"I'm in the middle of saying something important, and you're just sitting there giggling. Trainer Chiya, are you even listening to me at all?"
In the Chairwoman's office, Akikawa Yayoi held her fan, her face dark and a dangerous smile playing on her lips as she questioned Fujiwara Chiya.
"Not at all! I was carefully analyzing every word you said, Director, preparing to strictly follow them in the future and contribute to the great development of Tracen."
"Oh? Then repeat what I just said."
"That I'm very special."
"Special, my foot!"
Fujiwara Chiya received another whack from the fan.
"Chiya, your evaluation this year is already in a very dangerous position."
Looking at the young trainer before her, Akikawa Yayoi couldn't help but sigh. During his interview, his answers had left a very good impression on her. But in less than a year, two Horse Girls had already terminated their contracts with him, a rare occurrence even in Tracen.
"If one more Horse Girl requests to terminate her contract, you won't be able to participate in this year's trainer ratings, and you won't be eligible for the promotion exam next year either."
A two-year delay would have a significant impact on Fujiwara Chiya's career.
Not only that, but if another Horse Girl chose to leave him, the central association would re-evaluate his trainer's license. With bad luck, they might even revoke his training qualifications altogether.
Getting into Tracen didn't mean you were set for life. On the contrary, Tracen's standards for trainers were even stricter.
"How many members do you have on your team right now?"
"Three."
"Who are they?"
"Gold Ship, Rice Shower, and Meisho Doto."
Fujiwara Chiya counted on his fingers, listing the Horse Girls he had painstakingly recruited.
"Four, if you include Fujiwara Shirayuki."
"Are you planning to put your cousin on the team?"
"Yes."
"Very well," Akikawa Yayoi said, waving her fan.
It's good to have family to look after.
"Next is the issue of results," she said, her expression turning serious. "The two consecutive contract terminations have already lowered your evaluation score significantly. So, if you want to be selected as one of the best trainers this year, you must produce sufficient results."
"Results?"
"That's right. Victories in Graded Races."
At the mention of 'Graded Races,' Fujiwara Chiya couldn't help but swallow hard.
Horse Girl races were ranked from lowest to highest: Debut Races, 1-Win Class, 2-Win Class, 3-Win Class, Open Class, and finally, Graded Races.
A Horse Girl who could win a Graded Race was already among the elite. Among these, the G1 races were the highest level, and it was said that only the top-tier competitors could win them.
Of course, these races were a distant dream for a rookie trainer like Fujiwara Chiya. He didn't even have a single Horse Girl who had completed her debut race yet.
That's right, there were no debuted Horse Girls on his team!
There had been two, but they had since become sources of bitter tears for him.
If he couldn't get a single Horse Girl to debut this year, he would be a commander with no soldiers for the entire year.
So, Fujiwara Chiya was in a state of desperation.
He had to cultivate a talented Horse Girl within the year.
"Thus, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on any man, it will first frustrate his spirit and toil his body..."
"What is it, Shirayuki? Are you already eager to race?"
Hearing the muttering, Hayakawa Tazuna turned her head to look at Shirayuki.
"No, I was just thinking about how to quickly become a strong Horse Girl."
Or how to make others become strong Horse Girls.
Fujiwara Chiya's team was, to put it mildly, a bit tragic. At the moment, there wasn't a single reliable Horse Girl in the group.
As for the reasons why, he didn't want to bring them up again for now. It was a pain that only those who had experienced it could understand.
"The only way is through racing, I suppose," Hayakawa Tazuna said matter-of-factly. "Race continuously, grow stronger continuously, and then become a respected figure. For a Horse Girl, the fastest shortcut is hard work."
"I... I suppose you're right."
There was no such thing as a convenient cheat in this world. The Horse Girls who stood at the top of the pyramid had all undergone grueling training, taking it one step at a time.
So, I should look for the problem within myself. Have I been working hard all this time? Has my salary increased? I shouldn't just complain about not having a cheat.
"If you don't mind, I can introduce a few classmates to you, Shirayuki."
Unaware of what the gentle-faced white-haired girl was thinking, and assuming she was just feeling uncertain about the future, Hayakawa Tazuna suggested, "I know a few talented girls. I can ask them to help you out. You can ask them about anything, from racing to training."
"Really?"
"I don't think they would mind helping a new student."
"Thank you so much, Miss Hayakawa!"
After all, he had only been at the academy for a year. Besides the Horse Girls of his colleagues, Chiya knew almost no one. Training together with strong Horse Girls would be a huge boost for his team, and this was an area where he was at a great disadvantage.
If Hayakawa Tazuna could lend a hand, it would be a massive help.
"You're being so kind to me, but I have nothing to offer in return. If you'd like, please feel free to order my cousin around as much as you want. Consider it my way of repaying you."
"I don't need any repayment... This is just part of my job as a secretary."
"Please, I insist you use him as much as possible."
"You should treasure your brother a little more..."
Back in the Chairwoman's office, Fujiwara Chiya looked deeply moved.
"I think I have hope now."
"Hope? What hope?"
"An angel is willing to help me."
"An angel..." Akikawa Yayoi blinked. Seeing the look in his eyes, she immediately raised her fan to shield herself. "You're not talking about me, are you? Let me tell you, Trainer Chiya, no amount of flattery will get you special treatment from me."
At most, I'll help you negotiate with the central association.
"I am a respectable person, Chairwoman. Why would I do such a thing?"
"It had better be that way. You've heard the story of the boy who cried wolf, haven't you?"
"No, I've only heard the story of where the wolf went."
"Where the wolf went?"
"It's about a furry-loving Little Red Riding Hood and..."
"Alright, I get it!" Chairwoman Akikawa raised her hand to cut him off. "In any case, this is the second time you've promised me you would cultivate a talented Horse Girl. If another one terminates their contract with you, your credibility in my eyes will hit rock bottom."
"Yes, ma'am. I will do everything in my power to maintain my image in your eyes."
"Although my image of you is just that of a greenhorn..." Akikawa Yayoi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Alright, go and train. Strive to have your Horse Girl win a Graded Race. This year is not just important for you, but for all of us."
-------
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