Chapter 33: And they all lived happy end after!

At times.

There’s that phrase, “a weakness born of falling in love,” right?

I think it contains a certain truth.

When you really break it down, “falling in love” is simply the emotion of “liking” someone.

And as Hoshino Wilm once said, that feeling of “liking” is very close to feeling “comfortable.”

That sense of “comfort,” in the end, seems to connect directly to “wanting.”

You feel at ease being with that person, having them by your side.

So you want them there—next to you.

Taken to its extreme, you want to make them yours.

That, I think, is what it means to “fall in love.”

And then—the thing someone who’s fallen for a person, or even an object, fears most is…

Being left behind. Being disliked.

And so, they become compliant toward that object of affection. They devote themselves to it.

That’s probably what people mean when they say “a weakness born of falling in love.”

I vaguely remember reading a line in a book back in my previous life: “Whoever falls in love first loses.”

In the end, falling in love really does mean exposing a weakness in a relationship.

That’s why they call it “losing,” I suppose.

“…Losing, huh.”

So, in other words—

Did I lose to Hoshino Wilm at that moment?

In the closing stages of the Takarazuka Kinen, Hoshino Wilm launched her sprint.

With a forbidden forward-leaning posture—and at a speed so absurd I’d never seen it from her before.

…But instead of screaming, I forgot how to react at all, completely captivated by the sight.

At that moment, she looked happier than anyone else.

More fulfilled than anyone else.

More serious than anyone else.

More than anyone else… she looked like an Uma Musume.

Her running stirred memories from long ago.

From right before I came to this world and chose to become a Trainer.

The first G1 race my father ever showed me, after I’d expressed interest in Uma Musume.

Everyone there was desperate—burning with passion, running as if their lives were on the line.

It was nothing like watching through an app.

Uma Musume twisting their faces in strain, throwing away all composure, shouting that they were the best.

Spectators cheering them on, raising their voices, rejoicing in their victories.

I was overwhelmed by that sheer intensity…

And in that moment—

Watching them… I felt something.

I didn’t understand what that feeling was at the time, but…

From the bottom of my heart, I thought, “I want to become a Trainer.”

…Yes.

At the beginning, it was such a pure feeling.

When did it change shape, I wonder.

I definitely chose the path of becoming a Trainer in order to become someone I could be proud of.

That much is undeniable.

…But at the same time, I should have felt something burning hot when I watched Uma Musume races.

Maybe the years passed and that heat cooled.

Or maybe I buried it deep inside myself, convincing myself it was something unbecoming of a Trainer—and forgot it.

Either way…

In that moment, Hoshino Wilm’s running dragged that long-forgotten heat back into the open.

And watching her run—more like an Uma Musume than anyone else—I finally understood what that heat was.

“I love Uma Musume races.”

And then—

“Among them all, I love Hoshino Wilm’s running the most.”

That’s what I was forced to realize.

An unbecoming, personal obsession for a Horino Trainer.

Because of that, this feeling is probably something I ought to reject…

But I can’t.

The emotion of “liking” is irreversible. It refuses to be restrained.

I want to be her Trainer. I want to support her. I want many people to see her run—to be moved by it, to acknowledge how much value she holds.

And more than anything…

I want Hoshino Wilm—the girl herself—to be happy.

That feeling simply won’t stop.

…It seems I can’t run away from her anymore.

Of course, I have no intention of running now.

If anything, I need to work harder so that she won’t run away from me.

…Still, can I really guide her properly while being tossed around by such personal emotions?

That was my biggest headache at the time.

---

A few hours after the Takarazuka Kinen—so full of turmoil and miracles—had ended, Hoshino Wilm was recognized, in both name and reality, as one of the strongest active racers.

In her winner’s interview, she praised Seiun Sky, Mejiro McQueen, and Mejiro Ryan as “the finest rivals,” saying she “hoped to have the chance to run together again”…

She took center stage for her fourth live performance, “Special Record!”…

And the day passed in a blur.

Utterly exhausted, Hoshino Wilm fell asleep the moment she got into the car.

Smiling at her unguarded, age-appropriate sleeping face, I entrusted her to Fuji Kiseki, the head of the Ritto Dorm.

With a strange sense of fulfillment—like something big was about to change, or perhaps was already changing inside me, inside her—I fell asleep in my room at the trainer dorm…

The next day, June 10.

