Chapter 221: And now, at last, I take the stage as the headliner…

"Now then, let’s go over everything again."

Seated in the back of the car driven by Masa—who had kindly taken on the role of chauffeur—I spoke to Wilm, who sat beside me looking slightly uneasy.

"This party is being hosted by our family—the Horino household. Officially, it marks the conclusion of my first three years with my initial trainee and serves as a formal introduction. However… in reality, due to the results I’ve achieved, the Horino family’s standing has risen considerably. So this also functions as a reintroduction—a chance to reinforce connections. And, well, since the value of my lineage has increased, there’s also an element of advertisement involved."

"!!!"

"Alright, alright, calm down. We’re not so prestigious that we’re bound by those traditions, and the Horino family isn’t the type to force such things. Besides, I have no intention of bringing in anyone from outside anyway."

As usual, Wilm overreacted to topics like this. I couldn’t help but smile wryly as I reassured her.

"If anything, this standing buffet party is meant to prevent those kinds of troublesome situations from arising in the future. Originally, this is where I would present my achievements. And yet, if you’re standing right beside me the entire time… what do you think people will assume?"

"...That you’re showing we’re on the same side?"

"No. Everyone attending has been educated as members of distinguished families. They’ll understand the message correctly… that Hoshino Wilm is Horino Ayumu’s partner."

"!!!"

In short, it’s a declaration: the seat is already taken—so don’t be rude.

What happens in social circles spreads almost entirely through official representatives. The intent I demonstrate through my actions will, before long, become known among the noble families as the Horino family’s stance.

Fortunately, Wilm has achieved truly exceptional results. In terms of status as a partner, she’s more than qualified. No one will be able to object to this decision—and I won’t allow it.

"I—I see… well, ever since you mentioned it on that day off before, I’ve been preparing myself, yes… But… am I really worthy of standing beside you, Ayumu?"

Blushing faintly, Wilm looked uncertain. I gently patted her head.

"...Well, considering you come from a general background and this is your first time in high society, you’ve reached a passing level. Barely."

"Ah, so no comforting me with ‘you did great,’ huh…"

"I promised I’d never lie to you."

"Ooh, that statement scores very high! That’s 500 million Wilm-chan points! Reach a total of 10,000 points, and you’ll be obligated to spend your entire life with me!"

"...Where did the remaining 499,990,000 points go?"

Truth be told, it really is impressive.

Normally, from early childhood, one is trained in posture and etiquette until it becomes second nature. On top of that, they study manners, family power dynamics, the nuances behind words, and their subtle implications—only then are they allowed to enter social circles.

To raise her behavior and knowledge to a passing level in just three months… that’s nothing short of extraordinary. It could only be described as “typical Wilm.”

...Though honestly, while she’s not quite on my brother’s level, she’s still outrageous in her own right.

As I thought that, Masa’s voice came from the driver’s seat.

"We’re almost there."

I blinked once, shifting my mindset, and looked at the girl beside me.

She wore a dazzling party dress in a wine-red theme. It balanced a delicate cuteness suited to her still-small frame with a divine beauty befitting her overwhelming strength—a custom piece designed by Masa and me.

Wearing it, she truly looked like a star descended from the heavens.

"Heh… a flower blooming on a lofty peak, envied by all."

"P-please don’t tease me! I’ve never worn something like this before—not even in my past life—so I’m really embarrassed!"

And yet… precisely because of that, her slightly restless, anxious demeanor kept her from appearing completely untouchable.

As the car slowly came to a stop, I recalled something I had once learned.

Smiling gently, I extended my hand toward her.

"...Everyone will be captivated by your strength and beauty, and they’ll wish to pluck that flower. A flower too beautiful inevitably draws attention—it can no longer simply bloom in the wild.

In that case… would you allow me to be the one to pluck you and make you mine?"

This was the final test of her upbringing.

The beginning of today’s escort.

And at the same time, my confession to her.

Rather than flustering as usual, would she respond appropriately?

As Masa and I watched…

Wilm briefly curled her lips into a smile, then composed herself. Taking my hand, she answered with a fearless grin:

"...Yes, I humbly accept, Ayumu Horino.

