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Chapter 8 - Chapter 8 - The new trainer apologizes

Shortly before the start of the unlisted race, I was waiting in the front row of the stands, just like I had for the debut race.

Since today's race was held at Fukushima Racecourse, we had arrived the day before to prepare. We had traveled in a car owned by Tracen Academy, but Urara hadn't gotten sick even on the long journey and had been excitedly chatting the whole way while I drove.

We stayed at a cheap inn that fell within the expense budget, but Urara seemed to be having as much fun as if she were on a sightseeing trip. I thought this kind of boldness was one of Urara's strengths.

And so, we were ready for the unlisted race. As expected, it was a short-distance dirt race, but at Fukushima Racecourse, the distance was 1150 meters, which was a little shorter than short-distance races at other courses.

What's more, the race's irregular course started on a straight turf track before moving onto the dirt course. Although shorter than other courses, the first straight was long, and the straight after the right-handed turn was quite short. Compared to the Tokyo Racecourse where Urara ran her debut, it was a compact racecourse.

Since the race was being held in Fukushima, there were fewer spectators than at Tokyo Racecourse. However, more than 30,000 spectators had gathered, and their reactions of joy and sorrow to the Uma Musume's race seemed to be the same across the country.

I took out the race card and checked its contents. Unlike her debut race, Urara was in gate 6, which was a little on the outside. It would be easier to run than from an inside gate, but I thought this was a tricky position in its own way.

I also checked Urara's popularity and let out a small, wry smile.

(She was 9th in her debut, but she's the third most popular... it seems Urara's ability is more highly rated than I thought.)

Mini Daisy, who ran with her in the debut race and finished in 4th, was also here, but she was ranked below Urara as the fifth most popular. It must be because they evaluated her as highly likely to have won if not for the accident.

I waited for the race to start while thinking about that. After a few minutes, the fanfare blared at Fukushima Racecourse, and the voice of a male announcer echoed.

'Fukushima Racecourse is covered by a gray sky. The weather has managed to hold out, and the track has been declared good. The fourth race is a 1150-meter dirt unlisted race with nine runners. The start is just moments away.'

His words made me look up at the sky. The weather had been nice for the debut race, but today, thick clouds covered the sky. There was no intense heat from the sun, but sweat naturally beaded on my forehead from the near-30-degree temperature and the rising humidity.

I'd say we were lucky that Urara's race started before it began to rain. If it rained, the dirt track would get wet, making it even harder to run on.

In addition, sand had hit Urara's eyes during her debut, but if the track conditions were bad, it wouldn't be sand but mud that would fly up. When sand hit her eyes, she was just veered off course, but if mud hit them, she wouldn't be able to race at all.

I'd told Urara to be careful, but I didn't know what would happen until the race began.

As I looked up at the sky, the announcer continued his commentary and moved on to introduce the Uma Musume who were about to run.

'Gate 6, Uma Musume 6. This ranking is a little unexpected; the third most popular Haru Urara. She's entering the gate with a smile.'

'She was 9th in her debut, but that was due to an accident, and I think her ability is high. She's my top pick.'

The commentator said that, but it was quite a rare occurrence for someone who finished last in the previous race to be the third most popular in the next one. It also meant that she had shown a performance worthy of such high expectations in her debut.

'Gate 8, Uma Musume 9, Castanet Rhythm has finished entering the gate. The preparations for the race are complete.'

As I listened to the commentary and waited for the race to start, the last Uma Musume entered the gate.

A few seconds of silence spread across the racecourse. Not a single spectator disturbed the concentration of the Uma Musume who were about to start running, suppressing their anticipation for the race.

And then, with a thud, the gates opened.

'The gates are open. All the Uma Musume have gotten a clean start... oh, one has fallen behind. Uma Musume 9, Castanet Rhythm has fallen behind.'

Just like in her debut, Urara got a clean start and began to run.

(One down already...)

One Uma Musume had fallen behind, but this race was 1150 meters. A failed start alone was a fatal mistake.

She had fallen behind by only a second or two, but the record for the 1150-meter dirt track at Fukushima Racecourse was 1 minute 7.4 seconds for classics and 1 minute 6.1 seconds for seniors. For an Uma Musume who could run more than 6 horse lengths in one second at top speed, that difference was huge.

