The Trainer With Little Time Left Just Wants to Live [19]

“…Hah? Form a racing team? Why are you telling me this?”

Compared with Kitano, who knew nothing of the truth and was locked in a tug-of-war with Oguri Cap at the hospital, Nakayama Festa, who was at Tracen Academy adjusting her condition for the next day’s race, also received a surprising piece of news that night.

“Rudolf asked for you by name, and she wouldn’t tell me why.” Sirius Symboli, Nakayama Festa’s roommate and gambling buddy—and also Rudolf’s younger sister—passed on the message. At the same time, Sirius gave Festa a rare warning. “I don’t know what the Emperor is planning, but be careful. Lately, I’ve often seen her and that Mejiro young lady discussing something in the student council room, and they won’t let anyone else get close. For her to suddenly ask for you by name, I’d say she’s up to no good.”

“Remember, when you go into the student council room, no matter what she says, don’t agree to anything. Otherwise, you’ll regret it after she schemes you into a corner. Whenever Her Majesty the Emperor wants to go one-on-one with someone, it usually means she’s already sure she can convince them.”

Based on her understanding of Rudolf, Sirius gave her friend that warning. Although Festa was confused, she still took it to heart. Believing she had prepared herself well enough, she entered the student council room.

Festa did not think she could stand against the “Emperor” Symboli Rudolf in terms of an Umamusume’s sheer authority. Even Aneki, Stay Gold, might not necessarily be able to do that. Festa’s bottom line was simply that she would not be so crushed by Rudolf’s pressure that she could barely breathe and could only tremble like that Orfevre little sister of hers.

And when Nakayama Festa arrived at the student council room fully on guard, then heard Rudolf and Mejiro Ramonu bring up the topic of “forming a team,” she immediately sensed that something was off.

“Because you are Trainer Kitano’s trainee, Nakayama, we need to ask for your personal wishes.”

Rudolf looked as though she had not been sleeping well lately. There were obvious dark circles under her eyes, as if she had been troubled by something all this time. Because of that, her current attitude was somewhat different from the gentle, friendly President she had spent so long presenting herself as… revealing a side of her that was tired, irritable, and slightly quick to anger, one no one normally knew.

But right now, Rudolf was not so far gone that she would get angry at Nakayama Festa. Nor did she feel she would need to go to such lengths against a junior. Her goal this time was to carry out Mejiro Ramonu’s initial proposal—to introduce a new Umamusume into Kitano’s team.

And the reason Rudolf had changed her mind now was, without a doubt, the notebook Mejiro Ramonu had shared with her. This notebook, which recorded Kitano’s countdown of life, had also drawn Rudolf’s attention. What made Rudolf thoroughly understand why Ramonu had insisted on this was the trait Kitano had written about: “Only if my trainee wins a race can my lifespan increase.”

“Whether this notebook is simply the fantasy of a terminally ill person or some absurd truth, none of us know. But what I can be certain of is that we cannot gamble with Trainer Kitano’s life just to test whether it is true or false. Don’t you agree, Rudolf?”

“So we have to make other plans. If Nakayama Festa performs poorly in her debut race, it will be impossible for her to step onto the track again in the short term. And if she forces herself to race with an exhausted body, the result will only be even more disappointing.”

“As for whether everything Trainer Kitano wrote is true… I think we will be able to verify that afterward. You are curious about that too, aren’t you, Rudolf?”

—Yes. She was curious. Rudolf had to admit that. She was filled with curiosity toward Kitano. From the first moment she saw that man, her mind had been drawn to him. His sickly condition moved her. His near-death made her cry. None of this was something Rudolf would do for any other stranger.

And ever since Rudolf had read that notebook, she had been unable to sleep well for several days… During this time, she felt as if she often had strange dreams. Most of these dreams had no beginning or end, only fragments like shattered glass. But one figure among them had always weighed heavily on Rudolf’s mind.

Ryuichi Kitano… Why does he appear in my dreams? And why am I always watching him in those dreams?

But in those dreams, why does he never come to my side? He always seems to appear within my field of vision… but that is all.

He was always watching another Umamusume. Rudolf was very familiar with that Umamusume as well, but right now, she did not want to mention that person’s name. Because the moment she thought of these things… an indescribable bitterness and unwillingness surged up inside her.

Rudolf did not understand why any of this was happening, but there was a voice in her heart telling her—Kitano absolutely could not die. If he died, she… might regret it for the rest of her life.

