"...Training Seiun Sky to resist interference needs to be put on the agenda."
Saito Asuka, looking at the topic 'Another Uma Musume announces she will become an Unbeaten Triple Crown winner' trending, rested his elbows on the table, his face full of worry.
But the problem now is...I can't find any Uma Musume who can help Seiun Sky with this training!
Saito Asuka, feeling disheartened again by the fact that 'Himeji Tracen Academy only has Seiun Sky as an Uma Musume,' sighed leisurely.
...In the upcoming races, Seiun Sky will encounter Uma Musume who try to block her and prevent her from breaking through.
She will also encounter Uma Musume who use red skills on her, causing her anxiety.
He could have trained Seiun Sky to deal with these two situations before her next race, but the problem is...
He doesn't know any Uma Musume besides Seiun Sky right now?!
"What should I do?"
Saito Asuka nervously tapped his fingers on the table.
Should he, a Trainer whose athletic performance is worse than an average person's, personally step onto the track?
Saito Asuka, as this thought suddenly popped into his mind, shuddered at the mere thought of the speed at which Uma Musume run.
...Forget it, let's think about some actionable ideas.
Saito Asuka stood up and began to pace around the room.
Ask for help from other Trainers on the Trainer forum?
Ask Seiun Sky if she knows any friends?
Hmm...perhaps the idea of personally visiting Uma Musume's homes according to the student roster to ask for help isn't bad either?
The anxious Saito Asuka completely failed to notice a series of footsteps that approached from a distance and finally disappeared in front of his door.
Or, should I 'borrow' a few Uma Musume to train with Seiun Sky…?
"Knock knock knock!"
Saito Asuka's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden knocking sound.
He frowned and looked at the wooden door of the room.
"Who is it? Didn't I say not to disturb me at this time?"
"My apologies for the disturbance, Himeji Academy's Director."
Although the man's tone carried clear displeasure, the woman outside the door seemed not to notice the emotion in his voice.
Though Saito Asuka was certain this voice did not belong to any of the few people currently at Himeji Tracen, for some reason, he felt as if he had heard this voice somewhere before.
The next second, her self-introduction cleared the fog in his memory, reminding him of the specific identity of the voice's owner.
"I am Rudolph Symboli. I am very interested in that Uma Musume from your esteemed academy, so I have come to visit and hope to meet her."
…Rudolph Symboli?
Upon hearing that name, Saito Asuka was stunned for a few seconds, and then, in the first second after he recovered, he immediately heard the accelerating thumping of his own heart.
Rudolph… she wants to meet Seiun Sky?
She plans to poach Seiun Sky from Himeji Tracen Academy?!
Such an equation instantly formed in his mind.
No… no, no! Fūga cannot meet the 'Emperor'!
"…Hello?"
Rudolph Symboli outside the door broke the silence first.
She knocked on the door again: "…Are you free right now?"
"…"
Listening to the urging from outside the door, Saito Asuka remained silent, not saying a word.
…Himeji Tracen Academy only has Seiun Sky left, our last Uma Musume.
We are already in such a dire state, and you still want to poach her from us and take her to your Central Tracen Academy?!
Even if you are the 'Emperor,' don't go too far!
"…Rudolph Symboli, I'll fight you to the death—!"
Finally, the overheated man lifted a chair and charged towards the door with a look of determination on his face.
…
"…Calmed down?"
A few minutes later, Rudolph Symboli, who had entered the room, looked at Saito Asuka, who was sitting respectfully in front of her, and asked.
"Yes, I'm sorry."
Hearing Rudolph Symboli's question, the man bowed ninety degrees: "…I am truly sorry for causing you trouble!"
"Ha…"
Hearing the man's apology, Rudolph Symboli sighed helplessly.
…She just wanted to come here to watch Seiun Sky's training, and to meet the Trainer who could train an Uma Musume like Seiun Sky.
She hadn't expected that she only wanted to drop by the Director's Office to say hello to him, but the moment she opened the door, she heard the man's roar from inside the room, and the chair he held above his head.
…How did I end up looking like a heinous villain?
Rudolph Symboli couldn't help but inwardly complain.
Although her personality used to be… a bit volatile, her reputation shouldn't be this bad, right?
"May I ask… what brings you here today?"
Saito Asuka cleared his throat and asked cautiously.
"Interested in the Uma Musume who declared 'I will become the next Unbeaten Triple Crown' on the Victors Stage, nothing more."
Rudolph Symboli repeated what she had said when she knocked: "Or, Trainer, do you wish for me to have other business?"
"No! Of course not!"
Saito Asuka replied without hesitation.
Other business? What a joke!
He didn't want his academy's only Uma Musume to be poached by this Emperor in front of him, like Oguri Cap.
"Then… may I meet that Uma Musume?"
Hearing Saito Asuka's words, Rudolph Symboli stated her purpose for being there: "…To avoid troubling you, you only need to tell me which classroom she is currently in."
"Which, which classroom is she in…"
Saito Asuka's gaze suddenly became evasive upon hearing Rudolph Symboli's words.
Yes, which 'classroom' is she in right now…?
Although he was Seiun Sky's Trainer, even he didn't know where Seiun Sky currently was. Saito Asuka repeated Rudolph Symboli's question in his mind.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Is she not available right now?"
Seeing the troubled expression on Saito Asuka's face, Rudolph Symboli frowned and asked doubtfully: "…Is she perhaps undergoing some secret training?"
"No, that's not it."
After much thought, Saito Asuka decided to tell the truth and shook his head: "It's just that I don't know where she is either."
"…What did you say?"
Rudolph Symboli suspected she had misheard.
A Trainer doesn't know where the Uma Musume he is responsible for is?
Could it be… she skipped class?
Rudolph Symboli's expression gradually became serious.
…At Himeji Tracen Academy now, where are there any teachers to teach students?
Looking at Rudolph Symboli, whose expression had suddenly turned serious, Saito Asuka sighed helplessly.
The current staff of this academy, including himself, were barely managing to keep the academy running.
In such circumstances, where would they find the extra funds to hire teachers?
"…I see, I understand."
Just as he was still thinking about these things, Rudolph Symboli, who was sitting in front of him, nodded and then slowly stood up.
"…Director, I would like to look around your Himeji Tracen Academy, and perhaps discuss something with you during the tour, if that's alright?"
"Hmm? Hmm…"
Saito Asuka nodded, puzzled.
Please save this school that is about to be abolished!