"I'm sorry… I failed to live up to your expectations of me."
At one end of the training room, Biwa Hayahide stood before Toujou Hana, bowing solemnly and respectfully. Her expression was serious and earnest, even eerily calm.
Although it was just an inter-school race, the final performance was a classic match worth remembering for everyone.
Even though she narrowly lost, Biwa Hayahide still displayed her all: her strength, her potential.
Toujou Hana rarely smiled, but she gently stroked Biwa Hayahide's fluffy, waterfall-like hair, as if she were her own child.
"There's no one else here… so, if you want to cry, you don't have to pretend to be strong…"
This sentence seemed to slowly peel away her disguise. She trembled slightly, lowering her head, and then—
"Guh… Hiss…"
Crying as softly as possible, she squeezed her eyes shut, as if that would stop the tears from flowing.
This is competitive sports; no one doesn't crave victory. Even Biwa Hayahide, who seemed much more mature than the average person, had her own vulnerable side.
Victory Ticket would be more straightforward, while she would choose to hide her vulnerability beneath a strong exterior.
That's right, she just didn't want to show that side of herself more than others.
People who appear calm and mature are actually more stubborn and try to be strong than anyone else—
After all, she was just a sixteen-year-old child.
Gently embracing Biwa Hayahide, Toujou Hana at this moment seemed like melting ice, revealing a tender and maternal side.
These were all her children, and as a member of her team, she cherished them more than anyone.
"It's okay, you've done very well. Next time, you will definitely reclaim your victory. After all, I am your Trainer."
.
"How was it…?"
Mr. Yoshida slowly sat down on the lawn. The old man, at his age, had climbed the Slope and circled a large area to reach the other side of the academy's Racecourse.
"It's truly astonishing…"
Koji slowly put down his binoculars. Sitting on the grass, he spread his arms and lay down in a big 'X' shape.
The sky was vast, and the clouds hung low, as if they could be touched.
"We can't call him a rookie anymore, can we?"
Koji couldn't help but murmur. In less than three short weeks, a nobody managed to have two Uma Musume choose him.
It was incredible.
But—
"This is genius."
Yoshida looked into the distance with profound eyes, as if reminiscing about something.
"Daijin actually possesses such strong abilities, even I almost misjudged her."
Koji sighed. Even now, if he closed his eyes, he could recall the exhilarating race from earlier.
"This is Horse Racing, this is the world of Uma Musume. Nothing is absolute, and similarly, do you really think Asama himself… taught Daijin these techniques?"
Yoshida, as always, tested his disciples.
However, this time Koji was uncharacteristically serious. He smiled earnestly and said:
"No, he doesn't have that ability. He merely used his pure intuition to sense her potential and then guided her. Rather than teaching Daijin anything, he mostly guided out the talents Daijin originally possessed, wouldn't you say?"
Koji was right. Kazuo, being a mere rookie, couldn't have taught Daijin these things.
So—
"Possessing innate intuition… it seems Mr. Yoshida, you are as formidable as ever."
"But, even he is still just a blank slate, isn't he?"
"Of course. Therefore, you and Tojo must also do a good job of guiding him. The three of you possess different talents, and among you, he is the most special."
Yoshida looked into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.
"A person with just one of these abilities can already be called an ace Trainer… but—"
"If someone can gather all three abilities… where could such a person's future ultimately reach…"
"I'm really looking forward to it…"
Yoshida murmured softly, then said somewhat playfully:
"Like you, wouldn't you want to see a junior who has grown up before your eyes one day stand on the racetrack and compete against you?"
Koji couldn't help but close his eyes, imagining that scene, and then he let out a chuckle.
He laughed heartily, a clear and bright laugh.
"Ah… yes. I really—am looking forward to it…"
.
"Cheers!!!!"
In a Shibuya all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant, five people sat around a table. The crisp clinking of glass cups was so pleasant to hear.
Daijin had won the race, and the school had no choice but to re-evaluate its previous decision. However, it was certain that the resolution to expel Daijin would be revoked.
And seeing her daughter perform this way in front of her, Yuriko, as a mother, was extremely happy. She immediately invited Kazuo and Teacher Yamaji to the buffet restaurant to celebrate.
But—
Xiao Hai Wan unexpectedly appeared.
From the moment they entered the restaurant, Xiao Hai Wan, who was sitting next to Kazuo, took meticulous care of him.
In the eyes of others, the two even resembled a newlywed couple, inseparable after their wedding.
But—
This was not what Yuriko wanted to see.
She had specifically arranged for Daijin to sit next to Kazuo to bring them together, yet the girl on Kazuo's left was so intimate with the teacher.
Meanwhile, her own daughter had been sitting stiffly beside him like a block of wood from the very beginning, not moving an inch.
This was truly a tragic sight.
As a mother, watching this scene, she shed tears over her daughter's lack of initiative.
Won the race, lost at life—
Daijin, you need to get it together!!
