Today was the day of the Trainer Qualification Certificate exam.
Saito Asuka stood outside the examination hall, continuously repeating the action of 'taking deep breaths.'
Don't be nervous... don't be nervous...
The man patted his cheeks and shook his head.
Hadn't he long prepared himself to face this day? As long as he performed well, there definitely wouldn't be any problems...
"...How much longer are you going to stand here?"
Nakayama Megumi, who had driven him here, lightly kicked his thigh with her leg: "The exam is about to start, aren't you going in?"
"Megumi, do you think I can pass the exam in one go?"
The deeply conflicted Saito Asuka turned to Nakayama Megumi standing beside him with a pleading look: "...I'm so nervous right now, what should I do?"
"...You're already standing here, and only now you tell me you're nervous?"
Nakayama Megumi looked at her lover beside her, who was staring back at her with a tense expression, and her face grew increasingly helpless.
He seemed so relaxed on the way here, so why was he getting more and more nervous now that they'd arrived?
"Alright, alright, stop thinking about all that messy stuff."
Seeing Saito Asuka's grave expression as if facing a formidable enemy, Nakayama Megumi walked behind him and gently pushed him forward.
"If you don't go in now, you'll end this exam with an 'absence.'"
She looked at Saito Asuka, who turned his head to glance at her, and continued: "...Can you accept that outcome?"
"..."
Hearing Nakayama Megumi say this, the man finally stopped hesitating and let himself be pushed through the door.
"Good luck on your exam, I'll be waiting for you outside."
After making a cheering gesture towards Saito Asuka standing inside the glass door, Nakayama Megumi turned without hesitation and walked towards the car parked under the tree.
Hmm... While he's taking the exam, I can just use this time to think about how the plot of my new book should develop next.
After getting back into the car, Nakayama Megumi first turned on the air conditioning, then pushed the seat back to make herself more comfortable.
"Haaah..."
But just as she started thinking about the next plot development in her most comfortable position, she opened her lips and couldn't suppress a yawn.
Hmm...? It's only 1 PM already?
Nakayama Megumi, wiping the reflexive tears from the corner of her eye, glanced down at the time and realized it was only just past 1 PM.
What the... Nap time isn't even over yet.
Thinking it was already 2 or 3 PM, Nakayama Megumi pondered for a moment, then obediently closed her eyes.
In that case... I'll just take my usual nap and get up later.
...
"..."
Saito Asuka took his seat.
Staring at the computer screen displaying the words 'Please wait patiently for the exam to begin,' Saito Asuka, once again dominated by nervousness, distinctly felt his heartbeat gradually quickening.
...This habit of getting nervous whenever facing important matters really is something I can't change.
The man smiled wryly to himself, inwardly poking fun at his own tendency.
But... I can't afford to lose.
Saito Asuka closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.
He repeated this action several times until the crisp bell signaling the start of the exam rang. Only then did the man open his eyes.
I still have things I need to protect, so no one can stand in my way!
The man with faint dark circles around his eyes grabbed his mouse and focused intently on the computer screen.
Just a Trainer Qualification Certificate exam... Watch me clear this in one go—!
Saito Asuka was fired up.
Let me see, the suitable distance for long-distance Horse Girls is...
Saito Asuka chose the last option without hesitation.
Next question... Huh?
Seeing the second question, the man was momentarily stunned. After filling in the answer, instead of continuing immediately, he skimmed through the subsequent questions.
These questions... I feel like I've done them all before?
Discovering that he could answer each question almost immediately after reading it, Saito Asuka felt an unexpected surge of exhilaration.
Doing lots of practice questions really pays off!
At this moment, Saito Asuka deeply understood what it meant to "write as if guided by divine inspiration," experiencing the same confidence top students had during exams back in his school days.
"I'm finished."
...And also, that feeling of being the center of attention when everyone's eyes were on him as he left the exam hall early.
"Megumi? Megumi?"
Walking out of the exam venue with ease, Saito Asuka approached the car and saw Nakayama Megumi sleeping inside.
He knocked on the window, but when there was no response, he tried pulling the door handle. Finding it locked, he could only take out his phone and call her.
"Mmm... Haaah..."
Awakened by the phone ringtone, Nakayama Megumi first let out a sleepy yawn, then rubbed her eyes and picked up the phone.
"You're done already?"
As she picked up the phone, she heard knocking nearby and looked over to see Saito Asuka standing outside the car.
She glanced at the time displayed on her phone and blinked.
"Was the exam too difficult? Did you give up?"
"Your first thought when I leave early is that I gave up?"
Opening the car door and sitting in the passenger seat, Saito Asuka replied discontentedly, "...Did it never occur to you that I might have finished early because the questions were too easy?"
"..."
Nakayama Megumi frowned in thought, then shook her head under Saito Asuka's gaze.
"Can't imagine it at all."
"You... never mind."
The man initially wanted to say more, but after recalling his own student days, he sighed helplessly.
"So, shall we head back now?"
Nakayama Megumi asked while fastening her seatbelt.
"No rush."
The man shook his head and adjusted the seat's recline angle.
"We can go after you finish your nap."
He said this, then covered his mouth and yawned.
"...I could use a nap too."
"Oh."
Nakayama Megumi nodded and locked the car doors again.
"Well then... good afternoon."
...
"Hey~ Good afternoon~?"
When Saito Asuka opened his eyes again, he had returned to the Himeji branch of Tracen Academy.
Seeing Saito Asuka sit up, Bamboo Elegance, who was about to leave the chairman's office, playfully winked at him: "How was your sleep? Did you dream?"
"If you did dream... did you happen to see me in it?"
"..."
Saito Asuka didn't respond, only glanced around.
"Where's Megumi? Where is she?"
Then, he posed the question to Bamboo Elegance.
"Ignoring me like that hurts my feelings, you know?"
Bamboo Elegance said this first, but after locking eyes with him for a few seconds, the black-haired Horse Girl muttered under her breath and answered his question: "...Miss Megumi went back after bringing you here."
"I see..."
Saito Asuka nodded in understanding, then remembered he hadn't dealt with today's paperwork yet. He climbed out of bed and headed toward the desk.
...Better get all these documents sorted first.
"By the way, Trainer, it'd be better for you to get some early rest tonight, don't you think?"
But just as he sat down in the chair and picked up a pen to sign the first document, he suddenly heard Bamboo Elegance say this to him.
"What's wrong?"
Hearing this, Saito Asuka was taken aback, then looked up at the black-haired Horse Girl who had already reached the door: "...Why say that all of a sudden?"
"Well... because when Miss Megumi left, I overheard her say, 'I'll come see you at seven tomorrow morning.'"
Pulling the door open, Bamboo Elegance imitated Nakayama Megumi's tone.
...Megumi is coming tomorrow morning?
Saito Asuka, who had intended to stay up late, looked at the pile of documents in front of him and showed a troubled expression.
But... if I don't pull an all-nighter, there's no way I can finish all this paperwork.
"Trainer, I'll be heading back now, okay?"
While the man was lost in his dilemma, Bamboo Elegance slid open the wooden door and left the room.
"...Understood."
Saito Asoka sighed and gave his response.