"So, Trainer Kitano, if King Halo were your assigned Uma Musume, what kind of races would you have her run in?"
"That, huh... While I think the possibility is very low, if I had to guess, it would be best to have her focus more on short-distance and mile races."
In response to Air Groove's question, Ryuichi recalled his time with King Halo in the previous loop. To be honest, he didn't want to take charge of her again. It wasn't that he disliked her, but he felt he couldn't persuade her.
In the last loop, when he became her trainer, he had tried his best to tell her that her strengths were in short-distance and mile races. However, King Halo had completely ignored his advice, treating it as wind by her ear, and was single-mindedly set on running the classic Triple Crown.
While the Triple Crown was indeed a goal every classic-year Uma Musume aspired to, King Halo's talent in medium distances was simply not as good as in the mile and short distances. But perhaps her initial success—three wins in four races—had made her overly confident, thinking Ryuichi's worries were excessive, even cowardly. The more he objected, the more she resisted his advice.
And so, Ryuichi had no choice but to do his utmost to help her run the Triple Crown. What happened after that... was simply history repeating itself.
In the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), he watched Seiun Sky take the crown. In the Japanese Derby, she suffered a crushing defeat, finishing fourteenth. He couldn't even stop her from running the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), which he desperately tried to prevent, and once again watched Seiun Sky claim victory.
This experience made the current Ryuichi give up on the idea of training King Halo again. He knew he couldn't persuade her, and if he couldn't, then he shouldn't ruin her chances. It would be better to find a trainer she would listen to, or perhaps help enlighten her himself.
Ryuichi didn't want to watch this proud young lady's pride get shattered piece by piece again... He had experienced that feeling of powerlessness, and he really didn't want to see it a second time.
"Ms. Air Groove, if you have the chance, please convey my opinion to King Halo."
Ryuichi, hoping against hope, said to Air Groove, "I'm not saying it's impossible for her to win at other distances, and I know she won't willingly give up the chance for the Triple Crown. But, if possible, she should run fewer long- and medium-distance races, if she wants to win."
"Also, if you can, Ms. Air Groove, please help her find a trainer she likes and whose opinions she can listen to. I think that would be helpful for her."
"...I will pass it on." Air Groove was silent for a moment after hearing this. Finally, with a peculiar look in her eyes, she slowly agreed.
This man… is he really not a genius? He can tell King Halo's strengths at a glance, and even knows her temperament like the back of his hand? They only just saw her from afar.
For now, Air Groove wasn't certain. But what Ryuichi didn't know was that his attempt to help, to try and change King Halo's experience, had instead deepened Air Groove's resolve to entrust her to his care.
...When I get back to the Student Council, I'll ask the President for a copy of King Halo's training records. I can just compare her records to see if she's really better at mile and short-distance races, just like Trainer Kitano said.
If that's really the case... Thinking this, Air Groove couldn't help but glance at Ryuichi beside her, silently making her decision.
"As for the high school division, there are very few Uma Musume without trainers now. Most of them have already participated in many races and are even close to graduating. If you want to find a suitable assigned Uma Musume from the high school division, I think it will be quite difficult."
Just as Air Groove composed herself and was about to introduce the high school division, the sound of the class bell interrupted them. Soon, the previously quiet hallway was filled with Uma Musume slowly walking out, instantly becoming noisy.
"...It seems now is not a good time to tour the high school division."
Seeing the noisy hallway after class, Air Groove helplessly said to Ryuichi, "Trainer Kitano, let's go visit the recreation area first. It's lunch break now. It's not very efficient to look for a suitable Uma Musume at this time."
"Then let's head to the recreation area," Ryuichi said without objection. As the two were about to head downstairs, a laugh that sounded familiar to both of them suddenly came from behind:
"Hahahahaha! It seems this覇王 (Haō/Overlord) has witnessed an unexpected scene! The majestic Empress standing with a handsome young man, strolling through the campus while everyone else is captivated by their lessons? What a romantic scene! Enough to be written into my new script!"
"...I think you should understand the situation before you open your mouth, Opera O."
The moment Air Groove heard that laugh, she felt a headache coming on. She slowly turned to look at the Uma Musume with shimmering golden hair, standing with an incredibly elegant and confident posture.
Only Kitano Ryuichi, upon hearing that familiar laugh, froze completely. He even seemed to forget to turn around.