"Well then, in the future, when I'm not around to look after Oguri Cap and the other kids on the team, I'll have to trouble you to take care of everyone, Tamamo."
"Sounds like it's not much different from my usual routine, just that the number of kids to look after seems to have increased."
Under Kitano's comfort, Tamamo Cross, having finally sorted out her feelings, calmly accepted the job of joining his team. Although she complained a little at this moment, the relaxed smile that re-emerged on her face didn't look like she was troubled by the increased number of people to care for at all.
Tamamo didn't know what her mood was at this moment... At first, she had the idea of entrusting Oguri to his care so that she could graduate with peace of mind and not worry anymore... but she also couldn't understand why she, the person who had wanted to facilitate this matter, had become the saddest one in the process.
Could it be, as he said, that she had underestimated her friendship with Oguri? Was their bond... that deep?
However, after thinking it over, she felt that only this could explain it. After all, her previous crying and the pain in her heart were not fake... It seemed that she had really taken care of Oguri to the point of being inseparable, just like her own family.
...But whatever, she didn't hate taking care of her anyway. Now that she had joined the team, she had a legitimate reason to stay. What was there to worry about?
"But I don't think I can help much." And at this time, Tamamo, whose mood had relaxed a lot, also went to a direct drink shop with him and the others and picked up the drinks they had agreed on when they left the restaurant. Faced with a rather heavy bag of drinks, her small horse girl body could lift it without any effort, not needing his help at all.
Tamamo didn't notice that at this moment, she was actually very much like the Oguri she had previously complained about, who was happy just to be behind him. After basically confirming that she had joined the team and that he would definitely not kick her out, she also let down her guard and did not hesitate to show her "lacking" side in front of him. "Even if Oguri doesn't say it, I'll continue to take care of her. But as for the few in the team... Nakayama and Gold Ship only listen to you, right? I don't dare to manage their affairs. I can't manage the horse girls of the Gold Family. Only you can."
"As for Suzuka and Invincible... I don't dare to say either. You know Suzuka, if she sets her mind on something, no one can pull her back. Not to mention Invincible, that child looks like the whole world owes her a million dollars all day. She doesn't even give you face, right? She only listens to Ardan."
"—That's not right, Tamamo-senpai! Trainer Kitano means that when he can't persuade everyone on his own, we should stand on his side and give him support!"
However, at this time, before he could speak, Special Week, who had witnessed the whole process of Tamamo and Oguri, suddenly spoke up and expressed his true thoughts. This simple and honest girl, whom no one would suspect, also had a proud "I knew it" expression on her face. Meeting his gaze, she answered confidently:
"Because there are too many problem children in Trainer Kitano's team, he may not be able to handle them all by himself. And his future plans and arrangements may be misunderstood by everyone, and even opposed."
No... is it really okay for you to secretly say that your roommate is a problem child? Aren't you two on good terms?
For a moment, faced with the simple and honest Special Week, who didn't even know she was speaking ill of others, both he and Tamamo couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. However, although her words were a bit unpleasant, the reasoning was correct.
He had also faced this problem more than once. Every time he wanted to do something to change the course of history, he always found the difficulty to be unexpectedly great. A typical example was when he hoped that Suzuka would avoid the Tennō Shō (Autumn) that caused her fracture, but she, as if instructed by fate, was unswervingly determined to participate in this race.
And he knew very well that if his charge did not accept his proposal and he continued to insist, the next development would only be quarrels and misunderstanding. Therefore, his position in this regard had always been wavering... he knew he could not persuade his charge.
And now, besides Suzuka, Festa, Golshi, Invincible... in the future, his team might have more charges. If he proposed a plan every time and they didn't listen to him, let alone helping them break through their historical achievements, he probably couldn't even help them avoid some potentially dangerous races.
Therefore, he did need outside help, the support of more senior horse girls like Ardan, C.B., and Tamamo, who could help him restrain these charges.
Special Week's proposal gave him, who was worried about having too many charges and not being able to manage them on his own, a good template.
"So, what we need to do in the team, besides helping Trainer Kitano's charges with their training, is to persuade them to trust his judgment when necessary!" Special Week continued:
"For example, I can specifically persuade Suzuka-san, Ardan-senpai can specifically deal with Invincible-san, and when it comes to Gold Ship and Nakayama-san, if we all stand on his side, I believe that even if they are willful, they will definitely think more about his opinion."
"—That's what it is, right, Trainer Kitano?"
"Ah, mm, a very good summary, Spe-chan. Very smart."
He was also slightly surprised for a moment, then immediately nodded, approving her proposal. And seeing the originally serious Special Week turn around and show him a "I'm amazing, right?" expression, as if asking for his praise, he immediately gave his affirmation to this girl he had not had the chance to teach personally.
And under the hint of the joyful Special Week slightly raising her head and her horse ears wagging happily, he was the one who gently and actively reached out and ruffled her particularly soft hair, a smile couldn't help but appear at the corner of his mouth as he said:
"Actually, I've been thinking that if you could join, Spe-chan, Suzuka would probably be very happy. And as you said, you can persuade her. I think with you here, you can definitely be a great help."
