It's the end of the year.
The Arima Kinen is over, and Rice has been discharged from the hospital safely... well, it's a bit misleading to say safely, but she's out.
Rice doesn't need crutches or a wheelchair. However, she needs to use the footplate that was made for her during her hospitalization for a while.
I really would have liked to have her hospitalized for another two or three days, but since reporters were swarming the hospital to find out about Rice's injury, and cameramen with TV cameras were waiting in front of the hospital, we had to discharge her early to avoid causing trouble for the hospital.
I announced that she would be resting for at least three months and dismissed the reporters. For those who still tried to get an interview, I kindly but firmly refused with a smile, telling them that Rice was an injured person. It's hard for her just to stand up until she gets used to it.
Anyway, we're back at Tracen Academy... but.
I went to the clubroom and was finishing up the last of my work for the year when the Director and Tazuna-san came to visit and handed me an envelope.
'Tazuna-san, what is this?'
'It's a document from the URA.'
Oh no... The fact that the Director and Tazuna-san came all the way to hand it to me fills me with dread. And the way the Director took it out and handed it to Tazuna-san, who then handed it to me, felt a bit formal.
'Don't worry! It's a document about Rice Shower! Please check the contents!'
The Director said with a smile. Ah, maybe it's a document about the Dream Series? If so, then it's certainly nothing to worry about.
Thinking that, I opened the envelope. Huh? But wait a minute. Is that really something the Director needs to come all the way here for?
'...?'
I pulled out the documents from the envelope and checked the contents. And I tilted my head, unable to understand what I was looking at.
Inside was a detailed statement. It was a statement regarding the prize money Rice had earned, and since I manage Rice's account, it wasn't a problem for me to look at it, but...
'Excuse me, Tazuna-san... what is this 200 million yen?'
'It's a bonus for winning the Autumn Senior Triple Crown. Unlike race prize money, this goes entirely to Rice Shower-san.'
Hearing that, I remembered. Oh, right, there was such a rule.
The URA gives a bonus of 100 million yen for winning the Classic Triple Crown, 200 million yen for winning the Spring Senior Triple Crown, and 200 million yen for winning the Autumn Senior Triple Crown.
Normally, Uma Musume only receive 20% of the prize money, but this bonus is paid out in full. Well, even if it's only 20% of the prize money, Rice has already received 150 million yen just from winning three G1 races in the autumn... I see, if I add the bonus, it's 350 million yen... There are taxes, but it's well over 100 million.
(...Should I not tell Rice's parents about this? No, they'll find out if they look into it...)
Are there unknown friends or distant relatives gathering around Rice's parents' home right now? Is it really okay for her to go home for the New Year's holidays...? It's definitely safer for me to go with her.
(And if I add up all her past prize money, it's an incredible amount... and the sales from her merchandise will be added to that... Since she won the Arima Kinen twice in a row, her merchandise will probably sell even more...)
The URA manages merchandise sales, so paying 200 million yen to Rice probably isn't a big deal for them. I mean, does Rice really need to go on to higher education or get a job in the future...? I won't say she can live a life of leisure, but she can live a pretty lavish life...
Well, Rice has a strong instinct as an Uma Musume, so she's the type who values running more than money. As long as she doesn't have an expensive hobby or get caught by a weird guy, her future should be secure.
(But living a life where you just leisurely pass the time because you have money can get boring... The first thing is to heal her injury and decide what to do about racing, but after that, should I suggest she go on to higher education or get a job?)
There's no guarantee that she won't get injured in the future, but if Rice retires from racing after she's satisfied with her running, I could suggest she go to higher education or get a job to prevent burnout.
While I couldn't be overjoyed because of the large amount, I was happy as a trainer that Rice's future was secure. As I was thinking that, Tazuna-san made a difficult expression.
'By the way, Trainer... We've been flooded with interview requests for you and Rice-san at Tracen Academy... Are you interested in appearing on TV?'
'No.'
'Right... It's the end of the year, and you probably have plans...'
I'm a trainer, and Rice is an Uma Musume. Interviews about races are one thing, but what's the point of appearing on TV?
'By the way, what are your plans for the New Year's holidays?'
'I'm worried about Rice's leg, so I'm going with her when she goes back home. I also want to talk to Rice's parents about her future path.'
