"Thank you for your help today, President Rudolf, Vice President Brian."
"You're welcome," said Symboli Rudolf with a gentle smile. "Staying in the student council all the time makes it easy to lose touch with the students. Today was quite enjoyable for us as well, getting to train together with such… distinctive personalities."
Thanks for putting that so politely for my sake, President. You can just call them weirdos. I've already accepted that my team is full of them.
"Trainer Chiya."
Narita Brian looked up.
"If Shirayuki needs a training partner again, call me."
She had taken quite an interest in the white-haired girl. With proper training, she could definitely become a worthy rival. And when that time came, they could finally have a proper race on the track.
"As for the others… forget it."
Unlike Rudolf, Brian was far more direct. She only wanted to train with those who were strong, those who could excite her. Shirayuki qualified.
As for Gold Ship and Meisho Doto, training with them just made her feel like she was being messed with.
As for Rice Shower, she had only done light training due to her sprain. If she could prove herself later, Brian would not mind including her as well.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Brian," Chiya said quickly, nodding.
Having a Triple Crown winner as a training partner was a rare opportunity. Their strength and race experience were on a completely different level. The stronger the opponent, the faster the runner improved. Training in isolation was never the right approach.
After seeing the two of them off, Chiya turned back to his team.
"Alright, that's it for today. The mock race is next week. Make sure you perform well!"
"Trainer Chiya, is there any reward for winning?" Gold Ship asked.
"A reward? For a mock race?"
Winning should already be expected!
"I want a mandrake. One that screams!" Gold Ship raised her hand.
"Sure. Go find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, get on the train, and head to a place called Hogwarts. You'll find one there."
"That's way too much trouble."
"Then don't ask for it!" Chiya snapped.
You don't train properly, but you sure have a lot of requests.
Still, rewards could motivate them.
After thinking for a moment, he said, "Alright. If you all win, we'll go to an amusement park this weekend."
"Seriously? Boss, you're the best!"
"An amusement park…" Rice Shower murmured softly. "Rice Shower… has never been to one before."
"But there's a condition!" Chiya raised a finger. "We only go if every single one of you wins."
"That's way too harsh!" Gold Ship protested immediately. Who knew what kind of monsters were lurking among the new students? If even one upset happened, the whole plan would be ruined.
She had been planning to leave the winning to Shirayuki anyway.
"If you can't even win a mock race, there's nothing worth celebrating. So take it seriously. No slacking."
"Rice Shower will… do her best," she said softly.
"I'll try too," Meisho Doto added, clearly not wanting to drag the team down.
"Shirayuki, you think that condition's too strict, too, right?" Gold Ship asked.
"Me? I think onii-sama's right. It only means something if the whole team wins."
That was what she said out loud.
What she was thinking was, Stop trying to butter me up, you little gremlin.
"Damn it, is this what siblings are like? You're totally on the same side!"
"Rice Shower… feels the same as Onii-sama," she added awkwardly.
And just like that, the decision was made. Everyone had to win.
Of course, the chances of that happening were incredibly low. Chiya mostly said it to save money. He was already struggling to cover Shirayuki's tuition and living expenses. Now he was supposed to pay for amusement park tickets, too? And later, if they won major races, he would probably have to buy an entire truckload of carrots.
At this rate, he might end up taking out loans just to keep working.
Once everyone had left, Shirayuki, who had been walking with them, quietly turned back and returned to Chiya.
She still remembered what Trainer Nase had said.
A runner's body determines her limits.
Steel or glass. That difference would decide her entire future.
According to Nase, if something was wrong with the feet, the center of gravity would shift. The runner herself might not notice it, but a trainer should be able to.
After half an hour of rest, only a few students remained on the field. In the quiet atmosphere, Shirayuki bent down and started another run.
Chiya narrowed his eyes, watching carefully.
If the center of gravity shifts… where does it go? Forward? Backward? And how do you even compare that?
After a while, he rubbed his head.
He had no idea.
His experience was simply not enough to detect such subtle changes. This was the gap between a rookie trainer and an advanced one. The answer was right there, but he lacked the ability to understand it.
Just as frustration started to set in, Shirayuki suddenly stepped on something hard.
A sharp metallic sound rang out.
That was… a horseshoe?
She caught a glimpse of it glinting under the sunset.
Her toes twitched, and her pace faltered.
Damn… that hit right on the sole.
The horseshoe had been stuck into the ground at an angle.
Seriously, who leaves something like that lying around?
Curved objects like that could easily trigger cramps if they hit the sole the wrong way. That was why tracks were always checked before races.
Shirayuki limped to the side and sat down. Chiya rushed over.
Better check her foot, just in case.
He knelt down, loosened her shoelaces, and took off her shoe.
Her foot, still wrapped in white tights, was warm, faint steam rising from it. A mix of sweat and soap lingered in the air.
So this is what a runner's feet smell like after a race…
He froze for a moment.
The damp fabric had turned slightly translucent, revealing glimpses of pale skin underneath. Her toes curled instinctively in the cool air, delicate and almost glass-like.
For a brief second, a strange thought crossed his mind.
…Is it edible?
No, no, no. This is the training field, not your bedroom.
He shook his head quickly, forcing the thought away.
Her foot still hurt.
Focus.
He needed to remove the tights and check properly.
Just as his hands moved to her leg,
A cold voice came from behind.
"What are you doing?"
Chiya turned around.
Standing there was Mejiro Dober, gripping a branch, her expression tense.