Watching the ash-haired girl clutching a stack of record sheets, Kiyokawa Nishi gave a nod.
"Of course not, go ahead."
She shifted to make some room for the girl.
"Thank you."
The girl nodded and settled in beside her.
Spreading the record sheets open, the girl began swiftly calculating the physical data of a Uma Musume.
Curious, Kiyokawa Nishi stole a few glances during the process, but neither initiated conversation.
Time ticked by. Just as the girl turned over a page densely covered in calculations, the pen in her hand slipped, rolling straight to Kiyokawa Nishi's feet.
"Ah..."
The girl let out a soft exclamation, then slowly bent over.
Just as her hand reached out, the trainer of Manhattan Cafe had already picked it up for her.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
The girl nodded.
"It was nothing."
Trainer Kiyokawa looked at her. "Are you a trainer too? I don't think I've seen you around."
The quiet, broken by the dropped pen, finally gave way to conversation.
"No, I'm just a trainee who recently joined."
"A trainee? My apologies, I accidentally saw the data you were writing earlier. If I'm not mistaken, those are physical calculations for a Uma Musume, right? Do trainees usually study that sort of thing?"
"Typically, no," the girl replied. "But my goal is to become a trainer, so I might be studying a bit more than others."
"Learning trainer knowledge right from the start must be tough."
"That's true," the girl agreed. "It's only by studying a trainer's work firsthand that you realize how difficult it is."
If trainees could rely a bit on luck, being a trainer was a complete test of skill.
Her golden eyes held a serious gleam. "So, compared to a real trainer, the effort I'm putting in is still far from enough."
"I see."
Trainer Kiyokawa nodded. "But don't push yourself too hard. Often, overdoing things can easily backfire."
Hearing the girl praise trainers, Kiyokawa Nishi felt her mood inexplicably brighten.
"Mhm, 'more haste, less speed.' You make a good point. By the way, may I ask your name?"
"Kiyokawa Nishi," she said.
"Trainer Kiyokawa, is it? Hello. My name is Silence."
"Silence."
She repeated it.
A child who seemed to live up to her name, someone who appeared to cherish quiet.
"May I ask which Uma Musume you are primarily responsible for, Trainer Kiyokawa? I'd like to learn a little more about a trainer's work."
"Right now, my main focus is on work with some retired Uma Musume."
Keeping them at a basic training intensity to run in the fan-appreciation [Dream Cup] league.
Among the active Uma Musume, Trainer Kiyokawa currently only handles Manhattan Cafe.
Listening to her explanation, the girl showed a look of surprise.
"Manhattan Cafe... I've heard rumors among the students about her."
"It's said she can see things others can't, and she often talks to herself, addressing thin air."
"Many trainers were drawn to her ability, but were scared off from signing her due to her strange behavior."
"Does that mean... Trainer Kiyokawa believes what she says?"
Hearing the girl's question, Kiyokawa Nishi's brows furrowed slightly.
"Of course," she replied. "I don't care about others' opinions of her. I only believe what Cafe tells me."
If she says she can see those things, then she must see them.
Cafe wouldn't lie to me.
Could it be... this girl beside me is also one of those prejudiced against Cafe?
Kiyokawa Nishi couldn't help but wonder.
"Believing Cafe... No, not believing Cafe, but believing in the Uma Musume you're responsible for..."
The murmured words reached Kiyokawa Nishi's ears.
"As I thought, Trainer Kiyokawa is a bit different from the others."
"What?"
"Trainer Kiyokawa, you are willing to believe what others believe."
The girl answered. "During this time, I've met quite a few trainers. Their attitude towards Uma Musume is uniform: having the Uma Musume act according to their own standards."
"It's true, these strict trainers could judge a Uma Musume's condition based on their experience, but they overlooked one thing."
"The Uma Musume's own thoughts."
The girl looked at her. "Sometimes, a Uma Musume's body is perfectly healthy, but due to their mental state, they feel spiritually exhausted."
"Yet trainers only focus on whether today's training quota was met, if the training time was sufficient."
"Few care about their mental well-being, but Trainer Kiyokawa is different."
"You are willing to believe what they believe. You are willing to see what they see, placing their spirit and body on equally important footing."
"This is a quality other trainers lack."
"Being willing to empathize with others, to understand them... Trainer Kiyokawa, this is precisely a reflection of your kindness... I'm sorry, I got a bit carried away."
The girl cleared her throat. "Actually, I didn't expect to meet Cafe's trainer so soon."
"During my time as a trainee, I happened to hear about you."
"I also learned about the criticism you faced from those around you after becoming Cafe's trainer."
"Everyone thought it was strange to be the trainer of that odd child."
Kiyokawa Nishi's expression darkened.
Yes, there had been such voices back then.
"At the time, I didn't pay close attention to her name. I just thought, isn't understanding Uma Musume exactly what a trainer should do?"
Knowing what they are thinking, knowing what they want to do, uniting yourself with the Uma Musume as one.
That is the proper stance for a trainer.
The girl leaned slightly towards Kiyokawa Nishi and bowed her head.
"Trainer Kiyokawa, I have heard of your deeds. I am honored to have met you in person today, and to have seen the tireless effort you devote to Manhattan Cafe."
Lifting her head, the girl revealed a dazzling smile. "Just as I imagined, you are a wonderful person, and also... a wonderful trainer."
Hearing these words, Kiyokawa Nishi subtly tugged at her collar.
Her breathing grew slightly rapid.
Since becoming a trainer, she had never received such high praise.
She felt a genuine sense of admiration emanating from the girl.
Looking into those sparkling golden eyes, Kiyokawa Nishi couldn't help but avert her gaze.
"I'm not really as... as you imagine..."
"Silence!"
Just as Kiyokawa Nishi tried to soothe the nervousness in her heart, a voice calling the girl's name came from the training field.
"Apologies, Trainer Kiyokawa. My trainer is calling for me."
The girl hurriedly gathered her papers and stood up.
"Your trainer..."
Kiyokawa Nishi was taken aback.
Ah, right. She's a trainee.
Then Kiyokawa Nishi asked, "Who are you studying under now?"
"Toujou Hana."
"That veteran trainer?"
Kiyokawa Nishi was surprised.
But she quickly understood.
Of course.
"A diligent child like you should learn from a better trainer."
"If that 'better' also includes that noble character no one else can imitate..."
The girl's voice reached Kiyokawa Nishi's ears.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Although our talk was brief, I learned a great deal from you. If you don't mind, I hope there will be a chance to continue our conversations in the future..."
Seeing the girl's earnest expression, something in Kiyokawa Nishi's heart seemed to ignite as well.
"I don't mind," she replied. "If you truly need me."
"Thank you. I will look forward to our next meeting."
With a wave, the girl quickly ran off.
Only after she disappeared from the training field did Kiyokawa Nishi slowly withdraw her gaze.
What an incredible child.
Talking with her was so... pleasant.
If there really could be a next time...
"Trainer."
A voice suddenly came from behind Kiyokawa Nishi.
Manhattan Cafe had appeared beside her at some point.
"Rest time is over, Trainer."
"It's over?"
Kiyokawa Nishi only then noticed they were nearly ten minutes late for the next training session.
"That was careless of me..."
Kiyokawa Nishi rubbed her head. "Sorry, let's hurry," she said.
"Trainer... did something good happen?"
Cafe, following behind, asked.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you've been smiling ever since a while ago."
Smiling?
Kiyokawa Nishi stopped walking.
She finally noticed the faint curve lingering at the corner of her mouth.
So I've been smiling all this time...
Her eyes softened.
"Perhaps... I really did encounter something good."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.