Chapter 63: About Interviews and Makeup

The TV installed in the trainer’s room was broadcasting the URA Finals.

"Taiki Shuttle surges into the lead! As expected, she’s strong! Not even her return from overseas has dulled her power!"

"She’s insane, Taiki Shuttle. Three straight G1 wins abroad isn’t just for show. Honestly, I can’t even imagine running against her and edging ahead."

"Nothing stands in her way now! Will she claim her first win just like this?!"

The URA Finals—gateway into the Dream Trophy Series, held from New Year’s through early spring.

It’s a rare tournament-style race. Not the full three rounds like in the app, but you still have to survive at least two runs: the prelims and the finals.

"Taiki Shuttle takes first! As expected, she was unstoppable! Second place: Frilled Dress! Third: Oishii Parfait!"

"So these three will advance to the finals. The mile category is dominated by Taiki Shuttle—there’s not even a hint of an upset coming…"

"Well yeah, she’s basically the Sakura Bakushin O of the mile division, so this tracks."

"Out of the six competitors, these three move on to the finals! Truly a race that leaves you excited for what’s next."

The prelims featured an extremely unusual six-horse lineup.

Since the finals are run with a full gate of eighteen competitors, they still need a total of thirty-six participants.

Running three full rounds like in the app would make organizing the event impossible…

"King also secured a spot in the short-distance finals. And man, her run was incredible…"

"Right? I was wondering how she’d handle a short-distance race with only six runners, but she blew past everyone at the end. She really felt like a 'King.'"

Watching the races was fun, but we had things to take care of too.

"So, what should this year’s goals be? Personally, I want to center things around G1s, but also enter the G2s or seasonal events we can actually join."

"Yeah, I’m fine with that plan… but what do you mean by seasonal events?"

"Oh right, Mithialx, you’ve never done them. Uh… here—take a look."

The trainer pulled up a video.

A group of Uma Musume appeared, running in ridiculous outfits.

Ahhh… so this is the monthly story event. With the costume-change gimmick.

"These special races pop up from time to time. They’re not listed in the annual schedule and often get announced out of nowhere, so I figured we should just enter the ones we can."

"That’s fine by me… Also, there’s more than just races, right?"

"Right. In past years there were Valentine’s-themed sweets contests, or June Bride-themed events."

"Huh…"

The video switched again, showing Uma Musume in wedding dresses.

Now that I think about it—isn’t it kinda insane to put students in outfits like these?

Like… Air Groove? There’s absolutely no universe in which she looks like a student. She’s a full-blown married woman.

Still, wedding dresses, huh. Probably something I’ll never have any connection to in my life.

"Anyway, that’s the plan: raise your name recognition like this while entering G1s and other graded races."

"Sounds good. So our short-term goal is the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, yeah? After that, the Victoria Mile and the Yasuda Kinen."

We flipped through the calendar, marking the races in red.

If I can win the Takamatsunomiya Kinen—one of the G1 short-distance races—I’ll have conquered the entire short-distance G1 lineup.

Thinking about it like that kinda fires me up.

"Alright! Let’s do this!"

Hup! I thrust my fist up with a burst of energy. Not that there’s much I can do right now besides training.

"Then I’ll draft your training menu to match that. And if anyone reaches out about paired training again, let me know, okay? Mithialx, it looks like you grow a lot during joint runs."

"Got it!"

The trainer turned to the desk and began working.

When I glanced at some of the unprocessed documents, the words Interview Request caught my eye.

Hmm?

"Trainer, looks like there’s an interview request here. You haven’t accepted many lately—should we take this one?"

"Hm. This is… a place we haven’t worked with before. But I’ve never heard anything bad about the publisher, so it should be fine. Do you want to do it?"

"Stuff like this is important for building name recognition and gaining fans, right?"

"Yeah, Mithialx, exactly. Then I’ll approve it."

And just like that, my interview was locked in.

"They want both photos of you in your racing outfit and a full interview?"

"Seems that way. Most of your interviews so far have been in your casual clothes, so they said they wanted photos of you in your racing gear too."

Well, that makes sense.

I changed into my racing outfit and started preparing for the interview. It took ages and someone’s help to put on the first time, but now I can slip into it on my own.

Honestly, I can barely remember what wearing men’s clothes feels like anymore.

"Okay, how’s this? Nothing off?"

I stepped out of the changing room and spun once to show the trainer. After checking a few spots, he lightly adjusted the hair accessory—my trademark tiara.

We’ve been together a long time now. He gave it to me as my first gift, right?

"Yep, perfect. Cute as always, Mithialx."

"Wha—! Don’t say stuff like that out of nowhere!"

"Huh?"

I’m pretty used to being called cute by now. Fans say it all the time, and online reactions are always positive.

But still—when he says it, it hits completely differently!

Ugh, my body feels weirdly warm…

But it is nice to hear every time…

"Do you just say that to anyone?"

"No, just you, Mithialx…"

God, this guy…

"Excuse me—are you finished prepping?"

"Ah, yes, sorry! We’re heading over now."

"Alright, let’s get this interview started."

We entered the studio and received greetings from the interviewer. The business card they handed me showed they were a fairly high-ranking journalist.

The photographer was holding an expensive-looking camera, and one corner of the studio was stacked with full professional equipment. The whole setup felt extremely legit.