If you would love this flower—me—until the day I wither away, there could be no greater happiness."

Ah. A perfect answer—and a perfect smile.

---

This party is hosted by the Horino family—by me, to be precise.

Naturally, I had full discretion over selecting the guests.

The purpose this time is to introduce Wilm.

I told her it was about “bringing her into the Horino fold”… but in truth, it works both ways.

It’s also meant to reduce the number of troublesome approaches that will inevitably come her way.

Horse girl racing is, at its core, a bloodline-driven world—inheritance of ability through lineage is heavily emphasized.

If someone becomes the strongest horse girl in history, it’s only natural that proposals would come flooding in from all directions.

That’s where I come in.

I am, at least nominally, her partner—and recently, that image has been gaining traction publicly.

If we declare ourselves a pair here… it won’t eliminate everything, but it will significantly reduce interference.

For that reason, failure was not an option—though, in truth, no social function ever allows for failure.

Which is why, as a form of risk management, the party was originally planned to be small and casual.

We would rent out a hotel party hall and invite only families who were relatively open-minded and already familiar with us.

That way, even if Wilm made a small mistake, people would brush it off with, "Well, she is Hoshino Wilm," or "She’s still young."

...At least, that was the plan.

What we actually ended up attending was not a hotel in Tokyo, but land owned by a certain prestigious family.

And one horse girl—whom I had never intended to invite—would also be present.

...How did it come to this?

Even as I maintained my outward composure, frustration gnawed at me from within.

The first miscalculation, if I had to name one, was their intelligence network.

Despite keeping preparations strictly confidential, information about the party leaked from somewhere…

"To think that you, the esteemed heir of the Horino family, would use such a venue?

As a member of a family that counts yours among its closest allies, I cannot permit you to drink from the poisoned cup of excessive humility."

...An old acquaintance of mine had scolded me—quite seriously.

The Horino family and her family are closely connected.

Her family upholds strict traditions. Several generations ago, the Horino family was much the same, and the two houses developed deep ties—so much so that even their heads formed personal friendships.

Though the Horino family later underwent reforms, the relationship between the two houses endured.

...If anything, it grew even stronger.

Compared to the old Horino philosophy of “thorough management devoid of emotion,” the current approach—“Uma Musume first, with trainers devoted selflessly”—aligns more closely with theirs.

As heirs to such families, she and I naturally had some level of interaction.

Despite a ten-year age gap, we spent time together—perhaps because even back then, my “app reincarnation” and efforts had earned a measure of recognition.

After a certain tea party—where we discussed the meaning of belonging to a noble family, the responsibilities of bloodlines, and her racing aptitude—we began meeting more frequently.

From then on, she often visited the Horino residence in Kyushu.

Her dignified conduct—like the very embodiment of noblesse oblige—impressed even Masa, who was deep in her rebellious phase at the time. No one in my family disliked her.

Naturally, strengthening ties with other noble families was beneficial, so the Horino family welcomed the relationship.

For about ten years, until we entered Tracen Academy, we met roughly twice a month—sitting at tea tables in each other’s homes, discussing races, economics, and high society.

At one point, I even thought that, given the chance, I might one day become her trainer…

But unfortunately, the timing was off by a year—or two.

The year she debuted, I was in the middle of my trainee training at Tracen.

So I never had the opportunity to train her.

Still—

I believed we had built a relationship of mutual trust and respect, something akin to friendship… perhaps even a kind of family.

Which is why her criticism stung.

In short:

If a party meant to reintroduce the current generation’s Horino trainer—one who had even won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—were held in such a modest rented venue, it might come across as either sarcasm or secrecy.

And as someone from a closely allied family, she could not overlook such a misstep.

However, not using a rented hall created another problem.

The Horino family doesn’t truly have a proper base in Tokyo.

Well, we do—but it’s too small. Not suitable for hosting prominent noble families.

As I was considering my options…

She made another proposal:

"If it pleases you, our family would be honored to provide a venue befitting the occasion."

A perfect opportunity—like a lifeline cast into open waters.

If it reduced the chance of Wilm being embarrassed, there was no reason to refuse.

So I accepted immediately.

