Kiryuuin-san's Happy Meeku had a smooth win at the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, securing first place. This made Happy Meeku an official G1 Uma Musume, albeit in the Junior class.
Meanwhile, Rice, who seemed to have contributed to Happy Meeku's victory, was officially confirmed to run in the Arima Kinen at the end of the year at Nakayama Racecourse.
The reason it's a big deal is that, unlike other races, you can't just enter the Arima Kinen if you want to. It's not about being selected based on winnings or a lottery; the participants are chosen by fan vote from among the Uma Musume who register to run.
A total of 16 are selected.
The Arima Kinen is a long-distance turf race, covering 2,500 meters. So, you might think it would be hard for Uma Musume who aren't suited for long distances or who specialize in dirt races to be chosen, but that's not the case.
The Arima Kinen is a festival to close out the year. The participants are chosen based on their popularity at the time. For example, if Urara registered and was popular enough to be in the top ranks of the fan vote, she could run. This selection method is also used for the Takarazuka Kinen. Held twice a year, with the Takarazuka Kinen in the first half and the Arima Kinen in the second, these are the dream festivals for Uma Musume fans.
However, the Arima Kinen is still a legitimate G1 race. Its first-place prize money is a staggering 300 million yen, one of the highest in G1s. Being chosen by a fan vote means you're popular, and popularity usually means you have the skill to back it up.
Rice, who registered for the Arima Kinen's special entry two weeks ago, successfully earned a spot in the race.
This proves that, despite Rice's own self-doubt, she is incredibly popular. Yes!
"Eeeh! Rice-chan, you're so lucky! Hey, hey, Trainer! I wanna run in the Arima Kinen, too! I wanna run with Rice-chan!"
As usual, during our afternoon practice, Urara clung to my arm, pleading after hearing that Rice was going to run in the Arima Kinen. It's a good thing, but not in this case.
"Sorry, but right now, Urara, you're just not popular enough and don't have the skill... Besides, look, you'll have lots of races to run next year, okay?"
I said this while stroking Urara's head. She puffed out her cheeks in a huff, but her expression softened as I petted her.
While Rice is running in the Arima Kinen, Urara's next race is currently scheduled for the latter half of February next year, the Hyacinth Stakes.
The Hyacinth Stakes is an open race on dirt, a 1,600-meter course at the Tokyo Racecourse.
1,600 meters—that's a mile race. In a recent mock race, Urara showed a good burst of speed in a mile on the turf. If she can run like that on turf, she'll probably show even better speed on a dirt course at 1,600 meters. Plus, we still have plenty of time to refine her skills.
I also personally like that it's at the Tokyo Racecourse, where she won her maiden race. It's a good luck charm. Well, to be honest, the Hyacinth Stakes is the only dirt race Urara can enter as a Classic-class Uma Musume...
I wanted to enter her in at least one pre-open race this year, but I was so busy training Rice that it wasn't an option. The training for Rice was one thing, but verifying all the information was the real challenge.
Still, we managed to make it in time for the Arima Kinen, and Rice was safely selected.
(Turf races are too chaotic, aren't they? Or maybe it's just the Arima Kinen that's nuts?)
It's the last Thursday of the year, with the Arima Kinen just around the corner on Sunday. And the Uma Musume who are confirmed to run are seriously dangerous.
Most of the Uma Musume I had identified as major threats to Rice are showing up.
Daitaku Helios.
Mejiro Palmer.
Nice Nature.
Ikuno Dictus.
And, Tokai Teio.
Any of them would be tough to beat, but Tokai Teio showing up is the worst. Tokai Teio shows an amazing burst of speed in the final stretch, and that speed is truly incredible.
Even if I have Rice mark her, I'm not sure if she can catch up. Tokai Teio finished 7th in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) but, as I predicted, she came in first in the Japan Cup.
The other four are no less dangerous, but based on recent race results, Tokai Teio is the top one to watch out for. Of course, all the other Uma Musume in the Arima Kinen are strong, but I see them as a notch below Tokai Teio and the four I'm most concerned about.
It's a blessing that Mejiro McQueen and Mihono Bourbon aren't in the mix—I'd never say that out loud. Mihono Bourbon's leg hasn't improved and is getting worse, and Mejiro McQueen is on the mend but still needs time to fully recover. Maybe I should visit them and bring them something...