"I’m Mithialx. Please take good care of me today."

"Yes, thank you. I’d like to get started with the photoshoot… but, well…"

"Uh, is there a problem?"

"I’m not really sure I should be asking this… but, um… makeup…?"

"Huh? I haven’t done any."

Up until now, I’d been given guidance on outfits, earrings, tail care, and so on—but makeup? Nothing at all.

Well, I’m a former guy, so I guess that makes sense.

But at that answer, the reporter’s expression twisted into pure shock.

"Ah… I see… well, just once, would you like to try having your makeup done?"

"No, I don’t have any of the tools."

"No worries! You see, sometimes when girls get interviewed, they try to make a big impression with makeup… so we always have a makeup artist on standby."

I noticed an Uma Musume in the back waving at us.

A makeup artist… who’s an Uma Musume too?

"Now that I think of it, Mithialx, you don’t wear makeup, do you?"

"It’s never been necessary. Trainer, do you think I should try it?"

"Well, since we’re in a setting like this, it could be fun. I’m sure you’re curious to see how much you’d change, right?"

"Well… I guess…"

I didn’t really feel it was necessary, but the trainer said it was okay, so I figured—might as well try it. I bowed to the reporter and makeup artist, and they began preparing their tools.

A gauze-like cloth was wiped over my face with some liquid, followed by a layer of skin-colored makeup being patted on. And it wasn’t just once—after switching tools multiple times, they applied layer after layer across my face.

My eyelashes were fiddled with strange tools I’d never seen before, pens and brushes traced marks around my eyes, and a brush swept across my cheeks.

They took their time, and finally, I was released.

Makeup… this is such a process?

"Trainer, what do you think? I haven’t even looked in the mirror yet, so I don’t know how it turned out."

"This is…"

"Wow… your skin took the makeup really well. I thought it might be okay, but… this is something else…"

The mirror was gently turned toward me.

"Huh?"

"You went for a very cute style, didn’t you?"

"Yes. Your face has a youthful quality, so I emphasized that. I thought about pulling your hair up to show both eyes, but I felt that would take away one of your charms."

"Having one eye partially hidden by your hair is one of Mithialx’s charms, after all."

In the mirror… an absolutely stunning girl stared back at me.

Sure, my facial structure is above average, thanks to being an Uma Musume… but this—this is incredibly cute. Almost unreal. I couldn’t help touching my face.

"So I emphasized the eye and cheek that are visible. Your usual natural look is nice, but I think this look is pretty great too. I personally had a lot of fun doing your makeup."

Feeling a little light-headed from the transformation, the photoshoot began.

I posed exactly as instructed, letting the flashes surround me.

"Okay, all done! Thank you. Next, we’ll move on to the interview."

"Understood."

I answered each of the reporter’s questions, one by one.

"So, regarding last autumn and the Sprinters Stakes…"

"Yes, I really put a lot of effort into that race. My condition before the race was good, and even during the run, I felt strong from the start. I’m glad I was able to take first place."

"I watched that race too, and it was amazing! Seeing you overtake your rival, Mihono Bourbon, at the finish line… I was on the edge of my seat until the photo finish was confirmed!"

Being a reporter for an Uma Musume magazine, it was clear they loved both the girls and the races.

As I shared behind-the-scenes stories from training and races, they took notes with intense focus, which made me feel good. Before I knew it, I kept talking.

This reporter… really knows their stuff.

"So, you spent Christmas with your trainer, right?"

"Y-yes. We went into town to have some sweets…"

"You two seem really close! That’s wonderful."

I felt like I was sharing things I didn’t even need to say!

"And what are your plans for this year? Since your main fields are short-distance and mile races, many believe the Takamatsunomiya Kinen is your top target."

"Yes… Trainer?"

"Ah, that’s fine."

"Since I’ve got permission… the plan is to aim for the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, and also participate in other races that catch our interest along the way."

After finishing the questions about my future schedule, the interview came to an end.

I felt like I’d said way too much… is this all going to be in the article? Is that okay? Will unnecessary details be included too?

Well, it seems like a reputable publisher—they’ll probably let me check the article at least…

"Ah—finally done. That was a pretty intense interview."

"They asked a lot of questions. And the photoshoot was more professional than I expected."

"Right? I didn’t think I’d get this full-on makeup done. And they even gave me some of the tools as a gift."

"Guess a lot of girls don’t really know how to do makeup. That artist even said it’s for 'outreach'…"

Right now, I’m carrying a pile of makeup tools in my arms.

…Do I even need to use these? I don’t wear makeup normally, and I haven’t had any problems.

"Well, if you have them, there might be a time you’ll use them."

"Maybe I could do light makeup for races. Fans would probably love it."

"Ah… maybe, if the occasion comes."

Honestly, I probably won’t use them unless it’s something I really, really want to go all out for! And when would that ever happen outside of a race? These tools will probably just sit unused in my personal life… yeah.

[Mithialx Exclusive Interview & Photo Shoot!] Getting a Glimpse of ‘The Shooting Star’

Comments — 138

○ peta***:**
Huh? Is she too cute?!

○ setr***:**
My heart just stopped… someone take responsibility!

○ natg***:**
This level of cuteness is literally affecting my brain.

○ aneg***:**
I’ve ascended to heaven. Thank you.

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