"Overseas training for the Uma Musume? With you assisting? And the main person in charge is… Kiyokawa Nishi? Why her?"
After telling Toujou Hana about her role as an exchange student supervisor, it was no surprise that she was met with a rapid-fire barrage of questions.
Listening to the rising tone in each sentence, it was clear Toujou Hana didn't want her involved in this matter.
After the girl finished explaining the whole story, Toujou Hana finally spoke up.
"I think I understand the situation now. Let me put it this way, Silence, you're currently responsible for four Uma Musume already. That's more than enough to drain your energy."
Add those exchange students to the mix, plus the students Kiyokawa Nishi was originally in charge of, and the number would be close to ten.
"Even for a seasoned trainer, handling six or seven Uma Musume at once is the limit. You know that ratio, right? The more people, the lower a trainer's efficiency."
Once the number hits a certain point, training efficiency plummets.
Trying to take on too much will only leave you with nothing accomplished in the end.
And switching back and forth between domestic and overseas training methods within a single day is incredibly difficult.
Toujou Hana had seen plenty of trainers who had studied abroad come back and make obvious mistakes in their guidance.
Ability was one thing.
Knowing how to switch mindsets was the real challenge.
Saying all this, what Toujou Hana really wanted to convey was one thing.
For the girl to give up on this quickly.
"If the Student Council forced this on you, I can refuse on your behalf. How about that?"
Toujou Hana asked.
She suspected the girl had probably been asked by someone and found it hard to say no, which was why she accepted such a difficult task.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be unable to weigh the pros and cons.
Not only that, but the pressure from this job would be too much for the girl, and it wouldn't help her growth much either.
It was all effort with little reward.
So it was better to refuse as soon as possible.
If she was worried about losing face, Toujou Hana would go explain things to the Student Council herself.
That's what Toujou Hana said.
The girl remained silent.
She, too, had only heard about this from Manhattan Cafe not long ago.
"This is an opportunity."
Manhattan Cafe had told her.
She had already suggested at the Student Council meeting that the trainer should become the main person in charge for the exchange students.
If the girl could go too, it meant she would have plenty of chances to build a connection with Kiyokawa Nishi.
If they achieved good results, their relationship might even continue long-term.
Manhattan Cafe had said excitedly.
This was an opportunity not to be missed.
But…
The girl hesitated.
She understood what Manhattan Cafe meant.
Back then, she had indeed studied overseas training methods.
But only scratching the surface, never diving deep.
She had the theory, but it wasn't profound.
If she were to actually train overseas Uma Musume, she clearly wasn't qualified.
Training them with such half-baked skills?
From a long-term perspective, that was definitely not a good thing.
An Uma Musume's problems are the trainer's problems, and the trainer's problems are the supervisor's problems.
Mistakes in training could easily become the breaking point between her and Kiyokawa Nishi.
In that case, it would only add to the burden of becoming Kiyokawa Nishi's supervisor.
That seemed like gaining little at great cost.
So at that time, the girl was considering whether to give up this opportunity and play it safe.
However, just as the girl was thinking, her hand was suddenly grasped.
That soft, familiar grip—even with her eyes closed, she knew who it was.
"Are you really sure about this?" the girl asked.
"Aren't you afraid things might go wrong?"
"…"
"Past experience doesn't mean it'll apply now."
"…"
"Alright, if that's what you mean."
The girl nodded, speaking to the empty air.
Her words received no reply.
But in the girl's mind, the other's consciousness appeared clearly.
This went beyond language, beyond words, beyond any medium needed for communication.
This was true, direct exchange of thought.
She knew what the other was thinking.
Just as she knew her own thoughts.
The once clear boundary had blurred.
What was her, what was me.
The girl could no longer tell.
But there was one thing the girl knew for sure.
Follow the guidance of that consciousness.
Do what she wanted to do.
"Then, I'll give it a try."
The girl nodded.
If I accidentally mess up, don't blame me…
Her palm was gently squeezed.
The other seemed to reply.
'Same to you.'
Never settle for mediocrity.
Never live a dull, boring life.
That wasn't just her.
It was that person's way of living too.
Lifting her head, the girl's eyes were firm.
"Trainer."
She said, "This is what I want."
"Have you thought it through?"
Toujou Hana's brows furrowed slightly.
She had already planned out a clear path for this diligent girl.
If she followed Toujou Hana's plan step by step, in less than a year, she could become an outstanding trainer.
In fact, Toujou Hana had already secured her eligibility for this year's supervisor selection.
Normally, supervisors with less than a year of experience and insufficient seniority weren't eligible, but thanks to Toujou Hana's efforts, Tracen Academy had made an exception this once.
Even the notoriously strict acting president had personally given the nod.
But then, the Student Council had to go and stir up something like this.
If it went well, no problem.
If it didn't, she'd be held responsible.
Wasn't this just putting obstacles in the girl's path?
Toujou Hana naturally couldn't agree.
But the girl stubbornly insisted.
"Can I ask your reason?"
Toujou Hana spoke.
"Do you plan to study abroad and want to familiarize yourself with overseas training methods beforehand, or is there another reason?"
"No, I don't have plans to go abroad."
"In that case, you're just wasting your time."
The opportunity to train foreign Uma Musume might not come even once a year. Studying excessive knowledge just for that moment would only add to your burden.
"That's not it, Trainer."
The girl shook her head.
"I didn't choose to become their supervisor to train my abilities."
"Then why…"
"It's for the Student Council. To be precise, for Air Groove."
"Air Groove?"
What does she have to do with this?
"Trainer, I'm sure you've noticed."
The girl explained.
"These past few days, because of Student Council matters, Air Groove's training time and efficiency have noticeably decreased."
With Symboli Rudolf away, most Student Council duties had fallen on her shoulders.
And now, with this exchange student program, it was draining Air Groove's energy completely.
"If I don't take this position, Air Groove will have to keep looking for other trainers, and she might not find anyone suitable."
If this situation continued, what would happen to her training?
What would happen to her results?
The girl's words reached Toujou Hana's ears.
"Since I'm Air Groove's supervisor, it's only natural I do what I can to help her."
If I can help resolve her troubles, Air Groove can focus on training with peace of mind.
That's why I want to take on the role of supervisor for the overseas Uma Musume.
To help Air Groove, to solve the problems troubling her.
The girl declared solemnly.
The air fell silent.
Toujou Hana stared wide-eyed.
If the girl was doing this because she was forced, Toujou Hana could handle it for her.
Even if it was for selfish reasons, just wanting to be capricious once, Toujou Hana could talk her out of it.
But now.
The girl said she was doing it for the Uma Musume, for Air Groove, whom she was responsible for. For a moment, Toujou Hana didn't know what to say.
After all, Air Groove's training efficiency really had been dropping.
But was it worth hindering yourself for Air Groove's sake?
Toujou Hana really wanted to ask that.
But as a trainer, she couldn't say it.
She couldn't compare Air Groove and Silence.
Both were equally important to Toujou Hana.
And now, she could only support one of them.
After much thought, Toujou Hana sighed.
"Alright…"
She conceded.
"But, if you feel you can't handle it, tell me. I'll find a way to help, at least… I can get you transferred out of that position."
"Yes."
The girl nodded.
Toujou Hana had already gone above and beyond.
"Then I won't disturb you any further."
"Mhm, go inform the Student Council. They really are, ah…"
After a nod, the girl turned and left the office.
Just as she closed the door behind her.
"Silence."
A voice suddenly came from the side.
Arms crossed, leaning against the wall.
The 'Empress' Air Groove was standing right outside the office door.
"Can I have a word with you?"
She said to the girl with a serious expression.
--+--
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.