The New Part-timer at Mr. S's Mystery Shop

The First Test

The next day, Anna got dressed in sportswear, as instructed by Sam. Her brother was affectionately brushing her hair.

"I wonder what will the first test be like?" asked Anna.

"We'll see. Today's Saturday, and I don't have flamingo or hedgehog duty, so I guess I'll accompany you," said Ace.

"Really? Thanks!" said Anna.

"We'll root for you too," said Deuce, who entered the room.

"We even made a good-luck charm for you," said Cater. "Care for a selfie?"

"I'd love to, but I'm gonna be late! Wish me luck!" said Anna. She hurried to the stadium in Savanaclaw, the meeting point. Sam was already there.

"You're very punctual. Very Good!" smiled Sam. "For your first test, you'll need to move your body! After all, my workers must be strong and fit!"

"Move...my body?" Anna didn't understand what is Sam referring to.

"Yep. Move your body. Did you see there?" Sam said as he pointed to the stadium. 

On the centre of the stadium there was a yoga mat, a skipping rope and 2kg dumbbells. Around the stadium were hurdles.

"You will have to do 20 sit-ups, skip 30 times, do 20 lifts with the dumbbells and jump over all the hurdles. The sequence is entirely up to you," explained Sam.

"Woah..." thought Anna. Growing up with two older brothers made her a very sporty person. She's completely fine with the sit-ups and skipping, and confident with the weightlifting, but she wasn't so sure about the hurdles.

"If you can complete all of that within half an hour, you'll pass!" said Sam.

With a deep breath and a few stretches, Anna walked towards the yoga mat.

"You have 30 minutes. The clock starts now!" said Sam.

"Good luck. Love ya," said Ace as he kissed his sister's cheek. Trey, Deuce and Cater also came to cheer her on.

"Thanks," whispered Anna.

Anna laid on the red yoga mat and started to do her sit-ups. She does it nearly everyday, therefore she finished 20 within two minutes. Then she finished 30 skips within a minute.

"Wow. Your sister's really strong," whispered Trey to Ace.

"She is. She has two boys above her, after all," said Ace.

After skipping, she went to carry out the weightlifting. Perhaps because of the sweat on her hands, she dropped one of them when she tried to lift it. The dumbbell crashed to ground with a loud "bang!".

"Yikes!" cried Ace. "Are you okay, Anna?" He was worried that the dumbbell might have landed on her foot.

"Nah, I'm okay. It's just the sweat," Anna reassured her brother.

She then proceed to continue on her task, and she finished with flying colours.

Anna was ready to complete her final task---the hurdles.

Although Anna was above average height for a girl (166cm), she, at least in her opinion, has relatively short legs.

"Crap...don't know if I can do this," thought Anna.

"You can do it, Anna! I know you can!" shouted Ace.

"Ganbatte! Anna!" Trey, Deuce and Cater shouted with the top of their lung.

With her incredible speed, Anna managed to complete half of the course within ten minutes. She still had 15 more hurdles, and had 10 minutes remaining.

"Gosh, 10 minutes...better hurry up!" thought Anna.

Everything went smoothly until the last hurdle, where Anna tripped over and her thigh was bruised as a result.

"Ow!" cried Anna in pain. She then looked at the large purple patch on her left thigh. "Gosh it's large and painful!"

"Anna!" cried Ace. He really wanted to help her sister and treat her bruise, but he knew he was not allowed to interfere with any of his sister's tests.

"I'm ok...ugh..." Anna reassured her brother that she can continue. She then place the knocked-over hurdle back into its original place.

"Ok...deep breath Anna, deep breath..." mumble Anna. "You can do this." 

With all her strength, she jumped over the last hurdle and crossed the finish line.

"Hoorray!" cried Ace and the rest of the supporters. 

"Yes! I did it!" shouted Anna, jumping up and down.

"Well done, Anna! You have 3 minutes left!" said Sam, clapping his hands.

"Now, how about a nice, cold ice bag on your bruise?" said Trey.

"I'd love that!" said Anna.

"This is definitely worth celebrating," said Cater, taking out his phone. "Time for a selfie!"

Everything gathered around Cater and posed for a group selfie.