The central training field of Tracen Academy was always lively.
But today, the training field was even more animated than usual.
This was because an extremely eye-catching "supergroup" occupied the most central rest area.
"Gold City, the 'Beauty of the Century' who had just recovered from an injury, was receiving rehabilitation strength training, and her 'do not approach' aura turned the surrounding ten meters into a vacuum zone"
"TM Opera O, the 'Conqueror of the Century's End' and her equal in fame, was performing elegant stretching exercises; every movement was like a meticulously choreographed dance, attracting countless gazes"
"Meanwhile, the mad scientist Agnes Tachyon held several instruments, recording every data point of her run, while muttering to herself"
"Even Manhattan Cafe, who was rumored to have become a 'Ghost', remained sitting quietly on the sidelines"
Although she remained silent, her gaze constantly followed the man who was currently giving them instructions in the center of the field.
This man was naturally Kaito
His four "girlfriends" had come today under the pretext of "rehabilitation training guidance by the Chief Rehabilitation Therapist"
However, Kaito's gaze did not linger on them for long.
His sight, like a precise radar, continuously scanned the vast and crowded training field.
Soon, he found his target.
On the furthest, most remote, and almost forgotten path, a figure that looked smaller and more fragile than any other Uma was running in silence, completely alone.
Rice Shower
She was like a drop of ink accidentally spilled into transparent oil, completely out of place with the lively and sunny atmosphere surrounding her.
Kaito's brow furrowed slightly.
He noticed that when the solitary figure of Rice Shower ran past the other Umas, the girls who had been laughing and playing fell silent instantly, as if they had seen something unfavorable.
Then, instinctively and with extremely obvious movements, they stepped aside to let her pass.
It was as if she were carrying some contagious plague.
Once she had fled far away, those girls would immediately gather again, lowering their voices to point and whisper at her receding figure.
Their eyes contained a complex mixture of fear, disgust, and a hint of loathing.
Kaito walked silently toward a small group of Umas who were talking about her.
He clearly heard their conversation.
"Look, the 'Black Assassin' is here again..."
"Oh my God, what bad luck, I think I'm in the same group as her for the afternoon training session, I feel like she's going to absorb all my luck"
"Shh... shut up! I heard she's terrifying, any 'target' she sets her sights on ends up losing miserably in the race..."
"She's just a demon..."
Gold City had passed by at some point.
While listening to the chatter, she mocked with disdain:
"A bunch of spineless cowards, blaming others when they lose a race is ridiculous"
But then, she looked at Rice Shower's back and added:
"However... that gloomy aura around her really is annoying"
TM Opera O also fanned herself and offered her "artistic critique"
"A victor who is not even capable of bringing smiles and blessings to the public is, at best, a mere pathetic clown on stage for entertainment, her victory possesses no aesthetic beauty"
Kaito did not speak.
His gaze pierced through the crowd, the prejudice, and the malice, and focused silently and intensely on Rice Shower, who was running alone.
He saw it.
She was clearly running very fast, as fast as the wind.
But there was no joy or passion on her face, only a deep and undisguised pain and struggle.
Every breath she took was ragged, as if someone were clutching her throat.
Every movement of her arms was heavy, as if she were burdened by a thousand-pound yoke.
The track she was running on was by no means one she could be proud of.
It was a path leading to self-destruction... an endless execution ground.
In that moment, Kaito finally understood the suffocating weight carried by the thin file labeled "Fierce Umas" that he held in his hand.
Her problem was not physical or technical.
It was in her heart, which had been pierced and filled with holes by the misunderstanding, abuse, and harsh criticism of the world.
A powerful surge of protective and healing desire, mixed with pity and anger, rose uncontrollably from the depths of Kaito's heart.
The bell signaling the end of training rang.
Rice Shower stopped running.
Instead of heading to the lively rest area like everyone else, she walked alone, with her head bowed, toward the abandoned faucet in the furthest corner.
Kaito took a bottle of sports drink he had prepared earlier, which was at the perfect temperature, took a deep breath, and walked toward that lonely figure.
He decided it was time for the first contact.
...
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