Chapter 19: Teio-sama!

Finally free… That high-class lady was way too intense. She's dieting? That's why she was so desperate for sweets? Still, going that wild over some snacks?

I sighed heavily.

"Good work, Trainer Hikitani," Takanotsume said.

"Oh, Takanotsume. Good work," I replied.

"A week at Central Tresen, and you're quite the popular figure," she noted.

"Just a novelty, probably," I shrugged.

"Not at all. There's something about you that draws Uma Musume," she said with a smile.

"My training plans and cookies, maybe? McQueen, the sweets maniac, just begged me for low-calorie treats. Not making them, though," I said.

She chuckled. "Maybe it's the unexpectedness, the gap. I didn't know you baked—it's surprising. I'm a little curious myself."

Whoa, she's not gonna ask me to bake, right? Please, no more work outside training duties.

"What were you up to, Trainer Hikitani?" she asked.

"Taking a walk to clear my head. Been overthinking who to scout. Just mulling it over," I said.

She laughed softly. "Word among trainers is you're agonizing over it. You know that, right?"

"No escaping it… But yeah, I need to decide soon," I admitted.

"Indeed. You're the only trainer without a charge right now. Given the circumstances, it's understandable," she said.

"Thanks for the sentiment, but they're all great. How do I even choose?" I asked.

Time passed, and Takanotsume glanced at her watch. "Oh, it's already this late. We got caught up talking."

"Four o'clock… Training time for the Uma Musume," I noted.

"Continuing your walk?" she asked.

"Yup," I said.

"Good luck," she smiled.

Guess I'll check out the course…

"Hey! You're the trainer buddying up with the President!" a voice shouted.

"Who're you?" I asked.

"Me? I'm Tokai Teio! Call me Teio, nice to meet ya!" she grinned.

"Yeah, hi. What's up? I'm just walking here," I said.

"Listen, the President said you're amazing at coaching!" she exclaimed.

"No clue about that," I replied.

"Don't be modest! I want you to watch me run!" she insisted.

"Don't you have a trainer?" I asked.

"Kinda boring," she said bluntly.

Hey, don't say that in front of a rookie like me. If others heard, you'd get roasted.

"Please, just one run! C'mon, Trainer!" she begged.

I sighed. "Fine, one run. I'll give feedback, then I'm out."

"Yay!" she cheered.

What a hassle. And Rudolph, stop hyping me up to weirdos like her.

At the Course

Teio smirked. "Heh, today I've got the famous trainer all to myself!"

"It's just one run, not a monopoly," I grumbled. "Distance?"

"2400 meters!" she declared.

"You can handle that?" I raised an eyebrow.

"How rude! I run that daily! Might be too fast for you to keep up!" she boasted.

"Yeah, yeah. Tell me when you're ready," I said.

"You're so casual… Whatever, I'm off to warm up!" she said, bouncing away.

Her movements… so fluid. Probably the most flexible Uma Musume I've seen.

"Trainer, I'm ready!" Teio called.

"Alright, go! Ready… Start!" I shouted.

Dash!

…

"Yaaah!" Teio yelled as she sprinted.

Beep!

That time… impressive.

"Phew, so fun! So, Trainer, how was my run?" she asked, panting.

"Not bad. You've got something to brag about," I said.

"Right?!" she beamed, then caught my pause. "But?"

"Your flexibility's a strength, but it's a double-edged sword," I said.

"What's that mean?" she asked.

"You're super flexible, which makes you injury-prone. Your running style's near perfect—big strides suit you. Combined with your springy leg power, you've got more weapons than most Uma Musume."

"Uh-huh," she nodded.

"But that flexibility makes your legs vulnerable. Your style demands stability, which puts heavy stress on your feet. Not a small impact," I explained.

"No way…" she murmured.

"I'm not saying ditch the flexibility—it's your asset. Just avoid overly intense training and don't pack races too close together after getting a trainer. Sprinting back-to-back? You'll break a bone. For now, hard training twice a week max. Otherwise, build muscle to match your flexibility," I advised.

"Got it… Thanks for sticking around, Trainer!" she said.

"Yeah, see ya," I replied.

She listens well for someone I'm not coaching. Good trait, as long as she avoids bad influences.

"Well, did what I came for. Time to head out," I muttered.

Teio watched me leave. "That's Trainer Hikitani Hachiman, huh… Kinda cool!"

The day took an unexpected turn. Watching a single race didn't eat up much time, so I'm back to wandering the streets. But I'm not alone. Beside me strides an Uma Musume I never dreamed would tag along—a living legend.

She hums a carefree tune, her steps light as a breeze. ♪~♪~

"Hey," I venture, "don't you need to be running or something?"

She tilts her head, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hm? What, is there a law saying I've gotta sprint right now?"

I shrug. "Not what I meant. Just… curious."

"Then it's all good, right?" she chirps, her grin infectious. "I'm in the mood to stroll with you. Been dying to see what this hotshot trainer's all about."

