Chapter 162: That guy really starts talking fast whenever the subject turns to his Trainer.

Interviews, press coverage, and press conferences involving Uma Musume are generally held in venues appropriate to the occasion.

Typical locations include large hotel halls, rentable event spaces, or studio booths set up within racetracks.

The choice of venue is usually decided through discussion between both parties, with the interviewing side handling rental arrangements.

…And whether unfortunate or simply inevitable, during interviews the status of the Uma Musume being interviewed directly affects how much influence she holds in those discussions.

Teams representing Uma Musume who struggle to achieve victories naturally possess weaker bargaining power and often cannot secure prestigious venues.

It would be a lie to say I have no thoughts about how cruel that system can be, but…

Well, putting that aside for now.

In that regard, our Hoshino Wilm team holds overwhelming influence and presence.

…Overwhelming might even be an understatement. Frankly speaking, we’re probably at the very top of the world.

The accumulation of Wilm’s relentless effort, combined with the results she has produced through racing, has elevated her value to extraordinary heights.

That reputation now extends even into overseas racing circles.

Ever since El Condor Pasa achieved outstanding results in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe three years ago, Japanese Uma Musume have gained global recognition.

Among them stands a brilliantly gifted front-running prodigy, hailed as the strongest in history.

Twelve wins in thirteen races.
Nine G1 victories.
A 100% top-two finish rate.

Her only defeat came during the Arima Kinen, when multiple unfavorable conditions overlapped.

Even among the elite runners gathered for the world’s pinnacle race—the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—her record stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Top athletes usually compete at nearly equal levels. Producing results this far beyond everyone else is almost abnormal.

There have only ever been five Triple Crown Uma Musume in Japanese history. Only two achieved it undefeated. And an eight-crown title holder remains utterly unique.

Once again, I’m reminded that the athlete under my care is an absolute monster.

…Though there is one girl who might close the gap before the Arc.

I never expected someone to win two consecutive G1 Oaks races undefeated less than three months after debuting…

I knew she had talent, and her stats were improving rapidly, but it seems she also possesses exceptional control over both herself and her momentum.

European classic-class Uma Musume, in particular, carry a kind of explosive drive rarely seen in Japanese runners.

If she continues gaining momentum, she may even become a greater threat than Witch Evening at the Arc.

Still, our analysis and countermeasures are already complete.

I’ll think further after seeing her results in the upcoming Yorkshire Oaks.

Putting aside talk of opponents months away and returning to the main topic—

Wilm’s—or rather, the Hoshino Wilm camp’s—influence is immense.

Hoshino Wilm is a globally renowned superstar, a once-in-a-century athletic genius—and likewise a once-in-a-century beauty.

Even the racing organization here, equivalent to Japan’s URA, has little choice but to treat her with exceptional respect.

That held true for her very first interview in France as well.

Conditions such as location and timing were largely accepted according to our preferences.

Since I personally had no strong opinions, I asked Wilm for her input, assuming she would say, “Anywhere is fine.”

Contrary to expectations, she gave a clear answer.

"In that case, how about Longchamp Racecourse—the stage of the decisive battle? Not the interview room inside the track, but actually on the turf itself. After all, I’m primarily an athlete. Speaking from my battlefield just feels cooler."

Whether it was cool or not aside—though knowing Wilm, she would undoubtedly make it look cool—I could understand wanting to be photographed on the battlefield as a warrior.

Even for me, working in the trainer’s office feels more motivating than handling paperwork in my room.

Of course, reserving the main track for that reason alone is… quite something.

But if it’s Wilm, permission would probably be granted.

And if it wasn’t—well, we could always apply a little pressure.

After all, persuasion isn’t the only way to make people agree.

Thus, following perfectly cordial negotiations with the French racing authorities, we received permission to use the main track at night after racing concluded.

And so, on the night of our arrival in France, Wilm and I headed toward Longchamp Racecourse.

Incidentally, Wilm cannot speak French.

Not because of poor academic performance—simply put, very few students at Tracen Academy can properly speak French.

Even ordinary middle schoolers struggle with foreign languages, and racing Uma Musume spend most of their time training.

It’s only natural that time-intensive language study falls behind.

If she were undertaking this overseas expedition alone, she would at least need listening comprehension…

But that isn’t a problem.

That’s precisely what Trainers are for.

Night fell over Longchamp Racecourse’s main track.

Wilm and I stood side by side, gazing beyond the outer rail.