'Leading the pack is Uma Musume 5, Shabalanque, followed by Uma Musume 7, Heart Caesar, one horse length behind. Two horse lengths behind that, Uma Musume 1, Cosmo Scraper, Uma Musume 4, Mini Daisy, and Uma Musume 2, Spanish Gelato have formed a group. Two horse lengths behind that is Uma Musume 6, Haru Urara, Uma Musume 3, Wakuwaku Ribbon, and Uma Musume 8, Compromise. The late-starting Castanet Rhythm is in the rear, seven horse lengths behind.'

They were in the Junior class, but the Uma Musume's race was fast. The race would be decided in just over a minute, so when to make their move was crucial—but.

"...So that's how it is."

I couldn't help but mutter as I watched the race unfold before my eyes.

The movements of the two Uma Musume who had chosen to be catchers like Urara were clearly strange. By "strange," I didn't mean they were injured, but that they were running to match Urara's pace.

In addition, the Uma Musume who were running ahead of Urara were also occasionally looking back. They were probably wary of the final spurt Urara had shown in her debut.

The Uma Musume in the front were wary of Urara's spurt, and the Uma Musume who were also catchers probably intended to break away at the same time Urara did.

The two Uma Musume following Urara were occasionally running alongside her or slightly overtaking her, making movements that seemed to try to break Urara's concentration.

It wasn't enough to be a running or course obstruction, but it was clearly a movement that was conscious of Urara.

(This is bad...)

I clicked my tongue inwardly. It was likely that other trainers had also seen Haru Urara's finish in her debut and thought she would have won if not for the accident.

The only race Urara had run was her debut. It was just one race, but it was still a race. As the director had said, being on TV meant that her running style was on record.

It was only natural, in a way, to mark a talented Uma Musume. It made me a little happy that the Uma Musume I was training was being marked, as if she were being evaluated, but I couldn't just be happy.

I was only training Urara, and we couldn't practice running while being marked. Even when I asked Ms. Kiryuin to let her run alongside Happy Meek, there was a difference in ability, so Urara was only chasing Happy Meek, and Urara lacked experience running in a competitive state.

—We may not be the only ones who have evaluated Haru Urara's running. Keep that in mind and continue to work hard!

The director's words during my performance review interview passed through my mind.

That was the director's way of advising me. Did she not say it directly to save my face, or did she think I would notice?

I had thought that since she ran well in her debut, she would be able to win the next one. That was the difference between me, who thought that, and the other trainers who did not think that.

Was it a difference in years of experience as a trainer or a difference in talent?

—This is undoubtedly my mistake.

It wasn't just that I hadn't been able to set up a training environment; at the very least, I, the trainer, should have noticed this beforehand and warned Urara.

In some part of my heart, I had been arrogant, thinking that Urara would win the next race. It sounded good to say I had that much faith in her, but if I had just noticed, I could have prepared a countermeasure.

'Entering the corner, Uma Musume 5, Shabalanque, and Uma Musume 7, Heart Caesar are competing for the lead. But the runners behind are also slowly closing the gap. Three horse lengths behind them, Uma Musume 4, Mini Daisy, Uma Musume 1, Cosmo Scraper, and Uma Musume 2, Spanish Gelato are following, and two horse lengths behind that, Uma Musume 6, Haru Urara, Uma Musume 3, Wakuwaku Ribbon, and Uma Musume 8, Compromise are running side-by-side. Is it tough for the late-starting Castanet Rhythm? The gap to the Uma Musume ahead has closed to four horse lengths, but will she be able to reach the front?'

Urara was slowly increasing her speed, even though she looked like she was having a hard time. But the Uma Musume around her were also increasing their speed, and the distance to the front was slowly closing.

As this happened, the male announcer, who had been speaking in a detached manner, began to get more excited.

'The straight is in sight from the corner! Uma Musume 5, Shabalanque, and Uma Musume 7, Heart Caesar are running side-by-side! But Mini Daisy has come up! Can she catch the leaders!? What about the back?'

The straight at Fukushima Racecourse is less than 300 meters, almost flat, and the goal is reached in an instant. What's more, the corner has a gentle curve from the entrance to the exit, and a sharp curve near the exit, a structure called a spiral curve.

