The news spread exactly as Kitano Ryuuichi had expected.
A friendly race would be held to decide who earned the position of his assigned Uma Musume.
In no time at all, the story blew up across Tracen Academy’s forums, sending waves through the entire school.
After all, before Kitano arrived at Tracen Academy, competition over excellent trainers had always been fierce among the Uma Musume.
That much was normal.
But using the position of a rookie trainer’s assigned Uma Musume as the prize, then deciding it through an official race?
There was no precedent for that.
And yet, this time, Air Groove-san herself had confirmed it in front of a huge crowd.
This was not some baseless rumor pulled from thin air.
Before long, both Uma Musume and trainers across the academy were discussing one name.
Kitano Ryuuichi.
And in the trainers-only forum, the topic exploded almost instantly.
[Suzuka Is the Fastest]: “My assigned girl just told me a new trainer joined the academy.
Kitano Ryuuichi, right?
Apparently Vice President Air Groove is arranging an entire race for him?
Is that for real?” [Daily Muscle Training Check-in Day Zero]: “Heard it from Ryan too.
Sounds real.
Anyone know what this Kitano Ryuuichi guy’s deal is?
Why would Vice President Air Groove personally find an assigned girl for him and even set up a race?” [Big Head Means No Rain Worries]: “You guys seriously don’t know?
He only started today, but apparently he’s not an ordinary rookie.
Helios told me he’s the only person who qualified as a Central trainer this year.
He even broke the all-time record on the written exam.” [Big Guys Are Lovable]: “Whoa, seriously?
Isn’t that insanely impressive?
So he’s a genius?” [It’s Over]: “Not necessarily.
Maybe he’s a veteran who spent years grinding in the locals first.” [It’s Two Jets, Not Twin Turbo lol]: “Bad news for you, then.
I heard he’s only twenty-one.
Youngest Central trainer in history.” System Notice: User [Kitano Ryuuichi] has joined the group.
[Suzuka Is the Fastest]: “Holy crap?
Speak of the devil!
The man himself is here!
Welcome, welcome!” Welcome!
Welcome!
xN [Kitano Ryuuichi]: “Um… hello, senpai.
I’m Kitano Ryuuichi.
I’m only a newcomer and nothing special, but I look forward to learning from all of you.” Kitano had joined Tracen Academy’s forums the moment he received access.
In his previous loops, he had always enjoyed browsing them.
Part of the reason was that, perhaps because of his own choices, the usernames displayed on the forums changed from loop to loop.
Even some Uma Musume ended up with different trainers.
More importantly, the forums were useful for figuring out the current timeline.
Most of Tracen Academy’s hottest topics updated in real time, so checking them helped Kitano sort out what had already happened, and what might happen next.
Every loop had a slightly different forum atmosphere.
It gave him a strange little sense of freshness.
This time, however, the first thing he saw was a pinned post.
And it was about him.
Shocking!
A Selection Race Held for a New Trainer?
Just Who Is Rookie Trainer Kitano Ryuuichi?
The moment Kitano saw it, he slipped into the trainers’ group chat to gather information and judge how bad the situation had become.
After scrolling through the chat history, he immediately understood one thing.
If he did not speak up fast, he would end up just like in several previous loops.
The rookie everyone envied, resented, and quietly wanted to see crash and burn.
And in this loop, Kitano had already made up his mind.
No matter what happened, he would not give up.
He would not reset.
He wanted to live a complete life this time.
Which meant he had to handle his relationships properly.
He could not become the nail that stuck out.
He could not steal the spotlight from a bunch of senior trainers.
If he did, both he and his future assigned Uma Musume would end up in an awkward position.
With that in mind, Kitano quickly tapped away on his phone.
[Kitano Ryuuichi]: “I think there may be a misunderstanding, senpai.
To clarify, I only have a little more theoretical knowledge than most.
In terms of practical experience, I’m still very much a beginner.
There are many areas where I’ll need your patience and guidance.” [Big Head Means No Rain Worries]: “Too humble, rookie!
Too much humility starts sounding like a humblebrag.
You’re the genius rookie who joined Central at twenty-one!