...In hindsight, that decision carried far too many complications.

Borrowing their venue creates a debt.

If their representative wishes to attend, I cannot refuse—and effectively, it becomes a joint-host arrangement.

Even if it was for Wilm’s sake, it was a rather rash decision.

And now—

"Welcome, Ayumu Horino, Hoshino Wilm.

As representative of my family, Daiichi Ruby extends her greetings."

...Standing before us was my childhood acquaintance—now a Dream Trophy League racing Uma Musume—

Daiichi Ruby, delivering a flawless bow.

Daiichi Ruby.

An Uma Musume from the generation just above Wilm, who raced in the Twinkle Series until last spring.

Before advancing to the Dream Trophy League, she secured four G1 titles—undeniably one of the finest racers of her era.

However, she and Wilm never crossed paths on the track.

The reason is simple:

She specialized entirely in sprint to mile distances.

While Wilm runs middle to long distances, their racing paths never overlapped.

In her childhood, she had aimed for middle- to long-distance races, with the Tiara route as her primary goal. However, from what I observed through my “app reincarnation,” her aptitude for middle distance was only a C, and for long distance… a G. To put it bluntly, she was completely unsuited for it.

So I ended up persuading her with things like, "Will you run for the sake of your own illusions? Even though the supreme blood flowing through you is crying out that your glory lies on a different path?" and, "Do you truly intend to dull that brilliant speed—your dazzling form—before the race even reaches its midpoint? Is that really the image you wish to present to the world?"

Given that our first interaction went like that, our relationship actually began on rather tense terms…

But my ideal has always remained the same: to make the Uma Musume around me as happy as possible, and to guide them toward glory.

I couldn’t stand to see her incredible talent go to waste, so I had no choice but to speak up.

In the end, she and her family accepted it, and she went on to achieve excellent results along that path. As an advisor, I couldn’t be more satisfied.

Now then, back to the present.

When it comes to a thoroughbred who has won four G1 titles, naturally, Wilm knows of her.

Or rather… every time I mentioned her name, Wilm would visibly twitch, so she was certainly aware of her—likely in more ways than one.

Even when I mentioned her as the co-host of this party, Wilm let out a small, dissatisfied "Mmm…!"

And so, when facing Ruby—dressed in an elegant blue party dress—Wilm responded calmly after my introduction, without any visible agitation.

Stepping forward, she drew one foot back, kept her back straight, bent at the waist, lowered her head, and lightly lifted the hem of her skirt—

It was a flawless curtsy.

"My name is Hoshino Wilm. It is an honor to meet Daiichi Ruby, who is spoken of as the pride of a most illustrious family."

...Yes, the movement itself was impeccable.

But—

I never taught her how to curtsy.

The Horino family descends from an old lineage, so we typically follow traditional Japanese etiquette.

Judging from the mischievous glance she cast toward me, she must have practiced this in secret for today—planning to surprise me.

And to be fair, she executed it perfectly. There was nothing awkward or improper about it.

Normally, a bit of playful initiative like this would be forgiven.

However…

She chose the wrong person to do it in front of.

The “illustrious family” has long-standing ties with the Horino family, and Ruby, in particular, used to visit us frequently.

Which means, of course, she could immediately tell that Wilm’s behavior deviated from the Horino style.

Sure enough, I could feel the shift in Ruby’s presence.

She’s the type who rarely shows emotion through her expression, movements, ears, or tail—but after knowing her for so long, I can tell.

It shows in her aura, so to speak.

...Though when I mentioned that to Masa, she simply said, "I have no idea what you’re talking about," so perhaps it really is just my imagination.

Still—

I couldn’t say anything outright, since I couldn’t afford to embarrass either of them.

But there was definitely a faint trace of irritation—or perhaps disappointment—coming from Ruby.

I had originally planned not to invite her precisely to avoid this situation…

Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll just have to smooth things over.

"She’s still new to this world. I would appreciate it if you could watch over her with some leniency."

"...That is acceptable. This occasion was never meant to be overly rigid to begin with.

Now then, please proceed to the hall. I will join you shortly."

Her tone didn’t sound particularly “accepting,” but at least she wasn’t rejecting it outright.

