Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live

"...Huh? Form a team? Why are you telling me this?"

Compared to the situation in the hospital, where the unknowing Kitano was in a tense standoff with Oguri Cap, Nakayama Festa, who was at Tracen Academy adjusting her condition for the next day's race, received some very surprising news in the evening.

"That Rudolf person specifically asked to see you, and she won't tell me why." Her roommate and gambling buddy, who was also Rudolf's sister, Sirius Symboli, delivered the message. But at the same time, Sirius gave her a rare warning:

"I don't know what the Emperor is up to, but be careful. Lately, I've often seen her discussing something with that Mejiro family's eldest daughter in the student council office, and they don't let anyone get close. For her to suddenly ask for you by name, I have a bad feeling."

"Remember, when you get in there, no matter what she says, don't agree. You don't want to get tricked and regret it later. Whenever the Emperor wants a one-on-one with someone, she usually ensures she can persuade them."

Relying on her understanding of Rudolf, Sirius warned her friend. Although Festa was confused, she took the warning to heart. Believing she was mentally prepared, she walked into the student council office.

She didn't think she could match the "Emperor" Symboli Rudolf in terms of authority—even Big Sis Stay Gold might not be able to. Her bottom line was not to be crushed by Rudolf's pressure, trembling like her own sister Orfevre.

And this thought, after she arrived at the office, on high alert, and heard them bring up the topic of "forming a team," she keenly sensed something was wrong.

"Because you are Trainer Kitano's charge, Nakayama-san, we need to ask for your personal opinion."

Rudolf hadn't been resting well lately. She had obvious dark circles under her eyes, as if she had been troubled by something, to the point that her attitude was slightly different from the gentle, friendly president she had cultivated... revealing an unknown side of fatigue, irritability, and slight anger.

But she wasn't angry enough to take it out on Festa, nor did she think she would go to such lengths for a junior. Her goal this time was to achieve Mejiro Palmer's initial proposal—to introduce a new horse girl to Kitano's team.

The reason she had changed her mind was undoubtedly the notebook Palmer had shared with her. This notebook, which recorded Kitano's life countdown, had also caught her attention. And what made her completely understand Palmer's insistence was the part where Kitano wrote that his lifespan would only increase if his own charge won a race.

"We don't know if this notebook is just the fantasy of a dying man or an absurd truth, but I'm sure we can't bet Trainer Kitano's life on it, right, Rudolf?"

"So, we must make other plans. If Nakayama Festa performs poorly in her debut race, she won't be able to race again for a short time. And if she forces herself to compete while tired, it will only be more disappointing."

"As for whether everything Trainer Kitano wrote is true... I think we'll find out soon enough. You're curious about that too, aren't you, Rudolf?"

—Yes, she was curious. Rudolf had to admit it. She was full of curiosity about Kitano. From the first moment she saw him, her mind was captivated. His illness moved her, his near-death made her cry. Rudolf would not do this for any other stranger.

And since she had read the notebook, she hadn't slept well for days... Lately, she felt like she was having strange dreams, mostly fragmented and nonsensical, but one figure in them kept bothering her.

Kitano Ryuichi... why does he appear in my dreams? And the me in my dreams... why am I always watching him?

But in the dream, he never came to my side. He always seemed to be in my field of vision... but that was it.

He was always watching another horse girl, one Rudolf was very familiar with, but she didn't want to mention her name now, because just thinking about it... brought an indescribable bitterness and unwillingness to her heart.

Rudolf didn't understand why, but a voice in her heart was telling her—Kitano must not die. If he died, she... might regret it for the rest of her life.

This strong sense of crisis made her finally agree to Palmer's plan. She decided to start with the most difficult one, Nakayama Festa. Both she and Palmer could see that Kitano was not the type to strongly object, but Festa... would definitely resist their decision.

"I hear your debut race is coming up soon. We really shouldn't be telling you this at this time... but considering Trainer Kitano's situation, I feel it's necessary to explain." Since Rudolf had dared to summon her, she had naturally prepared her speech. She said calmly:

"Trainer Kitano's physical condition is not good, and he cannot be by your side to guide your training at all times. But he has placed strong hopes on you, so we want to help you in this regard."

"Help me?" Already on high alert from Sirius's warning, Festa's expression changed, and she asked coldly, "You're not planning to tell me to leave Kitano and find another trainer, are you?"

"—Of course not. Our decision is humane; we wouldn't force a horse girl or trainer's will." Rudolf shook her head, and after exchanging a glance with Palmer, she continued:

"We just hope to add another horse girl of your year to Trainer Kitano's team. That way, even if his physical strength is temporarily insufficient, you and your teammate can supervise each other, and your training results will be twice as effective."

"Also, forming a team comes with benefits. The academy will provide subsidies, and if the team performs well, you'll have priority for race entries, which will be convenient for your future."

"I don't need money, and neither does Kitano." But Festa was not moved by Rudolf's words and retorted with a frown. However, Rudolf was not intimidated by her attitude at all, instead replying with a smile:

"You may not need money, but as I said, his situation is very worrying. And he has invested a lot of hope in you. You should be well aware of this, Nakayama-san."