Now I get why Vice President Air Groove would arrange a special selection race for you.” [It’s Over]: “Exactly.
Look at the rest of us.
Most of us were already around twenty-five when we got hired.
Some disgraceful bastard didn’t make it in until twenty-eight.” [Big Head Means No Rain Worries]: “@It’s Over You know nothing.
That’s called building a solid foundation in the locals.
Also, cough up the fifteen bowls of udon you owe me.” [It’s Over]: “I’ll pay you back next time with tickets to my assigned girl’s idol tour.” [Suzuka Is the Fastest]: “You’re both embarrassing… @Kitano Ryuuichi, rookie, don’t mind these two clowns.
As your senpai, let me tell you something.
You don’t have to be that modest with us.
When a kouhai is capable, we senpai get to feel proud too.” [Suzuka Is the Fastest]: “By the way, since you’re the star of this selection race, tell us.
Is there anyone you’re interested in?
Most of the trainers currently lurking are already here, so we can help you think it through and see who might be a good fit.” Looks like it’s working?
Kitano stared at the surprisingly peaceful chat, which had the exact energy of a bunch of terminally online goofballs, and quietly let out a breath.
Good.
Showing respect to his seniors and keeping a low profile had been the right call.
He should keep this up.
He had already tasted more than enough envy and resentment across those previous loops.
This time, he wanted to be an unremarkable kouhai for once.
Though, given the current situation, that was starting to look increasingly impossible.
[Kitano Ryuuichi]: “Honestly, I didn’t expect this situation to get so big either.
At first, I wasn’t planning to take on any especially talented Uma Musume.
Since this is my first time working as a trainer at Central, I wanted to move forward one step at a time.
I thought I’d start with an Uma Musume who wasn’t quite as outstanding.” [Suzuka Is the Fastest]: “Oh?
For one of the rare geniuses in all of Central, that’s a surprisingly grounded mindset.” [Big Guys Are Lovable]: “Agreed.
Though it looks like Kitano-kun doesn’t have much choice anymore.
lol” [Daily Muscle Training Check-in Day Zero]: “I suddenly had a bold idea, but I’m not brave enough to say it.” Ryan’s trainer seemed to have something to add, but stopped just short of saying it in the group chat.
Kitano was about to ask what they meant.
Unfortunately, because he was walking with his head down, staring at his phone, he failed to notice the small, dark figure up ahead doing the exact same thing.
The other person was also walking while looking at her phone, occasionally letting out soft little giggles.
And so, the two phone-absorbed idiots, both far too caught up in the chat to stop themselves, only noticed each other after they had already entered collision range.
Too late.
Bonk.
In the next instant, the small figure, much more petite than Kitano, remained firmly on her feet.
Kitano, on the other hand, landed on the floor.
“I-I’m sorry!” The tiny black-haired Uma Musume nearly dropped her phone in panic.
She hurried over, crouching beside him with an expression full of worry.
“I’m so sorry!
Rice was too focused on her phone and didn’t watch where she was going!
Rice is really, really sorry for knocking you over!” “Are you hurt?
Do you need Rice to carry you to the infirmary?
I’m so sorry!” She had black hair and a tiny purple hat tilted over her head.
A blue rose bloomed there like a delicate hair ornament.
Of course, that little bump was nowhere near enough to send Kitano straight into another loop.
At most, it had knocked him onto his backside.
The reason he froze for a moment was not the fall.
It was the little Uma Musume in front of him.
Rice Shower.
That was her name.
A name meant to bring blessings.
And yet, whether in her original fate or under Kitano’s guidance, her life had never seemed to become any luckier.
After a short while, Kitano slowly smiled.
He looked at the Uma Musume before him, at the girl who had now completely forgotten him, and felt no sense of loss.
Only relief.
Relief that his ability had allowed everything to begin again.
Relief that this girl had been allowed to forget everything about the powerless, irresponsible trainer who had known he could not save her, yet still forced himself to try anyway.
“…I’m fine,” Kitano said gently.
“You don’t need to apologize.” Long time no see, Rice.
Kitano whispered the words only in his heart.