Chapter 115: Idle Turf

"Hoshino Wilm is not as invincible as people generally make her out to be."

On the day of the Osaka Cup.

After seeing Will off to Hanshin Racecourse and finishing my pre-race encouragement, I took my place in the stands, giving a brief talk to my assigned Uma Musume and the sub-trainer at my side.

Well—"talk" might be overstating it. It was more like the now-customary pre-race analysis.

"Right now, the public perception is that she’s a 'monster who, even without her trainer present, can only be contained if Silence Suzuka and Special Week team up against her.' …Frankly, that evaluation is excessive. She is still just one Uma Musume. Even if she’s an athlete blessed with godlike legs and talent, we mustn’t forget she’s still a girl of flesh and blood."

"...Don’t you think you’re laying it on a little thick today?"

Masa’s voice cut in from beside me as I stood there with my arms crossed. I could hear the crunch of her biting into a slightly over-hard churro.

Ordinarily, I would have scolded her—speaking while eating isn’t exactly refined behavior for someone from a distinguished family.

But she hadn’t eaten properly since yesterday. The race was about to begin. This, at least, I could overlook.

Family pride and decorum versus what must be said as a trainer.

Between the two, the latter takes priority.

"Referencing the database, I infer that Master’s explanation reflects an extremely cautious disposition. It is likely meant to prevent us from overestimating Hoshino Wilm-senpai’s ability."

It was Mihono Bourbon who smoothed things over. Holding the anpan Masa had bought for her, she kept her gaze fixed on the turf.

"…………"

I watched her for a moment and felt a quiet sense of relief.

At the very least, she didn’t look cornered by her thoughts.

Mihono Bourbon had seemed troubled since around the Grand Thanksgiving Festival.

She’d been absent-minded during meetings, and her training lacked its usual sharpness. Most notably, when running the slope—normally her specialty—she would sometimes stop abruptly, as if something had snagged her mind.

She was almost certainly carrying some personal concern. What it was, I couldn’t tell. There wasn’t enough information to even form a solid hypothesis.

And that made it difficult to handle.

How to face the worries of an Uma Musume is one of the enduring dilemmas of being a trainer.

Of course, neglecting a troubled athlete is unacceptable. Mental care falls squarely within a contract trainer’s duties.

But forcing the issue would likely backfire. Sometimes she needs time to wrestle with things alone. Getting too involved can be dangerous. In some cases, excessive intervention only hinders growth.

The distance between a trainer and his assigned Uma Musume cannot be too close, nor too distant.

So I chose not to pry unless things became serious—or until she came to me herself.

For now, at least, she seemed to have compartmentalized her concerns ahead of the Osaka Cup. Her eyes were sharp, clearly intent on absorbing something from this race and applying it to her own running. Very like Bourbon—reining herself in with the thought: I must focus on the race for now.

…If she does come to me, it will probably be after the Osaka Cup.

"Big brother?"

"Mm. Let’s get back on track."

I pulled my thoughts away from Bourbon and returned them to the race.

The Osaka Cup.

Hanshin Turf. Right-handed inner course. 2000 meters.

If I were to summarize it simply—

"Two thousand meters is near the shortest range classified as middle distance. For a true miler–middle runner like Tokai Teio, it’s highly favorable. For a stayer like Hoshino Wilm, it’s one of the least favorable distances. …Of course, if we include mile and sprint races, 'least' becomes debatable—but I have no intention of entering Will in anything under a mile. Overall, the conditions favor Tokai Teio."

In terms of distance, it matched last year’s Satsuki Sho.

But both Will and Teio had grown beyond comparison since then.

Will overcame her greatest flaw—her aversion to defeat—cut ties with her past, and corrected her tendency to overrun early. Her stats and skills were now indisputably top class. Compared to Special Week and Silence Suzuka—whom she had clearly trailed as of last November—she had stepped into a realm where she no longer fell short.

On top of that, countermeasures against Silence Suzuka were already taking shape. The Osaka Cup would likely serve as their unveiling.

Teio, meanwhile, had sharpened her strength at a startling pace despite six months of rest.

She had shed what might have been called her greatest weakness—complacency—and, judging by recent training, her once overly taxing running form had evolved into something entirely different.

As for stats and skills, direct comparison is difficult due to differing aptitudes and race styles. But in overall value, she was approaching Mejiro McQueen’s level.

