With the sun rising and moon setting, the fourth week quietly drew to a close.
And then began the fifth.
Kitahara Sota woke up as usual, washed up, ate breakfast, and headed to the training grounds.
But today, he didn't lounge around idly on his phone as usual. His deanor and aura were noticeably different, with seriousness and gravity clearly reflected in his eyes.
"Trainer-san, what's wrong?"
Despite having resolved to keep a distance, Tokai Teio couldn't help approaching, worried by his unusual expression.
Unlike before, Kitahara didn't evade or feign laziness when she approached. He simply shook his head gently.
"It's nothing. The Chairwoman just wants to discuss sothing with this afternoon."
"…Is it about ?"
"No, it's just so minor matters from my past. Don't worry."
His words convinced no one—least of all Tokai Teio, nor Special Week and Oguri Cap who overheard.
But no matter how the girls pressed him, Kitahara revealed nothing more, simply reassuring them it was his personal matter and urging them to focus on training.
After gently ushering the still-skeptical Uma Musu back to their drills, Kitahara approached Grass Wonder, handing over the three racing strategies he'd prepared.
However…
"Sorry, Grass-san. Even though your strategies are ready, I probably won't be able to help you practice this week. I'll likely need Eclipse's assistance with sothing."
He gave Grass Wonder an apologetic look.
Grass nodded understandingly, but soon frowned slightly, sensing sothing deeper.
"Trainer Kitahara, does this have sothing to do with your eting with the Chairwoman this afternoon?"
"...Partially."
"Do you need my help?" Grass Wonder asked seriously. "When it cos to martial arts—well, guarding and protection—I'm fairly confident."
"No need," Kitahara replied imdiately.
Considering she'd been assigned as his bodyguard by the Student Council, there was no doubting Grass Wonder's combat abilities, even if she'd only recently beco active.
But this wasn't sothing a student who hadn't yet stepped into the outside world should be involved with. He imdiately rejected her offer, asking instead that she assist Agnes Digital with managing the team while he handled so external matters.
Grass accepted without complaint, though she reminded him she'd be available if he ever needed her.
He didn't refuse her offer—being prepared was always a good thing.
After their talk, Kitahara briefly explained key points of the three strategies and taught her so preparatory exercises. While not greatly impactful, these exercises might at least reduce the severity and duration of her post-adjustnt incapacitation—better than doing nothing at all.
Finished with Grass, Kitahara turned his attention to Agnes Digital.
The academy had opened in mid-April, and now it was already mid-May, leaving less than three weeks until Digital's scheduled G1 race at the start of June.
Ordinarily, aside from basic duties, Kitahara rarely interfered with the girls' training, but Digital was a special case.
Firstly, as a dedicated pervert obsessed with photographing other Uma Musu, she was completely safe—maximum security right there, no vigilance needed.
Secondly, considering how much she'd helped him without complaint—even seeming enthusiastic about it—Kitahara felt a bit guilty about constantly exploiting her goodwill.
Thus, he decided to help her adjust before her upcoming race. He couldn't afford to have her performance suffer because she'd been covering his slack—such an outco would be entirely his responsibility.
Yet, after he explained this to Agnes Digital, she appeared completely indifferent.
"It's really fine, Kitahara-senpai! I wasn't planning on winning anyway. Several of my favorite senpais will retire after this race, so my goal is simply to be on track with them one last ti and watch up close!"
Digital spoke sincerely.
The upcoming G1 race suited her perfectly (though with her all-A adaptability, was there anything unsuitable?), but this particular event was open to both second and third-year racers.
If Digital truly wanted a win, there was another identical race happening soon—limited exclusively to second-year Uma Musu. Her decision clearly wasn't driven purely by victory.
Still, despite not aiming strictly for victory, Agnes Digital was, after all, an Uma Musu. She certainly didn't want to embarrass herself by lagging too far behind—especially if that ant missing opportunities to fangirl over her idols mid-race.