Uma Musume are prone to injury because they run at incredible speeds. The fact that I can't feel even a shred of happiness about a strong rival's injury shows how much my perception of Uma Musume has changed. If something like that happened to Urara or Rice, I'd be sick with worry. In fact, I probably wouldn't be able to work at all.
(And now that the Arima Kinen is confirmed, how's Rice's condition...?)
I looked over at Rice, who was doing warm-ups with Urara.
It's been a month and a half since I took over as her trainer. Every day has been about easing the fatigue in her body and gradually, very gradually, correcting the imbalances in her muscle strength.
The result is ambiguous; I can't say she's fully recovered, but I believe she's much less likely to get injured now.
Her running form has been corrected, and the extreme strain on certain parts of her body is being distributed. But I can't forget that Uma Musume run at over 60 kilometers per hour.
No matter how careful you are, an Uma Musume can get hurt in an instant. I'm putting her through a corrective program because I believe she has a high potential for future injury, but even if her muscle balance is perfected, injuries can still happen.
Specifically, the immense acceleration Rice uses to pull ahead in the final stage of a race must put a huge strain on her body.
Urara might trip and scrape her knee in her daily life, but if an Uma Musume running at full speed falls during a race, it wouldn't be a minor injury. A simple fracture would be a light injury; a compound fracture or, in the worst case, death, is possible.
This might lead to the extreme conclusion that Uma Musume shouldn't run, but they are all driven to run a little faster, to be faster than anyone else. That's why we trainers—at least I do—want to reduce the possibility of our Uma Musume getting injured as much as possible.
(Is it okay for Rice to run at full power in the upcoming Arima Kinen? I don't think she'd get hurt at 80% effort, but at full, all-out effort... will she be okay?)
Working with Rice Shower has made me more cautious with my training. I've been trying to choose training that's as effective as possible while minimizing the risk of injury, but I can't shake the feeling that I might be prioritizing safety too much.
"Rice, how's your condition?"
I asked as Rice, pushed on the back by Urara, smiled during a forward bend.
"My condition is good... I finally realized how bad the muscle imbalance you were worried about was, Trainer. I think it's gotten a lot better now."
She couldn't be certain, but Rice herself seems to be recovering to the point where she can feel the imbalance in her muscles getting better.
At this rate, she might be fully recovered by the time of the Tenno Sho (Spring) next year, and she could improve even more. But what if she gives it her all in the Arima Kinen?
Given Rice's personality, she wouldn't be able to just coast through the Arima Kinen. Even in the recent mock race, when I told her to just give a good showing, she went and cleanly passed Happy Meeku to take first place.
Rice's passion and dedication to racing far exceed that of an ordinary Uma Musume. I don't think she'd hold back on a big stage like the Arima Kinen.
(Besides, I'm the one who told her she should try to win the Arima Kinen and other G1s... I did make her skip the Japan Cup, but she should actively aim for the G1s she can win. And if winning helps Uma Musume fans accept her...)
Even though her participation in the Arima Kinen is confirmed, I don't sense any avoidance of the race from Rice. If Rice, who was so despairing after the Kikka Sho, can face the Arima Kinen with a calm mind, then I should welcome that.
The only question left is how to make Rice win.
(Should I have Rice mark Tokai Teio after all... but she seems to have her ups and downs lately, even though she won the Japan Cup. She's also had repeated fractures, so will she be okay in the Arima Kinen...?)
I hope she doesn't push herself too hard and get another fracture. But if I don't have her mark Tokai Teio, who should she mark? It's a difficult call.
As in the mock race, Rice is good at marking a top contender and then passing them at the end. This means if I misjudge who the top contender is, we're in danger of going down with them.
I think Rice is an amazing Uma Musume, but it would be hard for her to switch targets and go after someone else mid-race if she realized, "Ah, the one I'm marking wasn't a contender after all."
So, I have to make a choice out of the 15 other Uma Musume in the Arima Kinen. I've narrowed down the candidates, but five of them will be running in the Arima Kinen.
That's a simple 1 in 5 chance. A 20% probability seems high, but it also feels low. I was racking my brain, trying to figure out what to do, but I finally came to one conclusion.
(I'll decide who to mark on the day of the Arima Kinen, based on who looks good...)
No matter how skilled an Uma Musume is, you never know if they'll be able to perform on race day. Because of things like poor health or a lack of motivation, the number one favorite could even finish last. I don't think it would happen, but an Uma Musume could even stand still at the gate when it opens if she's not feeling it.
