"So, you're on probation?"
Kenji raised an eyebrow as he observed Kiyoshi, who had come to deliver the news.
"Seems security isn't so bad after all."
The black-haired young man snorted as he reclined in the armchair.
"Well, betting has always been my forte. If you want, we could place bets in that region."
Kenji offered, only to receive an expressionless look from Kiyoshi.
"The big bets will always be with the important Umas."
Kiyoshi pointed to the glass where they could observe the illegal races in the black market.
"The races held in that region are even less popular than the ones you run here, Kenji."
Kiyoshi took a sip of coffee and continued his explanation.
"Although monopolizing a region's bets isn't bad, remember that the Japanese authorities are no joke. One small mistake and your days will be spent in a dark cell."
"With your economic power, you could surely get me out of that place."
Kenji said boredly, and Kiyoshi snorted.
"That's partly why I came to you. But they'll probably find me soon."
Kiyoshi murmured, remembering his friends and family who would surely be complaining about the fact he had technically fled.
"You came for information, didn't you?"
Kiyoshi nodded, and Kenji silently watched another illegal race taking place in the venue.
"Give me a few minutes."
Kenji sighed and took out his phone. Kiyoshi paid no attention to the yakuza's actions and simply focused on watching the race.
Running form, physical capability, even intelligence and instinct were vital things in races.
It was remarkable.
"Number nine will win."
Kiyoshi murmured as he watched that Uma who remained at the back of the pack midway through the race.
Her speed was constant, her posture hadn't faltered, and she even seemed to be waiting for the right moment to take the lead.
"Races are the same as fights."
Kenji said as he put his phone away.
"They all have talent, but they don't have someone who knows how to see what talent. Trainers usually only look at superficial qualities, not the whole picture."
The yakuza crossed his arms and watched as Kiyoshi's words came true when, in the final quarter of the track, that uma had a burst of speed and began climbing positions while intelligently dodging the umas that had been ahead.
"That's why most fail when putting their knowledge into practice, and they also crush an Uma's dreams."
Kiyoshi silently looked at the man and then asked a question.
"Then why did you give me an illegal license?"
Kenji burst into loud laughter after the question and even started coughing after choking on his own saliva.
"Hi-... no, Kiyoshi."
Kenji stopped and shook his head.
"I know you're not someone who acts with the foolishness of people your age. I could even say you're the most intelligent person I've met, and also a combat expert."
Kenji smiled amusedly.
"If there's anyone I'd trust even with something as stupid as a hypothetical end of the world, it's you, the Silver Flash."
"Screw you, I'm already tired of having responsibilities that aren't mine."
Kiyoshi snorted and simply stood up, investigating the refrigerator Kenji had in the room.
"Could you make something to eat?"
"You know how to do that too, you bastard?!"
"It's impossible not to know when your sister brags about it on social media."
Kiyoshi just showed him the middle finger while searching for ingredients in the refrigerator.
Surprisingly... Kenji had everything.
---
"And once again, I have to move."
Kiyoshi sighed while silently looking out the train window.
He had obtained the information he wanted, and it was... lamentable.
Basically, he could only aspire to regional-level talents, nothing that reached the national level.
"But oh well, it's just a test. If I train some Uma to stand out enough, it'll be something they'll find acceptable, right?"
The black-haired young man questioned himself while crossing his arms.
He clearly didn't like being demoted, but that card held significant weight.
Besides...
His phone, stored in his pocket, vibrated again.
"I don't want to go home yet."
He took a breath and simply cleared his mind as the journey continued.
When he finally reached his destination, he could only sigh with resignation.
As he already knew, the disappointment wasn't that great, so he simply walked through those streets.
"If there's no talent in this place, I'll just have to create it."
The black-haired young man sighed while playing with the keys Kenji had given him along with the information.
"But it's annoying, annoying. All of this is your fault, damn Xiao."
Kiyoshi clenched his fists in anger, blaming everything on the first person who annoyed him the most after that guy who enjoyed his misfortunes.
"Although I should be grateful Kenji is very cooperative."
Kiyoshi set aside his complaints about his acquaintance and simply murmured while remembering the yakuza.
"Could it be that the Umas made him remember that girl?"
Kiyoshi wondered while looking at the signage to verify his location.
"If that's the case... I think it's good for him to try to redeem himself. Humans live too short to hold onto our own grudges and sorrows."
Kiyoshi sighed and kept walking.
Upon arriving at the address Kenji gave him, Kiyoshi's blue eyes silently observed that small house.
