Initially, Yuriko was somewhat worried about this overly young teacher.
But perhaps seeing Kazuo's determination eased the melancholy in her heart considerably.
"I... understand."
She also didn't want to see such a thing happen to her daughter.
"Speaking of which, if we chat now, won't it affect the store's business?"
Kazuo still asked an extra question before starting.
"It's fine... Someone else will be coming to work here later, and actually, I'm off today. I'm just here as an acting store manager to check on things."
"Is that so...? Alright then."
Kazuo was relieved to hear that. He took out a notebook from his satchel.
"Then I'll begin now, Miss Yuriko. I will now give you a report on Daijin's life, studies, and overall situation at the Academy, based on what I've gathered. This way, you can have a detailed understanding of your daughter's situation at school."
Kazuo had thoroughly prepared for this visit, even carefully recording the information Xiao Hai Wan had given him about Daijin's situation in the dormitory.
This diligent and responsible attitude made Yuriko look at the young man with black-rimmed glasses a few more times.
"In summary, I believe Daijin's life at the Academy doesn't have too many problems. However, there are a few points I think need attention."
"She seems very concerned about her physical condition, and there have been several instances of overeating at the Academy... While Uma Musume do need to eat as much as possible for nutritional intake, she's currently a bit too eager for success... Honestly, if I'm not mistaken, Daijin probably had this condition before, right?"
Yuriko was a little surprised but still nodded in response, saying:
"Teacher, you are right... But this matter... actually, I should be blamed..."
"Eh?"
As if recalling the past, a trace of sorrow flashed across Yuriko's face.
"...When I was pregnant with Daijin, her father died in a car accident... At that time, to give birth to her, I had to take on several additional housekeeping jobs while pregnant... Perhaps I was too exhausted then, which ultimately led to the baby being born more than two weeks late..."
"Late birth..."
Kazuo had seen this knowledge in relevant books in the library during his qualification certificate studies recently.
The birth of an Uma Musume is not the same as that of an ordinary person. Generally speaking, Uma Musume are usually born between February and May. This is because Uma Musume ovulate during this period, and the fetus develops in the mother's body for approximately 11 months. However, a late birth is the most dangerous situation, as excessive late birth can lead to fetal hypoxia, affecting development, and even more severely, congenital conditions... which is what is known as post-term pregnancy.
"When was Daijin born?"
"June tenth, she was ultimately delivered with medical intervention... She was malnourished and quite small from a young age. Since her father left, it's always been just the two of us, mother and daughter, so she's endured a lot of hardship with me... Perhaps that's why she's so particularly concerned about her height."
Hearing this, Kazuo couldn't help but fall silent.
He couldn't help but think of his own family. Having only had a father since childhood, he could truly understand the difficulties of such families.
And precisely because of this, he must now become the pillar of his current family.
After all, he was the only male left in the family now.
"I already spoke with Teacher Yamaji yesterday. He must have told you that he would be coming today, right?"
"Yes... Teacher Yamaji is a good teacher. At Daijin's junior high school career guidance meeting, since Daijin wanted to enter Tracen Academy, he eventually went to request the principal to help write a recommendation letter and assisted me in applying for tuition fee reduction subsidies. To be honest, I feel very bad to trouble him again now."
As Kazuo listened, he couldn't help but recall what Teacher Yamaji had said last night, and his grip on the pen tightened.
"I see... I understand. Also, I noticed Daijin's junior high school address was in Osaka, right?"
"Yes... After she successfully entered Tracen Academy, we also moved from Osaka to Tokyo. Since Daijin lives in the dorms here, I found a job in Tokyo. And as you can see, I'm now an employee at a flower shop."
"To become an acting store manager in such a short time, you are truly amazing."
"To be honest, I'm ashamed to say I have no talent for racing, so Daijin has completely gotten to where she is now step by step on her own. As a mother, all I can do now is silently support her."
If Daijin were really advised to withdraw, then the mother and daughter's hard-won settled life would be disrupted again.
Especially transferring to a local academy, which would mean the two would have to move around again.
This would cast another shadow on an already not-so-affluent family.
Miss Yuriko, though neatly dressed, if one looked closely, the jeans she wore were actually faded... It's not hard to imagine the ways a financially struggling mother was protecting her daughter's dream, step by step.
Even with tuition fee reduction subsidies, the pressure of living in Tokyo is imaginable... And as a daughter, what kind of pressure was Daijin enduring at the Academy?
Kazuo did not know.
"Daijin, although she seems like an introverted and solitary child at school, she is actually very obedient at home. She's been sensible since she was little, and she even cooks at home herself... So... really, I truly can't believe that such a sensible child... how could she perform so poorly at school and not obey management or anything..."
At this point, Yuriko remembered the difficult days they had spent together and how sensible and obedient Daijin was as a child.
Suddenly, sorrow welled up in her heart, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Looking at the mother before him, Kazuo couldn't help but straighten his posture, gazing earnestly at Yuriko.
"Miss Yuriko, please believe me, your daughter has no problems at the Academy. There is still a turning point regarding the withdrawal, so please, don't give up! No matter what the Academy says, do not back down."
He looked directly at Yuriko with a firm gaze.
"And then—"
"Leave the rest to me!"
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
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