After Urara's Japan Dirt Derby, the next day.
I went to work as usual and did my job as usual—or so I thought.
"Concern! I have a question for you, even though I've called you here! ...You look pale. Should we postpone the interview until tomorrow?"
"I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep because I was so frustrated with yesterday's race."
I answered with a wry smile to the chairman, who looked worried.
Today was the day for the summer personnel interviews. Since Urara's Unicorn Stakes and Japan Dirt Derby, King's CBC Sho, and Rice's Takarazuka Kinen were all in a row from late June to early July, my personnel interview had been postponed.
The Tracen Academy, which considers our convenience like this, is seriously a great place to work. Yeah, great. My head's also pretty "great," or rather, it's a blank slate.
It was true that I couldn't sleep last night. I never thought I'd experience something like being so frustrated that I couldn't sleep at night.
Urara, who was exhausted after finishing 3rd in the Japan Dirt Derby, rested in the waiting room until the Winning Live and somehow got through it.
Rice, King, and I all cheered for Urara at the live, shouting and waving our glow sticks. Ah, that's a lie. I was the only one waving the glow stick. Rice and King were only modestly waving their cherry blossom-colored glow sticks.
The reason I waved my glow stick to distract myself from the frustration... yeah, that's a secret. The tears I shed when I saw Urara standing next to Smart Falcon in her race outfit and dancing were just because the lights were too bright.
After that, I carried the exhausted Urara on my back, returned to Tracen Academy, sent Urara and the others to the dorm, entrusted Urara to King, and went home. I would've collapsed if I went to the club room for a reflection session disguised as race research.
Even after I got home, took a shower, had a late-night snack, and lay down on my bed staring at the ceiling, sleep wouldn't come. Urara's run in the Japan Dirt Derby replayed in my mind, and the frustration kept me awake.
I tried to close my eyes and sleep, but I couldn't, and I ended up staying up all night. I had faint dark circles under my eyes, but my physical condition was fine.
"I'm sorry about yesterday's race... but it was a wonderful race,"
Tazuna said, with a wry smile on her face. I bowed my head slightly when I heard that.
"Thank you. But a loss is a loss... I'll take it seriously and continue to train Urara."
And of course, Rice and King too. When I told them that, the chairman and Tazuna looked at each other and smiled in a troubled way.
"Expectation! That's the spirit! In that case, Tazuna."
"Yes. Now, Trainer, this is your personnel evaluation."
With that, Tazuna handed me an envelope. I took the envelope, pulled out the contents, and looked through it.
(Since King joined the team, my score as a team trainer has gone up... As an individual trainer... Oh, crap.)
My score as a trainer for Team Kitalpha was 80 points. This was considered a perfect score, given that the team was one person short of the minimum of five, and 10 points were deducted for each person short.
However, my score as an individual trainer had dropped to 95 points. The reason for that was...
"Trainer, you've reduced your overtime after work, but you're coming in early in the morning to work, aren't you?"
I can't say, "I'm not?" Tazuna was smiling, but her eyes were slightly open. To put it bluntly, it was super scary.
On the other hand, early morning work and overtime are left to each trainer's free will. Formally, my superiors are the chairman and Tazuna, but if I don't do it, the training of the horse girls will be delayed, so the chairman and Tazuna won't strongly stop me.
I also feel like I want to reduce my workload, but Tazuna is already taking on work for me.
As a working adult, it's hard to say, "Overtime is tough, so please reduce my workload." If they reply, "Then don't work overtime," that's the end of the conversation. I finish the work assigned by Tracen Academy within my working hours, and my overtime is mainly for researching how to make Urara and the others stronger.
I summarize information about Urara and the others' training, research races, and research rivals of Urara and the others... Wait? Speaking of which, am I supposed to get overtime pay for this? It's a bit difficult to argue that this is work... But if I say, "I don't need overtime pay, just let me stay and work," Tazuna, with her smiling face, might do an Axe Bomber.
"Honestly... You can't do that? I know you're working hard, but if you get sick, Haru Urara and the others will be sad."
"Yes... You have a point..."
If I were to get sick, Urara and Rice would definitely cry. King would probably sigh in exasperation and slap me on the back.
