After crossing the finish line, Mihono Bourbon still had an expressionless face, as if none of it was a big deal.
With no emotional change, ignoring the clamor of the entire venue, she walked straight off the track without even raising her head.
By the trackside, a group of Trainers was already waiting. When they saw Mihono Bourbon approaching, they excitedly rushed up to introduce themselves.
"Um, Mihono Bourbon, please wait a moment! Are you interested in checking out my team?"
"I earnestly ask you to join my team; I'll help you perform even better!!"
"Your potential still has room to be explored; let me assist you!!"
After all, the competitor before them had already shown the potential to become a superstar at this moment, and everyone was going wild for her. If she could be persuaded to join their team, it would certainly be a fortunate event that would greatly enhance their team's overall strength.
So, at this moment, everyone was practically pulling out all the stops, hoping to give her even a sliver of room for consideration.
However, faced with the clamor of the crowd, she acted as if she hadn't heard anything, simply passing through the encirclement of people.
She calmly walked up to the burly man, quietly lowered her head, and said:
"Master, I have achieved my goal."
The man merely nodded slightly. "Well done, but it's not enough. Your abilities far exceed this. For now, get some good rest and prepare for this afternoon's Slope race."
His reaction was calm, and Mihono Bourbon's words were even more concise.
"Yes."
These few short sentences completely shattered the hopes of the Trainers who had wanted to recruit her.
"I didn't realize Senior Kurosawa had already become her Trainer? Then there's nothing we can do..."
"When did that happen?"
"Senior Kurosawa plus the monster rookie... this combination is truly terrifying..."
Kuronuma, the leader of Group B, had, at some unknown point, transitioned into Mihono Bourbon's Trainer.
"Hoh... Kuronuma and Mihono Bourbon? This combination is truly worth looking forward to... With this, two highly promising new stars have now found their Trainers. So, who else will sign successfully today?"
Yoshida seemed to finally be interested, saying with some excitement.
"Senior Kuronuma and Mihono Bourbon... Tojo and Biwa Hayahide..."
Just imagining it, these two combinations would undoubtedly be extremely difficult opponents for other Trainers' teams.
But this didn't seem to concern him.
After all, he wasn't really a Trainer yet. As surprised as Kazuo was, he quickly averted his gaze from that side and turned his attention back to the racetrack.
Among the many contestants, the girl seemed somewhat special. The others, their rhythm broken and energy severely depleted, were all leaning on their legs, panting heavily.
Although she was also panting ceaselessly, trying to steady her breathing, she still stood up straight, her gaze fixed on the back of the figure outside the Racecourse.
Chasing that figure, but only able to stand still and watch.
Rice Shower's final result was only fourth place.
Despite having done well enough, there was still an insurmountable chasm between her and Mihono Bourbon.
Even if it was only a difference of one rank, it would still be a gap of eight horse lengths.
What's more—
This was the result of giving her all.
Her ears drooped, and with her head bowed, she once again transformed into a small animal, avoiding the crowd. Unnoticed by anyone, she disappeared into the contestant's passage.
"..."
"What, are you very concerned about her?"
Yoshida had clearly noticed Kazuo's change.
"No... it's nothing."
Kazuo slowly withdrew his gaze, then shook his head in denial.
He did have that thought, but he also knew very well that, as he was now, he couldn't do anything.
During the lunch break, after bidding farewell to Yoshida, Kazuo was about to return to his office to eat a cup of noodles, rest for a while, and quietly wait for the afternoon races to begin.
But he didn't expect to meet an acquaintance.
The girl standing at the entrance of the Racecourse seemed to be waiting for something, constantly looking among the Trainers' teams.
Suddenly, her expression instantly brightened, and she happily raised her right arm, waving towards Kazuo.
However, Kazuo didn't notice at first. He was just looking down, deep in thought about the previous race, until Kitamura reminded him.
Following the direction he pointed, he saw an elegant girl standing there, as graceful as a secluded orchid in an empty valley. Fine Motion stood there just like that.
"Fine Motion, is there something you need?"
Although a bit surprised, Kazuo still jogged over to her side.