Under Ruby’s slightly piercing gaze, I escorted Wilm—who glanced at me with a puzzled expression—while offering a small, wry smile.

After that, things proceeded much like the usual round of greetings.

I went around introducing Wilm to each of the distinguished guests.

The attendees this time were all individuals well-versed in this world, and relatively gentle and composed in temperament… with the exception of one particular Uma Musume.

They must have also sensed that this wasn’t meant to be an overly formal affair, as they left appropriate openings in their time to receive us.

With wine glasses in hand (Wilm’s, of course, non-alcoholic), we approached them one by one—timing it between conversations or when they appeared momentarily free.

That said, since Wilm was still inexperienced with choosing her words on the spot, reading between the lines, and grasping subtle social dynamics, her role was limited to introductions and greetings.

For the most part, her task was to stand beside me with a smile and observe—learning how these exchanges were conducted.

I quietly told her to stop with the curtsy, and beyond that, there were no real concerns…

Well, aside from the fact that she looked slightly uncomfortable maintaining a posture she wasn’t used to.

Other than her initial exchange with Ruby, everything proceeded smoothly.

Among the interactions, one particularly notable moment stood out—

The Satono family had brought along their still-young granddaughter and, quite bluntly, applied pressure, saying, "If only a promising trainer like yourself were to take charge of this child, Dia, we could rest easy."

They must have been feeling considerable urgency, likely because they hadn’t secured a G1 victory this year.

The girl they introduced—graceful, with soft flaxen hair—apparently recognized me from television or elsewhere. She toddled up to me and bowed adorably, saying, "Please become my trainer when I enter Tracen Academy."

I couldn’t simply dismiss such a sincere wish from a child, but I also couldn’t make any firm promises.

So, with a slightly theatrical tone, I replied, "A brilliant young lady—when the day comes that you enter Tracen Academy, I would be honored if you chose to invite me."

I left the decision in her hands.

Wilm quietly elbowed me afterward. "She’s a named character from the anime!" she whispered.

Seriously?

From the Symboli family, Symboli Rudolf herself took the time to attend.

As dignified as ever, she offered words of praise for my achievements, and told Wilm, "If you ever need anything on this side, don’t hesitate to consult me."

Apparently, she had also looked after Teio in the past, making her a truly reliable senior figure.

The Horino and Symboli families weren’t particularly close, so I hadn’t had many chances to know her personally—but just like in my previous life’s app, she truly is an exceptional person.

I have nothing but respect for her.

Her sense of humor is excellent, as well.

Then, from the Kiryuin family, came Kiryuin Aoi, a senior trainer.

Though she was accustomed to these kinds of events, compared to the seasoned veterans present, she seemed slightly restless.

Over the past three and a half years, I had occasionally relied on her as a senior and exchanged training insights, so we weren’t strangers.

Our conversation went fairly well.

In the end, she left us with the words, "Let’s continue striving and improving together"—a sentiment fitting of a rival.

...And with most of the greetings complete—

Only the final hurdle… or rather, the irregular remained.

Daiichi Ruby stood there, calmly swirling her glass as always, her expression unreadable.

Approaching her, I raised a hand slightly and called out:

"Ruby."

"...I have been expecting you, Ayumu."

She set her glass down and turned to face us.

Her gaze—devoid of visible emotion, yet filled with a strong inner brilliance—fixed upon us.

"Once again, thank you for the invitation. I have heard of your remarkable achievements over these past three years. On behalf of my family, I offer my congratulations."

As always, her manner was so formal it could easily be mistaken for distance, if one wasn’t used to it.

But in truth, this was simply her natural state.

So I responded without concern.

"No, I should be the one thanking you for providing such a wonderful venue.

I also watched your performances. Your victory in the summer Dream Trophy was truly splendid. That ultimate speed, backed by your noble lineage—you demonstrated it perfectly."

Unlike the Twinkle Series, the Dream Trophy League isn’t held as a continuous full season.

Well, neither is Twinkle strictly year-round, but Dream Trophy is even more limited.

To simplify, races are grouped into summer and winter sessions, each with varying conditions, and Uma Musume typically participate in one or two of them.

