Chapter 207: He, She, and the Season of Arima

It’s something I’ve thought about more times than I can count by now.

Uma Musume are athletes who face their races with sincerity, idols who captivate fans through their performances—and at the same time, they’re also students who must continue learning a wide variety of subjects.

…Even thinking about it again, that’s a pretty heavy burden to place on girls in their adolescence.

At that age, just being a student alone is often enough to cause worry and uncertainty.

And yet, on top of that, they carry the physical strain of being athletes—constantly pushed by relentless training—and the mental strain of being idols, always under the scrutiny of countless eyes.

To be blunt, considering that these Uma Musume are still in middle to high school, their lives might be just as “black” as ours trainers’.

But then again, just like contract trainers, no matter how harsh things are, if the person themselves finds joy and fulfillment in it, it becomes their calling.

These girls are born with a nature that enjoys running more than anyone else and takes greater joy than anyone else in competing.

That’s exactly why they can even enjoy these intensely demanding days.

When something you’re genuinely passionate about overlaps with work that is valued and sought after by many people—

in a sense, they might just be some of the happiest beings in the world.

…However.

Naturally, it’s not as if they can focus solely on being athletes and idols.

It’s not strictly required, but when you’re young, it’s better to broaden your horizons—to learn about the wider world and expand your possibilities.

Before they are Uma Musume, they are students who deserve an education, and individuals whose futures deserve to be respected.

And if they are students, then it follows—

that they sometimes have to go through student-like events as well.

Yes, things like career counseling.

Career counseling.

For ordinary students, this typically begins around the end of their second year of middle or high school. However, at Tracen Academy, the schedule is a bit unusual.

That’s because at Tracen, there are two separate tracks of career counseling: one as a student, and one as an Uma Musume.

Central Tracen is an integrated middle and high school.

Unless they choose otherwise, students who enroll will advance directly from the middle division into the high school division.

However, some, after entering Central Tracen and realizing the harshness of reality and the limits of their own abilities, give up on the path of an Uma Musume—or transfer to a regional school instead.

Others, though rare given the nature of Tracen and the times, may even choose to enter the workforce right after middle school.

Deciding on these kinds of general life paths is what student career counseling is about—and that already took place earlier this year.

As for how it went for Wilm… well, it was entirely straightforward.

My partner is both the strongest and endlessly ambitious, so of course she chose to continue racing while advancing to Tracen’s high school division.

In fact, calling it “career counseling” is almost a joke—it was decided in about three minutes. Wilm, me, the fans, her homeroom teacher, the academy, and the URA—every single one of us wanted her to keep running. It was the only natural conclusion.

What stood out to me most was how visibly relieved her teacher was that she didn’t say, "I’m quitting as an Uma Musume!"

Now then, alongside that student counseling—

as the “first three years,” the period in which their physical abilities rapidly develop and the ceiling of their potential as Uma Musume begins to come into view, draws to a close—

another kind of counseling takes place.

That is, career counseling as an Uma Musume.

With it already decided that they will remain at Tracen and continue racing, this is when they discuss things like what kinds of races they’ll enter moving forward, how they’ll be promoted, when they might retire, and when they might aim to enter the upper league.

It’s a time for the academy, trainer, athlete, and guardian to clearly share and align on these plans.

"Then I’d like to keep running in the Twinkle Series for about another ten years!"

"Don’t be ridiculous."

"Urk—!"

I lightly chop my charge on the head to rein her in after that absurd statement.

Wilm’s homeroom teacher, also an Uma Musume, watches the exchange and lets out a wry chuckle. "Haha…"

It had been exactly two years and eleven months since Wilm entered her peak.

On December 1st, as our “first three years” were about to end, the three of us—Wilm, her teacher, and I—sat in a well-heated classroom at Tracen, holding a career counseling session for the Uma Musume Hoshino Wilm.

Normally, this would be a four-party meeting including a guardian.

But Wilm has no family.

The few relatives who supported her in childhood had mostly cut ties when she entered Tracen, and now she simply sends them small amounts of money out of gratitude.

…Well, there are plenty of people who claim to be her relatives, but in truth, she has almost none.

So this time, I’m here acting as her guardian as well.

Technically, that’s a bit of an overreach—but having been entrusted with "Please take care of her" from her now-deceased parents through Masa, I had no choice but to accept.

I have to think not just about her as an Uma Musume, but about her life ahead.

And so, dressed properly in a suit, I sit here facing this discussion.

