At Tracen's training grounds, Shirayuki was organizing the day's training. Question marks practically appeared over the heads of the gathered Uma Musume.
"Shirayuki-san… is Trainer not here?" Meisho Doto asked timidly.
"He took the day off to rest, so I'll be training everyone in his place."
"What happened to Onii-sama? Is he sick?" Hearing that, Rice Shower immediately became nervous.
"Muscle soreness. His whole body is weak, and he can't get out of bed right now. He should be fine by tomorrow." Some memories were too painful to look back on. Shirayuki quickly shook her head. "He isn't sick, so there's no need to worry."
"Hmph. What a useless man," Gold Ship said, arms crossed, though no one knew exactly what she was mocking.
"Trainer probably failed to survive his tribulation." Matikane Fukukitaru pulled a crystal ball out from behind her. "My fortune for Trainer was 'bad luck.' Does muscle soreness count as bad luck…? Or could it be that someone helped him bear part of the calamity?"
That's enough, Matikane Fukukitaru. Please stop talking!
This orange-colored fortune-telling maniac was useful for nothing except delivering bad news. If someone had really helped Chiya bear part of his calamity, then that someone was Shirayuki herself. She gently pressed a hand against her lower abdomen, where a lingering, ticklish numbness still remained. Apparently, Tazuna had not been joking when she said she had looked up a lot of information. If not for an Uma Musume's incredible recovery ability, Shirayuki might have been out of commission too.
Hayakawa Tazuna was a monster. Her stamina seemed endless, especially once she got worked up. When she reached that point, no matter what anyone said, she would not listen. Of course, that also had something to do with Tazuna's mood. Every time Chiya was dragged away, Tazuna had been in a rather furious state. Under normal circumstances, Hayakawa Tazuna would not be that aggressive.
All Shirayuki could say was that luck had not been on her side.
Her underwear brushed against her skin, and Shirayuki's body trembled slightly. She was ridiculously sensitive right now. Even the slightest contact made her legs feel weak. To be honest, she had wanted to take the day off as well. But considering that there would be no one to manage the team, and Gold Ship and the others might actually try to ascend to the heavens, she could only grit her teeth and show up.
"Boss Lady, can we do whatever we want today?"
Gold Ship raised her hand.
"Follow the training schedule. I'm responsible for keeping an eye on everyone in Trainer's place today."
"He even left behind a will? Damn it! In that case, I say we overthrow Trainer's rule and establish an Uma Musume Autonomous Zone. Once I ascend the throne, I'll grant every one of you a G1 Champion title. That way, nobody has to fight over it anymore. I'll cultivate virtue, you all cultivate titles, and everyone lives happily ever after. Isn't that beautiful?"
Even if someone was here to manage things, Gold Ship would still be Gold Ship.
That said, she had also won a graded race recently. Leaving aside her impossible-to-understand thought process, Gold Ship's ability was beyond question. If only they could make her head… no, if only they could make that mouth stay shut, Gold Ship would be an exceptionally rare Uma Musume and beautiful girl.
Unfortunately, there was no shutting it.
Ignoring Gold Ship's proposal, Shirayuki assigned everyone their training content, then stood at the side and began recording their results. Everyone was steadily growing. The revised training plans had produced good results, and Shirayuki could clearly feel that everyone's growth rate was becoming faster.
Among them, the one performing best was Mejiro Dober. Apart from the occasional times when she was not in good condition, her training results had been steadily improving. With her current ability, she could absolutely participate in G1 races. Next spring would be the time for her to advance toward the Triple Tiara.
But that also meant Shirayuki would have to face Dober on the racecourse next spring.
Training her, helping her grow, while also trying not to be surpassed by her. I'm probably the most contradictory person here, aren't I?
But there was nothing she could do about it. Shirayuki was simply that kind of special existence. Her identity had already decided that she could not live an ordinary life.
"Shirayuki, are you busy?"
Hearing someone call out to her, Shirayuki put down her notes. Air Groove, who was sweating and looked as if she had just finished training, approached her.
"Trainer isn't here?"
"He's not in good condition."
"Sick?"
"Muscle pain. Overexertion."
"So he's training his own body while training all of you. A good example, then." Air Groove nodded in satisfaction. "But he should still do it in moderation. Human bodies are fragile. Long periods of high-intensity exercise can easily cause muscle strain. I heard that a hot bath helps with recovery."
"I'm not sure whether he's a good example or not, but I believe his body is nothing compared to an Uma Musume's. He can only endure it. I'll tell him to take a hot bath later. By the way, has Air Groove-senpai finished training already?"
"I'm taking a break."
After exchanging a few casual words, the two moved on to the main topic.
"Shirayuki, you'll be entering the Triple Tiara soon, won't you? I did a little research on the opponents you may face."
"Opponents?" Shirayuki instinctively looked toward Mejiro Dober.
"Not her. Dober is certainly your opponent too, but between you two… how should I put it? That is more like an arrangement of fate. You don't need to think too much about victory or defeat between the two of you. Just face it honestly. I'm talking about someone else. Can you come with me for a moment?"
"All right."
"By the way, Shirayuki, were you directing the training in Trainer's place just now?"
"I arranged things by imitating Chiya, then did the timing."
"That's quite good. It can train your organizational ability. In the future, perhaps large-scale Student Council events can be left to you to guide and oversee."
In that case, I'll definitely hold a big-eater contest at every event. The Student Council will be paying anyway.
Shirayuki happily imagined it.
Soon, the two arrived at the west-side training grounds. Quite a few trainers were standing around, watching a certain Uma Musume's training.
Long brown hair swayed in the wind. Powerful feet burst forward with astonishing speed. That Uma Musume let out a high-spirited laugh and pulled ahead of the group.
"Nice passion!"
Shirayuki heard her shout that. For a moment, she almost thought it was El Condor Pasa. Their accents were ninety percent, perhaps even one hundred percent, alike. However, the red sunglasses on the girl's head also gave Shirayuki a strange sense of Maruzensky déjà vu.
Yes. This girl was basically a fusion of El Condor Pasa and Maruzensky. Shirayuki already had a general impression of her.
"She is an Uma Musume who recently returned from America. Her name is Seeking the Pearl, and she also plans to participate in the Triple Tiara next year."
"America…"
Hearing those two words, Shirayuki's ears twitched. After all, no Uma Musume who came from America was simple. El Condor Pasa, known as the Monster Bird, had recently won a major dirt race and possessed adaptability across multiple track types. Grass Wonder had won the OP race Ivy Stakes, and her presence alone was sharp enough to feel deadly. Every Uma Musume who came from America was extraordinary.
"Shirayuki, her ability is very strong. I only learned what makes her special two days ago."
"What makes her special?"
Shirayuki looked at the other girl seriously.
Then she heard Seeking the Pearl shout in a voice full of dramatic flair, "I can fly!"
After that, she charged straight out of the training grounds and ran off to who knew where.
I was too hasty.
I thought she was El Condor Pasa plus Maruzensky.
I never expected her to be El Condor Pasa plus Gold Ship.
So this is my opponent?
What a terrifying person!
Shirayuki felt fear.
"That isn't the kind of special I meant…" Air Groove covered her face with one hand, looking as if she could hardly bear to watch.
In truth, that girl was extremely strong. She possessed an exceptionally rare late kick and would be one of Shirayuki's greatest future rivals. That was what Air Groove wanted to say.
But for now, she first needed to let the embarrassment in her heart fade away.