Chapter 227: And then, in a season long past, as night came around again— End

It’s a cruel story, but…

Races between Uma Musume are often called a “blood sport.”

“Blood”—in other words, a sport defined by lineage. A world where the genes inherited from one’s parents determine most of one’s abilities.

In truth, it’s an undeniable fact that a Uma Musume’s running ability depends heavily on her mother’s. The statistics accumulated throughout history prove it.

The children of strong Uma Musume are strong.
The children of weak Uma Musume are weak.

No matter how you dress it up, no matter how you try to look away, that tendency undeniably exists.

It really is a cruel reality.

No matter how hard you try, how much you suffer… no matter how much you reach upward—you cannot defeat those born with talent that shines like the stars.

Lineage. Talent. From the moment they are born, a Uma Musume’s limits are already defined.

…And yet, at the same time—

It’s also true that this is nothing more than a tendency.

In fact, about twenty years ago, the very idea of this “blood game” was completely overturned.

A divine dragon that suddenly descended upon the racing world.
A true genius with no justification, no reliance on lineage whatsoever.

The texture of the world—its colors, its common sense—everything was rewritten.

Cruel fate. The limits of mediocrity. The absolute power of bloodlines.

All of it was painted over, replaced with something like a story… a mythical comedy.

The name of that brightest star—

Hoshino Wilm.

The strongest and greatest racing Uma Musume in history.

An undefeated Triple Crown.
Two consecutive victories at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Eighteen G1 wins, including overseas races.
Eight consecutive undefeated championships in the Dream Trophy League.

In the not-so-distant future, when fewer people remain who saw Hoshino Wilm with their own eyes, these feats may be dismissed as exaggerations—or outright lies.

But they are, quite literally, legendary records.

Even now, twenty years later, her brilliance has not faded in the slightest. Her presence is so overwhelming that it casts all other achievements into shadow.

There are even those who say this:

That she is the ultimate destination all Uma Musume should strive toward by building upon their lineage. That every step taken by every Uma Musume is merely part of the current of history leading to her.

That, too, is a cruel thought… but—

Yes, there’s truth in it. If anything, it’s close to the correct answer.

Hoshino Wilm is, without a doubt, the strongest and finest Uma Musume.

Just as her name suggests, she is like a star—an existence beyond reach.

Just as humanity one day leaves Earth behind to reach for the heavens, we, too, aim for that Uma Musume.

Even so, not every hand can reach that star.

Only a very select few can stretch their hands toward it.

Yes… only someone special—

like that girl.

Fuchu, Tracen Academy.

From the school building window, I looked down at the crowded grounds filled with people and Uma Musume.

Amid the constant movement, one trajectory stood out.

A silver glimmer streaking forward like a shooting star.

Its source was the long hair of a single front-running Uma Musume.

Though she should have simply been leading, her style was something else entirely—she ran far ahead, leaving even the pace-setters behind. A runaway style.

Five lengths. Seven lengths. Eventually more than ten lengths ahead—and still she didn’t slow down.

To some, that sight might evoke the image of a godlike Uma Musume from twenty years ago.

…In fact, I’m one of them.

No—I can’t help but think of her.

As I watched the Uma Musume racing across the turf before me, I muttered her name with complicated feelings.

“…Hoshino Roots.”

Uma Musume come to understand their own names not long after they are born.

That’s why they don’t use aliases. Even if they did, it would be meaningless.

Their names are something to be proud of—like their running itself. Barring a rare few contrarians, none would ever falsify it.

…Which means the name of the girl running faster than anyone else before my eyes is an undeniable truth.

“Hoshino”—just as that family name suggests—

She is the daughter of the legendary racing Uma Musume, Hoshino Wilm.

Hoshino Wilm, who remained with the same trainer from the beginning to the end of her active career, eventually formed a bond with him.

And now, twenty years later, her blood walks the grounds of Tracen once more.

And her ability…

This is, without question, the “blood game.”

“…She’s mesmerizing.”

Among all the Uma Musume running in the selection race, Hoshino Roots’ form stood out as exceptionally graceful.

Her body leaned forward, legs cycling, feet striking the ground, arms swinging—

Every motion in that act of running was free of waste.

