"So expensive!"
The next day, Fujiwara Chiya found that inn.
Looking at the prices listed at the inn, Fujiwara Chiya's eyes widened. As one of the most famous hot spring inns, it was naturally not going to be cheap, but he had not expected the price for one person for one night to reach five digits.
Even if my salary went up, I can't handle spending like this. Wait, if one person is already this expensive, then that ten-person voucher from last time…
Fujiwara Chiya swallowed. He had actually accepted a huge gift from Director Akikawa without feeling the slightest guilt.
Ignorance was terrifying.
Still, although it was expensive, the healing effect was also considerable. Whether it was the hot springs or the food, everything here was top-class. It should help Mejiro Dober recover faster.
Looking at the dizzying numbers on the price list, Fujiwara Chiya took out his wallet. At that moment, he noticed a line of text in the bottom-right corner of the price list.
Uma Musume receive a twenty percent discount.
"Madam!"
"Yes, dear guest."
A beautiful woman who looked to be in her thirties and had horse ears walked out from the back. She stood at the counter. "How may I help you?"
"I'd like to buy a hot spring voucher for an Uma Musume. May I ask if there's a discount?"
"For an Uma Musume? May I ask who you are?"
"I'm a trainer."
"Trainer!"
At that moment, a young voice came from the back. A little filly with short brown hair and green eyes ran over. There were star-shaped patterns in her eyes.
"You really are a trainer?" The little filly stood in front of Fujiwara Chiya. Her head only reached his waist.
"Of course. This is my trainer badge."
Fujiwara Chiya took his intermediate trainer badge out of his pocket and handed it to the little girl.
"Mom, he's a trainer! He really is a trainer!"
"I know, Rai. Didn't I tell you to be quiet in front of guests?"
"Sorry, Onii-san."
She returned the badge.
"It's fine, it's fine."
He remembered that in the past, even children this small had called him uncle. Now he had become Onii-san. It seemed he really had become quite a bit younger.
"Could you register the Uma Musume's name?"
Fujiwara Chiya wrote "Mejiro Dober" on the paper. After seeing the name, the innkeeper looked surprised.
"I remember now. You're the trainer who brought your team here last time, aren't you?"
"That's right."
"I knew it when I saw Mejiro Dober's name."
"Mejiro Dober!"
Hearing that name, the little filly perked up her ears.
"You're Mejiro Dober's trainer!" Her emerald-green eyes sparkled.
"You know her?"
"I'm her fan! Trainer, my name is Rhein Kraft!"
What a coincidence, running into one of Dober's little fans here.
Does that mean I can get another discount?
"Last time, when I told Rai that Mejiro Dober had stayed at our inn for one night, this child regretted not being here so much. She has been watching Mejiro Dober's races from the very beginning, even now."
"I see."
"Trainer, is Dober going to race soon?"
"In the middle of next month. She'll be participating in the Tulip Sho. If you like, you can go watch."
"Mom!"
"I know, I'll go with you." The innkeeper showed a doting expression that seemed to say she had no choice.
"Trainer, I'm going to enter Tracen Academy in the future too." Rhein Kraft clenched her little fists and looked up at Fujiwara Chiya.
"That's great. On behalf of Tracen, I welcome you. Come whenever you enter your true-form period."
"This year! I can go this year! I've already entered my true-form period. I can go by the end of the year."
"What a coincidence. I'm planning to expand my team when the new students enter this year. Would you be interested in coming over?"
"Can I!?"
"Of course."
Fujiwara Chiya wrote her a blank check. There was no way he would casually sign with this little girl without knowing her potential or ability, but giving himself an opportunity first was not a bad thing.
Not to mention, this little girl was the innkeeper's daughter. If he built a good relationship with them, perhaps he could get discounts when coming here in the future…
Wait. If I become her trainer, does that mean I'll always get a discount here?
Thinking about it that way, it actually sounded pretty good.
"Mom, he's my trainer from now on!"
"Rai, let's talk about that after you enter Tracen. Dear guest, I'm sorry for the trouble."
Unlike the polite tone she had used with a guest earlier, the innkeeper's voice had become much gentler.
"My child also really wants to meet Dober, so please treat this hot spring voucher as a greeting gift for Trainer."
"This… You're far too kind."
After making a symbolic attempt to refuse, Fujiwara Chiya ultimately "reluctantly" accepted it. Then he bent down and patted Rhein Kraft's head.
"When you come to Tracen in the future, just say my name directly. The green-uniformed onee-san will bring you over. Since you're going to come eventually anyway, I can show you around early."
"Is that all right, Trainer? I remember Tracen doesn't allow outsiders to enter outside activity days, does it?" the innkeeper asked.
"It's fine, it's fine. I can explain it to them. Whether it's Director or the Student Council, it should be easy to discuss."
"Thank you very much for the trouble."
"Thank you very much, Trainer!" Rhein Kraft lowered her head.
"Then I suppose I'm also this child's future trainer. See you next time."
"Yes. Take care, and come again when you have time."
Fujiwara Chiya waved his hand. After leaving the inn, he looked at the blue hot spring voucher in his hand.
He had not expected that relying on Mejiro Dober's connection would let him obtain a voucher for free, get himself a little filly, and even bring an entire hot spring inn into his sphere of influence. This time, he had made a huge profit!
Although his motive for scouting Rhein Kraft was not exactly pure, as a trainer, he would definitely raise her with all his heart if she became his Uma Musume. So this should count as mutually beneficial.
After returning to Tracen, Fujiwara Chiya handed the hot spring voucher to Mejiro Dober.
"Trainer, this is…"
"Let me see. On the twenty-second, go soak in the hot spring and relax. After that, I'll help you adjust your training plan."
"Why are we suddenly adding hot springs?"
"This is part of training."
Seeing that she did not understand, Fujiwara Chiya explained, "Dober, training and rest support each other. Training places a burden on your body, while rest allows your muscles to grow. Right now, you're training constantly, and the burden on your body is too heavy. Without enough time to rest, your body is being pressed down and can't grow properly. I know you're putting in a lot for the sake of victory, but that doesn't mean resting is delaying you."
Mejiro Dober lowered her head. After thinking for a long while, she said, "Yes, Trainer."
Fujiwara Chiya's words were like a cup of clear water poured over her muddied mind, waking her up.
"Trainer won't come with me?"
"I won't go. Shirayuki and the others won't either. During this period, you're the one who's been the most exhausted."
"Sorry, Trainer…"
"If you really want to apologize, then win the race. I want to see you win."
"Yes!"
"Ah, right. There's a little fan of yours at the inn. Talk to her a little when you're there. She'll be your junior in the future."
"A little fan?" Mejiro Dober blinked, then nodded.
After she left the room, Fujiwara Chiya immediately shifted his attention to Shirayuki's side.
This race is starting to feel really dangerous…