In other words, it's a "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" strategy. It's not even a strategy at all.
The only thing I can do is make sure Rice is properly trained up until the Arima Kinen.
However, although today was fine, I needed to end training early tomorrow.
Because with Rice's entry into the Arima Kinen confirmed, she had a reporter interview scheduled.
And then, the next day after school.
This was my first interview, too. Rice was a top contender among the Uma Musume running in the Arima Kinen, so the conference room set up for the interview at the Tracen Academy was packed.
I mean, other Uma Musume like Tokai Teio are also being interviewed, just at different times. So, of course, it's packed.
"Wow... You're a big star, Rice."
"W-What should I do, Trainer... I'm so nervous..."
I peeked into the interview room and couldn't help but let out a whistle. Among all the popular Uma Musume in the Arima Kinen, Rice is getting as much attention as Tokai Teio.
It's partly due to her skill but also because of what happened at the Kikka Sho. Since the interviews are at the Tracen Academy, I don't think any weird reporters have snuck in.
By the way, I'm wearing a suit and tie for the interview, and Rice is in her black, dress-like racing uniform. Hey, Rice? What's that dagger on your hip? I didn't notice it in the race videos because I was focused on her running, but that's not real, is it?
As I looked at Rice with a sense of dread, I could see her expression was stiff. This was probably due to the booing she got from Mihono Bourbon's fans and the fact that some media outlets had criticized her after the Kikka Sho.
Of course, not all media was like that. But it's true that some of them were.
I heard that some reporters even ambushed Rice's former trainer, digging for details about how Rice's win at the Kikka Sho crushed Mihono Bourbon's fans' dreams and how the other Uma Musume he was training lost miserably.
For Rice, not only the fans' reactions at the Arima Kinen but also the reporters in a setting like this must be a lot of pressure.
"Nervous, are you, Rice...? Actually, I have a plan."
"A-A plan?"
And so, I decided to use the interview to our advantage.
"Oh, it's nothing big. Listen, Rice? No matter what they ask, all you have to do is say things like 'I'll do my best' or 'I'll run with all my heart.' I'll handle the rest."
"Eh? Is that okay? It sounds like you'll have a lot of work to do, Trainer..."
"It's not a lot of work if it's for you, Rice... Besides, listen. Rice, you're cute. You're small and look like a little doll. Outside of races, you have a fleeting, delicate aura, and you're photogenic."
"...Eh?"
Rice looked at me with wide eyes, as if she didn't understand what I had just said. But think about it.
Someone like Rice, looking nervous and saying, "I-I'll do my best!" or "I'll run with all my heart!" is unlikely to make anyone think, "I hate this girl!"
Most people would find it heartwarming. Even those who were against Rice after the Kikka Sho are probably not holding on to their anger after almost two months. In fact, I'd say it's pretty impressive for someone to stay angry for that long just because they were a Mihono Bourbon fan.
So, since it was an interview, I wanted to improve Rice's public image even just a little.
I'm sure some people will look at Rice and think she's trying too hard to be cute or will want to attack her regardless. But Uma Musume are beautiful and have an idol-like charm.
Like that police officer Rice and Urara ran into when they went shopping the other day, isn't it hard to attack something you find cute or amazing? Well, maybe the police officer's reaction was a bit too much.
"So, Rice, for this time, you can likely improve your public image just by sitting there. You're that charming, and your running is amazing. Just sit on the chair and look like you're nervous... Oh, yeah, just like that. Your face is all red, that's perfect."
At some point, Rice's face had turned red, but she was a G1 Uma Musume, so her acting was perfect.
"All right, let's go."
"O-Okay!"
When the time came, Rice and I stepped into the interview room. Immediately, a massive number of cameras turned to us, and flashes went off... It was blindingly bright.
This was a reporter's interview, so I didn't expect Urara to be here, but she was. I let her stay in the corner of the room on a chair under the condition that she stay quiet. It'll be a while before Urara gets an interview, but I wanted her to experience the atmosphere of an event like this.
In fact, outside the conference room, so many Uma Musume curious about the Arima Kinen were packed together like on a crowded train, watching the interview.
Rice and I sat down next to each other. The number of reporters here... how many are there? At least 50. Gold Ship would probably be able to count them in an instant, but she's not here, so I can't.
Each one was probably a representative from a TV station or publishing company. Some held cameras, some had notepads with their questions, and others had voice recorders. It was a diverse crowd.