As I've gotten used to the work, I can now handle the work assigned by Tracen Academy easily. However, the time I spend researching Urara and the others' rivals and races is longer than that.
"If you were in charge of five or more horse girls at the moment, we could assign you a sub-trainer..."
Tazuna said, putting her hand on her cheek and looking troubled.
If I had a sub-trainer, I could assign work to them, but then I'd have to spend time supervising and instructing the sub-trainer. Including that, it would be a wash... no, the workload would probably increase for a while.
In addition, I'm sure the work assigned to me would increase because I have a sub-trainer. I haven't reached the minimum number of five horse girls for a team, and I'd like to avoid standing out more when I'm already not well-liked by some of the senior trainers, except for a few.
On top of that, there was also the problem of whether there was a sub-trainer who thought exactly like me. Would they listen to me when I teach them about race research and horse girl care? I wouldn't know if they would understand until I actually hired a sub-trainer.
I could turn a blind eye if it only increased my workload, but if it had a bad effect on Urara and the others, it would be a disaster. Of course, there's a possibility of a good effect, but I'm still hesitant.
I got a sub-trainer. But it's taking up more time for supervision and instruction. And my horse girl training method doesn't suit them, and they're not growing at all... If that happened, it would be a disaster.
I would welcome a sub-trainer who understood that from the beginning and was a good fit for Team Kitalpha's style.
"Trainer, you're also good at talking to your junior colleagues, aren't you? Is there anyone who doesn't care about what others think or say, and would be willing to be your sub-trainer?"
"I wonder if 'a bit' is enough... Also, all the junior trainers have horse girls they're in charge of, and I don't think I can ask them to be a sub-trainer now..."
I didn't have any in my year, but it seems that every year a few of the new trainers become sub-trainers. The pattern of working under another trainer, learning how to train and interact with horse girls, and then starting to work as a full-fledged trainer after a few years is quite standard.
Despite that, there were zero applicants for sub-trainers last year and this year. There were people who were assigned to Tracen Academy before me who graduated from being sub-trainers and started working as full-fledged trainers, but there were no new applicants for sub-trainers.
As someone who would have become a sub-trainer if I hadn't met Urara, I can only think, "Well, that happens."
"Proposal! Then, for next year, how about we put a new trainer who fits your team's style under you from the beginning and train them!"
"If it's a work order, I'll do it... but is that the kind of job you give to a young trainer who's only in their second, or rather, third year next year? And if it fails, it'll be a disaster..."
"Reconsider! Then, how about we put a student specializing in support staff under you for training purposes!"
"Speaking of which, Tracen Academy has a course like that... By the way, since it's training, I'm the one who evaluates and instructs them, right? It's one thing to be a trainer, but to evaluate and instruct support staff is..."
I feel like it's just going to increase my workload... Wait? Am I secretly disliked by the chairman? I'm starting to feel like I'm being encouraged to take a gamble that might make things easier in the future.
"...As a trainer working at Tracen Academy, I believe that if you could just do something about the amount of work we get, we could put more effort into training the horse girls."
"Apology! We can't reduce the amount of work unless the number of trainers at Tracen Academy increases! I apologize!"
"So the number of trainers is the problem after all... If it's just about getting the work done, how about asking people who are on leave or have left the field..."
It's not like they're a "paper driver," but what about hiring people who have obtained a central trainer's license but have left the trainer business? Since it was a personnel evaluation, I thought it was a good opportunity to ask, and the chairman held her head in her hands.
"Regret! We're already doing that, and this is the situation!"
"To give you an example of someone you know, we're also having Rice Shower's former trainer, who is on leave, do some work... There are some people who have left the trainer business but don't want to leave work related to horse girls."
Oh, so this is the situation even though they've already taken action. Who said Tracen Academy was a great place to work? I did.
And in that state, Tazuna, who has been supporting me for half a year, is truly too excellent. This person has the physical and mental strength to always smile, and she efficiently gets her work done with movements that are no match for any horse girl.
"Rice's former trainer... will they return?"
I asked what I was curious about since the other party brought it up. Then, the chairman and Tazuna looked pained.
"I can't go into details as it's a matter of personal information... but I can only say that it's impossible for the time being."
"I see..."
I'm only a second-year trainer, and I'm busy with work, and I'm having so much fun training Urara and the others. That's why I can't understand why someone would take a leave of absence or quit the trainer business—of course, that's not true, but I can only imagine.
