Chapter 18: The Senior’s Spring Breeze

The Classic Triple Crown is said to be the dream of every Uma Musume.

The Satsuki Sho, the Japan Derby, and the Kikuka Sho—three races held over middle to long distances that test every conceivable aspect of an Uma Musume’s ability. To win all three without missing a single one… is extraordinarily difficult. You could even say it borders on the impossible.

To begin with, only those who possess the aptitude to compete as racing Uma Musume can enroll at Tracen Academy, including its regional branches. From among those elites, the very best from across the country gather at Central Tracen Academy. Of the two thousand Uma Musume there, only a tiny handful ever reach G1 class. And among those G1-class runners, the eighteen strongest of their generation assemble to compete for supremacy. That is what the Classic races are.

When you really think about it, it’s the cream of the cream—a dream stage where the strongest among the strong decide who is truly the strongest.

Naturally, there’s no way anyone can consistently take first place in a race like that. If you assume eighteen runners of equal ability, the odds of winning are one in eighteen. Add in weather, track conditions, the competitors’ form on the day, tactical mind games, and the risk of accidents, and the uncertainty only grows. No one can promise a guaranteed first-place finish.

To achieve three consecutive victories under those conditions requires speed, luck, and strength—each of them far beyond the norm.

And so.

St. Lite. Shinzan. Mr. C.B. Symboli Rudolf. Over the long history of racing, only four Uma Musume have ever claimed the Triple Crown. It’s no wonder that achieving it is considered one of the definitions of “the strongest.”

…Which brings us to the point.

Tomorrow marks the starting line of that very Classic road.

The night before the Satsuki Sho.

My trainer and I were discussing our strategy for tomorrow’s race. …Well, “discussing” might be generous. In reality, the trainer talked, and I listened.

"All right, next let’s go over your rivals."

There would be eighteen runners in the Satsuki Sho. Of course, every single one of them was strong—but among them, the trainer singled out six Uma Musume as particularly dangerous.

Second place in the Botan Sho, a black-coated, late-closing Uma Musume: Sweet Cabin.

The champion of the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, a chestnut-coated closer: Heart Blow Up.

Second place in the Hopeful Stakes, a chestnut-coated stalker: Pampagrande.

The winner of the Kyodo Tsushin Hai, known for racing at an outrageous pace, a bay-coated stalker: Cheer Rhythm.

The bay-coated front-runner who had just won the Spring Stakes: Holiday Hike.

And, of course, the one whose name thundered across the scene with four wins from four starts, still undefeated—the bay-coated pace-setter: Tokai Teio.

Which of them would win tomorrow… only the Three Goddesses knew. This was a race where the strongest of the generation gathered. Anyone could win, and it wouldn’t be strange at all.

It shouldn’t be strange… at least.

"However. Of everyone I just mentioned, the only one you need to pay attention to is Tokai Teio. Because among these elite runners, she’s on a completely different level—two steps above the rest. If we were to run this race a hundred times without you in it, Tokai Teio would win ninety of them."

Tokai Teio-chan doesn’t win in the flashy way I do. From her debut onward, her margins were four lengths, two lengths, two and a half lengths, and two lengths. Compared to me—someone who won every race by overwhelming margins—her record looks rather plain.

…But that doesn’t mean Teio-chan is weak.

According to my trainer, Teio-chan doesn’t crave victory as strongly as I do. More precisely, winning has become so natural to her that she doesn’t feel anything about it anymore. Because of that, she never pushes herself to her limits during a race—especially when there’s no one ahead of her. She doesn’t win by huge margins because she doesn’t need to. Even without forcing herself, she simply doesn’t lose.

In other words… to put it bluntly, Teio-chan has been coasting. She only uses the power she needs to win. She hasn’t shown her true depths yet.

"Tokai Teio only gets serious when she’s about to lose. And among the Satsuki Sho runners, the only one who can surpass her at that point is you. Of the ten times she loses in those hundred races I mentioned, nine of them are cases where she misjudges the moment to unleash her strength at the very end. Conversely, if she goes all out… Tokai Teio will almost certainly win."