Daiichi Ruby won decisively in the turf sprint category.

Normally, right after entering the Dream Trophy League, racers tend to be overwhelmed by veterans—much like entering mixed senior races during the Classic year in Twinkle.

And yet, by her second year, she had already claimed victory.

Truly, as expected of her.

However…

Unfortunately, whether that momentum will continue remains somewhat uncertain.

"Will we continue to witness that lightning-fast brilliance in the future?"

When I asked, Ruby’s presence wavered—just slightly.

That faint shadow I had once seen in Daiichi Ruby during the Twinkle Series.

It had cleared after she moved to the Dream Trophy, and she had regained a level of performance that could only be described as exceptional.

…And yet now, a new source of uncertainty had emerged.

It wasn’t something about her.

…it was about her trainer.

Daiichi Ruby had been assigned a veteran female trainer—someone highly experienced even within Tracen Academy.

While many Uma Musume who challenge the Dream Trophy belong to specialized teams, she had continued to refine her abilities under that trainer’s guidance…

…but recently, that trainer had retired upon marriage.

Apparently, it was a mutual decision reached after a proper discussion with Ruby, so there was no cause for concern on that front.

Still… how would she approach racing from here on? Or would she step away from that path entirely?

It was something I was curious about, so I chose to ask—carefully, and indirectly.

Now then, Ruby seemed to understand exactly what I meant. She gave a small nod before speaking with her usual composed dignity.

"I have yet to exhaust the brilliance that I, as the last of my lineage, must display."

"I see—that is excellent news. Then, who shall be entrusted with the noble role of illuminating your path?"

So, she still intends to race.

I see… then has she already chosen her next trainer?

As we continued exchanging words along those lines… I thought I caught a faint flicker of something in Ruby’s gaze.

Was I imagining it? She wasn’t the type to let her emotions surface so easily in a setting like this.

As I questioned my own perception, Ruby slowly opened her mouth.

"Be graceful. Be supreme. Let your brilliance always be the finest.

I am one who carries noble blood. I must choose a trainer worthy of my family’s guiding principles.

One who possesses lofty ambition and ability, who never neglects their training, and who understands my brilliance—and stands beside me."

…So that’s how it is.

Perhaps Daiichi Ruby intended to be extremely selective in choosing her trainer.

No—“perhaps” isn’t the right word. She absolutely would be.

The drive to constantly aim higher, in step with her own.

The ability to meet the exacting standards of a prestigious Uma Musume.

The dedication to training that even her strict self would acknowledge.

And above all, an understanding of her ideal—“supreme brilliance.”

How many trainers in all of Tracen could possibly meet all of those criteria?

"Hmm…"

"…………"

From Ruby, I could sense something akin to that rare “please help me” aura she sometimes directed at me when we were alone.

This might be one of those situations.

Until now, I had stayed out of her decisions, trusting her to act of her own will…

But considering she had lent us this venue—and the bond we had built over the years…

Perhaps I should look into some promising trainer candidates for her as well.

…Just as that thought crossed my mind, I heard a faint sigh behind me.

It carried a tone of, “Why am I even doing this…?”

Wondering what was going on, I turned slightly—just in time to see Hoshino Wilm step forward.

"Then, how about my Ayumu?"

"Hm?"

I couldn’t help but glance at Wilm.

"Ayumu possesses the ambition to always aim higher alongside his trainee, the ability to fully support even the most eccentric Uma Musume, and the diligence to sustain endless training.

And furthermore… from what I’ve heard in passing, I believe he understands Daiichi Ruby quite well.

While he doesn’t have experience managing someone in the Dream Trophy, I’m sure he’ll adapt quickly with his usual information-gathering and dedication."

"Wilm…"

In a public setting like this, even if she got carried away, she shouldn’t be making such careless remarks.

I was about to reprimand her—but the sharp look she gave me silenced me instantly.

Technically, I was the one supposed to guide her, and she should have been the one in the wrong…

…but whenever she made that face, it always meant I was the one mistaken.

After quieting me, Wilm gave a small cough to compose herself, then turned back to Ruby—who had been silently observing the exchange.

"…This is merely a personal observation.

