The next day.
Tracen Academy New Student Entrance Ceremony—
This was a memorable day, being able to see up close the Uma Musume who would one day grow to Shine on the entire stage. After all, those descendants of prestigious families, children of heaven, who could originally only be seen on television... the closest ordinary people could get to them was from the grandstand of a racetrack, a place called 'Dream Chasing'.
And now, they were walking past him, chatting and laughing.
This was not a dream... and it was also his first day as a newly appointed trainee Trainer...
As the saying goes, new year, new beginnings. Today should also be a commemorative day for my own fresh start.
Clearly, two happy things coincided, so why, why did it turn out like this?
"After confirming your class and seating order, please proceed in an orderly fashion to the teaching building—"
At this moment, Kazuo, dressed in a mascot costume representing Tracen Academy, stood in the center of the academy avenue, guiding the uniformed students towards the academy courtyard.
The first cherry blossoms of April bloomed, and the cherry-colored academy was a dream Eden, but his current situation—
This black cat mascot costume was apparently Chairwoman Akikawa's hobby, designed entirely based on the small cat on her top hat.
Being scrutinized by the Uma Musume as if he were a novelty, Kazuo knew without a doubt that he looked quite ridiculous... As for why he was in this state... the timeline needed to rewind two hours.
.
Room 412.
"I'm going to die—"
A high-pitched scream echoed throughout the dormitory building.
"It's over, it's over, it's over!!!"
Kazuo fumbled with his shirt, while Koji next to him was still sprawled on the floor, sleeping like a log. He hadn't expected that because of this troublesome Senior Okino, Kazuo hadn't slept well at all last night. Waking up and seeing the alarm clock, he was instantly jolted awake.
As a newcomer, he was late on his first day of work!
Kazuo was now wailing in his heart, not knowing what to do.
"Ugh..."
As for Koji, the culprit, he was still mumbling something, turning over casually.
"Senior Okino! Wake up! We're late!!"
At this moment, Kazuo, while putting on his clothes, didn't forget to call out to this unreliable Senior.
..."Hmm? I just... returned to the country yesterday, actually... I'm still on paid leave..."
"Then you've really messed me up!!!!"
Kazuo had a grievance he couldn't express. As a newcomer to the workplace, being late on his first day of work—Kazuo didn't even dare to imagine the consequences.
It was already past eight o'clock. The email received yesterday had specifically stated that staff from all departments needed to be on standby at the Academy by seven.
He rushed out of the room, ran all the way to the office.
"Too slow! Too lax!"
A sharp reprimand, a cool-faced, elegant older woman stood at the door. This person was none other than Miss Tojo, the cold and beautiful interviewer from that day's venue.
And when she saw Kazuo, her expression grew even darker, and she began to criticize him without explanation.
"Late on your first day of work? Do you really have a sense of time? Everyone should have been properly informed yesterday that today you needed to prepare in advance for the new student enrollment, right!?"
"Yes... I'm sorry."
However, Kazuo, knowing he was in the wrong, could only lower his stance and apologize repeatedly.
"I believe you already know, right? I am now your instructor. I'll let you off the hook today. However, all your future performance will be recorded by me as material for performance evaluations and submitted to the higher-ups... If this happens again in the future, I don't think I need to say anything more, do I!?"
The elegant older woman had an imposing presence, her sharp gaze seemed to pierce through Kazuo, and as for her attitude towards him, to be honest, Kazuo had already prepared himself mentally before coming.
"Yes, I understand... I apologize for causing trouble to everyone!"
Perhaps seeing Kazuo's good attitude in admitting his mistake, Miss Tojo also let out a helpless cold snort, then nodded and said:
"Don't let it happen again. Now, I'll assign you some work. The Class Advisors and Trainers for each class have already gone to their respective posts. As for you, wear this mascot costume and go to the Academy's main entrance to be a guide."
Following the direction she pointed, what was placed in a corrugated cardboard box nearby was indeed a black cat mascot costume.
"Huh?"
Even Kazuo was dumbfounded and didn't know what to say.
"Do you have an objection?"
Miss Tojo's eyebrow twitched, and Kazuo quickly waved his hands to explain: "How could I? I'm just a little surprised, what am I doing wearing this..."
"This was Chairman's idea. We need a guide in a mascot costume to be on standby at the main entrance at all times. Today is the entrance ceremony. Some students will get lost, some students will forget the time because they are taking photos with their parents. Sending you there to be on standby is to solve these issues."
Gradually understanding everything—
In short, it was to do the dirty and tiring work.
"Originally, this was something the Trainers decided by drawing lots, but since you dared to be late today, this task is assigned to you, understood!?"
"Yes..."
At this point, he could only accept his fate.
"Remember to go to the Academy auditorium at nine o'clock. Don't be late again then, understood!?"
Watching the intimidating Miss Tojo leave, Kazuo could only sigh, resigned to his bad luck.
.
In summary, this is why he ended up in this state.
But ultimately, it's his own fault... No—
Senior Okino... (gritting his teeth)
If it weren't for this guy, he wouldn't have ended up in this predicament! What's going on, getting so drunk last night... [Sorry, I couldn't help you fulfill your last wish...]
A scene flashed through his mind, but it suddenly made Kazuo's resentment vanish.
He couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Forget it, let it be.