"I didn't want to stand out, and you give me a house? I thought you couldn't do big things in public?"
Kiyoshi snorted and simply used the keys to open the small gate and then the keys for the house.
The place was bigger than the apartment he had stayed in for a few days.
It had a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a living/dining room.
It was a perfect place for a family to live.
It even had everything necessary.
"Kenji..."
Kiyoshi sighed and simply put the keys on the table and went to put away the clothes he had bought a few days ago.
"In the afternoon, I'll have to visit the branch director and give him the documents. I'm lucky they're at the start of the school cycle, so I might find some future talent."
Kiyoshi murmured while looking at the refrigerator.
There was nothing, but that was normal in a house where no one lived.
"It's still early, so..."
Kiyoshi walked to the living room, threw himself on the sofa, and took out his phone.
There was a huge number of calls and text messages from various people, but he didn't care much. Answering or reading them meant getting a beating without any explanation.
So he only chose the chat that had a single message wishing him luck in his attempt to become an Uma trainer.
"Send me information about poverty in Japan, more specifically, within the Uma race."
He quickly typed his message of interest and then put his phone away.
He looked for the TV remote and simply started searching for something interesting to watch until the time he would go see the director of the local Tracen Academy.
Ding!
Only a few minutes had passed, but there was already a response to his request.
"Oh? Our dear one finally wants to take charge of his duties?"
"What a surprise. I took a screenshot to show this achievement to everyone. Maybe this is a divine miracle comparable to the time Muku stopped being possessive."
"Jokes aside, Umas are no different from humans. If they don't stand out in races or come from privileged families... they normally live worse than even homeless people. It's lamentable, but that's life."
Kiyoshi fell silent, and with his free hand, he searched his pockets for the card and took it out again.
"Maybe it's a very irrational request, but we sincerely hope you can give every Uma a normal life, no matter who they are or if they achieved their dreams."
"But if you can't, we'll understand. With your protection, we'll be happy."
Kiyoshi let out a sigh and put the card away again.
"Jeez, they're so heavy."
He groaned and typed a quick message.
"I hope you'll help me."
No further explanation was needed; that message was enough for the person on the other end.
"Loud and clear! Let's end poverty in Japan and then in the world!"
A smile appeared on his face as he put his phone away.
That wouldn't happen.
"For that to happen, we have to cut down the tree and dig up the roots."
Kiyoshi shook his head and simply looked at the TV, more specifically, stories of trainers from decades ago who were successful worldwide.
"Latin America always gets the short end of the stick in everything..."
Kiyoshi snorted. If it weren't for Brazil standing out worldwide, he wouldn't have heard any news about a trainer from Latin America.
It was sad, honestly, but it's not like Latin American countries were structurally advanced enough to afford racetracks for Umas.
"This delves more into political and other problems that are better left untouched in these kinds of stories."
Kiyoshi said dryly while turning off the TV and stretching.
Politics was the worst topic to discuss with anyone.
"It's time to do my things."
He took the important items and left the house after verifying the address.
It wasn't very far.
And so, while walking boredly through the streets of Kanmatsu, he stopped for a moment as he raised his gaze.
It was only for a few seconds. His blue eyes connected with other, similar eyes.
The grey hair moved as if in slow motion as their gazes met.
And then.
Whoosh!
Their hair moved violently due to the gust of wind caused by that girl who continued on her way without giving Kiyoshi a second glance, who simply walked on calmly.
"Running without a destination is like trying not to stumble in absolute darkness."
The black-haired young man fixed his hair and smiled a little.
"At least the talent isn't bad."
He didn't dwell on it much and continued his way to the academy.
When he arrived, he simply asked for directions, and when he was about to knock on the director's office door, it opened to reveal an older man smiling kindly.
"I've been expecting you."
There were no greetings, but for Kiyoshi, that was the least of it.
He simply nodded, searched through his clothes, and handed the document to the director.
"Mmmm."
The academy director silently looked at the document and then at Kiyoshi.
He understood to some extent the reasons why this kid ended up at the academy.
"You really seem very young to be a trainer."
The director put the document away and invited Kiyoshi into his office.
"In my family, people always look younger than they are."
Kiyoshi responded as he entered the office and they sat on the larger couch.
"Oh? You're blessed."
The director let out a small laugh, and Kiyoshi nodded.
"Tea or coffee?"
"Coffee, please."
The director nodded and simply searched for something on his desk.
"Normally, I'm not one to ask questions, but I'm curious."
The director looked at the coffee packet and then at Kiyoshi.
