Because of Agnes Tachyon's incense, Fujiwara Chiya ended up missing an entire day of work. He only woke up in the middle of the night.
At this point, the incense had already been tightly wrapped in plastic and shoved under the sofa.
That thing is seriously dangerous…
The next day, fully refreshed, Chiya stood in front of his team.
"The festival is over. I hope everyone can quickly adjust and return to training. Time won't wait. You have five months before your debut. I want all of you to improve during that time so you can step onto the track without regrets."
After finishing the usual speech, he moved to the main topic.
"There's an event next week that requires three Uma Musume to participate. We'll be going to the Central track to compete and exchange experience with others. It's a good chance to see how we compare. Anyone interested?"
"Trainer Chiya!"
Gold Ship raised her hand immediately.
"So enthusiastic. Alright, Ship, you're in."
"No, I just wanted to ask… are there any rewards if we win?"
"Experience."
"Then I'm out."
Gold Ship dropped her hand right away.
This brat… only moves when there's profit involved.
Chiya gritted his teeth.
"Trainer… who are we competing against?" Meisho Doto asked timidly.
"Same as you. Undebuted Uma Musume. Some are from Central, not all from Tracen."
"I see…"
Doto hesitated. If I go… would I just cause trouble for Trainer Chiya…?
"Trainer, I must divine whether this journey is auspicious or disastrous!" Matikanefukukitaru suddenly declared.
"We're not going on a trip…"
Watching her mutter to herself, Chiya rubbed his face.
"Anyone else?"
"Onii-sama, Rice wants to go with you!"
Without hesitation, Rice raised her hand.
Of course…
Chiya remembered the "93" affection value and felt a bit moved.
Even if it's inflated… it should still be over eighty.
"Alright, Rice is in. Anyone else?"
"Trainer… I'd like to go as well."
Mejiro Dober raised her hand next.
If she could gain race experience, there was no reason to refuse.
"Dober, got it. That makes two."
Looking at her, Chiya noticed something.
She can talk to me normally now…
That's good.
"That means Shirayuki can report back to the Mejiro family… and extend the contract."
"Bad omen!" Fukukitaru suddenly shouted. "Trainer, this trip is full of danger!"
"Pfft—!"
Chiya nearly choked.
"No, wait, don't just say things like that. How is it dangerous?"
Am I going to get into some kind of disaster just for attending an event!?
"You will encounter the most terrifying opponent of your life! A towering obstacle that stands in your way! They will become your greatest obstacle!"
"That's way too vague! I'm just attending an exchange event. Where did this 'mountain' come from?"
"I don't know either, Trainer! But this trip will be full of hardships. You must prepare thoroughly!"
"Prepare what exactly?"
"That… you must realize yourself."
What the hell!?You said all that and told me nothing!
"Then are you coming with me, Fukukitaru?"
"Ah, unfortunately this is a bad omen for me, so I cannot," she shook her head.
This girl… did she just make all that up so she wouldn't have to go?
Chiya stared at her.
Under his gaze, she waved her hands frantically. "I can't! Really can't! It's a terrible omen!"
"…Fine."
Chiya let out a sigh.
"Then Shirayuki will take the last spot."
"Yes."
Shirayuki replied calmly.
That settled the three participants for next week.
Aside from Shirayuki, the most reliable members of the team were Rice and Dober. As for the other three… it was hard to describe.
"Chiya."
After assigning the daily training plan, Aoi walked over.
"Aoi… ah, I mean, Trainer Kiryuin."
"No one's around, just call me Aoi," she smiled. "Did you get the notice about next week's rookie trainer event?"
"Yeah. You're going too?"
"Mhm."
"Then your Uma Musume… right, you only have three."
Special Week, Seiun Sky, and Meek.
"I want to take all three to gain experience. I heard there will also be Central trainers attending."
Only the top fifty in the Central trainer exam could qualify as Central trainers. Their main role was to research and improve training methods, and some even moved into management.
Their level was completely different. Even among rookies, the gap was obvious.
Back then, Aoi ranked outside the top hundred. Chiya himself was only 84th.
"If we can defeat them, Meek and the others will grow a lot," Aoi said. "Knowing you're going too is a relief. I thought I'd be the only one."
"Same here."
"Well, I won't interrupt your training. See you next week. Oh, right—"
She stepped closer, stood on her toes, and whispered near his ear.
"I heard from Nanba-senpai that Central trainers sometimes try to poach Uma Musume. Be careful."
"Poach?"
"Yeah. It's happened before. Uma Musume from Tracen getting taken during the event."
Since they were registered under Central, they technically had the right to train Tracen's Uma Musume.
"That sounds pretty shady…"
"They're not breaking any rules. And the ones who transfer often achieve great results, so it's hard to call it malicious."
"I see. Thanks for the warning."
Just as Chiya was about to return to his team, another voice called out.
Turning around, he saw the familiar green figure.
"Hayakawa-san."
"Sorry to interrupt, Trainer Chiya."
Her youthful appearance and gentle smile were enough to captivate anyone.
"There's something I wanted to tell you."
"Please."
She stepped closer. A faint, pleasant scent drifted into his nose, and her soft voice seemed to ease his mind.
"There are some concerning rumors about the Central trainers."
Chiya raised an eyebrow.
"You mean poaching?"
"Oh? You already know?"
"Trainer Kiryuin just told me."
"I see. That's good. Please be careful not to let your Uma Musume wander off. If they get targeted, it can become troublesome."
"Understood."
With her usual gentle smile, Hayakawa nodded and turned to leave.
Watching her figure, Chiya couldn't help but recall the number he had seen earlier.
"If you make an unreasonable request, you'll know if it's real."
That devilish whisper echoed in his mind.
Normally, someone wouldn't go out of their way to warn him like this unless they cared.
But… Hayakawa's role was to support trainers.
Maybe I'm just overthinking it…
Still—
Chiya clenched his fist.
I want to know… if that number is real.
If he was right, then it meant mutual feelings.
If he was wrong… then he would lose any chance with her.
I don't want her to hate me…
Taking a deep breath, he called out.
"Hayakawa-san!"
"Hm? Did you need something, Trainer Chiya?"
She tilted her head slightly, smiling gently.
Facing the woman he saw as the most perfect and gentle person, Chiya gathered all his courage.
"Hayakawa-san… could you give me your… um… your—"
"Your…?"
"…Could you give me your hair tie!?"