Author's Note: I am not an editor or a professional writer. I will write this and edit it the best I can. I also do not own Uma Musume, which is owned by Cygames. Watch the animes and read the mangas, for they are pretty good. Finally, please enjoy.
Some Apartment Complex
Tsukasa Takajima POV
I used to be an elite trainer who worked with some of the best Uma Musume overseas.
My career began in the Japanese local scene, when the academy's ace personally chose me as her trainer. Together we learned and improved every day, striving to become the perfect trainer and athlete pair.
We were loyal to each other. She remained my best trainee despite receiving better offers from more experienced trainers and stronger teams.
I was a fool to believe she was simply a loyal and kind girl on my team.
Then the incident happened.
One day she confessed her love to me.
She was a minor. I wasn't interested in going to prison, so I rejected her immediately.
That's when the rumor spread.
Another trainer—jealous of me—had seen the confession and twisted the story, claiming that I had accepted and we were secretly dating. The rumor spread like wildfire.
I was fired.
The academy didn't report me because the accusations were false, and the girl herself was transferred to another team. The trainer who spread the rumor was fired as well, but the damage had already been done.
No academy would hire me after that.
So I went overseas to America and worked as an assistant trainer for a friend.
Still… I learned a lot there.
We traveled across America, Europe, and many other places for races. I gained experience I never could have obtained in Japan. I helped manage the team, handled most of the cleaning, and assisted with training.
We won many races.
We also had heartbreaking losses.
And sometimes we got completely crushed.
Then… it happened again.
The team's best athletes all fell for me.
The head trainer saw the coming disaster and fired me before anything could escalate.
After that, the rumors exploded.
Some people thought I tried to steal the strongest athletes to build my own team. Others believed I seduced top racers.
And some imagined things far worse.
Why do I attract strong women?!
I just want to be a trainer. I want to be the best in the world.
Now I can't even get a proper job after returning to Japan.
These days I survive on part-time work and occasional substitute teaching at trainer prep schools.
And I didn't even do anything wrong.
All I did was take care of them. Guide them. Treat them with politeness and respect. Listen to their problems. Spend time with them so the team could grow together.
How the hell did they fall for someone as average and boring as me?
Even now I continue studying training methods every day, hoping an opportunity will appear.
Being a trainer was the only time in my life I woke up excited for the day.
I love Uma Musume.
I love training them. Winning with them. Strategizing against powerful rivals. Helping them grow.
I miss it every single day.
Then there was a knock on my door.
I got up and looked through the peephole.
A young girl stood outside… surrounded by a large group of security guards.
What the hell?
I kept the door chain on and opened the door slightly.
At this point my politeness and innocence were long gone.
"Hey," I said flatly. "Who the hell are you people, and what the fuck do you want?"
The girl smiled.
"My, how rude," she said calmly. "From what I heard about you, you used to be kinder and far more polite. Tell me… did you become like this after what others did to you, or were you always this prickly?"
That hit a nerve.
"You know what?" I snapped. "You can fuck off and take your bodyguards with you."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Why the rush, Mr. Takajima? We've barely started talking. You haven't even heard why I came."
"What could a brat like you possibly offer me?" I scoffed.
I tried to shut the door—
—but a massive hand stopped it.
One of the security guards held the door open effortlessly.
The girl smiled again.
"How about a chance to become a trainer again?" she asked. "Now… are you going to let me in, or do we need a battering ram?"
…
That got my attention.
I reluctantly let them inside.
Out of habit I offered them something to drink, but the girl politely declined. Soon we sat down in my tiny living room.
Only four people remained in the room: myself, the rich-looking girl, her secretary, and a security guard. The others waited outside.
The girl spoke.
"Mr. Takajima, my name is Mina Sakamoto—also known as Mina Du Vault. But you may call me Miss Sakamoto."
She gestured beside her.
"This is my aide and head secretary, Suzu Yamamoto."
