Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live

When was it... that she thought she had finally let go of that feeling?

Time, sometimes, seems to heal the wounds you thought you could never overcome. It makes you feel that perhaps you weren't so emotional after all, that many things in the past weren't worth such madness, such anxiety.

For Symboli Rudolf, now deep into her high school division years, this seemed to be the truest reflection of her time at Tracen Academy. She had achieved fame and, after returning from her overseas expeditions, had successfully taken over from President Shinzan, becoming the new student council president.

Her three-year journey had come to an end, cementing her record at "seven crowns," an achievement unprecedented in Japan. She had now, through her own merits, rightfully earned the title of "Japan's Strongest Horse Girl," a title she had failed to win even in her intense clashes with Mr. C.B.

With C.B.'s retirement after the Tennō Shō (Spring), her record fixed at "five crowns," Rudolf's claim to the title was met with no resistance. The once-heated debate over who was stronger had now become a meaningless, after-dinner joke.

Now, if any fan were asked this question, they would likely give the widely circulated assessment:

"It was probably Rudolf, but C.B. and Kitano's partnership was just too perfect. They were indispensable to each other."

Three years ago, the Rudolf who was still obsessed with "revenge" would have been furious at such words. But the Rudolf of today would probably just smile.

When she had first realized she could never win him back, she had indeed been mad, anxious, and self-destructive. She had even thought of running away, of leaving Japan forever with the expedition, letting them bask in their "Japan's Strongest" glory.

But in the end, the one who had changed her mind was not someone else, but the very person who had forgotten her.

"This is for you, Rudolf-san."

The day before she was to leave for her expedition, he had actively sought her out. He had sought out her, the one the media had been portraying as having an "extremely tense relationship" with C.B. ever since her injury and retirement.

...Though their relationship had been tense even before that.

At that time, the disheartened Rudolf saw him hand her a notebook and explain:

"I have a habit of writing down some of my theories and training results. You're about to represent Japan overseas, aren't you? I think this notebook might be of some help to you."

"...You don't blame me?" However, looking at the man she had once longed for and then been heartbroken by, she didn't know if she had softened or if she still held onto a sliver of fantasy... a fantasy that this person who was once closest to her could return to her side. She made one last attempt.

"C.B. can't run anymore, and you and her... you really don't blame me?"

"—That was C.B.'s choice. You were both striving for victory. How could I blame you?" At that time, he seemed to find her worries amusing and added softly, "To be honest, it was my suggestion to C.B. to give you this notebook. She agreed without a second thought."

"This training record was originally for her. I had thought about whether she would have a chance to race overseas. Since she can't use it now, I think giving it to someone who needs it is the best course of action."

"Rudolf-san, please, carry C.B.'s portion with you and continue to run."

Blankly accepting the notebook, Rudolf, after a long silence, let out a light laugh that was either relief or self-deprecation.

This man, even though he had long since forgotten her, was still thinking of ways to help her. Even though they had no relationship anymore, he was still, just like before... meddling and extending a helping hand. And C.B. had actually agreed.

If their roles were reversed, if she were the one lying in a hospital bed, unable to run again, she would absolutely have bound her only support to her side forever. She would never have agreed to him giving a notebook to her rival...

Perhaps... I really am no match for her. No wonder he was drawn to her.

Perhaps this was all the will of the Three Goddesses. His dream of an "undefeated Triple Crown" was ultimately realized, it just wasn't her.

But perhaps she didn't need to be so angry, so jealous. She... should accept reality.

They were a good match. They were good together. She should step aside. As a rival, a... friend, and give up on this unrequited love.

"Recalling all this now... perhaps it was the best choice I ever made."

In the student council room, Rudolf looked at the documents in her hand, her mind drifting back to the support C.B. and Kitano had given her. Without them, her presidency would not have been so smooth. Her reputation as an "Emperor" might still be seen by some as an unapproachable tyrant.

She had slowly come to terms with the past. The so-called heartaches had gradually turned into acceptance. She had let go... probably.

"President!"

At that moment, a childish voice accompanied the opening of the door, and a small horse girl figure appeared before her desk. Seeing who it was, a fond smile appeared on her face. "Teio, is your training with Trainer Kitano finished already?"

