"So, Mejiro Rivera has officially joined."
"Wow."
"Pachi-pachi!"
"I give you my regards."
And just like that, Rivera became part of our team.
"The team's growing steadily."
"Well…"
"Not happy?"
"A normal trainer might be thrilled. But I'm not even hired…"
As a freelancer, I couldn't sign a labor contract. That meant no salary—no matter how many horse girls I trained. Prize money only came with wins.
More members meant more responsibility, but not necessarily more reward.
Freelance trainers were supposed to be seasoned veterans. I was just… lucky. Lucky to have Rice-chan and Thank You. But luck doesn't exactly pay bills.
"If you need money, Rice will give it to you. We're husband and wife!"
"No, that sounds like pimping…"
"Thank you?"
"What's wrong, Rivera?"
"That's the kind of relationship you two have?"
"You're right. It's so lovey-dovey, it's hard to watch sometimes."
"No, Rice-chan and I are perfectly normal."
"Normal is…"
Rivera stared into the distance.
Normal is normal. I wasn't asking anyone to stop.
"I want a loved one too."
"Same here."
"Maybe a trainer will fall for me."
"Aiming for trainers is a high-risk game."
A year had passed. Most of my fellow trainers were already paired off—or close to it. In love and racing, speed is everything. They were probably behind the curve.
And with so few new trainers this year, competition was fierce.
"If you're aiming for a trainer, don't sign with me."
"You're right."
"…"
"Rice-chan?"
"Viola-chan, are you after her?"
A dark aura radiated from Rice-chan. Her hair and tail bristled.
"Huh…"
Rivera let out a tiny scream.
"As expected, I have no intention of intervening between the two."
Thank You, ever diplomatic.
"Then fine, but…"
Rice's pressure suddenly vanished.
"Neither I nor Rivera think it's a big deal, but isn't that kid dangerous?"
"Who?"
"Seiun Sky."
"Ha-ha, she's only six. That's way too young. Besides, I think Sei-chan likes Flower-san."
"…"
"…"
"What? What?"
"I've given up on Viola-chan being so oblivious."
"Rice-chan!?"
"No matter how you look at it, Viola-san got along really well with that girl."
"Is that so!?"
I slumped, defeated by their judgment.