It was as if a perfectly calculated movement had been programmed and was now being played back flawlessly.

There was not a single unnecessary motion in her stride.

Beautiful.

Ah, truly beautiful.

So much so that… I couldn’t help but think of that legendary Uma Musume.

The selection race rumored to feature Hoshino Wilm’s daughter had drawn an overwhelming number of spectators.

The crowd spilled beyond the grounds; I wasn’t the only one watching from the school building.

From the surrounding trainers and Uma Musume, I could hear murmurs of “amazing,” “incredible,” gasps of awe, even the sound of people instinctively stepping back.

The bloodline of a legend.

And when they witnessed her ability, it met expectations—or for those who had doubted the legend, far exceeded them.

That mix of shock and admiration rippled through the crowd and enveloped me.

“…………”

That noise…

Somehow, it left a bad taste in my mouth.

I stepped away from the window and slipped out of the group.

After all, the outcome of the race was already obvious.

Hoshino Roots would win by a landslide. No one could overturn it.

Her runaway style wouldn’t falter over a mere 1800 meters. She would blaze ahead faster than anyone, unreachable.

When the result is already known, the process doesn’t really matter.

Intermediate steps only matter to students… well, we are students, but we also live in the harsh world of athletes. That kind of thing is meaningless here.

In the end, people only value clear, visible results.

That’s why the Uma Musume running there is getting all the attention right now—

And no one is paying any attention to me.

“…Ugh. I really am awful right now.”

Letting out a sigh, I shook my head, grabbed my bag, and quickly left.

On days like this…

Maybe I’ll go fishing.

---

I was mainly raised by my father.

Ah, it’s not like my mother neglected me or anything.

She was just more focused on my younger sister.

My sister has always had a strong interest in racing and was very attached to our mother, who used to be a racing Uma Musume.

Meanwhile, I lacked any standout talent, so I ended up learning various things around the house from my father.

That said, both my parents loved me dearly.

If anything, they doted on me so much it was almost excessive. I remember my father often stopping my mother, saying, “That’s not good for them.”

They poured equal amounts of love into both of us.

I was lucky to have a father I respect and a wonderful mother.

And speaking of my father—his hobby was fishing.

Whenever he had nothing else to do, he would travel a bit, head out to the sea, and cast his line.

“I don’t have to think about anything during moments like this. It’s peaceful.”

He used to say that with a gentle smile.

I admired him, and my sister—who had a reckless admiration for him—would sometimes come along too.

It didn’t seem to suit her, but… surprisingly, it suited me quite well.

Even after enrolling at Tracen, I would occasionally take the rod I brought from home and go fishing.

When I’m holding a line, I don’t have to think about anything.

I tend to focus deeply on whatever’s in front of me, so doing something like this helps me avoid unnecessary thoughts.

When I’m feeling uneasy. When I’m irritated. Or when I feel like I might break…

If I just sit there and let the line drift, those feelings gradually fade, and my mind becomes lighter.

So that day, after school, I brought some fishing gear and headed to the nearby sea to zone out for a while—

…but unfortunately, or maybe not, I got a call from my family not long after casting my line.

Looks like I wouldn’t get to focus on fishing today.

…Well, that’s not so bad either.

“And I’m telling you, they were so annoying! I said I haven’t decided yet, but they wouldn’t listen! They kept following me around! Even if they just want to talk, my time isn’t unlimited, you know!? Honestly, do they even have manners!? I almost told them to learn from Papa!”

“Not Papa.”

“Ah—Dad! Dad, right!”

Sighing, I half-listened to the nonsense pouring through my earphones.

The caller was my younger sister… no, at this point, let’s call her my hopeless little sister.

Influenced by one of our mother’s former rivals—now her friend—she refers to herself as “boku.” But with her androgynous, sharp features, it doesn’t feel out of place.

Unlike me, who’s pretty short for my age, she’s tall and slender—what you’d call a princely type.

Honestly, if she stayed quiet, she’d easily rank among the top visually as a Uma Musume.

…If she stayed quiet.

