Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live

This was a statement that no one but Kitano would understand—perhaps Rudolf could, but if she heard it now, her reaction would likely be one of rage.

Because in her memory, Mr. C.B. was never alone. In fact, she was the "third party" who had stolen her childhood friend. And what was worse, she had used his talent to defeat her! And even fulfilled their promise in her place!

How is that lonely? The lonely one is me!

However, in this playthrough, where she hadn't achieved the "undefeated Triple Crown" ahead of schedule under his guidance, her words explained why she felt this way, and it was moving:

"Trainer Kitano... you should know, right? I am a horse girl born with sin."

Sitting beside him, C.B. recounted the past he already knew, but had never heard her speak of in previous playthroughs. Perhaps because she was unprecedentedly vulnerable at this moment, or because of the inexplicable trust she felt for him, she shed all her dashing and heroic facade and confessed like a little girl:

"My parents' relationship was criticized by the public at the time. Even my mother's family was against it, so they eloped to get married."

"—Of course, I never felt that them giving birth to me was a punishment. I love my parents; they are the most important people in the world to me."

"But... sometimes, it still feels so helpless, having to run alone."

Recalling her journey, she couldn't help but bite her lower lip, a look of unwillingness on her face. Clearly, this girl, who had been at the pinnacle of Japanese horse racing before Rudolf's meteoric rise, was not as glorious as others imagined.

And he knew this better than anyone. If he hadn't been involved in that playthrough, her future... could probably only be described as "bleak."

Because of her parents' elopement, in an era not yet famous for "trainer-horse girl relationships," it had fired the "first shot." In that more profit-driven era, their love was not accepted by most, and this influence extended to her.

From her debut, she had attracted more controversy and expectations than other horse girls. Because her parents were famous in their respective fields, and as the product of their reckless elopement, if she won her debut, the title of "product of sin" would probably be branded on her for life.

But winning her debut was still relatively easy with her talent and her parents' education. But after that, she had to walk the path alone—at that time, her father, because of his love affair and elopement with his charge, had had his central trainer's license revoked and could not go to Tracen to teach her.

"—Trainer Kitano, do you know why I've never looked for a trainer until now?" At this moment, she suddenly turned and asked softly. And he, who knew her inside and out, smiled and nodded, looking into her gentle, breeze-like eyes and answering softly:

"You don't want a trainer who will restrain you. You prefer to act at your own pace and just want someone to support you, right?"

This was the answer she had given him when he had asked a similar question in the past. And she was clearly surprised that he knew her so well. After her pupils contracted slightly, a relaxed smile returned to her face.

"It's surprising that you know me so well, Trainer Kitano. Are you sure you haven't been secretly investigating me?"

Do I need to? You used to live with me every day. A subtle smile appeared on his face. However, to his surprise, she gently shook her head and replied with a playful tone:

"But unfortunately, you're only half right, Trainer Kitano. The other half of the reason I've never told anyone. Do you want to hear it?"

However, though it was a question, she began to speak without waiting for his answer. Her originally gentle tone suddenly became low as she looked ahead and said, word by word:

"Before my debut, I heard my parents calling many trainers they used to know at Tracen. I heard them strongly recommend my talent, constantly begging for a trainer to accept me."

"But... without exception, they all refused. They were unwilling to take on such a 'wrongful birth,' unwilling to risk their reputation to be my trainer."

"And after I won my debut race, they started to have second thoughts and actively contacted my parents—at that time, I had already made up my mind to prove my ability on my own, to stand at the pinnacle of Japan with my talent and strength."

"Only then could I tell them that all their accusations were wrong, that I would be my parents' greatest creation in Japan. It's not that I can't find a trainer, but that they are not worthy of being my trainer!"

Mr. C.B., who had always dealt with the world with a cool and gentle demeanor, for the first time spoke the words that had been in her heart from the very beginning but had never been said to anyone. Even he was hearing this for the first time and was a little surprised.

However, he was not surprised that she would think this way. Although he had become her trainer after her debut, he had also experienced the invisible pressure in the academy and the strange looks from other trainers.

At that time, almost all the trainers at Tracen had heard about her reverse-designating him. And when they saw that he was such a sickly, backdoor entry who couldn't even pass the physical, they all agreed that he was just a "figurehead trainer" she had chosen as a decoration, completely useless.

For this, he had also received some teasing, disregard, and even contempt from other trainers... At that time, though he didn't respond, it was then that he had made up his mind to cultivate her into the "undefeated Triple Crown horse girl" before Rudolf.

It wasn't just a matter of pride; he also didn't want her to repeat the tragedy of the original story. Even though she was also a Triple Crown winner, she was mercilessly trampled under the feet of Rudolf, who came a year later, all her efforts and achievements becoming a stepping stone for the Emperor, reduced to a background character—he couldn't let her future become like that. She deserved better.

