Uma Musume: Slacking Professionally

Symboli Rudolf's words were phrased as a question, but her tone left no room for refusal.

In fact, she had already thoroughly investigated Kitahara Sota before summoning him today.

Yet, perhaps because she herself had no trainer, and because her authority mostly covered student affairs, the people she questioned about Kitahara happened not to be the ones who genuinely knew about his true abilities.

As a result, despite her diligent efforts, she mistakenly concluded Kitahara was simply a lucky but ordinary rookie trainer who'd managed to slip into Tracen.

Not that she looked down on him for it. After all, luck was a form of skill, too.

Besides, anyone who managed to become a trainer at Tracen—even by pure luck—wouldn't be totally incompetent.

Moreover, she had learned he'd managed to form a team less than three days after joining. Rudolf couldn't believe that someone capable of this had no abilities at all.

But even so, she had no intention of letting him handle Tokai Teio.

Teio's potential reminded Rudolf vividly of her younger self.

Perhaps Kitahara was more capable than he appeared—but no matter how talented he might be, Rudolf firmly believed he couldn't properly guide Tokai Teio.

The reason was simple: He was far too young.

Veteran trainers weren't just highly sought after because of their scarcity, but because they had accumulated deep insight and experience guiding Uma Musume. They rarely made the foolish mistakes typical of younger trainers.

Kitahara, at just twenty-one, couldn't have been a trainer for more than three years—assuming he'd started immediately after graduating at eighteen. No matter how gifted, he couldn't match the seasoned judgment of veteran trainers.

"But the issue is, she herself didn't want a trainer at all," Kitahara said, scratching his head awkwardly. "And besides, President Rudolf, didn't you yourself achieve the undefeated Triple Crown and the Seven Crowns without a trainer?"

"That's different," Rudolf sighed softly. "Even though I didn't have an official trainer, I still received guidance from the Symboli family."

"That still isn't the same thing, is it? An advisor isn't a trainer; there's a significant difference," Kitahara countered.

An informal advisor's status was lower than even a team member's—they simply offered advice occasionally due to friendship or personal connections. It was nothing compared to a full-time trainer who accompanied the Uma Musume nearly twenty-four hours a day.

"Even so, that person's advice was invaluable. In certain aspects, her guidance surpassed what most trainers could provide. Without her help, I wouldn't have achieved nearly as much as I have today."

Symboli Rudolf met Kitahara's eyes directly, voice firm. "For a gifted Uma Musume to fully realize her potential, she must be paired with an equally gifted trainer. As a trainer yourself, you should know this better than anyone."

Kitahara stayed quiet a moment, then let out a resigned sigh.

"President Rudolf, let's not beat around the bush. If you have something to say, just say it directly."

Seeing Kitahara's bluntness, Rudolf dropped all pretense.

"I'd like you to reconsider your tantou relationship with Tokai Teio."

Kitahara's face immediately twisted into a difficult expression. "Ah, that's…"

Rudolf, expecting his reaction, quickly shifted her approach.

"I know this request might trouble you. After all, dissolving a tantou relationship mere days after forming it would stain any trainer's reputation for life. So, if that's too much, I have another proposal. Would you like to hear it?"

Kitahara nodded. "Please go ahead."

Rudolf calmly intertwined her fingers as she spoke. "You don't have to formally cancel your tantou relationship. Instead, I'll arrange another trainer to directly handle Teio's training. All prize money and achievements will still belong to you. All I ask is for your cooperation—"

"Ah, I really can't accept that."

Before she could even finish, Kitahara shook his head decisively.

Rudolf's brow furrowed, confused. "Why not? This arrangement is nothing but beneficial to you—"

"No, no, it's not about the offer itself," Kitahara quickly clarified, shaking his head again. "Honestly, I don't particularly care about reputation or black marks on my career. If Teio herself genuinely wished to dissolve our contract, I'd immediately agree."

"But the point is—I've already promised her I'd be her trainer. According to that promise, until she herself asks to end our agreement, I'm her trainer, and she's my tantou."

"Everything else is negotiable, but on matters of keeping promises, I insist on holding firm. So, I'm sorry, President Rudolf."

After a brief pause, he added, "However, perhaps you could speak privately with Teio herself. If she personally decides to dissolve our relationship, I won't object at all. But if she doesn't want to…as her trainer, I absolutely can't be the one to abandon my tantou."

Kitahara's voice was earnest and unwavering.

Symboli Rudolf's eyes narrowed slightly.

Though she'd appeared friendly and reasonable up until now, in reality, as a member of the Symboli family—known for ruthlessness—her patience wasn't nearly as deep as it seemed.

Moreover, this matter concerned Tokai Teio—her chosen successor. It touched Rudolf's absolute bottom line.

Though she had been speaking to Kitahara politely, when the Emperor "requested" something, it was nothing less than an order.

Besides, the offer she'd made was generous, giving Kitahara plenty of face. Kitahara himself acknowledged that.

But impossible was still impossible.

He'd promised Tokai Teio explicitly that he wouldn't interfere with her training in any way—and had already accepted double the usual compensation.

Since he'd taken the payment, whether out of morality or pure self-interest, he couldn't agree to Rudolf's conditions.

This money sure feels a bit hot now…

Looking at the increasingly tense Rudolf, Kitahara smiled bitterly in his heart.

The atmosphere in the Student Council room rapidly grew colder, Rudolf's eyes slowly sharpening into an icy glare as she watched Kitahara.

"I strongly advise you to reconsider, Trainer Kitahara," she warned coolly.

"You're still young, and there'll be plenty of opportunities ahead of you. Right now, I'm not even asking you to terminate your contract—I just need your minimal cooperation. I'll personally handle all aspects of Teio's training. Deep down, you must understand she's simply being impulsive. She's still just a child, unaware of what's truly best for her."

"No, thank you, President Rudolf."

Kitahara sighed again. "I genuinely appreciate your concessions. You've given me more than enough face, and honestly, your offer is tempting."

He stood up straight from his chair, meeting Rudolf's sharp gaze without flinching.

"But since I've already promised that girl to become her trainer, it's my responsibility to respect her decisions and see them through."

It wasn't that he had any special feelings for Tokai Teio—frankly, he'd prefer if she chose another trainer.

Yet the point remained: he'd promised, and he'd signed the contract. Once done, he'd honor it to the end.

That was simply Kitahara Sota's way: take the money, do the job, and always follow through on his word.

Anyone could see Rudolf's expression darkening significantly after he finished speaking.

No one dared defy the Emperor's wishes—especially not some rookie trainer.

The atmosphere grew dangerously oppressive, Rudolf's legendary aura practically smothering the room as she fixed her gaze on Kitahara. Silence dragged on for what felt like an eternity, until Rudolf finally opened her mouth to speak again—

—But before she could, the Student Council room's door slammed open with a bang.

Both Rudolf and Kitahara spun toward the door, just in time to see Tokai Teio stride boldly into the room, planting herself firmly between them. Her expression was nervous but resolute.

Behind her at the doorway, Special Week and Oguri Cap's outstretched hands hovered awkwardly in midair, clearly having failed to stop her in time.

"Prez," Tokai Teio said, inhaling deeply before speaking firmly and clearly. "The decision to sign with Kitahara-san was mine alone. I acted selfishly and without consulting anyone. It has nothing to do with Trainer Kitahara—so please, stop making things difficult for him!"