“I thought this kind of thing would be more romantic, you know? You remember Mom and—uh, Papa—Dad’s story, right? Like that! A destined person! Though my destined person is Dad, obviously!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

My sister, who turns into a disappointing beauty the moment she opens her mouth, is incredibly airheaded, hopelessly romantic, guided entirely by instinct—and excessively attached to our father.

She’s the kind of girl who seriously says she’ll defeat Mom one day and win Dad for herself.

Even on trains and subways, she chatters away like that, and as her older sister, it gives me a headache.

Mom goes along with it and declares rivalry, Dad just laughs awkwardly and doesn’t stop her… am I the only sane one in this family?

The only reliable one is our aunt, who can keep both of them in check—but she’s from another household, so we can’t always rely on her.

“Honestly…”

“Oh? What’s wrong, En-chan? Something bothering you?”

“Nothing. Well, if anything, I just wish Saika were a bit more normal.”

“I am normal, thank you very much! Peak normality, even!”

“Yeah, right. Says who?”

En. And Saika.

Those aren’t our names as Uma Musume.

They’re the names our parents gave us as their daughters.

Most people—including our family—call us by our Uma Musume names, but…

My sister and I both cherish the names our parents gave us, so we keep calling each other by them.

“Anyway! Everyone keeps saying they want me, want me—it’s so annoying! Being popular is such a pain! Can’t they just leave me alone for a bit!? They were chasing me all the way back to the dorm! What is this, a race!?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

While half-listening to her endless complaints, I glanced at the float drifting in the sea.

Maybe the air pressure was off today—nothing was biting.

I tried adjusting it like Dad taught me, but the fish just didn’t seem interested.

Well, for me, fishing isn’t about catching anything—it’s about having a low-stimulation moment like this to clear my head…

…though the person on the other end wasn’t making that easy.

“Actually, listen! Everyone in class is avoiding me! If I don’t talk to them first, they just keep their distance—it’s like I’m some kind of hazard! I don’t need to fit in completely, but I don’t want to stand out either, you know? I just want a normal distance! What should I do!?”

“…You’re bad with outsiders, Saika. How do you even talk to them?”

“Uh… well… like, ‘What are you talking about?’ or ‘I see…’ or ‘Sounds fun,’ I guess…”

“You’re saying all that with a blank face and a cold tone, aren’t you? Try looking like you’re actually enjoying yourself.”

“Ehh… but that’s embarrassing…”

“Your usual self is way more embarrassing.”

“I’m not as good at that stuff as you are…”

“What are you even talking about?”

A deep sigh escaped me.

This girl shows her foolish side around people she’s close to, but in unfamiliar environments, she turns into a completely different person.

When she stays quiet, she’s beautiful—and even without any family bias, she has a kind of charisma.

That’s why people either see her as cold… or try to put her on a pedestal.

Honestly, she should just show more of her true self—her more “disappointing” side.

It would make it easier for her to blend in, easier for others to approach her casually.

I was about to throw another exasperated remark at my sister—who was probably squirming around on the other end of the line—

When—

Tap. Tap.

I noticed footsteps approaching.

I have good hearing.

Most Uma Musume do, but mine is especially sharp.

Apparently, my mother had good hearing too, so it’s probably hereditary. One of the few things I can take pride in.

What I picked up through that sense was the sound of someone—likely a man—walking up behind me.

I’m still a Uma Musume, so even if someone shoved me from behind, I could at least keep my footing…

But a presence sneaking up from behind is never a good sign.

“I’ll call you back.”

After telling my sister that, I turned around.

Standing there was, as expected… a man.

Probably middle-aged, he looked at me with slight surprise.

…A fishing rod in his hand, a cooler box, a folding chair, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Another fisherman, like me. Maybe I was being overly cautious.

“Hello. Fishing?”

“Yeah. Mind if I sit next to you?”

I gave a small nod.

Leaving a few meters of space, he sat down beside me, expertly baited his hook, and cast it into the sea before making small talk.

“Catching anything today?”

“Not really. It’s been slow.”

“Ah, high pressure today, huh?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Yeah… well, can’t be helped. Today’s the only day I had time.”

On high-pressure days, fish tend to move less, bite less, and stay deeper, so fishing from the shore doesn’t yield much.

The fact that he knew that confirmed it—he really was a fisherman.

