" ...I don't have a trainer anymore... He quit just the other day."
King-chan said that with an expression that was a mix of crying and laughing. I couldn't help but frown at her words.
"He quit being your trainer? You're kidding, right?"
I don't think King-chan would make a joke like that. But she's an Uma Musume with great talent. I don't think any trainer would let go of someone like her, and I don't want to believe that's the case.
But my words seemed to have gotten on her nerves, and King-chan twisted her beautiful face in a fit of anger.
"You think I'd make a joke about something like this!?"
"...No, I don't. But I honestly can't believe it."
I sat down in the chair, leaned back on it, and it creaked. I crossed my legs and looked up at the ceiling, thinking... I don't get it.
"Yeah... I don't get it. I don't understand why he would quit being your trainer... You're an Uma Musume with top-class talent and ability in your generation. And yet, he gave up? That doesn't make any sense to me..."
Any other trainer would say the same thing. And they'd probably flock to you like a gold mine. What could be the reason he would quit being King-chan's trainer?
"...Ah, did he go on maternity leave?"
"If he did, I wouldn't have felt this way!"
"Then, did he get sick?"
"If he were so sick that he couldn't be a trainer, I would have dragged him to the hospital myself! I'd beat him up!"
Oh no, King-chan is furious. But if it's not a reason that's unavoidable, I won't be convinced. Also, the fact that she'd drag him to the hospital herself shows that she's a kind girl.
"Then I don't understand even more... What happened?"
When I asked with genuine confusion, King-chan's words got caught in her throat. But perhaps her emotional outburst had broken down the wall in her heart, as she let out a deep sigh before speaking.
"It's nothing... I'm going to become a first-class Uma Musume. So, I kept asking my trainer to be first-class as well... He probably didn't like that. Or maybe it was too much of a burden..."
"I see..."
Did he not have the mental fortitude to handle the pressure from King-chan? I could understand him quitting if she kept kicking his butt, telling him to "do better" and "become a more amazing trainer"... but that's not it, is it?
"No, no, no... Are you serious? He gave up on training an Uma Musume with a goal... That's unbelievable."
I waved my hands in front of my face, denying it. If a trainer were to quit for a reason like that, how many times would I have had to quit being Urara's trainer?
I want to make Urara strong, but I can't. I lament my own lack of ability and get motivated, but I would never give up on her. If Urara told me she didn't want me to be her trainer anymore... I'd cry, bawl my eyes out, wait for about three days, and then accept it. No, I'd definitely refuse to accept it.
So, I truly couldn't understand the reason for quitting training an Uma Musume as kind, talented, strong-willed, and skilled as King-chan. No, seriously, why?
"Hey, you! Are you listening seriously!?"
"I am. And because I'm listening, I don't understand even more... No, seriously, why?"
I got up from the chair and brewed some coffee.
"Want some?"
"Are you really listening!? Yes, I do! I do!"
"Alright. Milk and sugar?"
"One of each!"
I brewed the coffee and added milk and sugar as King-chan had ordered. When I handed it to her, King-chan took a sip and her eyes went wide.
"Oh, it's good... No, that's not the point! Ugh! You idiot! You're the one who asked me!"
"Yeah, I asked. But... I really just don't get it."
I drank my black coffee, trying to calm my mind. Ah, this bitterness clears my thoughts.
"You said you asked your trainer to be first-class. What did you do, King-chan?"
I decided to try to figure out where the problem was. King-chan's eyes wandered as if she was at a loss for words.
"It wasn't a big deal... I just kept telling him that I'm going to become a first-class Uma Musume... and that he should continue to work hard to be a trainer worthy of that. That's all."
"Yeah, that's not a big deal at all. Then the trainer is the one at fault... Who was your trainer again, King-chan?"
I think it was a senior trainer. His training skills... his reputation was pretty good, too.
I noticed King-chan's gaze, which seemed to want to say something, and thought about what she had just said. Actually, it's been on my mind for a while.
"King-chan, you say you're going to become a first-class Uma Musume, but you already are, aren't you? And what's wrong? You used to say you were first-class."
"...Huh?"
King-chan's mouth hung open. You're unladylike, you know? I'd probably get yelled at if I said that to her now.