After putting Hoshino Wilm through a detailed medical examination—

“It’s broken.”

“Huh?”

“…What?”

“No doubt about it. Her leg is cleanly fractured. We’ll have her hospitalized for now.

The Kikuka Sho is… unfortunately, going to be difficult.”

…What was that strange feeling of fulfillment from yesterday?

We were forced into an enormous, grinding standstill.

---

That June 10th was probably the hardest single day of my life so far.

First, I called Ms. Tazuna—the coordinator who handles middle management between trainers and PR—and informed her of the injury by phone. After confirming that Hoshino Wilm, now hospitalized, was relatively calm mentally, I accompanied her to her room and told her, “You’ll definitely come back.” With the injury certificate issued by the hospital in hand, I rushed back to the Tracen facility…

We announced the injury to various media outlets, triggering an overwhelming response. I bowed my head repeatedly to the administrative staff drowning in phone calls, then headed for the Ritto Dorm where Hoshino Wilm lived…

I begged Fuji Kiseki for help, had her pack essentials like clothes and towels from Hoshino Wilm’s private room, and rushed straight back to the hospital…

Relieved that Hoshino Wilm was calmer than expected, I carried the luggage into her room, spoke with her briefly as she lay in bed, and confirmed that she was facing reality properly and, at least for the moment, didn’t regret the outcome…

Sensing that continuing would only confuse us both and lead to an unproductive exchange, I concluded with, “Let’s both organize our feelings by tomorrow,” left the hospital once more, and headed to an emergency press conference…

As expected, the questions quickly turned to responsibility and verification, so I answered only with facts, suppressing my emotions, bowing again and again like a machine…

After that, I returned to the Tracen facility, processed the documents Ms. Tazuna sent over, and contacted everyone scheduled to work with Hoshino Wilm going forward to cancel and apologize…

I listed and memorized—over and over—what I needed to ask her and what I needed to tell her tomorrow…

I reviewed the past three months of race and training data at high speed, archived reflections on this incident to apply next time, and sent the completed report to the Horino family…

…By the time all of that was finished, the night had already ended.

I squinted at the light streaming in through the trainer’s office window.

“…Ah… morning already…”

…This is bad. My head isn’t working at all.

Wow… yeah… I’m a little… tired.

I thought I was the type who didn’t really feel fatigue, but—

Right now, mental exhaustion is weighing heavily on my head.

Apparently, the fact that I injured Hoshino Wilm is hitting me harder than I realized.

Which is only natural.

There’s a chance I may never see that running again.

My poor judgment might have cut off the path she wanted to walk.

…That fear clings to my mind like mud and won’t let go.

In this state, I can’t go see her.

I need to take a short nap first… reset my mental state.

I tried to crawl into bed—and only then remembered that I was in the trainer’s office.

“…Ugh.”

Right. From here to the trainer dorm is actually a fair distance…

What a pain… whatever, this will do.

With her gone, no one’s coming here anyway…

Just a little… thirty minutes… no, fifteen…

“……Re-ner.”

…Huh?

What… my head hurts…

What? No, wait… huh…?

What’s—where am I?

And why am I so cold? My joints hurt… what’s going on?

“Horino Trainer, are you all right?”

Someone’s… talking to me?

Ugh, my head’s spinning… I feel like I’m going to throw up…

But I need to answer…

“A-all right…? Yeah… all… all right… I guess.”

I can’t even speak properly…

This is bad. Pull yourself together. Don’t make them worry…

“Breathing confirmed. Poor complexion. Unfocused gaze. Low body temperature. Cognitive decline. No convulsions or alcohol odor detected.

…I infer recovery from a fainting state caused by physical exhaustion.

Initiating emergency task.”

B-breathing… huh?

While I was still confused and failing to process what that meant, the voice finished speaking and moved away.

…What was that?

Okay… so what’s going on here?

My sense of orientation isn’t working.

Where I am, who I am, what brought me here…

What was I even doing…?

“Horino Trainer, excuse me.”

“Huh?”

While I stood there in confusion—

No—water was dumped directly onto my face.

“Bwah—!?”

…Man.

This really is a streak of bad luck.

---

Fifteen minutes after being ambushed in my sleep.