"So basically… in a race where I’m present as someone above her, Teio-chan will definitely go all out. Which means I only need to focus on her."

"Exactly. You catch on fast—that helps."

In the mock race before last, I beat Teio-chan by eight lengths. Of course, that wasn’t simply a difference in raw ability. Nature was there. Teio-chan was manipulated by Nature and couldn’t run freely.

…Still, the numerical gap that resulted is real.

Regardless of what Teio-chan herself thinks, her trainer will undoubtedly see me as the superior one. In a G1 race where she runs alongside me, the chances of Teio-chan letting her guard down or mistiming her move are slim. It would be nice if it happened—but it’s not something we should build our entire race plan around.

"In short, the winning strategy this time is extremely simple. Break away from Tokai Teio. Do that, and you’ll almost certainly cross the finish line in first place."

What a clear and straightforward plan.

Since I can distinguish individual Uma Musume by the sound of their footsteps, I can always keep track of my distance from Teio-chan. All I need to do is maintain that distance—or run so far ahead that I can’t hear her at all. Luckily, the Satsuki Sho is 2000 meters, a distance I know well. Even if I push the pace a bit now, there’s no chance I’ll run out of stamina.

Yeah. A simple, decisive strategy. Moments like this make me glad I can pride myself on my stamina.

"You’ve already run this course twice, in the Hopeful Stakes and the Yayoi Sho. In terms of experience, you’re ahead of everyone else. …Which is exactly why every Uma Musume here, including Tokai Teio, will be watching you. They’ll use you—the course-savvy runaway who hasn’t been swayed by others’ lap times—as their pacing reference. So… yes. Just run the way I told you."

"Understood."

I’ve already heard the entire plan from my trainer. If I follow it… I can win.

I believe in it. I can believe in it.

Even in that chilling, “cold” sensation, I can recall it and rely on it—that’s how completely I trust my trainer.

So, tomorrow.

I will race in the Satsuki Sho… and I will beat Teio-chan.

"Good. Then tonight, go to bed while reviewing the strategy for tomorrow. Right now, your stamina is packed right up to the limit. Don’t you dare do any self-training."

"I understand that much. I promise to go straight to sleep tonight. …But after the race is over—"

"I know. Just patting your head wouldn’t count as a reward."

We exchanged a knowing grin and parted ways.

"Good night, Hoshino Wilm."

"Yes. Good night, Trainer."

---

When I returned, the Ritto Dorm was filled with a vaguely buoyant atmosphere. Girls chatted by the shoe lockers, others surrounded a huge sheet of paper in the cafeteria, and some looked like they were submitting something at the office. Everyone was buzzing, like the night before a school trip.

The last time things felt like this was three months ago, during the URA Finals.

I can’t say I don’t understand the feeling. Tomorrow is the Satsuki Sho—the long-awaited start of this year’s Classic races. The “fastest” Uma Musume of the generation will be decided, and there’s even the possibility that a future Triple Crown winner will be born.

I’m directly involved, so I don’t have the luxury of getting excited—but from the sidelines, of course people would be fired up.

Even though they’re Uma Musume—or perhaps because they are Uma Musume—they yearn for the word “fastest.” It makes their hearts tremble uncontrollably. …Especially those who have no chance of challenging it themselves.

So maybe that was true for her as well.

As I was heading back to my room, two legs suddenly appeared in front of me. I tried to sidestep, but the other person smoothly blocked my way. As I stood there, confused about what this was all about, a voice came down from above.

"Hoshino Wilm-senpai. I am aware this is rude, but I have a request. May I have ten minutes of your time?"

"…Huh?"

"I presume you are busy with the Satsuki Sho approaching. However, as someone widely regarded as a strong Triple Crown candidate, I wished to hear your thoughts, and so I approached you."

Who approaches someone at a time like this? And why me, of all people—what is this, some kind of punishment game?

Only then did I finally lift my gaze to look at the Uma Musume standing before me.

She was a head taller than me. And her chest was bigger, too. She called me senpai, yet she’s a junior—how is that fair? Her rich chestnut hair swayed softly. The ear accessory on her right ear and the… something-or-other huge hair ornament attached to her hair stood out. Seriously, how does that thing even stay on?