"But... I lost in the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby."
"That's true. But listen, King-chan. The Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby... The fact that you're even standing on that stage makes you a first-class Uma Musume."
I said that and got up from the chair. I moved to the whiteboard, grabbed a marker, and started writing.
"Just in the classic class, there are about 700 Uma Musume. And they're divided into turf and dirt, but most of them go to turf... So, it's between 500 and 600."
I continued, saying something like, "We learn this in Tracen Academy classes, too."
"Maiden races, maiden races, open races, G3, G2, and G1... King-chan, you're competing here, at the top, in G1 races. Is that okay so far?"
"Why are you stating the obvious—"
"And there are still Uma Musume who are running in maiden races even now, and some of them have retired without a single win, or retired due to injury, or transferred to regional leagues."
I deliberately ignored King-chan's protest and continued talking.
"King-chan, you have 3 wins in 7 races, right? First place in your debut, an open race, and the G3... what was it? The Tokyo Sports Hai Junior Stakes, right? And it was a record-breaking win."
"That's... right."
"You came in second in your first G1, the Hopeful Stakes. Third in the G2 Yayoi Sho, and third in the G1 Satsuki Sho... and 7th in the Japanese Derby the other day."
I had looked up this information before. The materials I gave to King-chan also included her own information.
And when I look at her record, I think only one thing.
"You're already a first-class Uma Musume."
Without a doubt, she's one of the top Uma Musume in the classic class at Tracen Academy. She's an exceptional Uma Musume, a handful, not even a handful.
—If this isn't first-class, then what is?
When I told her that, King-chan was silent as if she was at a loss for words. But because of that, I can't understand.
"The one who trained you to be like this was your former... well, your former trainer. So isn't he also a first-class trainer?"
She hasn't had a single win this year, but her record is still more than excellent. And yet, I really don't understand the reason why he quit being King-chan's trainer.
If there's another reason... from the way King-chan talks, is it a clash of personalities? But for me, I'd be overjoyed if the Uma Musume I was in charge of told me, "I want you to do this!"
For example, if Urara told me, "Trainer, I want you to be more reliable," I'd be able to re-examine myself, thinking if I had been slacking off recently or if there was something I had been missing.
If Rice told me that, her words would be from someone who has been in the world of racing for a year longer than me. I'd be grateful and think that it's something I can learn from.
Besides,
"And the fact that King-chan told him to be a first-class trainer means you thought he could become one, right? Then I'd think that he'd be even less likely to let you go..."
Well, to put it another way, it's like she was saying, "You're not first-class," so some people might not be able to accept that.
To me, it just sounds like a kick in the pants from King-chan, saying, "Let's become first-class together"... If I cleared up that misunderstanding, maybe things would work out?
I threw those questions at King-chan—and for some reason, King-chan looked down, as if she was embarrassed.
(Huh? Did I get something completely wrong?)
After hearing her story, I'm still left with the feeling of "why would he quit being her trainer?" But from King-chan's expression, I get the feeling that there's something else.
"I'm... not as great an Uma Musume as you say... The reason I'm so obsessed with being first-class is because I want to show my mother..."
"...Is there a problem with your family?"
I thought it might be too much to pry that deeply, but I can't turn back now that I've come this far. And above all, it seems like King-chan wants me to listen.
"It's not a problem. It's just that my mother is an Uma Musume who won a G1 overseas, and now she's a famous designer... She was always against me entering Tracen Academy and debuting at my age. She told me I had no talent and that I would only suffer if I entered. She told me to come home before I made a fool of myself, many times."
"...?"
"After the Japanese Derby, she told me, 'You didn't even place, let alone win...' 'See? Come back home and quit racing before you embarrass yourself anymore.' The results were what they were. I couldn't argue with her."
"......?"
I listened to King-chan's story and couldn't help but tilt my head.
Tracen Academy is a training institution for Uma Musume, but it also has the aspect of being a school. What I'm trying to say is that a parent's consent is required to enter.
King-chan said her mother was against it, but if she was truly against it, she wouldn't have given her consent in the first place.