Most notable was the disappearance of her "Race Planner" skill, replaced—as if making a declaration—by "Genius of the Race." From what I could infer, it was likely the same category of unique skill possessed by Special Week and Silence Suzuka.

In short, the current Teio was unquestionably first-rate. A true second star of this so-called generation of stars.

Only four months had passed since her crushing defeat at the Arima Kinen.

I had thought it unlikely—but she really had prepared herself to this extent.

Just as Will said. Just as "App Reincarnation" suggested.

She truly was a genius of the race.

And under conditions unfavorable to Will and favorable to Teio—

I couldn’t confidently declare that Hoshino Wilm would win with certainty.

…Though, in truth, the phrase "certain victory" only applies when there is an overwhelming gap in ability.

In a domestic top-tier G1, claiming such certainty would be the real abnormality.

"Just to confirm—are you only wary of Tokai Teio in this race?"

At Masa’s question, I rested a hand against my chin and recalled the other entrants.

"There are several capable runners… but judging from the paddock earlier, none are fully in sync with their condition. Heart Blow Up is in terrible form. Daisangen and Innocent Grimoire are below par. The rest simply lack the base strength to threaten Will. Unless there’s a slow start, overexertion, or an accident, the overall flow shouldn’t change."

Uma Musume races aren’t decided by stats alone.

…But they are heavily influenced by them.

Low stats make it harder to perform. Without skills, they can’t respond in decisive moments.

With rare exceptions like the so-called Zone or awakened states, races are fundamentally determined by stats, skills, and aptitude.

That’s why I’ve always excelled at predicting race developments.

…And conversely, that’s exactly why Zones and awakenings—phenomena that cannot be fully understood through "App Reincarnation" knowledge or documents—are so terrifying.

"This Osaka Cup will likely come down to Will and Tokai Teio. I’d estimate at least three lengths between them and the rest. If the gap stretches, perhaps five. There will be clear daylight between second and third."

"That much…?"

"Well, purely in terms of raw potential, Will would rank among the top ten thoroughbreds in history. And… this may sound embarrassingly self-congratulatory, but as her trainer—trained in the Horino household—I believe I’ve contributed, at least a little."

…Still, thinking about it that way makes Teio’s ability all the more frightening.

Hoshino Wilm is a terrifying prodigy.

Almost like a glitch in the system—an existence that shouldn’t be possible.

Absurdly high initial stats right at the onset of peak condition. Mastering the runaway strategy after a single race. And that outrageous, cheat-level ability: "Enhanced Cognitive Processing."

With all of that, she could undoubtedly be called a thoroughbred born to run.

And on top of that, she has me—a trainer educated in the Horino method, armed with the cheat ability known as "App Reincarnation."

Even allowing for some personal bias, she stands among the strongest Uma Musume in history, alongside Symboli Rudolf and Silence Suzuka.

…And yet—

Teio keeps pace with her.

What exactly is she?

Of course, Teio is top-tier as well.

But she didn’t begin with unusually high initial stats. Nor has she displayed any overtly cheat-like ability so far.

Her trainer is a veteran, yes—but not someone armed with cheats.

And Teio had two more months of rest than Will.

And yet she stands on that turf as Will’s rival—a legitimate threat capable of defeating her.

Will once called her "a true genius."

Certainly, closing the gap with Will and clinging so fiercely qualifies as genius.

But calling Teio the "real" genius almost suggests that Will is a false one.

As though her talent were some kind of unfair trick.

…Huh?

Something caught in my thoughts.

Something that shouldn’t exist in this world… a trick… a cheat ability?

Hoshino Wilm possesses the cheat-level ability "Enhanced Cognitive Processing."

And I possess the genuine cheat ability known as "App Reincarnation."

We feel… similar.

Unnaturally high talent appearing despite lineage.

Reason and intellect far beyond what her age should allow.

Those early, somewhat excessive reactions to famous Uma Musume.

And despite being this extraordinary, I don’t recall her ever being mentioned as Teio’s rival in the original app.

…No way.

Surely not.

Hoshino Wilm… like me…

A reincarnator with memories of a previous life and cheat abilities?

…N-no. No, no, no.

That’s jumping to conclusions.

This world contains other cheat-like phenomena not present in the app. Suzuka’s state of perfect front-running form is a prime example. In a sense, Bourbon’s flawless sensory precision qualifies as well.

