Chapter 34: Ah, this is the part we did in my previous life’s seminar!

…Heh, heh, heh.

He said it.
He said it—he said it, he said it!

"…But as I told you back then too, you’re the one I want. I want to be in charge of Hoshino Wilm. I want to raise you, walk alongside you, and watch your running from the closest possible place. So please… I look forward to working with you from here on out."

That’s what he said!

That’s basically a confession already—like, ninety percent of one!

Trainer Horino totally loves me!!

…No. Okay. Honestly speaking, I know.
This probably isn’t a confession born from romantic feelings. Knowing Trainer Horino, those words were meant purely in his role as a trainer.

But still—listen, okay?

There’s no maiden alive who wouldn’t grin like an idiot after hearing the man she likes say, “I want to walk forward together with you.”
And at the same time, there’s no Uma Musume who wouldn’t be over the moon after the trainer she’s fallen for says, “I want to be the one in charge of you”!

Because I was finally acknowledged by my trainer!

…The truth is, I’d known this for a long time.
To my trainer, I hadn’t been one of a kind—at least, not until now.

To him, the Uma Musume called Hoshino Wilm was nothing more than “Uma Musume A whom I ended up being in charge of due to circumstances.”
Of course, since I was strong, he might’ve evaluated me to some extent.
He may have seen me as someone he naturally ought to devote himself to, simply because I was his assigned Uma Musume.

…But to “Trainer Horino,” I wasn’t someone with greater value than the other Uma Musume.

The only reason he prioritized me over the others was because “I was his assigned Uma Musume.”
Nothing more, nothing less.

If it had been before the Takarazuka Kinen… just imagining it makes me feel awful, but if our contract as trainer and trainee had been terminated, he would’ve parted with me without a shred of regret.
Because clinging to a former trainee wouldn’t be correct behavior for Trainer Horino.
He would’ve sealed away our shared past—the hardships we endured together—deep in his memories and moved on.
…Even if, personally, he had felt something there, he would never have wavered.

That’s how deeply his “ideal image of what a trainer should be” was carved into his very soul.

But now, the situation has changed.

He’s been captivated by me.
He came to want—no, to need—to be my trainer.
His belief in “how Trainer Horino ought to be” was surpassed by the desire to watch Hoshino Wilm run, and to support her.

What had once been his top priority fell from that position, and I took its place.

…In other words—

I’m no longer just “some random background Uma Musume” to him.
I’ve become “the one and only Uma Musume he wants to be in charge of—Hoshino Wilm.”

At the same time, this also means that a crack has finally formed in the mask he wears as a trainer.
For someone like me, who wants to grow closer to him—lover is probably too fast, but still—this is a huge accomplishment.
As long as he kept that mask on, I would forever be “out of bounds,” never even entering his awareness.

At the Takarazuka Kinen, I pushed myself far too hard, and as a result my leg ended up broken, but—

It was worth it.

I finally became, in the truest sense, “Ayumu Horino’s assigned Uma Musume.”
And more than anything, I managed to claim a piece of his heart.

I can safely say that my secret goal—“to make him fall for me”—has been achieved.

There’s no way I wouldn’t be happy about this!

…That said, I’ll suppress those feelings behind my mask for now.

Because it’s lecture time.

His problem isn’t just the mask.

Despite having so much ability, he can’t acknowledge it at all—his excessive humility.
Because of that, his perception often drifts away from reality.

If we’re going to be together for the long haul, this is another issue that needs fixing, and quickly.

"Honestly, Trainer, your self-deprecation—no, your low self-esteem—is a flaw. Do you even realize what an incredible feat you’ve accomplished? You showed a path to a struggling Uma Musume from a poor background, raised her, and guided her to four G1 victories without a single loss.

…That look on your face says, ‘You’re the one who achieved it; I merely helped. With anyone else as your trainer, you’d have won just the same,’ doesn’t it?

