"It's just my last race out here in the regional circuit. Besides, it's not like I'll never come back to the regionals after this."
"Eh? But Central Uma Musume are banned from entering regional races, aren't they?"
Everlamp didn't understand at all, but Nearl didn't seem inclined to explain fully. She simply smiled quietly.
"It wouldn't be any fun to say it now. Let's wait for later. It's still too early at this point."
Raising a finger to her thin, moist lips, Nearl wore a warm smile that instantly made Everlamp drop all her defenses.
"That's so sneaky… How am I supposed to keep asking like this…"
Muttering under her breath for a moment, Everlamp eventually gave in to Nearl's wishes.
"Well then, Nearl-nee, it's time to head out. This is your farewell race. The audience and your fans must be looking forward to your performance."
"I wouldn't call it a performance, but I'll run as I always have."
Rising from her chair, she straightened out her slightly wrinkled tracksuit.
Then, Nearl solemnly picked up the number cloth from the table, attaching it carefully and meticulously over her chest.
Everlamp next to her was even more excited than Nearl herself. She gazed with admiration at her undefeated junior, her mind suddenly drifting into a vision of the future.
"Nearl-nee, I just realized how much I'm looking forward to seeing your winner's outfit for a G1 race. It's definitely going to be something especially dazzling and beautiful."
"Then your expectations might be in for a letdown. I already have an idea for the winner's outfit, and it's not some flashy design. In fact, it's quite plain."
Pulling the door open and stepping out of the preparation room, Nearl responded a bit sheepishly. She had already settled on the design for her winner's outfit in her heart.
"Eh?! But that's your winner's outfit! The miracle only allowed to be displayed in G1 races! For an Uma Musume, it's even more important than a wedding dress! How could you pick something plain, Nearl-nee?!"
Complaining as she followed behind, Everlamp's noisy voice echoed through the hallway.
--+--
"Accompanied by the winter's chilly winds, the SP1 Kasamatsu Kinen officially begins! Today, a total of sixteen Uma Musume are participating, making this the largest field in the event's history!"
"The audience is the same way. What an astonishing number of people—even some central races can't compare."
"But that's only natural. We all know what everyone has come to see in this race."
"Still, let's begin with our introductions of the competitors!"
Up in the commentary box, the two commentators were, as usual, brimming with enthusiasm. The live audience responded to their words, becoming restless and noisy.
Swept up by the atmosphere, even the two trainers outside the venue felt their excitement rising, so much so that one of them had to light a cigarette to calm his nerves.
"You, of all people, still haven't kicked the smoking habit? I never saw you smoke at the academy, so I thought you'd quit."
Kawamura Hiyori scrunched her face up slightly and edged away from the man beside her.
"Cut me some slack, will you? Habits aren't that easy to break. It's already a struggle not to smoke in front of the Uma Musume."
Shibasaki Koichi gave a wry smile, took a deep drag from his cigarette, and slowly exhaled in relief.
"Take care of your health, you idiot!"
Hiyori offered this helpless retort but then let the matter drop.
She knew she couldn't really persuade him. The only one who could truly talk Shibasaki out of it was currently out on the track.
"But really, you've been far too lenient with Fujimasa. Every single race—every time Nearl runs, as long as she's physically able, she enters."
Hiyori gave her childhood friend's back a firm, frustrated slap, her expression full of incomprehension.
"Fujimasa is an Uma Musume with the talent to earn glory. But ever since she started following in Nearl's footsteps and entering these races, she hasn't won a single victory. Don't you think that's such a waste?"
"Really?"
Shibasaki's voice held a hint of laughter as he blew out a cloud of smoke.
"Of course! It's honestly hard for me to watch. That girl Fujimasa hasn't won a single championship all year! It's such a shame, given her talent. The results would be much better if she just avoided Nearl."
Hiyori crossed her arms, her face showing clear frustration and annoyance.
"Hahaha, and that's exactly why you still haven't managed to pass the central exam... Oof!!"
Shibasaki doubled over as an irritated Hiyori delivered a solid punch to his stomach.
"I'll give you a chance to rephrase that."
"Cough... What I meant is, you're still not mature enough. That's your shortcoming."
"..."
Her angry expression faded gradually as Kawamura Hiyori fell into thought.
"Explain in detail."
"Honestly." Rubbing his stomach, Shibasaki finally caught his breath.
"You... you don't understand March at all. Her thoughts, her desires—they were never about championships."
"She just loves to run. She loves the challenge, she loves the camaraderie of competition. Championships? Those things aren't worth a single cent."
"And I'm her trainer. My mission is to fulfill her desires. Aside from her physical health, everything else is up to her."
Frowning deeply, Hiyori looked at the childhood friend before her who seemed so different from the past, her thoughts a tangled mess.
"But your record is tied to Fujimasa's. If things keep going like this, your future..."
He cut her off before she could finish.
"That's why I said you're still too green, Hiyori. Talk to me after you understand the weight behind the word 'Trainer'."
Having said that, ignoring the childhood sweetheart who was now grinding her teeth in frustration, Shibasaki took a satisfying drag from his cigarette and turned his gaze to the track.
There, Fujimasa March had stepped onto the presentation stage. Her eyes scanned the audience, then paused and settled right where they were.
"Hmph."
Shibasaki raised a thumb to her, only lowering it after she responded with a bright smile.
He stole a glance at Hiyori, who was lost in thought beside him, and sighed inwardly.
'Hiyori, a trainer bears the fate of the Uma Musume. We share their joys and sorrows.'
'They entrust their future and their trust entirely to us trainers, yet we often fail to match that level of resolve.'
'An Uma Musume's career lasts a mere three or four years, but our careers last until we grow old.'
'Just find one talented Uma Musume later, and your reputation recovers. You could say the cost of trial and error is extremely low.'
'But what about those Uma Musume who placed their trust in you? Will they get another chance? That's why I agreed with March's decision.'
'Since she chose a path without regrets, staking her potential glory on it, what reason do I have to hold back?'
'My paltry career record isn't even worth one-tenth of her determination.'
'Besides, who says that March always losing to Nearl means she gains no honor?'
He dropped the cigarette to the ground and crushed it under his boot, a faint smile playing on his lips.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.