"What made you want to become a trainer?"
The black-haired young man looked at the director and smiled a little.
"Responsibility, curiosity, and mainly... boredom."
The sound of a cup being forcefully placed on wood resonated in the office as Kiyoshi watched, amused, the director's reaction, who seemed struck by his words.
It was normal.
People who became Uma Musume trainers always had a big dream, like achieving the Triple Crown, or they simply loved Uma races and wanted to be part of them.
But his answer was different. He was doing this for the reasons he had stated.
The director's stammering confirmed this.
"Boredom?"
His hands trembled as he felt a strange anger.
"Normally, I wouldn't be interested in these things, but it's also my duty to be a trainer."
Kiyoshi stroked his chin while raising his gaze to the ceiling.
"But strangely, it piqued my interest. So, since I had nothing to do and was bored, I decided to become an Uma Musume trainer."
'He says it as if it were nothing,' the director thought while placing the coffee cup in front of Kiyoshi, who took it and had a sip.
"You certainly seem to have a lot on your mind with my response."
The young black-haired man placed the cup on the table and looked at the director, who had taken a seat.
"So, I want you to give me temporary work in the school cafeteria."
The director, still confused by Kiyoshi's thoughts, now felt lost.
"You want to be a temporary chef in the academy cafeteria?"
"Yes. After all, it's still a few days before the newly enrolled Uma Musume are eligible for teams, right?"
The young man asked calmly while taking another sip of coffee and simply enjoying its flavor.
"That's right. In two weeks, they'll be allowed to have outdoor practice races where all trainers can watch them and invite them to join their teams."
The director responded. The feeling of being led rather than being on equal footing grew stronger, as if Kiyoshi were suppressing him so that only he was the true protagonist of the conversation.
"Due to protocols, the Uma Musume must be taught about races, although most of them already have a significant understanding."
Kiyoshi nodded as he finished his coffee.
"That sounds correct. So, what do you say?"
The director felt a chill as sweat began to form on his forehead.
"W-won't this interfere with your training practices?"
"Not at all. Besides, I love cooking, so there won't be a problem in any aspect."
Kiyoshi said calmly, and the director's tired sigh only made him smile.
"Well, I'll communicate this to the cafeteria. Then we'll talk about your salary."
"It's not necessary."
Kiyoshi cut off the director's words.
"As I said, I love cooking. I'll only cook because I'm passionate about it, so I won't charge anything."
Kiyoshi stood up and smiled.
"Are you serious?"
It was a more doubtful question; his eyes seemed to show resignation.
"Then you can start tomorrow, I suppose."
"Thank you very much!"
And so, without saying goodbye, Kiyoshi left the room, which fell silent as the director only watched the cup he had served coffee in.
"What the hell just happened here?"
He had no idea. It wasn't normal. Everything had been under Kiyoshi's control.
He had only come to confirm his presence. Becoming the academy's chef was just his own wish.
"At least he's not going to charge..."
---
"Everything has become more expensive."
Kiyoshi murmured as the sound of the shopping cart reached his ears while he looked at the receipt.
Although the amount of money spent wasn't a problem for him or Kenji.
For other people, it was different.
It was too difficult for a family that rented and had at least two young children still studying.
Japan wasn't a wonder of a country if you looked at it from a labor standpoint among the lower-class population.
But again.
This was a matter involving politics, and it was better to leave it out of the writing.
"I hope you know how to handle this, Souji."
He sighed while putting the receipt away and, with his feet, gave a push and got on the cart, starting to go faster down the now-empty streets of Kanmatsu.
Although unexpectedly, he was forced to put his feet back on the ground as he braked suddenly.
The expressionless face greeted him in the strange situation.
No, it was better to say the girl simply didn't know how to react to such a situation.
"I'm sorry."
The speed he had gained in the cart wasn't that great, but if he hit someone, not only would his groceries go flying, but he could also hurt someone who had nothing to do with his recklessness.
While apologizing, he also noticed the two ears protruding from the head of the girl wearing a completely dirty gym uniform.
'Still training?'
He quickly recognized her upon seeing those blue eyes.
It seemed she had also briefly recognized him.
"Nothing happened."
She said calmly.
"So there's no need to apologize."
The black-haired young man nodded and only felt the atmosphere become a bit tense.
He didn't know what to say to sound normal, and leaving without another word would be a bit rude.
When he wasn't sure what move to make next, the sound of what seemed to be a roaring beast reached his ears, and when he looked at the girl before him, he noticed her cheeks were blushing.