The fact that she did give her consent, and then says things like that every chance she gets, means that,
(Is she just worried about King-chan...? No, this is just a one-sided story from King-chan. There must be some family matters involved, so maybe I shouldn't pry for now.)
I've never been a parent in my previous life, but if I had a child like King-chan, I'm sure she would be adorable, and I would be worried about her.
After all, she's trying to become a first-class being, just like her mother. I can understand a mother's feelings of being happy for her but also worrying and wanting her to come home.
"And she also told me, 'Special Week-san, who won the Japanese Derby. It's been a while since I've seen a run that captivating.' 'If you run in the same generation as her and lose, you should just give up...' she said."
King-chan was talking with a look of genuine frustration and vexation. But for me, the questions only kept piling up.
(If her mother is also an Uma Musume, and one who won a G1 overseas, she should be able to understand King-chan's talent... This girl is strong and will get even stronger. She'll even be able to beat Special Week...)
Special Week is strong, that's for sure. She's full of talent, works hard, and can give courage and inspiration to those who are watching her race. Her figure, who beat Oguri Cap, also looked radiant to me.
But I don't think King-chan is inferior to Special Week. I'd think a mother would believe in her own child's talent.
"And..."
While I was pondering, King-chan had an expression that was difficult to describe. It was like a child's face, afraid of being scolded.
"During the Satsuki Sho, I ran based on the materials you gave me. I don't know how to describe it, but looking at those materials, I felt that they just clicked with me... In the Japanese Derby, I ran according to my former trainer's instructions. And then, well..."
King-chan hugged herself tightly and said,
"The results weren't good, and my mother told me to give up, and I expressed my frustration, asking, 'Why can't I win?' and 'Why won't you let me win?' And he said, 'I can't train you anymore...'"
Perhaps she reached her limit after constantly being told to become first-class, being blamed when she lost, and being yelled at. If he had said, "I'll get my revenge next time," it might have been different...
(Am I partly responsible for this...?)
I don't know how much the materials I gave her before affected her, but the gap between her and Oguri Cap, who came in first in the Satsuki Sho, was only about 3 lengths. The gap between her and Special Week, who came in second, was only about 1 length, so there's a good chance she could have won if the race had unfolded a little differently.
On the other hand, there's also a possibility that I was the reason she didn't win. If her former trainer's instructions were accurate and his strategy for the Satsuki Sho had been correct, she might have won.
But if King-chan hadn't placed in the Satsuki Sho, she might have ended up in this situation at that point. Of course, this is all just a what-if, and her former trainer has already quit.
"I was frustrated with my mother, my former trainer... and myself for not being able to win, and I did that reckless training that only breaks my body... No, it wasn't even training. It was just an outlet for my frustration."
"...I see."
I had thought about mediating between her and her former trainer at first, but for a trainer to give up on training an Uma Musume is not a good thing in many ways.
It's not a big problem if a trainer transfers to another team or trainer because their training policies don't match, but he quit before she could find a new trainer.
He did that even though he knew his evaluation from Tracen Academy would be negatively affected. The conflict between her former trainer and King-chan might have been more deeply rooted than I thought.
For me, the story about King-chan and her former trainer only makes me tilt my head and ask, "Why?" But let's try to put myself in her former trainer's shoes.
How would you feel if a girl about 10 years younger than you kept telling you to become first-class and a trainer worthy of her every time you saw her, and then she finally complained, "Why won't you let me win?"
Even if I somehow managed to mediate and they went back to their old relationship... what would happen?
(They'd probably fall apart again sooner or later... If she's running the classic route, the next one is the Kikka Sho. 3000 meters... It'll be tough even if I train her thoroughly from now on. King-chan seems like an Uma Musume who can run long distances, but it's her weak point compared to short, mile, and middle distances.)
The distance is 600 meters longer than the Japanese Derby. A difference of 600 meters is about as difficult as making an Uma Musume who has only run short distances able to run middle distances. No, it's even more difficult than that.
Perhaps she thought I didn't care because I answered so briefly. King-chan drank the rest of her coffee and let out a big sigh.
"Phew... It feels a little better to have gotten that off my chest. I'm sorry for making you listen to such a trivial thing."