(In my case, I'm probably blessed with the horse girls I'm training, like Urara, Rice, and King...)
It's possible that people who took a leave of absence or quit the trainer business did so because a horse girl they were in charge of retired due to an injury during a race, or a horse girl left because their training policies didn't match, and they decided they couldn't be a trainer.
In addition to such negative reasons, there might also be cases where a trainer lost their motivation as if a thread had been cut after their horse girl ran to their satisfaction and retired without any problems.
I'm having a fulfilling life now, but I might face a similar situation someday.
However, that's not now.
"In any case, we don't think there's anything wrong with the results of your work. However, please understand that as management, we can't help but deduct points for your work methods."
"Yes... I'll be careful."
I nodded honestly to Tazuna, who was wrapping up the conversation. No excessive overtime, no early morning work... then, at home...
"I can't say anything about your private time, but that doesn't mean you should do it at home, does it?"
"Haha, no way..."
Hee, my mind was read... I want to praise myself for not showing surprise on the surface, even though my eyes were darting around. Tazuna sighed and looked at the calendar on the wall of the chairman's office.
"The academy's summer vacation is coming soon, but you're planning to have a team training camp this year, aren't you?"
"That's the plan. I've already finished the application process, but..."
I tilted my head, wondering if there was a problem. Then, Tazuna smiled in a caring way.
"Of course, I'm not saying you should work as usual during the training camp. There are no G1 races from this time until autumn, and there are fewer graded races in general... Most of the work at the training camp will be done online, and there will be less work to do."
"...What do you mean by that?"
I straightened my posture at Tazuna's words that the work would decrease.
"Please do your best for the horse girls you're in charge of. And please rest your body as much as possible, Trainer. Understood?"
I bowed to Tazuna, who was smiling, and left the chairman's office.
And then, I was caught by Kiryuin-san.
"W-what a coincidence! If you have some time, would you like to talk for a bit!?"
No, "caught" is rude. I came out of the chairman's office and turned a corner in the hallway, and Kiryuin-san was there.
"Nice to see you, Kiryuin-san. Yes, I have some time now, so it's fine."
I said that and started walking next to Kiryuin-san. Since she called out to me at this timing, she must be curious about the results of the personnel evaluation. Wait? But she's not holding an envelope or anything.
Was there anything else? I walked down the hallway, chatting with Kiryuin-san, while wondering that. I felt like Kiryuin-san was a bit fidgety... no, what is it really? Did something happen recently?
(We haven't made any plans to go drinking yet, and we haven't made a promise to have Meek run with my members...)
I feel like we've had more opportunities to talk like this since the previous drinking party. However, even when we talk, we're both busy. We just have a little small talk.
Kiryuin-san talked about the weather today, and then she brought up the news she saw today. I answered with a smile and wondered if I was just imagining that Kiryuin-san seemed a bit strange.
"B-by the way, summer vacation at Tracen Academy is coming soon, isn't it... Um, d-do you have any plans for the summer...?"
"During the summer vacation, we're having a training camp with Team Kitalpha. It's our first training camp, so I plan to train them thoroughly."
For the races in autumn and beyond, Urara, Rice, and King all need to be trained, trained, and trained. I sometimes wonder if it's okay to only train during the long-awaited summer vacation, but horse girls instinctively wish to run faster. If so, as a trainer, I'll just support them.
Of course, we won't be training from morning to night. That's pointless and just tiring, so I plan to do it efficiently with a good balance and let them have free time to play.
Oh, but I heard there's a lot of homework during the summer vacation, so I should also set aside time for studying, otherwise it might be a problem for Urara, though Rice and King are fine.
"Eh, oh, I see..."
When Kiryuin-san heard my answer, she looked a bit down.
"Um... were you going to ask me to do something?"
"N-no! I was just about to think about that!"
"Oh, I see..."
What does that mean? Did she check my schedule and if it was free, she was going to make an excuse to invite me to do something...? I thought you were supposed to decide what you wanted to do first and then invite someone... Wait? Is my brain not working? Am I tired from staying up all night after all?
"Aren't you guys having a training camp or something?"
Seeing Kiryuin-san looking down, I decided to change the subject for now. Then, Kiryuin-san slowly shook her head.