Then to the tall guard.
"And this is my chief bodyguard, Kaito Iguro."
She continued.
"We own the company Dark Wear Fashion. Have you heard of us?"
I remembered the name.
Recently a fashion brand had exploded across Japan—and internationally.
"Yeah," I said slowly. "I've heard of you. But what does a fashion company have to do with me becoming a trainer again?"
From what I understood, I was effectively blacklisted.
Not officially banned… but no one would hire me.
There was no way I could ever return to Tresen or the traditional racing scene.
Sakamoto leaned forward slightly.
"Have you ever heard of Free Style Running?"
"…No."
"And the Free Style Racing League?"
Still no.
I had been too obsessed with my own training career to pay attention to anything outside traditional racing.
She smiled.
"That's fine. It isn't very popular in Japan. Even internationally, most traditional trainers ignore it because they're too focused on standard races."
She gestured to her assistant.
"But globally… it's massive."
Suzu handed me an iPad.
"See for yourself."
A video began playing.
Crowds roared.
Uma Musume raced through events I had never even imagined.
Brutal obstacle courses.
Dynamic flat races with constantly shifting terrain.
Passionate relay events.
And chaotic mixed races where anything could happen.
My eyes widened.
Strategy possibilities exploded in my mind.
Individual competition and team coordination fused together into something entirely new.
I kept watching.
Then suddenly—
The iPad screen went black.
Sakamoto had locked it.
She leaned forward with a confident smile.
"So, Tsukasa Takajima…"
"Are you interested in the world of Free Style Racing?"
"Are you interested in joining my organization…"
"…and becoming my team's head coach?"
For the first time in years…
I felt excitement again.
A grin spread across my face.
"Goddammit," I said.
"You got me."
"When do we start?"
⸻
Three Weeks Later
When I arrived at my new workplace, I was stunned.
This place was huge.
I had expected a small organization.
Apparently my boss had a very different definition of "small."
My paycheck was enormous too.
She had even asked if it was enough.
Just how rich is this woman?
I even managed to buy a house and pay off all my debts.
Still, I mostly lived in the dorms on the facility grounds. It made work much easier.
While I was checking in, the boss was already waiting with her secretary and bodyguard.
We sat down at my desk for orientation.
Suzu spoke first.
"Given your previous reputation regarding dating your athletes," she said calmly, "we would like to clarify that all members of this team are adults. Therefore relationships would technically be permitted."
I immediately interrupted.
"What reputation?! I never dated my athletes!"
Sakamoto blinked.
"…Really?"
"Yes really!" I snapped. "Sure, one asked me out once. I rejected her."
She tilted her head.
"Then why did the same rumor appear twice?"
"I don't know!" I groaned.
"I treat them well. I care about them as people. I help them through life and training. I listen to them."
I shrugged.
"At this point I just say I attract strong bitches."
The two women stared at me.
Speechless.
I added calmly,
"That's also why you can't find a single confirmed photo of me dating an athlete."
They slowly nodded and continued the orientation.
Afterward, I asked,
"If you weren't sure about the rumors… why hire me?"
Sakamoto answered honestly.
"I was desperate."
She folded her arms.
"When I searched for trainers willing to enter the Free Style Racing scene with me, your file appeared."
She smiled.
"You were the only trainer whose athletes consistently improved under your guidance."
"You worked longer hours than anyone else."
"That alone convinced me to meet you."
She continued,
"After researching you and interviewing you personally… I'm certain I made the correct decision."
She extended her hand.
"Let us work well together, Mr. Takajima. Lead my team to unbelievable heights."
I felt genuinely moved.
"Yes ma'am!" I said with a bow.
"Thank you for hiring me. I'll do my best!"
She smiled.
"Good."
"Now let's go meet your team."
I asked as we walked,
"How many members are there?"
"Teams require between ten and fifteen," she replied.
"So I chose fifteen."
…
This place really was huge.
