Thump, thump, thump.
"Come in!"
After knocking on the door, Director Yayoi Akikawa's voice quickly followed up, and Wada opened the door, walking in with T.M. Opera O in tow.
Just as Mejiro McQueen had said, inside the office, Ikezoe was already there with Orfevre and Curren Chan, alongside Imanami with Gold Ship.
Symboli Rudolf and Fumino Nase were also present, making the originally spacious Director's office feel a bit crowded.
Hayakawa Tazuna, who was also present, smiled at Wada and said:
"Oh~ our new Student Council President and her Trainer have arrived too~ I'm so happy you came straight here after your hot spring trip ended~"
"Ms. Hayakawa… please don't tease us."
Wada felt a wave of awkwardness upon hearing her words.
Wada wasn't that surprised that Hayakawa Tazuna knew about it.
After all, he had messaged many Trainers when he was panicking to get advice, so one or two of them leaking the news was to be expected.
Of course, T.M. Opera O knew very well that it wasn't any of the Trainers Wada sought help from who leaked it, but rather herself.
It was only because Wada didn't like to browse on forums in his free time that he didn't know; otherwise, he would have realized that no one at Tracen Academy was unaware of this news, with all of them enjoying the show.
"Congratulations! Truly, you lot from Team Miracle have given both me and the URA a huge surprise! It seems my evaluation of you all before had actually been too low!"
As Director Akikawa said this, she waved her hand, signaling Wada and T.M. Opera O to step forward.
From her expression, it was clear that her mood was excellent as she fanned herself, addressing the group:
"I never expected it! In just the one short year since you've joined, you have already managed to make such a huge impact on the Uma Musume Racing Association— no, the entire Uma Musume scene in Japan! You two have truly made history!"
"Becoming a Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume, destabilizing Shadai, defeating the decade-long invincible Emperor, and bringing about a new Student Council President."
"All of these big events happened in just one year! All of you, and especially you, Trainer Wada, you all are truly amazing people."
"Also! Congratulations, Trainer Wada! You've successively been promoted to a URA-designated S-rank Trainer!"
"In the entirety of Japan, you are the third ever person to achieve this rank, as well as the youngest out of all of them!"
"And this is not all! You have also broken two other records: The youngest GI Trainer and the youngest Classic Triple Crown Trainer!"
Director Akikawa was in a very good mood today.
It was unclear if it was because she had managed to peg Shadai down a peg yesterday, or if it was because Japan's Uma Musume scene and Tracen Academy were on the rise.
But regardless, she was exceptionally joyful today.
"Tazuna, please bring the thing that the URA gave to Trainer Wada."
"Understood."
Hayakawa Tazuna smiled and nodded, then took out a red tray and presented it to Wada.
Wada looked down and saw a medal, a brand new nameplate, and a card.
"...This isn't just my achievement, Director. Trainer Imanami, Trainer Ikezoe, Trainer Nase... everyone has given me help to allow me and T.M. Opera O to accomplish all of this."
Wada opened his mouth, feeling genuinely uncomfortable that all credit was going to only himself.
With a tone of humility and a touch of shame, he spoke:
"I— among everyone in the team, I am the most mediocre and incompetent Trainer. Everyone here has tolerated and helped me, yet I have no way or ability to repay everyone... I- don't think I'm worthy—"
"Tch, don't say that, Wada, you're bringing the mood down. You and T.M. Opera O are the only people who could've done this; so, not only are you an incredible Trainer, but you're a damn competent one too."
"That's right, Wada, just accept it. Besides, it's not like you're the only one getting benefits, our team will naturally be elevated alongside with you."
Imanami and Ikezoe immediately stepped forward to fix their friend's troublesome attitude.
Wada's S-rank Trainer status, of course, wasn't just an elevation of his personal status; just by the virtue of him being a part of Team Miracle, their team's status would also rise, most likely becoming the new 'strongest team' of Tracen Academy from now on.
This 'strongest' status also isn't just a fancy title; it meant that their Uma Musume would have better resources, enjoy priority queues in races, and have access to more high quality equipment and training environments.
For example, if their team's Uma Musume and another team's Uma Musume were competing for the last slot in a race while both teams' Uma Musume only reached the minimum requirement to participate, their team will get priority for that final slot.
