Arriving outside the Central Tracen Academy Chairwoman's office, Kitahara first spotted his uncle, who was clearly waiting there for quite some time.
Seeing Kitahara arrive, Musaka Ginjirō stepped forward, looked him up and down for a moment, then suddenly gave his arm a firm slap.
"Brat, not bad! You've been making something of yourself lately. Haven't embarrassed your parents or me — good job!"
Hearing the familiar face delivering that same old harsh-sounding but genuinely warm praise, Kitahara couldn't help but smile, wanting to catch up a bit with his uncle.
But before he could even speak, a faintly annoyed voice drifted from inside the office.
"Infuriating! Those old fossils on the Board and in the Association — setting up new awards like 'Best Regional Uma Musume of the Year' or 'Rookie Representative Uma Musume of the Year' is clearly beneficial to the horse girls, yet they tell me it's not in line with tradition?!"
"Meow!"
"And even worse, they say I've only just taken over my father's duties and don't know enough yet, that I should just follow their lead and watch quietly. That's so insulting! I've been learning this job alongside my father ever since I retired!"
"Meow, meow!"
"And besides, those old geezers — at their age, I bet half of them haven't even left Japan! Do they even know what the current international scene is like? All they know is what those European and American associations feed them in their reports. I've studied abroad, I've seen the world — how dare they question my decisions?!"
"Meow, meow, meow!"
"So maddening! See, even Little One's angry now! No — I will prove to those fossils that I, Akikawa Yayoi, am not some clueless chestnut-haired brat!"
The sharp, childish voice, all worked up, was peppered with adorable cat meows and the occasional fluttering of a fan.
"Uh… uncle, that's…"
Kitahara asked awkwardly, though he already had a pretty good guess in his heart.
"Ahem, well…"
Ginjirō looked just as awkward, but said nothing more — just gestured for Kitahara to follow, then turned and knocked on the door.
"…Honestly, this is too much… huh? Someone's knocking? Tazuna, open the door, would you?"
The door opened, and there was his long-unseen acquaintance, Tazuna. After exchanging greetings, Kitahara followed his uncle into the office.
No sooner had he stepped in than he saw, right on top of the office desk, a "loli" with pale bangs hanging at her temples, light brown long hair, wearing a sun hat — and with a kitten lounging on top of that hat — waving both her arms and her fan with a pouty, indignant expression.
That was the current Chairwoman of Central Tracen Academy, Akikawa Yayoi.
…Judging by what she'd just said, she must've only recently taken over as chairwoman?
Discreetly observing Akikawa Yayoi, Kitahara thought to himself:
No wonder… compared to the game version, she doesn't yet have that calm, commanding aura — she still feels a bit hot-blooded, almost youthful.
But that passion for horse girls and drive to reform things — that's exactly the same as ever…
"Ah — Roppēi-san, and…"
Spotting the visitors at the door, Akikawa Yayoi froze for a second, then her little face burst into a smile as she excitedly hopped down.
Only then did Kitahara realize — this "loli chairwoman" had actually been standing on a chair behind her desk.
Real unrestrained type, huh…
He had just thought that when Akikawa Yayoi clomp-clomp-clomp ran over, casually shook Roppēi Ginjirō's hand in greeting, then turned with a cheerful grin toward Kitahara.
"Finally, we meet — the new rising star of the horse girl world, Mr. Kitahara Jō!"
Rising star trainer?
Startled, Kitahara gave a small bow, deflecting politely:
"That sort of title is actually…"
"Actually, there's no need for false modesty."
With a snap, Akikawa Yayoi flipped open her fan, smiling brightly.
"Humility is a virtue — too much humility becomes arrogance, Kitahara-san."
Acting naturally close, she snapped the fan shut, strolled over, and — hands behind her back — circled Kitahara like she'd found something truly fascinating.
"I do want Japan's regional scene to catch up to Central sooner rather than later — but I'm no fool. I know that's not something you can do overnight."
"Under those circumstances, for you to stand out this much, Kitahara-san — honestly, you've exceeded my expectations."
She then began reciting Kitahara's achievements as if reading from a list of treasures.
"In just a single year, your officially assigned Uma Musume have posted 13 starts and 13 wins — all undefeated."
"Especially Oguri Cap — 11 races, 11 wins. The Board and Association old-timers just about dropped their jaws."
"Hahaha, I really should've taken a picture — one old man was so shocked his dentures fell out. Funniest thing I've seen all year!"
"Hmph! Serves them right — looking down on horse girls like that — they deserve a proper smackdown!"
Momentarily drifting off-topic with a huff, she quickly returned her gaze to Kitahara, eyes full of praise.
"And then there's Super Creek. Well — Rudolf may not have been thrilled about that situation, but I for one think Tazuna did the right thing."
"Truly excellent! These days, too many Central trainers only care about the immediate gains, not willing to put in any extra effort to dig deeper into a Uma Musume's true potential — deeply disappointing!"
"Father's been unwell these past few years, couldn't devote as much energy to overseeing the Academy — but how could they have grown so complacent? Unacceptable!"
"In any case, Kitahara-san, you've done wonderfully. The fact that Super Creek recovered from her injury so quickly and got back to proper training — that's largely thanks to you."
Just then she stopped directly in front of Kitahara, stretched out her fan like an oath.
"I expect Super Creek will bloom just as brilliantly as Oguri Cap and Belno Light — and you can make it happen, Kitahara-san."
There wasn't even a hint of doubt in her tone — pure, unwavering trust.
Feeling moved, Kitahara was just about to express his thanks when Akikawa Yayoi spoke again.
"And there's Tamamo Cross and Inari One. Those old men can't see it, but I can. You, plus Komiyama and Yuzuhara — nominally co-training, but in reality, you're the driving force. In terms of effort, you're no less than anyone."
"So don't worry. Your 'Best Regional Trainer' and 'Rookie Trainer of the Year' awards — no one's taking them away!"
"Because I, Akikawa Yayoi, Fourth Chairwoman of Central Tracen Academy, say so!"
…So the Central Board and URA Association did have doubts about those awards? Or at least some people did?
Heart tightening slightly, Kitahara showed no change in expression — simply bowed calmly in gratitude.
"Thank you for your confidence, Chairwoman Akikawa. I'll keep doing my best."
"Mm-hmm! Good — that's the attitude I like. I believe in you, Kitahara-san, hahaha!"
"Meow-meow-meow~"
Nodding in satisfaction, with a snap of her fan and the kitten atop her hat chiming in with a meow of approval, Akikawa Yayoi laughed cheerfully.
At this point, Ginjirō spoke up.
"Pardon me, Chairwoman Akikawa — but you'd better stop praising this brat, or his tail's going to wag so high it'll scrape the ceiling."
…Come on, uncle — talk about raining on the parade…
But before Kitahara could protest gently, Akikawa Yayoi burst out laughing.
"Lehahaha! Roppēi-san, you're far too strict with Kitahara-san!"
"All right — enough talking. Now that everyone's here, let's get going — to the UAA banquet!"
(End of chapter)