Meanwhile, Imanami, on the other side, was completely unaware of the tragedy that had befallen Ikezoe.
He had already found his way to Tracen Academy's training ground—a massive track about 3000 meters long.
Here, many Uma Musume in sportswear were training and participating in friendly races, and Imanami was able to feast his eyes on the Uma Musume.
Don't get the wrong idea; Imanami was fully focused on the Uma Musume's running styles and speed only.
"Hmm... it seems that even in human form, Uma Musume really do still possess the speed of Racehorses.
It's as if they've become Racehorses that can talk."
Imanami clutched the stopwatch that he carried with him; he had already measured several sets of data from Uma Musume participating in friendly races.
As a seasoned Trainer, although he had been retired for a long time, he had been rejuvenated after his transmigration.
Imanami could finally return to the track he once loved, to the career he was passionate about.
Although he became a stableman in his old age, Imanami was different from Ikezoe.
Ikezoe was physically and mentally drained due to various problematic Racehorses; although he liked the Racehorses deep down, that was only under the premise that his own life was not being threatened every day.
It was somewhat shameful to admit, but Imanami, despite his advanced age and a lifetime of working with Racehorses, had seen hundreds, if not thousands, of Racehorses with peculiar temperaments.
Yet an experience like Ikezoe's… even he couldn't truly empathize with it.
"Being able to talk to Racehorses… that's truly something I never imagined before.
If I could really talk to Racehorses back then, then I might have known what Gold Ship was thinking about."
As Imanami pondered, he couldn't help but think of the Racehorse he cared about the most—that somewhat peculiar, rambunctious, but ultimately endearing Racehorse named Gold Ship, whom he couldn't bear to part with.
Even after he grew old, Gold Ship was still his greatest pride and honor.
Imanami loved that child as if he were his own, and perhaps the bond between a stableman and a Racehorse was just like that.
"I was so lost in thought that I forgot to time it..."
This group of Uma Musume ran quite well, but it's a pity I didn't time them accurately. Otherwise, I might have asked for their names.
Another set of friendly races between Uma Musume concluded.
Imanami looked at the stopwatch that was still running in his hand, resetting it to zero once more, and prepared to measure the data for the next group…
Just then, a clamor attracted Imanami's attention.
Two Uma Musume not far from Imanami were conversing about something…
"McQueen, have you heard? It seems that a pervert has somehow snuck into the academy!"
"Really? That's terrible. The Academy's security definitely needs to be strengthened… Was the pervert caught in the end?"
"He was caught! Look, it says Big Sis Orfevre has already subdued the pervert, and she even used grappling techniques!"
"…Was the pervert okay?"
The conversation between the two passing Uma Musume caught the attention of Imanami.
It wasn't what they were talking about, but the mention of "McQueen" in one of the Uma Musume's words.
McQueen—this was not a common name, and according to Imanami's memory, there was only one Racehorse with this name, the most glorious Racehorse of the Mejiro Ranch! Mejiro McQueen!
Imanami could never overlook the name of this Hall of Fame Racehorse, who was as renowned as Tokai Teio at the time.
He quickly turned around and saw that there was another Uma Musume beside Mejiro McQueen—an Uma Musume with gray hair, who appeared to be quite tall.
And coincidentally, the slightly taller gray-haired Uma Musume's gaze had just moved from the girl beside her, and by a twist of fate, met Imanami's eyes as he looked over.
"Step."
"…Hmm? What's wrong, Gold Ship?" The Uma Musume in front, seeing her companion suddenly stop, turned to look at the Uma Musume named "Gold Ship."
Upon noticing Gold Ship's gaze fixed in another direction, she followed Gold Ship's line of sight and also saw Imanami's figure.
Who was this?
Was he an acquaintance of Gold Ship?
Was he visiting Tracen Academy?
Many possibilities flashed through McQueen's mind.
The next moment, she only saw Gold Ship, as if possessed, walk straight toward that person.
"—Wait, Gold Ship?" McQueen also took a few steps to catch up with Gold Ship, feeling that something strange was going on.
McQueen was quite familiar with the strange creature known as Gold Ship.
Since their first meeting, Gold Ship had often played pranks on her.
When others were training, she was always doing things completely unrelated to training, yet her performance was surprisingly good.
She was an Uma Musume with a very peculiar personality.
But even so, McQueen admitted that although Gold Ship seemed to have a somewhat erratic thought process, she was still someone she could call a friend.
Although their relationship wasn't particularly good, it was still harmonious.
But… this was the first time she had seen Gold Ship show such a serious expression.
