This, is the keyword of my dream!

Almond Eye finished speaking excitedly, only then noticing that Kitasan Black beside her was unusually quiet.

She blinked, and only then realized that ever since Anjing Zhen Shen had begun explaining the race schedule, the senior beside her had remained silent—a rarity in itself.

The focus in those crimson eyes was also something she had never seen before.

And the direction those unblinking eyes were fixed upon was the line at the very bottom of the whiteboard: "Cadran Grand Prix."

At first glance, Kitasan Black still seemed as cheerful as usual.

But upon closer inspection, Almond Eye noticed something different.

Beneath that seemingly focused gaze, something appeared to be churning and colliding violently, like a deep-sea storm brewing beneath a calm ocean surface.

Her face, which still looked energetic, was actually drawn somewhat tight, and her lips were lightly pressed together.

Then, Almond Eye's gaze unconsciously drifted downward, landing on Kitasan Black's hands resting on her knees.

Those hands that would wave joyfully whenever she saw Almond Eye were now tightly clenched into fists, faint blue veins standing out on the backs from the force.

And they were trembling—ever so slightly, yet unmistakably.

"Senior Little Kita—you—"

Almond Eye froze, her voice unconsciously lowering. "You... what's wrong...?"

There was no response.

Time seemed to stretch several times over.

Only the faint hum of computers and various machines remained in the office, along with Almond Eye's somewhat nervous breathing.

After a long while.

Kitasan Black finally moved.

She slowly raised one hand, still trembling faintly, extended her index finger, and pointed beneath the line reading "Cadran Grand Prix" on the whiteboard.

Her voice rang out, dry and hoarse, carrying an odd tremor like metal scraping together—one that even she herself had not noticed. "A-Zhen, beneath that... what did you write?"

As though