To cut to the chase—
I was reincarnated. And into the world of a social game I used to play.
...No, I get it. I understand. Everyone must be thinking, "Is this guy nuts?"
Reincarnation into a social game world? How could anyone possibly enter a collection of data? Or, for that matter, does reincarnation even exist?
I completely understand the urge to ridicule. Even I still sometimes wonder if it's all just a dream.
But anyway, it happened. It *really* happened. Reincarnation is real! And I'm living proof.
***
Over twenty years ago, a boy was born into the Horino family in this world.
From infancy, he vividly remembered his previous life—not just the memories, but even his values and personality remained identical to his former self.
Well, that was me, you see.
At the time, I was utterly bewildered. To grasp my situation, I tried to leave the house and even attempted suicide, thinking it was all a dream.
And I was just a one-year-old child then.
...Looking back, I feel truly remorseful. I caused my parents and older brother immense worry and trouble.
*I'm sorry, and thank you.* I'll strive to be a dutiful son from now on, so please forgive me.
Once I became convinced that this was indeed reincarnation, my relief at finally confirming the existence of an afterlife was short-lived.
Once I could finally stand and my gaze rose, I noticed a framed photograph displayed in the house.
It featured a picture of my young father with a beautiful girl.
The girl had animal ears and a tail.
...Wait, what? Father, you had *this* kind of hobby? I can't say I don't understand, as a man, but...
Even if you did, wouldn't you keep these kinds of photos hidden instead of framing them? This is right in Mother's line of sight.
N-no, calm down. The question isn't *what* this is, but *what to do about it*.
I've caused Father so much trouble before. It's my duty as his child to correct his mistakes.
Even if it means being kicked out of this house... I won't regret it.
However, this dramatic resolve would soon prove entirely unnecessary.
When I knocked on the door of Father's study, holding the photo, he actually put his hand to his chin and declared:
"So, you've finally developed an interest in Uma Musume? Blood will out, I suppose."
Uma Musume.
I remembered that name. Well, anyone who played social games back then knew it.
*Uma Musume Pretty Derby*. The king of social games in the 2020s, it went absolutely viral.
In essence, the game was about nurturing beautiful young girls who were anthropomorphic horses. Players took on the role of Trainers, giving instructions to their Uma Musume and working together to complete three years of training.
I, too, had devoted myself to being a Trainer for a while after the game's launch—specifically, until around the time Swimsuit Maruzensky came out. I stepped back when my real-life workload peaked and after seeing my prized Seiun Sky get repeatedly trounced and reduced to teary-eyed frustration.
Man, that game was fun. The story's flavor varied wildly depending on the Uma Musume, but the overarching theme of a full-throttle, youth-driven sports saga resonated deeply.
I even shed a tear—unintentionally, of course—when I first won the URA Finals. It felt like everything I'd worked for had finally paid off.
...No, no, no, wait a minute.
*Uma Musume? This girl in the photo?* Well, now that I think about it, she *does* look like one, but... *huh?*
A myriad of possibilities flashed through my mind in an instant.
A prank? It was far too elaborate for that.
A dream? No, the palpable weight of years had proven otherwise.
Was Father trying to deceive me? What benefit could he possibly gain from such a charade?
I closed my eyes briefly and took a deep breath.
*Stay calm.* When faced with the unknown, remain composed and seek answers from those who understand. It was a crucial skill I had honed during my time as a working adult.
"Father," I asked, "what exactly is an Uma Musume?"
"Hmm... yes, it seems the time has come to explain," Father replied.
Everything he told me confirmed that I had indeed been reincarnated into the world of Uma Musume.
Girls from a different world, inheriting names and souls, possessed far superior physical capabilities than ordinary humans. They competed fiercely in races, their frenzied battles captivating the masses.
It was exactly as I remembered from the game, and the world where Uma Musume existed.