Reassured, I turned my gaze back to the float—

“By the way, aren’t you going to run, Hoshino Delight?”

“Your sister’s run was quite impressive.”

…

In that instant, the worst feeling of the day hit me.

---

Horino En.

That’s the name my mother gave me.

Hoshino Delight.

That’s the name I was given as a Uma Musume.

Born to Horino Ayumu—a legendary trainer—

And Hoshino Wilm—a godlike racing Uma Musume—

Two people who twisted the history of racing in Japan and the world…

And yet, unlike my twin sister Hoshino Roots, I wasn’t blessed with talent for running.

That’s who I am.

…Honestly, this “blood game” really is cruel.

The children of weak Uma Musume are weak.
The children of strong Uma Musume are strong.

Then what does that make me?

Born to the strongest Uma Musume and the trainer who raised her…

Yet not strong.

Expected to become the next strongest in history…

Yet unable to meet those expectations, watching them all shift to my sister instead.

What am I, exactly?

“…I should have been registered at Tracen under the name ‘Will-o’-Wisp.’”

“I looked into it. The Horino family’s information lockdown is impressive—it took quite a bit of effort.”

Even my small attempt at resistance was meaningless.

The man in front of me—now that I look closer, the badge on his chest confirms it—he’s a trainer from Tracen.

He knows who I am.

That I come from a blessed lineage.

And…

“I’ve also looked into your running.

…Apparently, compared to Hoshino Roots, it’s said to be somewhat lacking.”

That I’m nothing more than someone who can’t even run properly.

“…………”

I feel sick.

It reminds me of the looks from the branch family.

So this is all you are, huh?

Those eyes—filled with disappointment and disgust.

Yeah, it’s true.

My running is far inferior to Saika’s… to Hoshino Roots’.

Even though I was born to the strongest mother and trained by the greatest father, at best I’m only G1-level.

I lack the talent needed to actually win at that level—to be called an elite racer.

Compared to her perfect, flawless running—the kind that captivates anyone who sees it—

Mine is full of waste, full of impurities…

Not just inferior.

It’s garbage.

That was the cruel truth.

“…Excuse me.”

Suppressing the nausea, I stood up.

I came here to calm myself.

There’s no reason to stay and feel miserable.

At least, that’s what I thought.

“Don’t you want to challenge it?”

That single sentence snared me, stopping my hands as I began to pack up.

“…Challenge what?”

I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

Was I looking for the usual response, trying to reassure myself?

Or… was I hoping for something else?

I didn’t even understand my own feelings as I spoke.

But his reply—

was unexpected.

“Your own limits.”

“…Not my sister?”

Most people compare me to her.

Why can’t you run like Hoshino Roots?
Why aren’t you as strong as Hoshino Roots?

Maybe it’s inevitable, being born as twins.

We’re always placed on opposite sides of a scale, compared…

And I’m always the one thrown upward—discarded.

So the fact that this trainer didn’t compare me to her—

even for a moment—

surprised me.

“Hm. As for that, if you want to challenge her, then go ahead.

I’ll support a Uma Musume as a trainer, but I won’t distort her path. Where you run is something you decide for yourself.”

…It wasn’t entirely unexpected, now that I think about it.

Because my father said the same thing.

“You don’t have to aim for your mother. You don’t have to surpass Roots. Delight has her own path—find that first.”

That’s what he told me, gently patting my head.

Maybe that’s what a “good trainer” is.

Not someone who compares, imitates, or overlays one person onto another…

But someone who faces a Uma Musume as an individual and brings her to her full potential.

I’ve heard my father was that kind of trainer during his career.

When my aunt—Aunt Ruby—came over, she would sometimes tell stories like that.

That he tailored training plans to each individual Uma Musume and presented perfect strategies.

Even Bourbon—who now belongs to the Horino stable—used to be one of his trainees, and she nodded along in agreement.

All of his former trainees say the same thing.

That he was an incredible—no, the best—trainer.

…Though I still don’t quite understand why my mother looked so uneasy whenever those stories came up.

My father achieved the greatest results in history as a trainer.

In other words, his way of being a trainer was perhaps the closest thing to “correct” in this world.

