Chapter 99: Unseen Formidable Rivals

From the very beginning, I’ve been the type who feels time slipping by too quickly.

After all, life is surprisingly short, and there’s never quite enough time to pile up all the effort you want to give. Untalented as I am, simply running in the present already takes everything I’ve got—and when you live like that, time passes in the blink of an eye.

If anything, ever since I met Wilm, that sensation has only grown stronger, though in a different way. It’s not because I’m mentally wound tight like I used to be… rather, every day feels so full that time just seems to fly past.

It’s a strange mixture of happiness and melancholy, that feeling—but setting that aside.

Because of that, even after Wilm entered the Senior Class, time continued to rush by at breakneck speed… and before we knew it, late February had arrived.

Following the preliminaries held roughly a month earlier, the URA Finals semifinals took place.

We went to observe the long-distance division—the one McQueen was competing in—just as we had during the prelims. Part of the reason was simple: Wilm is friends with McQueen, and she’d invited us with a casual, “Since we’re here anyway, why don’t we go watch?” But truth be told… there was another reason as well.

This time, the conditions for the URA Finals long-distance race were 3000 meters on the right-handed outer course at Kyoto Racecourse. In other words, it was the same course used for the Kikuka Sho.

McQueen and the other entrants were in their second year of the Senior Class, with their development already complete, while Bourbon had only just entered the Classic Class. Whether a race between Uma Musume with such a large gap in experience would really serve as a useful reference point was debatable—but still.

"…………"

During the race, Bourbon watched the flow of the competition intently, likely with the Kikuka Sho in mind. Rather than enjoying the spectacle unfolding in front of her, she was probably analyzing every detail, trying to extract even a fraction of insight that might help her achieve her goal of the Triple Crown. I already knew this about her, but she really is a serious girl.

They say seeing is believing, and I hope that watching this race would provide her with some kind of nourishment.

As for the URA Finals semifinals themselves—

To jump straight to the results, Mejiro McQueen, Mejiro Ryan, Mejiro Palmer, Daitaku Helios, and Ines Fujin—along with the other well-known names—all finished safely within the top three and advanced to the finals.

That said, not every Uma Musume enjoyed a smooth run.

Unfortunately, among the named racers, Ikuno Dictus alone suffered a major delay right out of the gate. Combined with an unfavorable race development, it ultimately led to her elimination in the semifinals. It’s a shame we won’t get to see her run in the finals, but… I suppose this, too, is just how fate turns.

This race ended in disappointment, but her Twinkle Series doesn’t end here. In fact, Ikuno Dictus is scheduled to run in the Osaka Cup. If everything goes smoothly, she’s set to face Wilm in about a month and a half.

She can vent her frustrations from this unsatisfying run in the next race. …Well, no—speaking as Wilm’s contracted trainer, I obviously won’t be letting that happen.

Given my position, I can’t openly cheer for Ikuno alone, but I do hope she’ll have a Twinkle Series she can feel satisfied with.

And so, a few more days passed after the URA Finals semifinals concluded.

Since my trainees hadn’t raced in nearly two months, my workload had settled down a bit. That said, it wasn’t as though the amount of work had actually decreased. Having free hands simply meant that new tasks appeared to fill the space.

When you make a living as a trainer—especially one with far too many things they want to do—there’s no sense in wasting time.

So I spent my days continuing Masa’s training as a newcomer, while also gathering information on overseas Uma Musume in preparation for autumn.

…Though I can’t help but wonder how meaningful all of this will ultimately be.

When it comes to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—or European racing in general—there’s a tendency for Classic Class Uma Musume to be more active than Seniors, especially compared to Japan. Whether that’s because local racers mature earlier, or because fierce competition favors those riding a wave of momentum, there are plenty of possible explanations.

I’ll leave a proper examination of that for another day, when I have more breathing room.

The fact that full-fledged graded races begin in the spring of the Classic Class doesn’t differ much between Japan and Europe. Because of that, there still isn’t much official race data available on this year’s overseas Classic Class Uma Musume—some of them may not even have debuted yet.

With only the information we have right now, it’s impossible to identify every rival. Overseas races this year will require close attention.

In particular, we’ll need to watch races equivalent to the Triple Crown and Tiara. The British Classic Triple Crown led by the 2000 Guineas, the British Tiara including the 1000 Guineas, the French Classic Triple Crown and Tiara such as the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, and—even though turf isn’t their home ground—the American Classic Triple Crown, beginning with the Kentucky Derby.

On top of that, we’ll also need to keep an eye on so-called “unorthodox” Triple Crowns.

