Chapter 148: A Smile Should Be Invincible—So…!

Time: mid-June.

At last, the decisive battle with Meek-senpai—the Takarazuka Kinen—was fast approaching.

As for our preparations for this showdown, things were going quite well.

Ayumu-san’s training plans had felt somewhat uncertain until a little while ago, but recently they’d been conducted under an extremely solid and clearly defined policy. In response to his passion, I had also been throwing myself wholeheartedly into every part of my daily training—running, strength work, weightlifting, even studying.

Given how we’d been living, it was only natural, but according to Ayumu-san’s analysis, my abilities had been steadily improving as well.

The 2,200-meter distance of the Takarazuka Kinen doesn’t consume as much stamina, so lately I’d mostly been doing deskwork—watching race footage to sharpen my tactical awareness—or pushing myself to the limit on the fitness bike to increase my top speed.

As a result, the numbers for things like maximum speed and strategic awareness had been visibly climbing higher and higher.

Honestly, seeing your growth reflected in numbers really is amazing.

In my previous life, I’d never been particularly into strength training, but when the improvement is this obvious, it naturally boosts your motivation.

So yeah—I’d been enjoying a pretty fulfilling training life…

But of course, training isn’t the only thing I’m supposed to be doing.

Even I am technically one of Japan’s top-tier Uma Musume now, so there are various occasions where I have to appear in public.

The most typical examples are commercials, advertisements, and video or photo shoots—and those take quite a bit of time.

Just a few days ago, I had one that lasted an entire day.

I’m relatively good at acting (of course, that’s only compared to so-called “celebrity voice actors” or “celebrity actors”—I’m nowhere near actual professionals), and the directors usually think well of me, so filming tends to wrap up quickly.

That’s why it hadn’t taken much time before…

But the director that day was pretty particular… or rather, he seemed to have formed a slightly idealized image of me.

On top of that, even just the video shoots included four versions of a Takarazuka Kinen commercial, six versions for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and three versions for the autumn race series. And as if that weren’t enough, I also had to handle a photobook shoot and life-size panel photography.

Between the director’s relentless insistence on retakes and the fatigue that inevitably piled up, it ended up becoming a grueling job that took nearly the entire day.

Well, I’m an Uma Musume, and Ayumu-san kept bringing me water and things, so I was fine… but the staff had been standing for around ten hours without even drinking water.

By the second half, the lighting technician’s eyes had already gone unfocused. Still, he held up the reflector board with admirable professionalism. It really made me feel the hardships of working adults.

After the shoot finally ended—when it was already pitch dark outside—the photographer came over with a completely exhausted expression, bowing his head to Ayumu-san and me while saying, “I’m so sorry. The director just…”

But it wasn’t the photographer’s fault. Honestly, no one was at fault at all, so I replied, “Creating something good requires attention to detail, so I don’t mind. The staff are the ones who really worked hard—thank you so much.”

He looked like he was about to cry and said, “I’m grateful for your understanding… I look forward to working with you again!” while bowing repeatedly.

That photographer probably always ends up in the losing position like that.

Having a boss with both quirks and ability must be tough.

In that sense, the person who gives me orders… well, not really a boss but more of a partner—my trainer, Ayumu-san—is easy to deal with because he doesn’t have many quirks.

Well, it’s not that he has none. He does have a tendency to get down on himself, or to blame himself too much.

But even those flaws add to his charm. They make me think, Someday I’m going to raise his self-esteem to the max and make him happy as hell.

…Wait. If anything, isn’t that more of a hero mindset than a heroine one?

I do have a maidenly heart too, you know. If possible, I’d like to experience something dramatic and heart-fluttering…

But, well, you could say I already did last year. After all, I fell in love for the first time. There aren’t many experiences more girlish than that.

So this year’s trend is mutual salvation instead of one-sided rescue.

The era isn’t about heroines waiting to be saved—it’s about heroines who save each other. I’m sure there’s demand for that. Probably.

…Anyway, I got a little sidetracked.

Back to work.

URA—the organization that oversees Japanese racing, and the governing body above Tracen Academy.

Ever since it was decided this spring that I’d run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, they seemed to have made the decision to push me forward.

Well, they’d already been promoting me before, but according to Ayumu-san, this spring even more official work had been coming in compared to when I was in the Classic division.

