Since the teacher's dormitory had a kitchen, after buying the ingredients, the two returned to school and went straight to Qing Dormitory.
After getting permission, they went to the kitchen next to the first-floor lounge.
As it was an independent living space, the kitchen facilities were very complete.
Kazuo had previously said he wanted to cook with Xiao Hai Wan, so after putting on aprons, they stood at the counter, each busy with tasks like washing vegetables and rinsing rice, clearly dividing their labor.
"Hmm hmm hmm~"
Xiao Hai Wan, with her apron on and long hair tied up, had an indescribable allure.
While peeling potatoes, she also softly hummed a song.
Kazuo had heard the melody of this song before; it was a song Uma Musume learned in their vocal lessons, as besides Horse Racing, Uma Musume also had the responsibility of performing on stage.
Listening to the familiar tune, Kazuo's mood couldn't help but relax. Rolling up his sleeves, he was rinsing rice, imagining Daijin and Xiao Hai Wan on stage one day.
"Asama-kun, could you help me get the tableware from the cabinet over there?"
Thinking his daydream had been discovered, Kazuo quickly lowered his head and responded. He took out the dishes from the cabinet and handed them to Xiao Hai Wan.
Xiao Hai Wan, receiving the dishes, happily placed the peeled potatoes on the cutting board, pulled out a kitchen knife, skillfully sliced the potatoes, and threaded them onto thin bamboo skewers. After preparing these, she placed them in a bowl of water to soak.
Seeing Xiao Hai Wan's neat and skilled knife work, it was clear that she had often frequented the kitchen in the past. Connecting this to what she said, Kazuo could even imagine her helping to take care of her younger siblings when she was only in Middle School or even elementary school.
"..."
What a good girl—
He couldn't help but exclaim this, and thinking this way, Kazuo naturally didn't intend to stand by and watch.
After all, when he was frantically studying videos in the computer room earlier, Xiao Hai Wan had sacrificed her own time to take care of him. Without her support, his body might have already broken down by then.
Therefore, he also had to support Xiao Hai Wan well in all aspects.
In every sense of the word.
"Alright, I'll take care of the miso soup here."
Seeing Xiao Hai Wan's enthusiastic demeanor, Kazuo was somewhat influenced.
He excitedly took out seasonings from the cupboard, then, recalling Miss Ayako's steps when she used to make miso soup for him and his sister, he skillfully added various seasonings to the clear broth according to their proportions.
"Does Asama-kun often cook at home too?"
Watching Kazuo's movements, Xiao Hai Wan could tell that what Kazuo had said earlier about helping to cook wasn't just idle talk.
"Yes, after all, our family is on an island in the Seto Inland Sea. If you want to go to the opposite shore, you usually only take a local tourist boat that runs every two hours. The adults in my family often come home late due to work, so if it's just my sister and me at home, I'm usually in charge of the meals."
While speaking, Kazuo picked up a small dish and took a small taste.
Hmm... a little bland.
"Eh, Asama-kun has a younger sister?"
"Yes. My sister is four years younger than me; she's going into her second year of junior high this year. Because my family situation is a bit unique, I gradually became quite good at cooking."
He said this, but Kazutomi couldn't help but recall a long time ago, when Miss Ayako hadn't come home yet, and he tried to act tough and cook for his sister, only to burn the hamburger patties into charcoal-like lumps—
A smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
"Oh, I'm really curious, Asama-kun, you're only eighteen now, right?"
"Well, I'll be nineteen in July."
This casual mention was firmly etched in Xiao Hai Wan's memory.
However, when Kazutomi mentioned his sister, he also opened up.
While skillfully simmering the prepared soup over low heat, he dried his hands and took out his phone from his bag, saying:
"Speaking of her, I have her picture here. Would you like to see it?"
Although he usually didn't show it much, once she was mentioned, he would become like a doting brother.
Asama Kazutomi was just such a person.
"Oh? I'd love to see it~"
Xiao Hai Wan, after all, grew up in an orphanage and helped look after children, so naturally, hearing the word "sister" immediately piqued her interest.
He found the photo; it was a cute picture of his sister hugging a life-sized carrot pillow and making a V-sign at the camera.
A cute little girl with fluffy black short hair. When this photo was taken, his sister was still in elementary school.
Kazutomi remembered very clearly that during a summer festival, when his father won her this prize with an airsoft gun, she was so excited she almost jumped to the sky.
"Heh eh~ She's really cute… Is Asama-kun's sister an Uma Musume too?"
Looking at the innocent smile on the photo, Xiao Hai Wan's maternal instinct to care for children was reawakened.
"Well, my family situation is a bit complicated. She's my stepmother's daughter, but we've always had a very good relationship. If all goes as expected, in another two years, I'd like to send her here to study."
"You want her to become an Uma Musume?"
"Rather than hoping she becomes a certain kind of person, both Miss Ayako and I hope more that she becomes the person she wants to be. This path is her own choice, so as her older brother, I want to protect her dream, don't I?"
Although it was a bit embarrassing to say this, Kazutomi still scratched his cheek and answered honestly.
"So, I'm also working hard here to become a Trainer, hoping that one day I can be a presence that supports her forward."
If it weren't for his sister's dream, he wouldn't have given up the opportunity to enter a public university and instead come to Tokyo to seek opportunities.
However, despite the twists and turns, he now stood in this very place.
Xiao Hai Wan looked at Kazutomi, whose smile had softened as he talked about his sister, and couldn't help but sigh with a smile:
"Then I should also thank your sister. If it weren't for her, perhaps we wouldn't have had the chance to meet, to know each other, and to stand here together, right?"
"Hmm… indeed—" Kazutomi nodded, but then turned his head and smiled, "But now, there's one more reason to become a Trainer."
That is—
"I also need to become a capable Trainer, one who can properly support Xiao Hai Wan and be worthy of you."
That's right, the person who gave him trust and support in the academy was this girl in front of him.
In return, he also wanted to repay this girl's kindness.
To this, Xiao Hai Wan also nodded gently and said:
"Yes, then we must work hard together!"
As the saying goes, a Trainer and an Uma Musume are beings who support each other. No matter what, their relationship seemed to have become even closer…
----------------------------------------
If you'd like to follow the story earlier than the public release, come join my Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/TripleCrown07
There, you can read up to 40 chapters in advance, enjoy exclusive content, and help support me to keep releasing chapters more regularly.
Thank you so much for your support and for being part of this journey! ❤️