The young lady elegantly bowed and then politely replied, "I received help from Asama-sensei some time ago. Knowing that sensei is also here today, I hope you will allow me to treat you to lunch as a thank you for that day."
"Actually, it was nothing, just a small favor..."
Under everyone's gaze, the girl's demeanor made him feel a bit awkward.
However, the slightly naive young lady happily took out a small card, as if showing off her growth to her parents.
Her eyes sparkled with stars as she eagerly requested:
"Please, I must invite you to lunch! Please rest assured this time, I have successfully applied for a card for the academy!"
What seemed commonplace to others was so exciting to Fine Motion. Just accomplishing something she couldn't try before as a young lady made her feel touched and happy.
She was truly engrossed in the experience of commoner life.
Seeing Fine Motion like this, Kazuo knew what he should do.
"In that case, it would be rude to refuse."
"...! Okay!! Please do not hesitate to enlighten me!!"
"Uh... Fine Motion, using that phrase here would be quite subtle... (sweats)"
PS:
PS:
First update of the day, please recommend and collect.
[Lunch Time]
"Huh? Can Asama-sensei not recruit students into his team?"
At lunch, the two were again sitting opposite each other in the academy cafeteria. During the meal, Fine Motion asked with great surprise.
Perhaps sensing that Kazuo had something on his mind, she not only asked, but Kazuo also decided to tell her about his situation.
Honestly, it wasn't some unspeakable secret.
After all, everyone else had a Trainer badge pinned to their collar. As an intern, Kazuo didn't have one.
In this regard, it was actually very easy to distinguish.
Upon learning that Kazuo could not recruit his own team members as a Trainer, Fine Motion was a bit surprised, but also showed a slight look of regret.
"I see... that's a bit of a shame."
Kazuo thought she was trying to comfort him, so he didn't think much of it.
He smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's nothing. Anyway, there's a Trainer qualification exam in May. If I can pass it, the situation might improve a lot."
Although he said that, even if he became a Trainer, as a newcomer with no achievements, at least in his eyes, it would still take a long time for him to be able to recruit his own team members.
"There will definitely be no problem!"
Fine Motion clenched her fists as if cheering Kazuo on. Although she seemed elegant and untouchable like a flower on a high peak, upon actual contact, he realized the girl was far more adorable and approachable than he had imagined.
"Thank you, yes... I must work hard!"
No matter what, he had to pass this qualification exam to prove himself to others.
However, mentioning this reminded Kazuo of the question Yoshida had posed to him earlier.
What do you think is the relationship between an Uma Musume and a Trainer?
Coincidentally, Kazuo also wanted to hear Fine Motion's perspective as an Uma Musume.
"Fine Motion, there's something I want to ask you. What do you think the relationship between an Uma Musume and a Trainer truly is?"
Although she didn't know why Kazuo asked this, she still thought seriously for a moment.
"The relationship between a Trainer and an Uma Musume, huh… Hmm?"
The girl raised a finger and tilted her head, pondering the question intently.
The conclusion she reached was:
"If you ask me, it's kind of like a couple, right?"
"Ahem—a couple!?!?"
Kazuo had completely not expected to hear such an surreal word from the young lady's mouth.
But Fine Motion looked as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
She calmly explained, "Because, in some ways, it really is like that, isn't it? As partners, a team, inseparable? Working hard for each other, don't you think that's very romantic?"
Perhaps she thought of something, as her cheeks flushed slightly, but Kazuo didn't notice this subtle change.
"Romantic, huh…? Well, maybe there's that feeling."
The Trainer Kazuo imagined possessed a realm beyond ordinary people, rich professional knowledge, and could support his athletes step by step onto the stage of the highest competitions, like a behind-the-scenes hero.
If he thought about it that way, it was indeed quite romantic… Of course, the romance of a man and the kind Fine Motion spoke of actually had a very obvious difference.
Somehow, during the meal that followed, the atmosphere between the two was always subtly indescribable.
[Side Note]
The set meal they ordered today was the Japanese kombu eel chazuke recommended by Kazuo.
Fine Motion seemed to really like the way chazuke was eaten.
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