Chapter 4: The Past with Rudolf and Kitano (1/2)
The first time Kitano Ryuichi met Symboli Rudolf was a long, long time ago. It must have been his first loop. Back then, he didn't even know he could "restart." He was just an ordinary person who, having been transported to the world of Uma Musume, thought, "I'm already here, I'd be a fool not to become a trainer." And so, he threw himself into studying for the Central Trainer license.
And so, Kitano Ryuichi, from the age of 20 to 45, finally became a trainer at Central Tracen Academy through a special clause, an exception to the rule.
Yes, an exception. The special clause stipulated that if a local trainer performed exceptionally well but consistently failed the exams, they could be considered on a case-by-case basis. But the criteria for consideration required that the trainer, while lacking in theory, must have worked diligently in the local circuit for about twenty years and have trained local Uma Musume who, even if not capable of running in open races, were at least prominent locally.
However, at that time, Ryuichi didn't meet any of the requirements. He had only been a local trainer for fifteen years, and while his theory was consistently subpar, the local Uma Musume he handled were mostly unremarkable.
A trainer who was mediocre even on the local circuit should, in theory, never become a Central Trainer, not even with a special clause. For Ryuichi, the turning point in his first loop was an encounter during a surprise inspection of the local circuit by the former Student Council President, a Uma Musume named "Mr. C.B."
To be clear, at the time, Ryuichi had no idea she was "Mr. C.B.," the incumbent Student Council President of Tracen Academy. Although he was a horse racing enthusiast and had trained every Uma Musume in the mobile game before his transmigration, he truly didn't know the name Mr. C.B., and there was no corresponding portrait in the game, right?
Ryuichi just happened to strike up a conversation with Mr. C.B. and her entourage. When she jokingly asked him who he thought had the most potential to become the strongest Uma Musume among the new generation, Ryuichi, who was closely following the news from the Central circuit, blurted out almost instinctively: "Definitely Symboli Rudolf! She will be the first undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume!"
At that time, Symboli Rudolf was just a rookie who had barely won her debut race. Mr. C.B. didn't pay much attention to Ryuichi's answer until Rudolf swept through the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), at which point she began to take his words seriously.
Just like that, with Mr. C.B.'s help, Ryuichi smoothly entered Central Tracen Academy and, under her recommendation, even became Symboli Rudolf's trainer.
It's strange, isn't it? A 45-year-old trainer with no achievements, who barely got into the Central circuit through connections, could become the trainer for a genius Uma Musume who had already claimed the first leg of the classic Triple Crown undefeated. Although the position of Rudolf's trainer had been vacant, it was still somewhat baffling.
"You were the first trainer to tell me that Symboli Rudolf could become the first undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume, and now that prophecy is half-proven. I believe you are not as mediocre as you appear."
"Rudolf, you may have your doubts, but trust me. A trainer who can believe you will win the undefeated Triple Crown without ever having met you in person—even if it's just luck, it will surely be of use to you as you're about to compete in the Japanese Derby. What you need most right now is luck."
"You two, get to know each other and work well together, alright?"
That's what Mr. C.B. had said to Ryuichi and Rudolf back then. And Ryuichi clearly remembered that during their brief eye contact, he distinctly saw the look in the young, proud, and ambitious Rudolf's eyes shift from disdain to indifference. He had been terrified at the time, and after a long pause, he finally said to the "Emperor":
"A pleasure to meet you, Symboli Rudolf… While I'm not sure how much help I can be, I believe you will be the first undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume."
"...Yes. I'll be in your care, Trainer."
...Everything after that was like a movie. Ryuichi watched as Symboli Rudolf won the Japanese Derby and the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), becoming Japan's first undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume. Then came the expedition abroad, the defeat, the return, still retaining the "Emperor's" majesty. Everything was so seamless, as if preordained by fate.
—It felt as if it didn't matter whether he was there or not. Because Ryuichi was already intimately familiar with Rudolf's history, he felt this way. And in fact, during his years as her trainer, he was more than once described as "the Emperor's useless hack trainer" or "the Emperor's accessory."
As for the later termination of their contract, and watching Rudolf return to the then-thriving Symboli family… that's another story, one Ryuichi would rather not dwell on.
However, Ryuichi still remembered the words Symboli Rudolf said to him back then.
"...The Symboli family will not allow their designated next head to remain by the side of an ordinary trainer forever."
