After Nakajima Shin got his hands on the ballroom dancing recording, the once-bustling hall fell completely silent.
He was the only one left.
The hotel staff who had planned to come in and clean noticed someone was still inside.
Following the Gorgeous Clan’s instructions, they were told not to disturb anyone practicing after lessons ended, and to wait until everyone left before tidying up.
So they all left, leaving just one person to wait until Nakajima Shin was done, then signal the rest to start cleaning.
Unaware of this arrangement, Nakajima Shin simply mirrored his phone to the hall’s massive TV and played the instructor’s video.
He grabbed one of the air dolls at random, took a sip of water, and began the grueling practice.
Today’s lesson was tough.
Even with his background in folk dance, this kind of restrained style left him unable to use his strength.
He could only push harder to avoid failing tomorrow’s assessment.
He lost track of time.
As the evening lessons wrapped up, Daiichi Ruby arrived at the banquet hall doors as usual.
The staff member waiting there spotted the young lady.
As she approached, he bowed deeply.
“Good evening, Young Miss.”
“Good evening,” Daiichi Ruby replied with a slight nod, her gaze drifting into the hall.
“Looks like someone stayed behind to practice tonight.”
“Yes, sir.
One person is practicing inside, so I’m waiting for them to finish.” Daiichi Ruby nodded and stepped inside with graceful, measured steps.
She glanced at the TV screen, then let her eyes settle on Nakajima Shin, who was lost in practice while hugging an air doll.
Watching him struggle through the steps while clutching the invisible partner, occasionally punctuated by the ridiculous “boop” sounds of fabric rubbing against fabric, Daiichi Ruby’s expression didn’t flicker.
She walked over, mentally reviewing the updated list of top trainer candidates her butler had sent that morning.
She remembered Nakajima Shin had been on that list for a while.
The butler’s evaluation read: clumsy but eager to learn, impoverished but unyielding.
He might not be the best in this batch, but he certainly wouldn’t fall behind.
After past lessons, she’d come to inspect the hall and often spotted him.
It matched the butler’s assessment perfectly.
Maybe he could become my trainer.
Daiichi Ruby thought this, but didn’t dwell on it.
After all, since she decided to debut this year, the family had been running assessments for over half a year.
Trainers came and went in waves.
Plenty were more talented than him, yet they were still eliminated.
If this batch failed, the family would immediately start the next round.
They wouldn’t stop until they found a trainer worthy of the Gorgeous Clan’s precious gem.
Nakajima Shin simply had a slightly longer leash.
He might get cut in the remaining days anyway.
With that in mind, Daiichi Ruby approached him.
Noticing his face flush slightly upon seeing her, she spoke slowly, “Are you still practicing?” Hearing her, Nakajima Shin set the doll down and asked cautiously,
“Is it late?”
“It’s nearly midnight.
Everyone else has left.
You should head back to rest.”
Nakajima Shin raised an eyebrow, surprised at how late it was.
But glancing at the looping screen, he knew he hadn’t mastered those steps yet.
Failing tomorrow’s assessment was a real possibility.
“I appreciate the concern, but I need to keep practicing.”
Seeing the determination in his bowed head, Daiichi Ruby considered it for a moment before saying, “Your posture is off.
You won’t improve just by following a video.”
“…Could you teach me?” Nakajima Shin asked tentatively.
Daiichi Ruby nodded faintly.
“Please, begin.” Nakajima Shin’s face lit up, but he quickly remembered the etiquette lessons.
He reined in his grin, replacing it with a standardized, crescent-moon smile.
Daiichi Ruby noted this, thinking, He remembers the rules, but forgets them under pressure.
Adequate, but needs more practice.
She then efficiently guided him through the ballroom steps, and Nakajima Shin followed her instructions, studying hard.
Under one-on-one coaching, he picked it up quickly.
He felt seven or eight tenths confident that he’d not only pass tomorrow’s assessment but score well.
He figured he could still milk the Gorgeous Clan for a while longer.
Relieved, Nakajima Shin gave a half-bow and said sincerely, “Thank you for your help.
I’ve got it now.”
“No need to thank me.
Helping those who aspire to be my trainer is my duty,” Daiichi Ruby said calmly.
The words made him slightly awkward inside, but he kept his expression unchanged, maintaining his grateful smile.
After thanking her once more, he said,
“It’s getting late.
I should head back to rest.
Goodnight, Miss Daiichi Ruby.” He picked up his phone, stopped the screen mirroring, and the TV returned to its regular programming.
He turned toward the exit.
After just a few steps, something from the TV behind him made his body go rigid.
He turned back in a daze.
“To all Urara fans, we have an important announcement.
Confirmed by URA executives, Trainer White Lily has decided to retire due to injury.
Going forward, Urara will be placed under the care of Nakajima-san, a newly joined trainer at Central Tracen Academy, to compete in the Arima Kinen this December…” Bro, seriously?!
Why the hell does the news have to break right now?!
Couldn’t it wait until I left?
This is so awkward!
Seeing his own photo on the screen made it even more embarrassing.
He couldn’t even bring himself to look at Daiichi Ruby.
Daiichi Ruby’s brows furrowed slightly at the news, but she quickly composed herself.
She turned to look at the flustered Nakajima Shin.
“Trainer, it seems you already have a trainee.” It was just a plain statement, devoid of emotion, but Nakajima Shin felt like she was scolding him for wasting her time.
His toes curled so hard they could’ve dug a pyramid out of the floor.
But to keep staying here and save money, he had to play it cool.
His expression instantly normalized.
Acting like nothing happened, he looked her in the eye and said,
“The senior was injured and had to entrust her trainee to me.
I naturally had no choice but to accept.”
Daiichi Ruby said calmly, “But you should know our family is looking for an exclusive trainer.
You cannot have other trainees.”
Nakajima Shin nodded.
“I know that, of course.
But I’m only stepping in temporarily for a few months until Urara retires.
It shouldn’t affect my chances of becoming your exclusive trainer, right?” His words made sense.
Daiichi Ruby herself saw no issue.
She only planned to run her debut race this year as a rookie, saving her G1 challenges for next year.
It wouldn’t be a big deal if her trainer had to manage another trainee temporarily during this period.
However, relying on an umamusume’s natural intuition and her experience from long involvement with the family’s affairs, she sensed he was hiding something.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so flustered just now.
He should have been much calmer.
She reminded him, “If that’s truly all, then of course there’s no issue.
But please be aware that we update the files of all trainers still in the assessment daily.
If there are any discrepancies, we’ll know immediately.”