Before us lay an overwhelming number of cameras, notebooks, watchful eyes—and unmistakable intensity.

The sheer pressure would freeze most Uma Musume on the spot.

But neither Wilm nor I would falter at something like this now.

I glanced toward her for confirmation—

—and saw the fearless smile curling at her lips.

Yeah, she’s fine, I thought with an inward chuckle.

She had already completed her mental preparation, donning the mask of “Hoshino Wilm, the foreign challenger.”

Fully prepared. Fully fired up. She practically radiated the intent to leave an unforgettable impression.

Personally, I’d prefer she kept things moderate… but accompanying an Uma Musume along her path is both a Trainer’s duty and my wish as her partner.

Turning toward the interviewers lined beyond the rail, I spoke in French.

"We will now begin the interview."

Naturally, as a Trainer, I’m multilingual.

English, Chinese, Arabic, French, Spanish, Russian, German, and Indonesian.

I’ve learned most languages that might become necessary when supporting Uma Musume.

Lately, I’ve even wanted to study Hindi, though finding the time has been difficult.

Among them, English, French, and Chinese—essential for overseas expeditions—are languages I’ve studied down to regional accents. I’m confident I could serve as a professional interpreter if needed.

Which makes acting as the bridge between Wilm and the local media my responsibility.

There are nuances unique to both sides, so clarity matters.

…Or so I thought.

One interviewer I selected raised a hand and directed a microphone toward us.

"Racing conditions differ greatly between Japan and Europe. What are your thoughts on this?"

Hmm.

There was a faint hint of sarcasm in that question.

No Japanese Uma Musume has yet won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Differences in turf, climate, and race dynamics are often cited as reasons.

Taken maliciously, the question essentially meant:

"Do you really think you can win here?"

I leaned closer and quietly relayed the question into Wilm’s horse ears.

Her ears twitched.

Then she pulled me down and whispered back.

"Please tell them: ‘Like hell I’d lose over something that trivial, you idiots.’"

"I absolutely cannot say that."

Way too aggressive.

This is an away match, you know? Why are you so confident? Is your heart made of steel?

If she genuinely meant it, I might have translated it—but she was clearly joking.

In interpreted interviews, both the athlete’s and interpreter’s voices must be recorded. Misinterpretations—or deliberate distortions—must be avoided.

Wilm knows this perfectly well. I drilled it into her myself.

Which meant whispering outside microphone range made it obvious she never intended those words to be said publicly.

When I gave her an exasperated look, she gazed back up at me with amusement.

Consulting with a Trainer during interviews isn’t unusual, especially for middle-school-aged Uma Musume trying to communicate carefully with the public.

Still, joking around here pushed things a bit far, so I lightly warned her with my eyes.

She seemed to realize it too, silently conveying Sorry, I’ll stop there, before turning back toward the interviewer.

Her expression became dignified.

Her posture, majestic.

Wearing the mask worthy of a legendary Uma Musume, she spoke:

"I will simply remain true to myself—as Hoshino Wilm. That alone will lead me toward a new history of victory."

Man, they’re asking for some pretty difficult translations…

Well, it’s not like I can’t translate it.

Wilm tends to strike a cool, composed pose during interviews, so I’ve made sure to build up the appropriate vocabulary for moments like this.

Without that preparation, I’m not sure I could have produced suitable wording on the spot. Preparation really does matter.

Wilm switches masks depending on the situation.

In front of fans, she becomes a star overflowing with fan-service spirit.

In front of cameras, she becomes calm, dignified—almost arrogantly composed.

Before a race, she becomes nothing more than an athlete burning solely for competition.

Truth be told, I’ve barely been involved in constructing the persona known as “Hoshino Wilm.”

I’ve offered minor input here and there, but ninety-five percent of it is entirely her own independent creation.

Back when she overcame her curse and we had grown closer, I once suggested we could work on her image together.

Apparently, she felt strongly about it.

"Leave it to me. I’ll build the perfect character!"

The result is the Uma Musume currently captivating the Twinkle Series as both athlete and idol—

Hoshino Wilm: cool in everyday life, devoted to her fans, and fiercely blazing once the race begins.

…Though honestly, the only part that’s really an act is the “cool” persona.

Her devotion to fans is genuine enough that she requested extra lessons because she wanted to give her all during live performances, and her passion for running and competition hardly needs explanation.

Lately, when she’s around me, her true self slips out more often too. Some fans have probably started realizing that the cool image is partly performance.

Fortunately, they seem to enjoy that side of her even more, so things worked out in the end.