"Of course, I'm willing to believe you will work hard to meet his expectations. But this is a way to reduce some of his pressure and let him recuperate with more peace of mind. And... you should also know that his ideal is to achieve as much as possible, right?"

"This is a chance for his limited life to shine brighter. You don't want him to have any regrets, do you, Nakayama-san?"

After saying this, Rudolf let out a slow breath. She was sure that this speech, which she and Palmer had discussed for who knows how long, would definitely persuade Festa.

Because they both knew that Festa and Kitano had a good relationship, and their years together at the Gold Family home had made them inseparable. Festa's unusual attitude towards him also gave them a vague idea of her feelings.

But Palmer's crucial piece of information was Festa's pressure—his illness and his ideals had put a lot of pressure on her, making her constantly worry that she wouldn't be able to meet his expectations.

And the breakthrough they found was this point, explaining the pros and cons clearly. Once a new member joined, Festa's pressure would be reduced, his dream could be realized, and more importantly, the horse girl they recommended could definitely win races, thus extending his life, and they could also verify whether everything in the notebook was true.

It could be said that they had made full preparations. If it were the Festa of a few days ago, she might really have been moved by Rudolf's words, hitting her most insecure spot.

But unfortunately for them, in just these few days, after experiencing his near-death, her relationship with him had changed. Now, she had a completely different choice regarding this matter.

"...Does Kitano know about this?"

"He doesn't know yet, but we will inform him." Seeing that Festa seemed to be relenting, Rudolf was secretly pleased and immediately pressed her advantage: "Don't worry, we have already chosen a candidate for you. She is also an excellent and self-disciplined child. I believe she will do very well."

"Is that so..."

However, Rudolf's words brought a cold smile to Festa's face. Now she was certain that this was all premeditated—they had already decided on a candidate before informing her? Weren't they just assuming she would agree?

But what a shame... besides that guy, I've never been manipulated by anyone else.

"—But I refuse."

Festa's tone dropped sharply in a second. The fearless Gold Family horse girl keenly sensed the strong pressure that suddenly began to spread in the silent student council room after she spoke—it was undoubtedly the pressure from the two seniors in front of her.

But Festa was so calm that even she was surprised. Facing two of Japan's top horse girls, she seemed full of confidence. Vaguely, the aura she projected allowed her to face them without changing her expression.

"—Can you tell me the reason?" Rudolf's face was now completely devoid of a smile. The days of sleeplessness had exposed her irritable side. The pressure of the "Emperor" filled the entire room as she questioned Festa coldly.

"Then let me ask you, what is the reason for you interfering in my business with him?" Festa sneered back, meeting Rudolf's gaze head-on and replying, word by word:

"It's strange. Neither I nor Kitano have ever disliked each other in the several years from the Gold Family home to Tracen. Why are you two, who have only known him for a few days, more concerned about him than I am?"

"I..."

"Besides, I made a promise with him back then. I will help him achieve his dream with my own hands—no one can replace my will or his, not even a more talented horse girl."

"We are both unique in each other's hearts." As Festa said this, a mocking smile appeared in her fierce, family-trademark sanpaku eyes as she chuckled at the now-dark-faced Rudolf:

"How about it, President? Or do you need me to relay the promise I made with him back at home to you, an outsider? You can also go ask him. I think we both have a deep impression of that promise."

"..." Rudolf said no more, just silently lowered her head. No one could see her expression.

However, the silent Mejiro Palmer noticed Rudolf's slightly trembling shoulders. As someone who had known her since childhood, Palmer knew this was a sign that Rudolf was about to lose her temper.

But at this moment, Festa's words, which had escalated from rebuttal to mockery, had not yet stopped.

"You want to stuff a horse girl into his team... let me guess, you're interested in his potential? You think his sickly appearance can motivate some of the horse girls in your family? The person you're recommending wouldn't happen to have the last name Mejiro or Symboli, would she?"

"Or perhaps..." Festa, not noticing Palmer's face had also darkened, tilted her chin slightly, her tone even more teasing:

"You think my ability can't carry his expectations, yet he still trusts me so much. Are you, perhaps, jealous that he trusts me so much?"

"..."

This time, Festa's words silenced the entire student council room. Palmer and Rudolf, now in extremely bad moods, didn't even notice her parting words: "In short, you don't need to worry about our business. Whether I can meet his expectations, you'll see on the racetrack."

"...Palmer, could you please step out for a moment? I want to be alone."

"I was just thinking the same thing."

Rudolf, her head now buried in her hands, spoke abruptly, her voice barely hiding her exhaustion. Palmer, equally tired from the day's events, left the office without another word.

However, the moment the student council door closed, the exhausted Rudolf suddenly shot up, grabbed a stack of documents from the desk, and hurled them against the wall with all her might!

As if venting all her frustration, after a loud crash that shook the floor, the emotionally drained Rudolf sank back into her chair, her eyes vacant. She stared blankly at the messy room for a long time before her self-deprecating murmur was heard:

"What am I doing... like a fool."

Why can't I maintain even a shred of composure when it comes to him? Rudolf couldn't figure it out. She only knew that this would probably be another sleepless night. That jealousy Festa mentioned... was that really what she had been feeling?

Ah... I feel... so tired. Why can't anyone understand what's in my heart...

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