"So, after this Satsuki Sho, we might clash with Imanami and the others? The Japanese Derby… that's going to be a tough race."
Today's training was more intense than any other day, probably because the Satsuki Sho was approaching. After learning the list of their opponents, both Opera O and Meisho Doto burst forth with even stronger enthusiasm than before.
The two Uma Musume continuously performed multiple training exercises on the track. If Wada hadn't called a halt in time, they might have continued training indefinitely.
Now it was already evening, and Wada was still in the Team meeting room that had just been assigned to them, making plans.
With the Satsuki Sho imminent, his pressure was also immense, especially since after this Satsuki Sho, he would immediately face the combination of Mejiro McQueen and old man Imanami again.
This time was different from before. Although Mejiro McQueen, due to the surname "Mejiro," was a quintessential late-blooming Racehorse Girl, her Trainer this time was old man Imanami.
For him, a Trainer who could only be considered a rookie by comparison, to go up against an old hand like Imanami was something he wouldn't have dared to imagine before.
And it was Mejiro McQueen. Although she wasn't at her peak Mejiro McQueen yet, she was definitely not an opponent to be underestimated.
If Wada wanted to defeat Mejiro McQueen in the Japanese Derby, he would have to make extensive preparations.
Of course, the main priority now was to win the Satsuki Sho first… "Tap, tap, tap."
"Hmm? So late, is there still someone who hasn't gone back?" Wada couldn't help but murmur to himself, raising his head.
He had thought Ikezoe and Imanami should have already gone back.
"Ryuji? Are you in there?"
"…Opera O?"
Following Wada's voice, the door opened, and Opera O's figure slowly walked in under the lights, but she looked a little different from usual.
Opera O's attire had undergone an astonishing change. Opera O, who was originally wearing training clothes, had at some point changed into a very exaggerated outfit.
White clothes paired with various pink embellishments, white stockings and golden shoes on her lower body, and what was even more eye-catching, of course, was the pink and golden embellished cape on her back.
"…Opera O, are you going to perform in a stage play?" Wada was a bit stunned at first sight of Opera O dressed like this and subconsciously asked.
"Hahahaha! How humorous, Ryuji~ But this isn't a stage play costume, it's my winning uniform for the upcoming GI race!" Opera O responded with her usual dramatic gestures.
However, as she spoke, she didn't forget to spin around in place, seemingly to let Wada get a clear view of her full appearance, then said self-indulgently:
"It was just delivered to me last night, a custom-designed winning uniform provided by Tracen Academy!"
"How is it? Ryuji, there's no need to say more, your eyes have already said it all! Feel free to praise the infinite charm of me, the Overlord!"
Opera O was clearly very confident that her winning uniform would conquer Wada's aesthetic, and in reality, it did. Opera O and Wada had very similar tastes, and Wada genuinely praised Opera O's winning uniform:
"Very good, but… is this really a winning uniform? Do you have to run dressed like this?"
Wada was a bit confused. Although the existence of Uma Musume, whose bodies were full of infinite possibilities, had surprised Wada and the other two Trainers several times, this was the first time Wada had seen a Uma Musume's winning uniform.
But he couldn't help but wonder, how could such clothes be as effective for running as training clothes? Wouldn't they actually restrict the Uma Musume's performance? He had seen Symboli Rudolf wear a winning uniform, and although it also felt quite flashy, it didn't seem so cumbersome.
"Hahahaha! Ryuji, you don't need to worry. For us Uma Musume, winning uniforms not only cause no discomfort at all, but they can also allow us to perform at our absolute best!"
"If you don't believe me, how about we go for a run on the track now? I, the Overlord, will prove to you that the advantages of the winning uniform are absolutely beyond your imagination!"
"…Now? It's so late."
Wada subconsciously glanced at his phone; it was already eleven at night. Then he looked at Opera O's side and asked, "Where's Doto? Why isn't she here?"
"Doto seemed to have overtrained a bit this morning. She's probably fast asleep in the dorm now~"
Opera O had already gone to Doto's place to look for her before coming. However, Air Shakur, her roommate, had actively hinted for her to be quiet when Opera O arrived, and then Opera O saw Doto sleeping soundly from exhaustion, seemingly impossible to wake up.
So, Opera O came by herself. Anyway, Doto would probably be very happy to tell Wada about her winning uniform tomorrow. And after a short rest, Opera O felt that her training was still not enough compared to Doto's, so she specifically came to Wada for another adjustment training session.
Fortunately, Doto was sleeping soundly now and didn't know about this, otherwise she would definitely be a bit anxious—a kind of anxiety that someone more talented than her was also working harder than her…
"I think your leading running style, Opera O, has been trained pretty well. Further consolidation would only be minor details, and that's not something that can be adjusted in a day or two."
After changing his clothes and picking up his equipment again, Wada went to the training ground with Opera O. The training ground was empty now, and Wada said to Opera O:
"In that case, let's train your Last Spurt now, which I usually don't let you practice—Opera O, first run a lap on the 2000-meter track at your usual pace, and then I'll adjust your Last Spurt's burst point based on your situation."
"No problem at all~"
Opera O didn't say another word and immediately stepped onto the training ground. And at Wada's command, Opera O took her first steps without delay, galloping across the track.
"…Amazing, it really had no effect? Not only was her focus more concentrated than usual, but wearing such shoes didn't affect her running at all, she was even faster than her usual training pace?"
Wada, holding a stopwatch, was truly startled by the winning uniform of the Uma Musume in this world. Such a flashy outfit actually had an enhancing effect.
At this moment, Opera O, wearing her winning uniform, was undoubtedly stronger than her usual self.
Could this world really have magic? Wada couldn't help but think so. He vaguely recalled the legend of the "Three Goddesses" in this world, but he had always dismissed it, after all, gods were too far removed from him.
"Oh, isn't that… Doto's Trainer?"
"Hmm?"
However, in the distance, two Uma Musume figures appeared late at night. One of them seemed to have seen Wada's back and couldn't help but say to the Uma Musume beside her: "Vega, that really is Doto's Trainer. Why is he here so late?"
"…It looks like we thought alike. Our rival seems to be even more diligent than us."
And the Uma Musume referred to as Vega was undoubtedly the Uma Musume Wada had listed as a rival this time, Admire Vega. And the chestnut-haired Uma Musume beside her was another strong opponent, Narita Road.
"Wait, the one next to him doesn't seem to be Doto." Admire Vega was also quite curious about this Trainer who had taken in Meisho Doto. Although she didn't like to interact with others much, she did take a second look at Wada.
But soon, she clearly saw that the one galloping on the dark track was undoubtedly not Doto, but Opera O.
"Is this perhaps a private tutoring session?" Admire Vega said faintly, then recalled Doto's joy when she had previously shared with them that she had found a Trainer.
A subtle emotion welled up deep inside her, and she said to Narita Road: "Let's go meet him."
"Hehe, perfect, I also want to see what kind of person Doto's Trainer is." Narita Road also nodded with interest. She was very curious what kind of existence this Trainer was, who could make Doto so happy from the moment she joined until now.