In any case, that’s the public image of Hoshino Wilm.

And with that in mind, how did she approach her first local interview before the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe?

Well—

"This is your first time traveling overseas. How do you feel?"

"I strongly feel the environmental differences compared to Japan. However, my Trainer supports me, so I remain calm without excessive tension. Please rest assured—I am fully prepared."

"Are there any local Uma Musume you’re paying attention to?"

"No. Though I do hope there will be someone in the main race capable of igniting my fighting spirit."

"Your ambitions for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe?"

"There is nothing special simply because it is this race. As always, I will deliver the finest performance my Trainer and I have built together. That alone is enough."

"A message for local fans?"

"I regret that I cannot speak in the language cultivated through your nation’s history. Instead, I intend to engrave my name into that history."

…An unbelievably combative stance.

Without stating it outright, she was essentially declaring her victory inevitable.

That attitude could easily be interpreted as picking a fight with every Uma Musume in this country—and their fans.

Terrifying.

What’s truly frightening is her composure: standing in completely unfamiliar territory, within a fully hostile away environment, and calmly provoking everyone without the slightest hesitation.

Well… she is leaning slightly toward me right now. Maybe she’s steadying herself by treating me as her emotional anchor.

Normally, speaking this way about the world’s greatest race—the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—would border on outright disrespect.

But in her case, it isn’t empty bravado.

Hoshino Wilm has produced results powerful enough to justify those words—and make people believe them.

Which is precisely why bold confidence works better here than half-hearted humility.

Rather than playing nice, it’s far more exciting for her to openly challenge everyone as the strongest contender arriving from Japan.

To ignite this country’s racing spectacle—and pull its fans into that heat—she consciously chose to play the villain.

Seriously… what a frightening girl.

Without guidance from me, she understands exactly what role is expected of her and steps into it naturally.

It’s hard to believe she’s only a middle-school student.

…Yeah. She’s probably a reincarnator or something. There’s no way someone that age should be this composed.

Suppressing my half-exasperated expression beneath my Trainer’s professional mask, I continued focusing solely on my role as interpreter between the interviewers and Hoshino Wilm.

Perhaps influenced by Wilm’s confident tone, the questions gradually grew more provocative.

"No Japanese Uma Musume has ever won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. What are your thoughts on that?"

"Considering the title I bear, I believe you can already imagine how that record will change."

"Regarding El Condor Pasa, who was defeated here three years ago—?"

"I regard her as a great predecessor. And surpassing such towering figures is the duty of those of us representing the new era."

"Do you believe your running will succeed here in France?"

"I am a racing Uma Musume. Confidence in my running is expressed not through words, but through my legs. I believe my performance in the Prix Foy will provide your answer."

She handled them remarkably well.

Questions like these are designed to shake composure and provoke mistakes.

She may have felt slightly irritated, but she maintained the smile and dignity of a dominant champion throughout.

I don’t recall ever teaching her rhetoric or interview technique.

Was she truly improvising all of this on instinct?

Impressive—no, astonishing adaptability.

Once again, I’m reminded that this girl is a genius.

…However.

As the saying goes, good fortune invites misfortune.

With roughly fifteen minutes remaining, an incident occurred.

Well… calling it an accident might not be entirely accurate.

It was closer to a disaster.

"What are your thoughts regarding your Trainer, who is accompanying you on this overseas expedition?"

"Ah—are we talking about my Trainer, Ayumu-san!?"

Wilm completely lost control.

"Before I explain my relationship with my Trainer, you first need to understand everything we’ve been through together. This may take a little while.

The first time my Trainer and I met was on a certain night beneath a beautifully shining moon. At the time, I still hadn’t found a contracted Trainer and was pushing myself into overwork out of frustration with my own inadequacy. That was when Ayumu-san reached out his hand to me. He swore he would guide me toward a path brighter than anyone else’s, and I entrusted my life to him. That was our very first contract—one formed even before the official agreement between Trainer and Uma Musume.

Back then, I was far more immature than I am now—mentally childish, barely able to stand on my own two legs. And despite that, I was stubborn beyond reason. Without question, I was a difficult Uma Musume to handle.

Yet Ayumu-san never abandoned me. He stayed close to my immature heart and body, slowly melting the ice around me—not forcefully, but patiently. Looking back now, I believe that was the greatest reason I was able to grow as a Uma Musume.