After hanging my soaked jacket to drip dry, mopping up the drenched floor, and finally regaining some semblance of peace, I found myself facing the culprit.

Rich chestnut hair. A large build. Hard-to-read blue eyes. A light-blue ear ornament on her right ear.

An expressionless Spartan cyborg, as always.

Her name is Mihono Bourbon.

She’s a junior-class Uma Musume living in this world.

“Alright, Mihono Bourbon. Care to explain why you dumped a bucket of water on me?”

I questioned her while drying my wet hair with a towel.

…Honestly, I already had a pretty good idea, but I figured I’d hear it from her directly.

“Yes. I confirmed that Horino Trainer was in a fainted state and executed the emergency task ‘Wake-Up Shock.’”

“‘Wake-Up Shock’?”

“A method I frequently use to induce awakening. Since it ensures immediate consciousness, I applied for approval from my father before enrollment and had him perform it often.”

Just as I expected—but wow, that’s one hell of an alarm clock. Is she an anime character or something?

…Wait. Right. In my previous life, she literally was an app game character.

Come to think of it, even in that previous-life app, Bourbon was already hardcore about the Spartan approach by the time she met her trainer.

Judging from that absurd wake-up method… I really should’ve known. That philosophy of growing stronger through blood, sweat, and tears wasn’t something she learned from a former trainer—it was innate.

…No, that’s not the point.

"Well, I don’t really care how you wake people up. But that method isn’t appropriate to use on others without permission."

"I apologize. When I saw you lying on the floor, I judged it to be an emergency situation."

"Ah—no, sorry. You’re right. It’s my fault for collapsing like that.

…Hm? No, wait—still, was dumping water on me really the correct response…?"

It’s true—someone sprawled out on the floor does qualify as an emergency.

And honestly, the fact that she didn’t panic and instead calmly carried out what she believed to be the optimal action is commendable.

Commendable, sure—but shouldn’t you start by shaking their shoulder, or calling for help?

Jumping straight to “let’s pour water on them and wake them up” feels a little premature, doesn’t it?

…Still, for now, I should accept her intentions gratefully.

It seems she confirmed my breathing and consciousness before acting… yeah, in this case, gratitude is probably the right response.

"For now, thanks for waking me up, Mihono Bourbon. Looks like I collapsed from overworking myself."

"No. I merely observed your collapsed form through the gap in the door while passing by and executed what I deemed to be the appropriate response.

However, fainting due to physical exhaustion can sometimes result in severe injury. Please take better care of your health."

She’s expressionless as ever, but… it’s probably just that her emotions don’t show easily.

Even so, I can sense concern in her eyes right now.

She usually gives off a mechanical impression, but she really is an Uma Musume like any other—she must have a kind side, too.

Still, over the past year and a half, I’ve gotten much better at reading people’s expressions.

If this were me back when I first arrived at the academy, I never would’ve been able to gauge her feelings.

That’s something I learned thanks to Hoshino Wilm.

…

…Huh?

Hoshino Wilm?

"…Crap!!"

I’d completely forgotten the situation.

I shot up so fast I nearly knocked my chair over and frantically searched the desk for my phone—nothing.

No, wait, that familiar weight… it’s in my pocket!

I hurriedly pulled it out and checked the time… already noon.

You idiot—what fifteen minutes? I slept a solid three hours!

"Sorry, Mihono Bourbon, but I have somewhere I need to be, so I’ll excuse myself!

I’ll repay this favor properly someday!"

The Uma Musume–exclusive hospital where Hoshino Wilm is staying allows visits from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The less time she spends alone right now, the better. I need to get ready—now!

"That errand… would it be visiting Hoshino Wilm-senpai?"

"Yeah, that’s right. If I don’t hurry, I won’t make it by the start of visiting hours. So I’m sorry, but—"

"In that case, may I accompany you?"

"…? You too?"

Unable to read Mihono Bourbon’s intent, I instinctively asked back.

I’ve heard there are junior students who are ardent fans of Hoshino Wilm—could she be one of them?

For Bourbon, who’s aiming for the Triple Crown, an undefeated two-crown winner like Hoshino Wilm would certainly be an Uma Musume worth admiring…

Regardless, I can’t allow her to come along.

Right now, I don’t want to give Hoshino Wilm any unnecessary shock.