Uma Musume who pose a threat at the Arc—often considered the ultimate test of turf—tend to have G1 victories, or at the very least strong performances, already under their belts. As long as we keep our focus there and listen carefully, we shouldn’t miss any important information.

…Still, that’s all talk for the future.

For now, I should think through the most promising contenders for the Arc.

Setting aside the current Classic Class, if we’re talking about strong candidates who could threaten Wilm, are in good form, and have the intention to run in the Arc—

There’s Witch Evening, the chestnut French Uma Musume who competed against Wilm in last year’s Japan Cup. And Nedilica, another chestnut French Uma Musume who claimed victory in last year’s G1 Grand Prix de Paris.

Those two stand out as the biggest names.

They’re both exceptionally strong. Witch Evening has only missed the board once in fourteen races so far, and when she’s in form, she always finishes within the top two. Nedilica, on the other hand, boasts flawless consistency, never once missing the board in her nine races to date.

In last year’s Japan Cup, Wilm and McQueen pulled far ahead for a decisive one-two finish—but that was on Japanese turf, their home ground. At Longchamp Racecourse in France, where Witch Evening and Nedilica truly belong, even Wilm would likely be forced into a hard-fought battle.

…Well, that said, I don’t actually think she’ll lose.

An undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume, and my trainee—Hoshino Wilm. She’s strong. Truly strong. At least when it comes to sheer potential, she surpasses any Uma Musume I’ve ever known.

That’s exactly why—even with the handicap of overseas racing stacked against her—

I’m sure she’ll win without a hitch.

…Yes. I’m sure of it.

Unless someone appears who’s just like her—another undefeated, Triple Crown–caliber Uma Musume.

And as those fulfilling days continued, February drew closer to its end…

It was finally time to hold a strategy meeting in preparation for the next race.

Ever since signing with Wilm, we’ve kept up the habit of holding a meeting one month before each race. With Bourbon joining us, it’s no longer exactly one month in advance, but the routine itself remains firmly in place.

So, on a chilly February afternoon, we gathered in the trainer’s office, the heater running full blast to prevent any mishaps.

And the one who opened the meeting wasn’t me.

"Then, I’d like to begin our strategy meeting for the upcoming races. For the first half today, I—Horino Masa—will be in charge of our preparations for Bourbon’s Spring Stakes. Thank you in advance."

"Thank you."

"Thank you."

After handing out several sheets of documents and bowing lightly, my younger sister—and the girls’ sub-trainer—Masa stood in front of the whiteboard.

For this strategy meeting, the portion concerning Bourbon would be led by her. The reason was simple: to help her build experience as a trainer and acquire the skills she’d need to stand on her own as soon as possible.

The role of a sub-trainer often involves supporting an overworked trainer, but it also serves as a form of on-the-job training for newcomers. Rookie trainers who haven’t yet signed with an Uma Musume work as sub-trainers, handling miscellaneous tasks while observing experienced trainers up close—learning what to look for in an Uma Musume, what judgments to make in different situations, and what kind of distance to maintain with their trainees.

…Well, there are exceptions like me, who were allowed to sign exclusive contracts without going through that path, but that’s beside the point.

Masa, technically an unpaid intern, is also in the middle of that training process. Tazuna-san assigning her to me was partly to lighten my workload, but more than that, I think she entrusted me with helping Masa grow into a full-fledged trainer.

Unlike me, Masa is sharp and efficient—a budding master in her own right. Tracen Academy is always short on personnel, and there’s no sense in letting talent with the potential to become an excellent trainer go to waste. Since I’m her family and know her character well, I was likely deemed a suitable mentor.

And so, with April approaching and a proper salary finally on the horizon, Masa has been working hard as a trainee trainer. Which naturally makes me want to meet her efforts in kind.

That’s why, ever since she joined me as a sub-trainer last October, I’ve taught her various ways of handling the job and all sorts of practical tricks. Quick to learn, Masa absorbed everything like a sponge, and lately I’ve begun to think she’s already reached the level where she could function as a contracted trainer.

For her, today was the day to demonstrate the culmination of everything she’d built up over the past few months.

Analyzing opposing Uma Musume, examining the racecourse and the race itself with all its complex variables—such as post positions—and above all, demonstrating a deep understanding of one’s own trainee…

That’s what gets tested in the lead-up strategy meeting before a race.

This was a test to gauge Masa’s current level of skill, an experience she needed to accumulate, and practice for the day she would take charge of an Uma Musume herself.

Of course, once her presentation on Bourbon’s Spring Stakes preparations was finished, I planned to grade it and make corrections. Letting things devolve into “Bourbon’s racing career was ruined because of Masa’s mistakes or misunderstandings” was obviously unacceptable.