"It's not trivial. It's about King-chan, after all. So... what are you going to do now?"
There are a lot of things to think about, but that's my main concern right now. What is King-chan going to do now that she doesn't have a trainer? In other words, what does she want to do?
"Hehe... The future, huh... You said I'm a first-class Uma Musume, but there's no one crazy enough to take on an Uma Musume who was abandoned by her trainer at this time of year... Going home like my mother said is also—"
"Then I'll train you. No, that's wrong... Please let me train you."
When I heard King-chan's story, I immediately said that. I should have thought about it more, and I'm already close to my limit just training Urara and Rice, but if I can train King-chan, I don't care about my limits. I'll go beyond them.
"Is that... pity?"
King-chan's eyes went wide when she heard my words, and then she asked with a self-deprecating tone.
"Pity? No. There's an Uma Musume right in front of me who I've always wanted to train and who I think can become strong, and she's free? A trainer who wouldn't reach out for her isn't a trainer."
I told the chairman and Tazuna-san that I wouldn't be adding any new team members for the time being, and I've been given a lot of special favors, so it would be a breach of trust.
Also, I rejected all the new students who wanted to join Team Kitarufa this year, so adding King-chan to the team would likely cause dissatisfaction.
And if I train King-chan, I'll be in direct opposition to my peers, with whom I've built good relationships so far. Given King-chan's aptitudes, I don't know who she'll clash with in which race. Our relationships will definitely get worse.
And putting Urara aside, I don't know what Rice would think of King-chan. What would her reaction be if King-chan suddenly joined our team?
I can think of all these disadvantages just off the top of my head. And King-chan probably knew all that as well.
"You idiot... I know from Urara-san, and I talked to you on the phone so often, you know? You don't have the capacity to train any Uma Musume besides Urara-san and Rice Shower-san, do you?"
"To be honest, I don't."
There's no point in lying here. When I nodded at King-chan's words, she changed her self-deprecating smile to a wry one.
"When I see Urara-san's happy face, her joyful face, I can't let you push yourself too hard. You should only think about Urara-san and Rice Shower-san."
King-chan said that with a concerned tone. That's a reasonable thing to say. For me right now, Urara and Rice, who have races coming up, are important. When I think about all the hardships that will increase, I want to hesitate—but.
"But, King-chan—you're an Uma Musume worth taking on, even with all those hardships."
I looked straight at King-chan and said that. King-chan's eyes went wide as if she was at a loss for words, but I didn't care and closed the distance between us.
"First-class or whatever, that doesn't matter. Your mother might be a great Uma Musume, but I don't care about that. It's because you're you, King-chan, a hard-working, kind, ambitious, and positive King Halo that I want to train you."
I must have become a trainer without realizing it. When a massive uncut diamond is just sitting there in front of me, I can't help but want to polish it.
In Urara's case, I scouted her because I misunderstood her name.
In Rice's case, she just came to me, and I became her trainer.
But King-chan is the first Uma Musume I've ever wanted to scout this badly.
There are a lot of problems, but I want King-chan even if it means overcoming them. I want to train this girl. That's what I felt.
When I told her that, King-chan put her hand on her chest as if she was conflicted and gripped the jersey tightly.
"You idiot... I'm just an Uma Musume who was abandoned by her trainer, you know?"
"That just means you and he weren't a good match, right? It happens all the time."
Whether King-chan and I are a good match... I think we are, but I don't know. I won't know for sure until I actually train her.
"I might not be an Uma Musume worth the trouble you're willing to go through to train me."
"I won't know that until I train you. But I believe you're a strong Uma Musume and that you'll get even stronger. At the very least, I don't think I'll regret it."
If anything, I'd regret it more if I let this opportunity slip away. I closed the distance between us and grabbed her shoulders, looking straight into her eyes.
"So, please become my Uma Musume."
"~! You idiot! You idiot!"
She kept calling me an idiot, but she didn't seem to hate it. Her face was red, and with tears in the corners of her eyes, she looked straight back at me.
"Really, you're such an idiot... I'm not a King who can back down after hearing all that."
"Then..."
"But! First, you have to get permission from Urara-san and Rice Shower-san! And your work is already a lot, isn't it? You have to do something about that too!"