From a former-otaku perspective, when a once-minor favorite suddenly takes off and appears everywhere in advertisements, it’s both exciting and a little lonely.

It feels like someone who used to be close to you has gone somewhere out of reach.

So having fewer general jobs and more official ones was a bit disappointing…

But that’s only until the Arc is over.

Whether I win or lose, once the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is finished, my level of attention will drop somewhat.

Winning the Arc is a distant dream Japan has never achieved even once.

At the same time that countless people strongly wish for it, it’s also such a harsh challenge—due to the vastly different aptitudes and racing conditions—that some even say, “If it risks ruining her athletic career, I’d rather she not run at all.”

That’s exactly why URA decided to push me forward after I chose to challenge it—and why the fans are supporting me.

Well, even after the Arc, I’ll still be one of the strongest active competitors, so it’s not like work will suddenly disappear…

But at least I won’t be as busy as I am now.

…Probably.

I should be able to relax a little, right?

---

And then, one day—

I found myself unconsciously letting out a sigh in a quiet, antique-styled café.

“Sigh…”

“Hoshino Wilm-san?”

“Ah—sorry.”

When my name was called, I remembered there was someone sitting across from me and quickly apologized.

Not good. Sighing in front of someone is a bit rude, and it makes you look like you’re fishing for attention.

I’ve known this person for quite a while now, so maybe there’s no need to keep up appearances…

But even between close people, manners matter. I shouldn’t be rude.

And in fact, my sigh seemed to have made her worry at least a little.

“That’s understandable—you’re tired, right? Lately it’s been nothing but training and work. Should I talk to my brother and have him give you more days off?”

“N-no, that would actually be a problem…”

“Hehe, I’m joking. For you, Hoshino Wilm-san, training days are practically your rest days anyway.”

The one smiling gently as she said that was my beloved’s younger sister—Horino Masa-san.

With the refined elegance of someone clearly from a good family, she brought her teacup to her lips.

“If I could recover my stamina by training, that’d be great. Then I wouldn’t even need to rest.”

“Most people usually want to avoid training, you know?”

“There are some strange people out there.”

“Yes, indeed. Surprisingly close by.”

We traded light banter and chuckled together.

She serves as the sub-trainer for our team, and we often have these kinds of personal conversations.

About once a month, maybe? She’ll invite me out with things like, “A new café opened nearby—would you like to check it out together?” or “I ended up with extra movie tickets because of something with my family. If you have time, would you like to go?”

Unlike Ayumu-san, Masa-san places a strong emphasis on communication.

Well, rather than emphasis, I sometimes get the sense she’s thinking, I need to make up for what my brother lacks.

In any case, she actively communicates with the Uma Musume under their care.

She brings us snacks after training, chats endlessly with us on LANE, casually checks whether we have any complaints about training policies—that sort of thing.

At those times, she’s much more casual than her usual composed demeanor, and she’ll tell me all kinds of stories—things from Ayumu-san’s childhood, events from his university days, and more.

And honestly, she’s an amazing storyteller. The way she uses intonation—it feels like she’s very used to having people listen to her. It’s fun to hear.

These conversations are part of that communication.

We sit somewhere relaxing—like a café, her room, or my room—and talk privately for an hour or two.

It’s become a regular occurrence since the start of this year.

By the way, to me, Horino Masa-san isn’t just a sub-trainer.

She’s also Horino Ayumu-san’s younger sister.

In other words, the younger sister of the person I want to be with in the future… someone who will (supposedly) become family someday.

Thinking about it that way, there’s no downside to getting closer with her.

Ah—if anyone just said I’m counting my chickens before they hatch, I’ll see you on the turf later. I’ll make you keep running until you can beat me over 2,000 meters.

…And, well, as a bonus—

I can’t deny there’s a bit of selfish desire mixed in. Since she’s his sister and probably knows him well, I’d love to hear about the things he likes—his personality, his habits, little gestures, all of that.

Currently, between Hoshino Wilm and Horino Ayumu, there exists a level-max trust relationship.

If we’re talking in Persona terms, we’ve already reached the stage where you’ve received the “important item,” and the Social Link—or Co-op—is maxed out.

This isn’t arrogance or getting carried away—I can state it as fact.

After all, we’re a duo who resolved each other’s lingering regrets through racing together.