"Want an apple?"
He didn't hesitate to offer while taking out one of the apples he had just bought.
Although the girl seemed cautious, she finally took the apple, and Kiyoshi just took a bottle of water and handed it to her.
"You should wash it first."
It was weird to feel that this whole situation was strange. Simply watching that Uma Musume act clumsily while washing the apple and then eating it quickly was something that left even him disconnected.
'Didn't the author have a better idea for us to meet?'
Kiyoshi questioned himself while searching for some sweets among the things he had just bought.
"Thank you for the apple."
Kiyoshi fell silent again as that Uma thanked him for the fruit.
"You're welcome."
Kiyoshi pushed his cart to leave.
"So, I'll be going."
He murmured, and the girl nodded.
"Goodbye."
The encounter was strange, very strange.
To the point where even Kiyoshi felt uncomfortable.
---
The next morning, Kiyoshi made an appearance at the academy, more specifically in the cafeteria.
"This is a blessing."
Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow while hearing the murmurs of the other three cooks.
"Yes, with that girl eating so much, the help of a young chef will be easier."
'Are they that weak? Knowing that Uma Musume are beings that are basically horses in human bodies...'
Kiyoshi snorted while finishing washing his hands and began searching for what was needed for today's menu.
Surprisingly, most of it seemed to be food that didn't involve meat.
"Well, horses are herbivores after all."
He sighed boredly.
Preparing breakfast and lunch would be easy.
The ingredients were already ready, so breakfast was easy to prepare.
Thus, he had a lot of free time until they started preparing lunch.
So, while sitting at the tables eating breakfast, he was silently watching videos about famous trainers.
"If I base myself on their experiences, I can't implement my original plan."
Kiyoshi murmured boredly while thinking about the fact that all trainers had to have knowledge in many areas he had no interest in studying.
"Tsk."
He clicked his tongue while turning off his cell phone and finally took the orange juice he had served himself.
"I have all the knowledge, but what good is it if I don't put it into practice?"
He complained. There were many things he could only learn in practice; after all, knowledge is just theory.
"What if I teach her to fight better?"
That was easier. Running faster was more difficult than hitting someone.
"Uma Musume were born to run."
He felt a shiver as that voice reached his ears.
It was a familiar voice, the same one he had heard that time at the central Tracen Academy.
"Old witch, aren't you dead yet?"
He murmured with a snort as he stood up.
"Could a dead person talk to the living?"
That was illogical in many ways, even spiritual ones.
"Maybe I just have more serious mental problems than I thought, which only worsened since I started praying to those three goddesses."
Kiyoshi snorted and went back to the kitchen to wash the used utensils.
Soon they would have to cook a huge amount of food again.
---
"What are you doing?"
"Donations."
"Then why is your account in the negatives!?"
Boom!
A paper indicating the account status was placed in front of her.
Millions of yen had been moved, and they had even taken out loans.
"Crap, I forgot to switch accounts!"
She quickly stood up and went to look for her laptop, leaving the person who had confronted her in silence.
"What the hell are you doing, Souji?!"
The fury in her crimson eyes only increased as the paper in her hands crumpled.
"It's his order."
But that fury disappeared after those words.
"His order?"
She questioned while the grey hair moved before her eyes, seeming to search for something in the room.
"Yes. He ordered me to help those in need in Japan, whether Human or Uma Musume."
"Is he trying to pick up girls again?"
"Who knows? No one would spend millions of dollars just to pick up one Uma."
Souji brought a hand to her chin.
"Could it be that he now plans to form a harem of Uma Musume so his daughters can dominate the racing world?"
A grimace appeared on the other woman's face in the room.
"Can't you just find out?"
"That would take the fun out of the adventure, Charlotte."
Souji smiled, her aquamarine eyes observing Charlotte, who was only annoyed because she had touched his accounts.
"How's your detective job going?"
She asked while sitting down, opening the laptop, and starting to do some things with the bank accounts.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, though that's better."
Charlotte sighed and then looked at the room full of various manga and novels.
"Do you plan to make manga about Uma Musume too?"
She questioned while throwing the paper ball into the trash can, which was full of various crumpled papers.
"If I didn't, it would be wasting such a good opportunity."
Souji snorted.
"Horse girls born with the instinct for racing."
Souji began to smile while her eyes shone.
"What will your first manga be called?"
Charlotte asked while narrowing her eyes.
She could feel this was important.
"Uma Musume: Silver Flash."
"Isn't that the nickname he had in the underworld?"
