Chapter 389 Sharing Desire
The agency’s assessment was relatively easy for Kazumi. The written answer test was a given, and her performance in the subsequent interview, supported by her richer life experience compared to her peers and her unshakeable demeanor due to her half-undead transformation, earned her visible recognition from the interviewers.
Therefore, even with the cruel assessment method that produced results within an hour of the test, the young girl could still calmly sit on the chair and wait without a ripple.
“But I’m really curious about the working style of heroes.”
Leaning back on the bench in the resting area, the young girl let out a relaxed sigh and looked with anticipation at the massive building filled with a modern urban feel before her eyes.
“I say, Shimizu, aren’t you even a little nervous?”
Noyoru Yokota, sitting beside her, was somewhat in awe of the girl’s composure. Not to mention the other students taking the assessment, even he, as an accompanying person, was infected by the solemn and serious atmosphere. Yet, Kazumi, the person involved, was still able to ponder the working style of heroes in the agency.
“Being nervous can’t change the outcome that has already become a fact.”
“I’m more curious about the operational model of the Muscle Agency, which is completely different from what I’ve seen in books before.”
Kazumi shrugged indifferently. After all, passing this assessment didn’t seem that important to her. At most, she would just act cute with her dog and ask him to help her find Aunt Longji to intercede on her behalf. However, it would be better if she could pass with her own abilities.
What concerned the young girl more was the work model displayed by this agency campus before her: rows of modern high-rise buildings, uniformed staff coming and going. Compared to so-called hero agencies, the young girl almost hallucinated that it was the office building where she worked in her past life.
It was known that although the agency model in books also had science and logistics departments, they were more like small groups in a family workshop, with the technical support from the Heroes Association headquarters. She had never seen an establishment that was almost like a corporate park.
“Ah, Shimizu, I probably know a little about what you’re talking about. It’s a new agency model promoted by the Association, where some basic information, technology, and logistics tasks are to be completed by the agency itself. The Muscle Agency is one of the pilot programs.”
He believed that no man would refuse an opportunity to showcase his knowledge in front of the opposite sex, let alone a girl he had quite a good impression of. Looking at Kazumi’s expectant gaze, Noyoru Yokota blurted out the information he had learned during his training here without thinking.
“But in that case, it’s more like a corporation than an agency, wouldn’t you say?”
Kazumi held her water bottle, pondering the meaning contained in Noyoru Yokota’s words, and said faintly.
“You’re not wrong to say that. The departments are very detailed, and facilities like dormitories and entertainment venues are built nearby. It’s indeed quite like a company, so the older generation of heroes don’t really like this new model.”
“Oh…”
The young girl quickly understood what Noyoru Yokota meant. After all, traditional hero agencies were more like a link of inheritance for heroes, not only in terms of abilities but also as a spiritual symbol.
Even the strongest psychics needed to start as the most basic handyman in an agency, understanding every step and every task required. People who graduated from agencies, even those from the logistics department, were capable of handling things on their own in the hero workplace.
However, this new model seemed to break the previous format. The work model, meticulously detailed to individuals like a machine, combined with the super-efficient technological logistics support and the hero mode of multiple people serving one, could indeed effectively guarantee the smooth execution of a hero’s work.
[A clash of old and new ideas?]
Looking up at the new steel building that soared into the clouds, a rare complex expression appeared in the young girl’s eyes. Finally, she withdrew her attention and looked at the long-awaited door that was finally pushed open from inside.
…
“No. 3 Kawano Annahe, No. 3 Kawano Annahe, here is your report card. If you passed, please contact the number above, and someone will inform you of the preparations needed.”
“No. 4…”
The quiet waiting area suddenly became noisy. Several staff members holding report cards stood in place, calling out the examinees’ numbers. The boys and girls who received their results, either happy or sad, were acting out vivid scenes.
“No. 16… Shimizu Kazumi, No. 16 Shimizu Kazumi, please come to collect your report card.”
As the numbers were called out one by one, the girl’s name finally appeared in the shouts. Before Kazumi could even stand up, Noyoru Yokota on the side had already stepped forward and walked towards the queue to collect the report cards.
“No. 16 Shimizu Kazumi, right… Eh, Yokota kid? What are you doing here?”
The middle-aged man with a square face was recording information while distributing documents. When he looked up, he found an extremely familiar figure standing before him.
“Uncle Crystal Grass, hello. I’m accompanying a friend to take the assessment.”
Noyoru Yokota scratched his head as he looked at Crystal Grass Jian Mu. After all, the work of internship assessment was assigned according to a specific schedule, and it happened that the professional hero in charge was this senior who had trained him, which was quite awkward.
“Oh— Let me see. First in the interview, second overall. Your little girlfriend’s results are quite good. You should already know what needs to be prepared. You’ll come to report for duty in a couple of days. I won’t nag you about anything else.”
Glancing at the documents in his hand, Crystal Grass Jian Mu, with his rich experience, immediately saw what was going on. He stamped the report card and handed it over, saying jokingly.
“N-no, Uncle Crystal Grass, we’re just…”
“Alright, hurry up, hurry up, don’t block the queue here.”
Before the blushing boy could explain a few words, Noyoru Yokota was directly pushed out of the queue with a slap, looking at his report card in a daze.
But Noyoru Yokota quickly recovered. He looked at the report card in his hand and hurried back to the resting area where Kazumi was.
“Shimizu! Look at this!”
Even just hearing the slightly excited tone, Kazumi could already guess the outcome. But the young girl politely took the report card handed over by the boy, looked at it carefully, and finally showed a perfunctory happy expression. She began to thank the boy before her as if completing a task.
Compared to this “thanking machine” with emotions, their Noyoru Senpai was lost in the girl’s constant “It’s all thanks to Senpai’s help” and “I must treat Senpai to a meal today.” He sheepishly rubbed his nose and said dismissively.
“Of course, Shimizu, your own efforts are more important. But remember to share such happy news with your friends.”
“!”
The young girl’s eyes widened as if waking up from a dream, and she nodded. She immediately opened her phone’s camera function and took a picture of the report card with her name on it. She skillfully opened the chat app, tapped the top-most little sun icon, and with practiced ease, pressed the send button.
Then she slowly raised her head, her face showing a genuinely gentle smile, completely different from before.
“Thank you, Senpai.”
(ps: very flattering writing.)
