Kashimoto Riko maintained a composed expression. Seeing nothing amiss, Just a Way also acted as if everything were normal.
"I never thought I'd get the chance to chat with the Director," Just a Way said cheerfully.
"You're always so full of energy, Just a Way."
"A day spent happy is still a day, and a day spent sad is still a day. Of course, I'll choose to be happy every day!"
The relationship between Just a Way and Kashimoto Riko was somewhat awkward. When Kousei left Central, Just a Way had followed her. This effectively placed them on opposing sides. A private meeting between Central's Acting Director and a foreign member was an extremely sensitive matter.
Yet, their interaction felt completely natural. Just a Way's mischievous and clever nature even charmed Kashimoto Riko, who found herself smiling frequently as they talked.
They didn't seem like strangers meeting for the first time, but rather like old friends reuniting. Kashimoto Riko mentioned that Just a Way reminded her of an old friend. As their conversation deepened, she truly began to wonder. If she hadn't known that her old friend would never appear at Tracen, she might have mistaken Just a Way for her.
Kashimoto Riko also took the initiative to share some of her own stories with Just a Way. She didn't talk about work, because no matter how difficult it was, it was her own burden to bear.
Besides, as an adult, she had no reason to complain to Just a Way.
Sharing amusing anecdotes from her life was one of the rare moments when Kashimoto Riko let her guard down. Usually, she wore a constant frown, as if burdened by endless worries. But now, she seemed like just an ordinary adult, casually sharing glimpses of her life.
"One time, the documents were piled mountain-high, and Little and Bitter Glasse hadn't arrived yet. I decided to move them myself to clear some space to work. But I accidentally lost my balance and ended up pinned under the pile. Little and Bitter Glasse were terrified when they found me," Kashimoto Riko recounted. Despite the embarrassing story, she looked genuinely happy.
"That sounds terrible! Falling is no joke; you should be more careful."
"You're right."
Kashimoto Riko readily accepted Just a Way's concern.
"I never expected the Director to call me just for a casual chat. I thought it would be something much more serious," Just a Way said, finally letting down her guard and speaking more freely.
"Afraid I'll cause trouble for Kousei?" Kashimoto Riko's voice held a hint of slyness. Just a Way laughed awkwardly and tried to change the subject.
"I didn't hear anything, but I saw Sweep Tosho storming off. Did you two have a fight?"
Kashimoto Riko's reaction was not what Just a Way expected. Instead of any negative emotion, she offered a faint smile.
"Yes, I suppose you could call it a fight," Kashimoto Riko said, looking surprisingly pleased.
"A fight? It doesn't seem like it."
"Have you ever fought with Kousei, Just a Way?" Kashimoto Riko countered, ignoring the question.
Just a Way thought for a moment. "I guess you could say we have."
"It doesn't seem like it. You two are so close."
"Hey, you—"
Seeing Kashimoto Riko's mischievous grin, Just a Way realized the Acting Director was using her own words against her.
Just a Way's gaze flickered away, bewildered by this completely different side of Kashimoto Riko.
"Acting Director, you still haven't answered my question," Just a Way said, trying to sound casual as she steered the conversation back.
Kashimoto Riko made no attempt to hide the truth. "That girl claimed she'd already found her 'Magic.' I naturally refuted it, and she threw a tantrum and stormed off in a huff."
Just a Way's suspicions were largely correct.
"But you seem a little... strange?"
Just a Way had good reason to be skeptical. Kashimoto Riko claimed she had refuted Sweep Tosho and they'd had a huge fight, yet her happiness seemed entirely genuine.
Just a Way couldn't understand the stark contradiction between what Kashimoto Riko said and how she truly felt.
"Magic..." Kashimoto Riko murmured to herself.
She seemed lost in her own thoughts, and Just a Way waited quietly without pressing her.
After a long silence, Kashimoto Riko spoke again.
"Could I ask you for a favor, Just a Way?"
"So suddenly?" Just a Way was surprised that the first thing Kashimoto Riko did after emerging from her thoughts was to ask for help.
"Yes. I've been thinking about it for a while, and you're the only one I can ask."
Kashimoto Riko was acting so unlike her usual self today. Just a Way weighed her options, unsure whether to agree.
"Why don't you tell me what it is first, Acting Director? I'll see if I can handle it. It would be a shame to waste your good intentions if I can't, wouldn't it?"
"So cautious. It seems my reputation is quite poor."
It wasn't that Just a Way disliked Kashimoto Riko. But Kousei's situation was special, and she couldn't afford any unexpected complications.
"Since I'm the one making the request, there's no reason to hide anything from you. I hope... that you, Just a Way, will guide Sweep Tosho and stay by her side in the time leading up to the Autumn Tenno Sho.
"I know your team probably has its own plans, but I'm confident you can offer Sweep Tosho even more help.
"In the upcoming Autumn Tenno Sho, the Central Committee will be sending one of their runners, and Little and Bitter Glasse will also be competing.
"This Autumn Tenno Sho is completely different from the Takarazuka Memorial. As she is now, Sweep Tosho absolutely cannot win. She must grasp her 'Magic,' or she'll face a crushing defeat."
Kashimoto Riko's tone was so sincere that Just a Way couldn't help but be moved. What she couldn't understand was why Kashimoto Riko would ask her to help Sweep Tosho while simultaneously sending Little and Bitter Glasse to compete against her in the same race. She had no idea what Kashimoto Riko was planning.
"You want me to guide Sweep Tosho? But I'm just an Umamusume who hasn't even debuted yet. Our team has other world-class runners—I can't possibly compare to them," Just a Way said frankly. The foreign members included plenty of top-tier talent; there was no reason for the task to fall to her.
But Kashimoto Riko was unusually firm. She gripped Just a Way's hand tightly, her eyes filled with earnest sincerity.
"Fine, fine," Just a Way conceded, unable to refuse any longer. "I'll think about what I can do."
Seeing Just a Way agree, Kashimoto Riko beamed and immediately released her hand.
"Quid pro quo. Shouldn't you answer some of my questions now, Acting Chairman Kashimoto?"
"Please, ask," Kashimoto Riko replied, now considerably more relaxed.
"I want to know why you came up with such an extreme ideology as the 'Thorough Management Education Program.'"
The previously relaxed atmosphere between them instantly vanished, replaced by a tense chill. Kashimoto Riko's smile slowly froze, her expression returning to the familiar, stern mask people knew her for.
Everyone knew about the "Thorough Management Education Program," but no one had ever thought to ask why Kashimoto Riko herself had conceived of such a philosophy.
"Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. Or maybe I just want an answer."
The silence that followed was heavy, thick with unspoken tension. After a long moment of deliberation, Kashimoto Riko finally spoke—
"When I first became a Trainer, there was an Umamusume..."