After hearing the full story of how Fujiwara Chiya had ended up at Tracen, Symboli Rudolf covered her mouth.
Her shoulders shook.
She tried. She really did.
And then she lost.
"So that's how it is, so that's how it is. Trainer Chiya wants to race too." Rudolf wiped away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. "Seeing you still so eager to shine on the racetrack truly moves me. I'm sure you'll absolutely be able to, pffft!"
Fujiwara Chiya stared at Symboli Rudolf with dead-fish eyes.
It took Rudolf a good while before she finally recovered.
"Well, it is a good thing. Ever since Shirayuki retired, Tracen has felt like there's this huge hole in it. Empty, somehow. Your appearance should fill that hole nicely."
"No, no, no. I can't do anything on Shirayuki's level."
"But when it comes to inspiring uma musume, there's no doubt you can do it. With your ability, you'll definitely bring out their brightest, most dazzling side."
"What makes you so sure, President Rudolf…?"
"Because you're Trainer Chiya, of course. Is there anything you can't do?"
Rudolf gave him an absurdly high evaluation with a perfectly straight face.
"Looking at your file, Tracen's side should have no issue. As for Central…"
"Director Akikawa said she'll handle it."
"Then there's no problem. All you need now is an uma musume identity. Let me see… Chiba?"
"That's the alias I'll be using as an uma musume. Using my real name would obviously cause problems."
"True enough. These days, who doesn't know the great name of Fujiwara Chiya? An alias does make things easier." Rudolf nodded. "By the way, if Trainer Chiya is going to race, what will happen to your team? Will Shirayuki be in charge?"
"Yeah. I'm leaving them to her."
"Then wouldn't it be fine to train directly with your own team?"
"About that… I want to switch trainers."
"What happened?"
"Dressed up as an uma musume and mixed in with my own students? If they find out, I think I can dig my grave right there on the spot. I'd like to train somewhere far away from them."
"Trainer Chiya truly has it rough. Personally, I don't think you need to feel inferior. Becoming an uma musume is a very honorable thing."
"It is very honorable. If I weren't a man."
"Pffft!"
"President Rudolf!"
"Sorry, sorry. Your expression just now was exactly like Shirayuki's whenever she did something wrong. I couldn't help remembering it." Rudolf dabbed at the corner of her eye. "That thing on your head, are those headphones meant to hide your ears?"
"Yeah. Since I can't let anyone figure out I'm human, Gold Ship gave me her headphones."
"And the uma musume ears and tail?"
"Decorations."
"They seem to move, though?"
"There are motors inside. They can rotate."
"Are you controlling them?"
Fujiwara Chiya pulled out the controller in his hand.
Behind him, his tail swished from side to side.
"That's amazing. I had no idea imitation uma musume accessories had become this advanced. At this point, I can't tell the difference between Trainer Chiya and any other uma musume."
"Am I supposed to be happy about that? I feel like the male part of me is being mercilessly trampled into the dirt."
"Now, now. Look on the bright side, Trainer Chiya. Since things have already turned out this way, you might as well learn to enjoy it."
"This is so embarrassing… so embarrassing…"
Rudolf smiled warmly at Fujiwara Chiya as he covered his face.
The tail behind him kept swaying back and forth, making him look weirdly happy.
The movements still needed improvement.
"Now then, let's see. Which class should Trainer go into?"
"Class? I'm not attending classes."
"You aren't?"
"Of course not. I'm already a senior trainer. How am I supposed to go back and take middle school and high school courses?"
"Then we'll just register your name for now. Every uma musume needs to belong to a class. As for the dormitory, where would Trainer like to stay? The student dorms?"
"I'm going home."
"Director Akikawa's place, then. All right."
"Is it just me, President Rudolf, or do you seem especially excited right now?"
"I'm simply completing my duties." Rudolf's lips curved into a smile she didn't even try hard enough to hide. "All right, the file is complete. First, please pay the tuition."
"Tuition??"
"Of course. Did Trainer think Tracen was free?"
"I feel like I'm taking out a loan just to go to work… How much?"
"Pfft, hahaha! I'm joking. As if we'd make you pay tuition."
Fujiwara Chiya was certain now.
Rudolf was absolutely here to watch him suffer.
Fine. Fine, then.
You and Gold Ship are all in this together!
"Your trainer will be Nase Fumino for now. As for the selection race, there's no need for you to participate." Rudolf cleared her throat and called toward the door. "Kitasan, come in."
"Yes!"
Along with that bright, energetic reply, an uma musume stepped into the room.
She had medium-length black hair tied into short twin-tails with red ribbons. Her crimson eyes glanced at Fujiwara Chiya, then shifted to Rudolf.
"Did you need me, President?"
"Yes. I'd like you to take Trainer Chi… ahem. Take Chiba-san to Trainer Nase. She'll be becoming that trainer's uma musume. Chiba-san will explain the details to Trainer Nase herself."
The uma musume named Kitasan Black looked at Fujiwara Chiya.
"Okay… Is she a new transfer student?"
"That's right. A new student."
"She doesn't need to take an entrance assessment?"
"Chiba-san's situation is a little special, and it isn't convenient to explain here. For now, all you need to know is that her strength requires someone at least senior-trainer level to handle."
Kitasan Black nodded.
"Then please follow me, Chiba-san."
With that, she left the room.
Once Kitasan Black was gone, Rudolf asked, "What do you think of her, Trainer Chiya?"
"Strong. Very strong. The way that girl walks has real force behind it, and her body's flexibility is excellent too. She's a promising one. Did she just join the Student Council?"
"As expected of Trainer Chiya. One glance, and you saw what makes her special. Yes, she's one of the new students who entered Tracen this year. Her goal is the Classic Triple Crown."
"I think she has a very real chance of becoming the next Triple Crown winner."
"I think so too. But Trainer Nase's abilities are limited. To fully draw out that child's potential, she'll still need your help." Rudolf looked at him. "Would you be willing to become Kitasan Black's rival and help push her toward victory?"
"You want me to run the Classic Triple Crown?" Fujiwara Chiya shook his head again and again. "No way. I have no intention of stealing such an important title as a trainer disguised as an uma musume. I'll win one GI and retire."
Fujiwara Chiya had no intention of running an entire racing career as an uma musume.
He had only been worn down by his wives' persistence and dragged here to claim a single GI victory. Once he had that, he was gone.
His real job was being a trainer!
"Whether you want to participate or not is up to you, Trainer. I only hope you can spur Kitasan on as her rival. And not just Kitasan. There are several talented children this year. Like Shirayuki, Treve, and Orfevre back then, I hope you can recreate that brilliant era and keep pushing these children forward… Would that be possible, Trainer Chiya?"
Fujiwara Chiya scratched his cheek.
"Well, my real job is being a trainer. Helping them is part of my duty."
"Thank you very much. If you need anything, come to me anytime. Of course, even if you don't need anything, you're welcome to drop by whenever you like."
Fujiwara Chiya waved and headed out of the room.
"Ah, right. I forgot to mention one thing."
"Hm?"
"That outfit looks very cute on you, Chiba-san."
Fujiwara Chiya slammed the door shut behind him.