I’ll say it as many times as it takes: I have no one but you. Without you, I never would’ve come this far. Please start listening already.

And of course, that applies to training too, you know? Your ability to observe and measure my stamina so precisely it’s like you can see a meter—there’s no one else who—"

"Cough! Ngh—cough!"

"Ah—are you okay?!"

I’d been lecturing him nonstop when the trainer suddenly started coughing.

Oh no, no, no—did I go too far?!
I mean, yeah, I might’ve been a bit—no, a lot—too harsh.

Thinking about it calmly, a trainee Uma Musume criticizing her trainer like that is kind of… yikes.
Even if I have memories from a past life, right now I’m still a middle school girl.
Getting absolutely torn apart by a student like that… from the trainer’s point of view, that’s probably pretty rough.

I thought pushing forward would be better than backing off, but was this that infamous communication-distance bug common to introverts?!
What do I do—no, before worrying about that, I need to help the trainer who’s clearly struggling!

"S-sorry, here—please drink this."

I handed him the bottled water I’d been given that morning, which was sitting on the bedside table. He took a few sips, then gradually seemed to calm down.

"Hah… ngh…

No, sorry… ah, but let me say this—you didn’t do anything wrong.

It’s just… well… I was a little surprised, that’s all.

…Yes. I was actually happy, thinking how much more clearly you’ve started speaking your mind lately."

Hearing that, my face flushed before I could stop it.

Right… From his perspective, Hoshino Wilm was supposed to be a cool, composed, almost cold Uma Musume—a tragic training machine who never said unnecessary things.
Maybe I’ve been showing my emotions a bit too much lately. Just because it’s in front of my trainer, did I let my guard down too far?

My cool beauty—no, wait, with this physique, “beauty” might be a stretch. Maybe it’s a mismatch with my cool-cute looks?

W-what do I do?

Did my sudden personality shift put him off at all?
No, he said he was happy, so it wasn’t unpleasant… right?
But getting all passionate out of nowhere—what if he thinks I’m weird…?

"S-so… between the old me and the current me… which do you… like better?"

I said it, but if he answers, “I liked the old you better,” what then?
My heart might actually freeze solid. Like, eternal permafrost.

Feeling anxious, I looked up at the trainer’s face… and after a single nod, he answered.

"Of course, I prefer who you are now."

"Trainer…!"

"I have plenty of shortcomings myself. If we’re going to keep moving forward together, I think I can be an even better trainer if you tell me what I need to improve.

So if anything ever bothers you, don’t hold back—say it straight."

"Trainer…"

No, that’s not what I meant. Not which version of me is preferable as a trainee!

What I meant was: which Hoshino Wilm does “Horino Ayumu” like more?

…Ah, geez. The one who falls first loses, right?

And the fact that I’ve started finding this dense, hopelessly clueless side of him cute means it’s already too late for me, doesn’t it?

---

Anyway, lecturing my trainer, getting hit with an unexpected counterattack, and being exasperated by his cluelessness is all fun and games, but…

That aside, we racing Uma Musume are athletes.

After an injury, it’s not all sunshine and smiles.

"Well then, now that I’m relieved to see you’re doing relatively well, let’s talk about the future. More specifically… your return. First, let me confirm this. Do you have the intention to race again?"

"Of course. I want to heal up quickly and enjoy racing again."

"…I see."

Trainer Horino lets out a small breath.

From his expression, I could see the relief he couldn’t quite hide.

…Ah, right. From a trainer’s perspective, that would be a worry.

From my point of view, returning felt like a given, but… there are Uma Musume whose hearts break after getting injured.

Hmm. I don’t really get that way of thinking.

If you break, you fix it. If you fall behind, you catch up.

You give it everything you’ve got, and if you still can’t reach it—well, then it can’t be helped. That’s when you give up.

Thinking like that… does that make me carefree? Or is it normal to be more shaken by this sort of thing?