...*I really have been reincarnated. Into the game world.*
I'm a man too, so it's not like I never entertained such fantasies. I longed to enter a game world, battling monsters and sharing campfires with comrades. I wanted to devour mountains of meat like in manga, build cities, manage ranches—anything, just to experience it all.
This unattainable wish was likely a chronic ailment of those born in the modern age.
But now—miraculously—I had arrived at a position where I could make it a reality! Yesss!
Moreover, on top of that:
"Our family has served as Uma Musume Trainers for generations. If you have no particular objections, you will also serve as a Trainer at Central Tracen Academy."
Apparently, the Horino family was an elite lineage of Trainers.
They weren't quite on the level of absolute top-tier names like Tojo or Kiryuin, but they were still ranked among the top ten overall.
I was the second son of such a family, my elder brother having chosen a path outside of Training.
Therefore, the Horino family hoped I would inherit their expertise as a Trainer.
*This was clearly destiny.*
Why had I been reincarnated into this world?
Why had I been born into a prestigious Trainer family?
Why did I possess knowledge of Uma Musume?
The answer connecting all these questions was singular:
*No matter how I looked at it, the world was telling me to become a Trainer!*
And so, I devoted myself to becoming a Trainer, working harder than ever before.
Though the game app didn't elaborate much, Central Tracen Academy was an elite school of legendary renown.
Whether you were trying to enroll as an Uma Musume or a Trainer, the competition was fierce, with impossibly high application ratios.
Even with memories from my previous life, breaking through that competition was no easy feat.
...Honestly, I'm kind of dumb. In my previous life too, my memory and mental agility weren't exactly stellar.
If I didn't give it my all, I risked betraying the expectations of my family and the world.
But more fundamentally...
My memories of my previous life faded about five years after entering the workforce. In other words, including my university years, I had been away from high school-level studies for at least ten years.
By now, I had forgotten not only my high school days but even my middle school years. I wasn't even sure if I could correctly name all the prefectures.
I would have to thoroughly relearn everything, including the differences between that world and this one.
*Hmm.* It might sound immodest to say so myself, but I was remarkably disciplined when it came to things like this.
Once I set my sights on a goal, I charge straight ahead. Because I'm not particularly sharp-witted, each step I take is small, but I don't find it difficult to keep pushing forward.
And so,
From the moment I declared to my father, "I will definitely become a Trainer," more than twenty years ago, I dedicated myself to honing my skills.
Finally, I had achieved my ambition.
It was March, just as the cherry blossoms were about to bloom, when I stepped through the gates of that academy.
Yes, this was Central Tracen Academy.
Starting this year, I would be a Rookie Trainer.
*Alright, time to give it my all!*
It had been several months since I started working at Tracen Academy.
The rookie trainer training program was over. I had passed with excellent grades—a straight A student.
Normally, a Rookie Trainer with no prior experience would first gain experience as a Sub-Trainer or Instructor before being allowed to take on their own assigned Uma Musume...
However, my abilities seemed to have been highly evaluated, and I was immediately permitted to take on an assigned Uma Musume.
To be honest, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something fishy about it. Could someone from my family have pulled strings at the academy? My older brother is overprotective of me—I hope he hasn't been up to anything strange.
Anyway, being allowed to take on an assigned Uma Musume meant my Trainer life was finally about to begin.
Watching the Uma Musume practicing independently on the grounds, I was filled with a vague sense of感慨.
It had been a long journey, but we'd finally made it this far.
And this wasn't the end—it was just the beginning.
Suddenly, some information caught my eye, pulling me back to reality.
"...Hmm."
*That girl is amazing.* Her aptitude covers an incredibly wide range. Except for short distances, every other range seems to be her forte.
On the other hand, that other girl's development—or, frankly, her stats—are astonishing. Her Speed is a D—a *D*! ...Ah, she must be a Classic Class girl. If a Junior Class girl had that kind of Speed, she'd definitely be the talk of the town.
"..."
*Seeing things others can't—it's unsettling.*
*Not exactly seeing, more like... intuitively understanding.*
Yes, I can see it.
