The encounter with Admire Vega and Narita Road was merely a small interlude for Opera O. Her nature was inherently very tolerant; although her behavior was somewhat flamboyant, her inner core was still filled with immense tolerance and care.
She considered herself the "Overlord," destined to walk a solitary path, only hoping that there could be someone by her side who could rely on her and support her.
Regardless of the jealousy, resentment, or even hatred others felt towards her, in Opera O's eyes, it would all transform into words of praise—this was a gift that allowed her to ignore the malice from those around her and focus wholeheartedly on what she needed to do.
Of course, this undoubtedly could not stop the aversion of others, and it would even intensify as she claimed victory repeatedly.
She would certainly gain many supporters, but without a doubt, most of these supporters could not offer Opera O any help on the Racecourse.
But at the same time, she would also gain more people who envied her, and most of these people would likely obstruct her progress on the Racecourse, becoming barriers she needed to overcome.
Trainer Wada had once faced such a situation with Opera O. At that time, although he and Opera O were comrades-in-arms galloping together on the Racecourse, he couldn't help Opera O much.
Opera O's strength, combined with his own mediocrity, not only made others wary of Opera O but also made them jealous of Trainer Wada.
The dual pressure led to many desperate scenes that had almost never appeared on the Racecourse. As someone who had experienced all of this, even if Trainer Wada intended to strive for his ideals one more time and vindicate Opera O, he absolutely did not want to experience such a feeling a second time.
He still hoped that Opera O could be recognized by more people.
"Perhaps I can only help you for a little while in racing, Opera O. Your skill will sooner or later surpass mine, and one day, you will be the one teaching me again."
"Then at least… let me secure more assistance for you in other aspects, Opera O."
After the test of Opera O's winning outfit effect concluded, Trainer Wada did not return to his dormitory but was planning how he should help Opera O achieve higher goals next.
This plan was not about race arrangements like the Classic Triple Crown, but rather the path Trainer Wada had to pave for Opera O outside of racing…
The Satsuki Sho and the Mainichi Hai were only a month apart, and within this month, Trainer Wada also provided targeted training for both Doto and Opera O.
He planned to, as before, counter the main rivals of these two races, Admire Vega and Narita Road, based on their characteristics.
When he joined Tracen Academy, Air Groove had evaluated Trainer Wada's tactics as "leaning towards conservative victories, heavily reliant on the Uma Musume herself, but skilled at handling targeting."
In reality, Air Groove only stated half of it.
Trainer Wada was indeed skilled at handling targeting, and he was also very good at designing strategies. Because of Opera O, Trainer Wada later repeatedly researched how to unleash a Racehorse's strength and break through encirclement when targeted—
So far, Trainer Wada was very confident that unless Shadai arranged another collective encirclement, with his skill, he could maneuver a Racehorse to break through. Unless an opposing Jockey's skill dealt him a dimension-reducing blow, there was no targeting he couldn't currently crack.
But at the same time, being skilled at handling targeting also gave Trainer Wada another ability: he also learned how to target others.
"Doto, Opera O, your biggest enemies this time, as I've said, are Narita Road and Admire Vega.
Besides them, you probably won't have stronger opponents until the Kikka Sho."
At the Satsuki Sho venue, Nakayama Racecourse, Trainer Wada led his two participating Uma Musume here.
After the popularity rankings were finalized, he called them over again and reiterated their tactics.
"Opera O, in this race, without a doubt, Admire Vega's Trainer might be more inclined to target Doto, but in this race, Admire Vega's most focused opponent is undoubtedly you.
Therefore, you must be wary of Admire Vega's tactical targeting against you."
"During this time, I repeatedly watched replays of Admire Vega's various races. I have confirmed that Admire Vega's most skilled tactic should be the chasing style, while Opera O, your strength lately has been the leading style.
If she wants to target you, she will likely obstruct your leading route from the start."
"So that means my leading style needs to bypass Admire Vega, right?"
Opera O, prompted by Trainer Wada, immediately understood how she should run this race, and confidently nodded, saying:
"Don't worry, Ryuji, this victory is already in the Overlord's bag!"
"I, I will also do my best!"
