"Woah!?"
We arrived at the trainer room and released Rivera from the impromptu abduction.
She was stunned—understandably so.
"Oh, um… Viola, Rice, Thank You… what the hell was that?"
"No, I just heard from Rudolf and wanted to talk to you again."
"What's the point of doing something that looks like a kidnapping?"
"It's Rice's hobby."
"A hobby!?"
I gestured for Rivera to sit on the sofa and placed a cake stand and tea in front of her.
"I thought we could sit down and talk a little more."
"But… it's hard to make sure I can win, isn't it?"
"Honestly, I can't do it."
"Why?"
Rivera looked frustrated. But I couldn't lie. The impossible is still impossible.
"If I become your trainer, I can help build your body. That's my strength. But beyond that… I'm not skilled enough to turn you into an absolute champion like Rudolf or Ramonu."
"Then I'll ask another trainer."
"I owe Rudolf a debt, and I don't mind helping. But I think most top trainers would refuse. My methods are rooted in habit—nutrition-focused, with some training. It's not flashy."
"…"
"Toujou, Rudolf's trainer, and Kouchi, Ramonu's trainer, could've done more. But even they couldn't guarantee your legs would hold up."
"…I asked Mr. Toujou. She said the same thing."
"I figured."
She'd already tried. And heard the same answer.
"If I take you on, I think you could run to a certain extent. Maybe reach the open class. But beyond that… I'm not sure."
Getting out of the winless class is doable. But climbing from pre-open to open class takes real skill. And Rivera didn't have the raw talent of Rice-chan or Thank You-san.
"Then…"
"Hey, can I say something?"
"What is it, Thank You?"
"You need to stop using your parents as an excuse."
"Huh!!"
Rivera flinched.
Something in Thank You's words hit her hard.
"Ms. Viola, I'll borrow the back room."
"Go ahead."
"Let's talk, Miss Rivera."
With that, Thank You gently led Rivera away.