The spiral curve's gentle curve makes it difficult to lose speed, and the sharp curve near the exit makes it easy for the Uma Musume to go wide. This tends to scatter the pack, so for Urara, a catcher who was also being marked, the final straight was her chance to win.

The only concern was how her struggles from being marked would affect her. I thought Urara would be fine, but running in a different situation than usual would surely consume a lot of her stamina.

'The runners behind are also surging forward! Here comes Uma Musume 6, Haru Urara! Wakuwaku Ribbon and Compromise are also accelerating! The gap to the front is four horse lengths! No, she's closed it to three!'

The final straight was all that was left, but Urara had gone a little wide because she had continued to run without slowing down too much in the corner. Her stamina would probably just barely last, but I didn't know what would happen because she had gone wide.

I clenched my fist and watched Urara, listening to the cheers of the spectators.

'Shabalanque, who took the lead, is escaping! Has Heart Caesar run out of strength, as she's falling back! Mini Daisy has taken her place and is chasing Shabalanque! Behind them is Haru Urara! Haru Urara can close in and win—oh, Wakuwaku Ribbon! Wakuwaku Ribbon has broken out! Compromise also follows and overtakes Haru Urara!'

The straight was short, and each Uma Musume was in a final spurt, passing and being passed. But I saw the rapidly approaching goal, Urara's speed, and the speed and position of the other Uma Musume and couldn't help but frown.

Urara was close to her limit from the unfamiliar competition. She had started her final spurt, but I didn't know if her stamina would last until the end. I could see Urara, who was usually bright and ran with a smile, looking like she was having a hard time.

"Ugh... hang in there, Urara! Just a little more! Hang in thereeeeee!"

As soon as I saw Urara's face, the words of encouragement I had held back, thinking they might break her concentration, burst from my mouth. I put all my hopes into those words, hoping they would give Urara the strength to run.

"!"

Urara's feet, which had started to slow down, kicked off the ground with force. And she desperately re-accelerated, trying to overtake the Uma Musume ahead of her.

'Oh, Haru Urara, who we thought was falling back, has found a second wind! But there's less than 100 meters left! The leader has changed to Mini Daisy! Is Shabalanque struggling to retake the lead!? Wakuwaku Ribbon and Compromise are also rushing in!'

Since she had gone wide, there were no Uma Musume to block Urara. But I didn't know if she could reach the front because she had gone wide.

'Go! Uraraaaaah!'

'How's that!? Mini Daisy, how's that!? Second place is a straight line! Can she reach Mini Daisy!? Will Mini Daisy escape!? Wakuwaku Ribbon is running alongside and now—goal! The battle for third place is a jumble of Shabalanque, Compromise, and Haru Urara!'

The announcer shouted at the same time I did. I instinctively looked at the order board, but the race wasn't over yet. The order board lit up after the Uma Musume behind had crossed the finish line.

First place was Uma Musume 4, Mini Daisy.

Second place was Uma Musume 3, Wakuwaku Ribbon.

Third place was Uma Musume 8, Compromise.

Fourth place was Uma Musume 5, Shabalanque.

And fifth place—Uma Musume 6, Haru Urara.

When I saw that, I couldn't help but pound my right fist on the railing of the stands. A dull sound echoed, and pain shot through my scraped knuckles, but inside me, there was anger that was greater than the pain.

Just like in her debut, Urara should have won this race. Even if she was marked by multiple Uma Musume, she should have been able to win with her acceleration on the final straight.

The reason she couldn't was my fault, for not expecting Urara to be marked in her second race.

Maybe she was just unlucky in her debut, but this time, it was my mistake. Urara had done her best, and I hadn't given my all. That was the cause of our defeat.

She had made it to the finish line, but only the top three Uma Musume could perform in the post-race concert. I left the stands and waited a while before meeting up with Urara.

"Ah! Trainer!"

When Urara found me, she happily ran over to me. She had her usual smile, which was hard to believe was right after a defeat, but when I saw that smile, I averted my gaze slightly.

This time, I couldn't ask her for her thoughts on the race. However, when Urara came to my side, she started happily jumping up and down.

"Hehe! I could hear your voice when I was running this time, too! When I hear your voice, I can try my hardest!"

