Chương 203: Chapter 203 – Ichinose’s class enjoys it
While Yukio's class was having fun at the aquarium, other classes were also engaged in their workplace special exams.
Ichinose's class, along with three other second-year classes, arrived at a bustling food street. The entire street was lined with various food stalls and small eateries, filling the air with enticing aromas.
Since it was still morning, some of the shops hadn't even opened yet. During meal times, especially in the evening, this place would surely become even livelier, with the air thick with delicious scents.
Despite having had breakfast before leaving school, the students couldn't help but feel hungry again upon smelling the familiar aromas of street food.
"This is amazing! If I can, I want to eat my way from one end of the food street to the other during this one-and-a-half-month special exam."
"Then you should be careful about your weight."
The food street was spacious enough, unlike the crowded Yukata workshop where Yukio's class was. After the teachers coordinated things, all four classes had tasks to do.
Ichinose's class was mainly responsible for transportation, receiving, distributing, and inspecting goods, similar to the tasks of the other second-year students.
While everyone was determined to perform well in this special exam, Ichinose suddenly noticed an old lady carrying two large bags of food ingredients.
Such sights were common on the food street. In Sakura Island, the aging population was quite noticeable, and many of the small shops were run by people in their forties or fifties or even older.
The old lady was walking very slowly, clearly exhausted from carrying the heavy bags, yet she stubbornly kept moving forward without taking a break.
"Hello, ma'am. We're students participating in a special project. May I ask you a few questions? And to apologize for the interruption, I can help you carry these two bags of ingredients," Ichinose offered as she approached.
She wore her brightest smile, as radiant as the morning sun, and smoothly took the two bags from the old lady's hands.
Perhaps due to Ichinose's friendliness, the old lady, who had initially been reluctant, didn't refuse after seeing her smile.
The old lady pointed to the closed shop door ahead, indicating that Ichinose should help carry the bags there.
The shop's name, Ueno Fried Meat Patties, was quite simple, giving Ichinose a clue on how to address the old lady. "Grandma Ueno, do you usually come to open the shop alone?" she asked.
Grandma Ueno seemed a bit displeased. Some elderly people are like this—whether it's stubbornness or pride, they don't like young people taking pity on them and despise being looked down upon.
In the minds of this type of elderly, they often believe they have more life experience than the younger generation, thinking that young people are not as capable as they are. They strongly resent the condescension they perceive from the youth.
For instance, when offered a seat on the train, some elderly might gratefully accept, while others might angrily refuse, insisting they aren't old enough to need a seat.
Grandma Ueno belonged to the latter type. If Ichinose hadn't mentioned that she was helping because she was being a nuisance, Grandma Ueno would have refused her assistance.
Now, Ichinose's question about running the shop alone made Grandma Ueno think she was being underestimated, as if she couldn't manage it by herself. So, her already stubborn expression turned colder.
"Hmph, so you think I can't run a shop by myself?" she retorted. "Perseverance, perseverance. You kids from the Heisei era are so weak. What's wrong with doing things alone? If you have heart and perseverance, you can run a shop well on your own."
"Do you know what it was like for us? Let me tell you, don't be fooled by my age now. When I was young and came to Tokyo, I worked four jobs in a day!"
"You kids these days, you don't have that kind of determination."
Even though Grandma Ueno was being sharp, Ichinose didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled even more brightly and cheerfully. "I didn't mean it that way."
"I was actually thinking, if Grandma Ueno is by herself, then you might need some help. I would love to work in your shop."
"Of course, our instructor will grade us. This is part of the project requirements. You should have received the notification about this before."
The old lady realized that Ichinose wasn't looking down on her as an elderly person but wanted to earn points for her project. The management of the food street had informed the vendors early on about the Advanced Nurturing High School project.
Glancing around, Ueno saw that all the students were wearing the same red uniforms as Ichinose. There were at least a hundred of them.
So, it made sense that Ichinose wanted to work in her shop. This little girl probably hadn't found a job yet, given the large number of students.
Understanding this, Ueno found Ichinose more agreeable. She was happy to have free labor, as long as she wasn't being looked down upon. "In that case, come to my shop later, and I'll teach you."
"If you can learn before we open for lunch, you can stay on as an assistant. The breakfast rush is over, and business will pick up around lunchtime. If you can't manage it, don't blame me for being harsh and sending you away."
"Thank you, Grandma Ueno. I'll do my best to learn!" Ichinose was thrilled to hear Ueno agree. She was so happy that even her steps became lighter, as if she was particularly delighted. "And..."
"I don't just want to learn how to make Grandma Ueno's fried meat patties. I also want to learn the determination that Grandma Ueno had back then."
Seeing Ichinose's cheerful demeanor, Grandma Ueno blinked, remembering her own granddaughter. A faint, kind smile appeared on her usually indifferent face. It seemed this was a good child.
The class members observing from a distance weren't surprised. Shiranami Chihiro sighed quietly, "As expected, Honami-chan went to help."
Amikura, familiar with Ichinose, added, "Isn't that normal? That grandma had a stubborn look, carrying such heavy bags of ingredients, walking slowly, yet unwilling to rest. She's clearly a very strong-willed old lady."
"Honami-chan would never stand by and do nothing. She would find various ways to help. That's the Honami-chan I know."
"Alright," Kanzaki interrupted their discussion, "Don't you all have work to do? Get to it. Haven't you noticed that the second-year seniors are already working? We can't lag behind."
"Yes!"
Ichinose's classmates had no objections. They even felt this exam was more legitimate compared to previous ones. The deserted island and VIP exams had been flashy and convoluted. This hands-on work felt more real.
Even if it was a bit exhausting, they enjoyed it, working hard alongside the second-year students. Their efforts even made Kiriyama feel pressured.
Kiriyama couldn't help but wonder how Ichinose, usually restrained in the student council, became so amazing during exams. It felt like Ichinose's class was more challenging to deal with than the second-year A class after losing Nagumo.
***
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