"Got it. Thank you. I’m glad you decided to stand back up again. I’ll support you with everything I’ve got—your rehab, and the training program after that."

"Yes. I’m counting on you."

I bow my head.

Honestly, I’m the one being supported here. The one receiving help.

Just like earlier—why does this trainer keep asking me, when he’s the one doing the supporting?

I’m the one who should be asking and relying on him, right?

…Maybe it’s that mindset of “I am allowed to be your trainer.”

I don’t really want to badmouth someone else’s household, but isn’t the Horino family a bit much? Being that stoic is honestly kind of intimidating.

That’s another thing I’d like to gradually nudge closer to “normal” as we keep working together.

…The trainer doesn’t seem to realize it, but per the wording of our promise, I’m his Uma Musume “forever.”

We’ll have all the time in the world.

"…All right, next let’s think about your return race. Personally, I’d like to set our sights on the Arima Kinen at the end of the year, but…"

The guideline the doctor gave me for returning was… early November.

Timing-wise, that means I’d barely miss the Kikuka Sho.

But… I—

"I want to run in the Kikuka Sho."

"…Hoshino Wilm."

The trainer’s face hardens.

Of course it does. What I just said is extremely unreasonable.

For racing Uma Musume, a “return guideline” refers to the point when rehab and retraining are complete—when you’re capable of racing again.

…But that only means the bare minimum: that you can race. There’s no guarantee how much of your former performance you’ll actually regain.

Normally, after returning, you enter a lower-tier race as a tune-up—to test the waters—before finally racing at full strength.

If I want to run in the Kikuka Sho, I’d have to heal and complete rehab faster than the doctor’s projection.

On top of that, I’d be going straight into the real thing without a proper tune-up race.

And the Kikuka Sho is run on a very long course with major elevation changes. Coming back after a long absence, I’d be demanding an unusually difficult race from myself.

From a trainer’s standpoint—someone whose job is to win with their charge—sending her out under such unfavorable conditions might be unacceptable.

…But I have three reasons why I want to run in the Kikuka Sho.

The first is that I’ve left a friend waiting at Kyoto Racecourse.

Nature said it a long time ago: “We’ll settle this at the Kikuka Sho.”

She’s been aiming for the Kikuka Sho all along. Enduring brutal training to handle long distances, constantly thinking about how to surpass me.

She tried to hide it from others, but… if you’re being watched that closely, you’re bound to notice.

Nature wants a decisive battle with me at the Kikuka Sho.

That’s why I absolutely have to be there.

…I can’t tell the trainer this part, though. Using my leg so recklessly for a reason that amounts to “sending salt to the enemy” would only leave a bad impression.

And the second reason is—

"Because I still haven’t fulfilled our promise."

"A promise?"

"When I won my first G1, we started that wager, remember?"

"Ah… whether you’d take the Triple Crown undefeated, or whether I’d make you enjoy racing."

"Yes, that one.

…That bet was my loss. Because the Takarazuka Kinen was incredibly fun."

The noble and graceful Mejiro McQueen-senpai.

The powerful, resolute Mejiro Ryan-senpai.

And above all, the cunning, terrifyingly strong Seiun Sky-senpai.

That race with those three reignited the fire deep in my heart.

It was the first time since coming to this world that I could truly say running with others was “fun” from the bottom of my heart.

In fact, it was the most fun I’d ever had—even counting my previous life.

Competing for speed with others.

Outmaneuvering their strategies.

Growing exhausted, hesitating, and still pushing my legs forward.

Crossing the finish line ahead of everyone else.

Repaying the stars that supported me with victory.

Sharing that victory with my trainer.

All of it was… so, so much fun.

That’s why that wager was my loss.

You could even call it a complete defeat.

"And the promise for when I lost was ‘to go and enjoy racing.’

The final race of an undefeated Triple Crown—the Kikuka Sho.

…Don’t you think there’s no better stage than that for me to truly enjoy myself?"