From a story perspective, we’re like a pair after the main storyline has already ended.

Of course our bond is rock solid.

But that probably doesn’t connect to romantic feelings.

In Persona terms, it’s like we’re best friends—but not in a romantic relationship.

In more realistic terms, it’s basically the “I think he’s a nice person?” stage.

Despair.

Well, dating a middle school student would be questionable for an adult man anyway, so in a sense, the current situation is probably for the best.

I mean, in my previous life I went all the way through university, you know? Even if I entered a relationship with Ayumu-san, mentally speaking there wouldn’t be any issue at all.

That said, regardless of what’s inside, this body is still middle school age.

…Actually, rather than middle school, it’s more like elementary school level in terms of size.

There’s nothing sticking out where it should, and my body is smooth and flat. You could practically say my feminine appeal is zero.

And judging from everything so far, Ayumu-san doesn’t seem to have any pedo or lolicon tendencies. Which is… hard to decide whether I should feel relieved or disappointed about.

Lacking physical charm, I’ll just have to make him fall for me mentally.

So being able to learn more about him is absolutely welcome.

“Hoshino Wilm-san?”

“Ah… sorry. It’s nothing.”

I must have gone silent for a few moments, because Masa-san called my name with a puzzled expression.

Looks like I got lost in thought. Seriously, sorry—my head’s just kind of fuzzy today.

“Maybe what you said earlier is partly right, Masa-san. I might be a bit tired.”

“Even you can accumulate fatigue, Hoshino Wilm-san?”

“…Do you think I’m some kind of monster?”

“I think of you as a tragic berserker who never stops running no matter how much you run.”

She said it jokingly with a smile, but then her expression shifted into concern.

“No matter that you’re an Uma Musume, you still have limits to your stamina. The job the day before yesterday went on until 11 p.m., after all.”

“Yeah… honestly, I might be a little tired.”

"But this is nothing, really. Compared to the fatigue Ayumu-san feels, it’s probably trivial."

When I mentioned Ayumu-san as a comparison in a half-joking tone, Masa-san’s brows drew together sharply.

"You shouldn’t compare yourself to that. My brother is, quite literally, inhuman in that regard."

"Inhuman…"

"No matter how much pain he feels, he can’t stop… no, these days it’s more accurate to say he won’t stop.

If it’s for his trainee Uma Musume, he’ll keep moving calmly even while suffering headaches that feel like his skull is splitting open."

"Seriously… that’s…"

I couldn’t help letting out a groan. Across from me, Masa-san lightly stirred the tea on the table and sighed, as if resigned.

"For him, feeling pain isn’t a reason to stop acting. Something fundamental as a person… the value of taking care of himself… is broken.

That said, he’s much better than before. He seems to manage the bare minimum of his health now, and when he’s close to his limits, he very occasionally relies on others more than he used to."

"Was he worse than he is now…?"

"Yes. Obviously. Ever since elementary school, staying awake for three or four days straight was normal. He was the kind of idiot… excuse me, monster… who would never skip studying or training until he literally collapsed."

I wasn’t sure that was actually an improvement in wording.

Also—three or four days without sleep since elementary school… How did he even grow properly like that, Ayumu-san?

As I found myself imagining Ayumu-san’s childhood, Masa-san suddenly bowed her head.

"But now… even if it’s to properly support his trainee Uma Musume, he’s at least come to understand the importance of rest and health management to some extent.

Hoshino Wilm-san, that’s thanks to you. As the younger sister of that foolish brother, please allow me to thank you again."

"I don’t think I really did anything that significant…"

"No. It was because of you."

When she raised her head, Masa-san took a sip of her tea and made a slightly bitter expression.

Probably not just from the taste—she was likely chewing over memories from the past.

"My brother wouldn’t change his behavior no matter what I or my older brother said… ah, I mean our eldest brother. No matter what we told him, he wouldn’t stop.

The reason is simple. We couldn’t give him a motivation stronger than the actions he believed he ‘had to do.’

We couldn’t give him something that could surpass the curse-like words of ‘her.’"

The past of Ayumu-san that I heard from Masa-san.

He had once met a girl who asked him for help—said "Help me"—and he wasn’t able to respond. She died somewhere beyond his reach.

That single, casually spoken sentence cursed him.

