At the training grounds, Fujiwara Chiya explained the new training plan to his Uma Musume and handed out the revised sheets to each of them.
Come to think of it, being a trainer really was not that different from those jobs where clients kept ordering people around every day. You worked hard to make something, only for the other side to reject it, forcing you to scrap everything and start over.
He had already revised his training plan three times in just half a month. Fujiwara Chiya really hoped Central would stop pulling any more annoying stunts.
After arranging the day's training, he headed off to see how other trainers were working with their own Uma Musume.
Naturally, the first stop was his classmate, Kiryuuin Aoi.
When he reached her training area, he saw Kiryuuin Aoi standing in front of her team, saying something to Special Week. Once she was done, Fujiwara Chiya walked over.
"Chiya."
Seeing him, Kiryuuin Aoi greeted him.
"Yo." He stopped beside her. "I came to see how things are going on your side."
"Not bad. I explained the Central situation to them, and they all seem to understand."
"Rookies really do adapt fast. So then, what's your plan? Are you going to teach them positioning techniques?"
"Special Week can probably learn some of that. Seiun Sky's running style doesn't really suit those techniques. As for Happy Meek…" Kiryuuin Aoi hesitated for a moment. "She's been practicing late charge lately."
"…What?"
Fujiwara Chiya stared at her.
"If I remember right, didn't she use an all-out escape style in the mock race? Why is she suddenly doing late charge now? Isn't her running style way too unpredictable?"
"That's because… it feels like no matter what I teach her, she picks it up immediately. She's good at every style."
"That's ridiculous. How can there be an all-rounder Uma Musume like that?"
"I'm surprised too."
Happy Meek usually looked absentminded and blank, but whenever Kiryuuin Aoi gave her instructions about running, she could do exactly what was asked, and do it perfectly.
Her excellence was enough to make Kiryuuin Aoi uneasy. It even made her doubt herself. If her own ability was not enough to fully bring out Happy Meek's talent, then wouldn't she just be holding her back? Wouldn't a veteran trainer be more suitable for guiding her?
Looking at the troubled expression on Kiryuuin Aoi's face, Fujiwara Chiya spoke.
"You won't know unless you try, right? Whether you're really suited to be her trainer."
"Yeah… you're right."
"As long as we do everything we can for our Uma Musume and have no regrets about our effort, that's enough."
Hearing that, Kiryuuin Aoi smiled.
"You're still the same as ever. The moment the topic turns to Uma Musume, you get serious."
"Do I?"
"Of course. Every time it's about Uma Musume, your expression changes." Kiryuuin Aoi recalled the look on his face. "You really do love Uma Musume."
"I guess so. I became a trainer because of them, after all."
"Does that mean your future marriage partner has to be an Uma Musume too?"
"Cough, cough… what!?"
"I was just curious." Kiryuuin Aoi brushed a strand of hair aside. "It feels like your devotion to Uma Musume has already reached that level."
"I just like watching them run. It's not like what you're implying!" Fujiwara Chiya denied it at once.
"I see." Kiryuuin Aoi glanced at him a few times without making it obvious. "I was only joking. Don't take it seriously."
"Hah…" Fujiwara Chiya found the sudden topic completely baffling, but soon turned his attention back to the Uma Musume. "By the way, can I talk to Happy Meek later? I want her to teach Shirayuki how to run."
"Sure. Break time is coming up soon."
A few minutes later, Happy Meek jogged over to Kiryuuin Aoi.
"Good work, Meek." Kiryuuin Aoi nodded. "Trainer Chiya wants to talk to you."
"Okay."
The two of them walked over to a vending machine, and Fujiwara Chiya bought her a bottle of mineral water.
"Meek, I want you to do paired training with Shirayuki," Fujiwara Chiya explained. "Both of you are strong, and doing more competitive training together would help both of you grow a lot."
The truth was, he wanted to understand why Happy Meek's adaptability was so overwhelming. Talent was one thing, but he also wanted to observe the techniques and habits she used while running.
If Shirayuki could learn something from that in actual competition, it would definitely improve her.
"So, what do you think about training together with Shirayuki?"
Happy Meek tilted her head. As usual, her poker face revealed nothing. After a long pause, just when Fujiwara Chiya was starting to think she had not heard him at all and was simply spacing out, Happy Meek finally spoke.
"I can."
"Really? You're willing to race against her?"
"Mhm." Happy Meek nodded.
"But I have a condition."
"What is it?"
"This weekend, go out with Trainer."
"Kiryuuin?"
Happy Meek nodded.
"At lunch, Trainer talked a lot about you. She said she wants to get closer to Trainer Chiya, but she never finds the right chance. And lately, the distance between you has even grown a little."
"…Has it? I feel like my relationship with Kiryuuin has always been about the same."
"Trainer Chiya, you may not have noticed, but you're actually quite cold toward my trainer. Cold enough that I'm about to cry."
Even as she said that, Happy Meek's expression did not change at all. Fujiwara Chiya could not tell whether she was serious or joking.
"So, in order to stop Trainer from complaining to me, I want Trainer Chiya to invite her out this weekend."
As she spoke, Happy Meek took a flyer out of her pocket. Several places on it had been circled in red marker.
"I recommend these places. I heard the atmosphere is nice."
"You really came prepared."
Fujiwara Chiya took the flyer.
Thinking about it, ever since Kiryuuin Aoi started working here, he had never once invited her out.
"Does she have time this weekend?"
"Probably."
"If she does, then I'll ask her."
With that, Fujiwara Chiya tucked the flyer into his pocket.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Trainer Chiya. As for Shirayuki, leave her to me."
After that, the two parted ways.
Happy Meek returned to the group.
"Well, Meek?"
"It's settled." Happy Meek looked at Kiryuuin Aoi. "Also, Trainer Chiya said he wants to invite you out this weekend. He asked whether you have time."
"Eh!? Chiya said that?"
"Mhm."
Kiryuuin Aoi's eyes lit up instantly.
"I have time, of course I do! Did he say where we're going?"
"He's still deciding, but it'll probably be somewhere Trainer likes."
"I see… hehe, then what should I wear?"
Watching her trainer bloom with happiness, Happy Meek thought to herself:
I've already given you the chance, Trainer. The rest depends on whether you can make use of it.