Chapter 142: Because there is no end, there are many “endings.” That is the “Death March Requiem.”

The day after Bourbon’s mock race—which had unintentionally grown to a scale that could almost be called a mini Japan Derby—came to an end, and I was once again devoting myself to paperwork.

Compared to watching over my trainees’ training, analyzing races and racecourses, or investigating the camps of rival Uma Musume, desk work is monotonous and dull. It doesn’t involve interacting with my trainees directly, and to be honest, I don’t like it very much… but there’s no doubt it helps them.

For someone to shine brilliantly on the main stage, someone else has to handle the backstage work. That’s simply a truth of the world. Concerts by musicians or idols are an easy example—dozens of times more people work behind the scenes to support those who stand on stage.

The same applies to Uma Musume races and winning lives.

Our job as contracted trainers is essentially to manage that backstage operation. Our role is to eliminate anything that might trouble the girls unnecessarily and to ensure the public can focus entirely on them. And the measures that make that possible are these sheets of paperwork, one by one.

Therefore, no matter how boring or tedious it may be, the documents must be processed steadily.

…That said, the workload for contracted trainers supporting top-level athlete-idols like Uma Musume is on a completely different level compared to ordinary backstage staff. To be specific, even I—who come from a prestigious trainer family and had studied the job in advance—could easily be crushed if I let my guard down.

That day in particular was mid-May, right in the peak of the Twinkle Series season.

The Classic race Satsuki Sho that Bourbon had won, the Tiara race Oka Sho that Flower had taken. The Spring Senior Triple Crown, where Wilm and Teio had fought fiercely. Several dirt and mile G1 races as well.

Fueled by the intensity of these battles, the public was—thankfully—swept up in excitement over Uma Musume races.

Which meant demand for Uma Musume merchandise and events was skyrocketing… and trainers, in addition to their usual duties and preparations for upcoming races, had to deal with the flood of job requests that came with that popularity.

Our camp, which had two G1-winning Uma Musume, was no exception—we were overwhelmed with work.

To put it plainly, eighteen-hour workdays were starting to become normal.

It was a hellish death march, the kind where Masa would literally collapse unconscious mid-task.

…We managed to keep up appearances in front of our trainees, but this time of year really was hell.

Well, compared to this time last year, it was still better. Back then, I had been so overwhelmed by the sudden surge in work that I’d unconsciously neglected being considerate toward Wilm. Thinking about it now, it’s a miracle I didn’t collapse.

Labor laws don’t exist at Central Tracen Academy.

Well, they do exist—but if you actually followed them, you couldn’t be an Uma Musume trainer.

So it’s not that we’re ordered from above; it’s entirely our own free will that makes us ignore Tazuna-san’s pleas of, "Please, I’m begging you, stop working overtime! Please!"

Sorry as always for causing trouble, Tazuna-san.

That said, not many camps get this busy. A typical camp should manage with about twelve hours of work per day… or so Tazuna-san says.

So why are we struggling this much? There are two main reasons.

First, Masa and I are still inexperienced and lacking as trainers.

And second—and this is the bigger one…

It’s a bit late to say this, but our two trainees are absolute monsters.

The Classic Triple Crown—one of Japan’s highest honors.

Mihono Bourbon, who is pushing beyond her distance limits to pursue it and is considered the closest to achieving it right now.

And the long-cherished dream that has never once been achieved: victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

A feat so unattainable it almost seems cursed—yet people say that maybe, just maybe, she could do it: Hoshino Wilm.

As long as we’re responsible for these two central figures of the current Twinkle Series, it’s only natural that more work would come our way than for any other trainer.

Talk shows, TV dramas, radio guest appearances.

Tie-in product campaigns, official URA merchandise.

Commercial shoots, magazine columns, interviews, video recordings.

The incoming jobs were diverse and endless, and a single mistake in handling them could result in losses or compensation in the hundreds of millions.

Honestly, until I started training Wilm two years ago, I never imagined I’d suddenly end up in a position with this much responsibility…

But before I knew it, I’d gotten used to the workload, and now I could handle it almost mindlessly—half on autopilot.

With my right hand, I flipped through stacks of documents, stamping, signing, or setting them aside.

With my left, I continuously input the compiled paper data into an offline computer.

At the same time, a window in front of me played footage from overseas graded races over the past month while I analyzed promising foreign Uma Musume.

Hmm… I still want to improve efficiency.

I wish I had two more arms. I don’t have enough hands just to compile the overseas analysis data.

Oh—and I’d like another set of eyes too. If I had them on the back of my head, I could work in full 360 degrees. Sounds productive.

Ah—but then my mental resources probably wouldn’t be enough. I’d need another brain too. Actually, I just want to be smarter.