That’s what I was about to say—but before I could, she spoke first.

"In the past, I was once helped by Hoshino Wilm-senpai. Therefore, as her junior, I wish to visit her as an expression of gratitude."

Hoshino Wilm helped Mihono Bourbon?

I’ve never heard that from her, but…

Well, she’s not the type to brag about helping others, either.

Still—a junior she had a connection with, huh.

Hoshino Wilm must be shaken, at least to some degree.

If Bourbon could encourage her even a little, maybe I should bring her along…

…Mihono Bourbon can be a bit off-target sometimes, but she’s not the kind of Uma Musume who would hurt someone out of malice.

If I bring her, would it really cause harm…?

…No—either way, the timing isn’t right.

I can’t read Hoshino Wilm’s condition right now.

She might be feeling lonely, irritated, or even completely crushed.

I should avoid anything that could influence her state unnecessarily.

Even if they’re friends, bringing along Mihono Bourbon—who’s a bit naïve—could end up having a negative effect.

For now, it’s best that any visits or information come from me alone.

"…Alright. I’ll tell you where her room is.

But don’t tell any other Uma Musume, and don’t visit her yet.

Today… no, until I contact you, don’t go. Once her condition stabilizes, I’ll reach out again."

"Understood."

"Good. I appreciate how reasonable you are.

Wait a moment… here. This is my contact information. Please email me later."

The expressionless Uma Musume nodded once.

…For Hoshino Wilm, having close juniors will surely become a great asset.

Meeting many people and Uma Musume, talking with them, building relationships—

That should broaden her world and help fill it with more meaning.

While I was locking up the trainer’s office, Bourbon spoke up again.

"By the way, have you given further thought to the trainer contract?"

"…You still haven’t given up, huh. Sorry, but I have no intention of accepting."

After all, I’ve been completely captivated by Hoshino Wilm’s running.

Right now, I want to focus on her.

"…I see. That’s unfortunate."

Mihono Bourbon backed down far more easily than before…

But I didn’t have the leeway to dwell on that.

---

"Trainer!"

The moment I entered the hospital room, I was greeted by her voice.

At that tone, I almost replied, “Don’t run,” before stopping myself—far too inappropriate—and swallowing the words internally.

I closed the door and looked over to see my assigned Uma Musume, Hoshino Wilm.

Her right leg was secured to the bed, and she was resting quietly in the room.

Thankfully, the bone had broken cleanly, and surgery wasn’t necessary.

That said, to avoid further stimulation to the leg, she wasn’t even allowed to walk freely right now.

For someone who loves independent training as much as she does, it must be a terribly stifling environment…

But even she isn’t so unreasonable as to push herself in this condition.

She promised me, "Until this injury heals, I won’t do any independent training on my own."

Even so, her desire to “heal quickly and run again” was plainly visible…

…Yeah. For now, at least, she looks energetic, and that’s a relief.

Of course, some of that is probably forced cheerfulness—but it’s still far better than her being visibly down.

According to my older brother, there’s truth to the saying that “illness begins in the mind,” and acting cheerful—even if it takes effort—can be beneficial for both mental and physical health.

So I made a point of using my usual tone as I spoke to her.

"Sorry, I’m a bit late."

"Yes. I was getting tired of waiting."

…Even though she says that, I was only held up by traffic for about five minutes.

When she brightens up that much just from me stepping into the hospital room, I can’t bring myself to nitpick over something so trivial.

At first glance, her expression barely changes, but… if you look closely, it’s easy to tell.

Her eyes, usually lowered, open just a little, and the corners of her lips lift.

Then, as if she realizes it and tries to hide it, those signs hurriedly slip back behind her mask.

…But after a moment, they slowly begin to seep out again.

Once you notice it, it’s kind of adorable.

She’s certainly expressionless, with a cool, distant air about her, but…

That’s just her mask.

Most likely, it’s nothing more than a belief formed through painful experiences in early childhood—that she shouldn’t show her emotions—or a survival tactic she learned because hiding them hurt less.

She may look unemotional, but in truth, she’s quite rich in feeling.

Through many experiences, she feels many things and learns many things… an Uma Musume living at her own, honest pace.

So much so that just having her trainer visit her room is enough to make her happiness nearly spill out.

