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Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: A Long-Awaited Meeting with Symboli Rudolf

Chapter 3: A Long-Awaited Meeting with Symboli Rudolf (1/2)

A short while later, after Ryuichi and Hayakawa Tazuna expertly navigated their way to the Chairwoman's office, Ryuichi once again came face-to-face with the Chairwoman of Tracen Academy—Ms. Akikawa Yayoi.

"Welcome! Trainer Kitano Ryuichi! You are the only trainer to successfully graduate from the Central Trainer Academy this year, and you've even broken the record for the youngest trainer at Tracen Academy!"

"Therefore! I have high hopes for you, rookie Trainer Kitano Ryuichi! I hope you will seize this opportunity and contribute to the careers and achievements of Tracen Academy's Uma Musume! That is all!"

Chairwoman Akikawa Yayoi was a horse girl, a tiny one who was about the height of a child. But Ryuichi wasn't certain if she was a racing Uma Musume. In his past life, there was speculation that she was the famous horse "Northern Taste," but after so many loops, Ryuichi still didn't know the answer.

It was just like the mystery of whether Hayakawa Tazuna was "Harvest Time." Though there were many theories and clues pointing to it, Ryuichi couldn't be sure.

After all, he couldn't very well ask the Chairwoman if her name was "Northern Taste" back when she was a racer. She was his boss. Asking such a question in a Japanese workplace would be asking for trouble. His relationship with the Chairwoman wasn't nearly as deep as his was with Tazuna…

If his relationship with Tazuna had evolved from senior-and-junior to drinking buddies and friends, then Akikawa Yayoi was, to Ryuichi, simply a good boss who, despite her occasional childish whims, was still a great leader.

A major reason why Ryuichi was willing to go through the trouble of returning to Tracen Academy after so many loops was that the benefits of being a Central Trainer in the world of Uma Musume were just that good!

Having started as a local trainer in several loops, Ryuichi knew the difference was like heaven and earth. Not only was the base salary several times higher, but the retirement, medical, and other insurance benefits were also excellent. Ryuichi had even calculated that, based on the standard retirement age, he could live a comfortable, worry-free middle-class life in the future, with money to spare.

Moreover, many expenses at Tracen Academy could be reimbursed by the central committee, such as the huge costs of racing shoes and racing outfits for his assigned Uma Musume. Trainers also received meal subsidies for their own consumption on campus, and they were even provided with a single dormitory room, rent- and utility-free.

Honestly, in this world, for someone of Ryuichi's caliber, there was truly no better job than being a Central Trainer. And Ryuichi liked Akikawa Yayoi as a boss because she was generous. She would approve any reimbursement request he submitted without a second glance and was quick to grant leave. As long as he had a valid reason, he could take as many days as he needed, provided it didn't interfere with his assigned Uma Musume's training and races.

With such a generous boss and high pay and benefits, of course Ryuichi liked her. Although Yayoi had occasionally made requests of him with no reward, Ryuichi, with his "you pay me well, so your wish is my command" attitude, never complained.

Besides, these tasks were nothing to him. They were just things like helping her tend to the vegetables in her garden, occasionally accompanying her and Tazuna to social functions, and a few times, even carrying her back to the academy. Just normal workplace obligations.

The most troublesome task was once helping her secretly set up a small room in the school building, hidden from Tazuna. It was a comfortable resting place for Chairwoman Yayoi, who was always working overtime, only for her workload to keep increasing. It allowed their esteemed Chairwoman to get some proper rest.

As for why Tazuna couldn't know… Ryuichi guessed it was because the Chairwoman didn't want to worry her. Tazuna's home was quite far from the city, and if she went home late, she probably wouldn't get enough rest.

But for Ryuichi, who had been a corporate slave in his past life and was used to dealing with unreasonable demands from superiors, these were perfectly reasonable requests. The Chairwoman treated him well, and he was willing to help ease her burden—anyway, Yayoi would reimburse him for the setup costs.

He was getting sidetracked… But ultimately, Ryuichi and Akikawa Yayoi's relationship was simply that of a boss and subordinate. Lines couldn't be crossed. Even if Ryuichi had thoughts of latching onto a rich woman, he didn't have the guts.

Don't ask. The insecurity stemmed from being single since birth. After so many loops, he hadn't even managed to win over one of his own assigned Uma Musume. How could he dare to think about something like that?

"Hmm…" At this moment, Ryuichi's mind was wandering, while Akikawa Yayoi was curiously observing the handsome young man before her, finding him more and more pleasing to the eye.

"Curious! Rookie Kitano Ryuichi, have we met before? For some reason, when I look at you, I feel…"

I feel a sense of joy from the bottom of my heart? Akikawa Yayoi couldn't bring herself to say that part out loud. After all, it was their first meeting. Saying something like that could easily be misunderstood as love at first sight or something similar.

