Chapter 2: Stupid, Barely-Functional Reincarnator

I was panicking. My heart hurt in a way I could hardly endure. Before I realized it, my legs were moving on their own, and no matter how far I ran, they wouldn’t stop.

That day, I experienced my very first defeat.
A mile-distance mock race. I’d kicked off from the back, but my legs hadn’t carried me all the way to first place.

Before I knew it, I was already sprinting again—just running and running, nothing else.

"…I can’t win."

That single phrase kept echoing through my mind.
I have to win. If I don’t win, no one will acknowledge me.

I’m scared.
…It’s cold.

"I’ll win. I’ll win. Next time, I’ll win."

"…Hey! You—stop!"

Someone shouted, trying to stop me. My focus snapped.
My body nearly collapsed, knees buckling before I managed to catch myself. …Ah, I’m close to my limit. My body feels numb. I can’t feel anything, and yet a cold shiver keeps crawling down my spine.

But I can’t stop. If I want to win, I have to get faster.

I can’t lose.
If I don’t win, then nothing means anything.

My head was filled with nothing but that thought.

Someone was talking to me—angry, desperate.
Were they asking me something? …Ugh, how am I supposed to answer? My thoughts wouldn’t line up.

…Huh? What am I even saying?

A bit of the fever clogging my head cleared, and I finally heard my own words.
Something felt… wrong. All this talk about staking my life—what on earth was I going on about?

If I need a trainer to get faster, then sure, I’d want one.
And if this person is willing to guide me, then… well, maybe that’s fine too.

But seriously, since when am I the type to say such melodramatic, poetic nonsense?

Still running on impulse, at some point I reached my hand out to him.

"To you, I offer my life. …Please take care of me—my trainer."

Suddenly, the haze in my head vanished completely, snapping me back to reality.

Wha… wha—
What am I even SAYING!?!

Reincarnation into another world is real!?

That was the first thought I had when I was born.

I’d heard that a baby’s brain is too underdeveloped to think about complex things.
Then why could I, as a newborn, think logically like this?

Right—because I’m a reincarnator!
The kind who keeps their personality and memories!

Hmm? Wait? But if the brain isn’t developed yet, wouldn’t thinking be impossible anyway?
Then how am I able to think like this right now?

…Okay, maybe I should stop analyzing this. I feel like I’m going to uncover something terrifying.

Anyway, I’ve apparently obtained a brand-new life.
And beyond that, there’s one more thing I’m ridiculously happy about.

"Yaaaaahhh!"

"Oh, she’s crying so energetically. This child will grow up healthy."

No, doctor, I’m not crying. That was a triumphant scream of joy!

"I’m so glad… that I could bring her into the world safe and sound."

The woman lying on the bed gently stroked my tiny head.
On her head were horse ears, and at her lower back, a tail.

"Even someone like me—a Uma Musume… I’m glad I could give birth to a future."

Right—she was a Uma Musume.

A mysterious existence that inherits the name of a racehorse from another world, surpassing human limits.

Uma Musume. Or Uma Musume Pretty Derby. A name that, in my previous world, only certain people would recognize.

It was an anime that aired back in the world I came from—about 25 episodes across two seasons.
The animation quality and direction weren’t overwhelmingly top-tier, and the show wasn’t carried purely by budget or spectacle. But it treated real-life horse racing with genuine respect, weaving that romance into its story. I loved it.

Ahh, nostalgia. Double Jet-sensei’s "THIS is what it means to never give up!!" hit me so hard I rewatched it a million times.
An underused character stepping up to inspire the struggling protagonist—that classic setup gets me every time.

…Oops, I got sidetracked. Back to the point.

Apparently, I’d been reincarnated into the world of that anime.
Based on the horse ears on my head and the tail sprouting from my back, I guess I’m a Uma Musume too.

I don’t recognize the name of my so-called "Horse Soul" at all, so I’m probably a mob character.

Now, when you think “isekai reincarnation,” you naturally worry about cultural differences, but…
Luckily, the language matches. Actually, aside from the horse-related stuff, everything seems identical to my old world. Even idioms work normally.

The culture is basically the same too. Maybe morals and history differ a bit thanks to the existence of Uma Musume. Compared to my previous world, people feel a lot more fundamentally kind. Good for them.

The geography is also the same. …Though my birthplace changed from Chiba to Hokkaido, so I have zero local familiarity.

In other words, it’s essentially modern Japan just like before. I’m really glad I was reincarnated into such an easy era to live in.

