Kashimoto Riko temporarily assumed the role of Acting Chairman, and the students saw for the first time this stern and unsmiling leader.
Perhaps due to her position as a Trainer, Central seemed to highly recommend her appointment.
The students buzzed with speculation about the Acting Chairman, a situation Kousei found particularly surprising, as such a temporary appointment had never occurred since Tracen Academy's founding.
Kashimoto Riko made no attempt to quiet the chattering crowd, instead patiently waiting for the uproar to subside.
"It's my first time meeting many of you. Some may not recognize me, as I've been away from Central for quite some time. But from today onward, I will serve as Acting Chairman. First, I must state that I cannot endorse the Academy's current teaching policies.
-Allowing unsupervised training and lax adherence to start times
-Permitting breaks for casual chatter with other Umamusume
-Lacking complete reports on daily sleep hours and satisfaction, and neglecting the Umamusume's physical condition—all of this is fundamentally irresponsible.
In my view, it's a complete waste of the Umamusume's talents and lives."
Even the most breathtaking mountain scenery requires management. Without it, the forests would fall into ruin, revealing only rotting soil and fallen, decaying trees. Such neglect could also trigger various disasters, which is precisely why management exists.
Watching an immature young girl gradually decline, all for the sake of adults' self-righteous "kindness"... Kashimoto Riko's gaze sharpened, the atmosphere growing tense.
"The dereliction of duty stemming from incurable negligence, the apathy of the administrators, and the Chairman's permissiveness are all to blame.
To rescue these 'fallen girls,' I propose a cultivation policy based on complete management principles: the Management Education Program.
From training regimens to dietary guidelines, and even aspects of private life, every aspect will be rigorously managed.
The goal is to further enhance their talents and minimize the risk of injury through these comprehensive measures."
Like a stone dropped into still water, Kashimoto's words sent ripples of commotion through the students.
"What does this even mean?"
"So we can't have midnight hot pot anymore?"
"Ehh! Does this mean I can't watch my favorite late-night anime anymore?"
"Watching the replay should be fine, right?"
"Watching the replay has no soul!"
Kashimoto Riko reiterated, "Furthermore, through my observations over the past few days, I've noticed that adolescents with strong emotional sensitivity have an intense urge to form bonds. This irrational impulse can easily lead to poorly planned emotional misjudgments, potentially causing them to lose control. To prevent this, I've decided to prohibit group participation in relationships with impure motives."
This declaration went too far, immediately sparking fierce opposition from the students!
"No relationships allowed?! Isn't that just like being caged?!"
"Exactly! This is completely unreasonable!"
"It's prohibiting relationships with impure motives," Kashimoto Riko clarified again.
"What even is a relationship with impure motives?! I just want to hang out with everyone!"
"Exactly! Exactly!"
Kashimoto Riko's gaze swept across the crowd, suddenly stopping on Kousei.
"Then let's put it this way," she said. "Imagine someone constantly pushing themselves with excessive training. Their sole focus is on winning, driven by an insatiable desire to run wild."
Her body had clearly reached its limit, yet she forced herself onward because of this so-called "bond," compelled to keep running by the Trainer's malicious pressure. What consequences might this bring? If something unexpected happened, she would lose her right to run forever, her body and mind shattered, unable to reach even the stable future she once envisioned.
Tell me, if this isn't losing control, what is it?"
"This..."
Kashimoto Riko's righteous words left everyone speechless. All eyes turned to Kousei, as everyone understood exactly who Kashimoto Riko's words were directed at.
Kousei met Kashimoto Riko's gaze. In those usually impassive eyes, a distinct emotion now flickered—one she recognized all too well. It was the same look Sirius gave her, seeing someone else through her eyes.
"To prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, we will abolish the team system and implement thorough management measures to the fullest extent possible.
That is all."
Kashimoto Riko's uncompromising declaration left the entire gymnasium in stunned silence.
"Implementation of the Management Education Program will begin once all preparations are complete. Please prepare yourselves mentally."
The assembly concluded amidst a heavy gloom and disarray.
Ever since Kashimoto Riko's declaration, Tracen Academy had been shrouded in a deathly silence.
In the cafeteria, Kousei, McQueen, and the others sat together.
"I never imagined Acting Chairman Kashimoto's training policies would be so rigid, allowing no room for dissent," Teio remarked, her usual cheerfulness replaced by deep concern.
"Yes," McQueen agreed, her voice tinged with pessimism. "If the Management Education Program is implemented, it means we'll never have the chance to gather like this again, will we?"
"How can this be?! I've already decided I want to run with everyone forever!" Rice Shower cried, tears welling in her eyes.
"No! If I can't Bakushin, then I won't be the Class Rep anymore!" Even Sakura Bakushin O understood the gravity of the situation.
The policy of complete control meant they would no longer be able to run freely, as they pleased.
McQueen noticed Kousei had remained silent throughout the discussion, her head bowed in thought.
"What's wrong, Kousei? You haven't said a word all day."
Kousei snapped back to reality, realizing everyone was staring at her.
"It's nothing," she said. "I was just thinking about Acting Chairman Kashimoto."
"Oh? Do you have a plan?"
"Not really a plan, more of a feeling. I don't sense any malice from Acting Chairman Kashimoto. Instead, there's something strangely familiar about her."
"What do you mean?"
"We're both trapped in our own self-made cages."
Her words sent a ripple of surprise through the group.
"It's all your fault!" a sharp, angry roar shattered the conversation.
Kousei turned to see an Umamusume glaring at her, her face flushed with rage. Beside her, another Umamusume was desperately trying to pull her back, but her strength was clearly no match for her enraged companion.
"It's all because of you! If it weren't for you, such an absurd policy would never have been implemented! Do you even realize I can never run with Little Crow again because of you?!"
The enraged Umamusume hurled accusations at Kousei, as if the policy could never have been enacted without her existence.
Her outburst drew the attention of every Umamusume in the cafeteria, their gazes shifting toward Kousei.
Some were veiled, others openly hostile, their hostile glares suggesting Kousei truly was the root of all their troubles.
Just a Way watched the scene unfold without a flicker of emotion. While the others exchanged worried glances at Kousei, she remained impassive.
The dark shadow that had once haunted Kousei resurfaced, but this time the nightmare came from within.