Ceruno's Training

(Sun Yao)

Yezi gave me a "friend card".

It was neither unexpected nor unreasonable, but I was inexplicably caught in a state of "absolute unease."

"Sigh, how come I can't even understand my own thoughts..."

In the middle of several kilometers of green grassland, there is a large wooden shed that looks like a barn. There is no decent decoration or furnishing inside, just many doghouses lined up against the wall. This is where Sirius's dogs live, so it smells a bit, but it is much cleaner than I imagined.

But deep inside the wooden shed, a huge mirror hung on the wall, and the floor was covered with resilient wooden flooring; this area was like...

"Like a dance studio?"

"Yes, this is both the kennel for these kids and the place where I usually practice dancing. Being with them makes me feel at ease."

Dance practice...

As the world's most popular magical girl, Sirius continues her idol activities while fighting on the front lines.

She not only released albums and appeared on variety shows, but also acted in movies, demonstrating a high level of professionalism in every aspect. She serves as a role model, pointing the way for magical girls all over the world.

How to make money.

"... I'm going to train here too?"

The floor here is very soft, and you can feel its noticeable elasticity.

"Didn't I already say? Your first lesson will be my physical education lesson."

After shooing all the dogs that wanted to follow her outside the wooden floor area, Miss Sirius continued, "That's a warm-up, so let's start the lesson. Ceruno- chan! Sit down across from me!"

I was asked to do that.

Although it felt a bit strange, I sat down in front of her anyway.

"A lady shouldn't sit cross-legged! Put your legs together! Straighten them!"

Call out--

She yelled loudly, even taking out a wooden whistle and blowing it. Instantly, the dogs outside the floor all sat down obediently, and the entire wooden shed became unusually quiet.

That's when I realized what that strange feeling was...

Miss Sirius is basically training dogs!

Even though I realized it, I still did as she said, but she went around behind me and put her hands on my back with a sudden, forceful motion.

"Ugh... Ughhhhh!!!"

The ligaments in my leg were stretched to their limit.

The so-called physical education class was actually just learning to dance with Miss Sirius...

Or rather, it was under her force that the ligaments were stretched.

"It hurts so much!"

Although I didn't want to lose face with Yezi watching, I couldn't help but let out a wail when Sirius forced me to stretch my legs.

"Hmph hmph hmph hmph!!!"

Even though I was screaming so pitifully, Miss Sirius, who was pressing down on my back, not only increased the pressure on my back, but even had the nerve to make teasing remarks.

"Ceruno- chan, you look so soft and cuddly, but your body is surprisingly stiff! Even the Star Crystal's enhancement couldn't turn you into a flexible gymnast. Just how bad were your original physical abilities?"

"Miss Sirius! It's going to break! The ligament has been torn!"

"Endure it! This is a necessary lesson to become the perfect magical girl! Just grit your teeth and persevere!"

Miss Sirius is really strict.

But stretching my ligaments really hurts. My chest was almost pressing against my legs, but I still couldn't touch the top of my foot with my hands. I was about to cry.

Don't forget to smile!

"I can't laugh in this situation! Cough cough! It hurts!"

Yezi was playing with the golden retriever nearby, occasionally stealing a glance at me, though I couldn't tell if she was paying attention.

"Call out--"

I don't know how long I held on, but Miss Sirius blew her wooden whistle, and the pressure on my back was released.

"Okay, rest for five minutes first... No sitting cross-legged!"

There's even a break; it seems this demanding coach is somewhat humane after all.

I bent my knees and hugged them, and Miss Sirius sat down next to me.

She was sitting like a duck, with golden hair falling over her calves; she was very cute.

"Do you think I'm too strict with you?"

"No, it's just that the initial difficulty is too high. I think there should be a gradual process."

She shuffled around the floor to get behind me, then started tidying my long hair with her hands.

"Ceruno- chan, only difficult things bring a sense of accomplishment after completion, and the accumulated sense of accomplishment will become your confidence, and a confident heart is your magic."

A simple and easy-to-understand principle.

How can someone who can't do anything well and succeeds at nothing have confidence... just like I used to be, who would only mess everything up.

Pulling at my hair, she asked again, "What motivated you to become a magical girl?"

"I want to protect the D3 District Skyreach City for Heat Haze."

Miss Sirius pressed further, "Oh, is that all?"

"... I really like magical girls too. There shouldn't be anyone in this world who doesn't want to be a magical girl, right? I'm the same way... It's just that I made a huge mistake, yet I can still become a magical girl, which makes me feel like I'm not qualified."

The more I answered, the more I couldn't help but bury my face between my knees.

"That's what you call a lack of self-confidence. Since you feel inadequate, instead of belittling yourself, you should find a way to make yourself qualified... Ceruno- chan, why don't you try using me as your role model?"

"Ah?"

"It's not just about being a magical girl; you also need to surpass me as an idol and reach the very top... As long as you're willing, I'll train you for the long term, after all, you're my old friend's successor."

Climb to the top?

Beyond Miss Sirius?

But do I really deserve it?

"I can't do it, I can't be as strong as Miss Sirius —sigh!"

I suddenly got a sharp tap on the head.

But it wasn't Miss Sirius who did it...

"Why are you denying it before you've even tried? You idiot!"

I even got scolded; it was Yezi who scolded me.

He sat down next to me without me noticing, and the golden retriever that had been clinging to him also came over and lay down, resting its head on Yezi's lap.

This Doggy has very long eyelashes; although it's not the right word, it does give it a somewhat "handsome" appearance.

"After all, you're a newcomer, and you... well, 'Bubble Witch' Ceruno... have quite a bit of online popularity. Although most people are only focused on your appearance, it's entirely possible for you to make good use of the newbie protection period and climb the rankings in one go."

While offering advice, strategist Ye rubbed the head of the golden retriever beside him.

Because I was afraid of seeing those insulting posts about myself (Sun Yao), I haven't been online much lately, but I didn't expect Yezi to have been paying attention to my online reputation all along... Hehe, he's so nice.

"Even so, it's impossible to surpass Miss Sirius, right?"

She is the world's number one magical girl and idol. Even after becoming a magical girl, she remains an unattainable pinnacle for me.

"Then let's leave Sirius aside for now."

Yezi tapped the wooden floor and gave a smug smile.

"Idiot, I'll be your manager. Let's take it one step at a time, starting with our official debut!"