After the midday rush, she directed her assistants to clean up the kitchen. Just as she reached to close the serving window, a familiar face startled her: Oguri Cap, eyes blazing with determination.
"Please! Five more bowls! I'll do anything!"
Peach Waves blinked, half amused, half concerned.
"You didn't get enough? Alright, come in. There's still food in the pot and rice in the rice cooker."
Oguri Cap didn't wait for the door to fully open before dashing inside. She grabbed what could only be described as a basin, filled it to the brim, and settled on a stool like a warrior preparing for battle.
Peach Waves could only shake her head with a smile.
Just then, Tazuna entered.
"Finished for the day, Miss Peach Waves?"
"Yes, Secretary Tazuna. How was the food?"
Tazuna placed her empty bowl in the sink and nodded.
"Delicious. You've truly impressed me."
But her gaze shifted behind Peach Waves—to Oguri Cap, hunched over her basin like a squirrel guarding treasure.
"Classmate Oguri Cap, why did you enter the kitchen without permission?"
Oguri Cap froze mid-bite.
"I'm sorry, Miss Tazuna! I'll leave right away!"
"No. You should apologize to Miss Peach Waves for the trouble."
Oguri Cap stood, cheeks puffed with rice, and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry, Miss Peach Waves!"
Peach Waves waved her hands, flustered.
"No need! It's my fault—I didn't know the rules. Please don't punish her."
Tazuna sighed, her stern expression softening.
"Alright. But next time, you'll be copying school rules by hand."
"Got it! Thank you, Miss Tazuna!"
After Oguri Cap went back with her snack, Tazuna turned to Peach Waves.
"Miss Peach Waves, may I speak with you privately?"
They stepped outside, the breeze brushing their cheeks.
"Why did you refuse admission to Tracen Academy?" Tazuna asked gently.
Peach Waves paused, then spoke with quiet conviction.
"My grandfather submitted my application. But I wasn't accepted. Now, being invited feels like charity. I want to earn my place—not be handed it."
Her ice-blue eyes glowed with fire. A quiet aura radiated from her—not arrogance, but unshakable dignity.
Tazuna felt it. Not a domain. Not magic. Just pure, magnetic will.
"I understand," she said softly. "We'll always reserve a spot for you. Then please rest well, Miss Peach Waves."
"Thank you."
As Peach Waves turned to leave, Tazuna called out:
"You're truly captivating. I look forward to seeing you on the track."
Peach Waves blushed, waved shyly, and dashed to her dorm.
Back in her room, she flopped onto her bed, cheeks still warm.
"Why did she say that…?"
She shook her head to keep away her thoughts then she popped an energy candy into her mouth. Instantly, her soreness vanished. She stretched, refreshed, and opened her virtual turntable.
"Whoa… over 50,000 radish points?! That's more than 50 pulls!"
She tapped the ten-draw button. Then the wheel start spinning.
Results:
8 boxes of energy candies 1 ordinary speed training potion 1 ordinary strength training potion
She read the descriptions:
Speed Potion: Triples speed training effect. Boost lasts 4 hours.
Strength Potion: Doubles strength training effect. Boost lasts 4 hours.
Peach Waves nodded, satisfied.
"Perfect. I'll use these this afternoon. Energy candy's capped at three per day, so I'll space them out."