Heck, if she went on to sweep the senior circuit, she'd be challenging Symboli Rudolf's record of seven crowns. I didn't know her distance aptitudes perfectly, but a back-to-back Arima Kinen win alone would be legendary.
The girl crying in front of me was a giant in a tiny frame.
"You could go for the Spring Senior Triple or the Autumn Senior Triple..."
I listed the titles—the Osaka Hai, Tenno Sho, Takarazuka Kinen... the Japan Cup...
Only a literal handful of girls in history are even allowed to dream of those. I'd only been a trainer for six months, but I knew the weight of a single victory. I knew how many girls left Tracen without ever seeing the winner's circle. And Rice had done it alone.
"But... but...! Rice is... I'm...!"
I couldn't pretend to understand the depth of the despair she felt having her greatest achievement treated like a crime. I would never be that arrogant. So, even though it pained me as a trainer to see such talent go to waste, I spoke as a person.
"You're right. Whatever decision you make is yours. I'm an outsider; I have no right to tell you what to do. But..."
I pointed to the frozen image of her on the phone and smiled.
"Speaking as someone who just became your fan after seeing that run... I really want to see you race again."
As a trainer, I respected her choice. As a fan, I made my plea.
"Is that... true? Rice... can I really keep running?"
"Of course. No one else gets to decide that. As long as you don't give up, you have every right to be on that turf."
I believed she had the power to silence the boos. To turn that malice into raw, electrified awe.
(If her trainer is on leave, she's a free agent... She needs a trainer to enter the Arima Kinen. Any trainer worth their salt would kill to have a G1 winner, but she needs someone who can actually handle her talent.)
Maybe Trainer Tojo of Team Rigil? I didn't know her well, but I'd grovel on my hands and knees if it meant getting Rice back on the track. Tojo could stare down a crowd of ten thousand and make them apologize.
"If you still want to run—to win—there are plenty of trainers who would reach out to you. I'll talk to the Chairwoman and Ms. Hayakawa. A girl like you? You could take your pick of the best trainers in the world."
"But... Rice will just cause trouble for them again..."
"That's what trainers are for! We're here to take the hits. We struggle together, win together, and get through the mess together. That's the job."
At least, that was how Urara and I did it.
"If you're up for it, we should go right now and—wait, look at the time. The Chairwoman's definitely gone home."
I checked the wall clock. My heart nearly stopped.
"Holy—it's almost curfew!"
Tracen's dorm curfew is late, but it was pushing 10:00 PM. Rice's eyes widened, her despair momentarily replaced by the universal panic of a student about to get in trouble. I helped her up and held out my hand.
"I'll walk you back. We're done for today. Can you run?"
She hesitated, then gingerly placed her small hand in mine.
We dashed out of the infirmary, tossed the cans into a bin, and sprinted across the campus. My legs were in peak condition from chasing Urara around during training every day. I was leading the way, but soon the tension on my arm vanished as Rice pulled up alongside me, matching my pace with ease.
Seeing her perfect, graceful form, I couldn't help but laugh.
"See? You love running, don't you?"
"...Yes. Rice... I think I do love it."
She gave me a small, shy smile. Her black hair fluttered in the night air, catching the moonlight.
We reached the Miho Dorms just as the clock hit the limit. I saw a tall, dark-skinned girl with a sharp gaze watching us through the glass doors—Hishi Amazon, the dorm mother. I bowed deeply in apology. She looked at Rice, saw her expression, and let out a long, relieved sigh before opening the door.
(She looks scary, but she's probably a good kid, too.)
"Goodnight, Rice Shower. Don't stay up late. Get a hot bath and get some sleep, okay?"
"Okay... Rice will... I'll try my best. I'll try one more time."
Hearing that made everything worth it. I turned and ran for the gates, heading home.
The next morning, I marched straight to the Chairwoman's office to report the situation. Despite the early hour, I was ushered inside immediately.
"We received a call from Rice Shower last night," Ms. Hayakawa said, her expression unreadable. "She says she wants you to be her official trainer."
"...Huh? I'm sorry, what?"
I stood there, wondering if I had finally, officially, lost my mind.