Chapter 1032: NO.155: Every Second, the Esteemed's State Is Refreshed

NO. 155: Every Second, the Esteemed's State Is Refreshed

It is well known that etiquette is an important component of human society, and its original form even originated from religious rituals.

One could say that rituals are etiquette used to regulate communication with non-human entities.

Just as religious rituals vary somewhat, differences in cultural soil likewise give rise to different etiquette frameworks.

And the highest etiquette in the Eastern region is the dogeza.

Described by the term 'five-limbed prostration', this posture was used in the past to express humility before high-status individuals, and in modern times it is seen as an apology or petition—usually the latter.

Compared to brave souls who shoulder heavy responsibilities, there are far more contemptible people who, after making a mistake, rush to distance themselves.

One could say that because such people are too numerous, even the act of dogeza itself has become a specific term used by outsiders to mock Easterners.

Though it's just teasing, for the vast majority of Easterners who received local education, dogeza remains an exaggerated ritual with an overly heavy meaning.

One could say that some people may not even experience it once in their lifetime.

Of course, some people can experience it countless times in their lives.

But such a person is obviously not Ailicom.

As a roommate of Ailisuzhi, just looking at her surname could even lead one to mistake her for a horse girl related by blood; she is a girl whose education far better fits Eastern culture than Ailisuzhi's.

Not only is her education very Eastern, but she herself embodies a culture unique to the Eastern region!

This refers to otaku/geek culture.

However, even among the Eastern otaku, who often carry a negative connotation, they would not slight the value of dogeza.

Ailicom obviously encountered something major; based on her few words before the vice-chair took her away, Aomo can easily guess the cause.

Here's a lukewarm piece of knowledge: Comic Market is held only in August and December, but the timing of events like Uma Musume Only, a limited secondary-creation exhibition for horse girls, is quite unstable.

They can occur any month from January to December, depending on each year's specific preparations; this year, indeed, it is in mid-October.

Aomo even considered going to check it out, after all there are no tense competitions this month, he hasn't thought about taking any commissions, and plans to peacefully train the four girls.

After touring the doujin exhibition come days like the Taurus Award, Chrysanthemum Award, and Autumn Flower Award—events where you can watch races and also get holidays, highlighting relaxation!

Even midway, there's the long-awaited Rhein Life 3A masterpiece, which this time should not be delayed!

There's stuff to watch and stuff to play, the future is bright (praise). jpg

And now……

He sensed the smell of trouble.

But trouble is trouble precisely because it's usually not easy to shake off.

"Haven't you figured it out yet? The girls under me are still in training; I may need to hurry back."

Sitting on the sofa in the student council's reception room, the boy shifted bit by bit toward the far end away from the desk; though his bodily sensation clearly indicated it was his first time here, his memory felt quite familiar with the place.

"Aren't Bai Ren and Sirius watching over you?"

Flipping open a page in his hand, Rudolf looked up and smiled at Aomo.

His ordinary, unremarkable daily smile could nevertheless make the boy turn his face and say:

"Just thinking about Sirius's expression when he was called over makes me uneasy."

"Really? I, on the contrary, feel that giving Sirius a chance to approach someone like you makes me even more uneasy."

"Indeed, not long ago I met a horse girl who, seeing me shrink, wanted to take advantage; judging by appearance truly is a bad habit even the gods cannot avoid."

"Uh… you don't mean the horse girl is…" Rudolf, who had been merely a bit nervous up front, grew another kind of tension upon hearing the rest, gazing at the boy with doubtful eyes.

He had no time to explain the direction of his earlier worries.

According to her information, Aomo's trainee's youth should have been more conservative in conduct and more cautious in action……

"It's already been handled, so it doesn't matter."

"Chairman! Seino's side reported that something seems to have clashed with a goddess on the back mountain! Huh? Aomo? You're Aomo Lindun, right?"

As the class bell rang, Rhiannon Amazon flung open the student council doors, and after loudly reporting, she immediately noticed the boy in the lounge.

As a woman who manages the Ira district, she naturally isn't face-blind to Westerners; she could recognize the boy's identity at a glance, and frankly the facial changes between boy and youth are minor, with even that white arc above his brow still present.

But for some reason, Amazon felt the other's gaze was a bit strange.

"That matter has been settled, Miss Amazon," the boy said calmly, his heart going wakuwaku.

"Huh? But I just received that news a few minutes ago."

"That matter has been settled, Amazon."

"Chairman?" Amazon looked puzzled at the repeating Rudolf.

"If there's nothing else, go back to your business," Rudolf waved his hand; Amazon, as the dorm head of Mipu Dormitory without Mipu Bourbon, stays on standby in the dorm during the school term.

Moreover, since she isn't particularly close to Aomo, although she's a bit curious about acquaintances shrinking, she isn't insistent on figuring it out.

"Oh… okay."

She greeted the two briefly and then left.

Immediately after, the small left door of the student council room was pushed forward; stern Qi Chao walked ahead, and the cautious Ailicom followed behind, inching forward step by step to approach Aomo.

