"From today onward, Matikanefukukitaru will officially be part of our team. Everyone, make sure you get along."
At the training field, Trainer Chiya introduced her to the group.
"As expected of Trainer Chiya, you truly have a keen eye! To recognize my noble character so quickly… as expected of my destined person!" Matikanefukukitaru said excitedly.
"Of course. I can recognize talent when I see it. The moment we met, I could tell you were special. So… uh…" Chiya cleared his throat. "As your trainer, do you happen to have something that can improve my luck? Lately, my fortune's been terrible."
"Of course I do!"
Fukukitaru immediately pulled out a charm and handed it to him.
"This is a charm I personally made. It wards off misfortune, brings wealth, and attracts good luck. I'm sure it will help you, Trainer."
Chiya accepted it gratefully. He was already planning to test his luck at a lottery booth later. At this point, he was starting to think Fukukitaru wasn't just some eccentric fortune-teller. She might actually have something going for her.
"…I feel like the trainer didn't recruit her for entirely pure reasons."
"Who said that? Gold Ship!"
"What, Trainer?"
"No whispering during training."
"Got it!"
Gold Ship immediately turned to Meisho Doto and said loudly, "I feel like the trainer didn't recruit her for entirely pure reasons."
"You idiot…"
"That's not whispering, Trainer. I said it loud enough!"
"…Alright, enough. Listen up. I've got something important to announce."
Knowing better than to argue further, Chiya smoothly changed the topic.
"Next week is the team selection exam. You all know what that means. Passing is the bare minimum."
"E-Exam…" Meisho Doto's legs trembled.
Just like monthly tests, each team would compete and be divided into "debuted" and "undebuted" categories for mock races. Anyone performing below average would fail.
Failing meant extra training, and it also affected the trainer's evaluation at the end of the year. So as the exam approached, every trainer ramped up their training.
Chiya was no exception.
"Run properly. You all know what happens if you fail."
Doto shivered. Last time, she had misread the schedule and arrived after the race was already over. She failed on the spot and got thoroughly scolded by Chiya.
That could not happen again.
"Let's wait a bit for Aoi. She has something to discuss with her team… actually, forget it. Go warm up first instead of standing around chatting."
Once everyone left, Chiya carefully tucked the charm into his pocket like a treasure.
Right then, a hand landed on his shoulder.
"Chiya."
Turning around, he came face to face with someone he knew all too well.It was Yota.
"What, Yota?"
"Did you check the match sheet?"
"Not yet. Why?"
"My uma musume is in the same group as your sister."
"Which one?"
"You're gonna be surprised. It's T.M. Opera O. The one who won the last mock race."
Chiya's eyes widened.
"Her… seriously?"
"I spotted her talent on day one and recruited her. Lately, she's been getting even stronger. She's basically unbeatable among the newcomers."
"Are you trying to compare strength? You really think she's stronger than Shirayuki?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure. Your sister didn't go all out last time. So I was thinking… how about a bet?"
"A bet?"
"Just deciding a winner is boring. Let's put something on the line."
"What kind of bet?"
"At the post-exam festival, I got assigned a terrible role. If I win, you swap positions with me."
"…What role?"
"Executive committee."
Chiya snorted. "You've got to be kidding…"
"You're in?"
"I'm also on the executive committee."
He pulled out his slip. It clearly said "Executive Committee."
The job where everyone else had fun while you ran around solving problems and keeping things organized.
In other words, the worst possible assignment.
"…You've got to be kidding. How are you this unlucky?"
"And you're one to talk…"
No wonder Chiya had gone to Fukukitaru for luck.
"Forget it. No bet. You're useless to me now," Yota said, waving his hand.
"Wait. Who said that?"
Chiya suddenly spoke up.
"The loser does both jobs."
Yota stopped.
"You serious?"
"Completely."
Yota thought it over.
"…Alright. Deal. Whoever loses handles both workloads."
"Deal." Chiya raised his chin confidently.
"So that's the situation. Narita Brian-senpai, could you help me? I really don't feel confident."
Inside the student council room, Shirayuki made her request.
Sitting on the sofa, Narita Brian chewed on a twig, her expression sharp.
"If it's a bet, then face it properly. Win fair and square."
"I know, but I feel like I've hit a wall lately. My stamina is improving, but everything else has stalled. I know something's wrong, but maybe my trainer can't see it. A veteran trainer might."
"You understand your own limits. That already shows strong awareness," said Symboli Rudolf from behind the desk.
At first, Shirayuki had been nervous coming here. But seeing how seriously the student council listened to her, she gradually relaxed.
Asking for help wasn't weakness. Keeping everything to yourself only made things worse.
"Actual racing is the fastest way to improve," Rudolf continued. "Your running style is similar to Brian's. Racing her will help you a lot. As for technique and bottlenecks, aside from your trainer, only you can overcome those."
"Racing is enough," Narita Brian said, standing up.
"For you, that's all you need. Fight. Keep fighting. That's how I got stronger. I understand exactly what you're feeling."
She removed the twig from her mouth.
"Race me tomorrow. Not some casual obstacle course. A real race."
"Yes."
Shirayuki lowered her head.
"Please… train me hard, Brian-senpai."