When I said that, the trainer—

"…So, in the end, you just want to run, right?"

He went straight for the sore spot.

…Yeah. That’s true.

No matter how much I dress it up with logic, there’s no putting a lid on the heat bubbling up inside me.
That’s the third—and biggest—reason I want to run in the Kikuka Sho.

I want to enjoy another perfect race.

And if it’s with Nature, I’m sure I can.

Of course, it’s not a lie that there are important promises involved, but…
It seems I want to race less for someone else’s sake, and more in obedience to my own inner impulse.

And now that he’s seen through me, there’s no point hiding it anymore.
Besides, the trainer is sharp in moments like this—I probably couldn’t hide it even if I tried.

"Yes. I want to run.

If I miss this chance, I’ll never be able to run in the Kikuka Sho again."

When I said that, the trainer closed his eyes for a moment in thought, then nodded.

"All right. Let’s try our best for now.

…But if it really seems too difficult, I’ll put a stop to it. You’ll listen when that happens, right?"

"Of course. I’ll do my best."

"No, I’m telling you not to overdo it…"

"I’ll do my best."

"…Did I mess up another judgment call?"

And with that, my entry into the Kikuka Sho was decided.

No matter what it takes, I have to heal this injury and make it to Kyoto Racecourse in the fall…!

---

"…Now then, you seem surprisingly calm.

In that case… let’s talk about what comes after the Kikuka Sho."

After spending some time chatting idly to cool our heads, the trainer brought it up.

My next race had been set as the Kikuka Sho, but that didn’t mean it would be my last run.
Of course, my Twinkle Series would continue, and since I couldn’t train right now anyway, the idea was to decide as many future plans as possible in advance.

The trainer pulled a notebook from his pocket and, flipping through the pages, spoke again.

"Whether you can actually run in the Kikuka Sho is still uncertain… but for now, let’s proceed under the assumption that you can.

This year’s Kikuka Sho is on October 27. The races you could enter after that would be…

…I’ll ask just in case—are there any G2 races you want to run? If not, we’ll focus mainly on the autumn G1 races."

"Since we have the chance, I’d prefer to run G1 races if possible.

That way I can race against stronger Uma Musume, and it boosts your prestige too, Trainer—killing two birds with one stone, right?"

Honestly, I don’t really see the point of running G2 races.
Sure, if strong Uma Musume are entering, that’s fine—but if I have the choice, running in a field packed with strong competitors is far more fun.

Especially for someone like Nature, who can’t reach her peak unless there are powerful Uma Musume around her.

In that sense, you could say the quality of a race is directly tied to how fun it is.

And on top of that, big races draw huge crowds—lots of fans come to watch, and they buy merchandise too.
It’s a bit mercenary, so I won’t say it out loud, but that’s not two birds with one stone—it’s more like four.

You could almost say G1 races are the only ones worth winning.

"…Yeah, that figures. With your current popularity, you’re unlikely to be turned away, and there’s probably no need for step races either.

There are still things to consider—back-to-back entries, tune-up races, and so on… but we’ll decide that after seeing how the Kikuka Sho goes."

There are all kinds of Uma Musume.
Some can hit peak condition without tune-up races.
Some lose form the more they race.
And some actually improve the more they run.

I was in consistently top form from the Yayoi Sho through the Takarazuka Kinen, so I probably don’t need to worry about losing condition from consecutive races, but…

What about racing after a long break?

I’ve never stopped running for three whole months before, so honestly, I don’t know.

In a way, the Kikuka Sho might end up being a litmus test for my nature as a racer.

"Kikuka Sho aside, the G1 races you could run within this year, considering your aptitudes, would be these."

As he said that, the trainer wrote several names into his notebook.

• Queen Elizabeth II Cup — November 10
• Japan Cup — November 24
• Arima Kinen — December 22

"Japan Cup and Arima Kinen!"

I couldn’t help blurting it out.

