Right after the fourth race ended, a graceful green figure appeared in the stands beside Symboli Rudolf.
"Miss Tazuna."
"Good afternoon, Rudolf."
The two exchanged greetings.
"About last time, thank you for your help. I haven't had the chance to properly thank you."
"Last time?"
"Recording Chiya's condition."
At that, Rudolf recalled.
"It was nothing," Rudolf said with a gentle smile. "But why did you go out of your way to evaluate Trainer Chiya? Is there some kind of trainer assessment?"
Of course, Rudolf knew there wasn't. She was simply curious about the phrase she had glimpsed that day: "Fujiwara Chiya Development Plan." Who wrote it? Was it literal, or did it mean something else?
"It's not an assessment. There are… some matters on my side."
"I see. I suppose it's not something you can share."
"If possible, I'd prefer as few people know about it as possible."
Rudolf nodded. Pressing further would be impolite. She shifted her attention back to the track.
"Miss Tazuna, is there any runner you're keeping an eye on? This year's freshmen are exceptionally strong. Honestly, this might be the strongest class we've ever had."
Rudolf had already spotted more than ten promising students. In previous years, that number would have been half at most.
"A runner I'm watching…" Tazuna thought for a moment. "Fujiwara Shirayuki."
"Fujiwara Shirayuki… Trainer Chiya's sister. Yes, she certainly has potential."
From training alone, Rudolf could tell Shirayuki's ability far exceeded her peers. Not just ability, but experience as well. Her acceleration timing was almost instinctive, which spoke volumes about her adaptability on the track.
"And you, Rudolf? Anyone you're watching?"
"Tokai Teio," Rudolf answered without hesitation. "She's extremely talented, and her ability is already being refined under Trainer Nase. I have high expectations for her."
"Tokai Teio… the one who keeps showing up at the student council room," Tazuna said, clapping her hands lightly. "You seem quite close to her."
"…More or less."
From the moment they met, Teio had been calling her "President" and sticking to her side. Rudolf had no choice but to go along with it.
"Come to think of it, I believe she's racing against Shirayuki."
"That's right. The next race."
"I wonder which of them will win."
"It'll be interesting to see."
Most likely Teio.
I think it might be Shirayuki.
Neither said it aloud, but the glance they exchanged made their thoughts clear.
On the track, Fujiwara Shirayuki looked at Special Week, who was holding her hand and shaking it excitedly.
"I've been looking forward to racing you, Shirayuki! The fastest way for Uma Musume to bond is through running!" Special Week said enthusiastically.
"That's true… Losing a race but becoming closer to your opponent… as a trainer, I still don't quite get that mindset…"
If you lost in a game, you wouldn't suddenly like your opponent more. But for Uma Musume, that logic didn't seem to apply. Many of them were both rivals and friends at the same time.
Now that she was one of them, Shirayuki finally had a chance to understand it. Only by understanding their hearts could she become a better trainer.
"A trainer?"
"Ah, I mean… a better runner. I've always wanted to race you too, Spe-chan."
As fellow transfer students, they had talked quite a bit. You could even say Special Week was her first real friend in class.
Even if it was a little strange for a man in his twenties to befriend a middle school girl, Shirayuki was trying to adapt to her current identity. She even called her by the friendly nickname "Spe-chan."
"I see! Then let's give it everything we've got! Back in the countryside, I never got to race people my age. This will be my first time!"
"Your first time?"
"Yep!"
"…Then how did you get scouted by a trainer?"
"When I was training under the instructor, a trainer came up to me, said I had potential, and asked if I wanted to sign with her. So I did."
"…That easily?"
"Yeah! I was really happy too. I'd just transferred, and already someone wanted me."
"Spe-chan…" Shirayuki looked like she was about to cry. "I've lost you…"
"Huh? What do you mean? I'm right here!" Special Week panicked and quickly patted her head.
"I can't believe I let that chance slip through my fingers…"
Shirayuki had never imagined Special Week would be that easy to recruit. A few words, and she just signed with someone else.
If she had known, she would have approached her first.
Too late now. Special Week already belonged to another trainer. Of course, she could try to poach her, but that would ruin relationships between trainers.
Unless she really couldn't resist.
"Hey, you two… what are you talking about?"
A laid-back voice drifted over.
They turned to see Seiun Sky, her short green hair swaying as she lazily rested her hands behind her head, sky-blue eyes looking their way.
"In the middle of regretting life choices," Shirayuki replied.
"Regrets? What's done is done," Seiun Sky said casually.
"If only it were that simple…" Shirayuki sighed. "Hold on, weren't you skipping this race? How'd your name end up on the list?"
"I didn't want to, but my trainer dragged me into it. The tragedy of being an Uma Musume…" she said with a shrug. "I'll just jog through it and call it a day. Then I'm going straight back to sleep."
As they chatted, a brown-haired girl with a ponytail suddenly jumped in.
"Hey! Sorry to interrupt. You're Fujiwara Shirayuki, right?"
"That's me. And you are?"
"I'm Tokai Teio!" she said brightly, bouncing forward. "I've heard all about you from the President. She says you've got tons of potential. She even mentioned your name four times!"
She puffed out her chest proudly.
"Race me, Shirayuki! Let's see who can earn the President's praise!"
Just as Tokai Teio issued her challenge, the announcer's voice rang out:
"Group Five mock race, 1800 meters. All participants, please proceed to the gates!"