(Wait, the cameras are rolling... What? Is this going to be on TV? Is it live?)
They didn't tell me that, I wanted to scream. In reality, I probably heard them but was too nervous to process it.
I knew it was pointless, but I put on a sharp, serious face. It was my first time, after all. It couldn't be helped.
An interview is just about talking about your enthusiasm for the Arima Kinen and answering reporters' questions. No big deal. Surely, no reporter would pick a fight with a trainer inside the Tracen Academy—I used to believe that.
At first, I gave model answers about the Arima Kinen, saying things like, "Since we were chosen by a fan vote, we'll do our best," or "We want to achieve the best possible result."
Rice followed my plan perfectly, responding to the reporters' questions with "It's an honor to be in the Arima Kinen!" or "I'll run with all my heart!"
Because of this, I ended up answering all the other questions, but when they asked about her goal for the Arima Kinen, I just said we were aiming for first place.
But it seems a gossip reporter had snuck in among the crowd today. After the standard questions were over, someone raised their hand and spoke out of the blue.
"First off, congratulations on being confirmed for the Arima Kinen. However, there are many people who say they wanted to see Mihono Bourbon win the Triple Crown, aren't there?"
"Is that so?"
I resisted the urge to point out that "however" didn't connect at all to what he said. Why did Mihono Bourbon even have to be brought up here?
But unlike me, the question must have been a painful one for Rice. Even without looking at her, I could feel her body tremble, so I subtly squeezed her hand without the reporter noticing.
—Don't look so worried, Rice.
"...??"
"...??"
He made a face that said, "Is that all you're going to say?" so I tilted my head with a matching face that said, "Is that all you need?"
"Is that all?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
I answered the displeased reporter with a straight face. He then pressed on with another question.
"Mihono Bourbon was undefeated and going for the Triple Crown! Don't you have anything to say about ruining that? Don't you understand the great record Mihono Bourbon was about to set?!"
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Trainer Akikawa, who was observing the interview as the person in charge, give a faint, scary smile. But when she noticed me looking, she winked at me and made a shooting motion with her hand, a pistol sign.
Following her sign, I noticed that the other reporters were giving the questioner a disgusted look. This was a place to interview the Uma Musume running in the Arima Kinen, and they probably thought any other question was just a nuisance.
And Trainer Akikawa, didn't you say the President would protect Rice...? I thought to myself, but then I understood why this reporter was here.
She was probably using this situation, too. Maybe she didn't tell me about it beforehand because she thought I would figure it out, or to get a natural reaction from me.
I highly doubt it, but is it possible Trainer Akikawa set this reporter up herself? To cause a scene and make the other reporters feel sympathy for Rice? I might not have the right to say anything, since I'm also using this opportunity to improve Rice's public image.
Thinking that, I decided to answer the question, since Trainer Akikawa had given me the go-ahead.
"Oh... Are you dissatisfied with the results of the Kikka Sho? That's strange. The URA hasn't issued any problems with the race results, and Mihono Bourbon's camp hasn't made any protests."
I answered with an attitude that said, "Is there a problem?"
"Don't you have anything to say about betraying the fans' expectations!?"
"...? Our Rice met the fans' expectations and took first place. What's the problem with that?"
"Not Rice Shower's fans! I'm asking if you have any defense for ignoring the public and ruining Mihono Bourbon's great record!"
The reporter was yelling, practically spitting foam at the corners of his mouth. Trainer Akikawa, you didn't set this reporter up after all, did you? I thought as I looked at her, but she just shook her head with a look of resignation.
Just then, as if in response to my reaction, a female reporter suddenly stood up. She had straight black hair that reached her chest from her sideburns and wore a white pantsuit, which gave her a striking look.
"My name is Otonashi from Monthly Twinkle. If you're talking about betraying the fans' expectations, shouldn't you be asking Mihono Bourbon herself? Though, when I interviewed her right after the Kikka Sho, she didn't say anything of the sort."
I didn't recognize this female reporter, but she had a strange presence. With fiery, curious eyes, she spoke as if she were biting back at the reporter who had been questioning us. She was a beautiful woman, but her presence was even more intense.
"In the first place, race results are everything in Uma Musume racing. As a fan, I also wanted to see Mihono Bourbon win the Undefeated Triple Crown, but I think it's wrong to criticize Rice Shower, who defeated the Uma Musume that was thought to be able to do it. She deserves praise, don't you think?"
