Kitahara Sota had come to see Symboli Rudolf.
Black Forest might not technically fall under the Student Council’s jurisdiction, but it was still a student-run organization. There were matters that needed to be reported, things to coordinate.
So together with Grass Wonder and Agnes Digital, he’d tallied up the problems they’d encountered, made a list, and come here intending to discuss them with Rudolf.
But before he even stepped into the school building, he saw Tokai Teio walking out.
Her expression was pained, her eyes faintly red, the ponytail behind her drooping without spirit.
Gone was her usual lively glow. She looked like a kitten just soaked by a storm, trembling along a muddy road.
So he walked over—and heard her whisper. And he answered.
And in the next moment, the storm-soaked kitten leapt into his arms. Hugging him tightly, as if letting go for even a second would make him disappear. Her body shook with her sobs.
At the instant she clung to him, Kitahara’s body stiffened—then he understood.
God damn it, it’s gotta be that Rudolf again, scolding the kid half to death!
Given the history, it was the only explanation that came to mind.
He wanted to comfort Teio directly, but glanced around.
At this hour, between training and dinner, the building was mostly empty.
But soon, students would arrive—those heading to evening classes, those left behind for remedial study. The hall would fill quickly.
So, after a moment’s thought, Kitahara bent down and simply lifted Teio up. He carried her to a quieter, out-of-the-way place.
Yes, his reason warned him—Teio was a dangerous Uma Musume. Doing this was… excessive.
But even with a dog, after a few months, you form a bond. All the more with a child like Teio—obedient, clever, bright.
Especially after so many talks with Rudolf, Kitahara couldn’t help it. He hadn’t guided her training much, but in another sense, he’d been raising her as a daughter. How could he just ignore her in this state?
As for Teio, her body froze for just a moment when his arm wrapped her.
But then she moved with him naturally, no hesitation. Her tail swayed gently, her face pressed to his chest tinged red.
When he set her down, she peeked around furtively. Her blush deepened, her tail wagged harder.
Her reason reminded her—knowing Kitahara, he wouldn’t bring her here for “that” kind of reason.
But what if Trainer-san did harbor some thoughts toward her…?
Before that could spiral further, Kitahara opened his mouth—shattering the fantasy.
“Rudolf scolded you again?”
He spoke with a tone of frustrated reproach.
Damn it, I told that woman already—Teio’s clever, sensible, obedient. Scolding won’t work. It might even backfire. Just talk to her straight. Why drag out that Symboli temper of yours?
Hearing him, Teio stiffened. Then she realized his misunderstanding.
But after a moment’s thought, she chose not to correct it.
If the Prez didn’t want her to know, then she would play along.
Besides… she liked this feeling. Being cared for like this by Trainer-san, carefully, warmly. She didn’t want to lose it.
So, for the sake of her greed, Teio chose to be a bad child this once.
She gave no answer, just nestled closer into his arms, savoring the warmth.
Seeing her like this, Kitahara didn’t press. He didn’t offer excessive comfort either. He just sat quietly with her.
After a while, Teio’s voice came, muffled against his chest.
“Trainer-san… you also think I’d be better off with a trainer, right?”
Kitahara’s brow twitched.
Good grief, Rudolf—you really never learn, huh? The exact same fight again?
Still, he answered honestly.
“Yes. From my perspective, having a trainer is definitely better than not having one.”
He expected her to bristle. At least react somehow.
But nothing.
No anger. No protest. Not even sadness.
She just stayed there, curled into him like a hermit crab retreating into its shell.
Only after a long silence did she speak again.
“Then… Trainer-san, if you want me, I’d be willing to be your tantou.”
The rush of emotion had ebbed, the scale tipping back down.
But even so, she forced out the words with courage.
If he’ll put his weight on that side of the scale, then no matter what’s on the other—my past, myself, anything—I’ll abandon it.
But Kitahara said nothing.
He only held her still, quietly, offering no extra move.
After a while, Teio grew uneasy.
“Um… Trainer-san, do you not want me? If you don’t, it’s fine, I won’t force you… Or is it… you dislike me…”
“It’s just… that doesn’t sound like something you would say.”
Kitahara’s voice came gently.
Teio flinched. Then she felt his hand on her head, deftly brushing up the little tuft of white hair on her forehead, rubbing it softly.
That familiar motion, that rhythm, soothed her. The unease melted away, replaced by a tranquil warmth.
And once she relaxed, Kitahara spoke again.
“I know you’re sad right now. Maybe doubting yourself too.”
“I won’t tell you ‘you’re right.’ Because honestly, I do think aiming for the undefeated Triple Crown without a trainer is foolish. The odds are slim.”