…Still, if I knew I was going to reincarnate, I should’ve studied more horse racing. If I’d known the real-life horse my body was based on, I could’ve figured out how strong I’m supposed to be.
I’ve only watched the anime twice—that’s it. Am I going to be okay…?

My mother—who was also a Uma Musume—apparently wasn’t in very good health. She was always lying in bed, but she would sometimes pick me up and hold me.

"Uma Musume. Uma Musume."

"Uma musume!"

"Oh my, great pronunciation. A genius, perhaps?"

Well, this is my second life. I’m plenty used to Japanese pronunciation.
…Though since I literally have a baby’s tongue, my enunciation is terrible.

"Good girl. You’re going to grow up to be a strong Uma Musume."

"Okay!"

…Honestly, it’s not like I’ve completely let go of my previous life.
There were anime and manga I wanted to finish. Things I wanted to do, goals I still had.

But well, I died. Spilled water doesn’t go back into the bowl, and dead people don’t return to their old lives.
More importantly, I should enjoy the life right in front of me.
I’ve been reincarnated as a Uma Musume—might as well make the most of it.

I want to race too, just like Special Week-chan or Tokai Teio-chan!

＊　＊　＊

Yes. At the start, that was my only reason.

＊　＊　＊

The more I grew, the more I could feel the power in my body.
I was stronger than an ordinary human. Especially my legs—no human child or Uma Musume child could beat me in a footrace.

"If you’re like this even before your serious training begins, your growth rate is ridiculous."

That’s what a trainer from a local Training Center told me when we met by chance.

A precocious talent, apparently. He even said I might be able to succeed at the Central Academy.

…So reincarnation bonuses really ARE a thing!?
Seriously, what doesn’t exist in this world? Reality is way stranger than fiction.

Well, if reincarnation exists, I guess it’s not weird for reincarnation bonuses to exist too… maybe?

A reincarnation bonus—
The incredible abilities protagonists get in isekai novels or anime.

They’re usually strong enough to overturn the whole story.
If you think about it that way, mine might not be that much of a cheat. I’m just physically strong.

But still… a reincarnation bonus. I was half-skeptical, but it’s actually real!
Reincarnation itself was already huge, but for someone who grew up on that kind of culture, this is seriously exciting!

Alright, this is where my legend of total domination begins! …Probably?
Though beating canon Uma Musume too easily might make me feel weird… I am genuinely a fan, after all.

Well, since I have a special ability, I should give it a name. I’ll never tell anyone anyway, but abilities like this always need names.

"Enhanced Body"… lame.
"Reincarnated Form"… not bad, but it doesn’t sound like an ability.
"Super Runner"… doesn’t sit right.

Hmm… "Anime Reincarnation," maybe? Since I ended up in an anime world, it’s simple, but maybe that’s fine.

Still, the Central Training Center Academy, huh? That’s the school Special Week-chan and Teio-chan enrolled in.

I found out after coming to this world, but apparently the Central Academy is a prestigious school. The entrance exams are very competitive, and just getting in is proof of excellence.

Turns out Spe-chan was amazingly talented even if she didn’t realize it. Her mom believed she’d pass—
Ugh… what a wholesome bond…

…But what about me?
I have zero horse racing knowledge, and I barely studied after reincarnating. Can I even pass?

Well, whatever. I’ll just do what I can.

If I want to get faster, I can only do what’s within my power.

"Congratulations on your admission! Starting today, you are students of Tracen Academy!
I expect performances worthy of our school’s honor, built upon sportsmanship and diligent study!"

…I actually passed.
Wait, I passed just like that!? I slipped in so smoothly it feels unreal.

Well, thinking about it, it makes sense.
Thanks to Anime Reincarnation, my body is absurdly capable. Even though I look small and slim, my leg strength is ridiculous.

And academically, I’d gone to university in my previous life, so the middle-school-level exam—excluding horse-related knowledge—wasn’t difficult. I forgot a lot, sure, but still manageable.

…You know, the reincarnation bonus is strong, but retaining my old-life memories is just as powerful, especially in modern society.

Everyone, make sure to study properly in case you reincarnate!
…Wait, “everyone”? Why am I giving advice?

Anyway—
A Uma Musume at the Central Academy has to find a trainer to contract with.
You can get a personal trainer or join a team where one trainer oversees multiple Uma Musume.

Either way, without a trainer contract, you can’t compete in the Twinkle Series.
And terrifyingly, some students go years without ever finding a trainer willing to take them.

That’s a fate I absolutely need to avoid.

So I began searching for someone to contract with.