"Running alone, winning races alone, taking the Triple Crown alone, and then, before I could even rejoice for long, being replaced by my junior..."

"All of this, I can still endure. I've at least proven myself, I've had my moment of glory. Even if it was just for a moment, I was satisfied."

"—Until the day you appeared, Trainer Kitano."

Suddenly, her gaze turned to him again. Her eyes, sparkling like a starry sky, couldn't help but smile as she said softly:

"You and your charge, that girl named Nakayama Festa, broke into my world. I saw you supporting each other, trusting each other, saw her determination to bet everything for you on the track... I must admit, I was moved."

"And I finally understood what I had been missing all along... What I was missing was a trainer like you, someone I could trust, who would support me unconditionally, someone like you... someone I could bet everything on."

"You know, at that time, I really had a bold idea, you know? To ask you to be my trainer... or something."

"Unfortunately, by the time I had that thought, you had already become the Gold Family's sole exclusive trainer. It seems that plan had to be scrapped. What a shame."

Her tone was filled with unconcealed disappointment, but she still tried to force a smile. As she slowly revealed her heart, her mood improved considerably. After a long sigh, she belatedly realized that her words just now had been a bit strange.

Why did that atmosphere and conversation... feel like I was confessing? Is my guard... usually so easy to break down?

And after she realized this, she subconsciously wanted to stand up and make a joke to brush it off—but just as she moved, he, after deep thought, seemed to have made a decision and, after a deep breath, asked tentatively:

"If you really need a true supporter, C.B., if you don't mind... you can think of me as your trainer."

Faced with her slightly stunned expression at his sudden request, he took a gamble and continued:

"Although I wasn't with you during your most difficult times, if you think I can make you feel less lonely, I should be able to help."

"My team also happens to be in need of an outstanding horse girl who can help me solve problems and guide Festa and Gold Ship. If you could help me, I would be very grateful."

He had thought it through. It was already difficult for him to teach Festa alone. Now that Stay Gold had made him the designated trainer for the entire Gold Family, although he didn't have to worry about his future path, his current condition was not good. Teaching two horse girls at the same time was too much.

If, by some accident, his lifespan was shortened again, it would be bad. Therefore, he had been wanting to find an assistant. Unfortunately, he hadn't had a good candidate before, nor a horse girl who was abnormal enough but could also command Festa's respect.

But now, C.B. was a very good choice. During his recuperation, she had taught Festa for a while. Festa was well aware of her ability, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Of course, more importantly... he also didn't want the C.B. in his heart to continue to be so depressed. Since she had now actively proposed the idea, he would naturally not refuse this horse girl who was once his closest and most trusted.

And faced with his active invitation, C.B., after a brief silence, the next moment, the relaxed smile that appeared on her face, a smile he was familiar with, made him understand that his choice this time was undoubtedly correct.

"...Are you really confident? The ability to command me, this freest of winds. I should say, you are bolder than I imagined."

"Don't you agree? Trainer-san."

An extremely natural change in address signified that she had made her choice. She actively extended her pinky finger to him, and he, understanding, also extended his, making a simple pinky promise.

But at this moment, her eyes flickered, and she made another small request:

"And one more small thing. Although you are my trainer, I won't sign a contract with you, okay? I'm worried it will scare Rudolf. If the student council starts asking questions, it will be very troublesome for me."

"No problem, C.B. You just need to know that I am your trainer, and I will support your ideas."

He readily agreed. In fact, he was also a little troubled about how to bring this up with Rudolf. And now that she had actively proposed not to sign a contract, and she had been retired for a long time, her proposal was exactly what he wanted.

And seeing that he had really supported her ideas as he had promised, her eyes curved slightly, as if some knot in her heart had finally been untied, and a beautiful smile appeared on her face.

He had seen this smile before—it was the smile he would finally see in the future, when she had actively embraced him after he had helped her achieve the unprecedented feat of the "undefeated Triple Crown."

"Well then... I look forward to working with you in the future, Trainer-san."

...

Meanwhile, C.B.'s parents and Tamamo, who had unknowingly moved from the first floor to the staircase, and then to the door of her room, had heard everything clearly. And the moment she and Kitano reached an agreement, both parents showed a subtle, knowing smile.

"Dear, do you think our C.B. is..."

"Mm, if I'm not mistaken, that child is probably..."

Although the couple didn't say it out loud, Tamamo Cross, standing beside them, understood perfectly. And this normal person, who had not been affected by the growing strange atmosphere of Tracen, had a twisted expression on her face as if she had just eaten a sour plum, and despairedly吐槽ed:

"So, why did it turn out like this? It feels like this was all a trap set by C.B. for Trainer Kitano, just to fish him in, right?!"

"Is there any hope left for this Tracen Academy?! Is there not a single normal horse girl like me who has no designs on her trainer!"

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