"Sorry, sorry for scaring you, S…"

"Aomo Lindun, you can call me Aomo." Aomo, who had preemptively cut off that title and stood to greet, still rarely added the suggestion to call him by name in such a self‑introduction‑like remark.

That suggestion seemed to make the other wake up as if from a dream, blinking embarrassedly: "Uh, okay, then… Aomo trainer."

"Really sorry."

"No matter, I'm more curious about what matter you've been dragged into."

"Regarding this matter," Qi Chao, who had just exchanged a few brief words with Rudolf at his side, turned back, coughed, and said, "After chatting with the digital classmate I now have a rough idea, but does Aomo trainer understand otaku culture?"

In her view, the Aomo trainer, being of Baud descent, is likely to find the facts as hard to grasp as she did during the earlier 'interrogation'; but if he has some basics, he shouldn't need to investigate on the spot like she did……

"I and the digital classmate are old friends in this field, so there's no comprehension barrier."

"What a great digital classmate! Truly worthy of Star Teacher!"

Just a moment ago, the ailishuma who was still timid and obedient, when no one was paying attention, instead gave Aomo an approving glance; actually she has done a good job keeping her hobby secret at school and has always placed great importance on it, but she never expected that this star teacher, who at first glance is about her age, would also have such cultivation.

On the contrary, it's today's self……

Upon recalling today's various abnormal performances, ailishuma instantly felt extremely embarrassed and ashamed, wishing she could sink into the floor.

It's fine if that place is a mess, but does it have to be a mess on campus too?!

"Um, oh, that's how it is…" Facing the other's frank and candid words, the Empress, a bit at a loss, fell silent for a moment, then spoke: "You should also understand matters like the production schedule of doujinshi."

"If I guess, ailishuma classmate probably participated in the production of such works, but due to insufficient schedule, member accidents, having to restart after collisions, etc., she ended up in a desperate situation, and in her panic she sought my help."

"No! No…" Instinctively clenching her fist and waving it, ailishuma, who wanted to voice her agreement loudly, upon noticing the Empress and Emperor both directing their gazes at her, instantly lowered her voice by an octave.

Exposing her otaku hobby in the student council, and moreover in front of the Empress and Emperor she admires…… she already feels that today is the darkest day of her life.

"Indeed, that's the case…" Qi Cao nodded, his gaze still on ailishuma, "However, ailishuma classmate's way of making a request… ailishuma classmate, please stay a bit later; I'll speak to the teacher for you."

"Oh…"

Being able to interact with the Empress like this ought to be delightful, but if it's from the perspective of being reprimanded…… she feels a myriad of emotions yet is helpless.

The central student council's authority is that exaggerated, able to replace teachers in educating students, and can easily get students leave from teachers; and Qi Cao is exactly the outstanding one among them, from Valley Field Beautiful Wine to Zhongshan Celebration, from Zhongshan Celebration to Ailisuzhi, from Ailisuzhi to the Golden Ship, all the well-known troublemakers like Teresen have been scolded by her.

Whether or not it works aside, at least Qi Cao has firmly established the student council's stern face position, and also made many students see the Empress as more intimidating than the Emperor.

The Empress asking you to talk is comparable to the intimidation of the discipline master sending you to the office for a visit.

There are no exceptions; only the Emperor's words can slightly sway the student council president's will—in fact, the whole student council hardly cares when Qi Cao seeks someone to talk.

After all, Qi Cao's values are very normal; those she summons for a talk are usually somewhat serious in nature, so others naturally don't want to intervene, and only the Emperor will appropriately remind Qi Cao not to go too far.

But now a second person daring to speak up has appeared:

"Although I also support your decision, but please vice-chairman understand the doujin creators' emphasis on creation itself." In ailishuma's especially moved gaze, Aomo the trainer dared to speak up immediately after the Empress finished speaking, neither humble nor arrogant.

"After all, a horse girl's life isn't just about running, or perhaps a horse girl's running isn't limited to literal land."

"... Ah." Qi Cao, looking at Aomo, had a visibly visible surprise on her face, though it's unclear whether it's surprise at his speaking up or at what he said.

"That's a very reasonable suggestion; I will seriously adopt it, Aomo the trainer."

The Empress is also not stubborn; after all, she hasn't even graduated yet, everyone is still young, and they all have hobbies besides running.

Although the flowers and plants she grows haven't been spared her scolding (x).

"Alright, then I'll take my leave first; I still need to go back to take over training."

The boy lightly clapped his hands and said, then immediately looked toward the pink-haired horse maiden gazing hopefully at him: "Ailishuma classmate, let's talk later; if you don't have my contact, you can also reach out through Suzi or Karen."

"You can also ask me." Rudolf raised his hand and said.

"……"

At this moment, the looks of astonishment directed at Rudolf by Qi Cao and ailishuma were the same, while some boys who couldn't hold back weren't completely interrupted in their speech because of this.

"I believe you can express your demands more rationally this time; then, farewell."

Having said that, he stepped away, until he entered the blind spot of the three's view, he stopped, raised his hand to press his chest, then resumed walking.

His steps were light.