister at home.
And because of Miko's appearance, she also had a Uma Musume who was as close as a younger sister, so the two often seemed particularly close (although it was mostly Aoi who was proactive).
"It's all done... So, are you resting now?"
"Yes, Miko, would you like to sit down and rest? Also, what flavor of ice cream would everyone like to eat?"
"Strawberry."
"I'll have... vanilla?"
"Rice Shower... wants vanilla too..."
"Okay, then I'll be right back!"
Aoi waved her arms enthusiastically, then, as if remembering something, looked at the tightly closed door of the inner room, "Speaking of which, I wonder what flavor of ice cream Miss Symboli Rudolf likes...?"
Kazuo thought for a moment and said, "For the President, it feels like she's the type who would gladly accept whatever you give her...?"
"Yeah... that's definitely the feeling she gives..."
Aoi nodded in agreement with Kazuo's statement.
Symboli Rudolf certainly gave people a mature and steady impression, which was somewhat the opposite of her style on the racetrack.
Even Kazuo hadn't expected that the President, when not at the academy, would choose relatively simple and intellectual attire.
Of course, the novelty and contrast brought about by this difference was probably what many Emperor fans wanted to see, right?
#Symboli Rudolf'sUnknownSide
It feels like such a tag would be pushed to the top of the Twitter trending list.
Aoi walked out excitedly, as for her older brother, he had now entered the first place on her "least wanted to deal with" list, thrown to the back of her mind, a non-existent presence.
However, as soon as Aoi left, the atmosphere in the room instantly became a little strange.
Aoi was like a connecting band or a metronome among the few of them.
Kazuo and Rice Shower could still communicate normally, but for Miko, without Aoi, Kazuo didn't even know how to start a conversation.
Not to mention Rice Shower, unless someone else spoke to her, she was basically the type who wouldn't take the initiative to chat—of course, if someone else did talk to her, she would most likely run away.
As for Miko... And so, the three of them sat there, Miko sitting upright and staring ahead, not knowing what she was thinking, Rice Shower keeping her head down, seeming a little afraid to look at the others.
Kazuo seemed a little troubled, worrying about how to start a conversation.
However, just as he was worrying, the sound of the wind chimes rang out once again.
It was a bit surprising that there would be customers in the store at this time.
Miko had already stood up and walked towards that direction as Aoi had taught her, and Kazuo, sitting at the front desk, subconsciously glanced in that direction.
However, what he didn't expect was that among the two girls who came in this time, there was actually another acquaintance he knew!!
It was really strange, Japan was really small—
Wearing a white tight-fitting shirt with a gold silk brocade ribbon, and a khaki plaid long skirt on the lower body, it had a British style. The high-quality light yellow high-top leather boots were both elegant and fashionable.
The hair ornament on her head was replaced with a gold silk hollowed-out leaf with a light green hair tie, and her long hair was also tied up with a deep blue white-edged hair tie.
Just a light makeup could bring a delicate beauty.
This girl... "Fine Motion...?"
Kazuo didn't expect to meet her here. And the girl behind her also had a beauty and temperament that was no less than hers.
Long light purple hair draped behind her, about fourteen or fifteen years old, her figure was petite, but she gave people a bright feeling.
A round oval face, her appearance was extremely beautiful, her fair and flawless skin revealed a faint pink, and under her silkworm-like eyebrows were watery eyes. At this time, she was obviously also feeling a little novel about the things in the store, constantly looking around at everything.
The milky white gold-rimmed shirt with a deep blue suspender bodice she was wearing looked very delicate, with a silk bow tied around her waist, matched with a feather-like long skirt. A frilled bow ribbon was tied around her delicate white neck, like a little princess, noble, beautiful, and elegant.
Fine Motion appeared in the store with her, instantly possessing a magic that drew all eyes to them.
Just by their aura, it was clear that these two Uma Musume were no ordinary individuals.
Indeed, they were absolute noble young ladies from prestigious families.