The morning light in Paris gently sprinkled over the banks of the Seine River.
The cobblestone paths were glistening, moistened by the drizzle from the previous night.
The cafes along the street wafted the rich aroma of coffee and the sweet scent of crepes.
Pedestrians walked leisurely, and occasional snatches of French conversation outlined the unique romance and laziness of this city.
Ryo walked along the streets near Montmartre with her family, wearing the off-white casual outfit chosen for her by her mother, Brilliant Radiance.
Her crimson eyes scanned the surrounding scenery calmly, occasionally pausing for a moment in front of exquisite horse racing supply stores—the racing equipment designs here combined practicality with artistry, completely different from the style in Japan.
“Ryo Ryo, do you want to go in and check out that hat shop?
I heard that many Uma Musume get their top hats customized there.” Brilliant Radiance pointed to a shop with a bright storefront on the side of the street, her eyes full of interest.
Chisato Shigeaki followed beside them, carrying the snacks they had just bought, while his gaze occasionally monitored the surrounding environment to ensure safety.
Ryo shook her head slightly, her gaze falling on a shop not far away with a sign that read “Racing Equipment Customization”: “You two go ahead and browse, I want to go to that shop to see if they have any suitable protective gear.
My previous knee pads are a bit worn.” She made up a reason on the spot, actually wanting to walk alone to feel the atmosphere of Paris and also to organize her thoughts for the upcoming Irish Champion Stakes.
“That’s fine, be safe.
We’ll wait for you at the plaza ahead.” Brilliant Radiance didn’t think much of it and nodded with a smile, giving her instructions.
After separating from her family, Ryo slowly walked towards the racing equipment shop.
The sycamore trees on both sides of the street were lush, and sunlight spilled down through the gaps in the leaves in dappled light and shadows.
Occasionally, passersby on bicycles rode past with crisp bell sounds.
She pushed the door and entered the shop, where various racing equipment was displayed, from Winners Uniforms to protective gear, to professional running shoes, all dazzling.
The shop owner was an old man with gray hair.
Seeing her enter, he greeted her in English in a friendly manner: “Do you need any help?
Miss, you look like a professional Uma Musume.”
“Looking for knee pads and running shoes.” Ryo nodded in response, her gaze scanning the shelves.
Her running shoes indeed needed replacing; the turf tracks in Ireland required high grip from running shoes, and the knee pads were to protect old injuries and avoid accidents during the race.
Under the shop owner’s recommendation, she tried on a few pairs of running shoes, finally selecting a lightweight pair with strong grip, and also picked out a pair of highly breathable knee pads.
By the time she paid and walked out of the shop, it was more than half an hour later.
There were more people on the street, lively but not noisy.
She didn’t go to find her family immediately but continued walking along the street, wanting to see more of the city’s scenery.
Unknowingly, she walked to a secluded street corner park.
Intense arguing came from deep within the park, breaking the surrounding tranquility.
Ryo originally didn’t want to meddle in other people’s business, but when she heard words like “racing” and “not cut out for it,” her footsteps paused subconsciously.
“Lilian!
How many times have I told you, you are simply not suitable for racing!” A middle-aged man’s voice carried impatient anger.
He was wearing a gray Trainer’s uniform, his brows furrowed as he looked at the Uma Musume in front of him.
“Five consecutive races, and your best result was only mid-tier.
This time, you didn’t even make it to the qualifiers!
You have no explosive power, your stamina is average, you are simply not cut out for racing!”
The girl called Lilian lowered her head, her long golden hair falling over her shoulders, covering most of her face, her shoulders trembling slightly.
She was wearing a somewhat faded training uniform, clutching a worn-out training notebook tightly in her hands.
Her voice carried sobs but was exceptionally firm: “No…
I won’t give up!
Trainer Graham, I can still practice!
I can become stronger!
I really love racing, I don’t want to give up!”
“What good is liking it?
Racing relies on talent and strength!” Trainer Graham sneered, his tone sharp.
“I’ve wasted too much time and energy on you, yet you’ve disappointed me time and time again!
From today on, I am no longer your Trainer, and don’t even think about racing anymore.
Find a normal job and live a stable life!”
Lilian raised her head abruptly, revealing a face full of tear tracks, her emerald green eyes filled with unwillingness and despair: “No!
I can do it!
Please give me one more chance!
I will train even harder, I will definitely run good results!”
“A chance?
Have I given you few chances?” Trainer Graham waved his hand impatiently.
“You just don’t have the talent for racing.
No amount of effort will work!
Stop deceiving yourself!”
These words were like a sharp knife, piercing Lilian’s heart fiercely.
Her tears fell even harder, yet she still gritted her teeth, refusing to take a step back: “I don’t believe it!
I can definitely do it!”
Ryo stood not far away, watching this scene, a trace of complex emotion flashing in her crimson eyes.
She recalled when she first entered Tracen Academy, some classmates were also questioned because of a single race failure.
She remembered their feeling of being unwilling yet helpless.
The persistence and unwillingness in the eyes of the Little Uma Musume in front of her were so similar to them in the past.
“That’s enough.”
A calm yet unquestionable voice sounded, breaking the dispute between the two.
Trainer Graham and Lilian turned their heads at the same time, looking at Ryo standing not far away.
Trainer Graham frowned, sizing her up, his tone wary: “Who are you?
Our business has nothing to do with you!”
Ryo ignored him, walking straight to Lilian, her gaze falling on her tear-stained face, her tone calm: “Do you really want to continue racing?”
Lilian was stunned, nodding subconsciously, her emerald eyes full of doubt, yet also carrying a trace of faint hope.
“She wants to continue, what right do you have to deny her?” Ryo turned to look at Trainer Graham, her tone still flat, but carrying an invisible pressure.
“Results cannot represent everything, and talent is not the only standard.
You only see her failures, but you don’t see her persistence and dedication.
A Trainer like you is not worthy of guiding her.”
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
“And If you’re enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!”