After she made the proposal, he had a plan and also wanted to invite her to join—although the current Suzuka had already surpassed her history, in the future, he did not guarantee that his views would not be contrary to hers. Therefore, her help was very necessary for him.
And... there was also a little bit of selfishness on his part. He had promised before that when she entered Tracen, he would be her trainer. However, this promise, with his death in that playthrough, had never been fulfilled.
And now, although he no longer had the right to teach her, if he could let her join the team... his own heart would also feel a little better.
"Huh? What you just said, Trainer Kitano, is a bit strange."
However, just as he was saying this, she showed a confused expression instead. She blinked her watery big eyes at him and asked in an extremely matter-of-fact tone:
"I've always been a member of your team, you know? Why do you still need to invite me to join?"
"Or... have you actually never cared about me? Do you think I'm just an outsider?"
"Eh?" And faced with her sudden questioning, he also felt his heart skip a beat. But in the next moment, something that gave him a headache happened again—she actually showed a very aggrieved expression, her eyes were even filled with tears, and she said in a very sad-looking low voice:
"How could this be... I, I always thought that you treated me like a charge... so it wasn't true?"
"I've already helped so much, but you still haven't acknowledged me... sniff... I thought it was so easy for Suzuka-san to join the team. I didn't expect that only she could... can't I?"
"...Kitano, that's not right."
However, faced with the aggrieved and tearful Special Week, at this moment, Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross both cast a scrutinizing gaze at the innocent-looking him. This time, even Oguri seriously criticized him, saying softly:
"Spe-chan has helped you a lot all along. You should have invited her earlier."
"That's right, you can't just use her as a volunteer. Volunteers get credits. She helped voluntarily all along because of Suzuka." And Tamamo, seeing the usually honest and simple Special Week looking so sad, also stood up for her and said to him:
"There's still a chance now. Hurry up and say something. If you can't coax her, we won't help you."
"—Actually, I had already prepared the relevant charge documents before. I just didn't know what everyone's thoughts were, so I haven't had everyone sign them."
And how fast his brain worked. As a trainer who could even coax Gold Ship, faced with the almost-no-difficulty-to-coax Special Week, he immediately gave his remedy and replied:
"After all, I was very worried that everyone would think there were too many people in my team. But now, since Spe-chan and everyone are willing, we can sign the contract after we go back and give it to President Rudolf."
"Really?!"
And the moment he said this, the originally aggrieved Special Week's horse ears almost stood up with a "thump." She didn't even have time to wipe away her tears and immediately showed a somewhat embarrassed expression, laughing softly:
"Heehee... Trainer Kitano, you could have told me earlier. Otherwise, I wouldn't have thought so much."
"I thought you always treated me as an outsider and only cared about Suzuka-san."
"It seems I thought too badly of you. I'm sorry—no, now, should I call you Trainer-san like Suzuka-san?"
"Mm, you can call me whatever you like, Spe-chan." And seeing that she was coaxed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, he saw her dark eyes playfully turn and still answered with a joyful smile:
"After thinking about it carefully, it's better to distinguish myself from Suzuka-san. Then I'll still call you Trainer Kitano~"
"Heehee, I don't know why, but I always feel that this title is more familiar."
"...Is that so? Then as you like. I can accept either."
Speaking of which... in my playthrough with Suzuka back then, Spe-chan had always called me that... I had never heard her call me "Trainer."
And now, in the new playthrough, Spe-chan is still more used to this title. Is this also the effect of this special playthrough? Just like with Oguri and C.B.?
Such a thought briefly appeared in his mind, but it was quickly thrown to the back of his mind. This also made him not notice that behind her shy smile, in her vacant black pupils, a burning black flame was reflected...
...After all, I've always called you that, both in my childhood and after you left. I still call you that in my heart.
Such a thought quietly appeared in her heart. In contrast to her simple and slightly shy expression on the surface, her true thoughts at this moment were not because of simple familiarity or distinction, but a subtle... hint.
She did not want to pretend in front of him, but now was a special period. He was not out of danger yet. Even if she made a move rashly or confessed to him, it would only bring him trouble. This was not what she wanted.
But she should be able to secretly reveal some information to her "father," hint at her past memories with him. She believed that with her "father's" concern for her, as long as she showed a vulnerable side, he would wholeheartedly dote on her alone.
But... what she was a little concerned about now was that Suzuka-san seemed to have a way to save him. Recently, she seemed to have been intentionally or unintentionally conveying some ideas to everyone... something like everyone must win the race? Invincible and Golshi were not familiar with her, but they all supported her ideas.
Although she still didn't quite understand, it should be fine to just observe for a while longer, right? She believed that she would definitely know the answer from her.
She thought so in her heart, and the simple and honest smile on her face did not change at all. She opened her eyes and looked straight at his side face, which was close at hand. This "father," "brother," and trainer whom she had once lost and now regained... Special Week, who had placed countless missing emotions on him, her expression became more and more out of control...
The desire in her dark pupils became more and more difficult to contain, the smile on her face widened, and her mouth couldn't help but begin to secrete the golden fluid that was only produced for delicious food...
This time... I will absolutely not let you suffer any harm again, my... "father."
Let me, little by little, "eat" everything about you. I will absolutely... not let anyone disturb me.
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