It took a while to reach the meeting hall.
Sakamoto explained along the way,
"I gathered everyone to meet the main staff today. You will be introduced first, since you will interact with them the most."
She giggled slightly at her own pun.
Soon we arrived.
Inside was a room shaped like a college lecture hall.
Fifteen Uma Musume sat in the seats alongside their representative.
Nine staff members stood at the front.
I joined the staff line as Sakamoto stepped onto the podium.
"Hello everyone," she announced.
"Today marks the beginning of our journey together."
She gestured to the screen behind us.
"Let's begin with your team leader…"
"Victory Gate."
Her photo appeared on the screen.
"Next, Vice Captain Mama Blues."
"Then the team strategist, Tactical Gray."
Interesting.
I should definitely talk with Tactical Gray later about strategy.
The introductions continued.
"Tyrant Rose. Great Wonder."
"Enduring Rain. Edged Lily."
"Steel Valkyrie, our ace."
"High Spice, our long-distance specialist."
I glanced up—
—and immediately recognized that familiar look.
Steel Valkyrie was staring at me.
It was the same expression women always gave me before things got complicated.
Goddammit.
And High Spice was openly flirting with their representative in the middle of the meeting.
I suddenly realized something horrifying.
Every woman on the team who liked men…
…was looking at me.
Some boldly.
Some shyly.
Some pretending not to.
Thank god they're all adults this time.
Now the only thing I have to worry about is them breaking my pelvis.
I need countermeasures.
"Imperial Punk. Black Diamond."
"Sweet Pollen. Endless Journey."
"Finally… Norn Viking and King Wild."
Those last two already sounded like future headaches.
Then Sakamoto turned to the team.
"And now the staff introductions."
"First, your new head coach."
"Tsukasa Takajima."
She gestured for me to step forward.
I walked to the podium.
"Hello," I began. "You already know who I am. My goal is simple."
"Our team will qualify for—"
"—and win the Premier FSRL World Championship."
"Any questions?"
Tactical Gray raised her hand.
"Yes."
"Why are there rumors that you dated your athletes in both the Japanese and international circuits?"
The room fell silent.
I sighed.
"They're rumors."
"Yes, some athletes confessed to me."
"I rejected them."
"That's why there's zero real evidence."
"Everything online is AI images or Photoshop."
Gray frowned.
"That's still hard to believe."
My patience was thinning.
"What part?" I asked. "The lack of evidence? Or the proof I'm innocent?"
She crossed her arms.
"That strong women would fall for someone with your average looks."
…
I burst out laughing.
That came out of nowhere.
"You don't have to believe me," I said.
"Just look around."
Everyone did.
Mama Blues was staring at me with affection.
Great Wonder looked away shyly.
Norn Viking was openly trying to seduce me.
Sweet Pollen was blushing.
Black Diamond lowered her sunglasses to flirt.
And Steel Valkyrie stood frozen, staring like she'd discovered a new religion.
The rest of the team reacted immediately.
Imperial Punk and King Wild burst out laughing.
Victory Gate sighed.
Endless Journey sighed harder.
Tactical Gray blinked.
Then asked curiously,
"Why aren't Ayana or I attracted to you? We're both bisexual."
I smiled.
"Like my friend told me."
"I only attract strong bitches."
Gray turned bright red.
The room erupted with laughter.
She snapped.
"What did you say?! You broke-ass King Halo ripoff!"
That pissed me off.
"You don't get to talk if you look like the untalented version of Mr. CB!"
We nearly started fighting.
Victory Gate and Enduring Rain restrained Gray.
Meanwhile Mina's security dragged me off the stage.
By the time I was hauled out, Gray had somehow been placed in a straightjacket and muzzle.
I was escorted to my office.
Behind me, Mina attempted to salvage the meeting.
…
I wasn't fired.
Yet.
This team was going to be a massive headache.
I sat down at my desk.
And began planning their training schedules.