I could see everything about Uma Musume—their stats, Aptitude, Running Style, Skills, Condition, Stamina, and even their accident risk. In essence, I could access all the data visible in the Game App.
This mysterious power utterly baffled me.
*This reality isn't Virtual Reality, is it? If not, why can I see the Game App's information? I genuinely don't understand.*
Well, I'd pondered that countless times without answers, so I decided to set it aside for now.
Seeing Uma Musume's data—though it might seem minor—is an incredibly powerful ability.
It allows me to know in advance what would normally only be revealed as a result. In other words, I can predict almost exactly which Uma Musume will win the next race.
Back home, my older brother and younger sister were astonished. They even accused me of cheating.
Well, no matter how high the numbers, defeat was always a possibility in the cruel world of Uma Musume. My predictions sometimes failed, and when they did, I was mercilessly mocked.
I've provisionally named this power "App Reincarnation," since it was inherited from a game app upon my reincarnation. My lack of naming sense is a relic from my previous life.
In short, I possess a supernatural ability that could easily be called cheating, and I come from a prestigious elite family of trainers.
I'm confident I rank among the top in knowledge at Tracen Academy, and thanks to my consistent training, my physical abilities are also remarkably high.
My only weakness is experience, but as a rookie trainer, that's inevitable.
If I may say so myself, I'm an exceptional prospect as a trainer.
Therefore, I never doubted I'd find an assigned Uma Musume.
Ideally, I'd prefer a strong Uma Musume, of course.
While I wouldn't expect an Undefeated Triple Crown, even achieving just one title in historical fact would make her a top-tier Uma Musume. Being assigned to her would be the greatest honor.
My ultimate wish was, of course, Seiun Sky. In the game app, she was my favorite and partner... no, my beloved Uma.
How many times had Seiun Sky saved me with her overwhelming acceleration on the final turn, rapidly pulling away from the pack?
If I could be assigned to Uns—or rather, Sky—in this world too, I'd be beyond ecstatic.
...Well, such a sweet reality probably wouldn't come to pass.
After all, Seiun Sky was one of the cornerstones of the golden age. She would almost certainly be scouted by an experienced and influential Trainer.
Moreover, Uma Musume have generations.
Sky might have debuted before I arrived here, or she might not debut until next year or later.
At this moment, there was no guarantee that I would even be assigned a new Uma Musume.
Furthermore, Sky had the right to choose. If the capricious girl didn't take a liking to me, becoming her assigned Trainer would be impossible.
So, yeah. Honestly, anyone would do for me.
This "anyone" wasn't meant in a negative way—quite the opposite, in fact.
Regardless of an Uma Musume's abilities, I was determined to support her wholeheartedly and stay by her side for three years.
Of course, I longed to polish a diamond in the rough. But if fate led me to be assigned to someone, I vowed to dedicate myself entirely to her.
*That was the kind of Trainer I had always aspired to be.*
With this mindset, I watched simulation races daily, scouting for any Uma Musume who showed a unique talent.
This continued for some time.
"...Ridiculous."
Hey there. I'm the loser who, just a few weeks ago, was spouting things like, "Ideally, I'd want a strong Uma Musume."
Now, I'm stuck in an endless loop of scouting and getting rejected.
Before I knew it, my fellow trainers had gone beyond laughing at me and started genuinely offering their condolences.
...Ah, I can feel the confidence I'd cultivated steadily eroding.
Why is this happening? I think I'm a pretty decent catch.
My stats are high, and I don't think my looks are *that* bad, right? So why do they all make that "Ugh... a bit..." face?
Could it be that Uma Musume can detect some foul odor I'm unaware of? Should I start wearing cologne?
Or maybe Uma Musume have different standards of beauty than humans, and they find faces like mine utterly hideous?
*Ah, I don't even know what the problem is... There's no way to improve.*
Seriously, what am I supposed to do? The Chairman—the little tyke—ordered me to take charge of an assigned Uma Musume.