The teacher across from us smiles at the sight.

"Haha, it’s good to see you get along so well.

But realistically speaking, ten years might be a bit difficult.

Especially for the three of you—Hoshino Wilm, Tokai Teio, and Nice Nature—known as the ‘Three Stars of the Star Generation.’ From the fans’ perspective… well, I understand it’s not entirely reasonable, but…"

"That’s fine. Wilm is a smart girl—she can take those emotional factors into account."

"Well, we did get a bit too strong, after all. I can already go toe-to-toe with the Dream Trophy veterans. So it’s not strange for people to think, ‘Just move up to the upper league already,’ right?"

"Haha… well, yes…"

The teacher gives a troubled smile, unsure how to respond.

Well… as someone representing the academy and the URA, it’s not exactly something they can say outright.

The Dream Trophy League is an upper league open only to Uma Musume who have achieved major results in the Twinkle Series.

The very best of the best—where only the strongest clash, even crossing generational boundaries to some extent.

It truly deserves to be called a “dream twelve-race series,” with a scale far beyond anything seen in Twinkle.

And the “Three Stars of the Star Generation” already have one foot in that world.

No—Tokai Teio has both feet in, and Wilm is submerged up to her chest.

Normally, if a Dream Trophy runner and a Twinkle runner compete, it doesn’t even become a race—it turns into a one-sided blowout.

But Wilm and Teio, despite still being in Twinkle, have reached a level where they can compete with Dream Trophy runners.

In other words, the only ones who can stop those two in Twinkle are each other—and maybe Understandable.

Nice Nature, meanwhile, sits right between the Dream Trophy and Twinkle levels.

She can compete with either side.

…Though in truth, aside from Wilm, Teio, and Understandable, there’s probably no one left who could defeat her.

That’s how strong she’s become. Frighteningly so.

Which is why, if they stay in Twinkle, they’re unlikely to lose.

And if you look at it cynically, it could even be seen as robbing others of their chances to win.

From a business perspective, too, having a single overwhelmingly dominant racer isn’t ideal…

And from the fans’ perspective, watching the same girl win over and over eventually leads to boredom and fatigue.

That’s why exceptionally strong Twinkle Uma Musume are often expected to move to the Dream Trophy League early.

…Though, of course, it only reaches that point if you’re at the level of someone like Rudolf or Wilm. Teio and Nature are told the same, but they’re partly dragged into it by Wilm’s sheer dominance.

As I mull over how difficult all this is, Wilm speaks up.

"Speaking seriously… for Twinkle… I’d like to stay until the Arima in the winter after next, if possible."

"I see… May I ask your reason?"

"I have a promise. Well, maybe not quite a promise, but… if possible, I’d like to race at least once with my junior before I leave."

Her expression as she says this is unusually serious.

A promise.

Is she referring to that dark bay Uma Musume she met at the spring fan appreciation event—the one who called Biwa Hayahide her sister, so likely Narita Brian?

Or perhaps the one she met recently—Sakura Laurel?

Or maybe both.

Wilm may be borderline insane when it comes to racing, but in her daily life, she’s also a kind, caring girl who looks out for her juniors.

She probably wants to serve as a proper goal for the next generation—to give them at least one chance to race her in an official event.

The new first-years enrolling in a month won’t be able to run against senior-class racers until the end of their Classic year—just as she said, the winter after next.

…Yeah. Even thinking about it again, that’s a tough ask.

"Hmm… I see. Hoshino Wilm…"

"Sensei, please be frank. Wilm, how much are you willing to compromise?"

"Hmm… well, honestly, if it’s what the fans want, it can’t be helped. This is just my own selfish wish—it shouldn’t take priority over public sentiment."

"As expected of an undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume… you’re remarkably rational. That helps."

I don’t think being undefeated has anything to do with rationality…

Though, come to think of it, other examples like Rudolf and Bourbon are also quite intelligent, so maybe that’s where the impression comes from.

In reality, at least in Wilm’s case, it’s probably because she retains memories from a previous life—giving her a level of maturity beyond her years.

"Oh, but if possible, I’d like to race at least until autumn next year.

There’s still a senior middle-distance G1 in Twinkle I haven’t won yet. The Autumn Tenno Sho."

"She just casually assumes she’s already won the Arima."

"Well, I will this month."

"Ahaha… I see. So for Hoshino Wilm, G1 titles are something you intend to completely sweep…"

The teacher ends up staring off into space, her eyes hollow with a kind of detached resignation.