Meisho Doto, as if afraid of being forgotten by Trainer Wada, quickly raised her small hand and said, "I will definitely not lose to Opera O either…"
"Hmm, Doto, your main pressure will likely come from Narita Road. She is also a formidable opponent."
Trainer Wada nodded and turned to Doto, saying:
"If my predictions are correct, Narita Road will not participate in targeting Opera O. So, according to a Trainer's mindset, she should focus intently on you.
However, given your similar tactics to Opera O, Narita Road's threat to you is not as severe in places other than the final straight sprint."
"Just perform as usual, Doto. This time, I'm also looking forward to you defeating your opponent for the second time."
"Hmm… Trainer, I will work hard."
Doto also nodded happily. For her, she was very worried that after Opera O joined the team, Trainer's concern for her would decrease, and he would devote all his attention to Opera O, thereby neglecting her.
However, it now seemed that she had worried too much. Although Trainer Wada's attention had indeed decreased somewhat due to Opera O's arrival, Doto had not seen Trainer Wada show too much favoritism towards Opera O.
Their training was together, and even their rest and meals were almost always together. Everywhere Doto looked, she, Opera O, and Trainer were together, and she had never seen Opera O or Trainer alone together.
This reassured Doto considerably, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a little hesitant about her own thoughts… Lately… had she become too fond of acting spoiled with Trainer?
However, Doto's sudden silence at this moment did not make Trainer Wada feel that anything was amiss. Doto had been like this recently, occasionally getting confused and spacing out.
Trainer Wada had tried talking to Doto a few times, but Doto had never mentioned having any worries, and she had always diligently completed her training.
But Doto's condition had indeed been a bit off lately, and Trainer Wada could only hope that Doto would perform well in this Satsuki Sho…
"Alright, Doto, Opera O, off you go. I will be watching your race from the stands."
Trainer Wada patted the shoulders of the two Uma Musume, sending them off to the Racecourse.
Just as the two Uma Musume left, a voice came from beside Trainer Wada. Another Trainer was also speaking to her Uma Musume:
"Vega, don't be nervous. Just do your best in this race."
"Okay, I'm going, Trainer."
Admire Vega nodded at the instructions of the female Trainer beside her, then also walked onto the Racecourse. She seemed to have noticed Trainer Wada's gaze, her cool face devoid of any expression, merely giving a slight nod.
At this moment, Trainer Wada walked directly towards the female Trainer, greeting her with a gentle smile:
"Hello, are you Admire Vega's Trainer?"
"Ah, yes, I am. Are you—Trainer Wada?"
However, the female Trainer, upon first seeing Wada Ryuji's unusually young yet familiar face, instinctively paused, but quickly showed a slightly wary expression—
Evidently, she also considered Wada Ryuji a formidable opponent.
"May I ask what you're here for? If you're here to scout, I won't say anything."
"…I think you're too nervous, madam."
Wada Ryuji, seeing the other party's high level of vigilance towards him, maintained his gentle expression without diminishing it.
Instead, he pulled out a pack of… cigarettes from his pocket?
Don't assume women don't smoke. In fact, in some highly stressful industries, the proportion of women who smoke and drink is very high, especially in the Japanese workplace.
The sales of women's cigarettes are very good, and the higher a woman's position, the greater the likelihood of her smoking.
In the world of Uma Musume, there are also many female Trainers, and Trainer Wada had seen several female Trainers with a smoking habit, so he always kept some cigarettes in his pocket for social purposes.
Society is like this: you may not smoke, but you must be prepared with cigarettes, especially if you are approaching with a social attitude.
Alcohol and tobacco are the easiest ways to bridge a distance.
"I only joined Tracen Academy a few months ago. You are my senior, and I am your junior. These past few months, I've been busy with training and forgot to greet some of my seniors, which is truly inappropriate."
"However, please give me a chance, Senior. I still have many shortcomings and hope you can guide me."
Wada Ryuji's attitude was humble to an extent that made it difficult to refuse. It was neither fawning nor artificial, perhaps due to his good looks.
This time, Trainer Wada's overture also slowly lowered the vigilance of Admire Vega's Trainer.
This Wada Ryuji… seemed not as threatening as her Vega and her colleagues had said?
At this moment, Admire Vega's Trainer's first impression of Trainer Wada underwent some change.
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