So… at the very least, when it comes to how he treats Uma Musume—

this man in front of me is probably a good trainer too.

…Well, even so—unfortunately—

A talented trainer like you is completely wasted on Hoshino Delight.

“I’m not strong.

Even though I was born to Hoshino Wilm and Horino Ayumu, I’m nothing but dregs with no talent whatsoever. A massive negative that was necessary to produce the greatest positive—Hoshino Roots.

There’s no reason a trainer like you should burden yourself with something like me.”

My gaze, fixed on the float, didn’t blur.

My dried-up tear ducts didn’t stir. My withered heart didn’t flinch.

These are words I’ve grown used to hearing, words I’ve fully accepted… words I’ve already given up on.

So instead, from my parched throat, I forced out something else.

“…That said—if you don’t mind. Could you look after her instead?

Saika… Hoshino Roots—she may be an airheaded, romance-obsessed, instinct-driven, father-obsessed handful, but even so, she’s inherited Mom’s talent perfectly. She’s a candidate to be the strongest of this generation.

And I feel like… if it’s you, you could guide her to the same world Mom once stood in.”

Saika has always been clingy—attached to the father she admires, and to me, her twin sister.

To be honest, I still feel jealous of her talent…

But even so, I could never feel any rejection toward that foolish, lovable little sister who adores me so much.

I may reject “Hoshino Roots,” the racing Uma Musume—

But I love “Horino Saika,” my family.

So… wishing for Saika’s bright future isn’t a lie.

If I recommended this man as her trainer—the one she said she hadn’t chosen yet—it would surely be for her benefit.

…Even if it means I’ll have to face the brilliance of her talent head-on.

But in response to my words—

The fisherman—no, the trainer—furrowed his brows for a moment, then crossed his arms and said:

“Hm. Hearing that just makes me more motivated.

I’ve decided—I’m absolutely going to be your trainer. In fact, including Hoshino Roots, I won’t be taking anyone else this year besides you.”

“Huh!?”

How did he reach that conclusion from what I just said?

No trainer would want to take on a talentless Uma Musume.

There’s no point. If you can’t win races, it doesn’t become a track record as a trainer.

That’s how it should be—

“Wanting someone else to have a bright future is a good thing. You’re kind—you care about others.

But if you care about someone, you also have to wish for your own shining future just as much.

It would be a lie if you didn’t have a future you could be proud of—one that rivals Hoshino Roots’.”

Or maybe…

If he’s someone like my father—

Someone who doesn’t run Uma Musume just to win races, but to fulfill their wishes—

Then maybe he really would want to support someone like me. A hopeless case.

“…Just so you know, I really don’t have talent. Don’t expect any hidden potential or anything like that.

Even my father—Horino Ayumu—personally trained me, and I still couldn’t come close to Roots. He even said, ‘You’re still not enough to win at Twinkle.’ …I made even him say something like that.”

To my father—

The man who brought countless unknown-bloodline Uma Musume, countless so-called talentless girls, to victory in G1 races—

I made him say those words of despair.

Even now, they’re lodged deep in my heart like a thorn.

“…No, wait—wasn’t that about your current stage? Like, before you’ve fully matured or something…”

The trainer muttered something under his breath, but I had already sunk back into my gloom.

Back then, Roots had already been called “someone who wouldn’t lose at Twinkle.”

Compared to her, I was far, far inferior.

And even now, that hasn’t changed.

The run I saw in the selection race—I can’t beat that.

I’d lose in pure speed, lose in stamina, get overpowered in territory clashes… and even if I tried to break her domain, it would probably be nullified by her absolute dominance.

Mom used to say—

No matter how strong a Uma Musume is locally, once she enters Central Tracen, she learns how vast the world really is—and her arrogance is corrected.

So if even I was told I “couldn’t win at Twinkle,” then my future is obvious.

As I sank into that gloom, the trainer beside me… for some reason, let out a sigh as well.

“…Well, I did think something was off. If you’re his daughter, then Horino would’ve been personally overseeing your training—there’s no way you’d end up in such a poor state.

Actually… yeah, that makes sense. You really are his daughter… you remind me of him back then. Like they say, blood will tell.