"We don't have any plans... but what should we do at a training camp?"
"No, what should you do... you know, when you train at Tracen Academy all the time, your motivation and training effectiveness decrease as you get used to the training location and content, right? So I think it's a good idea to train them in a different environment to strengthen them."
Since the training camp location is by the sea, I'm thinking of having them swim in the ocean. The accommodation is a ryokan, but it's cheap because it's affiliated with Tracen Academy, and there's a training course and a mountain nearby.
I think it's a good way to motivate Urara and the others while giving them a good workout. Also, there's a hot spring, so I'm looking forward to that.
"Meek and a training camp..."
Kiryuin-san's expression changed to a serious one as she mumbled. If it were her first year, it might be tough, but now in her second year, she can probably take her with her even without a subsidy from Tracen Academy.
It would be difficult to have a training camp for over a month like us, but for a short period, it would probably cost from tens of thousands to over a hundred thousand yen. Well, since both Kiryuin-san and I have horse girls who have won races, we could have a training camp during the summer vacation out of our own pockets if we wanted to.
Then, Kiryuin-san suddenly widened her eyes as if she had realized something. Then she looked from side to side and opened her mouth.
"B-by the way... can I ask where you're having your training camp?"
"Where... it's the place that Team Rigil and Team Spica also use. You know, the one by the sea."
Around this time, my colleagues also bring up that topic... I also heard about it last year and thought I could take Urara there since Team Rigil uses it.
"..."
But Kiryuin-san only tilted her head in a puzzled way. Seeing that, I thought, "This is no good," but I smiled wryly on the outside.
"I'll send you the digital data of the materials later."
"P-please do..."
It would be a perfect reference. And even trainers who don't lead a team can get a subsidy if they apply.
I had that conversation with Kiryuin-san and left.
"And so. As we talked about, we're having a training camp when summer vacation starts!"
That day after school. When Urara and the others came to the club room, I handed out the travel guide I had prepared and declared that.
There was about a week left until Urara and the others' summer vacation. I decided to tell them in advance and even made this travel guide so that we wouldn't be in a rush with preparations if I told them just before.
As for the major goals for the time being.
Urara's is the G1, JBC Sprint, which will be held in early November.
Rice's is the autumn senior triple crown.
King's is the G1, Sprinters Stakes, which will be held in late September, and the Kikuka Sho in late October.
That's how it is.
I feel like it's a bit strange that all the goals are G1 races... No, trainers and horse girls aim for G1 races, so it's not strange, yeah.
"Wow... there's an ocean and a mountain! That's amazing!"
"A training course near the accommodation... an ocean... swimsuits..."
"Hmm... I have my doubts about whether the ryokan is suitable for me, but if I can train there, I'll go anywhere."
Urara, Rice, and King are all positive about the training camp. Urara... she was shedding tears of frustration yesterday, but she must have gotten over it after a good night's sleep.
"Since it's a long period, make sure you have enough changes of clothes and towels. Even though we're staying at a ryokan, you'll have to do your own laundry and clean your own rooms. We won't be having a feast every day, so it's not a casual trip like a school trip, so be careful."
It is, after all, a training camp. We won't be cooking for ourselves every day, but the purpose is to move our base of operations for a short period and train thoroughly. This is something that can only be done during a long vacation like summer vacation. Well, for me, it's not a vacation, even though the workload will decrease.
The ryokan we'll be staying at will be a "bed and breakfast" or a little better than a normal trip. It won't be an excessive burden on Urara and the others, but there's also an aspect of it being a learning experience since they're student horse girls.
"Other teams and trainers will also be training the horse girls they're in charge of as much as possible for the races in autumn and beyond. I plan to do the same."
We're not the only ones who are growing. To win against the opponents we've lost to before, we have to grow more than they do. That's why this summer training camp will be important.
"So, let's get even stronger!"
"Yeah!"
"Y-yeah."
"Of course."
Each of them responded to my words. It will be a bit of a trial and error since it's our first training camp, but we have to make it a fruitful one.
(I have to make these girls stronger...)
I strongly thought that.
As a side note, it was a close call when Urara was on the verge of failing her final exams and almost had to go to supplementary classes, which would have ruined the training camp.
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