Symboli Rudolf disliked her trainer very much, yet she also liked him very much.
It's a contradiction, isn't it? But she knew very well why she felt this way, why she had such complex feelings for this middle-aged man named "Kitano Ryuichi," who looked to be in his forties and had been promoted from the local circuits by the then-president, Mr. C.B., against all opposition.
First of all, her first impression of him was that he lacked his own opinions. He was meek and subservient around her, not at all like someone who could offer her any help.
Moreover, he had been pulled up from the local circuits by President C.B. This meant his talent clearly hadn't reached the level of a Central trainer. So why should such a person become the trainer for her, a GI Uma Musume who had just won the Satsuki Sho?
Honestly, if she didn't know Mr. C.B., she would have thought it was a ploy to trip her up, to prevent her from taking over the student council presidency.
"You'll understand, Rudolf. I'm not trying to trip you up. On the contrary, with the Japanese Derby just around the corner, this trainer might be a great help to you."
That's what Mr. C.B. had said to them. It was clear she could see that the two of them weren't a particularly good match, but she believed the future advantages of this combination would surely be revealed.
"Besides, if I had no basis for this, Rudolf, I wouldn't have been able to persuade the Symboli family either."
"For you, I've always felt that the help you need isn't on the track or in training. The Symboli family has already designed a complete and impeccable method for you in those areas, haven't they?"
"So, perhaps you need help in another aspect. And I believe Trainer Kitano is the most suitable person to provide that kind of help."
"So, you two, stop looking so glum. Get to know each other."
In front of Mr. C.B., after a moment of staring, it was Kitano who first extended a friendly hand to Rudolf.
At that time, this weathered, forty-something man was as excited as a schoolboy, yet as reserved as a middle schooler with his first crush. He was anything but an adult.
"Um, Symboli Rudolf—it's a pleasure to finally meet you, the future 'Emperor'! Although I may not be of much help, I will do my best!"
"...Hmph, fine then, Trainer."
Some time later, Rudolf had to admit that President C.B. was right. The ways this trainer could help him... were indeed special.
At the very least, after she gave him a proper makeover, his weathered, old-man face didn't look so unpleasant anymore. He finally stopped looking so scruffy, and his natural good looks began to show through. He had successfully transformed from a middle-aged man into a mature, trendy type.
But, this man had absolutely no ability to guide her in training or racing. In fact, Rudolf felt she was his trainer.
He really wanted to help her in races, but his mediocre talent, which was unremarkable even in the local circuits, was clearly not enough to teach her. But he was curious and never gave up. For this reason, and because he was her trainer after all, she continued to teach him a lot of her knowledge.
This knowledge was a great help to him, and it also quietly consolidated Rudolf's own understanding of her theoretical knowledge as she continued to run.
Of course, none of this was him helping her; it was more like him causing trouble. But he still provided what help he could.
For example, he would be the first to hand her a sports drink after a race, and a towel to wipe her sweat.
For example, on a heavy track, he would take her racing silks to be cleaned, instead of her just throwing them in the washing machine to dry.
And for example, he knew she liked Fuji apples, so he would cut one up for her every day, so she wouldn't have to just bite into it whole anymore.
Or... he would massage her shoulders after a training session to help her relax. Although his skills were average, it saved her the trouble of having her family call in a professional masseuse.
These were all small things, trivial matters for both of them. But it was in these small details—she didn't need to say a word, just a look, a gesture, and he would know what she needed.
This comfortable way of getting along made Rudolf feel relaxed... You'll never know how good it feels for a woman to find someone to blow-dry her hair after washing it.
Until one day, after another hair-drying session, as she stood up, she heard him, who was putting away the hairdryer, complain:
"Lately, people online have been saying I'm your nanny... though I do feel like that's what I am."
"—Don't be so self-deprecating. You are my trainer." Rudolf, looking in the mirror, said to his reflection behind her without a second thought. "No matter what, that fact will not change."
"Is that so... Thank you, Rudolf."
Kitano seemed surprised by her words, but after a moment, a very gentle smile appeared on his face, making Rudolf, who was looking in the mirror, realize...
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