On the training grounds, Chiya explained the future training plan to his Horse Girls and handed out the revised schedules to each of them.
Come to think of it, a trainer's job seemed no different from those professions that were constantly being ordered around by clients. You work hard to create something, only for the other party to be dissatisfied, forcing you to start over.
His training plan had been revised three times in half a month. He really didn't want the central division to pull any more disgusting moves.
After arranging the training content, he prepared to go see how other trainers trained their Horse Girls.
The first, naturally, was his classmate, Kiryuuin Aoi.
Arriving at her training grounds, he saw her from a distance, standing in front of her team and talking to Special Week. After she had finished, he approached.
"Chiya."
Seeing him, Aoi greeted him.
"Yo," the man walked to her side. "I came to see how you're doing over here."
"It's going okay. I told them about the situation with the central division, and they all understand."
"New students adapt so quickly. So, what are you going to do now? Teach them some blocking techniques?"
"Spe-chan could probably learn it. Seiun Sky's running style isn't suitable for this kind of technique. As for Meek..." Aoi hesitated for a moment. "She's been practicing a Closer style recently."
"What?"
His eyes widened.
"I remember she used a Great Escape in the mock race, right? Why did she suddenly switch to a Closer style? Isn't her running style a bit too whimsical?"
"Because that child, it seems that no matter what you teach her, she can learn it easily. She's good at every running style."
"That's too ridiculous. How can there be such an all-around Horse Girl?"
"I was surprised too."
Although Meek usually seemed dazed, when it came to running, she could do whatever Aoi asked, and she did it perfectly.
Her excellence even made Aoi feel scared, even made her doubt herself. If her own ability was not enough to fully bring out the other's talent, would she be holding her back? Would a senior trainer be more suitable to teach her?
Seeing her conflicted expression, he said, "You'll never know if you don't try, right? Whether you're suitable to be her trainer or not."
"Yes, you're right..."
"Do your best for the Horse Girls, and have no regrets about your efforts. That's all we need to remember."
Hearing this, she smiled. "You're still the same as before. You get so serious when you talk about Horse Girls."
"Do I?"
"Of course. Every time you talk about them, your expression is very serious," Aoi said, recalling how he used to be. "You really love Horse Girls, don't you?"
"I suppose so. After all, I became a trainer for them."
"Could it be that you plan to marry a Horse Girl in the future?"
"Ahem... what?!"
"I was just curious and wanted to ask," she said, fiddling with her hair. "I feel like your obsession with them has reached the point of wanting to get married."
"I just purely like to watch them run! It's not what you're thinking!" he flatly denied.
"I see," Aoi glanced at him subtly. "I was just saying. Don't take it seriously."
"Ha..." he was baffled by the sudden topic, but soon turned his attention back to the Horse Girls. "By the way, can I talk to Meek later? I want her to teach Shirayuki how to run."
"Okay. It's almost break time."
A few minutes later, Happy Meek ran to her side.
"Good work, Meek," Aoi nodded. "Trainer Chiya has something to say to you."
"Yes."
The two of them went to the vending machine, and he bought her a bottle of mineral water.
"Meek, I hope you can do some cooperative training with Shirayuki," he said, stating his purpose. "You are both very skilled. A few more competitive training sessions will be of great help to your growth."
Actually, he just hoped that he could understand why her adaptability was so strong from her running style. Talent was one thing, but there were also the skills and abilities she used in her running.
If they could learn these things in a race, it would definitely be a big improvement for Shirayuki.
"So, what do you think about training with her?"
Happy Meek tilted her head, her poker face showing no emotion. After a long pause, just as he thought she hadn't been listening at all and was just standing there in a daze, she spoke.
"Okay."
"Really? You're willing to race with her?"
"Yes," she nodded. "But I have a condition."
"What is it?"
"This weekend, go out with my trainer."
"Kiryuuin?"
She nodded.
"During lunch, she talked a lot about you, Trainer Chiya. She said she wants to get closer to you, but she can't find a chance, and your relationship has even grown distant."
"That's... not true, right? My relationship with her has always been like this."
"Trainer Chiya, you might not have noticed it yourself, but you are actually quite cold to my trainer. So cold that I'm about to cry."
Although she said this, her expression did not change at all. He couldn't tell if she was serious or just joking.
"So, in order for my trainer to stop complaining to me, I hope that this weekend, you will invite her out."
With that, she took out a flyer from her pocket. A few circles were drawn on it with a red marker.
"I recommend these places. I heard the atmosphere is very good."
"You're quite well-prepared."
He took the flyer.
Come to think of it, he hadn't asked her out since she had started working here.
"Is she free this weekend?"
"Probably."
"If she's free, I'll ask her out."
With that, he stuffed the flyer into his pocket.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Trainer Chiya. Leave Shirayuki's matter to me."
With that, the two of them parted ways.
Happy Meek returned to her team.
"How did it go, Meek?"
"It's all taken care of," she said, looking at Aoi. "And, Trainer Chiya said he wants to invite you out this weekend. He asked if you were free."
"Eh?! Did he really say that?"
"Yes."
Aoi's eyes instantly lit up.
"I'm free! Of course I'm free! Did he say where we're going?"
"He's still deciding, but it should be a place you like."
"I see... hehe. What should I wear?"
Looking at her trainer's ecstatic expression, Happy Meek thought to herself, I've given you the chance, Trainer. Now it's up to you to seize it.
....
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