Just as Koji said, after only three days, Kazuo found his results on the website.
While checking, even though he had already compared answers with Tojo Hana and had a good idea of his score, Kazuo couldn't help but feel a bit nervous at that moment.
This feeling of numb hands and feet and an accelerated heartbeat reminded him of checking his national exam results on the results board at the end of January this year...
The two sat around Koji's laptop, entered Kazuo's exam number, and then clicked in—
On his personal page, the electronic transcript that loaded showed a large red seal: "Passed."
"Bang!"
"You're quite something, aren't you!!"
Before Kazuo could react much, Koji slapped him on the head, laughing even more excitedly than him.
For no other reason than the fact that Kazuo's results clearly displayed various data. Not only had he passed the exam, but his score was terrifyingly high, almost a perfect score, earning him a qualification certificate that many people only choose to take after years of study.
Scrolling down further, below the exam results on the website, besides the electronic certificate, there was also a string of ID numbers.
Koji, beside him, explained, "This ID is actually the Trainer's identification code. Having this code essentially means your identity has been entered into the association's archives. After being recorded and filed, you become a formal staff member."
This also meant that Kazuo, apart from the physical certificate and Trainer badge he had yet to receive, was now no different from other active Trainers.
Looking at his ID number, now displayed before him, it was like a key, giving Kazuo the opportunity to open the door to a new world. He slowly took a deep breath, calming his excited heart.
He wanted to cheer loudly, after all, he had worked so hard for this, studying diligently, striving every day.
He managed to pass the exam in just over a month. He condensed what others took four years to learn into this single month, and the hardship involved, only he himself understood.
Now he had received his reward, holding it firmly in his hands—
As a Trainer, this was his first step!
He closed his eyes, seemingly thinking of something, but his mindset quickly adjusted.
"Excuse me, I need to step out for a moment."
With that, he got up and left the room. Standing in the hallway, he took out his phone and dialed his home number.
Xiao Bei answered the phone, and upon hearing her voice, Kazuo's smile was both doting and incredibly happy.
"Xiao Bei? Big Brother did it, you know, I've officially become a Trainer!"
"Really!!"
Xiao Bei was clearly stunned, but the subsequent joy, even across the phone and across vast distances, was genuinely conveyed.
"Yes, Big Brother has completed the first step and is now a formal Trainer, no longer an apprentice. So, Xiao Bei, you must continue to study hard and strive to come here to study as soon as possible. Big Brother will make all the preparations for you first."
Kazuo said with utmost sincerity. This was the promise he made with Xiao Bei. Since coming to Tokyo, he had never forgotten this promise, whether drifting in Tokyo doing odd jobs or working as an apprentice teacher at Tracen Academy, he took one step at a time, slowly reaching this point. Only he knew the hardships involved.
But when away, he only reported good news, not bad. Moreover, now he could proudly boast to his sister, with his head held high, that her Big Brother had accomplished something almost impossible for others.
This joy, this sense of pride, made Xiao Bei also shout excitedly.
"Mom!! Big Brother said he, he passed the exam!! He passed the Trainer exam!!"
Just by listening to the voice on the other end of the phone, Kazuo could imagine Xiao Bei jumping three feet high with the phone receiver in hand.
Urgent footsteps came from the other end. Miss Ayako took the receiver, and she spoke somewhat incoherently, "R-really!? Kazuo, is what you're saying true!?"
"Yes, it's true. I passed the exam with a high score and am now considered a formal Trainer—don't worry..."
Kazuo said with utmost sincerity.
After a brief silence, Kazuo heard faint sobs.
"That's wonderful... that's truly wonderful..."
Miss Ayako said, "If Takehiro were still alive, he would definitely be proud of you!"
Mentioning his father, Kazuo's thoughts became complex. He closed his eyes and sighed softly:
"Yeah... Dad would probably laugh and say, 'Let's celebrate with eel rice tonight...'"
His father was actually the most profoundly influential presence in his life.
He remembered very clearly that his love for Horse Racing was also due to his father. The two of them would sit together in front of the TV, or his father would let him sit on his shoulders to watch races from outside the local Racecourse... If his father were still alive, he would undoubtedly be the happiest one.
Miss Ayako wiped away tears on the other end of the phone. Only he knew the hardships and difficulties his child faced while traveling alone, but Miss Ayako could imagine the struggles he endured while striving in Tokyo alone. To reach this point, it was due to his own efforts, his perseverance, and also a little bit of luck.
However, those pages have been turned, and what awaits Kazuo—
Is a brand new chapter, or rather, a new journey.
But before that, there was one thing Kazuo had always wanted to say, and he absolutely had to say it now:
"Miss Ayako, I can stand on my own now, so you don't have to worry so much anymore—I'm here now, and I can help with Xiao Bei's tuition fees and such. So—please lean on me without worry."
This was what Kazuo most wanted to tell Miss Ayako.
After his father passed away, she raised two children alone. How difficult that must have been for a woman. All the hardships she endured over the years. Even so, even when they were so strapped for cash that sometimes dinner for the three of them was just salted rice balls with seaweed, even at their most difficult, Miss Ayako never chose to give up on him and leave with Xiao Bei.
Instead, she stayed with him, and they made it this far purely by supporting each other.
Now that Kazuo's wings were growing, this home should also have his contribution.
"Thank you for all your care over the years. From now on, I will support this home with you. Let Xiao Bei grow up healthy and happy—I believe Father would also want to see all of this."
Hmm.
This was Kazuo's new beginning, but it was also their new beginning.
A family bond that transcended blood ties, even closer. They had supported each other in the past, and together they would step into a brand new future.
Kazuo firmly believed in the arrival of all this.
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