Her face was as expressionless as mine—and her beautiful blue eyes were looking straight at me.

"Mihono… Bourbon-chan?"

No—no no no no!

That ultra-cool front-running Uma Musume from Season 2 of the anime, with the insanely stylish race outfit!!

"…Detecting status: ‘Surprise.’ I did not expect Hoshino Wilm-senpai to recognize me. Nice to meet you. I am Mihono Bourbon. I look forward to working with you."

Th-that’s a really distinctive way of speaking!? No intonation at all—it’s almost android-like.

Still, was she like this in the anime? I remembered her as more cool, yet hot-blooded.

"…Uh, nice to meet you."

She bowed politely, so I hurriedly bowed back.

I mean, I knew Bourbon-chan was a junior here, but… we were in the same dorm? I genuinely had no idea.

Well, there are only two dorms, so if I’d thought about it properly, I probably could have guessed. That was careless of me…

Also, having an Uma Musume I liked—well, not a character, an actual Uma Musume—suddenly appear like this is bad for my heart. It’s like a celebrity you admire on TV suddenly showing up in front of you and striking up a conversation.

And she’s my… junior! Wow. Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve talked to a junior in this life.

But if I’m talking to a junior, using polite speech would be weird, right? How many years has it been since I last spoke casually to someone…?

"Um… so, what do you need?"

"As I mentioned earlier, I wished to ask you a few questions, which is why I approached you. If this is inconvenient, I will return another day."

Inconvenient—well, it’s more like extremely inappropriate timing.

For an Uma Musume, the day before a race is an incredibly tense moment. It’s like the day before an important exam for humans. Final training with one’s contracted trainer. Anxiety and nerves about the race. It’s common to be wound tight and on edge.

And if it’s a race like the Triple Crown or the URA Finals, that tension becomes a powder keg. Best not to touch it—let sleeping gods lie.

“Do not approach an Uma Musume right before a race.” That’s an unspoken rule among us students at Tracen Academy.

Ignoring it and making contact usually falls into one of three categories.

One: they had no friends and didn’t know the rule—in other words, the old me.

Two: they messed up. Rare, but sometimes people just forget.

Three: someone with the mental fortitude to ignore the rule despite knowing it—or someone with a very serious reason.

Which one was Bourbon-chan?

Hmm. The most likely is number one, I guess.

Expressionless Uma Musume tend to have trouble making friends. Source: me.

Over more than a year, the only friend I could really call a friend was Nature.

…Why do all my classmates follow me on Uma-Tter but never talk to me in real life? Being whispered about from a distance actually hurts, you know? You can interact with me more casually. Really.

"…Hmm."

Now then, setting aside Bourbon-chan’s reasons for the moment.

I hesitated over whether I should accept this invitation.

I’m an Uma Musume too. With the Satsuki Sho coming up tomorrow, doing anything careless is honestly a little scary.

‘Uma Musume aren’t that different from humans. Their hearts, in particular, are very close to human—and far more delicate. Something trivial can send them spiraling into poor condition, or even a complete slump. Just like when you met Tokai Teio. That’s why, before a race, no self-training and no going out on your own. Do exactly as I say. Got it? Don’t you dare do any self-training—are you listening, Hoshino Wilm? Absolutely not!’

…That’s what my trainer drilled into me over and over.

Back during the Yayoi Sho, I thought it was just talk and did a bit of light self-training anyway—and got absolutely chewed out for it. I’ve been careful ever since.

So, what I’m saying is this: if Bourbon-chan had any ill intent, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to mess with my head or throw me off my game. That’s exactly why you’re not supposed to approach an Uma Musume right before a race. It only invites unnecessary suspicion.

Yes, if you think about it rationally, the correct answer right now is to refuse. There’s no need to take risks. Saying, “Sorry, maybe another time,” would be the smartest choice.

…However.

If I recall correctly, after Bourbon-chan—who had been aiming for the Triple Crown—lost the Kikuka Sho to Rice-chan… she didn’t lash out or take it out on her. Instead, she tried to comfort Rice-chan, who was feeling crushed.

