At the Academy, Kousei couldn't call her father "Dad," so he adopted the alias "T" for convenience.
Although Kousei didn't understand why her father was unwilling to share their past with her, she simply attributed it to her parents' good intentions.
Meanwhile, news of Kousei having a Trainer spread like wildfire. The Umamusume were curious: What kind of person would accept Kousei's direct appointment?
Despite calling himself "T," his striking resemblance to Kousei fueled speculation that they were related by blood. Yet, without concrete evidence, it remained mere speculation.
Some people swarmed around, sniffing for a story, but T refused all interviews, knowing exactly what they wanted.
More than them, T was focused on Kousei's training. The original plan, meticulously crafted based on her initial condition, proved utterly inadequate for the situation at hand. No matter how meticulous, a rigid plan couldn't match the adaptability of training adjusted to evolving circumstances.
The Triple Crown Race defeat was undoubtedly a heavy blow, but it also presented an opportunity for recalibration. With Kousei's current level of public support, participating in major races was challenging. For the foreseeable future, Kousei wouldn't be competing against McQueen on the same stage.
Moreover, Kousei lacked something crucial. It had to be admitted that, compared to the already awakened Elite, Kousei couldn't yet be considered a true rival.
T devised a completely new training plan for Kousei, constantly monitoring her physical changes and proactively ensuring proper post-training recovery.
Though progress was slow, they could steadily feel her stats improving without any discomfort. Her body seemed to be adapting well to the new rhythm.
Good. One step at a time, steadily advancing.
T was powerless to address what Kousei truly lacked. For this, he enlisted a special helper: none other than Sirius Symboli, the one who had initially approached Kousei.
"Still the same old Sirius, huh?"
"You've changed quite a bit yourself... T," Sirius replied, sounding slightly awkward with the unfamiliar address.
"I thought Sirius would be a real troublemaker, but she's surprisingly well-behaved around my dad."
Sirius always projected a fierce demeanor, but with T, she showed a rare glimpse of approachability.
"Then I'll leave Kousei in your care."
"Understood."
A trainer's responsibilities extended beyond daily training sessions for their Umamusume.
Moreover, only Sirius knew how to compensate for the missing part of Kousei's brilliance. Some things could only be understood between fellow Umamusume.
Sirius was notoriously fierce. Before Kousei knew about her relationship with the Trainer, she could still retort with a few sharp words. Now that she knew, she felt a bit awkward.
"Where are we going?"
"Training."
"Oh..."
Since the conversation wasn't going anywhere, Kousei didn't press further.
At the Training Track, Sirius stood silently, saying nothing.
"What are we doing?"
"Waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"Waiting for someone."
"Waiting for whom? Aren't you supposed to be training me personally?"
Sirius paused for a moment. "My leg is injured. I haven't been able to run for a long time. Even if I wanted to teach you, I'm physically incapable."
Unable to run?
Kousei instinctively glanced down at Sirius's legs. This Umamusume, who bore the same "Symboli" name as the Emperor, could no longer run.
Yet why was there no trace of sorrow in her eyes? What emotions did she carry as she lived her life at Tracen?
"They're here."
Kousei temporarily suppressed her doubts, focusing instead on identifying the newcomer.
"What's this about? Why is that little kid here?"
The slightly annoyed tone belonged to Narita Brian, the heavyweight Vice President of the Student Council.
"Stop complaining. Didn't I tell you this would happen?"
Narita Brian clicked her tongue. "Tch! You said you were going to guide a junior. Why's it this kid? You said it would be a cute junior!"
Sirius paused, slightly taken aback. "Isn't she cute?"
"Huh?"
Two blank stares met, each with its own distinct brand of confusion.
"So... my mentor is Narita Brian?"
"Yes. You're missing the most crucial element. Brian possesses the quality that most closely resembles yours. Perhaps you can find inspiration in her."
"What is it? Why can't you just tell me?"
"That's impossible. You must grasp it yourself. If you can't even do that, what right do you have to stand beside those two?"
There was no arguing with that—it was the harsh reality.
"So, can we start earlier?" Narita Brian asked, her expression impatient.
"Let's begin," Sirius replied.
Having secured Sirius's approval, Narita Brian glanced at Kousei.
"Don't expect me to hold back."
Kousei grinned.
"Alright! Let's see what this 'so-called' thing is all about!"