At this thought, Yayoi couldn't help but open the fan she always carried, slightly covering her face to hide the feeling of heat rising to her cheeks. That would be a social death!

How could the dignified Chairwoman be so happy about the arrival of a new trainer? Calm down, Akikawa Yayoi, you are the Chairwoman.

But her small actions didn't escape the notice of her long-time partner, Hayakawa Tazuna. Seeing Yayoi in such a state, Tazuna suddenly felt a sense of urgency for some reason. She quickly stepped forward with a smile and said:

"Chairwoman, you must have seen Trainer Kitano's report yesterday, right? Didn't it have his photo? Of course he would look familiar."

"Puzzled! Really?" Akikawa Yayoi asked, still a bit skeptical.

Chapter 3: A Long-Awaited Meeting with Symboli Rudolf (2/2)

"It's true," Hayakawa Tazuna said, maintaining a faint smile, her eyes narrowing into a "friendly" expression. "You have such a bad memory, Chairwoman. I recognized Trainer Kitano at a glance from the school gate."

"Oh, I see… so that's what it was."

Akikawa Yayoi knew her old friend well. When Tazuna wore that expression, it was time to be scared. Although she didn't know why Tazuna was suddenly a little angry, it didn't stop Yayoi from backing down, so startled that her verbal tic disappeared.

But Yayoi still had a nagging feeling that there was more to it than that. It just wasn't the right time to bring it up. She would have to go back and think hard about whether she had ever met Kitano Ryuichi before.

"To business! Now then, rookie Trainer Kitano, since you have now become a new trainer at Tracen Academy, please decide on your first assigned Uma Musume as soon as possible!"

"You can tell me which girls you are inclined to train! Rest assured, every girl at Tracen Academy is a solar eclipse among horses (the Uma Musume equivalent of the best of the best)! In theory, they all have the potential to challenge GI races!"

Akikawa Yayoi's words were a clear offer to pull some strings for Ryuichi. Although she didn't know where this natural fondness for him came from, a Chairwoman's comfort was priceless. Since she found him pleasing to the eye, it was no problem to use a little authority to let him choose some of the more outstanding girls.

Hearing this, Hayakawa Tazuna, standing to the side, naturally understood the Chairwoman's intentions. She opened her mouth but said nothing, tacitly approving the Chairwoman's actions.

...This should be a good thing for Trainer Kitano. The Chairwoman is being a bit whimsical, but I'll let it slide.

"I don't have any special requirements."

Hearing the conversation turn to official matters, Ryuichi immediately replied seriously, "I'm just a rookie. You don't need to give me an exceptional girl. Otherwise, I'm worried my lack of experience will hold her back."

"Chairwoman, you can just pick a few more ordinary Uma Musume for me. One or two would be best. I'm afraid I won't be able to handle too many."

Are you kidding me? Taking care of just one assigned Uma Musume per loop was exhausting. How could I manage several? Besides, Ryuichi had no intention of serving any so-called "genius Uma Musume." They were geniuses; they deserved better trainers. A mediocre person like him shouldn't ruin their talent.

He wasn't even confident in how to train an ordinary Uma Musume yet… Although he'd been through so many loops, his practical knowledge came entirely from the teachings of his former charges. Ryuichi had zero confidence in his own abilities.

"This…"

Ryuichi's attitude put the Chairwoman and Tazuna in a difficult position. The two of them had been planning to recommend a few talented prospects to him, but they hadn't expected him to be so pragmatic, wanting to start from scratch.

While that was fine, you were still the youngest Central Trainer at 21! Don't you have any ambition?

Knock, knock, knock. At that moment, a knock came from the door, followed by a crisp female voice.

"Chairwoman, I am Symboli Rudolf. I am here for the new trainer's welcoming."

"Come in!" Akikawa Yayoi called out immediately. She was just racking her brain over this matter. Their timing was perfect. Perhaps they could persuade Ryuichi to set his sights a little higher.

As the office door opened, the first person to walk in was a tall Uma Musume with a commanding presence that radiated authority without anger. She had chestnut-colored hair with a distinctive, moon-like crescent highlight.

Symboli Rudolf, the current Student Council President of Central Tracen Academy. That was her name and title.

Just as she entered the office, Kitano Ryuichi happened to turn around.

This was the first time the current Symboli Rudolf had seen Ryuichi, but for Ryuichi, it was the umpteenth time he had stood here and seen her.

It was just like the scene when he first met Symboli Rudolf so long ago. The difference was that this time, he was young and composed. The first time, he had no longer been young, nor as composed.

The only thing that remained the same was that Ryuichi still didn't dare to meet the gaze of the Uma Musume before him. Because, after all he had been through, he was still, just as he was when they first met, mediocre and lost in the crowd.

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