"I'm really sorry about this; it's a lot of trouble for you."
The staff member here helped Kazuo carry all the items out together.
Kazuo wiped the sweat from his forehead slightly, still shaking his head and smiling, "It's nothing. With this, everything should be done, right?"
After moving more than a dozen boxes continuously, he honestly felt a bit tired from this back-and-forth, but even so, he wouldn't actually say it out loud.
The uncle looked up and gave him another glance upon hearing this, then nodded and smiled, "It's rare to find someone like you who is willing to run errands for others…"
"Huh?"
Kazuo was wiping his sweat when he heard this, and he couldn't help but be taken aback.
"After all, you Trainers are all very busy, aren't you? These kinds of things are usually handled by us, but today there was a slight problem; someone suddenly fell ill… So we're short-staffed, but it's really great that you came to help at a time like this."
The uncle said, his gaze fixed on the racecourse outside the building.
"This day must be very important for you Trainers, right? With so many new recruits to inspect? To still come and help at a time like this, honestly, we feel quite bad about it…"
"No, no, no… Not at all, don't worry about me." Kazuo, seeing the uncle's somewhat apologetic look, quickly waved his hand and advised, "It's nothing, it's not a big deal anyway…"
After all, it would be useless for him to go there anyway, just as Tojo had said, no one would sign a contract with him, right?
"The final four hundred meters! The final four hundred meters! Oh! Competitor number three, Narita Taishin, is actually starting to accelerate! She's moved into third place! But Victory Ticket and Biwa Hayahide aren't giving her any chances!! The main group is holding on tight! Everyone is accelerating at the end, Biwa Hayahide overtakes!! Daijin, Competitor Daijin has been overtaken! Is she out of stamina!? She's already dropped to seventh place… And Biwa Hayahide is pulling away, still accelerating, the final hundred meters, the final fifty meters—crossing the finish line!!! Biwa Hayahide achieves an overtake, clinching first place in this group!!"
"Hmm…"
The commentary from the loudspeaker could be heard even inside the venue, but the results being announced… "You still care a lot, don't you?"
The uncle had been watching Kazuo's expression, and when he was called out, Kazuo scratched his cheek, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Daijin's race seemed to have ended, but from the broadcast, it didn't sound too optimistic… Just as he was thinking this, the uncle seemed to read his mind, patting him on the shoulder and saying, "You've worked hard. Everything here is done. Leave the rest to me."
Kazuo felt a warmth in his heart at the words, but facing the uncle's kindness, he couldn't help but shake his head: "Uncle, will you need help here after the race ends? Can I come back to help then?"
The uncle was surprised at first, but then he laughed heartily and patted his shoulder again, saying, "Of course! I'll be counting on you, young man!"
"Okay!"
When Kazuo emerged from the sports storage room next to the Racecourse, he had just turned a corner when an inadvertent glance made him instantly retract his foot the moment he had stepped out. His reaction speed was so quick that he spun around in an instant, leaning against the wall like a spider.
What did he see?
A familiar back.
A petite figure, fluffy, soft short hair, and a sports t-shirt that clung to her body with sweat, as if she had just been pulled from the water. Her chest heaved up and down as she gasped for breath.
Bent at the waist, holding a hose, she seemed intent on showering her head.
Cold water poured over her head, dripping down her hair with a patter, patter. Yet, she remained frozen in that position, as if stunned.
Daijin… why was she here?
Did she run out of the Racecourse and come here as soon as the race ended?
Kazuo wondered, cautiously peeking his head out.
Cold water poured over her head, letting the stinging sensation spread throughout her body.
She had just run a two-thousand-meter race—
She suddenly lifted her head, patter, patter—
Did she fail again?
At least I got into Tracen Academy, at least I can still run, at least I'm stronger than those Uma Musume who didn't have the courage to come here.
At least—
At least I tried… I should be satisfied, right?
She stared blankly at the sky, a vast, boundless blue sky, but there was no place for her.
I should be satisfied, right? I tried my best, I gave it my all… She lowered her head again, dousing it with cold water once more, as if this could wash away all her troubles.
—
What a joke.
What… a joke.
Her body trembled. Was there really any of her tears amidst the splashing water?
No one knew. Kazuo, silently watching it all, could only gaze on wordlessly.
His heart suddenly became a mess, but he couldn't do anything.
However, even knowing this, his body still moved.
"Um—"
"Who!?"
The girl turned around, looking somewhat disheveled. She was completely drenched, and seeing her like this, Kazuo genuinely worried she would catch a cold tomorrow.
But, compared to a cold, there seemed to be a more serious problem before her.
"How… is it you again?"
The girl recognized the person through her messy bangs. Her tone was very low; perhaps she was too tired to be angry, or perhaps she didn't want to say anything more at that moment.
She just mechanically turned off the nearby faucet, then turned to leave without a word.
"Are you okay? Is there anything I can help you with?"
Kazuo asked worriedly, but this question was met with Daijin's extremely cold reply.
"None of your business."
Seeing the girl about to leave, an impulse drove him, and he called out to her again:
"Daijin, if possible… I want to help you…"
The girl stopped, and replied resolutely:
"Who are you?"
Then she left without looking back.
Leaving Kazuo standing alone.
—
Narita Taishin
Still chose to close her eyes.
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