"Trainer, I cannot make choices for you. Every decision we make is ultimately based on our own will."
"Even if I were to make a decision for you, it might not turn out the way you wanted in the end."
"So, do what you think is right. Whatever choice you make, please remember that I will always support you."
Super Creek did not choose for her Trainer, nor did she try to impose her own morals on her with statements like, "I think breaking promises is a very bad thing."
She also didn't act like a child full of righteousness, saying things like, "If you do that, Trainer, I'll never talk to you again."
Just as Super Creek said, no one can make decisions for Fumino.
Even if she already had a preference in her heart, Super Creek could only gently guide Fumino to do the right thing; she couldn't directly choose for her.
She was like a caring mother. When her child was conflicted about something, as a mother, she might not be as strong as a father, but she was gentle as water.
No matter what choice her child made, she will be their most loyal supporter.
Of course, it wasn't like Super Creek was Fumino's mother figure or anything; their relationship is much more complicated than that.
Fumino Nase was very mature and decisive. Their relationship had evolved from that of a Trainer and their trainee to now, confidantes.
For Super Creek, Fumino Nase was the one who guided her. It was difficult for her to treat Fumino with her maternal side.
After all, if Fumino Nase were to be called a child, she would already be considered an independent and self-reliant one.
But now, this opportunity had finally landed on Super Creek's lap, completely free of charge.
She was actually a bit surprised that her Trainer could also have such vulnerable and confused moments... No, it was more like Super Creek was relieved.
Her Trainer's stress levels have always been high.
In the past, she might have been able to cope with it, but now, perhaps due to the isolation after leaving Tracen Academy, her heart had become more vulnerable.
Or perhaps she had some feelings after joining Team Miracle—at least now Fumino Nase was willing to actively seek help, which was a good thing for her.
No man is an island; it's impossible for people to live in isolation their entire lives, and it's impossible to have only one confidant for a lifetime.
"...Thank you, Super Creek. I know what to do now."
"No, Trainer, I really didn't do anything. There's not really much I can help you with, but if there's ever another situation where you need me, please don't hesitate to rely on me."
At this point, Super Creek suddenly blinked, and her eyes reflected a hint of teasing as she said:
"If Trainer Wada were here, he would surely want you to rely on him, wouldn't he? Trainer, if you tell him about your situation now, I think he would be very happy."
With that, Super Creek, like a child who had successfully played a prank, hung up the phone, giving Fumino Nase no chance to react.
Fumino Nase stared at the call on her phone but said nothing as she returned to her contacts and fixed her gaze on the name "Wada Ryuji."
Fumino Nase knew in her heart that Super Creek was right; confessing to Wada at this point might be the best choice... while there was still time.
But whenever Fumino Nase thought this, she couldn't help but recall what happened today...
Wada apologizing to her with his two assigned Uma Musume, and taking her to the amusement park, yet she went behind his back and talked with Shadai...
If... if she confessed now... How would Wada see her? If he knew that she was heavily involved with Shadai, would this team still trust her as they do now?
As soon as she thought of this, Fumino Nase silently turned off her phone... She didn't want the current harmonious atmosphere within the team to become tense again because of her.
"This... this... I can solve this myself."
"Those guys from Shadai think they can threaten me? Do they really think that I'm that much of a pushover? I—I don't want to do this... but I have to do something about this."
Fumino Nase muttered to herself, then immediately dialed another number. Soon, Fumino Nase began to speak to the person on the other end of the phone:
"Father... I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I need your help now."
"...Yes, it's about my team... Father, do you know any Trainers from Shadai? I want to know what strategies they plan to use this Kikuka Sho... Yes, thanks Father..."
There must be some other way. This thought emerged in Fumino Nase's mind.
She could definitely handle all these matters by herself, in a way that others wouldn't be bothered by, allowing everything to continue as it was...
...
...
...Time passed quickly. With Fumino Nase not actively bringing it up, and no one in the group asking questions, September had swiftly arrived.
During this period, their team participated in several GIII races to accumulate prize money as well as race experience, with the main ones running being McQueen and T.M. Opera O, the two rivals preparing for the Kikuka Sho.
However, in reality, they now clearly understood that their biggest enemy in the upcoming Kikuka Sho might no longer be each other, but a corporation instead...
Nevertheless, they were still actively preparing, striving to face the challenge of the Kikuka Sho in a stronger, more complete state.
"AND SHE CROSSES THE FINISH LINE! MEJIRO MCQUEEEEENNNNN!!!! She has decisively won the Niigata Kinen!"
"Though she had been blocked by four other Uma Musume, she still remained unfazed and manages to win by over five-lengths! Truly worthy of being the Mejiro Family's rising star!"