…Yeah. That’s one more reason I can’t just leave you alone.”

At those words, my shoulders twitched.

“…Do you know my father?”

As the heir to the Horino name, I’ve occasionally attended social gatherings with him—but I don’t recognize this man.

Still, he gave a wry smile and nodded.

“Yeah. We were colleagues during his active years… we’ve helped each other out before.

We still meet from time to time, and personally, I consider him a close friend.”

A former colleague… and a personal connection.

At that, an unpleasant thought crossed my mind.

“…Don’t tell me… my father asked you to look after me?”

“Hm? No, nothing like that. He wouldn’t do something like that.

If anything, the opposite. I got your name out of him, but he was extremely reluctant even then.”

…That sounds like him.

At the same time, I felt relieved.

My father is tolerant—but not soft.

His training isn’t just “hard”—it’s the kind that squeezes out every last drop of stamina you have.

But it’s all for our sake. I know he even sacrifices his sleep to plan our training.

At its core, it’s love.

Love for us—his daughters. And love for Uma Musume.

That’s exactly why he would never assign a trainer to his daughter through connections.

His philosophy is that spoiling someone does them no good…

And despite everything, he’s a romantic too—he once said, “A trainer should be someone you meet through fate.”

“Then why me?

There are over 700 Uma Musume enrolled—you could pick someone better.

Instead, you’re choosing a delinquent who skips training to go fishing, and on top of that, a talentless failure who disgraces the Hoshino name? That’s not worth it.”

I turned my face away toward the sea.

The float still didn’t move.

But the trainer beside me answered calmly, as if it didn’t matter.

“There are two reasons.

First—like I said, Horino and I helped each other out. But from my perspective, I was the one who was helped far more.

Especially… when it came to my first trainee. Horino encouraged her, and thanks to that, she was able to run to the very end without regret.

So part of this is simply my way of repaying that debt.”

His first trainee…

Something from twenty years ago—and yet, he still carries it with him.

That’s either incredible loyalty…

Or proof of how much that first trainee still means to him.

“And the second reason?”

“Well, it’s nothing that special.

It’s a promise I made to my wife… that if I ever met a Uma Musume like you—someone struggling, unable to shine—I’d make sure to help her.”

He said it with a slightly shy smile.

…Ah. I see.

Honestly, between him and my parents… is Tracen Academy some kind of matchmaking venue or something?

For a moment, a faint smile touched my lips—before fading.

I slowly shook my head.

“No matter how hard you try, I won’t be able to beat Roots. She’s truly a ‘chosen’ Uma Musume.

I’ll never stand at the top of my generation. Even if you support me with everything you have, at best I’ll be a second-rate… maybe third-rate star.”

“Yeah.”

Sensing that I still had more to say, he simply nodded.

Taking advantage of that, I poured out the feelings I had kept bottled up for so long.

“But I… I hate that.

I don’t want to lose. No—I don’t want people to see me lose.

I’m sick of being looked at with disappointment… of hearing people say I didn’t live up to expectations…”

I don’t think I have the talent to win everything.

But I don’t want to be denied by others anymore.

And beyond that—

“I’m Mom’s daughter. Hoshino Wilm’s daughter.

I can’t show an unsightly run. I won’t allow it.”

She’s precious to me. A Uma Musume who runs more beautifully than anyone.

I don’t want to tarnish her reputation—even indirectly.

And for that…

I can’t afford to lose to anyone.

…But I can’t do that.

I don’t have the talent to run like my mom once did—invincible and untouchable.

So the solution I chose… was not to run at all.

If no one expects anything from me, then no one will be disappointed either. I would lower myself into being just another bystander.

Not as a racing Uma Musume, but as a supporter—spending my days at Tracen Academy that way.

And like that… I would dump the entire burden of being the daughter of Hoshino Wilm and Horino Ayumi onto my little sister, look away from it all, and run.

That was the only option I had.

That’s the kind of Uma Musume Hoshino Delight is.

A troublesome, hopeless, good-for-nothing girl beyond saving.

“…So how exactly do you plan to train someone like me?”

For me, that question was a provocation.

If he said, “I’ll make you win,” I was ready to reply, “Don’t say things you can’t do.”

