Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live

"That's about it for work. Air Groove, Brian, let's go to the Director's office and meet the trainer recommended by Stay Gold."

At that very moment, the "Emperor" that both Mr. C.B. and Kitano were thinking of, the student council president Symboli Rudolf, had just finished her work and was preparing to go to the Director's office with her two vice presidents.

From the flawless demeanor and respectful yet impeccably majestic expression of this "Emperor," it was clear, just as Mr. C.B. had said, that she had strong personal objections to Stay Gold's recommendation of Kitano.

Or rather, Rudolf didn't have an issue with Kitano himself, but with the act of "pulling strings."

"President, I think even if you want to refuse Stay Gold's request, you should wait until the Director has met with that trainer named Kitano," Vice President Air Groove said, timely stopping their seemingly gentle but fiercely principled president. Air Groove knew Rudolf disapproved of Stay Gold's actions and tried to persuade her:

"In any case, the Director is the one who makes the final decision. If that Trainer Kitano can pass the Director's evaluation, perhaps he has some merit and isn't just someone getting in through connections."

"—If that were the case, then Stay Gold wouldn't have needed to bring this to us, or to the Director," the serious Rudolf replied, sitting back down, but the gloom on her face had not dissipated in the slightest. Her voice was cold.

"I found no information about this Kitano Ryuichi in the URA's database. He's not even a local trainer, just someone privately recognized by the Gold Family. Strictly speaking, he shouldn't even be called a trainer."

"And I don't even have a record of him applying for the central trainer's exam. Air Groove, with all these problems, it's very difficult for me to believe he isn't just relying on connections."

On this point, Rudolf was absolutely correct. But if Kitano were there, he would have been at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. It wasn't that he hadn't taken the exam; he had taken it too many times in his previous playthroughs. The repeated, painful experiences had made him understand that with his body, there was no hope of entering Tracen Academy through official channels.

Since there was no hope, why bother applying again? That's why there was no record of him at the URA in this playthrough. It was no wonder Rudolf thought he lacked not only the ability but even the desire to be a trainer.

"I will absolutely not allow such an unqualified trainer to join Tracen. There are many excellent trainers at Tracen Academy. I am confident we can find one who meets the requirements of the Gold Family and Nakayama Festa."

Rudolf's stance was firm. She knew how much a suitable trainer could help a horse girl's morale. But all of this was predicated on the trainer having the skill to teach them.

If an unqualified trainer's abilities couldn't match the horse girl's, his presence would only hinder, or even harm, her development. An ignorant trainer giving blind commands was the one thing a horse girl should avoid at all costs.

Therefore, Rudolf didn't think she would waver. Even if Kitano and Festa passed the Director's test, they would absolutely not pass hers. She had to be responsible for all horse girls!

But just as Rudolf made up her mind, planning to test Kitano with her imperial authority and send him away in defeat, the student council room door swung open, and a voice very familiar to them all announced:

"Correct! However, if Trainer Kitano has just passed the URA's written examination with excellent results, I think making an exception is no problem!"

"Director?"

With the opening of the door, a petite girl who looked to be the size of a middle school student entered. She had orange hair with a streak of white, wore a long dress, and held a fan.

But it was this little girl who made the imposing Rudolf and her vice presidents stand up immediately. For she was the director of Tracen Academy, Akikawa Yayoi.

"Director, you've already met Trainer Kitano? And you tested him?" Symboli Rudolf and her vice presidents quickly gathered around Akikawa Yayoi. The director's words had taken Rudolf completely by surprise. That trainer had actually passed?

"That's right! In terms of theoretical trainer ability, Trainer Kitano is absolutely outstanding!" The director generously acknowledged Kitano's talent, her voice exceptionally clear and loud, as if she wanted everyone to hear. The word "合格" (Pass) had appeared on her fan, and she didn't hold back her praise.

"Ms. C.B. also thinks very highly of Trainer Kitano and believes his conviction can be instilled in his horse girl! I think there is no problem with him joining!"

"—Please wait a moment, Director. May I ask a question?"

At this point, Rudolf could no longer hold back. Facing the director, who seemed to have accepted an irrefusable bribe and was showering Kitano with praise, she finally voiced her doubt:

"If that Trainer Kitano is as outstanding as you say, Director, then why didn't he take the central trainer's licensing exam himself, instead of coming through Stay Gold's recommendation?"

"Question! You don't know? Didn't Stay Gold tell you about Trainer Kitano's physical condition?"

In response to Rudolf's question, it was the director who looked surprised. Looking at the three bewildered student council members, the director handed Rudolf a folder she had been holding.

