“Ms.
Hayakawa, were you planning to show this boy around the campus next?”
Before leaving, the elderly man added another question.
“Yes.
Mr.
Asama only came to the academy briefly several days ago to complete his contract.
The original plan was for me to introduce him to the academy’s various facilities.”
“Hmm.
As the chairwoman’s secretary, you must have a great many matters awaiting your attention, especially with the new term approaching.”
He glanced at Kazuomi.
“Only senior-division students and faculty members returning to campus are here today.
Surely someone his age can walk around without becoming lost.”
The old man looked toward Kazuomi as though seeking his agreement.
Endure it.
Come on, Kazuomi.
You have to endure it.
Forcing a smile onto his face, Kazuomi nodded.
“Yes.
I can manage on my own.
There is no need to trouble Ms.
Hayakawa.”
Since Kazuomi himself had said so, Ms.
Hayakawa could only offer him an apologetic look.
She bid farewell to everyone in the office and hurried away.
It was obvious that, as the academy chairwoman’s secretary, she truly did have many important duties waiting for her.
“Very well.
If there is nothing else, everyone should return to work.”
At the elderly man’s words, the staff members sat down again.
With the start of the term approaching, every department had preparations to complete.
As for Kazuomi—
Standing alone in the middle of the office while everyone else worked would accomplish nothing.
As he wondered what to do, his eyes met the old man’s again.
“When you wander around the academy by yourself, make sure you do not ‘accidentally’ enter the girls’ dormitory.”
Kazuomi nearly lost control.
“No, sir.
Please rest assured that I would never do such a thing.”
Suppressing the urge to strike someone, Kazuomi watched the old man leave with a twitching smile.
His workplace life was already overflowing with misfortune.
Because of that little incident, the atmosphere in the office had become far too awkward.
After Ms.
Hayakawa and the old man left, Kazuomi had no choice but to leave as well.
On his way out, he could still faintly hear the staff whispering behind him.
Connections.
An incompetent newcomer.
He no longer wanted to think about any of it.
His career had only just begun, yet the road ahead already appeared impossibly turbulent.
Kazuomi walked out of the classroom building alone.
Just as he began wondering where to start his tour, someone called his name.
“Mr.
Asama!
Please wait!”
Kazuomi stopped and turned around.
Ms.
Hayakawa had returned and was jogging toward him.
Perhaps because she had been hurrying, her cheeks were lightly flushed.
“Is something wrong, Ms.
Hayakawa?”
Kazuomi had already developed an excellent impression of this intelligent and mature woman.
“My apologies.
I left in such a hurry that I forgot to give you this.”
She handed him a prepared envelope.
“What is it?”
“It contains the key to your staff dormitory room and your water card.
Once you have finished touring the academy, you may proceed to the dormitory building on the northern side of campus.
Your room number is 412.”
“As for the luggage you brought with you, I have already asked the gatekeeper to deliver it to the dormitory manager.”
Ms.
Hayakawa explained everything efficiently and thoroughly.
Her attentive consideration nearly moved Kazuomi to tears.
Ms.
Hayakawa truly is an angel.
After suffering such merciless workplace oppression, he could practically see a sacred golden radiance surrounding her.
“Mr.
Asama?
Do you understand?”
“Ah, yes!
Thank you, Ms.
Hayakawa!
I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble!”
“It is nothing.
I am glad to have been of assistance.
Unfortunately, I still have other matters to handle, so you will have to continue your tour alone.”
“That’s no problem!
I’ll be perfectly fine by myself!”
Thanks to Ms.
Hayakawa, Kazuomi felt as though he could face anything with a smile.
Seeing how energetic he appeared, she relaxed and gave him a sweet smile.
After offering several additional reminders, she departed.
Once he had bid farewell to Ms.
Hayakawa, Kazuomi began exploring Tracen Academy with renewed enthusiasm.
As the wealthiest and most renowned training academy associated with central racing, every part of the campus embodied professionalism.
European architectural design extended across the entire academy.
Closer examination revealed that the campus avenues curved around the classroom buildings in the shape of a horseshoe.
Since Tracen was a professional racing institution, every necessary facility had been prepared.
Even the infirmary occupied its own separate building, a dedicated medical center.
The dining center was an especially luxurious two-story facility.
It included an open-air restaurant, a European-style buffet, and a relatively affordable cafeteria for ordinary people.
The swimming center Kazuomi had passed when signing his contract contained a vast pool with a ten-meter diving platform.
It was larger than many small water parks.
Then there were the auditorium, the main gymnasium, the multipurpose complex, and even an exhibition center devoted to idol lessons.
Most important were the team clubrooms—the places where trainers and Uma Musume developed together.
Standing in the racetrack’s observation gallery, Kazuomi stared across a vast turf course so broad that he could not see its end.
He found himself overwhelmed by everything before him.
He imagined Uma Musume racing across that track at full speed.
The girls trained within this elite academy might become the shining stars of tomorrow’s racing world.
“This place is on an entirely different level from regional racing academies.”
The difference in environment and resources was enormous.
Most Uma Musume trained at regional institutions participated only in amateur competitions.
The more successful ones might reach lower-ranked regional races.
Without exceptional talent, most would abandon racing during the earliest stages of their careers.
Not every Uma Musume chose to participate in competitions held by the Japan Racing Association or the National Association of Racing.
In reality, many never considered racing their ultimate goal at all.
Uma Musume could be found throughout countless professions.
Yet here, at the place closest to central racing, these elite students attracted attention from the moment they arrived.
Only a single step separated them from the highest stage.
Their starting point was incomparably higher.
“Definitely…”
“I’ll definitely make sure my sister can enter this academy.”
To fulfill the promise he had made to her, Kazuomi renewed his determination.
He had to become a top trainer.