After explaining what she’d done wrong, Silence Suzuka grew even more uneasy.
She wanted to assure her new Trainer that she’d never disobey his orders again, but she was also terrified he might force her into a Late Surger or End Closer running style… Torn between these thoughts, she stayed silent.
“As a Trainer, of course I’d hope my assigned Uma Musume follows instructions…”
Kenji’s words made Suzuka’s inner turmoil worse.
She figured she should probably make a promise first…
After all, she already had a “record.” If this Trainer abandoned her too, there’d likely never be a third one willing to take her on.
For an Uma Musume, the difference between having a Trainer’s guidance and not was like night and day.
A great Trainer didn’t just assist with training, they planned schedules, corrected weaknesses, adjusted form, and most importantly, devised pre-race tactics.
None of that could be done without a Trainer’s help.
It was the same as in other sports: professional athletes rarely succeeded without a dedicated coach and support team.
Just as Suzuka closed her eyes, steeling herself to speak her promise that she’d never disobey again…
“U-Um!
I…”
…Kenji’s voice cut in.
“But only if those instructions are reasonable.”
“Eh?”
Suzuka opened her eyes, looked up, and stared blankly at Kenji’s smiling face.
“If during training or tactical planning you ever feel my instructions are unreasonable, Suzuka, you’re allowed to ignore them.
I’ll find another way to support you instead.”
“…Is that really okay?”
Suzuka was taken aback.
Almost all Trainers demanded “unconditional obedience” from their racers.
After all, there were plenty of Uma Musume to choose from, Trainers selected them, not the other way around.
Such cases were rare, and the hierarchy was clear.
A Trainer like Kenji, willing to accommodate his racer’s needs, was a rarity among rarities.
Her heart began racing.
This wasn’t romance, she understood what he meant…
…This Trainer would never give up on her, no matter what?
As if answering the question in her mind, Kenji said:
“If it helps you win races, why not?”
Win, win, WIN!
Racing is about winning!
If you win, I get more Uma Coins!
Kenji was the kind of guy who’d do whatever it took for victory.
Did Trainer’s authority even matter?
All he wanted were stats.
“But I’d like to know exactly what instruction you disobeyed.
As your Trainer, I want to take note.”
“My previous Trainer suggested I change my running style.”
She used polite wording, “suggested”, but it had been an order.
“Changing your running style?
That’s a huge issue… No wonder you disobeyed.”
Uma Musume racing styles were divided into four types: front-runner (lead), pace chaser (near front), Late Surger (mid-pack), and End Closer (late runner).
These referred to where they positioned themselves during a race.
Depending on their position, racing strategies varied wildly, as did the required stats and skills.
You could say a racer’s style was her “foundation.” Building on that base brick by brick ultimately determined their ideal future form.
“Yes… My previous Trainer said if I wanted to win without issues, I had to ignore my desire to run at the front and switch to a Late Surger or End Closer style.”
“Hmm…”
Kenji neither agreed nor disagreed.
Because he didn’t know what running style suited Suzuka best either.
He knew she was strong, but since he’d never played the mobile game himself, he had no idea what she specialized in.
If he dismissed her style now and it turned out she really was better suited to Late Surger or End Closer like the previous Trainer said, he’d be slapping his own face.
Anyway, if he wanted to understand exactly what Suzuka was good at, it was time to use his Trainer-exclusive skill for the first time.
“In any case, I need to properly assess you before making further judgments.”
“Understood!”
Suzuka stood up eagerly, fists clenched in front of her chest.
He’s going to make me do a running test!
I should’ve worn my gym clothes…
She’d skipped her usual morning run to save time, figuring running, showering, then coming here would take too long.
Instead, she wore a freshly cleaned uniform, aiming for a neat first impression with her new Trainer.
Being discarded by a Trainer was deeply painful.
For days, Suzuka had dreamed of that moment, waking up in cold sweats each time.
Fortunately, the Academy had given her another chance by assigning her to a new Trainer.
Though she’d heard he was “special,” and the Student Council President had specifically warned her not to get too close… that’s why she felt so nervous.
But after their brief conversation, she sensed Kenji was serious and responsible, and had promised not to give up on her… So she couldn’t let him down!
She had to make him acknowledge her running style!
Her mindset was a bit like the “abandoned cat effect”, having been discarded once, she craved validation from her next owner even more.
But Kenji didn’t want to watch her run.
Seeing her stand up, he figured now was the perfect time to bring it up.
“Then without further ado, Suzuka… take them off.”
Silence Suzuka: ???
Kenji explained without changing expression.
“Ahem, I mean your shoes.
I need to inspect your feet first so I can figure out what kind of training to assign you.”
“Oh… I see.”
That wasn’t strange at all.
Trainers were always extremely attentive to racers’ legs, wary of injuries.
Especially fractures, those were an Uma Musume’s worst enemy.
How many careers had ended because of a broken bone?
“Do you want to take them off yourself, or should I help?”
“U-Um!
I’ll do it myself!
Please!
Let me handle it!”
Kenji gave an “OK” gesture.
Suzuka sat back down properly, leaned forward, and removed the Mary Jane shoes that matched her Tracen uniform.
“Um… Do I need to take off my socks too?”
“It’d be best if you did.”
How was he supposed to activate the skill without taking them off?
But Kenji understood a young girl’s embarrassment, so he considerately suggested:
“If you’re feeling shy, I can step out and wait?”
“N-No!
It’s fine…!”
It wasn’t like she had to take off her skirt.
Just socks…
Suzuka!
Pull yourself together!
Don’t be so sensitive and shy!
The Trainer is seriously trying to help you with an inspection!
Steeling herself, Suzuka hooked her thumbs into the seams of her white knee-high socks and pulled off the left one in one smooth motion.
When she moved to her right leg, her movements slowed.
The sudden tug had been a bit too forceful, causing some discomfort… Uma Musume legs and feet were highly sensitive after all.
But the slower motion only heightened the awkward tension in the room.
Watching this, Kenji felt it was especially… dramatic.
Like they were really doing something inappropriate.
Hell, his earlier line, “Do you want to take them off yourself, or should I help?”, had added a whole new layer of doujinshi vibes…
No, no, no.
Don’t overthink it.
It’s just for activating the skill.
Even if the activation method was a bit perverted… it was necessary!
Kenji glanced at the skill panel floating before his eyes.
[True Taste of the Foot] [By tasting the target’s foot aroma, you can learn their five stats, adaptability, and current skills.] (TL: I swear I didnt know ahead of time)
Damn system… Is this skill for real?!