My target was obvious: the trainer of Team Spica, the one who coached the protagonists in the anime—Trainer Okino T.

…Well, technically “Okino” isn’t his real surname. Since he was unnamed in the show, fans just used his voice actor’s surname. Old tradition and all that.

Still, he has a very distinctive silhouette. If I saw him, I’d recognize him instantly.

All I had to do was walk around campus and search.

I briefly considered Trainer Ohana from Team Rigil—she was highly skilled—but… she made Suzuka-san race in a front-runner style and seemed pretty strict. Honestly, a little scary. And following the protagonist’s side just feels right.

More than anything, the idea of running alongside Spe-chan, Suzuka-san, Scarlet-chan, Vodka-chan, Teio-chan, MacQueen-chan, and Gold Ship—the Uma Musume I admired, cheered for, and cried over as I watched their successes—there’s no way a reincarnated fan wouldn’t find that unbelievably romantic!

…However, cruelly enough, my expectations were about to be smashed.

"…He’s not here?"

"Yes, we currently have no trainer by that name at this school. Are you looking for someone? If you’d like, Ms. Hoshino Wilm, I can inform the chairman."

"No… that won’t be necessary. Thank you very much."

That was Harukawa Tazuna-san. A beautiful staff member whose green uniform and yellow tie suited her perfectly. She’s the chairman’s secretary and appears frequently in the anime. …Though seriously, is chasing runaway Uma Musume really in a secretary’s job description? She’s way too strong in both speed and power.

Since I couldn’t find Trainer Okino T anywhere, I asked Tazuna-san when I ran into her. But apparently, that thirty-ish, candy-chewing, ponytail-sporting trainer isn’t affiliated with Tracen Academy at all. Judging by her genuinely puzzled expression, it doesn’t seem like he ever was.

…Wait—what?

No… seriously?

If Spica doesn’t exist, then where is Spe-chan supposed to be? And Suzuka-san—does that mean she’ll keep running as a pure front-runner forever? And Gold Ship—where would she even go? Or maybe…

"Parallel world…?"

Is that the most likely explanation?

This world is clearly based on the anime—there’s no doubt about that. But it’s not an exact copy. Maybe it’s a parallel universe built on the same framework.

When I came here, I didn’t meet any god. Dying was horribly painful, and just as I felt relief, suddenly I was a baby. Honestly, being familiar with otaku culture saved me—any normal person unfamiliar with reincarnation tropes might have had a mental breakdown. …Well, truthfully, part of me still hasn’t fully accepted it. It feels like I’m forcing myself to because the alternative is panic.

But if a god does exist, even if I didn’t meet them… maybe the god of fate is trying to write a story different from the original? If I’m some kind of original protagonist in a fanfic, what would the author even want to write?

…Nope. That’s diving way too deep into delusion. If I peek too hard into fanfiction, the readers will end up peeking back at me.

"…Still, this is a problem."

The trainer I was counting on—Okino T—and Team Spica don’t exist at this academy.
The only one whose ability is essentially guaranteed is Hana-san, but… does she even exist in this version of the world?

And thinking about it, she kept Suzuka-san running in a strict front-runner style. She seemed rigid and completely by-the-book. Honestly, a little scary. I’m a reincarnator, my body is weirdly sturdy and strong, and I’m probably different from normal Uma Musume in many ways. Having someone train me strictly by conventional wisdom is terrifying.

If that’s the case… yeah, it can’t be helped.

I’ll accept the scout.

The fluffy, soft-spoken senior I share a dorm room with taught me something important.
For a Uma Musume, making a contract with a Trainer is basically the first big goal.
And apparently, there are actually several ways to achieve that.

First: enter mock races or selection races and get scouted by a Trainer.
This is the classic route for strong Uma Musume. If you win a race or display your strengths in a memorable way, you’re practically guaranteed a contract. In some cases, you can even be selective.

Second: take the tests or race exams assigned by Trainers.
If you clear their requirements—like taking first place or placing within a fixed range—you’re guaranteed a contract. However, Trainers who run these tests typically manage a large number of Uma Musume, so you might not receive as much personal attention.

Third: this one is more like a loophole, but you can try approaching Trainers during their free time.
Overdoing it is forbidden, but doing it in moderation is allowed… though what exactly counts as “moderate,” I have no idea.

Naturally, the path I’m aiming for is the first one.

Let me be blunt.
I, Hoshino Wilm, am strong.