Thanks to “app reincarnation,” I can view the abilities of rival girls—and Bourbon herself—in numerical terms. And if I may say so, I’ve also put more than my fair share of effort into researching races in general. I can’t guarantee I always arrive at the correct answer, but I should still be seeing the situation more accurately than Masa does at this stage.

As Bourbon’s main trainer, and as Masa’s older brother and senior, I intended to take responsibility for fixing anything that needed fixing.

…Though, personally, I don’t think she’s going to make any major blunders.

She’s precocious, and she’s picking up trainer work at an impressive pace. On top of that, she has the mental discipline to take things seriously without giving up halfway through. Over the past month, she’d been running all over the place gathering information for today’s meeting, and more than once she’d come to me with a frustrated expression, asking questions.

Given how earnestly she’s been tackling this, I doubt anything truly awful would come out of it.

Thinking that, I took a seat on a chair pulled into the corner of the room and listened as Masa began to speak.

"Alright then, let’s move straight into our analysis of this year’s Spring Stakes. Please follow along while checking the materials you have on hand."

For now, I did as instructed and flipped through the documents that had been handed out.

…Yeah, this is good.

The layout makes effective use of the page space—easy to read, easy to digest. In particular, the sections on the course gradient and layout were clearly summarized with illustrations that were likely her own originals. Honestly, that part might even surpass my own materials.

As for the substance of the information… setting sheer volume aside, the accuracy is quite high. The racecourse analysis is well developed, and her projections regarding rival Uma Musume are grounded in official race data from the past six months.

That said, of course, it doesn’t reach the precision of the information shown by “app reincarnation.” Even at a glance, there are spots where it doesn’t quite line up with the stats and skills I can see.

…Well, analysis at that level of granularity is something only someone with a cheat ability like mine can manage. Expecting that from Masa would be unreasonable.

What stands out next is that the amount of information feels slightly light.

The materials I usually compile include projections of race-day track conditions based on forty years’ worth of weather records and turf data, predicted strategies derived from an opponent’s personality and their contracted trainer’s tendencies, estimated attendance numbers, wear along the inside rail—details like that.

Compared to that, Masa’s materials do feel sparse.

…Or rather, perhaps it’s more accurate to say she deliberately trimmed lower-priority information.

Taking all of that into account and grading the materials as a whole—

Given Masa’s current level, I’d give it a strict but fair 85 points.

It clears the passing line comfortably, but it’s hard to call it perfect. As support materials for an important race in a trainee’s career, there are still some lingering concerns.

Alright. I’ll supplement the missing information later. I’m glad I went ahead and prepared my own materials too.

While I was appraising the documents like some kind of maestro, Masa opened her mouth and began her explanation.

"March 29th, the G2 Spring Stakes. Turf at Nakayama Racecourse, right-handed inner course, 1800 meters. This year’s race is shaping up to have an exceptionally strong field for a G2."

As she spoke, she uncapped her marker and began writing the names of Bourbon’s rivals on the whiteboard.

"From my perspective, the two biggest obstacles are these two… Rice Shower, and Contest Rival."

Rice Shower would be familiar to Bourbon as well. She’s a dark bay front-running Uma Musume trained by a fellow trainer from my cohort. With immense stamina and an exceptionally long-lasting stride, she’s a pure stayer—and barring any mishaps, she’ll likely be competing against Bourbon in the Classic races going forward.

Contest Rival, on the other hand, is a chestnut closer. She didn’t appear in my previous-life app, so she’s probably not a named Uma Musume. While Rice struggled to produce results last year due to leg issues, Contest Rival has posted a solid record so far: five starts, three wins, with an 80% top-two finish rate.

She’s already raced in graded stakes, so in terms of experience, she might even have an edge over Bourbon.

…As a trainer, I naturally knew all of this already, but it seemed Wilm and Bourbon hadn’t heard the latter name before—they stared intently at the materials. Masa waited until the two of them had time to read before continuing.

"Based on what I’ve observed during joint training sessions, Rice Shower is extremely skilled at locking onto a specific runner and matching their pace. Since Mihono Bourbon is a front-runner, there’s a chance she could end up being used to set the pace Rice wants.

"Contest Rival, meanwhile, has shown very consistent performances. She also gives off signs of being quite early-developing, and I believe she’ll most likely come straight at us head-on in this race."

As she said that, Masa placed solid black triangle marks next to the two names on the whiteboard.

