Inside the meeting room, Fujiwara Chiya stood at the podium and tapped the blackboard.
Looking at the dozens of trainers below, he said, "Are there any other questions?"
One trainer raised his hand.
"Trainer Fujiwara, are these conclusions you reached from what you learned over there?"
"That's right. Everything above is my personal analysis. However, we still need all of you trainers to work together to improve and verify them."
A wave of noise rose from below the stage.
Nishizaki Ryuu scratched his head and stood up.
"All right, everyone, listen for a second. Chiya really trained at the training grounds over there. These are all things he learned from actual experience. You all saw Mejiro Dober's race too. There was definitely a good effect. Besides, these training methods aren't something you're supposed to copy exactly and use as-is. We're all trainers here, so of course each person has to adjust them according to their own habits."
As he spoke, Nishizaki Ryuu turned toward Fujiwara Chiya.
"Give me a copy of the training report. I'll take it back and use it, then make changes based on that. Afterward, we can discuss improvements together. How does that sound?"
Fujiwara Chiya nodded.
Katsumura Youta immediately raised his hand as well.
"Give me one too."
"You're joining too?"
"Of course. I think several people discussing and improving training plans together is way more efficient than doing it alone. It'll benefit the uma musume too. Mutual benefit, right?"
More and more people began joining in.
Fujiwara Chiya's idea was to have everyone test the training methods he had summarised from the European racecourse, then propose revisions. Finally, they would integrate everything together and create the training plan most suitable for uma musume.
Compared with doing it alone, gathering everyone's wisdom would bring far greater improvement.
That was why he had summoned all the trainers and explained the matter to them.
After hesitating for a while, most of them expressed their willingness to join.
Just as Fujiwara Chiya was handing out the materials, a hunched old man wearing sunglasses and leaning on a cane came before him.
Seeing him, Fujiwara Chiya's heart skipped a beat.
Fujiwara Chiya still remembered secretly learning from this man's training notes.
"You brat."
The reflective sunglasses turned toward Fujiwara Chiya.
"Give me a copy."
"Trainer Musaka… wants one too?"
"What else would I want?"
Fujiwara Chiya swallowed and handed his materials over.
Musaka Ginjiro flipped through them briefly.
"In the past, there was also one annoying fellow who proposed something similar to you. But I refused him."
"Is that so… Then why this time…"
"You're a little different from that guy," Musaka Ginjiro said.
"That person only had uma musume in his eyes. But you can still see the trainers. Training is not something one person does alone. It requires the joint effort of both uma musume and trainer. If only the uma musume improves while the trainer does not, that is incompetence. Both sides growing together is what training means."
Musaka Ginjiro shook the materials in his hand.
"When I go back, I'll revise this messy pile of yours. Young people write things far too carelessly."
With that, he tucked the materials under his arm and left.
Fujiwara Chiya bowed toward him.
When he left, Nishizaki Ryuu and the others patted his shoulder and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Chiya, let's go watch the new student evaluation later."
Katsumura Youta walked over beside him.
"Sure."
Speaking of the evaluation, Fujiwara Chiya still remembered what Orfevre had said about making him watch her race.
…
"So slow!"
With her arms folded, Orfevre stood outside the spectator stands.
"You were waiting for me?"
"Waiting? I was merely confirming that you hadn't run away. After the race ends, I shall watch your face as you prostrate yourself in admiration."
Orfevre snorted lightly.
"Also, don't think that just because you are the Empress's Scepter, you can act boldly. If you wish to watch my race, you must arrive at the racecourse two hours early, then kneel on the ground and respectfully await my appearance."
"Two hours ago, I was taking a nap. Also, why are you still standing here? Isn't your race about to start?"
"You have the nerve to say that to me? If you had come earlier, would I have needed to wait here this long?"
"Sorry…"
"If you make me wait again next time, go repent in hell."
Orfevre turned and headed toward the racecourse.
Just after she left, a gentle voice sounded beside Fujiwara Chiya.
"I'm sorry, Trainer Chiya. That child Orfevre has caused you trouble."
Turning around, Fujiwara Chiya looked around for a moment before finally spotting the brown-haired uma musume wearing glasses right beneath his line of sight.
Her long hair fell behind her like a cloak. Her ears were long, with yellow fluff on the inside, and two silver-grey streaks stood out in her sharp-looking bangs.
The girl adjusted her glasses, her blue-green eyes calmly looking at Fujiwara Chiya.
"I'm very short, aren't I?"
"No… you're fine."
"My name is Dream Journey. I am Orfevre's older sister. Yes… the older sister of that proud and beautiful younger sister."
"I'm Fujiwara Chiya."
"Mm, I know, Trainer Chiya. Orfevre often talks about you."
"Is that so? What does she say?"
"She says you are a long-winded, meddlesome person who fusses over everything like an old mother."
Me?
Long-winded?
Like an old mother?
Fujiwara Chiya clutched his chest.
He had suffered a serious wound.
"But she also thinks you are very capable."
"Hm?"
"A trainer who could raise an outstanding uma musume like the Empress is no ordinary person."
"Is that so? She really said that?"
"No. She did not say it. I merely read that meaning from her expression."
"…Oh."
What was with this roller-coaster-like feeling?
"Trainer Chiya, regarding overseas expeditions, there are a few matters I need to discuss."
"What is it?"
"I am the chair of the Overseas Expedition Support Committee. I am responsible for arranging uma musume overseas travel, including where they live and communication with local academies."
"Isn't Mei doing that?"
"Mei-san is responsible for Central, while I am responsible for Tracen. You could say I am Mei-san's assistant."
"I see…"
"And now, Trainer Fujiwara Chiya has been designated as the trainer for overseas expeditions."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that all uma musume who intend to participate in next year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe must be under Trainer Chiya's name. According to Central's current records, you have the highest chance of winning the championship, so they hope you can train the uma musume who will challenge the Arc next year."
"The uma musume I'm training is Shirayuki, isn't it? Are they planning to increase the number of competitors next year?"
"Yes. Central believes that it may be somewhat difficult for the Empress to win alone. So they hope you can recruit several uma musume this year who are capable of challenging the Arc. Alternatively, you may choose from your own uma musume. The number should be kept within three."
"Three?"
"Yes. For next year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Trainer Chiya will need to send out three challengers. Please choose carefully."
The uma musume named Dream Journey said this to Fujiwara Chiya.