When a trainer decides to be in charge of an Uma Musume or add them to their team, all that's required is the trainer's will and the Uma Musume's consent.
With that in mind, I don't need to get permission from Urara or Rice, but...
"You're right about that... I'll talk to the chairman and Tazuna-san first thing in the morning. I'll also get permission from Urara and Rice. If they're okay with it, will you accept my offer?"
"I'm already telling you, aren't I?"
King-chan smiled softly at my words and said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"...You idiot."
The next morning. As promised, I went to the chairman's office first thing in the morning and knocked on the door, asking Tazuna-san to let me in.
"Greeting! Good morning! You said you had something to talk about this morning, so what is it!?"
"Did you perhaps find a new Uma Musume you'd like to be in charge of? Just kidding..."
"Yes. I found an Uma Musume I'd like to be in charge of, and I've come to ask for your permission."
When I said that clearly, the chairman and Tazuna-san stopped moving. They looked at each other and then turned to me so fast it made a sound.
"Shock! What's with the sudden change of heart!? You said you wouldn't be adding any new members for a year... for another six months!?"
"Um... This isn't a joke, is it?"
The chairman was shocked, and Tazuna-san was confused. I owe a lot to Tazuna-san for her help in running Team Kitarufa. I'm sure she didn't expect to hear me say I wanted to add a new Uma Musume after just seeing her yesterday.
"I'm not joking; I'm serious. There's a girl I'd like to welcome to Team Kitarufa... and she doesn't have a trainer."
"Question! We'd stop you if you were trying to poach someone from another team, but in that case, you don't need to consult us! However, what about your regular duties!?"
"That's right, Trainer. You've certainly gotten better at getting your work done compared to before... but won't you be pushing yourself too hard if you have more Uma Musume to train?"
"I'll probably push myself too hard until I get used to it. But she's a girl I want to train, even if it means pushing myself too hard."
When I said that, the chairman and Tazuna-san looked at each other again.
"Which Uma Musume without a trainer do you want to train so badly, Trainer? No one comes to mind... Was there a new student like that this year?"
"King Halo."
"Ah... I see..."
Tazuna-san nodded in understanding, yet with a troubled expression, at my answer.
"It's true that she just recently terminated her contract with her trainer regarding her training. If you want to train her, we can't stop you, but..."
Tazuna-san said that and then looked at the chairman.
"Warning! In that case, the deal we made with you about 'Tazuna will support you until you get used to the work' will be terminated! We won't mind, but people around you will think that you added a new Uma Musume because you had more time on your hands!"
"And we won't be able to stop Uma Musume who want to transfer to or join Team Kitarufa... Of course, it's up to you whether you accept them or not."
It's not favoritism, but it seems Tazuna-san's support, which I had been receiving until now, will be cut off. But as Tazuna-san said, it's true that I've gotten used to the work.
Something that was originally planned for a year is being cut short after six months because of me. A penalty of that level is only natural. No, it's not even a penalty. It was something that shouldn't have existed in the first place. If Tazuna-san were to continue supporting me, other trainers would complain. In fact, I would complain or protest myself.
And as for transfers and new members... well, I'll have to refuse. I feel bad for the girls who want to join, but it's absolutely impossible until I get used to training King-chan.
Urara is suited for dirt, Rice is suited for middle to long-distance turf, and King-chan is suited for short-distance turf but can run all distances. If I were to add anyone else, I'd have to change their age group, or we'd end up competing for wins within the team.
"And King Halo herself told me to get permission from Urara and Rice. I'm going to talk to them after school, and if they accept it, I'd like to add King Halo to our team."
It might have been better to talk to Urara and Rice and get their permission before talking to the chairman and Tazuna-san. But before I'm Urara and Rice's trainer, I'm a trainer employed by Tracen Academy. I have a duty to report, contact, and consult with my superiors, the chairman and Tazuna-san.
"If I add King Halo to the team, unlike with Rice, I have a good amount of data on turf races and classic-class Uma Musume. I don't think I'll have as much trouble as I did with Rice."
I've been working as a team for six months. It's a little early to stand on my own, but I think I can manage it. Or rather, I'll make it work.