"This contains some of Trainer Kitano's information. Right, at first, I only heard from Ms. Gold that he was in poor health. But after reading this, I finally understand what a persistent person he is."

"This is... a hospital medical record?"

Rudolf blankly took the folder. As she pulled out the medical record with "Kitano Ryuichi" written on it, she felt her chest tighten, as if her heart had been suddenly squeezed.

Forcing down the tremor in her heart, Rudolf opened the file. The few pages inside clearly documented the fundamental reason why Kitano had never been able to become a central trainer through official channels.

"Congenital bone cancer—late stage?!"

"Shh! Quiet! Trainer Kitano requested that this matter not be widely publicized." The director immediately stopped Rudolf after her unconscious exclamation. Fortunately, the student council room was well soundproofed, so no outsiders would overhear.

But undoubtedly, with Rudolf's cry, everyone present understood why Kitano, who clearly had the ability to be a trainer, had failed to obtain his license. Yet, the moment the mystery was solved, the truth was as heavy as a boulder on their chests, making it hard for them to breathe.

"Trainer Kitano said not to publicize this. He doesn't want his illness to affect others' morale," the director said, completely understanding their reaction. Hadn't she reacted just as intensely when she saw his records in her office?

But after the initial emotional shock, the director's perception of Kitano had changed. If at first, she, like Rudolf, had intended to reject the unlicensed trainer recommended by Stay Gold, now, after he had proven his ability and presented his medical records, the situation was completely different.

"Inspiring! Even while dragging his sick body, Trainer Kitano still wants to shine his light and warmth, not giving up on life, and even wanting to cultivate outstanding horse girls!" As she spoke, the emotional director's eyes welled up with tears.

"Tracen Academy can make a special exception for such a devoted and ambitious trainer! I have decided. Does the student council have any objections?"

"...At this point, if we were to object, we'd look like criminals crushing someone's dream." Air Groove composed herself, forcing a smile. Now believing their actions were helping Kitano, she said with rare enthusiasm:

"Please rest assured, Director. I will pay special attention to Trainer Kitano."

"Me too." Narita Brian, hearing this, also showed a rare solemn expression and said, word by word, "A trainer with such conviction is rare. I'll drop by their place from time to time and offer some guidance to his charge."

Soon, both Air Groove and Narita Brian had cast their votes of approval. All eyes now focused on Symboli Rudolf, who was still silent, her gaze fixed on Kitano's file.

However, Rudolf's expression seemed stiff. The further she read, the more she found her initial firm stance crumbling.

Besides his severe illness, the file also contained a lot of Kitano's personal information. However, what Rudolf found was more of his tragic fate.

Parents deceased early, leaving a large inheritance that was mostly spent on medical treatment. No relatives. He battled his illness alone through university. Three months ago, his condition worsened, making it difficult to even walk...

If it weren't for the Gold Family "taking him in" and filling some of the emotional void, just looking at this history, Rudolf felt that anyone else would have broken down long ago.

And thinking about how she had originally planned to reject him with "the Emperor's authority," Rudolf felt a deep sense of relief that she hadn't immediately confronted him. If she had, and then read this file... she probably wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully for weeks.

But why... Rudolf felt a sense of suspicion. This tragic history, almost too sad to be real, gave her a strange feeling of déjà vu... as if this wasn't the first time she had seen it.

And this doubt sparked a strong curiosity about Kitano. She very much wanted to meet this trainer with such a strong will and conviction.

"Director, I would still like to meet Trainer Kitano. I have a few small questions I'd like to ask him in person."

"—Affirmative!" Seeing Rudolf relent, the director felt a weight lift from her heart and immediately left the student council room.

Less than five minutes later, the door opened again. This time, however, it was Mr. C.B. who entered first. She held the door open for Kitano, and his and Rudolf's eyes met almost instantly.

The moment the wheelchair-bound Kitano's gaze met the eyes of Rudolf, who had involuntarily stood up, Rudolf felt a jolt as if she'd been electrocuted. Her expression wavered for a moment, momentarily lost in his presence.

"—It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Ms. Symboli Rudolf."

Kitano once again uttered the greeting he had said to Rudolf countless times. Looking at the Rudolf before him, who was so different from the one in his earliest memories, Kitano's heart was filled not only with emotion but also with joy and relief.

It seems you've really grown up... Rudolf. As expected, even without me, you could grow into an outstanding horse girl on your own.

Facing this Symboli Rudolf whom he had once "neglected," Kitano's thoughts drifted for a moment... He recalled what should have been the most perfect playthrough, and why he and this Emperor had grown so distant...

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