Everyone present probably had no idea that this mother was, at this moment, fretting endlessly over her daughter's future life.
.
After all, Yuriko was supporting the family by herself.
Although she was the host, in the end, Asama, Yamaji, and Yuriko collectively split the cost of the celebration.
This shared hardship also significantly strengthened the relationship between the three of them.
During this time, when Kazuo went to the restroom, Teacher Yamaji also followed him in.
As the two stood at the sink, Teacher Yamaji was the first to speak:
"To be honest, Teacher Asama, when I first met you, I also had my doubts... After all, you looked so young... But after a series of events, I've come to realize something.
Teacher Asama, it's truly wonderful that Daijin could meet you.
As a teacher, I'm ashamed to say I've always felt I wasn't competent enough, so..."
"Please don't say that, Teacher Yamaji.
In Middle School, you paid more attention to her than anyone else, and I believe Daijin has already understood that sentiment.
So, please lift your head; this time, without your help, Teacher Yamaji, we couldn't have accomplished any of this!"
"...Thank you!"
.
At their parting, Teacher Yamaji was heading towards the hotel; after dealing with Daijin's matters, he would return to his own school tomorrow.
Before saying goodbye, Daijin also slowly walked over.
Looking at this teacher who had toiled for half his life, Daijin slowly lowered her head.
With utmost sincerity and respect—
"Thank you... Teacher Yamaji."
Just one sentence was enough to break the teacher's emotional defenses; he wiped away tears, trembling, nodding repeatedly.
He could only manage to say: "Good, good..."
"Daijin, we will always be your most loyal fans, so! Please continue to reach for even greater heights!"
The uncle was crying, but his tears were full of hope and anticipation.
The girl also nodded heavily.
She had to respond to this expectation.
She could no longer ignore the people around her—
That's right, from today onwards, Narita Taishin had, at the very least, grasped something from this incident.
For the final chapter of this volume, I sincerely hope everyone can listen to "We are the light" (the theme song of Seto and Utsumi).
Or rather, you absolutely must listen to this song.
This is the title of this chapter, and also the core of this volume.
By savoring the lyrics and the content of this volume, I hope everyone can gain something from it.
Then, we will enter the story of the second volume.
Let's finish this volume together tonight!
Epilogue
Sitting on the sofa in the Chairman's office.
Yoshida hadn't been to this place in a long time.
"Everything is truly nostalgic..."
Old Man Yoshida sipped his tea, looking at some places where his photos were still displayed, and couldn't help but sigh.
"Indeed..."
The short Chairman now completely lacked her usual decisive aura.
She was simply like a little girl, holding fruit tea, her entire body seemingly sinking into the sofa.
She narrowed her eyes, savoring it carefully.
The black cat on her hat brim licked its paws; the two hadn't sat like this, discussing nothing of the world while drinking tea, in a long time.
A gentle and peaceful life.
For both of them, it was hard-won.
"This incident was mostly caused by those in the school who opposed your appointment as Chairman, wasn't it?"
Yoshida narrowed his eyes, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Of course, whether he was genuinely laughing or not was unknown.
"Well... that's generally how it was.
But looking at the outcome, it should keep them quiet for a while."
Taking over the Chairman's position from the old man, the pressure and distrust she faced were minor frictions that arise during a transition of power.
Everyone's starting point might have been to hope the academy would thrive, but their differing perspectives led to conflicts.
"Are you feeling tired?"
Yoshida looked at the little girl in this state and couldn't help but ask.
It was he who, against all opposition, handed the Chairman's fan to Akikawa Yayoi, and the girl indeed lived up to his expectations, carrying out major reforms that led the academy into a better, virtuous cycle of competition.
Although she usually seemed carefree and imaginative, the girl was clearly much more astute and capable than she appeared.
"But this time, we really have to thank Asama Kazutomi for his help. If he hadn't stepped forward, perhaps the direction of this matter would have gone as they wished…"
Akikawa sighed softly, then took a small sip of tea.
Managing a prestigious academy, the burden on her shoulders was self-evident.
However, when Asama Kazutomi was mentioned, the girl also looked curiously at the document Yoshida had placed on the table.
"Speaking of which, is this Asama Kazutomi's information? Have you perhaps made some new discovery?"
At this, Yoshida picked up the material meaningfully and pondered, "Although it was just a whim, the surname Asama still made me curious. After a brief check, I didn't expect to find something interesting…?"
"Asama… Asama!? Could it be that he and…"
Even the Chairman suddenly became agitated upon hearing this name.
After receiving his confirmation, even Akikawa felt a sense of destiny. In the vast sea of humanity, how much of a coincidence would it take for such a situation to occur?
She couldn't help but shake her head and laugh, "…You wouldn't have known from the very beginning, would you?"
"Who knows…"
He relaxed, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the information in his hand, saying, "Asama… Kazuo?"
Another document recorded the name of the ace Trainer who was once highly regarded in Central—Asama Takehiro.
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