She’s really just an ordinary middle-school girl, like you’d find anywhere.

"…Um, Trainer, did you take a bath before coming?"

"Huh?"

"Somehow, the usual smell… I don’t think it’s there."

"……I-I see. Well, I did take a shower, yes."

…No, hold on.

This isn’t her being creepy or anything.

For humans, remembering someone’s scent is… well, unless they’re your lifelong partner, it’s a bit much.

But Uma Musume have extremely sharp senses of smell.

Even in my previous life, horses remembered humans by scent, so for Uma Musume, this is probably normal.

I had learned from textbooks that “Uma Musume may remember people by their scent,” but knowing it as a fact and experiencing it firsthand are two very different things.

A veteran trainer would probably brush it off without a second thought… but I couldn’t help reacting awkwardly.

Moments like this really highlight my lack of experience as a trainer.

Even though trainers are supposed to accommodate their sensibilities…

I should reflect on the fact that, even for an instant, I thought of her that way.

…That aside, why is she taking a deep breath right now?

We were just talking about scent, so this is embarrassing in its own way.

Now then, once we’ve both settled down, it’s about time to start a proper conversation.

"Hello again, Hoshino Wilm. You seem to be doing all right… how are you feeling?"

"Well… honestly, it still doesn’t really feel like I broke a bone. There’s definitely some discomfort in my leg, but there’s hardly any pain."

"Hm… I spoke with a relative who works in medicine, and apparently those are the fractures you have to watch out for. You don’t realize it’s broken and end up making it worse."

I’m really glad we went through a proper, detailed examination.

It was only because we did that the fracture was discovered, and only because of that that the damage was kept to a minimum.

If we’d thought, “It’s Hoshino Wilm, she’ll be fine,” or “She ran so smoothly, there’s no way it’s broken,” and left it at that…

I don’t even want to imagine what could have happened.

…No—worse than that is something I truly don’t want to think about.

The possibility of an accident during the race.

An Uma Musume’s body is far sturdier than a human’s.

But even that has its limits.

Their top speed exceeds seventy kilometers per hour—about the same as a regular car on the highway.

No matter how tough an Uma Musume is, if she were to fall or collide at that speed…

In the worst case, it could be life-threatening.

Really… truly, I’m so glad it didn’t come to that.

"For now, I’m just glad you’re safe.

This isn’t really something I should be saying to someone who got injured, but… thank you for coming back.

Welcome home, Hoshino Wilm."

"Yes. I’m a little late, but… I’m home, Trainer."

…Finally, after exchanging those words—

"…Haa."

All the strength drained out of me at once as I slumped into my chair.

"T-Trainer? What’s wrong… are you tired?"

"…Yeah. The work itself was fine, but… I couldn’t stop worrying about you."

Maybe because of the nightmares I’d been having lately, Hoshino Wilm had been on my mind nonstop.

Even during the Takarazuka Kinen, a bad feeling kept crawling up my spine—that she might go somewhere I couldn’t reach.

But now… sitting down and talking with her properly, confirming that she’s really back…

I feel like I can finally relax.

"I don’t really understand it myself… but only now does the relief of knowing you’ve come back really sink in."

"Come back…? Of course I did. I’m your Uma Musume, after all."

…Honestly, this girl has no idea what she puts people through.

"You know… after seeing you wobbling like that in the final corner, how could I not worry?"

"Y-you noticed…? I thought I’d hidden it."

"Of course I did. How many times do you think I’ve watched your running? …Damn it, I got carried away back then, but thinking calmly, I really should’ve skipped the winning live and taken you straight to a doctor."

"T-that wouldn’t have been right. If possible, I wanted to thank the fans."

Oh…?

Has her way of thinking changed a little?

Before, she barely paid attention to the fans.

She was so focused on not losing that she didn’t have room to care about anything unrelated to the race itself.

And now she’s saying she wanted to thank the fans…

It must mean their voices truly pushed her forward.

"How was it, Hoshino Wilm—hearing the cheers properly this time?"

"…It was incredible. I can understand why the culture of winning lives came to be."

That much, huh.

The idea that “fans’ cheers become the strength of racing Uma Musume” is a well-known saying—more folklore than proven fact.

There must have been something immense there, something I, as an ordinary human, can’t fully experience.