It carved itself deep into his heart—that for someone else’s sake, to accomplish something, he had to keep striving endlessly.

And that belief must have weighed more than his own body or life… even more than the words of the family who loved him.

And yet…

"That’s why I was so surprised when he came home last year," Masa-san continued. "'I’m going to abandon the Horino way in order to devote myself to just one Uma Musume,' he said.

Not to save more people. Not to exist so he could save someone someday. But to cling to just one person.

Which basically means he found something strong enough to surpass those curse-like words."

"Found… something?"

If I were the one he had fallen for, nothing would make me happier…

But that’s probably not what she meant here.

"Yes. During the Takarazuka Kinen, you… your running as the racing Uma Musume Hoshino Wilm—stole his heart.

Supporting that run and elevating it further became his top priority.

…Without that experience, even now, my brother—and ‘she’—would probably still…"

"She?"

When I asked back, unable to grasp the context of that word, Masa-san stiffened for just a moment before shaking her head.

"…No. In any case, if you hadn’t been there, Hoshino Wilm-san, my brother would still be the same hopeless, useless idiot brother he used to be."

As she said that, her face carried a faint sense of relief… and just the slightest trace of loneliness.

I didn’t know what to say, so my mouth just moved awkwardly. Seeing that, she returned her expression to something gentle and smiled at me.

"That’s why I’m grateful to you, Hoshino Wilm-san. Truly—thank you for always taking care of my foolish brother."

"N-no, not at all! If anything, I’m the one being taken care of! We help each other—it’s that kind of relationship!"

In truth, I was saved by Ayumu-san too.

He wasn’t the only one who managed to move past the past.

I had been dragging along the grief of losing my parents, frozen in that winter’s cold for so long—and he stayed by my side.

He supported me devotedly, created an environment where I could enjoy running, let me feel that I was loved by many people.

He gave me the chance to accept that I had been born into this world.

That might have come from the obsessive compulsion buried deep inside his heart… maybe.

…But still.

Even if the Ayumu-san of today were placed back into the same circumstances as back then, I think he would have done the same thing.

He’s unbelievably serious and hardworking, clumsy but kind, terribly pessimistic yet still earnest, and he’ll keep pushing himself endlessly for the sake of the Uma Musume under his care.

That’s the kind of person I fell in love with.

---

Watching me fidget awkwardly, suddenly feeling embarrassed, Masa-san widened her eyes slightly before letting out a sigh.

"…But seeing you like this—so much like a normal girl—it makes me feel guilty all over again for making you push yourself so hard."

"Ah, right… we were talking about how hard I’ve been pushing myself these past few days."

We’d gotten pretty far off track, but originally this conversation had started with concerns about my fatigue.

"Well, I do have tomorrow off for the whole day, and it’s just been a bit hectic lately.

Besides, considering the attention on me—and the Arc—I think they’ve already reduced my workload quite a bit, haven’t they?"

"…You’re perceptive. It’s true—my brother did speak to the URA and had them tone things down to a certain extent."

"From a supply-and-demand perspective, though, there wouldn’t really be any problem no matter how much exposure I got."

It sounds like bragging, but Hoshino Wilm is probably fair to call Japan’s strongest active Uma Musume.

After all, I’m a genuinely overpowered reincarnated Uma Musume being supported by Ayumu-san—a naturally broken, effort-obsessed monster. Winning a title or two is practically expected.

And that Uma Musume is about to run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—the pinnacle race of the world, and Japan’s long-held dream.

The level of attention is basically limitless. From both an idol standpoint and a racing standpoint, there’s no better time to promote than right now.

Of course, I fully understood all of that while steadily working through my jobs.

Masa-san tilted her head slightly toward me.

"Normally, middle schoolers can’t objectively analyze what’s being demanded of them or rationalize things to convince themselves like that. Maybe kids these days—or Uma Musume—just mature faster."

"Ah… maybe. That could be true."

Well, I am a reincarnated Uma Musume. My sensibilities are probably a bit different from the average girl.

…What was I like when I was actually in middle school?

More self-centered, I think—more focused only on the community I belonged to.

A child’s world is small. Family and friendships are everything.

Eventually, you grow up and realize there are many other worlds beyond that… but until you know that, your narrow community feels like the entire universe.

So naturally, that’s all you think about.

But I’m a second-life Uma Musume who went all the way through university in my previous life.