Well… it is Hoshino Wilm we’re talking about. The strongest Uma Musume in history—conquering all middle- and long-distance G1s is practically a given.

…Personally, I’m just relieved she didn’t drop a bomb like, "Starting next year, I’m thinking of trying the mile distances!" right here.

"However… over these past few years, the very common sense of the Twinkle Series has been shaken to its core."

She likely needed a moment to regain her composure, so the homeroom teacher steered the conversation into small talk.

Wilm gave a casual "Yeah, I guess so," in response, but I nodded firmly in agreement.

"That’s right. My Wilm was simply too strong."

"Hehe~ you’re making me blush."

"…The fact that I can’t even deny that in the slightest is what makes it so frightening."

The teacher gives a troubled smile.

Normally, during career counseling, teachers at Tracen Academy sometimes have to confront Uma Musume—who can be a bit dreamy—with harsh reality…

…but in Wilm’s case, it isn’t a misunderstanding at all.

It had already been three years since the night under that moon when I formed a contract with Hoshino Wilm.

And in those three years, the Twinkle Series had been shaken in a way never seen before.

In a world considered a blood sport, where aptitude based on lineage was thought to be absolute, Wilm—once a complete unknown—won G1 races outright.

She tore past Tokai Teio, who had been seen as the sole dominant force at the time, in the Satsuki Sho.

She achieved what was said to be nearly impossible—winning the Takarazuka Kinen at the Classic level, something never done before.

She defeated her rivals to claim the Kikuka Sho, achieving the first undefeated Triple Crown since Rudolf.

She pushed through fierce races to achieve the first-ever Spring Senior Triple Crown.

And she conquered the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—Japan’s long-held dream.

…Wait, isn’t that a bit too much?

Looking at it objectively, it’s completely absurd.

This isn’t just textbook material anymore—it’ll probably still be recorded in history a thousand years from now.

As her trainer, I feel honored to have supported her through it all…

And yet, witnessing such a historic run still doesn’t quite feel real.

The truth is, I was just desperately supporting the Uma Musume I fell for—and before I knew it, we had ended up here.

And it’s not like any of this was easy, either.

"Also, as if drawn forward by Wilm, the other girls—especially the Three Stars—have grown tremendously as well.

It’s because everyone improved alongside her that these turbulent three years came to be."

The growth of an Uma Musume is often driven by her rivals.

If Tokai Teio and Nice Nature hadn’t kept up with Wilm, she probably wouldn’t have reached this level of overwhelming strength.

And if that hadn’t happened, perhaps Understandable wouldn’t have awakened either…

…No, more fundamentally, if Wilm hadn’t been there at all, Teio and the others might never have grown this much either. In that sense, she truly is the starting point of everything.

Even so, the reason the very foundation of racing was overturned to this extent is undoubtedly thanks to Teio and Nature as well.

Truly, I’m grateful to them for becoming nourishment for Wilm. I’ll be counting on them to keep doing so.

As I was thinking that, the teacher spoke again, her voice tinged with a kind of dreamy awe.

"Yes, that’s true. …But still, I feel that Hoshino Wilm is the one who changed everything.

It’s as if all of history up until now has been rewritten by her arrival—yes, almost like it’s been replaced by a new myth…

That’s the impression I can’t help but have.

To that extent, Hoshino Wilm has shone brilliantly over these past few years."

"Hehe~ you’re making me blush."

"I’m honored."

I give a small bow.

The praise wasn’t directed at Wilm alone, but at "Hoshino Wilm the racing Uma Musume."

And since I, as her trainer, am part of what makes her who she is, it was praise I was grateful for.

…That said, Wilm was grinning a bit too smugly, so I figured it was time to rein her in a little.

"If only you’d put that same effort into your studies…"

"Yes… about that, Hoshino Wilm’s grades are, well… I mean, I can tell she’s trying, but…"

"H-Hey! I have improved, you know!? I’m averaging over 50 now! That’s a 20-point increase since I enrolled! Shouldn’t that deserve more praise!?!"

"For reference, the minimum standard in the Horino household is 95."

"Gghghghghgh—!! I-I’ll try harder…!!"

"Haha, that was quite a sound."

"Ahaha… really, you two get along so well—or rather… hmm… should I report this to the principal…?"

After that, about thirty minutes later, we wrapped up the counseling session, mixing in some casual conversation along the way.

Since the homeroom teacher represents both Tracen and the URA, this effectively determined Wilm’s future direction and how she would be promoted.

