Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 628 Northern Black Steed Still Wants to Be an Assistant Secretary
Northern Genko spoke these words quickly and brightly, his eyes sparkling with eagerness, as if he could already see himself sitting at his desk, capable of helping Yasui Makoto process documents.

Even in that instant, a picture quickly formed in her mind:
I changed into a sharp and smart business suit, just like those powerful professional women on TV!
Hair... should also be tied up like it was when Hayako-senpai and Yamato-senpai did their experiments?

You'll also need a pair of glasses, just like... just like...

That's right! Just like the kind that emperors wore when handling official business!

Yes! Wearing glasses... would definitely make you look especially intellectual and reliable!
Then, holding a thick training data table in one hand and skillfully operating the computer with the other, the screen was full of complex graphs...

Ah Zhen only needs to stand to the side and nod, and she will immediately understand his meaning and arrange everything in an orderly manner...

At that time, Senior Suko will probably push up her glasses and speak in an approving tone, like, "Kukuku... I didn't expect you to be somewhat useful."

Senior Yamato would cross his arms and give a satisfied smile that said, "Well done, Kita."

And then there are Xiaoxingmu and Xiaofen; they will definitely look at me with those sparkling, adoring, and amazed eyes, whispering, "Senior Xiaobei is so amazing...!"
Most importantly, Ah Zhen would look at her with that kind of... that kind of gaze she loved most, full of complete trust, calm and warm, and say to her, "You did a great job, Xiao Bei, thanks to you."

"Hey hey hey..."

Beibu Xuanju was completely absorbed in her imagination, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud, her steps becoming light and unsteady.

Yasui Makoto paused for a moment.

He turned his head to look at Beibu Xuanju, who was grinning foolishly beside him. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, which then turned into a helpless chuckle.

"Assistant...secretary?"

He repeated it, shaking his head almost without thinking:

"This is not something that can be done well with just enthusiasm."

"Even just assisting trainers requires a strong professional background, such as data analysis, schedule planning, basic nutrition, and communication skills with various parties... These are not skills that can be mastered overnight."

He spoke objectively and calmly, considering the matter entirely from a realistic perspective. He didn't take this sudden suggestion too seriously, regarding it merely as a fleeting thought from the Northern Black Horse.

Finally, he shook his head again, his gaze returning to the main hall of the shrine at the end of the approach, and he concluded in a gentle yet undeniable tone:

"Besides, your most important task right now is still training and competition, so it's best not to get distracted... Let's go, we'll be there soon."

"Huh—? But..."

Northern Genko instinctively wanted to refute, but Yasui Makoto's matter-of-fact attitude was like a gentle breeze, instantly dispelling her newly generated enthusiasm.

She blinked, watching Yasui's retreating figure.

The tiny bubbles of excitement that had just begun to form in my heart about the "assistant secretary" burst in a few quick bursts.

"Oh fine."

She muttered something under her breath and scratched her head.

Anyway, I just blurted it out on a whim, and if A-Zhen says no... then it probably really doesn't work.

Thinking this, she jogged a few steps to catch up with Yasui Makoto, her attention quickly drawn to the solemn shrine buildings and bustling worship procession ahead.

"Hurry up, Ah Zhen! Let's make a wish too!" Her voice regained its usual energy, as if the suggestion had never been made.

After paying homage at the temple, ringing the bell, bowing, and making a wish, the Northern Black Horse's mood was as bright and cheerful as the clear blue sky today.

She drew a "Great Fortune" fortune slip and was as happy as a child. She waved the slip in front of Yasui Makoto again and again until he smiled and nodded, saying, "Very good, it's a good omen." Only then did she happily and carefully put it in her pocket.

Touching the fortune slip in his pocket, a symbol of good luck, the previously easily dismissed idea of ​​becoming an "assistant secretary" seemed to be quietly revitalized by this auspicious omen, and it resurfaced from the depths of his heart, filled with a sense of resentment. ...Huh? If I drew "great luck," does that mean my previous idea...could actually work?

Thinking this, Kita Genko followed Yasui Makoto, and the two strolled around the shrine with the crowd.

The various roadside stalls were bustling with activity, the aroma of grilled squid and the sweet scent of candied apples mingling in the crisp early spring air.

Kita Genko's gaze swept over the goldfish scooping basin and the shooting stall with hanging balloons. Normally, she would have excitedly dragged Yasui Makoto to play, but at this moment she seemed a little absent-minded.

The aroma of the grilled fish didn't seem so tempting anymore, and the colorful balloons had lost their former appeal.

Her thoughts had unconsciously drifted back to the conversation they had just had. The excitement brought by the "good fortune" fortune slip was intertwined with her desire to help Yasui Makoto and to get closer to his world, swirling repeatedly in her mind.

She stole a glance at Yasui Makoto beside her, who looked calm and collected. He seemed unconcerned about the previous suggestion and was focused on looking at the scenery around him.

She pursed her lips, clutching the fortune slip in her pocket, and finally made up her mind.

"Um, Zhen..."

She stopped, grabbed Yasui Makoto, took a deep breath, and spoke again:
"I...I still want to give it a try! Like I just mentioned, the assistant or secretary thing."

She paused, struggling to organize her thoughts:

"You see, although Senior Suko and Senior Yamato have helped you a lot, they both have their own things to do."

"It seems like the team is indeed lacking someone who can specifically help you with daily tasks and assist with training."

"I think... I can give it a try!"

Caught off guard by being pulled back, Yasui Makoto was momentarily surprised.

Hearing these words from the Northern Black Horse, he was even more surprised.

He thought the topic was over, but to his surprise, she brought it up even more seriously after she drew her lot.

Seeing her eyes sparkling, no longer filled with the excitement of a sudden whim, but with a clear expectation and a rare persistence.

He suddenly realized that this might not be a spur-of-the-moment idea of ​​hers.

He pondered for a moment, thinking that since she had mentioned it twice, it seemed that she did indeed have some ideas.

Then I need to respond more seriously and clearly explain the difficulties and my own considerations.

"Give it a try..."

As he said this, Yasui, as if pondering a training plan, pinched his chin and looked around.

His gaze swept over several food stalls, finally settling on a stall selling steaming hot taiyaki.

The hot iron mold emitted a sweet aroma, which was especially tempting in the cool air.

"Wait a moment." He said to Kita Genko, walked towards the stall, and quickly returned with two paper bags, handing her a steaming hot taiyaki. "Eat it while it's hot."

Although expecting a response, Beibu Genko simply grunted "Mmm" and happily accepted it.

A sweet aroma wafted over, and she took a small bite, the warm sweetness of the red bean filling melting in her mouth.

(End of this chapter)