"…Bamboo, if it were you, how would you decide on your next race?"
Back in the chairman's office, Saito Asuka looked at the white paper filled with black text. After sighing for what felt like the umpteenth time, he lifted his head and asked Bamboo Elegance, who was sitting nearby.
"Huh? I'm fine with any race."
Bamboo Elegance, who had been idling, looked up at the man's sudden question and gave her answer: "…Actually, I hope I can step onto the racetrack soon and run alongside other cute girls.~?"
…Are you really just in it to compete with other Umas ?
Hearing Bamboo Elegance say this, Saito Asuka barely held back the urge to retort, keeping the words from slipping out.
But, wanting to get on the track early, huh…?
The man rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.
It would take two days for the trainer's license to arrive, meaning Bamboo Elegance couldn't participate in any races until at least two days from now.
And after that, the races with closer dates were…
Saito Asuka frowned as he flipped through the upcoming race schedule.
"There's a newcomer race in four days. Do you want to give it a try?"
"Eh? Really?"
Hearing Saito Asuka's words, Bamboo Elegance's tone carried a hint of surprise: "Won't this disrupt your plans, Trainer?"
"...What plans do I even have?"
The man looked at the black-haired Horse Girl full of anticipation: "And even if I had drafted plans, I'd definitely make sure you could complete your Debut Race earlier."
"After all... this academy can't wait much longer."
"Then let's set my Debut Race for four days later."
Bamboo Elegance eagerly nodded: "I'm so looking forward to it~ What would it feel like to run on the track with everyone~?"
"...You have to win your Debut Race."
Watching Bamboo Elegance cross her legs, Saito Asuka said.
"Huh? Of course I'll win."
The black-haired Horse Girl tilted her head upon hearing Saito Asuka's words: "You should believe in me."
"Or could it be that you think it's too difficult for me to win the Debut Race if I participate now?"
"Given your current ability, I can only think of one possibility for you not to win your Debut Race."
Saito Asuka playfully raised a finger with a serious expression: "...You throwing the match."
"Eh, Trainer, haven't you considered that I might encounter a really strong opponent in my Debut Race?"
Bamboo Elegance asked with a giggle.
"...Can't you be a bit more optimistic?"
The man showed a wry smile upon hearing the black-haired Horse Girl's question.
"Ah, don't worry."
Bamboo Elegance replied cheerfully: "Since I promised you, Trainer, I'll definitely do my best~?~"
She looked at Saito Asuka, who was meeting her gaze, and continued: "...After all, you said those things this morning."
"Okay, wait, please don't remind me of that."
The man raised his hand to stop her from continuing.
Damn it, how could I have said those things back then?!
Just remembering what he had said made the man feel so embarrassed he wanted to crawl into a hole, averting his gaze.
...Please don't make me remember that ah ah ah ah——!
The man slapped his forehead, trying to forget that memory.
But the more he tried, the clearer that embarrassing memory became.
"Eh? But you were really cool back then, Trainer."
Then, Bamboo Elegance's finishing blow made him bury his head in the small space formed by his arms.
Damn it... so embarrassing...
"Alright, alright, even if you don't say it, I'll definitely win my Debut Race."
Looking at Saito Asuka slumped over the table, Bamboo Elegance placed a hand on her hip: "For the Debut Race, you better watch me properly from the stands, Trainer~?"
"Okay, okay, I get it, I get it."
Saito Asuka, who was gradually getting used to the black-haired Horse Girl's way of speaking, looked up: "...The day after tomorrow, I'll come watch your race with Megumi."
"Hmm... In that case, I'll have to put in twice the effort!"
Bamboo Elegance thought for a moment upon hearing this, then clenched her fist with renewed motivation.
"Just thinking about being watched by such a flower-like beautiful girl makes me feel like I have the strength of a hundred people~?"
"..."
Saito Asuka finally couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
...Were you always this smooth even as a child?
"Ah... it's training time. Trainer, I'm off to train now~?"
Bamboo Elegance glanced up at the clock and noticed the hour hand on the wall had already pointed to exactly 1 PM. After bidding farewell to Saito Asuka, she hurriedly left the room, leaving him alone to face the massive pile of documents waiting to be processed on the desk.
"Sigh..."
Looking at the wooden door Bamboo Elegance had casually closed behind her, Saito Asuka first glanced at the documents he had already finished processing on his left, then turned to look at the mountain of paperwork still awaiting his attention on the right.
How could he possibly finish all these documents in one day...
Putting down his pen and stretching his sore arms, Saito sighed, then stood up and headed toward the door.
...I should go buy some coffee.
The man preparing to pull an all-nighter to process documents yawned as he left the chairman's office.
When will I ever get to have a proper good night's sleep?
The thought suddenly crossed Saito Asuka's mind as he grabbed the doorknob.
Hmm... seems like there won't be any real rest opportunities from now on.
Thinking this, he shook his head.
No, no. I haven't achieved my first goal yet. How can I stop now?
Saito Asuka's footsteps quickened as he headed toward the vending machine at the end of the corridor.
...I need to push myself even harder!
Glancing out the window at the black-haired Horse Girl heading toward the training ground, the man jogged down the stairs and ran toward the convenience store outside the school.
...
...I forgot to tell the trainer that Megumi-san will be coming tomorrow too.
It wasn't until Bamboo Elegance reached the edge of the training ground that she finally remembered what she had forgotten.
She stopped in her tracks and turned to look back in the direction of the chairman's office.
Hmm... it should be fine, right?
After standing still for a while, Bamboo Elegance thought for a moment, then turned and entered the training ground.
Since Miss Nakayama came so early today, the trainer should have noticed something, right?
Thinking this, she began her warm-up exercises.
...I won't remind him this time.
Bending over at the starting line, Bamboo Elegance did her customary jumps according to her habit.
Then, as the countdown in her heart ended, she pushed off hard with her feet and shot forward with a "bang!"
Children who don't take good care of their bodies deserve some punishment, don't they~?
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T/N : 5 more chapters today I guess (Please point out any mistakes, I already corrected most(?) of them I think)