'Ah... In that case, it can't be helped. A race isn't an Uma Musume's whole life, and they have a longer life after they retire from racing.'
Tazuna-san said with a wry smile. When I looked, the Director was also nodding in agreement. As a subordinate, I'm happy to have an understanding boss.
'In that case, leaving aside the TV appearance, I'll tell them that you can't do any interviews until the new year.'
'Please do. I apologize for taking up your time. Well then, Trainer, have a good year.'
Tazuna-san said that and left the clubroom with the Director.
And so, my work for the year was over... or so I wanted to say, but after Tazuna-san and the Director left, I had another visitor.
'Hey. Got a minute?'
'Senpai... what's wrong?'
The person who came to our clubroom was my senpai from Spica. He smiled with his usual handsome face and handed me a paper bag that seemed to have some documents in it.
'Oh, nothing, just a little present.'
'Huh... Thank you?'
A present from my senpai? I wondered what it was as I accepted the paper bag. It was quite heavy, but it felt like there were papers inside. I asked for permission and opened the paper bag, and a stack of documents held together by a large clip came out.
'This is...'
I widened my eyes when I saw the cover. It was something unexpected and, at the same time, something I needed the most right now.
'This is the record of when Teio, McQueen, and Suzuka were injured and the rehabilitation menus they actually worked on. I thought you might be able to use it.'
'...Are you serious?'
He laughed, saying it was just a copy, and I looked through the contents with wide eyes.
'Wow... it's real... This is an incredibly important document for you, isn't it? Is this okay?'
Documents like this are a weapon and a treasure for a trainer. You don't just show them to other trainers, and you certainly don't hand them over, even if they're a copy.
After all, it records what the trainer intended, what kind of training and treatment they gave, and what the results were. The value of this document is immeasurable when the subjects are top-class Uma Musume like Tokai Teio, Mejiro McQueen, and Silence Suzuka.
'I owe you a favor. You were careful not to let Teio get injured, and you noticed McQueen's tendinitis. This is my thanks for that.'
'I don't think that's a fair trade... Did I receive too much?'
To put it in perspective, this document is like that secret book that Kiryuin-san always carries around. It's on that level.
To get a record of the situation from the injury to full recovery and the rehabilitation menu they actually worked on is truly too much.
'Don't worry about it. The symptoms are completely different, and it's just a reference at best. And it's also a senpai's job to take care of their kouhai.'
My senpai laughed and said that. He seemed a little embarrassed, but I was extremely grateful.
'Thank you very much. I'm pretty much hated by most of my senpais... so I don't have many chances for a senpai to take care of me...'
The only senpais I can talk to normally are him, Tojo-san, and Mihono Bourbon's trainer. The senpais from Canopus? That person... yeah... is scary...
'Hahaha... I'm sorry. That's not really funny... Are you okay? Do you want to talk to Shunkawa-san?'
My senpai tried to laugh off my words, but his face became worried halfway through.
'No, I get along well with my peers, and my kouhais rely on me a lot.'
'Ah, I've heard that. Your year gets along well.'
Saying that, my senpai narrowed his eyes a little enviously. No, we get along, but when we go out for drinks, we start bragging about our Uma Musume, and when we're drunk, we start egging each other on.
Excluding Kiryuin-san, of course. She brags about Meek, but she never eggs me on... I don't know how I would react if she did...
'So, how is Rice Shower's condition?'
'It's not as bad as I thought. But even if she recovers smoothly, it will take three months for her to be able to train at her original level, and it will take another three months to retrain her body that has gotten dull during that time.'
Since I received such a gift, I was honest and told him about the situation. My senpai put his hand on his chin and narrowed his eyes.
'You should think of it as a good thing that it ended at that. I see... In that case, her comeback will be in about six months...'
'Yeah... Well, King will be in the Senior race next year, and depending on how things go, Rice might move on to the Dream Series.'
When I said that, my senpai raised his eyebrows in suspicion.
'What's wrong with that? Aren't you going for seven or more G1 victories? I know she'll deteriorate from the long recovery, but Rice Shower can do it, right?'
Seven or more G1 victories? Aiming to surpass Symboli Rudolf... well, Rice could do it. Even if she deteriorates from the injury, I think she can still win one or two more G1 races. But what she can do and what she wants to do are two different things.