Ayumu is, well… somewhat oblivious to other people’s emotions, and still lacks a certain level of self-awareness.

So when he heard your conditions just now, he probably thought something like, ‘I can’t think of anyone that ideal, but I’ll try to shortlist some candidates myself.’"

She hit the mark exactly.

As expected of Wilm—her understanding of me was impressive. As her partner, I could only appreciate it.

"So, if there’s something you desire, say it plainly. If there’s something you seek, make it clear.

…If you do that, I believe he’ll accept it properly."

Half cutting, half baffling words.

And in response… Ruby—

For a truly rare moment, showed a faint trace of displeasure on her face.

"…………Why would you say that here?"

"Now, why indeed?

Well… perhaps it’s because it wouldn’t be fair otherwise, or because I should respect my senior, or because if I left things alone you’d keep missing each other forever and I couldn’t stand to watch it… or maybe I just don’t enjoy seeing things get unnecessarily complicated.

Oh, but just to be clear—you don’t need to hold back on my account.

I intend to win fair and square."

Wilm spoke with elegant composure—yet there was a subtle edge of provocation in her tone—as she lightly raised a finger to her lips.

Faced with Wilm’s bold words, Ruby suppressed her displeasure. One second. Two. Three.

Then she shifted her gaze from Wilm to me and spoke.

"Ayumu-oni-sama."

"Wha—huh?! O-Oni-sama!?"

"…What is it, Ruby?"

"You’re calling her by name!?"

I was… a little surprised.

She usually only used that form of address when we were alone—and yet here she was, saying it in public.

Well, it was a casual party, so it probably wouldn’t cause any trouble if overheard…

Still caught off guard, I found my tone unconsciously shifting.

Meanwhile, Wilm’s gaze darted between the two of us.

Ruby let a faint hint of superiority seep into her presence—

But just as quickly, she suppressed it and fixed her gaze firmly on me.

"I currently have no trainer to guide me toward glory.

And… should I seek a new one, I believe there is only a single person worthy of that role."

Her beautiful crimson-violet eyes, filled with unwavering resolve, captured me completely.

She extended her slender, porcelain-like fingers toward me…

And then, as though it had long been her dearest wish, she spoke.

"Ayumu-oni-sama. Will you form a trainer contract with me?

Will you, as you did that day, show me the brilliance I am truly meant to attain?"

…Ah. I see.

Only now did I feel a twinge of embarrassment.

To think I hadn’t even considered that possibility until she said it outright—no wonder Wilm had spoken the way she did.

Come to think of it… she had said something similar back then, too.

"I understand that regretting one’s birth is not something that should be done.

But if I were to name one thing… if only I had been born one year later, then perhaps—"

Just before enrolling at Tracen, when she visited the Horino household…

Sitting across a chessboard, she had murmured those words with an expression I had never seen before—or since.

My failure to notice it back then.

My mistake in acting too late now.

And above all… with affection for a girl who was like a beloved younger sister—and at the same time, a friend I deeply respected—

I knelt before her, gently took her fingertips, and with a faintly theatrical smile…

Pressed a soft kiss to them.

"With pleasure. To the noble crimson princess, I shall offer the finest speed—and the supreme brilliance."

What bloomed was a single rose.

A radiant jewel of beauty, seen only by a select few—yet more exquisite than anything else.

---

…Now then.

I have no regrets, no second thoughts—I can say with certainty it wasn’t the wrong decision…

But still—

The Dream Trophy—an event with little data even in the Horino archives.

And on top of that, I’d now be handling an Uma Musume suited for sprints to mile distances—something I had no prior experience with.

…Isn’t this going to get insanely busy?

"…You really are popular, aren’t you? Well, I suppose it just means there are plenty of Uma Musume with good judgment.

Still, between Bourbon-chan and Ruby-senpai… why is it that I can’t ignore girls like that?"

"I like that about you."

"Hehe. Honestly, I like that side of myself too.

But Ayumu—you should be careful about your distance with women. One day, someone might stab you from behind… or knock you out with something blunt."

"…………"

"Ayumu?"

"…In my previous life, I was actually killed by a woman I was fairly close to. She hit me from behind with an ashtray."

"That was real."