“But slim doesn’t mean impossible. Foolish doesn’t mean doomed.”
“In life, you’ll face many choices. Good ones, bad ones. Crucial, trivial. And the truth is—you can never know which is right until after. Sometimes not even then.”
“All Rudolf and I can do is use our experience to tell you which side seems more likely to be right. Never the absolute truth.”
“And that’s not just words to comfort you. I’ve made far less wise choices myself.”
He paused, eyes distant.
“When I was a kid, in a village, I once saw traffickers snatch a girl and flee into the mountains. The smart thing would have been to call the adults, the police, search the mountain properly.”
“But I worried they’d panic and hurt her, or escape through some hidden path. So I didn’t tell anyone. I followed them alone. Bet my life. And won that impossible gamble.”
“Another time, I was surrounded by dangerous people. Just me, a child, and a little ‘ancestor’—useless, troublesome, a real headache.”
“I knew if I ditched her, I could escape easily. I could even call in allies waiting outside and crush them all. She’d be safe enough, hiding.”
“But instead, I trusted her. Put everything in her hands. We cooperated—and escaped.”
“They were stupid choices. Even now, looking back, I wonder if my brain got kicked by a horse.”
“But, Teio—I never regretted them.”
“Because I succeeded. I saved them.”
“And had I chosen the ‘correct’ path… the results might have been the same. Or maybe worse. I’ll never know.”
Then he looked down at her seriously.
“You’re the same.”
“Challenging the undefeated Triple Crown without a trainer may be foolish and hopeless. But it might be your right path.”
“And if you take a trainer, maybe years later you’ll regret not daring for the greater glory.”
“But the most important thing is—right now, you don’t seem like yourself.”
He gently twined her hair around his finger, coaxing her to lift her head, meeting her eyes with calm gravity.
“The Tokai Teio I know is lively, confident, loves to run.”
“She listens, but has her own will. She can be a little selfish, but never wavers on what matters.”
“She cheers up the team when her trainer slacks. She prepares every detail before a race, claiming victory in her perfect form.”
“I know people can’t always stay strong. But I want you to wait until you’ve calmed down. Think carefully about the question you asked me. Then make your choice.”
“Trainer or not. Alone or not. I’ll respect it.”
“And if you choose alone, I’ll keep my promise. I won’t interfere.”
“And besides training, anything else—you can still rely on me. Even Rudolf, I can—”
“No!”
She had been half-dazed, enjoying the comfort, ready to just stay in his arms forever.
But when he said he’d talk to the Prez, she jolted awake.
She couldn’t let that happen. If he told Rudolf, their accounts would match, and her deception would be exposed.
Even if she hadn’t lied, only stayed silent, what if Trainer-san thought she was a bad kid? What if he stopped liking her?
Panic gnawed her.
Why didn’t I just confess from the start…
But his arms were too warm…
Teio was torn.
Kitahara saw her look and assumed she worried about a confrontation between him and Rudolf.
So he said, after a pause, “If you don’t want, I won’t tell her. But if it happens again, I’ll have to go lecture her.”
Teio agreed quickly.
Then, after snuggling in his arms a while longer, she reluctantly pulled away.
But even as she left, feeling the warmth still lingering on her, though she couldn’t yet make the hardest choice—she could make another.
“Trainer-san… could I still join the training camp now?”
Blushing, tail wagging faster.
Kitahara noticed, but only thought she was embarrassed.
She had refused before—only her, out of everyone. Now to suddenly ask to join—anyone would want to crawl into a hole.
“What about your game?” he asked.
Silence.
Her eyes darted. Then, softly—
“…Already cleared.”
“Then do as you like. Though my dorm doesn’t have enough beds. You might have to share the floor outside with Agnes Digital.”
“Eh? Trainer-san, are your beds really that small? Haven’t you gotten richer…?”
“Did you forget how many girls are in my team?”
“…Ah. Guess that’s not your fault.”
They chatted as they left the corner. Then they parted—Kitahara going to meet Rudolf about Black Forest, Teio heading back to her dorm to pack for tomorrow.
Kitahara walked away easily.
But Teio, after a few steps, stopped. Turned. Her tail wagged faster, her cheeks red.
Looking at his back, feeling the warmth lingering on her, she blinked softly.
For the record, she had no strange or dangerous thoughts toward Trainer-san.
But if sometimes, she could be held in his arms like that… wouldn’t it be nice?
And if… something deeper than just hugging…
Her face burning, Teio wagged her tail hard, then ran off.
—
T/N: AHHHH YOURE TOO SMOOTH KITAHARA-SAN HOLD ME IN YOUR ARMS!
This is a fan translation of 人在特雷森，专职摆烂 by 多功能复读机 All 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!
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