Calmly considered, the possibility that Hoshino Wilm is a reincarnator whose "Enhanced Cognitive Processing" is a cheat is far less realistic than the possibility that she simply possesses extraordinary, near-supernatural talent. Probably.

Linking overwhelming talent to reincarnation is a stretch.

…Honestly, I don’t like this line of thinking. It feels warped—like I’m projecting my own selfish desire to meet someone else who remembers a previous life.

And worse, wishing that person to be the beloved horse I’ve spent two years beside.

…Damn. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this heavy self-disgust.

What kind of presumptuous image am I imposing on her—on someone who is out there giving it her all today?

It’s hard to believe there could be anyone else in this world who retains memories of a previous life.

Simply put, if there were many of us, word would have spread at least a little. In a modern society where information travels instantly, the fact that reincarnation with retained memories is still treated as fantasy suggests such cases are vanishingly rare. One in the trillions… or perhaps just me.

Gaining Masa as someone who understands me was more happiness than I could have asked for. But gaining a fellow reincarnator—someone truly like me—was never something I expected.

I thought I had accepted that long ago.

Lately, people have been saying I seem more relaxed. But letting my guard down at moments like this isn’t wise. I’ll need to tighten it again.

A contract trainer is someone who stays beside an Uma Musume and supports her.

Mutual support is fine. But seeking one-sided salvation from her? That’s unacceptable.

"Big brother? What’s with the frown?"

"…Ah, sorry. It’s nothing. My imagination just wandered somewhere strange."

I gave my head a small shake and fixed my gaze back on the turf.

Reincarnation theories—for now, I need to set them aside. This isn’t the time.

"...If you say so. But seriously—why were you laying it on so thick earlier?"

Masa’s question shifted the mood. I hesitated, weighing how much to say.

If it were just her, I could explain without reservation. But with Bourbon here as well…

…Though, come to think of it, Bourbon would likely accept the explanation without prying further.

"Hmm… Put simply, this race has too many variables I can’t quantify."

"Can’t quantify…?"

"The Zone."

---

The Zone.

Or, in terms from the app in my previous life—Unique Skills.

It’s commonly described as a state brought about by extreme concentration. But from what I’ve gathered listening to Will, that explanation doesn’t go far enough.

At its core, it’s probably the expansion of one’s personal “world” through the Uma Soul within them. The manifestation of a mental landscape optimized for running—something along those lines.

Of course, that’s still only a hypothesis. Without any method to directly observe it, it remains speculation.

In this Osaka Cup, that Zone will likely be the decisive factor.

…Though, to be fair, I’m not sure there’s ever been a race where it wasn’t.

Apparently missing my point, Masa tilted her head.

"The Zone? Hoshino Wilm already unlocked hers, right? You mean refining it further?"

Right—I need to start further back for someone who hasn’t played the app.

"No, that’s not it. …Masa, Bourbon, do you remember what I said about a second Zone?"

"Um… To get a second Zone, you have to wear your second race outfit… right?"

"The race outfit serves as the ‘form.’ When that form is infused with the Uma Musume’s soul—the ‘color’—it becomes the ‘painting’ that is the Zone. Therefore, the race outfit, as the embodiment of the Uma Musume’s image and the collective will of her fans, strongly influences the Zone. That was your explanation."

"Right. Thanks."

Bourbon’s memory really is extraordinary.

Savant syndrome, perhaps? That kind of recall must come with its own burdens… though I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little envious.

I forget things constantly. I even caused Bourbon trouble while finalizing this year’s race rotation.

But in any case—

"As Bourbon said, the race outfit is the ‘form.’ And that form determines the ‘structure’ within the painting that is the Zone. In other words—"

"...Wait. Does that mean that when they’re wearing their second outfit, they can’t use their first Zone?"

"Exactly."

My theory about ‘form’ and ‘color’ might be flawed.

But at the very least, the conclusion Masa just reached is correct.

I paused my explanation and looked toward the runners stretching on the turf.

Two stood slightly apart from the rest.

One—a runaway runner cloaked in deep indigo—Hoshino Wilm.

The other—a front-runner in a blazing red jacket—Tokai Teio.

Both wore their new race outfits, trading fearless smiles as they spoke.

According to "App Reincarnation," the skills that once manifested their Zones—"Celestial Serpent Dragon" and "Ultimate Teio Step"—had disappeared from their listings as of the Arima Kinen.