…Well, that’s obviously a joke, but I really do want more arms.

They don’t even have to be human arms—cat paws would be fine. No, even mouse hands… heck, even flea legs. I just want to improve efficiency by one ten-thousandth of a percent.

…As I was thinking that, Masa spoke from beside me.

"…Lately, your movements have been getting even creepier, big brother."

"A sudden insult. That’s harsh, don’t you think?"

"The fact you can talk normally while moving like that is seriously gross."

"I don’t think I’m doing anything especially abnormal."

Sure, if I were doing all this one-handed at the same speed, I’d admit it would look creepy. That’d be beyond human.

But what I’m doing is still within the range any human could achieve with effort.

Being called creepy for that feels unfair. If anything, I’d like to be praised for being impressive.

"Your eye movements are creepy too. They dart left and right multiple times per second. Don’t you get tired?"

"I used to, at first. I got used to it."

"Don’t get used to things like that. You’ll end up with presbyopia."

"You’d get used to it too if you tried, Masa."

"I won’t try, so I won’t get used to it."

Thinking what a waste that was, I glanced her way…

Masa was flipping documents with one hand and typing with the other.

A classic single-task state.

"As your older brother—no, as your senior trainer—I’d advise doing separate tasks with both hands. It nearly doubles efficiency."

"Why are you stating the obvious like it’s obvious? Normal people can’t do that. I’d like you to understand your own weirdness a little."

"No, no, you could do it, Masa. At first your head might throb like it’s about to explode, but once you get used to it, your efficiency goes way up. Right?"

"Just because you turned into a monster doesn’t mean you get to drag your little sister down with you. I’m living as a normal trainer, thanks."

Rejected. Sad.

I’ve recommended this to coworkers and junior trainers too, but they always refuse.

It’s not some special technique.

It’s like correcting your dominant hand from left to right… no, more like training yourself to be ambidextrous.

With enough time and effort, anyone could reach it.

So choosing not to feels like a huge loss…

Though it does require training your brain as well as your arms, and it takes quite a while. It might be a bit unrealistic for trainers already busy with daily duties.

Still, I can’t help thinking it’s a waste.

I really believe it’s essential for achieving maximum efficiency as a trainer.

---

And so, while Masa and I were working through our tasks together…

The trainer room door slid open with a rattling sound.

I looked up to see one of my trainees—Mihono Bourbon.

Glancing at the clock, the short hand had only just passed the hour.

Classes had ended not long ago, and it was still too early for pre-training assembly.

That said, it’s not unusual for Uma Musume to hang out in their contracted trainer’s office when they’re free. Wilm, for example, drops by every other day to use her phone or chat with me and Masa.

Bourbon, on the other hand, rarely comes near the trainer room when she has free time—maybe once every two weeks. Though recently, it had increased to about once a week.

Either way, her coming this early was a little unusual.

Blinking in surprise, I greeted her.

"Hello, Mihono Bourbon. You’re quite early. Did you eat lunch properly?"

"Hello, Master. My meal consisted of several energy bars and some jelly."

"I don’t need to point it out at this stage, but when you have time, you should eat proper, nutritious meals."

"Yes. However, today there exists one task that I must consult with Master about, and I prioritized time for that purpose."

"A consultation, huh?"

That was unusual too.

Bourbon isn’t a girl who shows much interest in anything outside the Classic Triple Crown.

At the same time, she’s very perceptive… or rather, she’s an Uma Musume who places absolute trust in my judgment as her trainer.

Because of that, while she does ask questions about training policies, effectiveness, or races, once I explain things she always understands and accepts them…

In the first place, even asking those kinds of questions is fairly rare for her, since her sense of self is somewhat faint.

"Wait a moment."

For now, I stopped the hand that had been flipping through documents and tried to move them to the edge of the desk… but the desk was already overflowing, so I simply stacked one pile on top of another so I could at least see her face.

Masa also confirmed with Bourbon whether it was alright for her to be present, then stopped working and prepared to listen attentively.

Preparation to receive the consultation: complete.

Let’s hear what she has to say.

"Alright, then. What is it you wanted to discuss?"

After I asked, Bourbon paused for a moment, as if her voice had caught in her throat, before answering.

"Will I be able to defeat Rice-san… and win the Kikuka Sho?"

…Ah. I see.

Maybe I was the one who was slow to catch on.

"The mock race yesterday?"

"…Yes."

The mock race we held yesterday was 2400 meters—conditions close to the Japan Derby.

And yet Mihono Bourbon had only managed to beat Rice Shower by half a length.