If I keep failing at scouting, will that count as dereliction of duty? To be accused of that in my first year would be a disservice to the family who raised me.
*What should I do...?*
I need to find an assigned Uma Musume somehow. This is a critical situation.
But that doesn't mean I can selfishly drag unrelated Uma Musume into this.
Should I somehow find an Uma Musume who'll agree to let me be her Trainer...?
No, that's wrong. I need to become someone the Uma Musume will acknowledge!
...Fate works in mysterious ways, you never know how it will unfold.
Lost in thought and gazing at the twilight the next day, I witnessed something extraordinary.
***
The simulation race for new students—an unofficial yet crucial event for both Trainers and Uma Musume. It served as a competitive training ground while allowing Trainers to observe the newcomers' potential.
One Uma Musume was running.
Her chestnut hair danced in the wind, a strand of black trailing like an afterimage. Though petite, her frame radiated a power that surpassed all others on the track.
To be honest, I didn't even know her name.
Through information sharing among Trainers, I had memorized the names of all the promising Uma Musume this year. This chestnut-haired girl, however, wasn't among them—an unlikely candidate for the favorites.
In this cutthroat industry known as "Blood Sport," taking a G1 race required inherent talent and a pedigree she lacked—a commoner with little prospect of success.
That's what it *should* have been.
"...What's this 'blood sport' nonsense?"
Before I realized it, the harshness I usually suppressed slipped out—she had captured my attention so completely that I couldn't look away.
The Uma Musume dashed across the finish line.
The chestnut-haired girl finished second, just one body length behind the winner.
In essence, she had lost with a comfortable margin. While the first-place girl was undeniably strong, she couldn't rival the spectacle of Tokai Teio, this year's star.
Consequently, the Trainers watching the race would likely overlook her.
...In that case, there shouldn't be any problem if I picked her up.
"You. The chestnut-haired one."
Despite losing the simulation race, the chestnut-haired Uma Musume showed no change in expression as she began stretching.
I made sure she wasn't surrounded by other Trainers before calling out to her.
"...Yes?"
A cold, pale blue light pierced through me—a gaze brimming with intense determination.
*Ah, I see. It's hard to tell since she doesn't show her emotions, but her competitive spirit might actually be quite fierce.*
Central Tracen Academy is Japan's premier training academy. Only the absolute cream of Uma Musume from across the country are admitted here.
Thus, it seemed common for prodigies who had been undefeated in their hometowns to never even place after entering Central Tracen Academy, leading to severe depression or acting out.
But at least this girl seemed to have a handle on her emotions.
She sublimated the anger and frustration from races into passion for training—a crucial quality for Uma Musume aiming for greatness.
Of course, it wasn't easy. Being able to do this upon enrollment was a significant advantage.
*Well, she couldn't completely hide the emotions in her eyes, so I couldn't help but feel a bit of age-appropriate childishness.*
I concealed a faint smile beneath my mask and spoke again.
"May I ask for your name?"
"...Yes. I'm Hoshino Wilm."
Hoshino Wilm? I'd never heard of her.
I'd assumed she was based on some ridiculously popular horse that even I knew about, but apparently not.
No, I'm not very familiar with historical Horse Racing. It's possible this horse simply never reached my ears, but there's no doubt it achieved extraordinary feats.
That's because...
This Chestnut—no, Hoshino Wilm—
She's unbelievably strong.
*Her stats were absurd.*
Her Speed was high enough to compete in Classic G1 races.
Her Intelligence lagged slightly behind, but it was still absurdly high. Having a score over 300 at this stage was downright insane.
Her Stamina and Guts were so high she could easily complete the Kikuka-shō, and even the Tenno Sho (Spring).
...Her Power was relatively low, but that was only in comparison to her other absurdly high stats. For a newly enrolled Junior, exceeding 200 is more than enough—in fact, it's still excessively high.
*How can her initial stats be so high?* I thought you could improve them somewhat, but never to such ridiculous levels.
Next, distance and running style aptitudes.