"So, Trainer, when you come back to find me one day, I hope to see a man who has already achieved fame and success, full of spirit… I hope you will not dishonor the title of 'Symboli Rudolf's Trainer'."
—And now, after an unknown number of loops, Ryuichi still lacked the confidence to approach Symboli Rudolf on his own.
Because he had not yet become the person Rudolf had described, someone who would not bring shame to the name "Symboli Rudolf's Trainer." He had not yet met the expectations she once had for him.
Therefore, after so many loops, aside from the first loop when he was her trainer, Ryuichi had done his best to avoid meeting Rudolf whenever he returned to Tracen Academy, except on the day of his official registration.
He was simply too ashamed to face her… Although Ryuichi knew full well that with a new loop, Rudolf certainly wouldn't remember the past, it didn't stop him from feeling overwhelmed with shame.
Chapter 4: The Past with Rudolf and Kitano (2/2)
Fortunately, after all his experiences, Ryuichi wasn't without improvement. At the very least, when seeing Rudolf again, his facial control was perfect, as if nothing was amiss.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, President Symboli Rudolf. The title of 'Emperor' is truly renowned." Seeing this most familiar of strangers, Ryuichi offered a gentle smile and extended a hand, calm and composed.
"Hello, Trainer Kitano Ryuichi." Behind Rudolf followed two other Uma Musume. One, with eyeliner and light makeup, had a pretty face. The other had a cool expression, a white bandage on her nose, a piece of straw dangling from her mouth, and a dashing, heroic air.
These two were also old acquaintances of Ryuichi: Vice President Air Groove and Narita Brian. They too had a history spanning several loops—of course, just ordinary acquaintanceships. Since Ryuichi wanted to avoid Rudolf, but some matters could only be handled by the Student Council, his relationship with Air Groove and Narita Brian was also good, often asking them to pass messages to Rudolf for him.
In his first loop, he had even watched these two grow up… I mean, watched them debut, become famous, and then join the Student Council.
Ryuichi still remembered how comfortable it felt when these two, upon first joining the Student Council, called him "Senpai" (senior)… Of course, in the second loop, he became their "Kouhai" (junior). He was used to such drastic changes in status.
"I heard that you were the only one to graduate from the Central Trainer Academy this year, and that you are currently the youngest trainer to be hired at Tracen Academy."
Rudolf clearly had a natural fondness and high regard for people with a "genius halo," and right now, Ryuichi happened to be wearing this false halo of genius. In response to his extended hand, Rudolf also smiled and offered her own.
"On behalf of Tracen Academy, I welcome your arrival, Mr. Kitano Ryuichi."
The next second, the moment their palms touched, it was as if an electric shock ran through them. A strange current shot straight to Rudolf's brain.
In that instant, Rudolf's entire body inexplicably stiffened. Flashing through her mind were countless memories, as fragmented as shattered glass.
…
"Good morning, Trainer-kun."
"Trainer-kun, you don't need to mind the rumors from the outside world. You are my trainer. You don't need to doubt yourself."
"Trainer-kun… I really did it. The undefeated Triple Crown, just like you said."
"…Trainer-kun, I'm sorry. I still couldn't take that step onto the world stage. I should have listened to you sooner."
"Trainer-kun… I was able to become president thanks to your support all along the way. Thank you."
…
What was that? Symboli Rudolf didn't know what these memories flashing through her mind were, but within them, she vaguely saw a figure, a silhouette… of what seemed to be a middle-aged man, much older than her, with a slightly weathered but still handsome face.
…Who is that? Why do I feel… joy, and also… sadness, just from seeing that person's blurry figure?
Why did she feel sad? And even a little angry? Before Rudolf could figure out these questions, her mind wavered for a moment and quickly returned to reality.
And before her, the face of the weathered, middle-aged man she had seen in her haze subtly overlapped with the young face of Kitano Ryuichi in front of her—there was a faint resemblance, as if she were seeing Kitano Ryuichi twenty-some years in the future.
This sensation made Symboli Rudolf's pupils constrict slightly, but she reacted quickly, realizing her previous reaction had been a bit too dramatic. She immediately forced a smile and said:
"I'm sorry, there seems to have been some static electricity just now. It startled me."
"It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Trainer Kitano Ryuichi. I am Symboli Rudolf."
Is it truly the first time, or has it been a long time? Symboli Rudolf didn't know yet, but she had a strange feeling that this young trainer before her seemed to bear a resemblance to someone very important in her memory…
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