'I'll have to discuss that with Rice in the future. If she wants to aim for it, I'll have her aim for it. If she wants to move on to the Dream Series, I'll have her do that. If she wants to retire... that's also an option. She can go to higher education or get a job...'
When I said that, my senpai nodded with a wry smile.
'I see... So for you, the will of the Uma Musume herself is the top priority.'
'Isn't it the same for you, senpai?'
'Yeah. But don't you think it's a waste? Rice Shower can still win G1 races.'
Saying that, my senpai put a lollipop he took out of his pocket into his mouth. From that gesture, I thought he would look cool if he smoked.
'I do, but personally, I'm happier if Rice ends her career safely. I don't know if that will be in a few months or a few years. This time, it wasn't an unrecoverable injury, but I get scared thinking about what would happen if she had to retire from a lifetime-disabling injury.'
'Well, that's true. When Suzuka got injured during a race, I thought my heart was going to stop.'
'A comminuted fracture of the left leg... If that had happened to me, my heart would have stopped.'
I murmured, furrowing my brows. Silence Suzuka, like Rice the other day, had gotten injured after running beyond the limits of an Uma Musume. However, I heard that her injury was more serious than Rice's, and her recovery was thought to be hopeless.
But now, she can not only walk but also run normally and has even started her comeback in races. It's thanks to Silence Suzuka's strong will, but it's also thanks to my senpai's dedicated support. The fact that even that information is included in the documents I just received makes it a truly valuable gift.
'Anyway, as long as you're not depressed, it's fine. Just take the parts of the documents I gave you that you find useful, and then make it your own.'
'Thank you. I will.'
I bowed my head to my senpai. I felt that I had received a truly valuable and rare document.
That day after school.
Urara and King came to the clubroom and started changing behind the screen, and I was in front of my computer, deciding where we would stay for the New Year's holidays. I was searching for places with good hot springs near Rice's hometown. Ever since our summer training camp, I've gotten into the habit of going to hot springs when I travel.
Since it's the end of the year, Urara and the others are scheduled to have a relatively light training menu today. King has recovered from her fatigue, and Urara is as energetic as ever, but I'm not going to have them train to the point where they'll have sore muscles for the New Year's holidays. If they go home and their parents see that they're in pain from sore muscles, they'll wonder what happened.
'Trainer, what are you looking up?'
Rice's hometown is a tourist destination, but precisely because of that, there are a lot of places to stay. Still, since it's the New Year's holiday, many hotels are full... I was thinking that when King peeked out from behind the screen and asked me. She's changing, so I can see her shoulders and stuff... that's indecent, you know?
'I'm planning on going with Rice when she goes back home for the New Year's holidays. I'm looking for a place to stay. And King, it's indecent, so don't come out while you're changing.'
'If it's you looking, I don't mind. So, you're going with Rice-senpai when she goes home? That's... well, I guess so. It's because of Rice-senpai's leg, so it's a given.'
'At a glance, she can walk normally, but her leg is broken... and Rice is a hot topic right now, so it would be bad if something happened when she goes back home.'
Uma Musume are extremely popular in Japan... and even the world, so there probably isn't anyone who would dare to touch them. But Rice has a broken leg right now, so she can't run away if something happens. No, she can still run, but if she does, her injury will only get worse.
I found a hotel near Rice's hometown with good reviews for its hot springs and food and immediately made a reservation. The price was higher because it's the New Year's holiday, but it's a good opportunity. I mean, all the affordable rooms were already booked, and only the expensive ones were left.
'And I also want to talk to her parents about Rice's future.'
'Rice-senpai's future... I see, even if it's too early to retire, her parents will be worried if she broke her bone. I haven't heard, but is Rice-senpai interested in going to higher education or getting a job?'
'That's part of what I want to talk about... It feels like a home visit, and I feel like a teacher.'
Uma Musume come to Tracen Academy from all over the country, so it's impossible to do a home visit like a normal school. It's not impossible if you have the money and time, but there are about 2,000 Uma Musume enrolled. If you were to do it, you'd have to fly all over the country, which would take a lot of money and an incredible amount of time.
King, who heard my words, laughed as if she found it amusing.