Urara smiled at me as she said that. She must have changed in a hurry, as there were still clumps of sand on her forehead from the race.

I took a handkerchief from my pocket, knelt, and wiped the dirt off Urara's face. While I was doing that, Urara laughed as if she was ticklish, but when I saw that smile, I couldn't help but mutter.

"...I'm sorry, Urara."

"Huh? Why are you apologizing, Trainer?"

Urara looked puzzled at my apology. When I saw her expression, I gently patted her head with the handkerchief.

"In that race just now, if I had prepared better, I could have made you win... so I have to apologize."

"Hmm... is that so? I don't really get it, but it's totally okay! Because I had so much fun!"

Urara just tilted her head at my apology. And she didn't seem to mind at all and smiled as usual.

"And this is the first time I've ever been 5th place! The order board? This is the first time I've ever seen my number on it!"

Urara said she had always been last in her hometown, too. It was her first time making it to the finish line, and she genuinely smiled, saying she was happy just to see her number on the order board.

"I see... but, Urara... I want to make you win."

Compared to what I had expected when I first started training her, Urara had grown more than I could have imagined. That's why I wanted to make this innocent Uma Musume win.

—These weren't the words of a man who had neglected to prepare for a win.

"Is 5th place not good?"

"Neither 4th, 3rd, nor 2nd is good. I want to make you get first place. I want to make you win, and I want you to dance and sing as the center of the winning concert. That's my—"

When I said that, I realized something.

What I had just said was what every trainer dreamed of.

I want to make the Uma Musume I'm in charge of get first place. I want to improve her ability and get her to a higher class. I want her to beat many strong rivals in major races and give her an honorable victory.

Winning her debut would mean she was one-ninth of the Uma Musume at Tracen Academy. Even in unlisted races, only about half of them would eventually be able to achieve the honor of first place.

The remaining Uma Musume would either live in despair without ever getting first place, leave Tracen Academy, or move to a local racing league. Even if they continued to compete in unlisted races until they could get first place, they would just be crushed by the difference in ability once they moved up a class.

In fact, there were a small number of Uma Musume who had left Tracen Academy after losing their debut. It was a tough world, and not just the Uma Musume but the trainers, too, were desperate.

Ah, that's right. I don't want Urara to lose. If Urara prioritizes having fun in the race, I want to make her win while having fun. I have no intention of continuing to put Urara in unlisted races and waiting for her to eventually win.

If Urara says races are fun and exciting, I want her to run in races in an even higher class. I want her to run in even more fun and exciting races.

I thought that was my role as Urara—as Haru Urara's trainer.

"Trainer?"

Urara tilted her head, wondering why I had stopped speaking. I put my hand on her head and said with resolve.

"Urara, I want to see you get stronger, get first place, and get excited as the center of the winning concert. I don't want you to be satisfied with just finishing the race; I want to make you get first place... that's what I want."

To Urara, who wasn't looking for results in a race, this might be a one-sided imposition. But I saw potential in the way Urara ran, not just in her name, Haru Urara.

"A winning concert... yeah! I want to be in one, too! It sounds so fun!"

When Urara heard my words, she seemed to be more interested in the winning concert than in getting first place. When I heard that, I couldn't help but smile wryly.

(You can be in a winning concert if you get 3rd place or higher... no, this is progress compared to before. If Urara wants to get 3rd place, all I have to do is train her to be able to get first place.)

I still couldn't feel a strong desire to win or lose from Urara. However, if she wanted to be in a winning concert, she had to finish in the top ranks of a race.

I thought this was the first step.

Then, a cute sound of Urara's stomach growling suddenly echoed. When I looked at her, she was smiling with both hands on her stomach.

"I got hungry after the race! Hey, Trainer! Let's go eat something!"

"Yeah... that's right. Let's do that! Alright, since we're here, let's eat some of Fukushima's specialties before we go home! Let's get some Ika Ninjin!"

"Ika Ninjin!? That sounds so yummy!"

I smiled back at the overjoyed Urara, and slowly clenched my fist behind my back.

The next short-distance dirt unlisted race wouldn't be held until late August. I didn't know how much I could train her by then, but I was determined to make Urara win next time.

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