I mutter, "…That so?"

"Yup!" she sings, practically bouncing. "That's exactly so."

This is Mr. C.B., an Uma Musume whose raw talent rivals the great Rudolph himself. The difference lies in their souls: Rudolph, all precision and discipline; C.B., a wild spirit chasing freedom. She runs for the sheer joy of it, despising rigid strategies or predictable races. The thrill of the chase, the dance of competition—that's what sets her heart ablaze. Sun, rain, snow, it doesn't matter. She'll dash through any weather, grinning all the way.

She glances over, catching my stare. "What's up, Trainer? Penny for your thoughts?"

I shake my head. "Nothing. Just mulling over who I should take on as my charge."

"Oh?" Her ears perk up. "What about me? What's your take on me?"

"Haven't seen you race," I admit. "Talking like this gives me a vibe, but I'd need to see you run to know for sure."

She laughs, bright and unrestrained. "You're a cautious one, huh?"

"Too cautious," I grumble. "Haven't picked anyone yet. Guess I'm just a spineless coward."

She waves that off. "Nah, I don't buy it. Rudolph's been singing your praises, you know. Says you've got a knack for reading Uma Musume, that you care about our futures more than anyone."

That guy… hyping me up to Teio, now C.B.? Who's next?

"I think he's right," she adds, her voice softer now. "You wouldn't give the kind of advice or support you do to someone you're not even training if you didn't care."

I raise an eyebrow. "You saw what I did for Teio?"

"Yup. And Bourbon, too."

"You were there for that? What, are you just… everywhere?"

She winks. "If something's interesting, I'm there. And you, Trainer? You're very interesting."

Before I can respond, she loops her arm through mine, clinging close. Her carefree nature makes it seem like nothing, but to a guy like me—zero experience with women—this is a heart attack waiting to happen.

I clear my throat. "…If I scouted you, would you say yes?"

"In a heartbeat!" she declares, eyes gleaming. "I bet we'd have a blast running together. And something tells me you'd bring some wild, new kind of fun."

"No guarantee I could deliver that."

"That's the best part!" she says, undeterred. "We'd make it happen. Slapping boring colors on something already there? No thanks. I wanna paint it my way."

I fall silent, her words sinking in. She's not just eccentric—her mindset's on another plane. If there's no red paint, most would buy some. C.B.? She'd mix her own, from scratch.

"So," she says, nudging me, "am I your pick?"

"Nah, that's not what I meant."

"Aw, bummer." She pouts, but it's playful.

"Also," I add, "can Rudolph stop selling me to everyone? Teio, you—who else?"

She giggles. "Maybe the whole student council. Who knows?"

"God, spare me."

"Don't worry," she says, patting my arm. "If anything goes down, I've got your back."

"Sounds like you'd want something in return. Hard pass."

She laughs again. "Now I'm curious how you see me."

"More importantly," I say, glancing at her grip, "how long are you gonna hang onto my arm? Let go already."

"Nope!" she chirps, tightening her hold. "Not happening ♪."

"Why the hell not?"

"It's not like it's hurting anything, right?" she teases.

"It'll start rumors at school."

"Oh, that's bad," she says, mock-serious.

"You don't care, do you?"

"Nope! Let them talk. It's just noise."

"That's my problem, though."

"Then we'll fix it together!" she says brightly.

"That'd just make the rumors worse!"

She bursts out laughing, her joy echoing down the street. "You're so fun to be around! Never a dull moment."

I'd kill for a dull moment right now.

"I'll wait for your call," she says, suddenly serious. "Anytime."

"What if I pick someone else?"

"I'd still wait. You've got something other trainers don't."

"With your talent, you could have your pick of trainers."

She shrugs. "If they're not barking orders, maybe I'd think about it."

That rules out most trainers… including me, right?

"Oh, you're different," she says quickly, reading my mind.

"Why me? What's the—'It's a girl's secret, so don't ask'? …Fine, I'm lost."

She laughs again. "If you figured it out that easily, it'd be no fun."

Whatever.

"So," she says, tilting her head, "what kind of Uma Musume do you want to train? Got a type?"

"No clue," I admit. "That's why I'm stuck here, walking with you glued to my arm."

"Hmm. No specific vibe, then?"

"Nope."

Maybe I should've had some idea going in.

"Then I really want you to pick me," she says, half-joking, half-not.

"No confidence I'd let you run wild. And I might get bossy, so probably a no-go."

"I told you, you're different."

"If I crack that 'girl's secret,' maybe I'll consider it."

She narrows her eyes. "…You're kinda mean, you know that? Ever been called a jerk?"

"Dunno. Been told my eyes are rotten plenty, though."

"Don't dodge with sarcasm. But I get it now—you don't fall for basic scouting pitches. Oh, I'm definitely more interested now."

Please, take that interest somewhere else.