Fujiwara Chiya knocked on the door to the chairwoman's office. After hearing a response, he stepped inside.
"Chairwoman Akikawa, you wanted to see me?"
"Chiya."
Akikawa Yayoi looked at the black-haired young man by the door, then narrowed her eyes slightly.
"What's that? Glasses? What happened to your eyes?"
"These are… blue-light blocking glasses. For eye protection."
"They're that thick? Are you sure they're blocking blue light and not something else?"
She frowned.
"I just like this kind of… unique style. Hm?"
"What is it?"
"…Nothing."
Chiya glanced at the number next to her.
Affection: 92
You've got to be kidding me.
If the chairwoman really liked me that much, I'd already be flying high instead of struggling as a rookie trainer.
Yeah… this thing is definitely broken. Everything's way too high.
Especially Hayakawa-san…
If hers goes any higher, it'll hit the "impossible" level Tachyon mentioned… but she treats me the same as every other trainer.
I should report this back later. The algorithm is clearly off.
"Anyway, take those ridiculous glasses off. There's no blue light in here."
"Alright."
Chiya took them off and stuffed them into his pocket.
"So, what did you need me for?"
"There's a rookie trainer exchange event next week. I want you to participate."
"An exchange event?"
"That's right. Any trainer who's been certified for less than two years can join. Each trainer brings three Uma Musume and competes against others."
"…Why does something like that even exist?"
"Central wants to focus on developing new trainers. The veterans already have fixed ways of thinking, and it's hard to change them. But rookies are different. They're more adaptable and open to new knowledge."
"New knowledge?"
"We've recently revised a set of basic training materials. You'll be receiving them soon."
Akikawa cleared her throat lightly.
"In short, rookies like you are under a lot of attention right now. If you perform well at this event, it will positively affect your year-end evaluation."
Chiya stayed silent.
"Your current rating is still in a risky zone. If you don't make some progress, you could easily be cut. That's why I want you to bring three Uma Musume and participate. As for who you choose, that's up to you."
She tapped her fan against the desk.
"Best case, all three of them win. That would significantly raise your evaluation. Even if that's not possible, at least one of them needs to take first place. Otherwise, it's a wasted trip. Understood?"
"Yes."
Chiya nodded.
"Chairwoman, who else will be participating?"
"Some are top performers who were directly invited into Central. Others are from Tracen, and some come from regional tracks."
"I see…"
"No matter who your opponent is, just remember one thing," she said firmly. "Crush them with your Uma Musume. Trainers are judged by results, not by polite talk."
"Understood. I will not fail your expectations!"
"Good. You may leave, Trainer Chiya. Don't disappoint me."
Chiya gave a quick salute and left the office.
A few minutes later, Hayakawa entered.
"Is everything arranged, Chairwoman Akikawa?"
"Now it depends on whether he can seize the opportunity."
Akikawa opened her fan slightly.
"As much as I hate to say it, that kid's luck is terrible. Two Uma Musume in a row with bad tempers, both determined to terminate their contracts with him. There was no stopping them."
"…You could say it's a trial given to him by fate."
Akikawa clicked her tongue softly.
"By the way, what about Fujiwara Shirayuki's background?"
"There's no information at all. Fingerprints, appearance… nothing matches any records."
"And yet she suddenly became Chiya's 'little sister'?"
Akikawa didn't recall anyone like that in the Fujiwara family.
"That may be something only Trainer Chiya himself knows. Should we ask him?"
Akikawa thought for a moment.
"…No. Regardless of her identity, she is definitely an Uma Musume. And sooner or later, Chiya will have to explain it himself. There's no need to push him now."
"Understood."
Hayakawa nodded, then turned to leave, but Akikawa called out again.
"Hayakawa… you as well."
She paused.
"Don't interfere with him too much. That boy earned his place in Central on his own. He has what it takes to become a top trainer."
Hayakawa smiled faintly.
"Chairwoman Akikawa, I haven't done anything, have I?"
"I'm just reminding you…"
"Don't worry."
A charming smile appeared on Hayakawa's face.
"I'll only step in when he truly needs help. The rest of the time, I'm just an ordinary, unnoticed secretary."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"After all, Trainer Chiya sees me as a 'perfect woman.' It wouldn't be very elegant of me to act otherwise."
With that, she turned and left the room.
Once her footsteps faded, Akikawa let out a quiet sigh.
She walked over to the bookshelf, moved aside a few books, and revealed a hidden photograph.
It showed two young Uma Musume, a middle-aged man, and a baby.
The short orange-haired girl was a transferred Uma Musume from overseas, Northern Taste.
Beside her stood a slightly taller Uma Musume with a proud expression, green eyes, and short brown hair. A former Central legend, Tokino Minoru.
Between them stood their trainer, Fujiwara Zenya.
And in the arms of the brown-haired Uma Musume, held tightly, was a baby.
His name was Fujiwara Chiya.
Meanwhile, Chiya hurried back to his office.
He needed to decide who would compete before the weekend.
First, willingness. Then, ability.
On top of that, he would need to adjust their training schedule for the event.
After organizing his thoughts, he stepped outside, only for his stomach to growl loudly.
Glancing at the sun, he decided to grab lunch first.
"Trainer Chiya, what a coincidence."
"Trainer Nase…"
He ran into Nase Fumino in the hallway, and the two began talking about the rookie trainer event as they walked toward the cafeteria.
"That event… I've participated in it before."
"Really? Tell me about it."
As they walked, Nase shared what she knew. According to her, there were quite a few strong rookie trainers and Uma Musume participating. Many of them were Central-affiliated but not from Tracen, trained directly by Central trainers.
Chiya listened carefully, mentally taking notes.
By the time they finished eating and left the cafeteria, it was already close to 2 PM. As they passed by the academy building, Chiya suddenly noticed a small figure sitting on a bench.
She looked almost separated from the world around her. In the middle of the lively campus, she sat there quietly, doing nothing.
…Rice?
His heart dropped.
Oh no…
Chiya slapped his forehead. He had completely forgotten.
Rice had been waiting for him.
It had already been over three hours since he entered the chairwoman's office. He had even stopped for lunch in between, while Rice had stayed there the entire time, waiting.
Chiya quickly rushed over.
Hearing his footsteps, Rice slowly lifted her head. The moment she saw him, her lonely expression melted into a bright smile.
"Onii-sama!"
"Rice… have you been here the whole time?"
"Yes. Rice stayed here and waited obediently for Onii-sama."
Her face was pure, almost angelic.
Seeing that, Chiya bent down and pulled her into a hug.
"Onii-sama?" She blinked, then giggled softly. "Hehe… Onii-sama's hug…"
"Is there anything you want to eat?"
"Rice wants… takoyaki."
"Alright, let's go get some takoyaki."
He took her hand and stood up.
"Onii-sama will buy it for Rice?"
"Of course, you little one. The festival's still going on this afternoon. We can't let it go to waste."
"Yes!"
Rice nodded energetically and followed behind him.
"Rice will stay with Onii-sama… always."