If he said, “I’ll only have you run races you can win,” I would say, “Then I wouldn’t be Hoshino Wilm’s daughter.”

If he said, “Even if you can’t win, I’ll make sure you enjoy it,” I would answer, “I don’t want to be looked at with disappointment.”

A cruel little riddle with no correct answer.

With it, I was trying to make him give up on me.

“You don’t want someone this troublesome, right? Go find someone better.”

…And yet.

Despite that, the trainer unexpectedly curled his lips into a grin.

“I tend to take in girls from modest, lesser-known bloodlines. It’s not exactly a fixation, but because of a promise I made to my wife, I don’t often take on girls from prestigious families.

So to be blunt, I had no intention of taking on a Hoshino. If anything, I tend to see them as rivals.”

“Huh? No, but I—”

As I frowned, the trainer shrugged with feigned innocence.

“‘Will-O’-Wisp.’ That’s a good name.

It seems the Horino family properly set up your identity, and even the Tracen Academy chairwoman is involved. And fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—you don’t resemble your mother very much, aside from your build.

Except for a very small number of people who know the truth, no one would connect your lineage to Hoshino Wilm.

In other words, you’re an unknown Uma Musume from a humble background who suddenly appeared. Exactly the type I specialize in.”

…What a ridiculous argument.

Sure, I was using an alias—and I hadn’t realized even that tiny chairwoman had helped—but it didn’t change the fact that I carried the Hoshino name.

But still…

“If an unknown, low-born Uma Musume with a name no one’s heard of loses, no one will be disappointed.

But every time you win, your reputation will grow. Until you keep winning, you won’t even be compared to Hoshino Roots.

Neither the Hoshino name nor Hoshino Roots will distort how people evaluate you.”

“…………”

Hoshino Delight is bound by so many ties.

The family name inherited from my mother.

The words given to me by my father.

The overwhelming talent of my twin sister.

All of them are precious—without a single lie.

They’re my beloved family, my closest companions, the people I want to stay with forever.

And yet, those bonds are both the greatest blessing… and the strongest chains.

“So I’m not going to contract with ‘Hoshino Delight.’ I’m going to contract with ‘Will-O’-Wisp.’

Not as someone tied to anyone else—but to run alongside you, as yourself.”

…

The only one who saw me not as “a member of the Horino–Hoshino family,” but simply as one Uma Musume…

Might have been this trainer.

“…If people find out it’s a fake name, it’s going to cause a lot of trouble, you know?”

“I’ll take full responsibility. I’ll say I was the one who instructed it.”

“If your goal is to win, then the name Hoshino Delight would be more useful.”

“I don’t care about honor or praise.

If you—who look like you can’t accept yourself right now—can run happily and feel satisfied, then nothing else matters.”

…He really is a good trainer.

Maybe even as good as my dad.

I don’t know about his actual skill as a trainer, but if he knew my father, then he must be experienced. Maybe I can trust him… at least a little.

If he’s willing to see me as just another Uma Musume, then maybe he won’t look at me like that…

…Ah, geez. What a sly man.

There’s not a single reason left to refuse him.

“Sigh… Well, I hope you don’t regret picking up such a stubborn, troublesome, talentless girl.”

“Not to brag, but I’ve never once regretted contracting with an Uma Musume.

Let’s work well together, Will-O’-Wisp. As for what I’ll call you… ‘Will’ sounds a bit off, so maybe ‘Wisp.’”

“Yeah, yeah… pleased to meet you too… Trainer.”

Plop.

A small splash broke the surface of the water.

For the first time in a long while… a fish had taken my bait.

That was the beginning of Hoshino Delight—

No… of Will-O’-Wisp.

Lazy, half-hearted, quick to give up, always taking the easy way out.

And yet, together with the trainer who chose me, I ended up running desperately through the next three years.

Training, training, occasional breaks and outings, then more training.

Honestly, he didn’t spoil me at all.

And, as expected… I wasn’t the strongest.

My peak came late. I had recurring leg issues. My running form faltered at times. I didn’t enter G1 races until the end of my Classic year, missing the Triple Crown entirely. And while official races were one thing, I lost plenty of the mock races my trainer arranged.