The chairman and Tazuna-san nodded with some reluctance at my words.
And so, after school that day.
When it was time for Urara and Rice to come to the club room, I stood in front of the club room door and waited for them.
It would have been fine to talk to them on the phone or through a messaging app last night, but I think this kind of talk should be done face-to-face. Urara and Rice looked at me with curious expressions.
"Oh, Trainer! What are you doing here?"
"Onii-sama? Is something wrong?"
"I have something important to talk to you two about today... Well, come on in."
I opened the club room door and invited them in. Urara tilted her head and followed me into the club room, but for some reason, Rice stopped moving the moment she entered.
"......"
And then she silently moved around the club room. She opened and closed the lockers, the sofa, and then for some reason, the washing machine.
"Um, Rice-san? What's the matter?"
I asked without thinking, using polite language. Rice shook her head with an expression that was difficult to describe.
"...Nothing. So, Onii-sama, what's the important thing you wanted to talk about?"
"Well... it doesn't seem like it's nothing..."
Lately, I can't figure out what Rice is doing. Is this what all girls her age are like?
I shook off that thought, cleared my throat, and opened my mouth.
"Ahem... So, I want to add a new member to Team Kitarufa."
"Huh?! A new member?! Is it King-chan!?"
"Yes, King-chan... wait? How did you know?"
I nodded at Urara's words and then asked in surprise. Huh? I haven't said anything yet, have I?
"Because this room smells like King-chan! And King-chan brought a jersey that smells like Trainer home with her yesterday!"
Urara said with a smile. But hold on a second. King-chan did take the jersey I had her wear yesterday home. When I said I'd wash it, she got angry and said, "I can't let a gentleman wash the clothes I've worn!"
After we talked last night, King-chan took my jersey home with her while wearing her dry underwear and jersey, but it seems Urara found out by her smell. And Urara, is your sense of smell too good? And Rice, why did you suddenly hug me without saying anything?
"Um... actually, last night..."
I decided to explain the circumstances first.
How King-chan was doing self-training in the heavy rain.
How I took her to the club room because the situation was obviously bad for her body.
How she was abandoned by her trainer due to a problem with communication and compatibility.
And how I wanted to add King-chan to Team Kitarufa and train her.
I explained all that objectively and calmly. And contrary to my expectations, the first one to agree was Rice.
"I see... Onii-sama, Rice wants you to accept King-chan."
"...Are you sure?"
"Yes... Because even though Rice only had a shallow connection with her previous trainers, it was so sad when they quit. It was partly Rice's fault back then, too... But King-chan was told by the trainer she worked hard with that he couldn't train her anymore, right?"
I silently nodded at Rice's question. Rice then looked down sadly.
"Then that girl must have been so, so sad... So Rice agrees. Because Rice is so, so happy that she met Onii-sama. That girl will surely be happy too."
"Rice...!"
I hugged Rice without thinking. Damn, what a good girl. I feel like punching myself from last night, who thought Rice would be the one to object.
"Hmm... I'd be happy to be on the same team as King-chan too."
Urara, who had been watching our exchange, poked her head with her finger and tilted her head.
"Is Trainer going to be okay? Won't your work be too much?"
Urara was worried about me, not King-chan.
She was worried about the increased burden on me if we welcomed King-chan to the team. She's not worried about King-chan fitting in because they're roommates, right? Or does she believe that I'll be able to handle it?
"—Yeah, I'll be fine."
I said confidently with a smile at Urara's concern.
My workload will definitely become more difficult if Tazuna-san's support is gone and the time and effort for King-chan's training increase.
But with my Uma Musume worrying about me like this, I can't say that it's too much. I should be able to make time to train King-chan if I get my work from Tracen Academy done more efficiently.
Thanks to Tazuna-san, I've gotten used to my work over the past six months. And other trainers on other teams are doing the same thing... No, some people are getting their work done while training more Uma Musume than I am. I can do it.
And besides.
"It's decided, King-chan. Come to our club room. You're the third member of Team Kitarufa."
"—What!?"
When I called King-chan and told her that—the brightness in her voice made my resolve even stronger.
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