"Mm, it's done! Trainer-san said I have great talent! He said I might be able to become an undefeated Triple Crown horse girl just like you, President!"

The little horse girl in her arms was Tokai Teio. Rudolf had met her just after achieving her own Triple Crown. For some reason, Teio admired her greatly and had even declared, "I'm going to be an undefeated Triple Crown horse girl too!" at their first meeting.

At that moment, Rudolf's expression had wavered for a second, as if she had seen a shadow of her past self in this child.

The reason she had recommended Teio to him was not just to entrust a part of her own regrets to her... it was more because of C.B. and Kitano's own problems.

"By the way, President, I don't get it. Why is C.B.-senpai so in love with Trainer-san, but she still won't confess to him?"

Sitting on her lap, the not-yet-fully-developed Teio, who was still the size of a primary schooler despite being in middle school, voiced the question that puzzled not just her, but all of Japan.

After C.B.'s retirement, while many fans were sad, they were also excited—they thought they would finally see the two of them break through that final barrier.

From the time Rudolf had enrolled, their relationship was, in everyone's eyes, no different from dating. Combined with the various rumors, their "heaven-made" partnership was well-known.

Everyone believed the only reason they hadn't made it official was that C.B. didn't want to repeat her parents' controversial story. Even Rudolf herself thought that C.B.'s retirement would be the time they tied the knot...

—But several years had passed, and there was still no movement. The two of them seemed to be in no hurry, making all their fans anxious.

But Rudolf knew that he, on the other hand, was inexplicably busy looking for his next charge.

And embarrassingly, because of the widespread stories about him and C.B., their "perfect, indispensable pair" image, which should have been a good thing, was now having a negative effect.

All the horse girls felt that their partnership was too perfect. No one could possibly intervene. Anyone who joined would become a "third wheel," and no one thought they could be a better match for him than C.B.

When your predecessor is Japan's strongest, a trainer might be endlessly pursued. But when your predecessor and her trainer are a publicly acknowledged perfect match, no one would be so tactless as to disrupt that beautiful relationship.

This led to a situation where he was desperate, but no horse girl was willing to become his charge. For this, Rudolf felt a great deal of pity, and... a little bit of relief.

It was under these circumstances that she had recommended Tokai Teio to him.

"This... I don't know. Maybe C.B. has her own plans." Regarding this, a subtle smile appeared on Rudolf's face, her mood seeming to have improved a little as she ruffled Teio's hair. "So, how do you feel training under him, Teio?"

"It's great! Trainer-san was so enthusiastic when he first met me! And he takes great care of me!"

At the mention of him, Teio's eyes lit up, her ponytail wagging uncontrollably as she chattered on about how good he was to her:

"He taught me how to run from the very beginning. He told me my ankles are very flexible, which is my unique talent, and he also told me to practice my basics and not to rely too much on my talent. I listened!"

"Also, he often buys me honey drinks. He even knows my taste! And, and..."

Teio chattered on, and Rudolf just listened quietly, the smile on her lips widening, as if just hearing these things was enough to comfort her own regrets.

This... is enough. At least this child won't have to experience what I did, watching the person you long for the most have already forgotten you. Teio will definitely stay by the side of someone she can rely on... definitely.

"But... a while ago, I saw Trainer-san sighing a lot. President, do you think I'm not doing well enough?"

However, just as Rudolf was thinking this, Teio's words pulled her back. In an instant, after a slight pause, a terrible thought suddenly occurred to her, and her expression immediately turned serious.

And before she could even ask Teio about his recent health, a hurried set of footsteps came from outside. The moment the door opened, the face of Air Groove, who had just recently joined the student council, appeared.

But... when Rudolf saw the panic on her face, she seemed to have a vague premonition... something had already begun to happen.

"...Air Groove?"

"President... Trainer Kitano just collapsed."

Air Groove's slightly dry and disbelieving words slowly fell, shattering the last bit of luck in Rudolf's heart and reminding her of something that, due to its long absence, she had subconsciously ignored... his incurable disease.

And as the illness once again threatened his life, forcing everyone to remember its existence... Rudolf didn't know that it was already... too late.

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