This is merely my personal belief, but a Trainer’s role is not simply to provide effective training. A Trainer should walk alongside an Uma Musume’s heart, achieving unity between mind and body. The relationship between Trainer and runner is often described as ‘running in tandem,’ but the true ideal lies beyond that—the completion of two people moving as one. The realization of the ultimate racing Uma Musume created together.

And in that single regard, there exists no Trainer in this world more perfectly compatible with me than Ayumu-san. Our meeting—our contract—was destiny itself. That night was the night of fate. The day I encountered destiny."

This is bad. She won’t stop talking.

There’s absolutely no opening to interrupt her.

Was this my fault for giving her the opportunity to talk about her Trainer instead of herself…?

"To be honest, when we first formed our exclusive contract, I believed it didn’t matter who my Trainer was. I truly thought that as long as I kept running and refining myself, I would never lose. But that belief was a fatal mistake. If one Uma Musume alone were enough, Trainers wouldn’t need to exist. A racing Uma Musume is defined by walking and running forward together with her Trainer.

I realized this in March of last year, when Ayumu-san and I visited my hometown together. After reporting my recent achievements to my parents, I opened my heart to him. With his support—and the passion Nature gave me—my world suddenly expanded.

The reason I was able to devote myself so completely to racing back then was unquestionably because Ayumu-san stayed beside me. By entrusting part of her heart to her Trainer, an Uma Musume becomes capable of running even better.

Of course, this is only the first stage—not yet the ultimate destination Trainer and Uma Musume should reach.

Ayumu-san always supported me, largely out of responsibility as my Trainer. I was only being helped—I wasn’t helping him in return. What we truly needed was what I mentioned earlier: two people running as equals. Can we truly run perfectly if one leg merely compensates for the other’s weakness? No—we cannot. Only by forming an equal relationship, where we cover each other’s mistakes and complete what the other lacks, can we achieve true unity."

She seriously isn’t stopping.

And she hasn’t stumbled over her words even once.

What is going on with Wilm’s diction—and her lung capacity?

Well… she is an Uma Musume, so the lung capacity part probably makes sense.

Still, this is getting dangerous. I have to stop her.

I reached out a hand to cut her off—

—but Wilm caught my hand midway and conveyed her intent through her eyes.

"There’s no need to be embarrassed. Please let me say this."

No, that’s not it.

I’m incredibly happy, sure—but not embarrassed. If anything, you’re the one who’s going to regret this tonight while lying in bed trying to sleep.

My thoughts failed to reach her, and Wilm continued smoothly without missing a beat.

"And that next step came after the incident following the Japan Derby. Ayumu-san was mentally and physically shattered and did something honestly unbelievable. I became angry—truly angry. That emotion could never exist in a relationship where one side is only being saved. It was a necessary step toward becoming equal partners rather than merely subordinate and mentor. Though… I do feel a little bad for Ayumu-san about that.

But because of it, the ‘perfect-man filter’ I had toward him finally broke, and I was able to see him as an ordinary man. As they say, misfortune may become fortune. That moment became my first step toward standing as his equal.

That’s why I wanted Ayumu-san to feel the same way. So first, I decided I would make him fall in love with my running—not out of obligation as a Trainer, but because he personally wanted to support me. I believed that was the first true step toward becoming someone’s assigned Uma Musume.

And so I challenged destiny itself at the Takarazuka Kinen—and seized what I sought. I became a racing Uma Musume in the truest sense, became Ayumu-san’s Uma Musume in the truest sense, and truly became a life born into this world.

Well… I did break my leg afterward. But Ayumu-san visited me constantly during my recovery, bringing gifts and staying by my side. We talked about many things and gradually came to understand one another better. At one point he was desperately searching for conversation topics so I wouldn’t feel discouraged—carefully choosing every word. That kind of awkward kindness honestly made my heart skip a beat, and I remember thinking how glad I was to be this person’s Uma Musume.

Incidentally, that was when I first learned about Ayumu-san’s family, and from those stories it became very clear that he’s always been kind of hopeless—but incredibly sincere and hardworking…"

In the end, beneath the cold French night sky, Wilm continued recounting our shared history for a full fifteen minutes.

The next day, news sites ran massive headlines:

"Hoshino Wilm Publicly Gushes About Her Trainer Immediately After Arrival."

As for Wilm herself—perhaps having cooled down overnight—she spent the following morning bright red with embarrassment, unable to meet my eyes until around noon.

…Honestly, this girl.

That side of her really is—

So adorable it almost makes me blush too.

Seriously… she never lets her guard down for even a moment.