I mean—of course I would react.

In my previous life, those races were massive events in the Uma Musume anime.

Season one’s Japan Cup, where Spe-chan defeated Broye-chan and proved Japan’s strength.
Season two’s Arima Kinen, where Teio returned from injury and beat Biwa Hayahide, showing everyone a miracle.

Both of those are hype-defining events to me.

…I’m living in this world as Hoshino Wilm now, but that doesn’t mean I’ve cleanly severed ties with my “past-life self.”

If anything, “I” am Hoshino Wilm, and Hoshino Wilm is “me.” There’s no need to draw a hard line between them.

Lately, my sense of self has leaned almost entirely toward Hoshino Wilm, but…
That doesn’t make my past-life experiences a lie.

Naturally, the impression those two monumental races left on me hasn’t faded either.

"It’s rare to see you react to race names like that."

"Yes… as an Uma Musume, I think these two are simply impossible to pass up."

"…Even though you weren’t interested in the Triple Crown or the Takarazuka Kinen?"

Murmuring, “There really are Uma Musume like that,” Trainer Horino jotted something down in his notebook.

Hmm… it might be a rare case, but I don’t think it’s impossible. Probably.

Both the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen are prestigious enough on their own.

…Well, if you’re suited for those distances, most people would aim for the Triple Crown.
And if you’re running the Arima Kinen anyway, it’s normal to want the Takarazuka too and go for a full Grand Prix sweep.

The Triple Crown, though…
In the anime, it wasn’t really front and center.

Of course, for Hoshino Wilm living in this world, the Classic Triple Crown is a huge deal.
I’ve already taken two of them, and it’s not like I feel nothing about the remaining Kikuka Sho.

…Still, the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen are just a little different.

After all, they combine both a dream I’ve held since my previous life and the excitement I feel in this one.

On top of that, the Japan Cup is the only race where you can face overseas Uma Musume and run alongside an absurdly luxurious lineup.

Since we have the chance, it really feels like a race you’d want to enter and enjoy to the fullest.

---

The Japan Cup is a race of extremely high prestige, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Eight Great Races.

Globally, it boasts popularity that even surpasses the Arima Kinen, and it’s a major event where winners of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe—the race that decides the strongest turf runner in the world—sometimes come charging in.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete against overseas Uma Musume you would normally never get to race.

I don’t have personal experience, so I can’t say much myself, but according to Meek-senpai, who once placed in the Japan Cup, that race is different from the norm.

She described it as, “It’s, like… really bold—BOOM, BAM, just crashing through like that.”

Apparently, rough play and even team tactics are tolerated overseas, so compared to Japanese Uma Musume, they race in a much more aggressive, power-focused style.

I’d really love to run together with them. It sounds genuinely exciting.

"URA has expressed a strong desire for you to run in the Japan Cup.

It’s been three years since Special Week narrowly defeated Montjeu and the others in the Japan Cup, and since then, Japanese runners have suffered two consecutive losses.

They likely want to show Japan’s true strength again."

"Montjeu…?"

Not Broye-chan?

"Oh? You don’t know her? She was a French Uma Musume who ran in the Japan Cup three years ago. Even on unfamiliar ground, she more than held her own against Special Week, with a magnificent finishing kick befitting an Arc winner."

…That’s not Broye-chan?

Um… wait. Does that mean Spe-chan ran in the Japan Cup two years in a row and beat an Arc winner both times?

If that’s true, she’s absurdly strong… well, it is Spe-chan, so I guess that kind of thing isn’t impossible…?

Or maybe, in this world, someone other than Broye-chan won the Arc and ran in the Japan Cup…?

Still, I can’t imagine many Uma Musume capable of beating Broye-chan—she couldn’t even defeat El-chan…

"That said, Montjeu advanced to the local Dream Trophy League afterward, and this year there haven’t been any particularly standout foreign contenders so far. Last year’s Arc winner also moved on to the Dream Trophy League, so among the Uma Musume looking toward this year’s Japan Cup, there aren’t any truly eye-catching prospects. If I had to name a few, perhaps Tender from England, or Noble Singer from France—both considered strong candidates for this year’s Arc."