At the Racecourse, Mejiro McQueen crossed the finish line and, after slowly decelerating, waved to the audience, a victorious smile on her face.
Behind her, the four Uma Musume who targeted her finally crossed the finish line, panting, their eyes flashing with unwillingness.
"Huff... huff... I'm dead tired..."
"So strong—so this is Mejiro McQueen? How could she still break through..."
"No wonder people are saying that she's likely to win the Kikuka Sho besides the two-crowned T.M. Opera O..."
"Wuwuwuwu~ I'm definitely going to get scolded by the Trainers again when I go back. Four of us couldn't even block her... What should we do?"
After exchanging glances, the four Uma Musume all showed bitter expressions.
They were all Uma Musume from Shadai, and as told by their Trainers, they participated in this Niigata Kinen race.
Without exception, all of them were entrusted by their Trainers with the instruction to defeat Mejiro McQueen "no matter what".
The Niigata Kinen was not considered a prelude to the Kikuka Sho, but it didn't hurt anyone to accumulate additional prize money.
After all, although she had priority entry for the Kikuka Sho, she couldn't participate if she didn't have enough prize money.
Fortunately, this was not a particularly stressful matter for Imanami, and he had already anticipated that Shadai might interfere in this race.
Plus, Shadai probably wouldn't pull something too extreme over a small GIII race like the Niigata Kinen.
Coupled with the anti-encirclement tactics previously taught by Wada, McQueen was able to break through the encirclement. Now, she can participate in the Kikuka Sho completely worry-free.
However, Shadai would probably redouble their efforts to tamper with the Kikuka Sho after this.
"McQueen won, which is good... But this is the third time Shadai has tried to interfere with us, isn't it?"
Imanami silently clapped in the stands, and beside him, Ikezoe and Wada were also there too.
Since Shadai's attitude towards them was confirmed, the three of them attended almost every race together to observe Shadai Uma Musume' plans and actions.
Ikezoe then nodded and said:
"Curren Chan and Orfevre also encountered interference from Shadai in their races, but it seems like they either didn't want to be too extreme or didn't want to waste resources over winning small races, so there was no significant impact."
"With Curren Chan, Shadai probably couldn't find a sprint Uma Musume as powerful as Curren Chan on such short notice; their acceleration speeds couldn't keep up with Curren Chan's."
"As for Orfevre... the Uma Musume Shadai sent tried to encircle her but couldn't keep up with Orfevre's pace at all, and were even intimidated by Orfevre's Aura."
At this point, Ikezoe also found it inexplicably amusing and said,
"This is a good sign for us. At least, Shadai isn't going to, or at least, isn't willing to do something like making a GI level Uma Musume run a GIII race."
"That would be too obvious, and most of Shadai's GI winners have retired. If they want to use the ones they have now, they'll probably have to wait for races like the Arima Kinen or Takarazuka Kinen to pass."
"Moreover, most GI-level Uma Musume, even if trained by Shadai, probably wouldn't follow Shadai's orders like lapdogs."
Imanami also nodded upon hearing this, then looked at Wada, who had been silent, and couldn't help but ask:
"Wada, the Kikuka Sho is coming soon... How are T.M. Opera O's preparations? And how is Meisho Doto doing for the Tenno Sho?"
"Also, how is Miss Nase? We haven't seemed to see much of her lately."
"...As far as I know, Fumino Nase has been in contact with other Uma Musume and Trainers from the Academy during this period, seemingly investigating the tactics of the Uma Musume participating in the Kikuka Sho."
Wada's expression, however, was not so relaxed.
During this time, Fumino Nase had indeed been busy with her own affairs, and Wada didn't know if she had been in contact with people from Shadai, but at least Miss Nase had never neglected the team's matters.
The Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Kikuka Sho were coming soon. The dates for these two races were very close and they were not at the same Racecourse.
Therefore, Wada had to make a choice: either follow Meisho Doto to the Tenno Sho (Autumn) or supervise T.M. Opera O's performance in the Kikuka Sho.
Actually, his emotional side hoped to accompany T.M. Opera O more, but rationally, he felt he should personally supervise the Tenno Sho (Autumn)—because the Tenno Sho (Autumn) was a few days earlier than the Kikuka Sho.
Although Shadai would undoubtedly focus most of its energy on the Kikuka Sho, Meisho Doto wouldn't necessarily have an easy time because of it.
Shadai wouldn't forget Meisho Doto, Wada could guarantee that.
Therefore, compared to T.M. Opera O, who would be fighting alongside Mejiro McQueen and Mejiro Ryan, Meisho Doto, fighting alone, needed Wada's companionship more to settle down...
Wada now had a plan in mind. He wanted to inquire about the Trainers who had been close to Fumino Nase during this period, before making his decision.
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Very long chapter today.
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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.