'Oh, that's nice. You're a teacher in our eyes, as you teach us about racing and training. So I think you're a wonderful teacher.'
'No, no, I'm not the teacher type. By the way, what are you and Urara doing for the New Year's holiday? Are you going back home?'
Training is off starting tomorrow until the third day of the new year. I haven't given them a long break recently, so I want them to get plenty of rest. Of course, I'll have them do a minimal menu even when they're back home.
'I'm going back to Kochi to see my mom and dad! And I'm going to play a lot with my friends from my hometown!'
Urara declared with a smile. Yeah, if a cute daughter like Urara comes home, her parents will be so happy. If I were her parent, I would be overjoyed.
'I... well, I'm planning on visiting my parents' home. Before, I didn't want to go back, but... lately, talking to my mom isn't that difficult.'
King said that with an embarrassed expression. Yes... that's a very good thing. They haven't completely warmed up to each other, but King and her mother seem to be meeting each other halfway little by little.
Well, it's not so much meeting each other halfway as it is that King doesn't care what her mother says anymore... and she even talks back to her nonchalantly. By clashing like that, their relationship will naturally improve.
While having that conversation, I booked a flight, the mode of transportation to Rice's parents' home. Rice's parents' home is in Noboribetsu City, Hokkaido, so it's quite far. I could take the Shinkansen if I don't care about the travel time, but it would take over seven hours, so a flight is better.
However, since Rice has a broken bone, her foot might hurt on the plane... I have to remember to bring painkillers...
And I'll buy some souvenirs for Rice's parents at the airport, and everything should be fine.
'Just in case, I've put together a light menu for your holidays, so make sure you do it. And of course, make sure you do a proper warm-up and cool-down.'
'Okay, got it! There's a course near my house, so I'll run there!'
'My house has a big enough yard to run, so it's not a problem.'
The training menu for the holidays is more about not letting their bodies get dull than it is about training. The load is light, so the risk of injury is also extremely low. I've also put together separate menus for Urara and King based on their aptitudes and abilities.
'Okay, then, let's have our last training for the year...'
Urara and King have already changed into their athletic jerseys, but Rice hasn't come yet. I'm not going to have her train, but I do want to check how much her muscles will deteriorate and for how long she's resting... and I also have to tell her about the 200 million yen bonus.
I was thinking that and was about to go and get her when Rice showed up at the clubroom. But her expression was a little sad.
'I-I'm late... It's really far from the classroom to the clubroom when you can't run... I was so surprised.'
Rice said with a fleeting smile. Before, she would have just run if she was short on time, but now running is forbidden. Walking quickly is also forbidden. She has to walk slowly, being careful not to feel pain in her leg.
'My bad, I should have come to get you... Is your leg okay?'
'Yes, I'm fine, onii-sama, I walked slowly. I made sure to walk and not run, you know?'
'Yeah, that's a good girl. It might be inconvenient until it's healed, but let's make sure it heals properly, even if it's slow.'
'Okay! Ehehe...'
When I stroked Rice's head to praise her, her expression changed completely, and she smiled happily. She seems to have her thoughts about the current situation, where it's hard for her to even walk, but it doesn't seem to be a deep-seated issue at the moment.
'Oh, right. I have something I want to talk to Rice about, so Urara and King, please start your warm-up.'
'Okay!'
'...Are you sure you'll be alright without us?'
Urara replied energetically, and King tilted her head as she left the clubroom. After seeing them off, I turned to Rice, who was sitting on the sofa.
'Rice, please check the contents of this.'
'This is... an envelope from the URA?'
Rice tilted her head in confusion, but she looked at the contents of the envelope as I told her to. And her eyes widened.
'Onii-sama... is this 200 million yen...?'
'It's a bonus for winning the Autumn Senior Triple Crown. There are taxes, so you won't get the whole amount, but more than half of it will remain in your account.'
I had told Rice about her previous prize money, but she seemed surprised to hear about 200 million yen all at once. Of course, a minor would be surprised if they were suddenly given 200 million yen.
However, she wasn't given 200 million yen in cash, and Rice's surprise was cute. If I were given a lump sum of 200 million yen in cash, I might lose my balance, too.
Rice stared at the documents from the URA for a while, but she eventually smiled happily.
'Thinking about the future, it's better to have a lot of money, right?'