Charlotte asked, and Souji smiled nervously upon noticing she had made a mistake.
"It's not my fault I'm bad with names."
She rubbed her cheek while Charlotte just had a tic.
"What's the number?"
"Six..."
"What's the first one?"
"Impossible to see."
"Screw you."
"Why do you treat me like this when I'm just answering?"
"You don't give the information right."
There was more silence in the room.
"I want a report on the Uma Musume races held in Kanmatsu and surrounding areas."
"Please?"
"Just use my bank accounts."
Charlotte made a face and simply left Souji alone, who snorted.
"How annoying."
In the end, she kept making bank transfers until she stopped at a name.
"Oh? It's Grandma."
Souji smiled while looking at the family information.
"Why don't we give her better treatment instead?"
---
"That girl really eats a lot."
Kiyoshi murmured while watching his other three colleagues panic as they observed the empty rice pots.
The reason?
It was that Uma Musume he had encountered several times since arriving here.
"And why didn't you tell me you'd need to make more rice?"
Kiyoshi questioned while washing his hands to prepare more food.
"Well... the daily supplies are a bit... scarce."
The chef in charge of the cafeteria said nervously while Kiyoshi rolled his eyes.
"Take out tomorrow's supplies."
Kiyoshi searched for something in his clothes.
"Do any of you have a car?"
"I do."
One of the two female cooks responded.
"But why do you ask?"
The curiosity of the three cooks was genuine as Kiyoshi finally pulled out what he was looking for.
"Well."
He walked over to the cook and showed her a credit card.
"Buy everything you think is necessary."
The woman took the credit card, and her eyes opened in surprise upon seeing the name on it.
"B-but, are you sure?"
"Of course, just do it."
She turned to look at her other two colleagues, who still seemed confused, and simply nodded.
"I'll be back in half an hour."
She quickly left the cafeteria to fulfill the order.
"Good, let's cook."
Kiyoshi smiled and went to look for more supplies while the chef pointed at himself.
"Wasn't I the boss?"
"It's better to hurry before she comes back."
His colleague just let out an incredulous giggle and went to help Kiyoshi prepare more food.
"A second plate, please."
Kiyoshi walked calmly to the counter and calmly looked at the uma who had returned for the second time to the unlimited buffet.
"My apologies, but your second pot of rice isn't ready yet, miss."
Kiyoshi bowed and looked at the Uma with a smile.
"Could you wait a few minutes until it's ready?"
For some reason, Kiyoshi felt that emotion again.
The same emotion he felt when he and Xiao had met.
The blue eyes of the Uma Musume before him seemed to shine, and he could feel it.
She was like an unstoppable force.
And he was that immovable force.
A devourer who loved food.
And a person who loved to cook.
"Kiyoshi-san, the rice is ready!"
Kiyoshi nodded as he turned towards the kitchen.
"Oguri Cap."
The black-haired young man stopped.
"What?"
He turned and raised an eyebrow.
"My name is Oguri Cap."
Oguri repeated her name while giving a small smile, as if challenging him.
"Kiyoshi Ishikawa."
The black-haired young man turned around and then went to bring the rice pot so the buffet's rice supply could be restocked.
"Don't forget, Oguri Cap."
End of chapter.
Well, this is the first chapter of the fic.
As before, it's a transitional chapter without much going on, and I also felt it was a bit weak, hahaha.
But oh well.
I thought Uma Musume had a pre-established canon, but apparently it doesn't, so now I have more freedom to act in the fic.
Although my ideas are simple, just dominating the world of Uma racing.
But weeeell, first we would have to make a Japanese Uma stand out abroad, and the first candidate was the idea of sending the first Uma that Kiyoshi will train abroad to reflect.
But I think that would be too cruel, or so my friends say Dx.
I think I have a lot to say, but saying it would be too much of a spoiler, so weeeell, I'll just give a little information about Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi Ishikawa is more of an alias than a fake name for our protagonist, who, in fact, is only 18 years old.
Our protagonist, as has been shown in the fic, is a person with a lot of money and many talents.
Although the money is mostly an inheritance left by his adoptive father, whom I might talk more about later, as he is an important piece for the bigger questions this character has about the Umas.
In addition to the Uma Musume characters, there will be more characters like Souji and Charlotte, although they won't be very relevant beyond doing charitable acts and revolutionizing some technological things.
Although I also plan to add two umas in the near future :v.
I have nothing more to say, so...
Happy holidays, guys! I hope you spend them well with your families!
Until next time!