So while she assured Kitahara he didn't need to worry, she gladly accepted his assistance.
The preparations weren't overly complex—just minor adjustnts and fine-tuning of her training regin. He cut down on routine drills, adding specialized exercises tailored specifically to this race, including pre-race relaxation techniques.
After finishing adjustnts, Kitahara felt sothing was still lacking.
From his observations, Digital's current stamina was excessive for middle-distance races (1800-2400m), let alone an even shorter mile race (1400-1800m). Thus, he tweaked her running style to trade excess endurance for a burst of speed and acceleration, ensuring no energy went to waste.
Initially, he planned to design three full strategies for her as well, but with limited ti and Tachyon still requiring Digital's attention, this temporary solution was the best he could manage until after the race concluded.
Aside from physical adjustnts, Kitahara had another concern—her current racing outfit. Since she'd made it herself, it wasn't exactly bad but hardly optimal either.
Therefore, during last week's visit to the retired Uma Musu's boutique, he'd arranged for Digital's asurents and ordered her a proper racing outfit. If nothing went wrong, she'd receive it next week, providing another edge in competition.
Having finalized plans and adjustnts, Kitahara suddenly rembered another issue.
"Ah… Digital-san?"
"What's up, Kitahara-senpai?"
"You wouldn't mind if I attended your race wearing the sa outfit as a few days ago, would you?"
He felt sowhat guilty asking this.
Unlike the low-profile preliminary races, a G1 race was the highest tier of prestigious events. Even though this particular morial G1 wasn't top-tier, it still ant large crowds, dia attention, TV broadcasts, and post-race interviews—where Kitahara, as Digital's trainer, would inevitably be photographed alongside her.
It wasn't a matter of personal pride—Kitahara couldn't care less about that. His worry was whether Digital herself would mind.
Considering the formal attire other trainers would wear, showing up dressed casually might upset soone like Tokai Teio or Agnes Tachyon. But Agnes Digital?
"I don't mind at all!" Digital replied instantly, without hesitation.
Face? Pride? Sha?
What were those?
If Digital actually cared about such things, she wouldn't publicly buy worn Uma Musu clothing online.
Still, recognizing Kitahara's concern, Digital thoughtfully suggested buying him new clothes—just as Tokai Teio and Tachyon had.
"I won a G1 last year, and still have plenty of prize money. Why not let buy you a nice outfit as a thank-you gift for guiding …?"
Digital's situation differed from other Uma Musu. Typically, winnings were held by Tracen until adulthood. But thanks to her expansive fan-industry connections, Digital uniquely received her full winnings imdiately, making her exceptionally well-off.
Nevertheless, Kitahara politely declined her offer.
He'd simply ask the Chairwoman later if he could get another month's salary in advance—more reasonable and practical.
Digital saw nothing wrong with that solution and didn't press further. But she soon offered another surprising suggestion.
"If the Chairwoman refuses an advance, I could just make clothes for you myself. Back in my old team, I shipped lots of trainers and Uma Musu, so I learned a little about making matching outfits. It probably won't be amazing, but it'll certainly work..."
Blushing faintly, she shyly continued.
"Actually, at first, I wanted to make matching outfits for you and Eclipse as a surprise. But after hearing your story, I decided it wasn't appropriate, so I shelved the idea. However, your outfit was already half-done, and I still have the materials. With minor alterations, it could easily work for your event—and it'd be better than your current one, at least..."
Art, writing, photography, trainer duties, fan managent, designing racing outfits, and now even n's fashion?
Is there anything you don't know how to do?
If you weren't a pervert, you'd be worshipped as a minor goddess.
Kitahara silently retorted, politely declining Digital's suggestion again. She needed to concentrate fully on training in the coming weeks—making clothes could wait.
After discussing so final details, Digital returned to training.
And Kitahara…
After Digital left, his expression slowly settled into seriousness.
All preparations are done.
Now, it was finally ti to face the ssage he'd received yesterday from the Chairwoman.
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