Compared to the stats, these seemed much milder—more ordinary, even. ...Well, "compared to" was still the key phrase.
Turf S, Dirt C, Short Distance D, Mile C, Medium Range A, Long Range S, Front Runner S, Pace Chaser B, Late Surger D, End Closer G.
...Right, first I should point out how exceptionally broad her aptitudes are. Still, it's not like there aren't other Uma Musume with similar versatility, so let's set that aside for now.
The most alarming thing was her already having an S aptitude at this stage.
In the game app, raising aptitudes required Factor Inheritance. Furthermore, achieving an S aptitude demanded success in the Inheritance of Aspirations, which only occurred twice over three years, and you had to luck into the exact aptitude you wanted.
...Yeah, I remember struggling like crazy back then to get her into the Champions Meeting. No matter how high her stats were, she was useless without an S aptitude.
As for skills... she doesn't seem to remember any.
In this world, Skills seemed to be something one could only acquire by concentrating on their mastery under the guidance of a Trainer in a well-structured environment. Perhaps it would be more accurate to think of them as specialized techniques rather than innate Skills.
They couldn't be learned through repeated Self-Training without a Trainer.
Even this girl, remarkably unconventional as she was, wasn't *that* far outside the realm of common sense. ...Though, to be fair, she had already exceeded all conventional boundaries.
Finally, her Condition:
Sharp-Witted, Uncharming, and... Desperate.
First, Sharp-Witted... If I recalled correctly, it reduced the Skill Point cost for acquiring Skills by 10%. That seemed like a remarkably strong Condition. Why did she already have it upon enrollment? ...Oh well, too late to question that now.
Uncharming. I'd never seen that one before. Perhaps it was added while I was away? Charm—the 〇 mark—increased the likelihood of deepening bonds with Uma Musume on support cards, so × probably had the opposite effect. It was somewhat reassuring to see that even this monstrous girl had weaknesses.
And *Desperate*. ...Had such a Condition existed before? Or was I simply forgetting? Judging by the kanji, it didn't sound good. It was a shame I couldn't see the actual effects.
...Yeah.
Overall, Hoshino Wilm was a monster.
Ridiculously high stats, versatile and powerful Running Style, and a Condition she possessed upon enrollment.
To be frank, if she raced against the other rookies—all starting with G or F stats—she would be virtually unbeatable.
Yet in the recent simulation race, she finished second.
That's precisely why other Trainers, who could only see the numerical results, failed to recognize her extraordinary potential.
So why did she lose the simulation race?
I—or rather, *only I*—knew the reason.
"Hoshino Wilm, why did you run a Mile race, and as a Late Surger?"
That's right, this Chestnut.
Of all things, she had entered a Mile race and run as a Late Surger.
Hoshino Wilm's Mile Aptitude was C, and her Late Surger Aptitude was D.
Moreover, she lacked Power—the very attribute needed for the final burst and acceleration required to surge forward from the rear.
Even at the Mile distance—already too short for Late Surger and Closer Running Styles to fully exert their strengths—
she lacked the acceleration to surge forward in the final stretch and the power to break through the crowded group of Uma Musume. It was a recipe for certain defeat.
Yet, through sheer brute force of her stats, she broke free, overtaking numerous Uma Musume.
Against all odds—a distance and Running Style ill-suited to her—this Chestnut mare clawed her way to second place.
*...What kind of strategy is that, riddled with losing conditions?!*
The simulation race was an extremely important event.
Indeed, the Uma Musume who took first place was currently being scouted by several Trainers. Even the third-place finisher seemed to have secured a Trainer.
Hoshino Wilm, on the other hand, had relied on a Late Surger and brute-forced her way to second place using her raw stats. Despite being Early-blooming, other Trainers likely judged her Final Burst as lacking potential, and none approached her—except me.
Without a Trainer, Uma Musume are generally barred from official races. Loopholes exist, such as borrowing a trainer's name, but those are separate matters.
For an Uma Musume, being scouted by a Trainer is an unparalleled advantage.