"B-But the fans' voices..."
"It's only natural for a reporter to listen to the fans' voices. But first, you should praise the Uma Musume who won against many rivals and earned the honor of first place... Isn't that the right thing to do as an Uma Musume fan?! At least, I think so!"
The woman, Ms. Otonashi, seemed to be infuriated not just as a reporter but as a fan herself.
Rice, who was sitting next to me, widened her eyes at her words, and they teared up a little. Noticing this, I smiled softly, moved my left hand, which was holding Rice's, and stroked her head.
"There are people like that, too, Rice," I whispered.
Rice gave a small nod. I smiled more deeply, took my hand off her head, and clapped my hands together to get everyone's attention.
"That reporter... Ms. Otonashi? She's right. Mihono Bourbon is an incredible Uma Musume. It's rare to see an Uma Musume who can aim for an Undefeated Triple Crown. It's only natural that many fans would want to see her achieve that."
When I said that, Ms. Otonashi closed her mouth and sat down. She was showing she was ready to listen since the subject of the interview had started talking.
"However, there are also many Uma Musume who want to win against her, to win the race, to win on a big stage like a G1, and to stand at the center of the Winning Live."
I'm a rookie trainer, and my Uma Musume has only experienced one Winning Live. But because of that, I know how important a Winning Live is to an Uma Musume.
"These Uma Musume put in a desperate amount of effort to run in races and to win. They say victory is in the hands of fate, but they put in the effort to bring that fate to their side."
While it's possible for multiple Uma Musume to get first place in a tie, usually, only one Uma Musume can get first place in a race. And the Uma Musume train like crazy every day to aim for that first place.
"In the Kikka Sho, the goddess of victory smiled upon Rice Shower. But that's because she had put in that much training. While I understand the disappointment of Mihono Bourbon's fans, all the Uma Musume in the race are aiming for first place. I hope the fans can understand that."
"All the Uma Musume in the race are aiming for first place... This means that Rice Shower could also lose, which is a possibility. Do you have anything to say about that?"
Ms. Otonashi, who had been listening to me, asked, but I had only one answer for that question.
"This girl is an amazing Uma Musume. But even so, it's entirely possible for her to lose. If that happens, please don't think it's her fault, but rather that I, her trainer, was incompetent. At the same time, please praise the Uma Musume who beat her."
Even though I've only been her trainer for less than two months, I'm confident that Rice's talent is among the best in the Tracen Academy. If a girl like that loses, it's my responsibility as her trainer.
I said that victory is in the hands of fate, but it's not an exaggeration to say that a trainer's skill is what enables their Uma Musume to reach a level where they can bring that fate to their side. Knowing Rice's passion for racing and training, I even feel like I should give up my trainer's license if I can't win with her.
I can't do that, of course, because Rice would just get depressed and say it was her fault and that she was a bad girl. But the fact that she was able to win the Kikka Sho on her own shows just how incredible she is.
"—That's wonderful!!"
"!"
Ms. Otonashi, who was listening to me, stood up and shouted, and I flinched. Ms. Otonashi was trembling, holding her fountain pen as if she were about to crush it, and her eyes were shining brightly.
"Yes! That's the greatness of Uma Musume races! A thrilling race where Uma Musume, who have trained to the extreme with their trainers, give it their all! That's the race we fans want to see!"
Something I said must have struck a chord with her, because the person who had just been defending us turned into a scary person. I looked at Trainer Akikawa, who for some reason was shaking her head as if she had given up.
After that, Ms. Otonashi continued to get more and more heated until she was escorted out of the interview room. But thanks to that, not a single critical question or comment was directed at Rice after that.
"She was an amazing person..."
"Rice was so surprised..."
"Interviews are incredible! I wanna get interviewed like that someday, too!"
After the interview, Rice, Urara, and I left the venue.
Rice and I were a little taken aback by Ms. Otonashi's enthusiasm, but Urara seemed to approve of her reaction. I was thinking that the interview had gone surprisingly well thanks to Ms. Otonashi when I noticed a figure standing in front of us, and my brow furrowed.
"You're..."
"I apologize for the suddenness. But I would like to ask you for something."
The person was Mihono Bourbon, whom we had just talked about in the interview.
"I wish to speak with Rice-san."
Mihono Bourbon said she wanted to talk to Rice, one on one.
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