Under such a powerful sense of crisis, Rudolf ultimately agreed to Ramonu’s plan. She intended to start with the most difficult one, Nakayama Festa. Both she and Ramonu could tell that Kitano was not the type to strongly oppose them, but Nakayama Festa… would absolutely be very resistant to their decision.

“I hear your debut race is coming up soon. In truth, we should not be telling you all of this at a time like this… However, considering Trainer Kitano’s condition, I believe it is necessary to explain this to you.” Since Rudolf had dared to call Nakayama Festa here, she had naturally prepared what she planned to say. She spoke calmly. “Trainer Kitano’s health is poor. He cannot stay by your side at all times and guide your training. However, he has placed very strong hopes on you, so we hope to help you in that regard.”

“Help me?” Because of Sirius’s warning, Nakayama Festa had already been very guarded, and now her expression changed. Her face darkened as she asked coldly, “You’re not planning to make me leave Kitano and find another Trainer, are you?”

“—Of course not. Our decision is humane. We would never force the wishes of an Umamusume or a Trainer.” Rudolf shook her head as well. After exchanging a glance with Mejiro Ramonu beside her, she continued, “We only hope to add an Umamusume from the same generation as you to Trainer Kitano’s team. That way, even if Trainer Kitano’s stamina temporarily prevents him from handling everything, you and your teammate can supervise each other, and your training results will be twice as effective.”

“Moreover, forming a team comes with benefits. Not only will the academy provide subsidy funds, but if the Umamusume on the team perform well, we can also grant priority race entry, making it more convenient for you to enter future races.”

“I’m not short on money, and neither is Kitano.” Nakayama Festa, however, was not moved by Rudolf’s words and frowned as she shot back. Rudolf was not frightened by Festa’s attitude in the slightest. Instead, she smiled and replied,

“You are not short on money, but as I said, Trainer Kitano’s condition is deeply worrying. And he has poured many expectations into you. Nakayama, you should understand that very well.”

“Of course I am willing to believe that you will work hard to answer Trainer Kitano’s expectations. But this would lessen some pressure on Trainer Kitano and allow him to recover with greater peace of mind. And… you should also know that Trainer Kitano’s ideal is to achieve as much as possible, correct?”

“This is an opportunity for Trainer Kitano’s limited life to shine even brighter. Nakayama, you don’t want Trainer Kitano to have regrets either, do you?”

After saying all this, Rudolf slowly exhaled. She was certain that this argument, which she and Ramonu had discussed for who knew how long, would absolutely be enough to move Nakayama Festa.

Because they both understood very well that Nakayama Festa and Kitano had a harmonious relationship. Their years together in the Gold Family had made them extremely close, and Festa’s unusual attitude toward Kitano also allowed them to faintly guess her feelings.

But one key piece of information from Mejiro Ramonu was Nakayama Festa’s pressure—Kitano’s illness and his dream had placed immense pressure on Festa, to the point that she had always worried whether she would be unable to answer Kitano’s expectations.

And the opening they had found was exactly that. They explained the stakes to Nakayama Festa very clearly. Once a new member joined, Festa’s pressure would lessen, Kitano’s dream could also be realized, and more importantly, the Umamusume they recommended could absolutely win races. That way, Kitano’s lifespan could be extended, and in passing, they could also verify whether everything written in Kitano’s notebook was true or false.

One could say that Rudolf and Ramonu had prepared thoroughly. If this had been Nakayama Festa from a few days ago, perhaps Rudolf really would have reached the most anxious part of her heart.

Unfortunately, in just these few days, after experiencing Kitano’s return from the brink of death, Nakayama Festa’s relationship with Kitano was no longer what it had once been. Now, she had a completely different choice regarding what Rudolf was saying.

“…Does Kitano know about this?”

“Trainer Kitano does not know yet, but we will tell him.” Seeing that Nakayama Festa seemed to be showing signs of giving in, Rudolf felt a small burst of joy and immediately pressed her advantage. “Don’t worry. We have already chosen a candidate for you. She is also a very outstanding and self-disciplined child. I believe she will certainly do very well.”

“I see…”

However, Rudolf’s words made a cold smile appear on Nakayama Festa’s face. Now she was certain that what Rudolf had proposed had absolutely been planned in advance—she had even decided on the candidate before notifying her? Wasn’t that plainly assuming she had Festa in the palm of her hand?

What a shame… Aside from that guy Kitano, I’ve never let anyone else control me.

