Morning.
The first thread of sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains and fell softly across Kuroha's bed.
He slowly opened his eyes, reached out—habit guiding his hand toward the phone on the nightstand—then paused mid-air.
He turned his head.
A blonde girl slept soundly beside him.
Careful not to wake her, he slipped out of bed and dressed.
Kuroha headed to the kitchen.
With a team nutritionist on staff, he hadn't made breakfast himself in a long while.
But since Obey Your Master was here today,
he decided to put on the apron again.
Before long, breakfast was ready and set out on the table.
After a brief hesitation, he opened the bedroom door and stepped back inside.
Obey Your Master was already awake.
She had been listening to Kuroha bustling about in the living room, hugging the quilt and just about to drift back to sleep— when he came in.
"Morning, Trainer."
She greeted him with a small, playful smile.
"Awake?"
Kuroha walked over and tugged the blanket up to her shoulders.
"I'm heading to the Academic Affairs Office to finalize your transfer.
There's breakfast on the table—don't forget to eat.
And if anything comes up, call me. I'll be around Central all day."
Listening to Kuroha's gentle nagging, her smile deepened.
She nodded, clearly content.
Certain she was fine, Kuroha changed into neat casuals and prepared to head out.
Before leaving, he pushed today's stamina-and-power training plan to the team chat,
then left the dorm.
The Academic Affairs Office at Central Tracen Academy sat on the first floor of the main building.
By early morning, students and trainers were already lining up to handle paperwork.
Kuroha explained his errand at the counter.
The staffer—a bespectacled middle-aged woman—took his documents with a practiced smile.
"Understood, Kuroha-sensei.
We received Obey Your Master's transfer request yesterday. All materials are complete and verified."
As she spoke, her hands danced across the keyboard.
A moment later, the printer hummed. She handed over a freshly printed confirmation sheet.
"Congratulations, Kuroha-sensei. Obey Your Master's transfer is now officially complete.
From today onward, you can view all related data in the trainer system, and her profile has been synced to your team account."
Kuroha accepted the confirmation and let out a breath of relief.
The smooth process saved him a lot of trouble—and meant she could fold into team training that much faster.
He thanked her and turned to leave.
Just as he reached the doorway, a slim figure stepped out from inside.
Kuroha shifted sideways on instinct; their gazes brushed for the briefest moment.
A shoulder-length black-haired girl—delicate features,
around eighteen,
with the air of someone newly graduated and about to step into university life.
But her face was shadowed by clear disappointment.
Her shoulders drooped, eyes a little unfocused, as if she'd just taken a hit.
Kuroha's eyes lingered a second.
She looked familiar… but he couldn't place where he'd seen her.
They passed each other.
Just then, her downcast mutter carried clearly to his ears:
"Sigh… How are there no intern trainer slots this year…
I'd hoped to study at Central… Do I have to wait till next year…?"
Kuroha's steps halted.
Intern trainer?
He suddenly remembered: as a newly minted trainer with momentum,
he could file for an extra-quota intern position.
Every year, the Academy recruited outstanding students from various universities' trainer programs
to apprentice under active trainers.
Like Tarou Yuzuhara before—he'd apprenticed under that old gentleman in the US for several years.
Kuroha himself had toyed with the idea of recruiting an intern when work got hectic…
and then forgot to file the request.
On that thought, he turned and called out to the girl nearing the exit.
"Wait a moment."
She stopped and looked back.
"Do you want to be an intern trainer?" Kuroha asked.
The black-haired girl blinked, a little lost, then nodded.
"Which school?"
"…University of Tokyo. Trainer Faculty."
Kuroha's eyes lit up.
Top-tier, huh.
"First-year?"
She tilted her head, as if his face nagged at her memory. So familiar…
"I'm Kuroha," he said, "trainer of 'Chasing Light.'"
Her eyes widened—star-bright.
The only trainer who passed Central's assessment this year.
Trainer of the South Kanto Triple Crown horse girl and this year's Derby winner's team!
"Hello! I'm Aoi Kiryuin!"
"First-year at Todai's Trainer Faculty. I came today to see if Central had any intern openings!"
She bowed quickly and introduced herself, words tumbling over one another.
Trainer programs were flexible.
Classes and exams were one path;
but for trainers, recognition by an active Central trainer could be a golden shortcut—
a strong endorsement to qualify for a Local Trainer license after passing the exam.
Across from her, Kuroha froze for half a heartbeat at her name—
and a memory surfaced.
Aoi Kiryuin?
Wasn't that the starting friend card from the gacha in his previous life?
The iron-willed rival in the URA storyline…
Trainer of that sunshine-rainbow white pony—Happy Meek?
And "Kiryuin"…
A family name with pedigree in the trainer world—the Kiryuin house.
Yes—there were "houses" not only among horse girls but among trainers as well.
"I only wanted a helper," Kuroha mused, "and drew an UR?"
Seeing him quiet, Aoi hurried to add,
"Kuroha-senpai, I ranked first in this year's entrance exam at Todai's Trainer Faculty!
If you take me as your intern, I absolutely won't let you down!"
Then she went full "craftsman spirit,"
bowing deep from the waist. "Please!"
Kuroha blinked, then smiled. "No need to be so formal.
Here's the deal: I do happen to need an intern to help with some day-to-day work.
Try it for a few days and see if it fits.
If it does, you're my intern."
Aoi clenched her fists, eyes sparkling. "I definitely won't disappoint you!"
She'd thought she'd have to wait a year—
and then, a turn of fate opened a door.
Come on, Aoi Kiryuin—take that slot. Don't waste this chance!
They returned to the counter, and with a few words from Kuroha to the staffer,
Aoi's name was temporarily added to his team as an intern trainer.
"Great."
Walking down the steps, Kuroha glanced at the confirmation text on his phone and smiled.
"When are you free? I'll take you to the training grounds and run through your duties."
"Anytime!" Aoi shot her hand up, brimming with energy.
"Tomorrow, then," Kuroha said, pleased by her spirit.
"3 p.m. I'll send you the address—come straight over."
"Yes, Kuroha-senpai!"
(End of Chapter)
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