Chapter 4
Hearing Tokai Teio's request, Kitasan Black's eyes went wide with shock.
"Ehh?! You want Yasui-kun to train me? That…"
Yasui Makoto didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked thoughtfully at Tokai Teio.
After a long moment of silent eye contact, Tokai Teio turned back to Kitasan Black with a gentle smile.
"What? You think it won't work?"
"Don't let his age fool you. Trainer Yasui is an extremely capable trainer. Passing the Central Trainer exam at only eighteen years old is something that has never happened before. No… it's something no one would have even imagined possible. It's as unlikely as three Uma Musume crossing the finish line at exactly the same time in a G1 race. With that kind of ability, he will definitely be able to bring out your full talent and potential."
"My talent… and potential?"
Kitasan Black bit her lip, lowered her head, and clenched her fists tightly on her knees.
"But many trainers have said that aside from my strength, everything else about me is just average… With my level of talent, it's hard for me to achieve much beyond short-distance races. If Yasui-kun is so amazing, then maybe I'll just…"
"Would you like to become my assigned Uma Musume?"
"I'm willing, but… Eh?! Ehhh?!"
She answered on pure instinct, then froze as she realized who had spoken. Her black ears twitched wildly as she stared at Yasui Makoto in disbelief.
Even Tokai Teio looked surprised for a moment.
"Then it seems there's no problem at all," Yasui Makoto said, nodding toward Tokai Teio. "I'm confident I can train Kitasan Black well. She's already agreed, so I'll leave the follow-up procedures to you, President. However, there's one thing I'd like to ask. As you said, President, I've been looking for a suitable Uma Musume these past few months, but the ones I thought were right for me didn't believe I could guide them yet. Many senior trainers told me I should start as an assistant and learn for a few years first. So… why does President Teio believe I can properly train Kitasan?"
Kitasan Black, still dazed from the shock, turned to look at Tokai Teio as well.
"Well… heh…"
Tokai Teio let out a soft chuckle, then suddenly lifted her head, raising her chin with quiet pride.
"Because I believe that Kitasan, just like me, isn't the kind of Uma Musume who can be held back by boring things like conventions and common sense. And you aren't an ordinary trainer either. If you want to create a miracle… shouldn't you throw away all those rules? Don't you agree, Yasui-kun?"
"Emperor-senpai…"
Kitasan Black's eyes sparkled with admiration and longing. She clasped her hands together, her ears trembling with emotion.
Yasui Makoto gave a small, secret nod. Tokai Teio's words matched the impression he had of her perfectly.
She had won the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby undefeated. She suffered multiple fractures throughout her career but kept coming back stronger. A full year before her retirement race, she hadn't run at all, yet she still defeated a field of top-condition rivals in a perfect farewell victory. Her entire career truly deserved to be called a miracle.
It was no surprise that a Uma Musume like her wouldn't follow the usual rules. In fact, girls like her were born to break them.
And from what he remembered, Kitasan Black was the same kind of Uma Musume.
With that thought, he nodded and said warmly:
"As expected of the Miraculous Emperor. Then I'll try to create a new miracle with Kitasan Black. No… together with Kitasan."
He turned to Kitasan Black, who looked both hopeful and nervous.
"Is it okay if I call you that?"
"Yes! Of course it's okay!"
Kitasan Black stood up excitedly and bowed deeply, ears perked high.
"Then from now on, please take care of me, Trainer Yasui!"
Thud!
"Ouch!"
Yasui Makoto glanced at the violently shaking table, then at Kitasan Black clutching her forehead with tears sparkling in the corners of her eyes. He sighed softly to himself.
It looked like, in addition to working on her strength control, they would also have to do something about that adorable clumsiness.
Seeing that both of them had agreed, Tokai Teio smiled without realizing it.
Just then, the waitress brought over their drinks. After thanking her, Tokai Teio placed the coffee in front of Yasui Makoto and the honey special in front of Kitasan Black. She then raised her own extra-honey drink high, smiling brightly.
"Perfect. Then, to celebrate Trainer Yasui finding his first Uma Musume and Kitasan finding her trainer… cheers!"
"Ohhh! Cheers!"
A little flustered but overflowing with joy, Kitasan Black quickly raised her honey drink as well.
Yasui Makoto smiled and lifted his coffee slightly.
...
That evening, in a single-person apartment building, Yasui Makoto's room.
"Trainer, these are the documents the President asked me to bring over. Is there anything else you need?"