Bourbon-chan is the kind of unbelievably good Uma Musume who feels friendship and respect, not malice or hostility, toward the one who shattered her dream.

Her heart is incredibly straightforward. She wouldn’t do anything underhanded.

If anything, what feels strange is that Bourbon-chan—who always seemed self-contained outside her relationship with her contracted trainer—would approach me at a time like this.

Even in my previous life, I wouldn’t go so far as to say she was my absolute favorite, but she was an Uma Musume I liked a lot.

If I can… I want to help her.

…Just listening should be fine, right, Trainer?

If it turns out I shouldn’t have, I’ll probably get slapped with another self-training ban… but still, helping someone in trouble is part of a senpai’s job, I think.

Yeah.

"It’s fine. Is the lounge okay?"

A low murmur rippled through the air.

I looked around and only then realized what was going on.

At some point, Bourbon-chan and I had been surrounded by a small crowd… an Uma crowd? What is this?

It doesn’t feel like a lynching. Rubberneckers? Why are there so many rubberneckers?

Ah—did they think I was shaking her down or something? Shiver. I’m not a bad Uma Musume, okay…?

As I stood there, looking around in confusion, Bourbon-chan bowed her head again.

"Thank you. …However, this is something I’d prefer not to be overheard. Would you come to my room?"

"Your room…"

Wait—her room?

Seriously—Bourbon-chan’s room? I can go in? Wh-whoa, wait, really? Her room? I bet it smells really nice… okay, that part’s a joke.

Getting invited into the room of someone you like is kind of nerve-wracking…!

I-it’s fine, right? I’m just going to a junior’s room to listen to her talk. That’s all. Totally fine.

"…All right. Tell me the room number. I’ll come in ten minutes."

"I apologize for taking your time. Thank you very much."

Bourbon-chan bowed once more, gave me her room number, and left.

…What does she want to talk about, anyway? Well, I guess I’ll find out when I go.

By the way, that Uma crowd surrounding us? When I tried to move, they quietly slid aside and opened a path.

Oh… that’s kind of cool. Like Moses parting the sea. I suddenly feel like I’ve become some incredible Uma Musume.

---

I dropped my things off in my room and headed for the place she’d told me.

…Man, going to hang out in a junior’s room might actually be a first for me, even including my previous life. I can’t suppress the mix of nerves and curiosity.

The moment I knocked on the door, Bourbon-chan’s face appeared, and she immediately invited me inside.

"Hoshino Wilm-senpai, welcome. Please come in."

"Yeah, excuse me."

The room was… oh, wow. The half that was clearly Bourbon-chan’s was extremely neat—almost too neat. Aside from training equipment, there were practically no personal items at all. I’m the same type, so I couldn’t help but feel a bit of kinship.

The opposite side, though, was different. It balanced tidiness with cuteness, using a very girlish palette overall. It seemed she’d asked her roommate to step out, but I couldn’t help wondering who it was. If it were someone I knew, that’d be kind of nice.

…No, staring around too much would just be creepy.

I obediently sat down in the chair Bourbon-chan offered and waited for her to speak, while she remained standing in front of the bed.

…Huh. You’re not sitting down? That expressionless, arms-at-sides posture is a little intimidating.

"Today, there is something I would like to ask you. Thank you for giving me your time."

"Something you want to ask. …Ah, about how to run away? I don’t think my style would really be helpful."

"No. That is not it."

Oh, good. Honestly, I wouldn’t know how to answer if she asked about running. The reason I’ve been winning has a lot to do with instinctive running, some absurd reincarnation-bonus stats, and the techniques and strategies my trainer drilled into me.

Truth be told, putting all that into words is… kind of hard. If I had to sum it up, it would be talent and luck with people. My own effort is honestly minimal.

If it’s something else, maybe I can answer.

When I looked up at Bourbon-chan, she paused briefly before speaking.

"The question I wish to raise concerns the Classic Triple Crown. …Hoshino Wilm-senpai, why do you aim for the Triple Crown?"

…Ah. So that’s how it is.