Genetically speaking, Mihono Bourbon is suited for sprint to mile distances, while Rice Shower is suited for middle to long distances.

As the Classic Triple Crown progresses, the distances increase—putting Bourbon at a disadvantage and Rice at an advantage.

And even so, under conditions equivalent to the Japan Derby at 2400 meters, she had still been pushed to such a narrow margin.

And in response to that…

Ah. Right now, deep within her eyes, I could glimpse a faint emotion.

Anxiety—that at this rate she might not be able to escape in the Kikuka Sho.

Impatience—that she needed to grow stronger, faster.

Fear—of the pursuer closing in, and the shrinking gap in ability.

…and just a little anger, too—that her running had been challenged.

It was very unlike Mihono Bourbon… and yet, very much like a racing Uma Musume.

"…………"

Before I realized it, lately she had started to feel much more like a racing Uma Musume.

Not that she wasn’t before.

Back then, it had simply been her own way of being Mihono Bourbon…

But since the Satsuki Sho—or rather, since she sensed Rice Shower’s presence during that race—it felt like something small and hot had begun to live inside her.

Like the spark of the blazing flame that burns so brilliantly within Hoshino Wilm’s heart.

As a racing Uma Musume, she had changed—just a little.

Yes… surely, this was a good thing.

However, while her growth was something to celebrate…

"Hmm."

What should I say in response to her question?

Normally, I would show her analysis data—both her own and the Kikuka Sho’s—and carefully explain why she could win.

But right now, unusually for Mihono Bourbon, her thoughts were being dominated by emotion.

Logic and theory wouldn’t truly convince her.

If that was the case… then there was only one answer.

Action.

"I understand. In that case…"

I nodded, tidied the documents slightly, and stood up.

"So that you can believe you’re capable of winning any race… let’s borrow her strength."

With that, I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent her a message.

---

"Phew… I was called so suddenly, I wondered what happened."

Wilm, whom I had summoned, came rushing over even though it meant cutting her lunch short.

From my perspective, I had only told her, "Come a little before training starts," but apparently Oguri Cap happened to be nearby. Since Oguri still looked unsatisfied even after finishing a hyper-mega extra-large deluxe satisfaction plate, Wilm had given her the rest of her own meal before coming.

"It’s not like you had to hurry that much… I mean, like I said, as long as you came five minutes before training started, that would’ve been fine."

"Oh come on, look at the relationship we have, Ayumu-san. When one of us is in trouble, the other helps out. No need to say things like that, right?"

The expression she wore as she said that was somehow… like a dependable, handsome boyfriend.

This girl really did show that ultra-perfect “super darling” side sometimes.

Annoyingly enough, it made my heart skip a little.

"…Sometimes, I really do find you incredibly reliable."

"Sometimes?"

"Heh. Maybe… always."

Well, when I saw her grinning happily while I patted her head, I was reminded she was still a kid…

But putting that aside, right now the focus was Bourbon.

"—So, that’s the situation. Could you help?"

"I see…"

After I explained what I wanted to ask of her, she placed a hand on her chin, thinking for a moment.

"Is it difficult?"

"No, I think I can do it… probably. I’ve never tried suppressing my intimidation while running before, so I’m not sure how well it’ll go."

"Sorry. From your perspective, this might be unpleasant."

"It might not feel great, sure… but it’s for you and Bourbon-chan, Ayumu-san. As your trainee—and as her senior—I’ll step up and help."

Wilm puffed out her chest proudly, fist pressed against it in a confident pose.

Yeah. This time, I would rely on her.

For Bourbon to understand how to handle that “heat,” this should be the fastest path.

…It might be a slightly unfair method, though.

---

Fortunately, we had reserved part of the turf course that day, so we were free to use the space.

With that, I quickly took the two of them—now changed into training gear—out to the field.

While reviewing data from the past week using the printouts clipped into my visor, I spoke to them… or rather, to Bourbon.

"Alright, Mihono Bourbon. Today, I want you to do a paired run with Wilm."

"And that is… the plan to win the Kikuka Sho, correct?"

"That’s right. I’m calling it a paired run, but you should treat it as an actual mock race and run at full power."

"Mission acknowledged."

Bourbon nodded once. Walking beside her, Wilm spoke up with a slightly concerned tone.

"This makes two mock races in a row for you, Bourbon-chan. Are you sure the strain will be okay?"

"Yes. If anything, I currently wish to undergo heavier training."

"I see. Well, if Ayumu-san isn’t stopping you, then I guess it should be fine for now."

"Yeah. There’s no problem."

According to the stamina gauge I could check through the “App Reincarnation” system, Bourbon still had plenty left. The failure rate was zero.