In conclusion, it went something like this:

As an athlete: Continue the same approach as before, adjusting based on the condition of Wilm’s legs—essentially aiming to sweep all middle- and long-distance G1 races. Top priority: the Tenno Sho (Autumn). As part of that, possibly forgoing the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (undecided).

As an idol: The URA intends to promote the Three Stars as a group rather than Wilm alone, so starting next year, she’ll take on more joint projects with the other two camps.

As a student: Study harder. Reduce daily self-training time by 30 minutes and dedicate it to academics.

There were other smaller details decided, but that’s the general outline.

As for the increased study time, we even had her write and stamp a formal pledge under the teacher’s supervision—so there’s no backing out now.

It’s not like academics are everything in life, and given the overwhelming results she’s achieved as an Uma Musume, she’ll probably never struggle financially even if she never works again…

Even so, knowledge and education enrich a person’s life.

You want the person you love to be happy.

That’s only natural.

…The fact that I’d probably go easy on her if she genuinely hated it is my weakness, so this written pledge is meant to bind me as well.

Those teary, puppy-dog eyes won’t work on me anymore.

"Sniffle…"

"Not happening."

"Tch."

When I pat her on the head as she sulks, Wilm—who had been slightly pouty—immediately breaks into a bright smile.

Honestly, what a simple girl. That side of her is cute too.

On the way back to the trainer’s office, with the winter wind howling around us, Wilm—still in her uniform—wraps her arms around herself, looking a little cold.

When I hand her my coat, she smiles and says, "Thank you."

"Man, it’s cold… well, it is already December. …But yeah. Like we were just talking about—it’s already been three years, hasn’t it?"

"Yeah. Three years already."

I nod in agreement without questioning the distant look in her eyes.

I understand exactly what she means.

That exchange with her homeroom teacher earlier must have stirred up some nostalgia.

For her, these past three years…

Three years since she came to Tracen.

Three years since she met me.

Three years since she started running.

And three years since her life began to change.

And for me as well—

Three years since I took on a trainee.

Three years since I met her.

Three years since I began supporting an Uma Musume.

And three years since my own life began to change.

For both of us… well, I haven’t asked about her past life memories, and even in this life her childhood was pretty harsh, so I can’t definitively say these were the most important years of her life.

Still—

these three years have been incredibly, unbelievably dense.

"It went by in a flash. Before I knew it, we’d made it this far."

"Agreed. It felt a trillion times faster than the rest of my life."

"That’s impressive. First time I’ve heard someone exaggerate numbers like an otaku in real life."

"The fact that Ayumu-san actually gets that kind of thing is sending me."

"Sending you?"

"If you didn’t get it, I’d have no face."

"You’ve got a cute face, though?"

What is this girl even talking about?

…Well, it’s not unusual for Wilm to get carried away like this. I’ll just let it slide.

As we continue walking at her pace, she suddenly speaks up—no, she makes it sound sudden, but there’s a hint of unease in her voice.

"But, Ayumu-san, um… it’s been almost three years, right? So… maybe we should talk about renewing our contract?"

"Hm? Oh, sure. Want to do it now?"

"Hah!? What’s with that casual attitude!? I’ve been kind of nervous wondering when you’d bring it up, you know!?"

Wilm instantly shifts into full pout mode, and I let out a wry laugh.

"Sorry, sorry."

In these past three years, the thing that may have changed the most isn’t the common sense of the Twinkle Series—

but her personality.

"Well, you know… it’s not like our intentions aren’t already clear. I figured we’d talk about it soon, but I wasn’t in any rush.

Still, I guess this is as good a time as any."

After a small smile, I turn my gaze toward her.

Those pale blue eyes I once thought cold. That youthful yet well-formed, adorable face.

Now, instead of what I saw back then, they carry a warmth—trust and affection I’ve come to recognize.

"The ‘first three years’ are over. At this point, the bond between us technically comes to an end.

But… I want to keep walking forward with you. I want to support your running—and stay by your side for the rest of your life.

What about you? Will you keep walking with me from here on, Wilm?"

To my earnest question, Wilm responds with a radiant smile.

"Of course! Wherever I run, I want you to be right there supporting me, closer than anyone else!

And I’ll do my best to support you too, Ayumu-san!"

"Then try studying a bit harder, okay? I’ll help with anything you don’t understand."

"Ughhh… yeah, okay, fair, that is important. Got it—I’ll work harder at studying!"