Well, considering she came to ask me on the night before the Satsuki Sho, something related to the Triple Crown was within expectations—but still.

Why I aim for the Triple Crown, huh.

At first, this goal began because I selfishly took on Teio-chan’s dream.

Now that that’s gone, there’s really only one reason left for me to aim for the Triple Crown.

It’s a contest with my trainer.

A contest that began on the night the Hopeful Stakes ended. Either my trainer makes me enjoy running—or I take the Triple Crown undefeated.

It’s honestly a trivial, childish exchange, barely worth mentioning. Even so, to me, it’s an important connection with my trainer.

Even if it’s fragile, easily broken, I want to use it as a bond… to stay by my trainer’s side.

In the end, my reason for aiming for the Triple Crown really is that immature.

…But obviously, I can’t say that.

The circumstances are complicated, and that contest is a memory meant only for us. I don’t want to share it with anyone else.

Which means… I’ll have to dodge the question.

Sorry you came all this way, but I’ll give the same template answer I use in interviews.

"…Well. Honestly, there’s no particularly deep reason. I can run long distances, so I figured I might as well aim for it."

"…So you determined your goal based on your own aptitude."

"Yeah. Sorry it’s not a very cool reason."

"I see…"

Uh—wait a second.

Bourbon-chan’s gaze dipped slightly. Is she… feeling down?

Huh? Why? Why why? Hold on, I may be into all kinds of things, but pointless emotional fog is not my forte.

Okay, calm down. Think about why she’d get discouraged.

The question started as “Why did you decide to aim for the Triple Crown?” Then shifted to “So you determined your goal based on your aptitude,” and when I confirmed that, her mood dropped.

…Ah. Could it be that?

"Could it be that, Bourbon-chan, you think you don’t have the aptitude for turf—middle or long distances?"

"—No… I do acknowledge that my abilities are suited for a sprinter. However, I… must fulfill the order ‘Acquire the Classic Triple Crown.’"

Bourbon-chan frowned slightly and lowered her head.

…Huh?

What? Did she just say sprinter?

Sprinter, as in an Uma Musume who specializes in short distances?

Wait—what? How does that work? Bourbon-chan is a sprinter?

The Bourbon-chan I saw in Season 2 of the anime challenged the Triple Crown. No—she didn’t just challenge it, she dominated. She cleared the Satsuki Sho and the Japan Derby undefeated, then lost to Rice-chan at the Kikuka Sho. That was how it went.

…Thinking about it again, she’s insanely strong. She’s still in the junior class right now, so she’ll probably grow even stronger from here.

And you’re telling me she’s a sprinter? What is she talking about?

How does someone who can run the 3000 meters of the Kikuka Sho end up labeled a sprinter?

She’s obviously a stayer. Even if you somehow didn’t know that, calling her a sprinter is just wrong.

Wouldn’t the instructors notice that just by looking at her? They should tell her—

…Ah. No, I see. That really is a big deal.

But if that’s the case… how am I supposed to explain it to her…?

"Well… hmm."

"It is true that my blood indicates this body is that of a sprinter. Even so, I…!"

Ah, come on—don’t make that face.

If I think about it, I’m not exactly good with words. If anything, I’m awkward, socially clumsy, terrible at explaining things.

So it’s not a question of how to say it.

If I’m going to say it, I should say it clearly.

"No, that’s not it. I’m not denying it at all. I think you have more than enough potential to win the Triple Crown."

"……The Triple Crown…"

Seriously—what kind of expression is that?

You look much better when you’re training with that earnest face of yours. Though, I’ll admit, I like your angry face too. That moment when you snapped at Rice—that really stood out precisely because you’re usually so expressionless.

"There’s nothing surprising about it. If blood were everything, I wouldn’t even exist. My mother was a sickly Uma Musume who could barely run at all. She spent most of her time in bed, lamenting her own frailty. Even if you trace my family line, there are hardly any records of winning—not even in regional open races, let alone graded ones. That’s the blood running through me."

"…And yet, right now, I’m the strongest of my generation."

"Blood can be overturned. With aptitude and effort, it can be twisted into something else. And of course, Bourbon-chan—you can do it too."

