"So only the Mejiro girl will enter the Japanese Derby, huh? Talking about a Mejiro, isn't she a sister to that Ramonu girl? Or a cousin? They always talk as if they're one big family, but I can't figure out if they only share the same family name or if they are actually siblings."
"Not exactly my place to figure out, but yeah. Only McQueen will run in the Derby."
"Are you confident in her ability?"
"Of course. She is my trainee after all. You have seen her, right?"
"Yeah…"
Gold City felt a crushing feeling in her heart when the young man was talking proudly of Mejiro McQueen. She then quickly brought herself back to reality, to the fact that he wasn't her trainer, but just someone she was doing business with.
I want you to be proud of me as well…
"Do you think I helped her with her training, or could she reach where she is now alone?"
"I think you did help her, and if she does well during the Japanese Derby, I might ask Senior Muyaku for a joint training again."
"...Promise."
"Of course. If one thing works well, then it would be stupid not to try that again, no?"
You will win, Mejiro McQueen.
I'll make sure of that.
XxX-XxX
"Trainer, do you have a moment?"
The next day, Gold City immediately bee-lined to her trainer. There is only one thing on her mind right now.
"Sure. What is it, Gold City?"
"I want to enter the Japan Derby."
"The Derby? Are you sure?"
"What's wrong? Do you think I can't?"
"No! No! I think you'll be a good contender, but it's so sudden. You never even brought the Tokyo Yushun before this. Is there something that propels you to enter?"
"I just… I just want to test myself."
"Ah… I understand."
Muyaku nods his head at his trainee's sudden request. He knows very well that this is the result of the week-long joint training session with Team Minaz, and he considers it a positive outcome. His trainee is now stronger and is more motivated to run. As a trainer, there's nothing happier to see than that.
"I think they are still accepting last-minute entries. I'll see what I can do. You don't need to worry about it. I'll do everything in my power to help you."
"Thank you."
For Muyaku, he was helping her trainee. For Gold City, she was helping the young man for her own personal goal. The young man's words about doing another joint training session have been echoing in her mind since last night. A week-long session has yielded so much that she can only imagine how much she can improve if it were a month-long session.
Muyaku, apologies, but I'm moving forward without you. The time we spent together had been fun, but you're insistent on being a third-rate trainer instead of improving.
The paper we signed together clearly stated that you would guide me into becoming a powerful uma, and it is you who violates that clause.
As a punishment for your sins, I will take advantage of you to serve my future trainer and me. Become a tool for our future, Muyaku, and I'll make sure the end of our journey will be kind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"How are you feeling, McQueen?"
"Hahahaha… I would be lying if I said that I'm not nervous. I keep being reminded of Orfevre's advice."
"We already trained on how to deal with those, right? Make sure you wash your face before the race to refresh yourself, and then keep your eyes open for the tiniest bit of mistake on their part. A calm of mind is needed for you to thread the needle."
"I know… I know… Sigh… I'm sure I'll be calmer during the day of the race, but beforehand, I can't help but be nervous."
"Huh… I get that. You just wish for it to just happen and be done with, right?"
"Hahahaha… Yeah."
"Come here, wife. Let me hug you."
"I want to punch you. I really want to punch you."
"Do it then."
The young man grabbed McQueen's body and pulled her to his embrace. Even though she was complaining, the light purple-haired umamusume doesn't rebel when the young man's body completely encompasses her.
"Your breasts feel nice."
"I truly despise your existence."
"Trainer! McQueen!!"
"What's wrong, Teio?"
"Ah!!! No fair!! I also want to be lovey-dovey with Trainer!!"
"I'm just calming down, Teio. We're not being lovey-dovey."
"What's wrong with a husband and wife being lovey-dovey, brat?"
"Let me get hugged too!!"
The little homewrecker snuggles her way between the husband and wife.
"Hehehe~~ Now this feels nice."
"Uuuhhh…"
"And you wonder why I called you a brat. Sigh… Why did you come here, anyway? Weren't you supposed to be with the pun-loving president?"
"I was!! And you'll be surprised at who registered for the Derby at the last minute!!"
"Who? Jet Two Holiday?"
"I don't know who that is, but no!! It was Gold City. Her trainer had just given Prez the paper for her to enter the Derby."
"Ooh… Huh… Wasn't expecting that…"
"I know, right?! She never said that she'll enter the Derby during our joint training session."
"Yeah… It's almost as if it were a spur-of-the-moment choice. Well, regardless, McQueen already knows how to handle her, and I already have data about her. Our chance to win doesn't decrease much."
"Hmm… I agree, but I feel like there's something else about this that I can't put my finger on…"
"If you can't figure it out, then it's not important."