Compared to others, it’s only natural that I’d be a bit more mentally developed.

…Though I’m admittedly not the best at suppressing my instincts.

Of course, I couldn’t exactly say that out loud in all seriousness, so I went with the other explanation instead.

"Well… I guess it’s because I can push myself for the sake of the fans who support me. It’s like the least I can do to thank them for always cheering me on.

After all, this year’s Takarazuka Kinen is getting a lot of expectations too—even if it’s not quite at Arc level."

The Takarazuka Kinen.

Alongside the Arima Kinen, it’s one of the Grand Prix races.

A slightly unusual G1 where the competing Uma Musume are decided by fan voting.

In normal races, the URA determines eligibility based on multiple factors—ability judged from prior races, fan base size, and so on.

But for Grand Prix races, as long as fans vote for them, even competitors with some gaps in ability can participate.

You sometimes get to see unique runners who wouldn’t normally appear in G1 events.

Because of that, the Takarazuka Kinen becomes a showdown among the most popular Uma Musume of the first half of the year.

Even if it can’t quite match the Arima Kinen—the biggest race of the Twinkle Series—it’s still a long-awaited spectacle for fans.

And last year, I won the Takarazuka Kinen as a Classic-class runner for the first time.

Apparently that was quite shocking to the public—media still brings it up sometimes even now.

The first miracle achieved by Hoshino Wilm. The first impossibility overturned.

And because of that…

There are a lot of voices hoping I’ll win the Takarazuka Kinen again.

No Uma Musume has ever won it two years in a row.

It’s the decisive battle of the first half of the year—consecutive victories aren’t impossible, but it’s still an achievement no one has ever accomplished before.

My ultimate goal is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—something considered nearly impossible.

So as the first step into that uncharted territory, the idea is to win the Takarazuka Kinen back-to-back.

"If people are placing their expectations on me, it’s only natural to want to meet them. In races, and in promotions too.

If me pushing myself a little means everyone gets to enjoy things more, there’s nothing better than that."

I thought to myself that I sounded unusually virtuous…

But surprisingly, it was the truth.

If it’s a way to repay the fans who always support and cheer for me, then I can push myself a little.

Even more so if it ultimately comes back around to benefit me too.

But for that to work, there was one condition.

"So… could you keep the fact that I’m a bit tired right now a secret from Ayumu-san…?

I’m still totally fine, even if I’m a little worn down, and I don’t want him worrying too much."

Ayumu-san has a reputation for being cold or strict, but in reality he’s incredibly prone to worrying.

If he found out I was tired, he might reduce my training and work even more than he already has.

I appreciate the concern—but that’s not what I want.

Right now, I want to push myself a bit and do what I can.

But at my words, Masa-san frowned slightly, looking troubled…

Then she let out a breath and spoke.

"I don’t mind keeping quiet…"

"Thank you."

"However, I don’t think it will make much difference."

"Huh? But I really don’t want to cause him unnecessary worry—"

"That’s not it. Irritating as it is, my brother almost never misreads an Uma Musume’s physical condition. He’s probably already noticed that you’re fatigued."

"…That’s true."

Setting aside things like leg durability or lifespan, Ayumu-san had never misjudged the simple level of fatigue for me or Bourbon-chan before.

Still, if he’d noticed, you’d think he would have said something…

As I sipped my café latte in confusion, Masa-san added, "This is just speculation, but—" and continued.

"Much as it annoys me to admit it, my brother isn’t the clueless, hopeless idiot he used to be forever. He may be reading your intentions and choosing to be flexible.

Or maybe—just like the fans—he has expectations for you as the racing Uma Musume Hoshino Wilm, and he’s dreaming along with them.

…Though it could also simply be that he’s decided this is what he should do."

She said it jokingly and gave a small shrug.

Ayumu-san… has expectations for me.

That might be obvious, but thinking it made something restless stir inside my chest.

Right. Of course.

Before anything else, I need to live up to my partner’s expectations.

"In any case, if things truly become too much, he’ll put a stop to it.

Until then… well, yes. Let’s do our best together."

Masa-san smiled helplessly, and I answered her with a smile from the bottom of my heart.

"Yes!"

"Oh, and Hoshino Wilm-san… it pains me to say this, but you might want to avoid making that face too much in public."

"Huh!?"