Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live

"Ah, Festa, you're here too."

However, Kitano didn't react at all to Nakayama Festa's teeth-gritting expression, greeting her as usual. From his calm demeanor, it was clear he was quite used to her unpredictable moods.

He knew why her expression had changed so suddenly. Having lived with the Gold Family horse girls for several years, he understood that while they were odd enough on a normal day, they shared one trait with most other horse girls—"Obsession."

No, it probably wasn't that severe... After all, his own body couldn't handle what the other trainers at Tracen went through. When they got into trouble, the worst that happened was a "forced training session" with their horse girls, which involved "hardships" like being drugged, knocked out, or stuffed into a sack...

But Kitano didn't think he would ever face that. Not only did he control his social interactions due to his condition, but his body also wouldn't survive a horse girl using "Obsession" on him. One such incident would genuinely kill him. His charges were careful not to do anything that might shock him, let alone something so extreme.

The Gold Family's personalities were a bit different from "Obsession." It was more that they lacked a sense of security, causing them to overthink at the slightest disturbance. This was probably related to their generally small stature and their childhood experiences...

Kitano had learned this firsthand at their home. Whenever he gave one of them some individual coaching, he could always feel the others staring at him with looks of displeasure or unease...

But this mood was always fleeting, coming and going quickly. The Gold Family members never let things escalate into family drama. Therefore, he wasn't worried about Festa's sudden change in expression.

"Perfect timing. We were about to go to the cafeteria. You haven't eaten breakfast yet, have you? Let's go together."

"—I came to make you breakfast." As expected, Kitano's usual calm response gradually cooled the furious Nakayama Festa down. She probably realized that if some dangerous person had done something to him while she was away, he wouldn't be standing here now.

But even so, she didn't let her guard down. She glared at Mr. C.B., who was standing in what should have been her spot, let out an involuntary "tch" of annoyance, and strode forward to push C.B. aside.

"This is my spot, and he is my trainer. He doesn't need anyone else worrying about him!"

With that, she immediately focused her gaze on Kitano and demanded coldly, "And why are you with her?"

"C.B.-senpai is just following the student council's arrangements to take care of a half-cripple like me. It's to let you worry less and focus more on your training." Kitano expertly handled her excessive anxiety and didn't forget to turn slightly to say to C.B.:

"I'm sorry, C.B.-senpai. This kid is always very sensitive and does some outrageous things. Don't mind her; she doesn't mean any harm."

"...No, Trainer Kitano, it was my fault for coming uninvited this time." After a brief silence, Mr. C.B. showed no sign of disappointment. On the contrary, her face lit up with the relaxed, carefree smile Kitano knew so well—a smile that seemed to brush off any hardship.

"In any case, we haven't known each other for long. Even if Rudolf asked me to take extra care of you, I was a bit thoughtless today."

"Since you're alright and have your charge to look after you now, then I should probably... make my exit, right?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Mr. C.B. left without a trace of lingering attachment, as if the person who had been happily chatting with him just now wasn't her. She waved goodbye, seemingly leaving no emotion behind, but in doing so, she stirred a storm in another's heart.

Kitano watched her retreating back and felt a pang in his chest—it reminded him of the past... of the time just before he died.

"You can leave in peace, Trainer-san. Don't worry about me."

"Just as you said, I'll slowly forget you. I told you, didn't I? I'm the freest of winds. I won't be tied down by anything."

"Isn't this... what you wanted, Trainer-san?"

In a daze, Mr. C.B.'s voice echoed in his mind again. The moment he snapped out of it and his gaze focused once more on her unhesitating back, the sharp pain in his heart prompted him to say something to make her stay.

"—Didn't you say we would eat together? C.B.-senpai, Festa and I aren't familiar with the academy yet. We hope you can help us."

The moment he said this, Nakayama Festa stared at him in astonishment, and in the distance, Mr. C.B.'s retreating figure stopped once more.

The moment Kitano asked her to stay, C.B.'s heart felt like it was on a thrilling rollercoaster. It had just plunged, but now his words sent it soaring to a new high.

A joy she couldn't understand welled up inside her, but she forcefully suppressed it. When she turned around, the smile on her face hadn't changed a bit, and she quickly replied, as if afraid he would take it back:

"Sure, let's go together."

"Yes, let's go together."

I'm sorry... C.B. I can only use this method, taking advantage of the fact that you have no memory of our past, to find some comfort for my heart.

When I was dying, I really did want you to forget me and live a good life... but in truth, didn't I also hope that I would leave even a small trace in your heart?

Now that you've completely forgotten, just allow me to take advantage of your cool demeanor and pretend that you care about me.

Kitano silently buried all his thoughts in his heart—he was long used to doing this, not speaking his true feelings, not doing things that would hinder the horse girls' dreams, simply because in his current state, pursuing his own happiness would inevitably lead to no good end.

That's why he wanted to change everything this time. But before pursuing happiness... he had to survive.

"Huh? It's so lively here. What's everyone busy with?"

Just as they were about to leave together, an unexpected voice interjected. As everyone's gaze shifted, they saw Gold Ship in the distance, also carrying a bag, walking slowly towards them with a rare look of confusion on her face.

It wasn't just her who was confused; the other three were as well. Kitano was the first to break the silence, asking softly:

"Golshi? Why are you here? Do you need something?"

"What do you mean 'need something'? I'm here to bring you breakfast, Kitano-chan! Didn't we promise that after breakfast, you and I would go to the other side of the ocean to find my birthplace?"

"Right, I don't remember that at all."

However, Kitano paid no attention to Gold Ship's illogical ramblings. Only Nakayama Festa, being from the same family and one of the few who could occasionally connect with Gold Ship's bizarre thought processes, found a clue in her words.

Gold Ship... just like that Mr. C.B., is she also planning to bypass me to take care of Kitano?

Is Kitano my trainer, or their trainer?

For a moment, a strong sense of irritation welled up in Festa's heart again. She felt an urge to vent her frustrations but didn't know why she was angry or who to direct it at.

"He was just an unwanted puppy at first... why did he suddenly become so popular at the academy?"

"In the end, I still don't have anything that is truly my own..."

Nakayama Festa silently lamented in her heart. At this moment, just like Kitano, she chose to bury all her feelings deep inside.

And these two people, so alike, both hiding a thousand thoughts in the deepest corners of their hearts, were like two parallel lines—perhaps aligned, but they could never perceive each other.

And if one day in the future, one of those lines were to tilt slightly... perhaps the process would be long, but the moment their hearts intersected, what kind of collision and sparks would occur... surely one day, everyone would find out.

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