"What? You want to work beside me as an assistant?"
In the trainer's office, Nishizaki Ryu looked at the black-haired young man in front of him.
"That's right. In my nearly two-year professional career, I've discovered one thing. Humans have limits. The more you force yourself to come up with solutions, the easier it becomes to fail because of unexpected things. So..."
"You're rejecting your humanity?"
"No. I'm going to learn solutions from others." Fujiwara Chiya said to Nishizaki Ryu, "Let me study beside you, Ryu-aniki!"
"So what exactly are you trying to do? What kind of trainer studies under another trainer? You're not a trainee."
"I don't think asking an experienced senior for advice has anything to do with status."
"You're pretty good at flattering people."
However, Nishizaki Ryu happened to like that kind of thing.
"Fine. You can stay beside me. But what about your own training plan? You're not planning to abandon your own work, right?"
"I have my own solution for that."
At night, he would finish the next day's work progress in advance. With both him and Shirayuki working together, four or five hours would be enough. The next day, he could study with peace of mind.
"If your work doesn't get finished, don't say it's because of me."
"I'll try."
"Try, my foot! It has nothing to do with me!"
In short, Nishizaki Ryu agreed to Fujiwara Chiya's request to stay beside him. During work, Chiya helped Nishizaki Ryu process training data. Just as the two entered their rhythm, there was a knock on the door, and an orange figure walked in.
"Trainer, did you call me?"
"Ah, Suzuka, you're here."
"Mm. This person is..."
"Fujiwara Chiya, my junior. You should know him, right?"
"I do."
Rather, how could she not know him? He was Shirayuki's relative. It was just that his sudden appearance left Silence Suzuka a little at a loss. Her eyes shifted nervously a few times before she lowered her head toward Fujiwara Chiya.
"I'm Shirayuki's senior, Silence Suzuka. It's nice to meet you, Trainer Chiya... Shirayuki should have mentioned me before, right?"
"Of course. Shirayuki said she has an amazing senior and that the two of you are especially close. She told me a lot about you, Suzuka. She said you're a very gentle senior, and if possible, she hopes you can always remain her friend."
"Shirayuki said that...? I also hope I can stay with Shirayuki and Spe-chan... for a very long time."
Hearing that Shirayuki had praised her like that to her cousin made Silence Suzuka somewhat happy. After all, because of her personality, she had been the subject of idle gossip more than once.
Although Silence Suzuka did not care much about how others judged her, those rumours still cast a shadow over her heart. Having a junior who liked her and friends who cherished her made Silence Suzuka feel much lighter.
When there was time, she should take Shirayuki and Spe-chan out together again.
Silence Suzuka and Nishizaki Ryu began discussing training matters. He carefully asked Silence Suzuka about her recent physical condition, how she felt after running, and her race decisions. Then he gradually began revising her training plan.
After Silence Suzuka left, Fujiwara Chiya spoke.
"Ryu-aniki, you make the plan together with the Uma Musume?"
"Mm. After all, you need to keep track of their condition in real time. There are quite a few Uma Musume who won't say a word. They also don't show much on the surface and silently carry out your training plan, but in reality, something is already wrong with their body. Their condition is poor, and their training efficiency drops sharply. So, Chiya, if you want to improve an Uma Musume's training efficiency, you have to communicate with them often."
For someone like Nishizaki Ryu, he basically talked with his Uma Musume every two or three days, asking about their physical condition and then adjusting the plan based on that.
So much of his work was completed together with the Uma Musume.
"I see..." Fujiwara Chiya held his chin.
He had never sat down with an Uma Musume and adjusted a plan through questions and answers. Perhaps other trainers did not have this habit either. It might be a working style unique to Nishizaki Ryu.
After leaving Nishizaki Ryu, Fujiwara Chiya went to find Kurosawa.
As usual, the man wore a black round hat and sunglasses. His upper body was dressed in a white sports shirt, and beneath the open clothing, his powerful eight-pack abs were visible.
He looked unsmiling and difficult for ordinary people to approach. However, once one spent time with him, it became clear that Senior Kurosawa was actually a good person. His expression was simply always cold. Only when he played bowling would his furrowed brows relax slightly.
After using the same method he had used with Nishizaki Ryu, Kurosawa folded his arms. His muscles formed impressive lines.
"If you're pursuing efficiency, you only need to do one thing."
"What?"
"Stop talking nonsense and run!"
"...Huh?"
"You only need to give that kind of order."
"Senior, could you explain that in a little more detail?"
"All right. I'll demonstrate it for you."
A few minutes later, an Uma Musume with long chestnut hair entered the room. Her mechanical blue eyes scanned the room like radar. When she saw Fujiwara Chiya, her expression did not change at all. Only after her gaze fell on Kurosawa did the girl speak.
"Master, I heard you had something to discuss with me."
"Bourbon, follow the plan written here for afternoon training."
She accepted the training plan. Her blue eyes scanned the page, and then she said, "Yes."
"And this is Trainer Chiya."
Mihono Bourbon greeted him expressionlessly.
"All right. You may leave."
She nodded and left the room.
Kurosawa turned around.
"Do you understand?"
"I don't understand at all! What was that? You two didn't say anything else? You just told Mihono Bourbon to do it, and that was it?"
"Of course. As long as your plan is reasonable enough, the only thing you need to do is have the Uma Musume complete it. If you want to pursue efficiency, you must reach a sufficient training volume."
"Isn't that a little too simple and forceful?"
"Simplicity is the most effective method. If things are too relaxed, an Uma Musume will not improve. That is why every part of the plan must be carried out strictly."
Fujiwara Chiya had heard that Kurosawa's training was among the strictest in Tracen. Seeing it today, that really seemed to be the case.
"Senior, could I have a copy of that training plan just now? I want to have Shirayuki try training together with Bourbon."
"No problem. But can you guarantee that you'll be strict enough with your cousin? For an Uma Musume, there is only training, not rest. You can put her with me for a period of time and let her try my training method."
"Well... when I have time, I'll let her try."
"Fine. My side is open anytime."
"Then I'll take my leave, Senior Kurosawa."
"Come again when you have time."
After leaving the room, Fujiwara Chiya looked at Mihono Bourbon's training plan. The more he looked, the more shocked he became.
In the end, he could not help muttering,
"Is this really for an Uma Musume to train with?"