Either way, it’s a wonderful thing.

Expectations directed at her. Dreams. Love.

She’s finally able to truly see them now.

Alongside the relief of “I’m glad,” another thought quietly arises.

This is just the beginning.

From here on, she’ll continue to be loved—again and again.

As an extraordinary, incomparable, overwhelming, strongest Uma Musume, she’ll become a presence spoken of for generations.

…Yes. This is where it starts.

From here on, Hoshino Wilm and I have to take a fresh step forward together.

I take a quiet breath.

This might be unnecessary… but even so.

For me—for us—it’s something worth doing.

I look straight into Hoshino Wilm’s pale blue eyes and begin to speak.

"Let me say this again… please allow me to apologize.

As your trainer, for my immaturity in failing to prevent your accident.

I’m sorry, Hoshino Wilm."

"Honestly, Trainer, this again?

This time, it was my idea to begin with, so the one at fault is me—"

I stop her with a raised hand.

I don’t want another rift born from poor communication.

I need to put these feelings into words—clearly—and convey them to her.

"…But like I said back then, I want you. I want to be Hoshino Wilm’s trainer.

I want to raise you, walk alongside you, and watch your running from the closest place possible.

So please… continue to entrust yourself to me."

I bow my head.

…Because I’m the one who has to ask.

I believe I have a certain level of ability as a trainer.

But… only a certain level.

Compared to veteran trainers like the Emperor’s Cane, or a top-class elite like Kiryuin, I’m undoubtedly inferior.

To be in charge of a once-in-a-generation genius like her, I might lack both ability and talent.

Even so, I want to be her trainer.

Because I want to support that dazzling run of hers—and keep watching it, no matter how far it goes.

That’s why…!

"Trainer."

Thunk.

A surprisingly solid blow lands on the top of my head.

"Ow!"

When I look up, Hoshino Wilm’s left hand is still raised in a chopping pose.

…Uh, Hoshino Wilm?

I just asked you with the resolve of jumping off Kiyomizu’s stage here, you know?

Why are you looking at me with that annoyed—almost angry—expression?

"Seriously… why are you always so hopeless at moments like this, Trainer?"

Hoshino Wilm lets out a sigh, half irritated, half exasperated.

I’m aware I can be pretty hopeless, but…

W-was what I just said really that bad?

I put my feelings into it. I chose my words carefully—or so I thought.

"Have you forgotten, Trainer? I believe I said this.

‘If I win the Takarazuka Kinen with your training, then make me your Uma Musume.’"

"I—I remember that, of course."

That’s exactly why I asked to be your trainer… so what’s the issue?

Still visibly frustrated that we weren’t on the same wavelength, Hoshino Wilm puffs her cheeks slightly and pats the bed with a light smack.

"Which means, long before you asked me!

I was the one who asked you first!

I said, ‘I want you—the genius trainer who can lead a Classic-class runner to victory at Takarazuka—to be in charge of me!’"

The Takarazuka Kinen.

A race people said a Classic-class Uma Musume had no chance of winning—and Hoshino Wilm won it.

But I’ve always thought of that victory as her achievement.

Even knowing Seiun Sky as well as I did, I still failed to fully read her moves.

The only reason we won anyway was because Hoshino Wilm’s ability and talent were overwhelming—that’s what I believed.

…And yet now, Hoshino Wilm herself insists otherwise.

"I acknowledge you. There’s no trainer better than you anywhere in this world.

Sure, you’re bad at reading people’s emotions, and you overthink things until you spin your wheels…

But even so, bringing a troublesome Uma Musume like me this far—and even winning the Takarazuka Kinen!

That’s something only you could have done!"

With a hint of anger—but even more so, with raw, powerful emotion—she drives her words straight into me.

"You are the one and only trainer I chose.

So… that’s a line I should be the one saying first."

She takes my hand and looks at me with unwavering seriousness.

"I want you too. I want Horino Ayumu to be my trainer.

I want to be raised by you, walk alongside you, and win together with you!

So, once again… please take care of me from here on out, Trainer!"

……

That was the exchange of feelings we failed to properly make at the very beginning.

The seasons turned, and a year and a half passed since that night.

My relationship with Hoshino Wilm changed—and once again, as trainer and Uma Musume, we begin walking forward toward the next path.