“—But I refuse.”

Nakayama Festa’s tone shifted sharply in the span of a single second. This fearless Umamusume of the Gold Family keenly sensed that after she voiced her refusal, a powerful pressure suddenly began spreading through the briefly silent student council room. Without a doubt, it was the intimidation released by the two seniors before her.

But Nakayama Festa was so calm at this moment that even she found it surprising. Facing two seniors who were absolutely among the very best Umamusume in Japan, she seemed utterly confident. Faintly, the aura gathering behind her allowed her to remain unchanged before the two of them.

“—May I ask the reason?” The smile had completely vanished from Rudolf’s face by now. The sleepless days had exposed her irritable side under stimulation, and the pressure of the “Emperor” occupied the entire student council room as she questioned Nakayama Festa coldly.

“Then let me ask you this in return. What’s your reason for interfering in matters between me and Kitano?” Nakayama Festa sneered and met Rudolf head-on, answering word by word. “How strange. Whether it’s me or Kitano, we went from the Gold Family to Tracen, and over several years, neither of us ever looked down on the other. So why are you two outsiders, who’ve only known Kitano for a few days, worrying about his business more than I am?”

“I…”

“Besides, Kitano and I made a promise back then. His dream—I’ll help him fulfill it with my own hands. No one can replace my will or his, not even an Umamusume more talented than me.”

“To each other, the two of us are both one of a kind.” As Nakayama Festa said this, a teasing smile entered the fierce gaze of those Gold Family-inherited sanpaku eyes. She laughed softly at the dark-faced Rudolf before her. “How about it, President? Or do you need me to tell an unrelated outsider like you the words Kitano and I said when we made that promise back at the Gold Family? Of course, you can also ask Kitano about it. I think both of us remember that promise very clearly.”

“…” At that moment, Rudolf said nothing more. She merely silently lowered her head, and no one could see her expression.

However, Mejiro Ramonu, who had been silent at the side all this time, noticed Rudolf’s shoulders trembling slightly. As Rudolf’s childhood friend, Ramonu knew very well that this was the sign before Rudolf exploded.

But Nakayama Festa’s words, which were called a rebuttal but had already risen to the level of mockery, still had not stopped.

“You’re trying to shove an Umamusume onto Kitano’s team like this… Let me guess. You saw potential in that guy Kitano? You think Kitano, looking all sickly like that, could become motivation for some Umamusume from your families? The person you’re recommending wouldn’t happen to be someone surnamed Mejiro or Symboli, would it?”

“Or maybe…” At that moment, Nakayama Festa failed to notice that Mejiro Ramonu’s expression had darkened as well. She raised her chin slightly, her tone turning even more teasing as she said softly, “You think my ability isn’t enough to carry Kitano’s expectations, but Kitano still trusts me like this. Could it be that you’re jealous of how much he trusts me?”

“…”

This time, Nakayama Festa’s words plunged the entire student council room into complete silence. Mejiro Ramonu and Rudolf, both of whom were now in the worst possible mood, did not even notice the words Nakayama Festa said before leaving: “In any case, you don’t need to worry about matters between me and him. Whether I can answer his expectations, you’ll see on the track.”

“…Ramonu, could I trouble you to go out for a bit too? I want to be alone.”

“I was just thinking the same.”

At that moment, Rudolf, who had her entire head pressed against her hands, suddenly spoke, nearly unable to hide her exhaustion. Mejiro Ramonu was likewise worn out by what had happened today, and she left the office without saying anything more.

However, the instant the student council room door had closed, Rudolf, who had been sitting there exhausted, suddenly erupted. She grabbed a stack of documents from the desk and, with all the strength in her body, hurled them fiercely against the wall.

As if venting all the bitterness that had built up inside her earlier, after a loud crash that even shook the floor, Rudolf, having released her emotions, sat back down in her chair feeling utterly empty. Her eyes vacant, she lifted her head and ignored the mess around her. Only after a long while could her self-mocking murmur be heard.

“What am I doing… like some fool.”

Why was it that she simply could not maintain even the slightest bit of calm when it came to that person? Rudolf could not figure it out. She only knew that this would perhaps be another sleepless night. That jealousy Nakayama Festa had spoken of… Was that truly the emotion that had surged up inside her before?

Ah… she felt… so tired. Why was there no one who could understand what was in her heart…

T/N: i want angry rudolf

This is a fan translation of 时日无多的训练员只想活下去 by 许氏子谦 Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!