“These are the records for the Group A students.
Please take a look.”
Kobayashi returned with the files belonging to the competitors from the previous simulation.
By combining those records with what the girls had displayed during the race, the trainers could determine more accurately which Uma Musume might be suitable partners.
Todo accepted the documents and flipped through them.
“She’s only a hundred and forty centimeters tall, and her weight barely reaches the minimum racing standard.”
He shook his head.
“To produce a result like that is unbelievable.”
Although it had only been a simulation, Tamamo Cross had already demonstrated enough to capture everyone’s attention.
That was one purpose of these races.
The students could discover their own abilities and racing aptitudes while displaying themselves to trainers who might become their partners.
“This year’s intake seems exceptionally strong.”
Sasaki examined Tamamo Cross’s file, then turned toward Hana Tojo, who remained deep in thought.
“What do you think, Tojo?”
“They are certainly promising.”
Tojo answered seriously.
“The talent and ability they displayed deserve attention.”
“However, one race proves very little.”
“This was only a 1,200-meter turf simulation.”
“We will need to evaluate them across the later trials as well.”
She looked around at the other trainers.
“Think carefully before approaching any Uma Musume.”
“You all understand what a contract means to both parties.”
An Uma Musume could sign with only one trainer.
Except in unusual circumstances, the two would remain partners throughout her racing career.
A trainer could supervise multiple Uma Musume, but each Uma Musume could possess only one primary trainer.
Tojo’s meaning was clear.
Approaching students indiscriminately merely to improve one’s own reputation was an irresponsible act.
Many of those present had already worked at the academy for several years.
Even so, Tojo repeated the warning as a precaution.
“Yes!”
At their department head’s words, everyone immediately straightened and responded.
“Sasaki, I’ll leave this area to you.”
Tojo turned away.
“I need to step out for a moment.”
Elsewhere, Kazuomi watched the trainers with open curiosity.
“What are they doing?”
They held files and discussed something with extremely serious expressions.
Kazuomi lacked the confidence to approach and join them.
“They’re probably analyzing the Uma Musume from the previous race.”
Yoshida glanced at them, then looked away.
Unlike Kazuomi, he found nothing novel about the scene.
He had witnessed such discussions too many times to count.
However, another question interested him.
“Boy.”
Yoshida narrowed his eyes.
“What was your name again?”
Isn’t this simply abusing his seniority?
Kazuomi rolled his eyes internally, but answered politely.
“Kazuomi.
Asama Kazuomi.” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“Asama.”
Yoshida studied his expression.
“After watching the race, what did you think?”
“Unbelievable.”
Kazuomi looked toward Super Creek, who was still fussing over Tamamo Cross below.
“I can’t believe that was only an internal simulation.”
“And it was the freshmen’s first race after enrolling.”
“The level was astonishingly high.”
He remembered the regional race he had watched during a high-school trip to Wakayama.
The intensity of this simulation had been equal to or greater than that official local event.
This was the depth of an elite institution.
These were the abilities and talents possessed by the students admitted to Central Tracen Academy.
They had not yet received systematic training from professional trainers.
Yet they already displayed outstanding competitive instincts.
That was what people called genius.
“That is what an Uma Musume can be.”
Yoshida spoke quietly.
“Even before they have been polished or refined, their light cannot be concealed.”
“Given time, those girls will become the stars shining upon tomorrow’s racetracks and stages.”
Then his tone changed.
“However, without trainers, they cannot make their debuts or participate in official races.”
“There are exceptional Uma Musume who guide their own trainers, but if people like you refuse to work hard, what right do you have to stand beside them?”
“You’re correct.”
Kazuomi could not argue.
The words were harsh, but true.
“Then I have another question.”
Yoshida looked back toward the track.
“Which Uma Musume interested you most during that race?”
Was it Tamamo Cross, who had displayed overwhelming ability and absolute strength?
Or Fine Motion, whose excellent talent was matched by remarkable intelligence?
Those two had battled until the final moments before the outcome was decided.
They had unquestionably shone brightest.
Most eyes had focused upon Tamamo Cross, but Fine Motion’s second-place performance had attracted considerable attention as well.
Choosing either would have been natural.
However, Kazuomi looked across the gathered students and gave an answer that even Yoshida had not expected.
“For me…”
“I think it was number four.”
“If I remember correctly, her name was Eishin… Flash?”
He barely remembered her name.
Yet the answer itself immediately captured Yoshida’s interest.
“Oh?”
“Why?”
“Can you explain?”
Kazuomi scratched his head helplessly.
“To tell the truth, I can’t explain the feeling very well.”
“Something about the race seemed strange.”
“Strange?”
“She chased them seriously and narrowed the distance to first and second as much as she could.”
Kazuomi hesitated.
“But I don’t think she used everything she had.”
“Or perhaps it felt deliberate.”
“During the final acceleration, she actually slowed down over the last hundred meters.”
“Judging by her momentum, I thought she had a real chance to overtake them.” The source of this chapter is g.com.
He suddenly realized how presumptuous he sounded.
“Of course, that’s only how it looked to me.”
“You don’t need to take it seriously.”
“I may simply have been mistaken.”
He laughed awkwardly to conceal his embarrassment.
Yoshida, however, lowered his head and fell into thought.
“I see.”
His smile deepened.
“That is interesting.”
Kazuomi had expected his words to be dismissed as nonsense.
He remained a complete amateur offering observations to a man of enormous experience.
Yet Yoshida looked genuinely surprised.
The atmosphere between them subtly changed.
In the resting corridor outside the racetrack, a vending machine beeped.
A bottle of sports drink dropped into the collection tray with a clatter.
“So this is where you went, Eishin Flash.”
Hana Tojo approached from behind.
After noticing Flash head directly toward the rest area following the race, Tojo had given several brief instructions to her colleagues and followed.
The black-haired girl crouched and removed the drink from the machine.
Then she slowly turned.
“Is there something you require?”
She addressed Tojo with perfect politeness.
Despite having just completed a sprint race, she showed remarkably little fatigue.
Instead, she offered the trainer a fresh smile.
“I am the trainer responsible for Team Rigil.”
Tojo spoke directly, as was her habit.
“I came because I want to know why you did not run at full strength.”
Eishin Flash blinked.
Seeing Tojo’s serious expression, she nodded in understanding.
“I see.”
“That is what concerned you.”
“My apologies.”
“If I must explain it, I can only say that it was a personal judgment.”
“A personal judgment?”
“I did not believe that finishing first would benefit me.”
“That is all.”
Flash bowed faintly.
“My apologies if that sounds inappropriate.”
“However, I have another matter to attend to.”
“The Group B race will begin shortly, will it not?”
“Yes.”
Tojo watched her.
The girl’s meaning was obvious.
After another polite nod, Eishin Flash turned and walked toward the exit.
Her manner remained courteous.
Yet it kept everyone at a great distance.
Tojo stood alone and watched her leave.
The girl’s voice had been quiet.
Still, Tojo had heard the unspoken continuation.
My personal judgment is that—
I have no need for a trainer.