In a hotel near Tokyo Racecourse.
"Wow! This hotel is amazing!!"
Twin Turbo was gleefully dashing around the room like a kindergarten kid seeing something new for the first time.
"A hotel like this must cost a fortune, right?"
Ikuno Dictus murmured to herself, not specifically asking Minamizaka about the room rate.
Just from the benefits at Canopus, it was clear they weren't short on funds—or rather, Minamizaka himself wasn't lacking in money.
It was just that before, with no races to participate in, they'd all been staying at Tracen Academy, only getting to experience things like free dessert vouchers.
This hotel was arguably the most upscale place she'd ever set foot in.
The room's decor alone was dazzling, making one unconsciously relax. And it was spacious enough to accommodate their entire Canopus team.
In Tokyo, for a hotel of this caliber, their trainer really had gone above and beyond for them.
Ikuno silently made a resolution in her heart: she absolutely had to hold more strategy meetings in the future to repay their trainer.
So that Canopus could defeat Rigil and become the number one team in Japan!
Of course, Minamizaka had no idea what she was thinking.
If he could have heard Ikuno Dictus's inner thoughts, he'd probably have retorted, 'How about you all train a bit more instead!'
The cost of such a room meant little to Minamizaka.
It was just upgrading from the previous double room for Barbatos and Seiun Sky to one that could house all the Uma Musume of Canopus except himself.
It wasn't that he couldn't afford more rooms.
But having his charges all stay in one room was more conducive to building team cohesion.
Although, with the likes of Twin Turbo, Urara, and Matikanetannhauser around, Canopus's team spirit and atmosphere were already excellent.
"Hey, hey~~"
After running a full lap around the room, Twin Turbo circled back.
"Minamizaka, I wanna run my debut race soon!!"
Even though it was her first time out, everything felt so much more exciting than being stuck at the academy—especially seeing how Barbatos and Seiun Sky weren't even surprised by a room like this.
It wasn't that she was materialistic, wanting to stay in fancy hotels.
It was mainly the novelty of staying in a hotel for the first time, combined with her already restless eagerness to have her debut race.
Hearing this, Minamizaka unusually straightened his expression, putting on a fairly serious face.
Nearby, Urara, Ikuno Dictus, Nice Nature, and Matikanetannhauser all looked over as well. They were all Uma Musume—who wouldn't want to have their debut race as soon as possible?
Especially when their own teammates were already making a name for themselves on the track, and you could easily find that name all over the internet.
Even if they might not be as strong as Barbatos or Seiun Sky, they still longed to set foot on the track soon and test their speed against one opponent after another.
Facing their sincere, expectant gazes, Minamizaka, feigning seriousness, cleared his throat with a fist pressed to his mouth. "If you want your debut race soon, then train as much as you possibly can. If you can manage that..."
"I'll arrange your debut races as quickly as possible."
He didn't mention cutting down on strategy meetings. For some reason, those meetings had become a defining characteristic of their Canopus team.
More training and holding strategy meetings weren't mutually exclusive—it mainly came down to willingness.
Ikuno Dictus and the others nodded silently, already resolved to follow their trainer's instructions and train more diligently once they returned to Tracen Academy, striving to have their debut races soon.
"Really?!"
"Yay! Training! Training! I'm gonna train!"
Twin Turbo's little fangs chattered as she voiced her determination, but suddenly her slightly agape mouth froze mid-motion, not closing as she realized something was off.
"But..."
"But, Minamizaka, doesn't B-chan not train either?"
Even though Barbatos had earned her direct entry into a debut race by outrunning them all when she first joined the team...
After that, Barbatos had basically never trained. In fact, they hardly ever saw Barbatos or Seiun Sky during their practice sessions.
Barbatos, who had just finished changing into slippers nearby, blinked.
She was just spectating on the sidelines—how did the topic suddenly shift to her?
Besides, she'd been secretly training in Summoner's Rift all along; they just hadn't noticed.
But as the senior Uma Musume who debuted first, skipping practice sets a bad example. So, it seemed... somewhat normal for this question to come up now.
"How do you know Barbatos doesn't train?" Minamizaka asked with a smile.
"This... isn't it just..."
Twin Turbo scratched her head, wanting to say it was common knowledge within the team, like 1+1=2.
It wasn't that she didn't want to train; she just wanted to have her debut race sooner. Could it be that B-chan and Sei-chan were actually training behind their backs?
How was that possible? There was no need to hide training from teammates, especially ones whose debut races were scheduled so far apart.
Seeing Twin Turbo's confusion, Minamizaka shook his head with a light smile.
"Take a look at Barbatos's shoes, and you'll understand."
"Shoes?"
"It can't be?!"
Ikuno Dictus was the first to react, a guess forming in her mind. Could it be that Barbatos had been wearing those weighted horseshoes from before all this time?
The horseshoes she used for practice before the relay marathon!
Shoes themselves couldn't be that special; the only thing related to training had to be the horseshoes on the soles.
She turned and walked to the entryway, crouching down to pick up the shoes Barbatos had taken off.
Ikuno Dictus's eyes widened the moment she lifted them.
So heavy!
Even heavier than the previous set of horseshoes!
Had Barbatos been wearing such heavy weights in her daily life ever since the relay marathon?
Even though Uma Musume possessed far greater strength than grown men, carrying such weight in daily life was no joke! Barbatos was like a monster!
Good thing she was a teammate. If she were an opponent...
Ikuno Dictus could hardly imagine how many strategy meetings it would take to beat Barbatos.
Seeing Ikuno's stunned expression, the other girls crowded around to feel the weight of the "shoes" for themselves, equally astonished.
So Barbatos had been secretly grinding all along?!
Even though she was already so strong, she was still training at this level?
The group exchanged glances, itching to return to Tracen Academy immediately and start their own training regimens.
"Alright, that's enough for now. You should all get some proper rest."
"There are pre-race interviews this afternoon."
Watching his charges brimming with newfound motivation, Minamizaka left the room, satisfied.
After this, everyone would probably take the initiative to train more seriously.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.