Yesterday’s run hadn’t been an official race either—just a practice mock race. Even in terms of leg longevity, there was still a comfortable margin.

…and more importantly, an Uma Musume’s condition isn’t only about the health of her legs.

Resolving her mental unrest was also an important factor if I wanted her to run the race without regrets.

While discussing various small precautions as we walked, we arrived at the section of the track we had reserved.

"Alright, take your positions.

Conditions are the same as yesterday—2400 meters, left-handed course."

My two trainees stood at the starting line, preparing for the moment to begin.

Their stances were similar. …Well, that was only natural. After all, I was the one who had taught both of them.

That said, while the forms looked alike, the level of refinement was vastly different.

Wilm had spent one more year training and racing in the Twinkle Series, and with her uniquely evolved skill “Three-Step Leap,” she should have been able to produce a sharper start dash…

…or rather, she normally would have.

This time, I had asked Wilm to run differently.

It shouldn’t unfold the way Bourbon expected—where she would be the one chasing.

The moment I swung the flag down, the two Uma Musume burst forward.

Naturally, the one who seized the lead wasn’t Hoshino Wilm, but Mihono Bourbon.

"…?"

A fleeting look of puzzlement crossed her face, but Bourbon immediately suppressed the emotion and accelerated to her optimal pace.

Meanwhile, Wilm—who had deliberately gotten a slow start—ran in a way unlike her usual self.

Five lengths behind Bourbon.

She ran at a position where a normal Uma Musume wouldn’t even be able to sense her presence, matching Bourbon’s pace.

If you classified it by running style, it would be front-running… no, more like a stalker or closer position.

Well, those distinctions are mostly defined by relationships with the pack, so in a two-person race they don’t mean much—but still.

Not a breakaway lead, not front-running, not even forward positioning, but a chasing position.

It was close to the way I had first seen Wilm run.

Of course, considering her aptitude, this running style didn’t suit her.

It might not feel very good for her to run this way…

…but there was a proper reason for it.

Just for today, I’d have her endure a little as the senior.

In the end, the reasons Bourbon had nearly lost that race the other day could be broadly divided into two.

Rice Shower—and Souri Cross.

Rice closing in with her finishing speed was, in a sense, unavoidable.

Strong Uma Musume are always chased by rivals, and once a rival catches fire, their growth can become outrageous. Exhibit A: Nature and Teio.

All we who are being chased can do is keep running away from their pursuit with everything we have.

No matter how many times they close in, no matter if we nearly lose—or even truly lose—we still keep running, and run until we escape.

All we can do is keep piling up training for that purpose.

Compared to that difficult problem, the easier one to address was Souri Cross’s existence.

Her presence—or rather, the presence of a front-running Uma Musume that made Bourbon overpace—had greatly disrupted her running.

That was why I had been gradually acclimating her to Wilm’s presence so she wouldn’t get overexcited…

…but even that kind of “getting used to it” had its limits.

Fundamentally, Bourbon’s tendency to overpace wasn’t something that could be fixed so easily.

No matter what, the first time Bourbon could run against Wilm at full intensity—in other words, in an official race—would be after the Kikuka Sho.

Simply getting used to Wilm’s presence in paired runs and mock races wouldn’t prevent her from being shaken by serious Classic-class Uma Musume.

…Well, this was all within expectations to begin with.

From the start, getting her used to Wilm’s presence had only ever been a temporary measure.

At its core, there was only one way to eliminate the disadvantages caused by Bourbon’s overpacing habit.

The question was whether Mihono Bourbon could grasp that sensation.

As I watched, the paired run finally entered the final corner.

The situation remained unchanged—Bourbon setting the pace, with Wilm chasing from five lengths behind.

But here, the balance collapsed.

"Alright… from here."

The final corner.

From that point, Wilm accelerated with everything she had.

Between the Classic class and Senior class lay a full year of training—a massive gap.

Because of that, the standard pace between Mihono Bourbon and Hoshino Wilm differed greatly…

And since Wilm had been matching Bourbon’s pace until now, she had effectively been conserving her strength.

Despite some unfamiliarity, Wilm—one of the top racing Uma Musume even in the domestic Senior class—unleashed overwhelming speed, easily enough to close the gap.

The five-length difference shrank to three… then two… and almost immediately to one.

Faced with the explosively swelling presence behind her…

The threat rapidly closing in…

The sensation of being hunted…

How would Bourbon react?

If she grasped it, that would be ideal.

Even if she didn’t, at worst…

…No. This was where I should believe.

In my trainee’s astonishing capacity to learn.

And then, in that moment—

"…Good."

Like a switch clicking into place.

Or like the spark inside her bursting into full flame.

Her running… changed. Clearly.