Back home in Hokkaido, I never lost a single wild race. Actually, I usually won by a huge margin.
Well, all of that’s thanks to my “Anime Reincarnation” power. I don't have real knowledge, and I’m not even that passionate about racing—the only reason I win is because my physical ability is absurdly high.
But in a race, leg speed is absolute. In other words, my “Anime Reincarnation” ability is so overwhelmingly strong that it compensates for everything I lack.

Because of that, it never even occurred to me that I might lose.
You start running, and of course you win. That was all a race ever meant to me.

"Alright… time to win."

According to the schedule posted on the bulletin board, there are mock races today, tomorrow, and three days from now.
I wonder if I’ll make it in time to register. You’re supposed to sign up in advance, and I’ve heard mock races are pretty popular.
Well, whatever. I’ll just head to the reception desk. If I can’t enter this one, I’ll join the next race I can.

…Cold.
So cold.

"She’s definitely fast, huh."

I mutter under my breath. With the sound of hooves pounding and dirt being kicked up all around me, no one’s going to hear me anyway.
I run along the inner rail, sticking to the inside lane—well, matching the pace of those around me, at least.

A mock race. Turf, left-handed, 1600 meters. Track condition: firm.
As we near the midpoint, I’m running in the rear pack.

Compared to the wild races back in Hokkaido, the pace is definitely faster. Fast—but still too slow for me. If I go full speed, I could break out of this pack anytime.
However, the problem is…

Two on the right, three ahead, one behind.
I’m boxed in. The pack is clearly treating me as a threat and trying to trap me.

A bay-coated Uma Musume running ahead glances back at me. In her eyes is unmistakable hostility—and fear.
Maybe running beside me is enough for them to realize I’m holding back.

…Well, “holding back” is just me copying Spe-chan’s running style, though.

I don’t know anything about real-world horse racing. Even when the anime used technical terms, I kinda let them wash over me.
And since coming to this world… honestly, I haven’t had much interest in racing at all.

Call it laziness if you want—I can’t really deny it—but I think there’s a reason.
When you pull ahead by a huge margin every single time, it’s basically the same as running alone. There’s no thrill, no joy in competing. I could never get myself to like it.
So I probably lack a lot of competitive racing knowledge. Running styles, distances, strategy—it all slips past me.

Still, winning is all that matters.
Victory is justice.

"Move."

I ease up on my pace for an instant, and the Uma Musume blocking my right surge forward, the wall collapsing.
All that’s left is to break through.

Accelerate. More. Push to full speed.
I slide almost sideways out of the pack and straighten once I’m clear.

Now, as always—forward.
Forward, forward… forward!

One by one, the Uma Musume vanish from my field of vision.
The wind pressure resisting my body is annoying. Moments like this remind me how inefficient the human form is for running.
Still too slow. Faster. Faster than anyone—faster.

I have to win.

"Two left."

Only the final stretch remains, and ahead of me are an ash-gray and a chestnut.
If I catch them both and pass them, it’s over.

Spin your legs. More, more.
If I don’t spin them faster…

"…!"

A chill freezes my heart.
Too short. The stretch is too short. There isn’t enough distance to overtake the leader.
My acceleration won’t reach full. My speed won’t peak. And worst of all—

"That chestnut… she’s fast."

She’s in a different league from the small-time rivals back home.
Until now, whenever I went all out, the moment I pushed, everyone else disappeared instantly. That was “normal.”
But right now, there’s still someone in my vision—
A single back, still ahead of me.

…Lose?
Me?

"Hey. You—the bay one."

Huh?
Bay… the girl I passed mid-race? No, but the voice was directed at me.
Was I the one being called?
The race—right, the race is still going.
…Then why am I stretching?

"…Yes?"

I answer for now.

When I turn around, standing there is… ah. I know this person. The new Trainer everyone’s been whispering about since orientation.

For us Uma Musume, our futures change drastically depending on which Trainer we get.
So rumors naturally spread—who’s hands-off, who’s strict, who’s controlling.

And among those, the rumors about this Trainer were… intense.

A rookie male Trainer, always impeccably dressed in a flawless suit, sharp-featured and composed.
Rumor: he’s expressionless and unfriendly, probably incapable of human emotion.
Rumor: during trainee orientation he pushed an Uma Musume to the verge of injury.
Rumor: he entered through a backdoor connection, a fox borrowing the power of his prestigious family.

…There’s no way all of that is true. It’s probably a pile of exaggerations and baseless gossip.
My previous life taught me that rumors from strangers should never be used for evaluation.
So the only fact I need to acknowledge is this:

He comes from a distinguished family and is considered a highly capable Trainer.

