Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Hakodate Racecourse! Next up is the 1800-meter turf race for new horses!"

"It's finally starting... Nakayama Festa's debut race."

It was early morning at Hakodate Racecourse, but the stands were already packed with spectators. In a prime viewing area, Symboli Rudolf and a group of other Tracen Academy horse girls watched over the track below, ready for the race to begin.

"Well, whether Trainer Kitano's dream can take its first step all depends on Nakayama-san now." Mr. C.B. waited with anticipation for Festa's entrance. Over the past few days, she hadn't seemed to be involved in Kitano's care, but in reality, he had entrusted her with a more important task: to be Nakayama Festa's training partner.

As her former trainer, Kitano knew C.B.'s racing style well. Before the Gold Family oddballs made their debut, she was truly the "freest horse girl." Many of her traits were a mirror image of the Gold Family's, so he believed she could offer valuable insight for Festa's racing.

Like many from the Gold Family, C.B. excelled at closing from behind, using sashi (mid-pack closer) and oikomi (late charger) tactics. While Festa wasn't skilled at oikomi, her talent for sashi and senkō (front-runner) was excellent. However, Festa rarely ran a senkō race, as she felt maintaining an early lead didn't fit her style of seeking thrill and breakthroughs.

C.B. had taught Festa a lot about closing from mid-pack, and her late-charging tactics also provided a great reference. In the future, Festa would have more ways to handle opponents who specialized in late bursts of speed.

"Still, this is just an 1800-meter mile race. I imagine most horse girls will use front-running or leading tactics. Closers like Nakayama-san are rare, let alone late chargers."

Thinking of this, C.B. couldn't help but feel a little nervous, as if she were watching her own disciple's debut. But she knew her nervousness wasn't for the race itself, but for someone else who wasn't here but was surely watching.

Trainer Kitano... he's bet all his hopes on her. C.B. didn't want to see his hopes dashed, especially not after his recent collapse, with his time running short...

"Don't worry. I think Trainer Kitano will get his wish."

Surprisingly, it was Symboli Rudolf who spoke. Just yesterday, she had been furious about Festa's rejection of the team proposal, yet today she appeared in the stands as if nothing had happened. Though the worsening dark circles under her eyes indicated she still hadn't rested well, she seemed much calmer than she had been.

This puzzled C.B. While she didn't know about the confrontation, she did know that the President couldn't help but get emotional whenever Kitano was involved. On that point, she and Rudolf should have been the same.

"Rudolf, with Nakayama-san's racing style, there's always a high risk. Are you that confident she'll win this time?"

"You'll understand later, C.B."

At that moment, their gazes turned to the popularity stage, where the competitors were being introduced.

"Next up, with the seventh highest popularity, Nakayama Festa!"

As the announcer's voice faded, Nakayama Festa, wearing her ever-present knit cap and a tracksuit, walked onto the stage with a cool expression. Her eyes were devoid of emotion, her lazy demeanor suggesting a complete lack of fighting spirit.

"Is that Nakayama Festa? The one the President wanted me to team up with?"

"She looks... completely unremarkable. I really don't get why the President would want me to join her team."

On the other side of the stands, a group of younger Tracen students were watching. Conspicuously among them was a roan-haired horse girl with a white streak in her bangs, bearing an eighty-percent resemblance to Symboli Rudolf. At first glance, she looked like a junior version of the Emperor.

This was Tracen Academy's new star, Tokai Teio—hailed as the horse girl most likely to become Japan's second undefeated Triple Crown winner. She was here today because Rudolf had tried to recruit her for Kitano's team. Teio had come to see for herself what was so special about this trainer's horse girl.

But the result... was disappointing. Seeing Festa's listless eyes, Teio felt let down. A horse girl like that is supposed to be my rival?

"Don't underestimate her, Teio. The horse girls of the Gold Family all have immense potential," Mejiro McQueen chimed in, having witnessed Kitano's intimacy with Gold Ship before.

"While their senior, Stay Gold, didn't have a great record, the potential within the family is huge. My grandmother once told me that the biggest obstacle for a Gold Family horse girl is often herself."

"Huh... is that true for Gold Ship-san too?" Hearing this, even the ever-confident Teio was taken aback, subconsciously thinking of the Gold Family member she knew best.

At the mention of "Gold Ship," even McQueen, the most talented of her generation, made an indescribable face. After a long pause, she said uncertainly, "Gold Ship's strength is definitely not to be underestimated, but... she's shown no intention of debuting until now. I don't know her true level."

"Gold Ship-san is super strong!" At this, another girl, who had been stuffing carrots into her mouth, couldn't help but join in. This was Special Week. "Last time, when El Condor Pasa's hawk snatched my and Suzuka-san's carrots, Gold Ship-san was the first to chase after it! The speed she showed then was second to none!"

"...Mm, Spe-chan is right. Gold Ship-san is very strong," the girl called "Suzuka" replied. Silence Suzuka pushed aside the melancholy that had surfaced while she was distracted and forced a smile. "Gold Ship-san's legs... are very powerful. It makes me envious. I think she'll achieve great things once she debuts."

"Suzuka-san..." Special Week sensed the sadness in her friend's voice. A bandage was still visible on one of Suzuka's legs—proof of a past fracture, not yet fully healed.

After the introductions, it was time for the final horse girl.

"And now, the horse girl with the eighth highest popularity!"

"—C.B., didn't you want to know why I'm not nervous about this race?" Rudolf suddenly said. Her gaze was fixed on the stage, where a figure taller than most was coming into view. She finally revealed the answer:

"Last night, I received two reports. The first was a new contract agreement signed between a horse girl and Trainer Kitano. Both parties left their thumbprints. After I stamped it, it became official."

"The second report was her registration for this debut race. As the least popular, she was assigned the outermost lane as a penalty."

A faint smile appeared on Rudolf's face. "And I believe in her ability. As long as she goes all out, she will become a new star everyone recognizes!"

"—Also from the Gold Family, just like Nakayama Festa! The new star of the Gold Family! Gold Ship!"

The announcer's voice boomed, and an unexpectedly tall, ash-haired figure appeared on stage. When this familiar face to all of Tracen Academy appeared, a long silence fell over the crowd, followed by a collective gasp...

"WHAAAAAT—?!!" xN

...

"Oguri, we have to hurry. Their race is about to start."

Meanwhile, back at the Mejiro private hospital, Kitano, having just completed his discharge procedures, was being helped back into his wheelchair by Oguri Cap. He wanted nothing more than to get to the racecourse to cheer for his charge.

Just then, the door opened silently, and a slender, dark figure stepped inside. When Kitano managed to turn his wheelchair, he saw a horse girl he knew all too well.

"—Long time no see, Kitano. Are you heading to Hakodate Racecourse?"

"If so, perhaps I can give you a ride. Both Festa and Gold Ship will need your support."

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