'That's right. It's better to have money than not.'
Putting aside the question of going to higher education, money decreases just by living. An Uma Musume's food expenses are also high, so it's better to have more money. Rice seems to understand that, so I might not have to worry about her.
Some people in the world are overly sensitive about money, but Rice doesn't seem to have a problem with that. There are some things in the world that money can't buy, but conversely, money can buy most things. The more you have, the better.
'It's better to let onii-sama manage the money than for Rice to do it, right?'
'Huh? No, I'm managing it as your trainer since you're a minor, but this is your money, you know?'
I do the procedures for things like the profits from merchandise sales and prize money. But even if I can do those procedures, I can't withdraw money from Rice's account.
If a trainer could freely use the money in their Uma Musume's account, a serious incident would probably occur.
'I see... onii-sama earns a lot of money too, so it's okay for us to have separate accounts... but don't we need a joint account? Rice doesn't know much about those things...'
'A joint account? You mean money to buy consumables like shoes and horseshoes? As I said before, we buy those with club funds, so it's fine. We can process them as expenses.'
'Huh? Is that so? I don't use horseshoes, of course, but you can process shoes as expenses, too? I didn't know that... What about clothes?'
'We buy your training clothes and your racing clothes with club funds, too, right?'
When I bought Urara's racing clothes, I thought she understood that... And when her training clothes and jerseys get old or worn out, I buy her new ones...
'Speaking of clothes... hey, onii-sama. What kind of clothes should Rice wear when she goes back home?'
'Clothes? Your usual clothes are fine, right?'
'My usual clothes are fine?!'
Huh? Is it not okay to wear your usual clothes when you go back to Rice's parents' home? Was she actually a rich young lady without me knowing? Maybe even her clothes are strictly controlled...
'W-what kind of clothes are you going to wear, onii-sama?'
'Me? I'm going to meet Rice's parents, so I'm going to wear something a bit more formal, but... being too formal might be rude, too.'
'I-I see... Rice thought you'd wear a suit...'
A suit? Well, that's a safe bet. But traveling in a suit is a bit tough... I could change into it only when I go to Rice's house, but my luggage will get bigger.
But it would be a problem if I was too casual, so I guess a smart casual outfit with a jacket and pants would be fine. And since it's the middle of winter in Hokkaido, I have to prepare a proper coat, too.
'This time, I'm just an accessory. The important thing is to support Rice.'
It will probably be snowing in Hokkaido, so I have to support Rice so she doesn't fall. The shoes should be non-slip... I don't have snow spikes, what should I do...? Will they sell them at the airport? Was it that walking with small steps prevents you from slipping?
'Huh?! O-onii-sama isn't going to say anything?! Is Rice supposed to say everything?! Rice thought that a man would say everything in these kinds of situations...'
'???'
What is this... I've been wondering about this, but I feel like there's a fatal misunderstanding between Rice and me.
'Well, it's about Rice's future. I'll say what's necessary and make suggestions, but the most important thing is Rice's will. When you're healed, will you continue to be an active racer, or will you retire at some point and change your course to higher education or a job...? Of course, if you want to continue, you can be an active racer for as many years as you want.'
There's also the path of continuing to run in the Senior class. If Rice recovers from her injury, she should be able to aim for G1 races for a while, and even if she deteriorates to the point where she can't win G1s, she should be able to aim for G2 and G3 races.
Even if she deteriorates further and can no longer win stakes races, she can continue to challenge them if she has the will to continue running. There's also the option of open races.
But every year, new Uma Musume knock on the doors of Tracen Academy, and the Senior class is growing... so she'll probably have to call it quits at some point for the sake of the next generation.
'I'm supposed to talk about your future with your parents, including those things, right? It might be too early to think about it, but how long do you want to continue being an active racer? And after that, whether you go on to higher education or get a job, you'll need your parents to be your co-signers or guarantors.'
'......'
Rice was silent after hearing me. But gradually, her neck and face started to turn red, and in a few seconds, her face was completely red.
'Y-yes! That's right! It's about Rice's future, right?! It's important, right?!'
'Y-yeah... it's important, isn't it?'
I've been saying "about Rice's future" since yesterday... Did she misunderstand something strange?
I tilted my head, looking at the flustered Rice with a bright red face.
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