"May I ask your name?"

My name? Now? In the middle of a race?
But right—I’m here because I want a Trainer.
So I should answer properly.

"…Yes. I’m Hoshino Wilm."

My so-called Uma Soul name.
I had other names in my past life and during childhood, but before I realized it, this name became natural.
My name as an Uma Musume.
…Though honestly, I don’t like it much.

The Trainer blinks slowly. After a short pause, he speaks again.

"Hoshino Wilm. Why did you run a mile race—and why did you choose a closing style?"

…? The topic changed completely.
Why I ran… ran? Not “why are you running,” but past tense.

It’s not a difficult question. While catching my breath, I put my thoughts in order and answer.
I chose the mile simply because it was the soonest available.
As for choosing a closing style… well, I didn’t exactly choose it. I was just copying Spe-chan from the anime—holding back until the second half and then going all out.

The Trainer blinks again.
…His expression really doesn’t change. With his well-shaped face and unmoving eyes, it’s like talking to a perfectly crafted doll.
Honestly, it’s a little eerie. Maybe that’s how the rumors started.

This time he pauses even longer before finally opening his mouth, his voice heavy and steady.

"Hoshino Wilm. Become my trainee. I’ll take you to the Twinkle stage."

…Huh?

A scout? Why?

I haven’t even finished the race. I haven’t crossed the finish line. I haven’t won.
I haven’t won—

No.

I can’t win.

"I’m sorry. I decline."

A Wilm who cannot win has no worth.
To win, I need to become faster—far faster.

And then, drifting through a frost-colored haze, I kept running until nightfall.

"I offer my life to you… Please take care of me—my Trainer."

The dream snaps.

…My face is burning!!
Wait—wait wait WAIT! What am I saying!?
Getting a Trainer is great, sure! It’s one of the ways to get stronger, and it guarantees participation in the Twinkle Series!
But hold on—“I offer you my life”!?! That’s a proposal!!
And I rejected his scout earlier! A flat, emotionless rejection! I looked like a complete lunatic!
Look, the Trainer’s stunned speechless! He definitely thinks I’m weird! It’s over. Completely over. He’s going to say “Actually, never mind” right here and now!

…With my brain turning into a scrambled mess,
I force my emotions down, keep my face blank, and open my mouth.

"…Trainer?"

"Ah—ah, sorry. The flow of conversation made absolutely no sense, so I was a bit taken aback."

She never wanted anyone to see her raw emotions. After all, emotions only caused trouble—something to be smothered inside and never let out.
That was the conclusion she’d reached after living life twice—her own way of surviving.
…Well, considering how I completely lost control at lunch, I don’t exactly have much credibility.

Still, “you surprised me,” huh…?
He must think I’m weird now.
There was a saying that when someone—well, not a human but an Uma Musume—was cornered, their true nature showed.
If that’s true, then my real nature is selfish, slow-paced, and annoyingly poetic.
Ugh… I hate myself.
He scouted me twice, and I still ruined everything. It’s over.

"…Very well. I’ll guide your soul to shine brighter and run faster than anyone else. I’m counting on you—my Uma Musume."

Nope, I win! I absolutely win! What?! How is his tolerance level THIS high?!
And he just said something insanely cool on top of it! Is this a movie scene?!

I reflexively followed the hand holding mine with my eyes.
The person who said he’d lead me to victory…
His usually unshakeable, steel-like handsome face had softened—just a little.

…Oh, wow.
Wait, why am I getting butterflies? I’m way too easy.

I closed my eyes and took a breath. The cold of the night seeped into my body.
If possible, I wanted it to cool my heart too…

"U—"

My vision suddenly dropped. Crap, my posture gave out. I need to stand back up… Wait—um, how do you stand again?

"Hey, hey."

Someone caught my collapsing body. Big. Warm. And… the scent of a man?

"…Dad?"
"Hm?"

Why was Dad here? Why was he holding me up? Ah, but right—first, I had to report.

“Dad… I’m sorry. I… I lost.”

My consciousness was sinking. I didn’t even understand what I was saying anymore. In the end—

"…Goodnight."

I felt… something warm being given to me.

I had a dream. The same cold dream I always had.

Rejected.
Judged.
Cast out.

That was it. Just that. A miserable dream I’d wake from, wipe my tears, and forget by midday.

But inside that dream, there was one thing that wasn’t the same.

"If it’s truly your wish. …Not that I’d ever let you waste it."

Words I couldn’t process at the time, yet they burned themselves into my ears.

Ah…
Today feels just a little warmer.