She—Hoshino Wilm—had thrown it all away. By running at an unfavorable distance and using a Running Style that didn't suit her, she intentionally lost.
*Why?* Winning races was supposed to be an instinctive drive for all Uma Musume. Was her passion for victory somehow muted?
As I observed her with growing curiosity, she returned my gaze without flinching, her eyes cold.
After a moment of silence, she answered:
"The Mile race was the closest on the schedule."
...Huh?
*What does "the time was closest" even mean?*
No, I suppose if I wanted to interpret it, I could.
Today's simulation races were being held sequentially, starting with short-distance Turf races, progressing to middle-distance races.
The morning featured short-distance races, around noon the Mile race, and the afternoon was dedicated to middle-distance races.
The intervals between races were several hours long, necessary for track adjustments and maintenance.
In essence, a straightforward interpretation of her words would mean this:
"Honestly, I didn't care what distance I ran, but the Mile race had the most convenient time, so I entered."
...Huh? Would anyone really make such a casual decision?
This was, after all, her first step toward her future as an Uma Musume, right?
No... or perhaps.
Maybe she hadn't even considered the possibility of losing.
As an Uma Musume with her level of talent, she must have been undefeated in her hometown.
So, without ever imagining defeat, she chose a distance at random, thinking nothing of it.
If that were the case, she was a frog in a well... a remarkably ignorant one at that.
This naturally gifted Uma Musume was truly unfathomable.
*Mmm*, I thought, deep in contemplation, when she added:
"I've never tried any other strategy."
*Wait, how is that even possible?!*
How could such a purebred Frontrunner Uma Musume have only ever run as a Late Surger?
Wasn't the story that Uma Musume naturally developed their optimal running style based on their innate Uma Soul? Or was that just about running techniques?
Even if not, couldn't she have noticed that her legs couldn't stretch out properly from the back of the pack?
Individual differences...? An exception...? What could it mean?
No, wait. Why did I even call out to her in the first place?
*I'll put my confusion aside for now. There'll be time to sort it out later.*
As a Trainer at this academy, there's only one thing I need to do right now for this promising Uma Musume.
And having entered the simulation race, there's only one thing she could possibly want.
In a way...
Perhaps it was all destiny.
Me, with App Reincarnation, capable of seeing an Uma Musume's stats, and her, a magnificent bud unaware of her true potential.
There couldn't be a more perfect match.
Hoshino Wilm and I were destined to meet, and now, we would race through the Twinkle Series together.
"Hoshino Wilm, why don't you make me your Trainer? I'll lead you to the Twinkle stage."
"I'm sorry, but I'll have to decline."
*Why?!*
That night, I was taking a solitary walk, my shoulders slumped.
*Why am I failing so miserably at scouting? Is there something about me that Uma Musume find utterly repulsive?*
At least I'd bought antiperspirant and cologne. I'd try them as soon as they arrived. But if I still got rejected, I might not be able to recover.
"...Experience, maybe?"
Perhaps the Uma Musume could sense my lack of experience.
I'd never had an assigned Uma Musume. In fact, I'd never even worked as a sub-trainer or instructor.
*Maybe I should have built up my credentials properly first.*
...My disappointment stemmed from the stark contrast between my ideal and reality.
I desperately wanted to get assigned a Uma Musume—or, more accurately, to reassure my father—and I'd been overly confident, thinking that with "App Reincarnation" at my disposal, anything was possible.
"App Reincarnation" was an extraordinary power.
I might even be better at guiding Uma Musume than most experienced Trainers.
But that didn't make me omnipotent. Here I was, stuck before I could even start training.
I needed to refocus.
"...Hmm?"
In this world, the roads were divided into pedestrian lanes, car lanes, and Uma Musume-only lanes.
My eyes caught a figure sprinting down the Uma Musume-only lane opposite me.
I couldn't help but frown.
It was already getting late. No student should be out at this hour.
While she might have a special permit, I should still speak to her as a staff member.