"For Rice Shower, who is a latent stayer, a distance of 1800 meters is simply too short. And Contest Rival showed signs of poor condition in the recent G3 Kyodo Tsushin Hai. In this race, both of them are in situations where they won’t be able to give their absolute best. Under these circumstances, I estimate that Mihono Bourbon, your probability of victory is high."

"Yes. I will follow my master’s orders and win without fail."

"Mm… yes, that should be fine for now."

Was that trust in Bourbon’s voice—or blind faith? Either way, what I needed to do didn’t change. All I could do was respond to her expectations with everything I had.

"Next, those who could pose a problem would be Sakura Bakushin O and Machikane Tannhauser. However, while Sakura Bakushin O is a front-runner with explosive speed, she has stamina issues, and it’s difficult to believe she can last 1800 meters at this point. As for Machikane Tannhauser, she doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses like the others, but in terms of raw specs, Mihono Bourbon outclasses her by a clear margin. …If I had to name the biggest possible cause of defeat in this race, it would be Mihono Bourbon getting carried away after entering a pace battle with Sakura Bakushin O. Borrowing my brother’s words—Mihono Bourbon, please focus on being yourself and committing to your own running style no matter what happens."

At Masa’s words, Bourbon placed a hand over her chest.

"Based on statistical data, it can be inferred that my tendency to overheat is showing signs of improvement. By running to my fullest in an official race, I hope to demonstrate my growth to both my master and Masa."

After nodding once at Bourbon’s response, Masa glanced over at me.

"…So? What do you think, big brother?"

"Yeah… I think you did really well. That was solid work—just what I’d expect from you, Masa."

This strategy meeting wasn’t particularly difficult. Bourbon’s plan was simple: maintain a steady pace. No matter what the other Uma Musume did, that part wouldn’t change.

Because of that, this meeting was less about devising strategy and more about presenting collected information. Compared to Wilm—who runs with a high degree of situational flexibility—there were fewer judgment calls involved, and the overall difficulty dropped sharply.

Even so, considering this was her first time creating and presenting materials like this, I think Masa did an excellent job. It flowed smoothly, was easy to understand, and the content itself was well organized.

…Well, it wasn’t entirely free of mistakes, but still.

"That said, there are two points I need to correct."

"Corrections…"

"Don’t worry—you passed comfortably. Think of this as something to take with you for next time. …Mihono Bourbon, listen carefully too."

I took the marker from Masa and stepped in front of the whiteboard. Then I erased the triangle marks next to Rice Shower and Contest Rival, drew a circle next to Rice’s name, and a plain triangle next to Contest Rival’s.

"Rice Shower tends to be underestimated because she hasn’t appeared in official races yet, but right now she’s extremely strong. …I’ve heard she’s being trained one-on-one by a certain runaway front-runner."

"Ugh."

The runaway front-runner in question clutched her chest as if struck right where it hurt.

…From her perspective, this really is a difficult position.

To Hoshino Wilm, Rice Shower is probably a cute junior. As a senior, she wants to grant her wishes and help her out whenever she’s in trouble.

What complicates matters is that I—her contracted trainer—am also responsible for Mihono Bourbon. To Wilm, Bourbon is something like a junior disciple, almost a little sister, so naturally she can’t help but be considerate of her as well.

Helping Rice Shower grow as a racing Uma Musume could very well end up hindering Mihono Bourbon, the Uma Musume she’ll be competing against in the Classics. That’s why Wilm feels conflicted about training together with Rice.

Well, in truth, there’s nothing to worry about there.

"…That might have come off a bit snide, but Hoshino Wilm, I have no intention of stopping you. If you want to help Rice Shower grow, then go ahead and do it."

"B-but… if I do that, wouldn’t it interfere with Bourbon-chan’s goals…?"

"No? Not at all. All I need to do is raise Mihono Bourbon at a faster pace than you raise Rice Shower. I don’t intend to lose in teaching ability to someone who’s still just a student. …Well, unless you start using some mysterious Uma Musume–exclusive power, then that might be another story."

I’m a man who’s spent over twenty years training to raise Uma Musume, after all. If I were to fall behind someone younger than me—someone who hasn’t even formally studied to be a trainer—that would make me unfit for the job. No, not just unfit—downright condemned.

Well, if I died, I wouldn’t be able to keep training Wilm, so let’s say I’d relearn everything with my life on the line.

"Is that so? Then… in a way, this becomes a contest between trainers, doesn’t it? I’ll train Rice-chan properly, so please give it everything you’ve got training Bourbon-chan too, Trainer!"

…Wait, is this a proxy war now?

I mean, I won’t lose, right? Surely not?

I really don’t want to relive something like last year, when Nature nearly beat Wilm… please, spare me that.