And there was, of course, no sign yet of a second Zone.

Which meant—

At this moment, neither of them could activate a Zone.

"...Isn’t that… kind of bad?" Masa asked cautiously. "If the others can use theirs, but anyone in a new outfit can’t?"

It was a perfectly reasonable concern. I had wrestled with it myself.

"From what I’ve heard, unlocking a second Zone is far easier than the first. Logically speaking… once you understand the sensation of passing ‘color’ through ‘form,’ all that remains is grasping the new outfit’s ‘form.’"

"That simple…?"

"Symboli Rudolf reportedly opened her second Zone in the very race she debuted her second outfit."

It had been during the Tenno Sho (Spring), immediately after winning the URA Award.

Masa’s brows drew together.

"Well… that’s…"

I knew what she meant.

Symboli Rudolf is Symboli Rudolf.

But there’s no reason to be intimidated.

Don’t underestimate my athlete.

I raised a finger.

"That may be because of Rudolf’s talent… but when it comes to talent, I don’t think our Will falls short."

Masa grimaced.

"Sometimes you’re such a trainer-doting fool. Not falling short of Symboli Rudolf?"

"It is factual that Hoshino Wilm-senpai possesses extraordinary talent. The hypothesis that she equals or surpasses Symboli Rudolf-senpai in aptitude is not implausible," Bourbon added calmly.

"That may be true, but… she’s the Eternal Emperor…"

"We’ve got an undefeated Triple Crown winner right here. And if she wins this Osaka Cup, she’ll tie her G1 total."

Honestly, when comparing their innate gifts, I believe Will surpasses her.

From old footage, Rudolf’s initial stats appeared ordinary. There was no obvious cheat-tier ability.

And when it comes to race sense, Will’s sharpness—befitting her ‘Keen Mind ◎’—is absurd.

In that sense, I have no doubt she can manifest a second Zone at the proper moment.

The problem is… there’s no guarantee that moment is today.

"If she surpasses Rudolf in talent, wouldn’t she unlock it this race?"

"If the conditions are met."

"Conditions… they were…"

"First: the Uma Musume must be physically and mentally fulfilled—complete.

Second: she must be able to execute a running style that suits her.

Third: she must genuinely enjoy running.

Fourth: she must be wearing the appropriate race outfit."

"Thank you, Mihono Bourbon. …If those are all four, then Hoshino Wilm meets them, doesn’t she?"

"Ah—no, not exactly…"

I was about to clarify—

—but the announcer’s voice boomed across the racecourse, cutting me off mid-sentence.

"And now, the runners are beginning to load into the gates!

Blessed with clear skies today, it’s a perfect stage for the first turf middle-distance G1 of the year!

Will this race carve a new page in a modern myth? Mark the first crown of the Little Emperor? Or unveil the origin story of a brand-new hero!?"

"All eyes are, of course, on the overwhelming favorite—Number 9 in Frame 5, Hoshino Wilm. Though her undefeated legend was narrowly broken at the Arima Kinen, does the dragon still soar?

Challenging that shining first star is the second favorite—Number 2 in Frame 1, Tokai Teio. Said to be fully recovered, can she defy her long layoff and topple the brightest star in a true upset!?"

"...We drifted off track and burned too much time.

To summarize—this race hinges heavily on whether a Zone manifests. That’s something even I can’t fully quantify.

That’s why I laid a bit of groundwork."

"A bit? …Fine. But from your perspective, how likely is it that Hoshino Wilm actually loses?"

"I told you—this one’s hard to measure."

"Just give me an estimate."

She really doesn’t make it easy.

An estimate, huh…

Hanshin Racecourse. Turf. Good going—excellent condition. Clear skies. 2000 meters. Right-handed course. Elevation changes. Straights of 360, 370, and 270 meters. Sharp gradient shifts. And that final 90-meter stretch.

If she breaks cleanly and takes the runaway lead—what does Tokai Teio do?

If Teio holds position and aims for a late strike, does she move on the mid-backstretch? From 1400 meters out, that would likely be too late to close.

If she moderates the base pace—when does Hoshino Wilm detect it?

Teio’s stamina sits just over 700. Modest—but "Genius of the Race" appears to be a recovery-type skill. Over this distance, it shouldn’t pose a problem.

If she presses early, perhaps she uses a two-stage acceleration like in the Derby.

Then there’s the probability of a Zone activation.

