Vol 1 Chapter 15: Suspension and Compensation (Vol 1: The Delinquent High School Girl’s Servant Survived and Advanced to the Second Year)

While we were cleaning up, the entrance and opening ceremonies were held in the schoolyard—and this time, they apparently went off without a hitch. However, afterward, Miyayuri had to endure a lecture in the student guidance office that lasted over an hour.

“Two weeks’ suspension and having to pay for the repair of the broken gym door… damn, there goes my gym money.”

Finally freed, Miyayuri ended up getting suspended from the very first day of her second year.

“I mean, suspension is fine since it means more practice time, but if I lose my gym money, that’s just counterproductive… Maybe I should ask Himi-san if I can pick up a part-time gig as a trainer now that Katsuko quit?”

Himi-san is Yamato Himi—the daughter of the president of the Active-Network Gym we attend, the reigning women’s super bantamweight champion of the gym’s affiliated organization, and also a trainer.

“Not only me, but apparently the main trainer is quitting too, so it looks like the boxing class will be gone. They’re planning to introduce an introductory class and an aerobic kick class instead.”

Aerobic kick is a class where you do aerobic exercises by kicking to music—kind of like that boot camp workout that was once all the rage. It’s especially popular with women.

“I’ve already passed the gym’s promotion test and earned first-rank certification, so if I take the training course, I can become a trainer too. But… it’s a shame losing some of my own training time.”

“Teaching others can help you learn a lot, and you might even get stronger yourself, right?”

“I get that… but do you really think teaching aerobic kick will make me stronger?”

“Sure… but you’ve wanted to be a trainer for ages, haven’t you? Isn’t this a great chance?”

“Yeah, but I was planning to wait until I got stronger. Isn’t it still too soon?”

The organization that the gym belongs to has its own ranking system, similar to karate, and upon obtaining 1st rank, one earns the right to take a professional test as well as the right to receive trainer training.

As Miyayuri mentioned earlier, if you complete the training course, you can become a trainer.

“It’s not unusual for amateur athletes to double as trainers, and winning three divisions in the A-class is quite an accomplishment, isn’t it?”

In the organization’s amateur kickboxing tournaments, competitors are divided not only by weight class but also into categories like Bikinaz and A–C classes. Among these, the A-class is considered a pool of prospective professionals, and Miyayuri—who has won three divisions in the A-class—possesses the skill to keep even lower-ranked professional fighters at bay in short rounds.

“No… winning three divisions was just a result of having favorable match-ups and not facing really tough opponents. Besides, I still haven’t avenged my younger brother Takeru, so it’s too early for me to settle into being a trainer…”

Katsuko interjected, trying to comfort the unusually negative Miyayuri.

“That’s not it, Katsuko-chan. Even if winning one division is commendable, winning three divisions can’t simply be chalked up to having good luck with match-ups—you should be more confident!”

Then, Katsuko took Miyayuri’s hand and, looking straight into her eyes, said,

“And besides, when it comes to avenging Takeru-kun, I—I mean, all of us on your team will support you with everything we’ve got. So don’t hesitate to lean on us. You’ve been saying you wanted to be a trainer from the start, so it’s perfectly fine to pursue what you want—we’ll just follow your lead.”

“Katsuko…”

“I think my experience as a sub-trainer could be useful too, so feel free to ask me anything.”

For once, Katsuko was saying something sensible.

I wonder if tomorrow some country will launch a nuclear missile or something?

“Thanks, Katsuko. Next time, I’ll ask Himi-san.”

“Yeah. Do your best.”

Just as the conversation was flowing nicely, Miyayuri realized she had forgotten to ask one crucial question.

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*Aerobic Kick is a term we coined, but classes with similar content to that described in the text are common; the names vary depending on the fitness club or martial arts gym.