It was a far cry from smooth sailing—a completely uneven road.

I stumbled over and over again. I caused my trainer trouble. There were even moments when I nearly had to retire.

…

But along that road—

I finally won a G1 race.

It happened while Roots was overseas, challenging the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe… so it felt like I snatched the victory in her absence.

Still…

I was able to claim the prestigious Tenno Sho trophy.

As the child of my father and my mom… maybe it was a victory people expected.

Even so—

Truly.

Truly, truly… I was so happy.

At last, it felt like I had properly become their child.

And it felt like I had finally become a racing Uma Musume—one who could run alongside Roots.

…

And then… yeah.

Maybe it’s because I tasted that sense of accomplishment, even just a little.

I became greedy.

I started wanting to win more.

Winning a race is incredible.

A sense of fulfillment overflows from deep within, while countless cheers pour down over you like a shower.

Heat surges in from both sides—spilling over, overflowing, never stopping.

Ah… I’m alive.

I’m alive, I’m running, I can be proud… I can belong as part of the three of us, a family.

That thought brings me peace.

That’s why I want to win more.

To truly accept Hoshino Delight, I want an even brighter future.

And for that…

Of all the active Uma Musume I know—

I want to defeat that silver meteor, Hoshino Roots.

When I declared that impossible challenge, the trainer looked genuinely happy.

…

And then, about two months later—

I stood on the stage of our first decisive battle.

Nakayama Racecourse at year’s end. The battleground where fans gather to witness the strongest of the year.

Under the cold winter sky, I stood among the runners participating in that race.

And the one who greeted me as I stepped onto the track…

…was a single Uma Musume.

“…I’ve been waiting. I’ve been waiting for so, so long, En-chan.”

The undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume. A new page in legend. The silver meteor.

Hoshino Roots.

Completely different from the easygoing Saika I knew in everyday life, the racing Uma Musume Hoshino Roots radiated something that felt almost like killing intent—an overwhelming hostility that made me instinctively falter.

And yet, with an expression of pure ecstasy, she said—

“For the day you’d get serious, En-chan. For the day you’d look at me as an ‘enemy’… as an ‘obstacle.’

For the day you’d truly fight me as a wall to overcome—I’ve been waiting, and waiting, and waiting… for fifteen years.”

My lips were dry, my saliva thick and clinging.

Shaking it off, I forced out my voice.

Right now, I’m Saika’s… no, Roots’ rival.

So I have to face her as an equal.

“…Hah. I’m honored… to be thought of that highly.”

“Of course! I’ve always known better than anyone just how scary you can be, En-chan!”

Hoshino Delight.

The one who isn’t “Hoshino Roots”—I thought no one had ever truly valued me.

That’s what I believed…

“But I always thought the one who could defeat me—defeat Hoshino Roots—would be you, Delight.

Papa, Mom, and I all believed it. …More than a Roots who’s just strong, we placed our hopes in you—the one with that unfathomable edge.”

…Come on.

What is this—some kind of “the treasure was right under my nose” story?

The thing I wanted most… had been given to me all along, by the people closest to me.

…

To keep my emotions from spilling over, I instinctively looked up at the sky.

And Roots reached out her hand to me.

“Come on, let’s run, Delight… no, Will-O’-Wisp.

Cast aside your burdens, your attachments, your regrets, your lies—throw away everything unnecessary, and let’s simply compete to see who’s superior.

Because that… is surely why we were born.”

Ah…

Those words—

Once, I would’ve dismissed them as nothing more than nonsense.

But now… I understand them.

“────I’m going to crush you, Roots.”

“Bring it on, Delight!”

…

That was our first sisterly showdown.

The first of many, many battles we would go on to repeat—never tiring of them, always relishing them.

Perhaps it was just one part of a long, long history leading us toward the stars.

Perhaps it was nothing more than a single fragment, meant to form a beautiful constellation.

But one thing is certain.

Those shining days… were so joyful, they made me smile without even thinking.

Hoshino Delight—

I’m glad I was born into this world.

To Father, to Mother, to my trainer… and to Saika—Roots.

I’m glad I met all of you.

Now, I can truly say that from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother.

For bringing me into this world.