Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live

"Gold Ship-san is using a late-charge tactic?"

In the stands, Tokai Teio and her friends, now very interested in the race, were surprised by Gold Ship's choice of strategy.

Horse girl tactics could be broadly divided into four types: nigeru (escaper), senkō (front-runner), sashi (mid-pack closer), and oikomi (late charger). Senkō and sashi were the "orthodox" tactics chosen by most. Nigeru and oikomi, however, were two extremes.

"A late charge needs a long enough final straight to show its advantage, but this race is only 1800 meters," Mejiro McQueen murmured with a worried expression. "And this is a heavy track. Running on waterlogged turf not only consumes stamina quickly, but more importantly, explosive power is affected."

"—It's okay. If the heavy track might be a concern for Festa, for Gold Ship, it's not a threat at all."

At that moment, an unexpected male voice entered their conversation. The horse girls turned to see a dark-haired horse girl pushing a man in a wheelchair towards them. In Tracen Academy, there was only one person with such a distinctive appearance. McQueen, who had seen him from a distance before, was the first to recognize him.

"You're... Nakayama Festa's trainer? Kitano Ryuichi?"

"Why are you here? I thought Palmer-nee-san said you were just discharged today. The racecourse environment isn't good for your health."

"My body is fine—besides, this is my charge's first race. How could I not be here?" Kitano replied gently. At the mention of his famous name, everyone looked at him curiously, this legendary trainer who was "burning his life for his dream."

Tokai Teio, in particular, blinked her large eyes and studied him carefully. This person... looks so familiar. Have I seen him before?

She didn't know that her companions were having similar thoughts. And the man they were all observing was also secretly glancing at them, feeling a wave of emotion as he looked at these all-too-familiar faces.

...If I told them now that every horse girl standing near me has been my charge in a past life, they'd probably think I'm delusional and send me to a mental hospital, right?

Even so, seeing them again, he felt a sense of pride. Though there were a few he hadn't seen race before he died in their respective playthroughs, he had done his best to set them on the right path.

He could even say, with a clear conscience, that he had once saved the life of one of them. Though it had cost him his own life in that playthrough, he had prevented a historical tragedy. It was the act he was proudest of and would never regret.

Although, that girl probably doesn't remember any of it now. But it's good that I do... And perhaps it's for the best that she forgot. My sacrifice, while dramatic, must have been a huge blow to her.

"...Suzuka-san, don't you think that Trainer Kitano looks familiar somehow?"

Nearby, Special Week, who had also been staring at him for a long time, finally couldn't contain her curiosity and whispered to Silence Suzuka.

However, her question made the dazed Suzuka subconsciously look at him. After studying him for a long moment, she shook her head hesitantly. "No... I don't think I've seen him before, Spe-chan. Why do you ask?"

Special Week didn't notice that her friend, after looking away, had a strange flicker in her eyes.

No... I don't feel familiarity, but some other emotion...

Is it... sadness? Unease? Why do I feel a sense of fear at seeing him? We've only just met.

Even from a distance, why does my heart feel this... urge to get away from him?

Suzuka was in turmoil, completely baffled by her own emotional waves. But her mind and heart were now constantly sending her alarms, making her unconsciously distance herself from him.

As the horse girls' gazes continued to linger on him, the dark-haired horse girl behind him finally made a "tsk" sound and warned in a cold tone:

"I know his face is nice to look at, but you've been staring for too long. It's rude, you know?"

"Ah..."

Her words snapped the dazed girls back to reality.

"We weren't staring! Anyway, who are you, senpai? I don't think I've seen you at Tracen," Teio retorted, a little flustered.

"—She's called Stay Gold. She's the head of the Gold Family, and the older sister of Festa and Gold Ship."

At that moment, Kitano, whose eyes were back on the race, answered Teio's question while analyzing the current situation. The competition between the two sisters was making him unusually nervous.

He had already learned from Stay Gold that Gold Ship had secretly entered the race. At first, he was surprised, but then he understood her intentions—she was worried about Festa's unstable performance and had volunteered to be the one to pressure her into giving her all.

However, from her performance... it seemed Gold Ship wouldn't mind taking the win herself if Festa didn't bring her A-game.

"Golshi and Festa both seem to be going all out," Stay Gold said, turning to him. "Kitano, who do you think will win?"

"...This heavy track is actually to Golshi's advantage. Her power and physique are much stronger than Festa's, allowing her to run steadily as if on flat ground."

"But... I believe in Festa. She is a horse girl who can create miracles. I don't think she'll give up easily this time."

As if to prove his words, the moment the race passed the third corner, the situation finally changed.

Gold Ship had seen her chance. Her "warm-up" was over. Now—it was time to overtake!

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