"Hey, you... you! Stop!"
I could hear my voice growing harsh.
But I couldn't help it.
As she drew closer, my vision registered a single piece of information:
[Failure Rate: 59%]
This indicated a high probability of her causing an accident—or even suffering a Breakdown.
I have two fathers whom I deeply respect.
My father from my previous life—a man of boundless generosity who forgave any mistake with a single *knuckle-tap*.
And my father in this life—a man of unwavering integrity and strength, who guided me on my path as a trainer.
*"Listen well,"* he said. *"I don't expect you to win G1 races, nor even graded races. Simply be someone who stands by the Uma Musume. And at the same time, be a guiding light for her. That is the Horino family's ideal of a Trainer."*
My father's words from this life were burned into my heart.
*"It's alright if you don't win. As long as your assigned Uma Musume can run the way she wants, that's enough. Honor and money are irrelevant. Just ensure that one day, she can look back on her racing days and smile. ...And while prioritizing all that, still find a way to make her win."*
Countless golden maxims that formed the foundation of my path as a Trainer.
Having lived this life before, I understand now how extraordinary my father truly was and how much he believed in me.
*And just how invaluable those things are.*
Therefore, I will continue to be a Trainer who does not disgrace the Horino family.
"Hey, do you have a Trainer?! This Self-Training is going too far! Stop running immediately and return to the Dorm!"
I shouted, rushing toward the Uma Musume who had stopped in the pitch-black night.
*To be honest...*
My failure to recognize her wasn't just due to the poor visibility at night, but primarily my own carelessness. I was so preoccupied with my own thoughts that I hadn't even been paying attention to what was right in front of me.
*If I don't get assigned a Uma Musume, I'll only worry my Father,* I'd been thinking. Being so consumed by my own selfish reasons, I realized I was still immature.
...And now, right before me.
Another immature person stands.
Her Chestnut hair, soaked with sweat, hung limp. A single strand of Black Chestnut hair streamed down like a tear. Even after stopping, sweat and steam continued to rise from her small body.
She looked utterly exhausted—a stark contrast to the spirited girl I'd seen this morning.
"...Hoshino Wilm."
She didn't respond to my call.
Her shoulders rose and fell with each breath. Her legs trembled, and her gaze remained fixed on the ground as if glued there.
*This morning, she had met my gaze directly.*
Clearly, she wasn't in her usual composed state.
Was she still reeling from today's results? Or had something else happened afterward?
No, that wasn't the question I should be asking right now.
*Take a deep breath. Be a proper Horino's Trainer.*
What words should a Trainer offer to a dejected Uma Musume who still didn't have an assigned Trainer?
"Hoshino Wilm, the Dorm curfew has already passed. Furthermore, students being out at this hour raises disciplinary concerns.
Most importantly, you've already pushed yourself past your limits. Continuing like this could lead to an accident."
"I'll escort you back to the Dorm. Let's leave the punishment to the Dorm Leader."
Logical. Or perhaps just a cold way of speaking, showing no consideration for her feelings.
Right now, I had to cool the heat within her. Even if that anger was directed at me, so be it.
*Rage, Hoshino Wilm*. Unleash your fury on the adults who fail to see what truly matters.
Anger creates openings. It's far easier to reason with someone angry than someone who has shut down completely.
But.
Contrary to my expectations, she didn't get angry.
"...I'm sorry, but I can't go back. I still need to get faster."
She knew she was doing something wrong, and she had the sense not to lash out emotionally.
Yet her logic didn't hold up.
"Running in your current state will only drain your Stamina and harm your health. If you truly want to get faster, you need to find your own running style. And most importantly, find a Trainer who can recognize your true potential."
Accident rate: 59%.
Of course, if she succeeded—meaning no accidents occurred—that would be ideal.
But that was merely a matter of outcome. Her legs had a 6-in-10 chance of causing an accident, potentially shortening her racing career.
In the Game App, perhaps I might have gambled on that 59%.
