"Is that Big Brother?"
Hearing the lively and energetic voice from the other end of the phone, Kazuo couldn't help but smile kindly.
"Yes, Xiao Bei, it's me. How have you been at home recently?"
Leaning back against the balcony railing, Kazuo looked up at the star-studded night sky, finally relaxing.
"Big Brother! Why did it take you so long to contact home?"
His sister's slightly aggrieved voice came from the other end of the phone. Clearly, Kazuo, who had been away from home for almost two months, had indeed neglected this matter.
But he couldn't be blamed; he was busy with all sorts of tasks every day, studying in the library, attending rotating classes and taking notes, and occasionally using his free time to do odd jobs to earn living expenses.
Kazuo wished he could be three people at once. Every day after returning to his dorm and washing up, he would continue to read various reference books to prepare for his qualification exams. Exhausted every day, he really didn't have the leisure to call home.
Today was a rare day off, so Kazuo finally made time to call home.
From her tone, the little girl clearly missed her Big Brother a lot.
Although they weren't related by blood, ever since they became a family, as her Big Brother, he had doted on his little sister a great deal.
One could say she almost stuck to him wherever he went—
Because of this, when he had to leave, his sister was incredibly reluctant.
"I'm really sorry... Big Brother is indeed busy here at school. A lot of the time, I get so busy that a whole day passes, and sometimes I do forget about this..."
"Honestly! Big Brother, you don't care about us at all!"
Even over the phone, Kazuo could imagine his little sister pouting and sulking. He broke into a sweat, apologizing, "Hey, Big Brother knows he was wrong, but, Xiao Bei, considering Big Brother specifically mailed you some gifts from Tokyo, will you forgive Big Brother this time?"
Upon hearing Kazuo mention this, his sister's mood improved. She happily replied, "Those candies were so delicious! I gave some to my classmates, and they were all very happy!"
"Mhm, that's good..."
Before Kazuo could finish speaking, Miss Ayako's voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Didn't you just brag to your classmates yesterday, 'These are gifts my Big Brother specifically brought back for me from Tokyo,' and weren't you so happy you couldn't sleep for days after receiving them?"
Miss Ayako's tone was somewhat teasing, but how thin-skinned are little girls? As soon as she said this, his sister's shriek was heard, and she retorted coquettishly:
"That's not true! I never said those things!"
"Alright, alright, is that Kazuo calling? Don't you still have homework to do? Give me the phone; I have something to say to Kazuo."
After Miss Ayako took the phone, she asked with great concern:
"Kazuo, are you getting used to living there?"
"Thank you for your concern, Miss Ayako. I'm doing quite well here. Just as I wrote in my letter, the Academy provides accommodation and gives me the opportunity to study, so I've been very busy during this time."
"I never thought you'd be able to get into Tracen Academy in Central... But you're only studying now, aren't you? Then you don't need to worry about the money. Your expenses in Tokyo probably aren't lower than ours. So from now on—"
"No need, Miss Ayako," Kazuo replied very straightforwardly. "No matter what, I can take care of myself here. And even as an intern, we receive a certain subsidy, so there's no need to worry about that. Besides, regarding Xiao Bei's tuition, I can save every bit I can. Although the money I send back each month isn't much, if it accumulates, it will definitely be enough by the time Xiao Bei needs to attend a specialized academy."
Miss Ayako clearly wanted to say something else, but Kazuo spoke first:
"No matter what, Xiao Bei is my sister. You don't need to worry about anything on my end. I'm already on the right track here. As long as I pass the Trainer qualification exam, I can basically sign a second contract as a full-time employee at the Academy."
"Is that so...?"
"Yes, it won't be long. I also hope to become a qualified Trainer before my sister does."
It was as if he was trying to realize a dream from his sleep.
"Mhm, I believe you."
Miss Ayako had been with Kazuo for so many years; she knew his character all too well.
"It's been over two weeks since I arrived at the Academy, and now I'm much more used to it."
With a lively roommate and a cold boss, Kazuo felt his future was already fraught with difficulties even without his own presence.
But recently, for some reason, Miss Tojo's instances of making things difficult for Kazuo had decreased. Although she still maintained a cold and unsmiling face, her attitude had softened quite a bit.
Just as Koji said, instead of needing others to do something, it's better to rely on oneself.
What he needed to show everyone was his attitude and actions.
Ever since he started reading professional books and taking notes even in the office, whenever he encountered specialized questions he didn't understand, Kazuo would seek help from the experienced Trainers around him.
Over time, not only did their relationship become more familiar, but many people also subconsciously re-evaluated Kazuo. They no longer treated him as a rookie, a mere errand boy to be bossed around.
On the contrary, Kazuo's expressed desire to obtain a qualification certificate was recognized by his seniors, even by the usually stern Miss Tojo.
"In that case, I can rest assured," Miss Ayako said softly, "You've really worked hard, Kazuo."
Perhaps remembering what happened before their farewell, Kazuo smiled upon hearing this:
"It's nothing, it was my own voluntary decision. I don't feel like I'm missing anything, and I'm very happy and fulfilled now. Furthermore, the tasks assigned to me by the academy aren't a burden. So, please don't worry about that."
The relationship between the three of them could truly be described as thicker than water, having supported each other every step of the way until now.
"Is that so? That's wonderful... However, it's getting late, so I won't keep you from resting."
"Good night."
"Good night."
Listening to the dial tone from the other end of the phone, Kazuo couldn't help but stretch with a big yawn.
"I can't believe it's only been almost two weeks... Time seems to fly by so fast, it feels like the blink of an eye..."
He had previously agreed with Hayakawa to watch a race at Fuchu Racecourse this weekend... Tomorrow, he also had to attend the observation of the Elementary School Division's freshman class's low-level self-selection simulation race, which, according to the office staff, was practically a way to internally decide team members.
However, these matters clearly had nothing to do with Kazuo, as he was currently just a rookie apprentice Trainer without even a qualification certificate.
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