For someone like Kaito, who was essentially a homebody at heart, running into an acquaintance while out was awkward enough.
What made it even more awkward was the fact that he had just beaten her not too long ago.
Now, Kaito and Riko were walking side by side on the stone path leading away from the shrine, both remaining silent.
This is so awkward.
Although Riko was looking straight ahead, Kaito subconsciously tried to avoid her gaze, so his eyes kept drifting downward.
Wow, I can see two little Mount Fujis.
Today, Riko completely lacked her usual strictness as a trainer.
She had changed into a white furisode adorned with colorful flower petals.
The collar was slightly open, revealing her snow-white skin and collarbones.
She held her handbag with both hands folded in front of her, looking just like a high school girl and adding a touch of youthful vitality compared to her usual self.
Therefore, even though her expression was still as cold as ever, Trainer Riko was undeniably beautiful and captivating today.
“Ahem.” Hearing the cough, Kaito raised his gaze and found Riko staring at him coldly.
I got caught.
Kaito cleared his throat as well and took the initiative to start a conversation.
“What a coincidence running into you.
Is Trainer Riko here to pray for your Uma Musume as well?” “Yes, this is also part of a trainer’s duty.” “I see.
By the way, congratulations on becoming Trainer of the Year!” At the school staff conference at the end of last year, Riko received the “Trainer of the Year” award personally presented by Chairman Akikawa, which was quite an achievement for her age.
But Riko shook her head.
“I still have a lot of immaturity to work on.
This time, it was only because a few senpai had some issues.
It wasn’t exactly a fair and square victory.” Kaito could understand what Riko meant.
Because of Chairman Akikawa’s sudden ideas, Tracen Academy had been hosting various events and competitions in recent years, such as the Make a New Track scenario, the Idol Cup, and the desert island training camp.
Star Uma Musume like Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross, and even Student Council President Symboli Rudolf, all participated.
This drained a lot of energy from senpai like Hana, which indeed led to a drop in competitiveness in the Twinkle Series.
But even so, Trainer Riko, if you talk like that, aren’t you just killing the conversation?
“…” Sure enough, after that sentence, the two fell silent for a good while.
In the end, Riko seemed to realize she had killed the conversation.
Frowning as if reflecting on her mistake, she tried to think of something to say to make up for it.
But clearly, she didn’t have the same talent for chatting as she did for being a trainer.
After struggling for a long time, she still didn’t know how to start.
Kaito sighed inwardly and took the initiative to find a topic.
“By the way, aren’t your Uma Musume on break?
Do they have to train during the New Year holidays too?” “Trainer Kaito, I don’t know what kind of image I have in your mind, but let me just say, I am not a demon.” Riko retorted, but her brow relaxed as she spoke word by word.
“I advocate for thorough management, but rest is also an indispensable part of it.
The current trend in the trainer world is to create training plans that exceed the physical limits of the Uma Musume, and I am against that.” “Of course, even when they are on holiday, I will have my assignments report their daily schedules and routines.
At the very least, I can’t let them come back from the break with bad habits like staying up late and slacking off.” “I completely agree with that.” Kaito nodded in empathy.
Come to think of it, I seem to have forgotten to remind Rice Shower-san about these things.
I wonder if she’ll develop any bad habits after the break?
I hope not.
“Additionally, there are some things I don’t know if I should say, but I want to remind you, Trainer Kaito.” “Please go ahead.” “In the Heather Stakes last time, you won very beautifully.
It’s clear that you made advanced preparations and tactical plans.” Oh my, what’s going on?
Is the dreaded Riko praising me?
“But.” The sudden shift shattered Kaito’s illusions as he saw Riko’s expression turn serious again.
“Such an approach is too risky!” “Rice Shower only had short-distance race experience before and had never taken the lead in a race.
Gambling on race choices and tactics like that might work once or twice, but failing even once could cause irreversible damage to the Uma Musume.” “The same goes for your usual training content!
From my observations, you always bring out some unverified new training methods, letting the Uma Musume try them out according to your own ideas and give feedback.
This is undoubtedly wrong.” “Brand new training methods bring risks.
Letting the Uma Musume increase or decrease their training volume on their own also brings risks.
Not interfering with their activities during their daily rest time is the same.” “Moreover, what’s with the lunch portions you give Rice Shower every day?
And what kind of weird fetish is it to make her call you Onii-san?” “Your actions pose an incalculable danger to the Uma Musume!” Riko rambled on, spitting out her warning to Kaito all at once.
In her eyes, Kaito was simply the most unreliable trainer ever.
But Kaito’s focus was elsewhere.
“Trainer Riko, so you’ve been secretly watching our training all along.” No wonder you’re so familiar with it.
“Huh!” Hearing this, Riko was stunned.
She was extremely shocked by Kaito’s angle of thought, and her face, perhaps due to the cold, suddenly turned red.
“T, that’s not the focus of my attention!” “Voyeur.” “You!” Riko’s voice pitched up a few octaves, startling the tourists around them into looking at the two of them.
“Couple arguing?” “I don’t know.” Feeling the gaze of the people around them, Riko finally came to her senses.
She covered her hot face with both hands and let out a long sigh.
“I really do hate you.” “You haven’t truly understood what is genuinely good for the Uma Musume, yet you’ve already won a victory.
In this kind of situation, it’s easiest to breed arrogance and a dismissive attitude, which is detrimental to the growth of both you and Rice Shower.
But it works out perfectly.” Riko suddenly took out two tickets and said to Kaito.
“There is an exhibition related to Uma Musume sports products today.
It best embodies the concept of scientifically training Uma Musume, and there will also be experienced senior trainers giving speeches.” “I was planning to go anyway, and I happen to have an extra ticket.
Come with me and take a look.
I’m sure after seeing the exhibition, you’ll be able to understand your own shortcomings.” Without giving Kaito a chance to refuse, Riko stuffed the tickets into his hands and then set off in the direction of the exhibition.
Kaito looked at the tickets in his hand and sighed inwardly, truly worthy of the overbearing Trainer Riko.
Come to think of it, could it be that she bought the tickets but had no one to go with, so she just had to drag me along?
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to go check out that exhibition.” Kaito shrugged and quickened his pace to catch up with Riko.