"…You’ve already researched that much?"

"No, just what I looked into during my free time. I keep a rough eye on races scheduled within the year.

…Of course, predictions become unreliable the farther out the race is. I wouldn’t say any of this is certain."

But the Japan Cup is still more than five months away.

Five months ago from now was New Year’s—back when I hadn’t even met Teio yet.

The Teio I beat by a huge margin back then is now closing in on me, down to a nose.

In five months, an Uma Musume’s results and abilities can completely flip.

So of course nothing’s certain. At this point, doesn’t the investigation itself feel questionable?

And yet, researching foreign Uma Musume for a race that isn’t even confirmed yet… that’s taking dedication a bit too far.

Trainer often calls me a “training junkie,” but if that’s the case, then he’s clearly a “trainer junkie” himself.

…Could it be that we’re actually well matched?

Hehe… if that’s true, I’d be happy.

"Oh, and Mejiro McQueen is scheduled to run in the Japan Cup as well."

"McQueen-senpai!?"

"Calm down. I understand your excitement, but don’t move around too much. This year’s planned schedule for Mejiro McQueen should be the G2 Kyoto Daishoten, G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), G1 Japan Cup, and G1 Arima Kinen. Unless something happens, she’ll likely show up."

I’ll get to run in the same race as McQueen-senpai again.

And on a stage filled with elite runners from other countries.

Oh… that sounds amazing. I’m really looking forward to it!

And after clashing in the Japan Cup, we can fight again one month later in the Arima Kinen.

What is this, a clearance sale on excitement?

There’s no way I’m not going to the Japan Cup!

"…If you run in the Japan Cup, the Queen Elizabeth Cup will likely be difficult. Are you fine with skipping that one?"

"Yes. Let’s go win it—Japan’s number one!"

"Well, winning the Japan Cup doesn’t necessarily make you Japan’s best… but I suppose it’s better to dream big. Let’s proceed with that plan."

---

One of the Eight Great Races, the final decisive battle to determine this year’s strongest—the Arima Kinen.

It’s the final G1 of the year, held at year’s end, over a slightly awkward long distance of 2,500 meters.

Alongside the Takarazuka Kinen—which I won—it’s known as one of the “Two Grand Prix.”

Legendary Shinzan, Inari One-san—still active in the Dream Trophy League—and Grass-chan, who even outkicked Spe-chan to claim victory, all won both races and are apparently called “Grand Prix Uma Musume.”

Like the Takarazuka Kinen, these races differ from others in that entry is decided purely by fan popularity votes, without regard for strength, prestige, or even potential fanbase size.

As a result, popular Uma Musume with relatively modest win rates sometimes make it in…

But this is the Arima Kinen—the year-end showdown to decide the strongest.

As a finale to the year, many powerful Uma Musume hope to run in it.

That’s why it often becomes one of the highest-level races among the Twinkle Series G1s.

"URA would also like you to participate in this one. Given how much attention you’ve drawn this year, it would feel anticlimactic without you."

"Besides McQueen-senpai, which Uma Musume are expected to run?"

Trainer flipped through his planner for a moment before answering.

"The notable planned entries are… Mejiro Ryan, Daitaku Helios, Twin Turbo, Nice Nature, and—if things line up—the Tokai Teio camp has also expressed interest in entering."

"I want to race. Absolutely!"

"…I figured as much. Understood."

Trainer smiled wryly as he jotted it down in his planner.

I mean, of course I want to race. What is this, a dream lineup?

Sky-senpai might not be there, but the two Mejiro girls I battled at the Takarazuka Kinen will be.

There’s also Daitaku Helios-senpai, who’s rumored to completely wreck races with an outrageous runaway lead.