This was a huge advantage, and was something that is immensely helpful to have. Therefore, while Wada acting all humble was fine, if a bit irritating, outright refusing the position was not an option.
Everyone wanted their Uma Musume to enjoy better resources, and moreover, the access to these resources, like Wada said, were earned together, so he couldn't refuse.
"...Since that's the case, then I shall humbly accept."
Seeing everyone's expectant gazes, Wada, momentarily intimidated, accepted the title.
Hayakawa Tazuna then smiled slightly and handed all the items to Wada.
"Also, this card over here contains ten million yen, which is both a subsidy and a reward from the URA to your team." (T/N: Around $62k USD)
She continued to smile and said further:
"You don't need to inform Tracen Academy of what you're spending with this money; these funds are entirely under the control of your team."
"Also, Trainer Wada, from now on, your salary, subsidies, and pension will be given a raise to that of an S-rank Trainer."
"Congratulations, Trainer Wada. Starting today, you are a legendary figure in Japan."
"This really leaves me at a loss for words…"
Wada was momentarily speechless.
He looked at the card in front of him, and for a moment, seemed to have some thoughts.
Then, he turned to Imanami and the others,
"Imanami… Ikezoe, Trainer Nase, everyone, I'd like to use this money for something else other than for team related matters. Can you let me be selfish just this once?"
"You earned that money, Wada. How you choose to use it is your freedom."
Imanami showed a slight smile, speaking for everyone present as he said to Wada:
"Go do what you feel needs to be done. I believe you wouldn't want to spend the money elsewhere without good reason."
"—Thank you."
Wada bowed solemnly to the group.
Then, he pocketed the items on the tray, picked up the card, and faced Director Akikawa and Tazuna once more.
"This card has ten million yen… five million yen should be enough for our team."
"The remaining five million… Ms. Hayakawa, could I trouble you to donate it to reputable charities and Uma Musume academies in impoverished areas? I think they would need this money more."
As he said this, noticing the surprise on Hayakawa Tazuna's face, Wada immediately added:
"I know that five million yen isn't that much for these institutions, especially since it'll be split between them..."
"But if it can help them get an extra air conditioner, a few fans, or even just some extra food... that's all the reason I need to do this."
"I want to tell those born into unfavourable situations, those Uma Musume and Trainers who believe that they are stuck at the bottom, that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that no matter what, someone does care and is willing to help them in creating the next Miracle."
"...Trainer Wada, everyone says you're a good person. And it seems that it truly is a fair assessment."
Hayakawa Tazuna's expression, upon hearing this, gradually softened from initial surprise, with admiration sparkling in her eyes.
She then took the card from Wada's hand and bowed slightly, saying:
"No worries, Trainer Wada. I will personally deliver this money into the hands that need them. I will absolutely not let your kindness go to waste."
"It seems… that it isn't just the new generation of Uma Musume, but the new generation of Trainers too."
Symboli Rudolf, who had been silently witnessing this scene, nodded in approval and said:
"With a Trainer like this, any Uma Musume he trains certainly won't be bad. I really can retire with peace of mind~"
"Still our dear Student Council President, there's still one to two years to go. Don't think you can slack off just because you're nearing retirement, okay?"
Director Akikawa joked with Rudolf with a smile, though there seemed to be a glint of paperwork hell that shimmered in her eyes for a moment, causing everyone in the room to shiver.
Meanwhile, Fumino Nase, who had been silently watching, now stared at Wada with sparkling eyes.
She remained silent for a long, long time, yet the expression in her completely captivated gaze already conveyed the profound sense of admiration in her heart.
"I think I understand why Meisho Doto and T.M. Opera O only accept you, Trainer Wada."
"I thought I was already nearing the end of what I needed to learn from you... but there seems to still be so much more. Plus, I still need to learn from the other two as well... perhaps I should reschedule things a bit."
At that instant, Fumino Nase, who had initially thought she had learned most of Wada's positive traits, suddenly felt that she might need to stay by Wada's side for a while longer.
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'Team Miracle' Trainer, Wada Ryuji is reportedly the youngest Trainer ever to achieve an S-rank.
"HELP MY UMA MUSUME IS GOING TO UMAPYOI ME!!!!!"
He is only 20 years old.
-----+-----
If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.