"Chairman, please slow down!"
On a bustling street, a petite girl with orange hair streaked in white hurried alongside a tall woman in a green uniform. Chairman Yayoi Akikawa fanned herself dramatically, her blue eyes flashing with irritation.
"Hmph! The canteen chef quit right before freshman orientation. How irresponsible!"
Secretary Tazuna Hayakawa followed dutifully, smiling wryly.
"Finding a replacement—especially another horse girl—won't be easy, Chairman."
Suddenly, Akikawa's nose twitched.
"Mmm… something smells delicious!"
Her eyes sparkled.
"Secretary Hayakawa, let's eat first. We'll hunt for talent after."
"As you wish, Chairman."
They stopped in front of a cozy restaurant. A poster of a beautiful horse girl caught Akikawa's attention.
"Look at her! That's Peach Waves… she's stunning."
Hayakawa nodded.
"Let's try the food. If it's good, maybe we can recruit her."
Inside, Xiao Ning guided them to a window seat. Akikawa scanned the menu and spotted a limited-time item.
"Waitress!"
"Yes, ma'am?" Xiao Ning approached.
"What's grilled cold noodles? I've never heard of it."
"It's a specialty created by our Peach Waves. Super delicious!"
She pointed to the pink-haired horse girl working in the kitchen.
"We'll take two, please."
Akikawa kept staring and couldn't take her eyes off Peach Waves.
"Chairman, your staring is a little too obvious.." Hayakawa whispered.
Akikawa unfolded her fan and hid behind it.
"I'm scouting talent here! So my gaze must be sharp."
Soon, two steaming bowls arrived. Akikawa took a bite—and her eyes lit up.
"Delicious! Hayakawa, you have to try this!"
Hayakawa tasted it and gasped.
"It's incredible… and there's a hint of radish juice?"
"I told you! We're talking to her after this."
That evening, as the restaurant closed, Peach Waves stretched and changed into her training gear.
"Grandpa, I'm heading out!"
"Be safe."
She jogged along the horse girl-only lane, headphones on, warming up.
"Hmm… I feel like someone's watching me."
The gaze wasn't admiring—it felt… predatory.
"In a lawful society, I shouldn't be paranoid. Probably just my imagination."
Suddenly, Tazuna Hayakawa appeared around the corner.
"Ah! Green Devil!"
Startled, Peach Waves turned and sprinted away.
"Wait! Miss Peach Waves—I need to talk!"
"You chased me for two miles! So just say it!"
Eventually, she slowed down, panting.
"What is it, Miss Hayakawa?"
"Let's head back to the restaurant first. The chairman is waiting."
Peach Waves followed, heart pounding with cautious hope.
Back at the restaurant, Akikawa greeted her with a smile.
"Miss Peach Waves, right?"
"Yes, Chairman. How can I help you?"
Akikawa handed her a form.
"This is a chef recruitment offer from Tracen Academy. If your boss agrees, we'd love to have you."
Peach Waves blinked.
"Wait… I'm not being admitted as a student?"
Hayakawa added gently:
"You've just started characterization of a grown horse girl so no need to rush. But if you're interested, you could join the academy later."
"Thank you, Miss Hayakawa. I'll speak with Grandpa after this."
Upstairs, Longjing looked up from his book as Peach Waves entered.
"What's wrong, Little Peach? You look troubled."
She handed him the form. He read it, eyebrows rising.
"Huh… you got into Tracen through your cooking?"
"So, Grandpa… should I go?"
Longjing smiled.
"It's your choice. I'll support you no matter what."
Peach Waves nodded.
"Then I'll go—but I'm declining the student admission."
"Why?"
"A good horse doesn't turn back. They rejected me once—so I won't crawl back."
Longjing chuckled, patting her head.
"Alright, alright. Do what you believe in."
They filled out the form together. Peach Waves contacted Hayakawa, then returned to her room.
In the staff dormitory, Tazuna Hayakawa reflected on their conversation.
"It's still her choice after all. You can't really force a horse girl to become a chef…"
The next morning, after greeting the horse girls, she entered the chairman's office to talk.