"……Detecting ‘Shock.’"

Huh? What’s with that reaction?

I thought maybe she wanted encouragement because she knew I was considered a mutation or something—but that doesn’t seem to be it.

My mother being sickly is something I’ve mentioned in interviews before. A reporter dug it up, and I simply confirmed it.

In Uma Musume racing—so focused on bloodlines it’s called a blood sport—there’s a term for runners who achieve outstanding results despite having no pedigree to support it. They’re called mutations. A famous example would be Oguri Cap, the gray monster currently competing in the Dream Trophy League.

In a harsh reality, it’s a story full of hope. After all, it suggests that even the child of an Uma Musume who couldn’t succeed at the regional level might one day become an incredible idol of the sport.

Naturally, the media loves stories like that. It didn’t take long for my status as a mutation to be exposed, and I’ve openly acknowledged it myself.

…What comes after that, though, I’ve only ever told my trainer.

I assumed Bourbon-chan had read those articles and approached me because of them—but judging by her reaction… maybe she didn’t know? Looks like I jumped to conclusions.

Still, the words I need to say to her don’t change.

It’s true that my ability to overturn my bloodline owes a lot to reincarnation bonuses. But it’s not something only I can do. My trainer has said it before: while the standard approach is to develop areas you already have aptitude for, with enough effort, it might be possible to strengthen areas you don’t.

When he says “might be possible,” he means it depends on the Uma Musume’s effort. If it truly weren’t possible, he’d say so outright. He’s not the kind of person who gives false hope without conviction.

"More importantly, you’ll definitely run in the Classic races. My trainer said so."

"Your trainer… the one they talk about. The man in the suit."

Wait—my trainer’s famous?

Okay, interesting—but now’s not the time. Steel resolve. Ignore it.

"My trainer said Mihono Bourbon will rise. That you’ll compete in the Classic races and achieve results. He also said that since you’re a front-runner, you might become my rival someday."

"Me…?"

"My trainer is incredible. He can tell. He knows that if you put in the right effort, you’ll grow. Enough that you might even reach my back."

Horino Trainer has an absurd ability—just by looking at an Uma Musume’s legs, he can tell their aptitude and condition. To be honest, I doubted the accuracy of that skill at first.

But his eye has never been wrong.

I’ve been saved by it more times than I can count.

And that trainer said it: “Mihono Bourbon will run in the Classic races.”

There’s no doubt about it. Bourbon-chan is coming.

A year from now, she’ll be one of the eighteen standing on the track at Nakayama Racecourse.

"Hoshino Wilm-senpai's… trainer."

"Yeah. An amazing person. My pride and joy as a trainer. …I’ll be waiting. For the day you take the Triple Crown and come challenge me. And then… for the day you set my heart on fire."

It seemed that was all Bourbon-chan wanted to talk about. She bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you very much for your time today, even though you’re busy." For something like this, I really didn’t mind at all—if anything, I was glad she’d relied on me. I gave her a light wave and left her room.

…Still, the fact that Bourbon-chan is being evaluated as a sprinter. What is going on with this world, really? There are just too many differences compared to the anime from my previous life. Maybe it’s better to completely separate this world from that anime and only make use of whatever knowledge still applies.

---

This is a story from after the Satsuki Sho ended.

Ever since that incident, for some reason, I’ve started getting approached a lot by junior-class girls. Sometimes it’s serious advice—like not being able to win races, or worrying about their relationship with their trainer—and then there’s…

"Wil-senpai, please eat this!"

"Oh, me too—this one! I bought it!"

"Uh… yeah. Thanks."

Sometimes they even try to feed me with snacks and juice.

…Oh. These gummies are pretty good. Maybe I’ll grab some next time I see them at the convenience store.

"Wah—hehe, she took it!"

"My hand brushed hers a little…!"

…Hmmm.

Why did they suddenly start talking to me so much? And why do they keep giving me things? Is this some kind of punishment game? But if it were, it wouldn’t explain why they all look so happy about it.

I really don’t get what younger Uma Musume are thinking these days. I mean, I’m only a second-year in middle division myself.