If three Friendship Training events triggered, I might have aimed for the 41% upswing, hoping for favorable RNG.
But this was now my reality.
A father I respected, a mother I trusted, an older brother who, though a bit overprotective, treated me kindly, and a younger sister who, though gruff, declared she would follow in my footsteps.
I was rooted in this world with my precious family, truly alive.
Within my reach in this world, there should be no Uma Musume broken down by injury and despair.
"Let's go, Hoshino Wilm."
Turning my back to her, I began to walk away.
...But no footsteps followed.
She didn't flee, yet she didn't pursue either.
Relieved that the worst-case scenario of her escaping hadn't materialized, I turned back with a slightly stern expression.
"What is it?"
"...I *have* to win."
"I understand. Even though you're not my assigned Uma Musume, let me speak as a Trainer. If you want to win, go home."
For a moment, she lowered her gaze. When she looked up again, her pale eyes burned with fierce determination.
"You said you'd take me with you, didn't you? If I come with you, can you make me win?"
"I will make you win. You have the talent for it."
My response was immediate, leaving no room for doubt. She possessed the potential to win not just graded races, but G1 races, even the Classic Triple Crown—no, she had far more potential than that.
If I could guide her to choose the Front Runner strategy without hesitation, it would be easy to make her win.
...Of course, that was only if she were my assigned Uma Musume.
Her gaze never wavered from mine as she slowly placed her right hand over her chest.
"I'll risk my life to win," she declared. "Do you have the resolve to stake your life on me?"
*So, this was what she meant by "desperate"?*
Her Stamina was almost completely depleted. It hadn't been this low when we met earlier in the day.
She must have been relentlessly continuing her Self-Training ever since.
...I had underestimated her. Her competitive spirit far exceeded my expectations.
Her relentless self-discipline, her Guts to turn defeat into future success—combined with her exceptional innate talent—made her a Uma Musume destined for the top.
And I remained unchanged, regardless of the Uma Musume I faced.
As Horino's Trainer, I would fulfill my role completely.
"If that is your wish...
...of course, I won't let you squander your potential."
Hearing this, she stepped forward and offered her hand.
Beneath the vast, pale moon that looked down upon us.
I knew I would never forget the gaze she lifted toward me.
"I offer you my life.
...Please take care of me, my Trainer."
Her usually cold eyes now burned with a resolute passion.
*M-m-m-so cool...!*
The impact was so overwhelming that my composure shattered completely.
*I offer you my life...* What an utterly heroic declaration!
Despite her relatively petite stature and unchanging expression, Hoshino Wilm (ウィル) possessed an otherworldly beauty.
Such a beautiful girl, saying, "I offer you my life"...!
*Ugh, this is thrilling!*
"...Trainer?"
"Ah, ah, sorry. I was just a little surprised because I couldn't quite follow the flow of the conversation."
*Phew, almost let my true self slip there.*
I've always been a bit of an airhead, something my father and older brother often pointed out. My younger sister used to tease me mercilessly about it.
Since I'm not really suited to be Horino's Trainer, I usually wear a mask to hide my flaws. But faced with her incredibly cool line, my facade nearly crumbled.
The last time my mask nearly slipped was last week when I had that shocking crepe. *Man, that was unbelievably delicious.*
*Alright, I need to say something in return!*
Having received such impressive words, it was only proper to reciprocate in kind.
*I needed something that wouldn't break the atmosphere, would serve as a response to her, and most importantly, would sound cool...!*
There was no time to think. I frantically racked my brain as I opened my mouth.
"...Very well. I will guide your Uma Soul faster and more brilliantly than anyone else.
Please take care of me, my assigned Uma Musume."
*Ugh, I really don't have a knack for this, do I?*
I couldn't come up with anything as concise yet powerful as "I offer you my life."
So instead, I poured all my earnest determination into conveying my desire to support her to the fullest.
I clasped the hand she offered.
It was cold, yet its core felt burning hot—and most of all, it was the small hand of a child.