(2/2) 8: Chapter Five: What’s It Like to Train the Entire Student Council?
(2/2) “The few times I tried making training decisions on my own, things usually went sideways.
Honestly, the girls would’ve been better off training by themselves…” Kitano let out a small, self-deprecating laugh.
“Someone like me really isn’t cut out to teach genius Uma Musume.” He looked toward Director Akikawa.
“So, Director, you can assign me any kid you don’t have high hopes for.
Really, anyone is fine.
Just… please don’t hand me another genius.
I’m not sure my stomach can take it.” He meant every word.
Maybe in his earliest loops, Kitano Ryuuichi had still been the kind of idiot who refused to accept reality.
The kind who thought effort could fix anything.
But after meeting several unforgettable Uma Musume, after having those memories carved deep into his bones, he had long since stopped believing in his own ability.
Could he teach Uma Musume?
Technically, yes.
Could he make training schedules, decide what kind of workout improved which area, and handle the basics?
Also yes.
But only because Symboli Rudolf and the others had taught him all of that from scratch.
Without them, who knew how many years he would’ve needed just to understand the fundamentals?
This wasn’t a game.
The training menus from the game were entertainment.
Real Uma Musume training was serious business.
One tiny mistake could injure a girl and leave consequences that could never be undone.
Kitano could manage the basics.
But the most important part of being a trainer was reading races, building strategies, choosing tactics.
And that was where he was hopeless.
He wasn’t being humble.
He was genuinely bad at it.
Sure, he had watched countless brilliant Uma Musume run countless races.
But their running styles and tactics had almost always been built by the girls themselves.
Every Uma Musume had things she excelled at and things she struggled with.
Kitano, meanwhile, could only copy what had worked before.
And when he forced one girl’s strategy onto another?
It wrecked her rhythm.
Sometimes, it made winning outright impossible.
A proper race plan had to be custom-made by an excellent trainer, tailored to that Uma Musume’s body, instincts, strengths, and temperament.
Kitano’s talent in that area was, frankly, catastrophic.
This wasn’t some game where you picked a running style from a menu and watched the Uma Musume figure out the rest.
Different race conditions, different rivals, different tactical counters.
A trainer had to predict all of that in advance and prepare accordingly.
“At the end of the day, I don’t have any real talent,” Kitano said with a crooked smile.
“Calling me a genius would be way too generous.
At best, I’m just mediocre.” The moment those words left his mouth, the office went still.
Dead still.
Kitano blinked.
Only then did he notice the looks aimed his way.
Air Groove.
Narita Brian.
Hayakawa Tazuna.
Director Akikawa.
All of them were staring at him with frighteningly serious expressions.
The light joke he’d been trying to make died instantly in his throat.
“Tracen Academy has no mediocre trainers.” Symboli Rudolf’s voice cut through the silence like a blade.
“And no mediocre Uma Musume.” At some point, Rudolf had taken the seat in front of the director’s desk.
Her legs were crossed, her posture immaculate, and her expression was solemn as she faced Kitano head-on.
“Trainer Kitano, you are the youngest trainer ever hired by Tracen Academy.
That fact alone proves your talent.” Her gaze did not waver.
“I do not know where this assessment of ‘mediocrity’ comes from.
But I would ask that you not belittle yourself so easily.” “You are the youngest trainer any of us have ever seen.
More than that, you are a trainer of Tracen Academy.
You represent this institution.” Rudolf’s voice grew firmer.
“So I hope you will carry yourself with more confidence.
Show more drive.
More pride.” She leaned forward ever so slightly.
“You are a trainer of Tracen Academy.
And I can say this with full confidence.” Her eyes shone with conviction.
“Your talent is far greater than you imagine.” Rudolf spoke with such gravity that even Kitano had no room to deflect.
Then she seemed to notice the faint bitterness that flickered across his face.
For a brief moment, her stern expression softened.
“…I apologize,” Rudolf said quietly.
“I may have gotten a little carried away.” “No, President.” Kitano forced a wry smile and shook his head.
“You’re right.
I guess I really am pretty pathetic.” Rudolf’s scolding had left him dazed.
For a second, he couldn’t help but think— If it had been the Rudolf he once knew, the one who had stood beside him through those old days, she would have scolded him the exact same way for drowning in self-pity.
After all this time, I really haven’t grown at all, huh… Yeah.
I should probably get my act together.
“That is not true, Trainer Kitano.” Seeing the sadness lingering in his expression, Rudolf’s composure cracked just a little.
A trace of panic entered her voice, and she hurried to make up for it.
“You are simply… a little lost right now.” She paused, then continued in a gentler tone.
“As for your assigned Uma Musume, there is no need to rush.
We can take our time.” “For this week, Trainer Kitano should focus on familiarizing himself with Tracen Academy first.” Rudolf turned her gaze to Air Groove.
“Air Groove, I’ll leave that matter to you.” “Understood.” Air Groove nodded.
Then she turned toward Kitano, whose expression had finally settled somewhat, and for once her face carried a faint softness.
“Trainer Kitano, this way, please.
I’ll show you around Tracen Academy.” She gestured toward the door.
“From now on, this will be where you live and work.
There will be plenty for you to deal with, so I’ll make sure you learn the grounds properly.”