McQueen didn't know how to describe Gold Ship's expression at the moment, but she just felt that this time, it was better not to disturb Gold Ship.
However, she was also very curious about what was making Gold Ship act so weird, so she decided to be an observer and listen to their conversation.
At this moment, Gold Ship had already walked in front of Imanami.
Her height of 170 centimeters allowed her to be almost at eye level with Imanami.
After a long pause, Imanami was the first to break the silence.
"—Gold Ship? That's your name, right?" Imanami looked at the gray-haired Uma Musume in front of him, an almost involuntary expression of paternal affection appearing on his face, and said gently,
"Hello, my name is Takatoshi Imanami, a new Trainer at Tracen Academy, and I am looking for a suitable Uma Musume to be my trainee."
"Eh? You're one of the new Trainers?" McQueen, who seemed somewhat familiar with Imanami's name, stepped forward proactively and asked with a hint of surprise in her tone.
"I heard before that the Trainer who took first place in the latest Central Trainer Certificate exam and was being promoted as the most outstanding rookie Trainer of their generation…"
"Was a Trainer called Takatoshi Imanami—is that you?" McQueen only realized belatedly that the man standing in front of her was actually the first-place scorer in the recent Central Trainer Certificate exam.
She then belatedly performed an elegant young lady's bow and smiled, saying,
"That was truly rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Mejiro McQueen, and this is Gold Ship."
"Imanami-san is looking for an Uma Musume to be your trainee, right? I believe our Mejiro Family definitely has suitable candidates for you…"
Mejiro McQueen's thoughts were simple. If a new Trainer like Imanami, who was evaluated as the most outstanding of his generation, could join the Mejiro Family and become their exclusive Trainer, then their Mejiro Family would surely prosper more than ever.
The Mejiro Family had the best resources and training conditions, and even their Uma Musume were undoubtedly among the most talented.
If he was suitable, it might even allow the Mejiro Family to have a few more Uma Musume who could conquer the Tenno Sho, extending the Mejiro Family's honor.
Mejiro McQueen had such expectations for Imanami.
"I'm still looking around. Thank you for your concern, Miss Mejiro. I will consider it," Imanami said subtly, then quickly turned his gaze to Gold Ship beside him and asked with a smile,
"So, Miss Gold Ship, could you run a lap so I can test your abilities?"
"Eh? Gold Ship?" Mejiro McQueen was also surprised by Imanami's polite refusal of her invitation and his choice of Gold Ship.
However, she quickly composed herself.
She thought that Gold Ship, with her tendency to cause trouble and dislike of training, would definitely refuse, right?
Then, as long as she performed well, she could persuade Imanami to become the Mejiro Family's Trai—.
—"Can't be helped, I suppose."
However, the next moment, something truly world-shattering entered Mejiro McQueen's ears.
After a slight pause, Gold Ship accepted Imanami's suggestion with a smile, even feigning an indifferent expression as she said,
"Although I don't know why, the tone of your voice is just like an old man's, so I'll just call you 'Old Man.'"
"If Old Man wants to see the magnificent Gold Ship-sama run, then I'll run a lap for you.
Is 2000 meters enough?"
"Yes, that's exactly the distance of the Satsuki Sho," Imanami said, nodding in agreement with a smile.
"If possible, why don't we do 3000 meters after that? You're better at long distances, aren't you?"
"You even know that? It seems you pay a lot of attention to me." Gold Ship was a little surprised to hear that.
She herself didn't know why she had felt such a strange feeling toward this man, who spoke like an old man, even though this was their first time meeting.
However, Gold Ship knew that she didn't dislike the other party, and moreover, she seemed to have a feeling that they would get along very well.
"No choice. Even though it's troublesome, I'll run two races for you to see.
Remember to engrave Gold Ship-sama's magnificent running into your memory, Old Man."
With that, Gold Ship, without another word, excitedly ran toward the track.
Imanami, without any unnecessary words, started his stopwatch, beginning to record Gold Ship's current speed.
All of this, however, stunned the ignored Mejiro McQueen.
Mejiro McQueen looked at Imanami, then at Gold Ship on the track, and subconsciously touched her head, wondering if she was sick and experiencing hallucinations…
But soon, McQueen snapped out of her shock and looked at Imanami with a slightly complex expression, muttering to herself in her heart,
To be able to even subdue Gold Ship… this man… must be extraordinary.
If he is someone who can even control a creature like Gold Ship, perhaps… and if his skill level is even more excellent, my Trainer might be…
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Gold Ship!? Training!? Impossible!!!!!!
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it, and I will fix it as soon as I can.