Which strategy does she choose? When does she accelerate? How does she close?

Assume "Enhanced Cognitive Processing" is already factored in. Reverse-calculate from Hoshino Wilm’s projected final three-furlong pace. What’s the minimum distance Teio would need to overtake? Likely a prolonged mid-race push, followed by a decisive final kick.

Any unseen trump cards? Anything about Zones or Uma Souls I’ve overlooked? Mental instability? No—that’s stabilized now.

If Teio closes on Hoshino Wilm, it will be late—when she’s already burning at full output.

Which leaves one remaining variable.

Zone awakening.

That single factor.

Accounting for it, the overall probability of Hoshino Wilm’s defeat would be—

Yeah.

"Thirty percent."

A brutally rough estimate, even after all that mental simulation.

I didn’t think it was outrageously high—but Masa’s eyes widened.

"Thirty percent!? That’s that high!? Thirty percent is like landing a one-hit KO move! Which means it’s basically fifty-fifty! Which means it’s practically one hundred percent!"

"One-hit KO… You play Pokémon? That’s unexpected. Also, your math just imploded."

"That’s not the point! I do play Pokémon! That’s not the issue! Thirty percent is!"

I understand what she’s trying to say.

"Masa, a seventy percent win rate in a G1 race is extraordinary. Hoshino Wilm is absurdly strong."

"I just… I can’t really picture Hoshino Wilm losing."

"That’s fair. With both her Zone and 'Enhanced Cognitive Processing' active, she’s monstrous.

But up until the Derby… she was scraping by more than you think."

Remembering last year’s Derby leaves a faint bitterness in my chest.

It wasn’t just Hoshino Wilm who struggled—I did too. Back then, I was hanging by a thread. Physically. Mentally.

Looking back, I was frantic.

Nature and Teio awakened to their Zones one after another, while I couldn’t lead Hoshino Wilm to hers. I failed to fully draw out her talent. With every race, the gap between her and her rivals shrank.

That hurt.

It felt like my incompetence—my uselessness—was being laid bare.

Maybe that pain narrowed my vision.

I failed to see the trust she placed in me. I convinced myself that someone better—someone more experienced—should guide her instead of a green trainer like me.

That it would be better for her future as a racing Uma Musume.

…And in doing so, I nearly betrayed her.

And then—

"I am! Not anyone else’s—yours! Not 'a Horino trainer,' but Horino Ayumu’s one and only trainer! I’m your assigned Uma Musume! The one who built trust with you!!"

She gave voice to the boundless trust she held for me.

After that, Hoshino Wilm confronted her past with her own strength and returned renewed as a racing Uma Musume.

Her run was flawless—magnificent beyond words.

…Even now, when I think back—

It was me who was saved that day. By Hoshino Wilm.

So what was that nonsense about, "Someday, let me be the one to save you"?

You’ve already repaid me more than enough.

"Big brother?"

"Mm… sorry. An old scar. Something like that."

Scar—no. More like a stain in my history. The kind where I burdened my athlete and ended up being the one rescued.

God, I’d love to time-travel and punch my past self. No—strangle him. At the very least, as her trainer, he should have recognized her trust—even if he failed to recognize her affection.

…No. Snap out of it.

It’s right before Hoshino Wilm’s race. The past is the past. I can drown in embarrassment later.

"Anyway. This race may very well hinge on whether Hoshino Wilm or Tokai Teio can open their Zones.

But regardless—we just have to believe in Hoshino Wilm’s victory."

"...In the end, that’s all we can do, isn’t it?"

Yeah. That’s right.

A trainer doesn’t run the race.

We train them. Guide them. Believe in them.

That’s the extent of our role.

Which is why—

We cheer with everything we have.

---

"All entries are loaded. The field is set."

It’s finally starting.

The first time since the Japan Cup that I’ll watch Hoshino Wilm race live.

I realize my lips have curled upward.

Just knowing I get to watch her run again—

That alone makes me happy.

So please—show me, Hoshino Wilm.

Show me your greatest run. The kind that makes my brain boil.

The culmination of your training. Your relentless effort.

The run we forged together.

The run of Racing Uma Musume Hoshino Wilm.

"The first jewel of the Spring Middle-Long Distance Triple Crown—the Osaka Cup!

…And they’re off!"

In that instant—

Hoshino Wilm, the Ashen Dragon, took flight.