Then add Nature and Teio—and my mentor, plus my entire generation, all lining up together.

There’s no way I don’t enter this race! It’s guaranteed to be insanely fun!

I was letting my heart dance at the thought of such a bright, exciting future, but…

On the other hand, Trainer seemed to sink into thought, his expression growing slightly troubled.

"There are some… mildly unsettling rumors surrounding this. Though, for you, they might be good news."

"Rumors?"

"…No, sorry. It’s not something I should talk about yet. There’s no confirmation, and even I find it hard to believe. If things become clearer as the race approaches, I might bring it up again."

That’s a little unusual.

This man normally never skips fact-checking, and he never speaks about information that isn’t confirmed.

The fact that he let something slip like that makes me think he’s really exhausted right now.

…Nine times out of ten—no, almost certainly—that’s my fault.

I’m really sorry. I’ve caused you so much trouble.

I’ll recover as quickly as I can, so please continue to take care of me.

---

After that, we talked for several more hours…

And once Trainer finally left—

"Th-th-this… wh-what am I supposed to do…?"

Left behind in my hospital room was a plastic bottle that Trainer had already taken a sip from.

What am I supposed to do with this dangerous object?

Should I call him now and ask him to come back for it?

No, that would be a bother.

He said he’d come again tomorrow—should I message him and keep it until then?

No, no, making someone drink water they touched yesterday feels wrong too.

Alright. The correct answer is clearly to dispose of it discreetly.

It’s not like I’m indulging in my desires or anything—this is just the sensible choice.

I mean, absolutely not, no way, I’m definitely not expecting anything like an indirect kiss or whatever!

…Anyway, the problem is how to deal with it.

He barely drank any. Throwing it away would be wasteful, right?

Wouldn’t it be fine to just drink it normally, without worrying about it?

I mean, it was given to me to drink. Ignoring the hospital’s “please stay hydrated” intentions feels wrong too.

And besides, this is the age of eco-consciousness, right? Wasting precious resources is unthinkable, isn’t it?

…Yes. No matter how I look at it, there’s only one answer.

If it comes to this, I have no choice but to drink it!

Even if that means it counts as an indirect kiss with Trainer, all I did was drink water so it wouldn’t go to waste—purely an accident!

Seiza… is impossible. My legs are immobilized.

Alright, at least a deep breath.

"Haaa… hooo. Okay. Here I go…"

I steeled my resolve and reached for the bottle…

But then—

"N-no… that’s impossible…!?"

M-my hand… it’s shaking…!?

That can’t be… me? I’m shaking?

…Hoshino Wilm is nervous…!?

I’m an undefeated double-crown Uma Musume.

I’ve won four G1 races so far—the Hopeful Stakes, the Satsuki Sho, the Japan Derby, and the Takarazuka Kinen.

And not once did I feel nervous.

Well, if you count “being cold” as nervous, then I was terrified every time—but at the very least, my hands never shook.

And yet that same Hoshino Wilm… is trembling now. Completely intimidated.

By this completely ordinary plastic bottle!?

The sloshing sound of the water inside—sloshlosh—felt like it was mocking me.

Like it was saying, What, you’re scared of an indirect kiss? LOL. What a kid.

"…!! D-don’t mock me! I can handle this…!!"

There’s no way I’m losing to something this trivial…!

Anyone who can’t overcome their own embarrassment has no chance of winning at love.

I… I will!

With Trainer… well, that thing—whatever—something good will happen!

I can’t afford to hesitate here!!

I made up my mind, leaving no room for retreat.

I pinned my trembling hand down with the other…

Slowly brought the bottle closer to my lips…

"Hoshino Wilm-saaan. It’s time for dinner."

"WAAAH—!!"

In the end, I completely soaked my hospital gown and one of the bedsheets, and ended up bowing over and over in apology to the nurse.

sigh… I’m done with indirect kisses forever…