Chapter 6: Everything is going to feel cold.

My debut race as Hoshino Wilm is over.

The result was first place. You could say I won without any major issues.

With this, I’ve officially earned the right to enter races in the Twinkle Series.

"Suuh… haa… suuh… haa…"

I slip away from the turf and out of the crowd’s sight, trying to steady my breath, which is still ragged.

Ugh, this is rough. Every time I finish a race, it’s always like this. The exhaustion hits hard, and I even feel a slight dizziness.

In the end, I ended up like this again.

Whenever I run a race, I feel this strange sensation—"cold."

Once that chill shoots down my spine, that’s the end of it. No matter the situation or the opponent, I go all-out, slipping into a kind of runaway mode.

Even when my trainer tells me to hold back, the feeling of “I absolutely can’t lose” surges up, and I ignore the order…

Everything I’ve learned—my experience, knowledge, abilities, and techniques—I unleash all of it in a big, wasteful display, running in a way that ensures “I will not lose.”

That’s what produced today’s result: a blowout victory by a wide margin.

…My trainer told me, "Don’t go all out in your debut, or you’ll give away all your tricks." I’m really, really sorry.

It seems I still can’t control that sensation. Just like always, I’ll have to use it as best as I can.

How I should explain this to my trainer… yeah, that’s going to be tough.

…If he asks, I’ll answer. That’s good enough, right? Yeah.

More than half a year has passed since the day I signed my contract with Trainer Horino.

Since it was training nonstop, it feels like it went by quickly. But thinking of it as half a year—a full half of a year—it really has been a long relationship.

And well, if you spend that much time with someone, you learn a lot of things.

To put it plainly, Trainer Horino is a total cheat character.

He’s an endlessly straightforward good person, always thinking about us Uma Musume—especially me, the one he’s in charge of.

I don’t know the reason, but he hides that goodness behind a mask… though his true self slips out pretty easily.

He thinks he’s doing a good job hiding it, but honestly, I’m pretty sure most of the people and Uma Musume around him already know. I mean, I know for a fact that some Uma Musume even talk about how that side of him is kind of cute.

And then there’s his insane observational skills. He notices levels of fatigue I haven’t even felt yet, and when I report fatigue I think is serious, he’ll say, “You can still go.”
And so far, he hasn’t been wrong even once.

For someone like me, who came to the Central Academy to become faster, Trainer Horino is the best partner I could ask for.

Having someone who can completely manage my fatigue and condition feels surprisingly good.

All I need to do is follow everything he says in training, and I get stronger. Not having to think about when to stop or how to adjust my condition myself—it’s honestly such a relief.

…Well, that said, I still do extra personal training on top of it. It’s practically a habit at this point.

Outside of training, things like my starting technique or how I take corners—those things wouldn’t have become what they are now if not for him.

Even in today’s race, I had a great start, and I’ve gotten much better at resisting centrifugal force so I don’t lose too much speed in the curves.

Being able to feel myself getting stronger is a great thing. Thinking that it’ll make it easier to win the next race naturally boosts my motivation for training. And then, of course, I secretly slip in some extra training too.

Also, this is important—the chance to run joint sessions and mock races with other Uma Musume my age wouldn’t have been possible without him.

There are things you can only grasp in a real-race format, and I’m grateful for that. …Even if I’m basically running far ahead by myself most of the time.

And today, our rookie duo carved our first victory into the record.

Our first meeting was… well… that, but in the end, everything is going smoothly.

You could even say our two-person team is heading toward success.

Actually, maybe we’re already a great duo? Or—no, calling us the best tag-team might be a little too much?

"Phew…… Okay."

My breathing finally settles.

I won.

My first win.

I can’t afford to lose. Well, I did lose in the mock race… but that’s exactly why I absolutely can’t lose from here on out.

There were seven runners in this race. Out of them, I was the first to dash across the finish line—I won.

Let’s keep winning like this.

Hoshino Wilm can’t afford to lose.

"Hoshino Wilm."

A voice calls out to me from afar as I walk down the underground paddock tunnel.

His natural speaking voice is a little higher, but he’s deliberately lowering it… it’s the familiar voice of the man who guided me this far.

The person waiting at the end of the tunnel is wearing his usual suit, arms crossed, scowling as always.

"Trainer."

"Don’t run. Take it slow."

Oh—was I running? Maybe I’m more excited about winning my first official race than I thought.

Or maybe I got swept up in that massive roar of the crowd. I didn’t think they’d cheer that loudly for a debut race. It really surprised me.

…Alright, calm down. I’ll walk. It’s not like the trainer is going to run away.

Come to think of it… I muse while walking.

Uma Musume have good hearing. Since I used to be human before reincarnating, I can tell the difference, but compared to humans, we can pick up even the tiniest sounds.

That’s why, even within that thunderous cheering, I still heard it.

"Silence Suzuka."

Someone in that crowd undeniably called out Suzuka-san’s name.

It’s true that I ran in a style similar to hers—breaking away early and accelerating at the end.

I doubt I ran anywhere near as strongly as she did, but I guess it was enough to remind someone of her.

But that’s not the real point.

The fact someone in the audience knew Suzuka-san’s name means…

That she really does exist in this world.

Which means my fluffy dorm roommate, Happy Meek-senpai, wasn’t some substitute character for Suzuka-san after all.

When I realized that, the feeling that washed over me was… relief.

I mean, like… I really like Meek-senpai.

It’s nice knowing she’s not some convenient character created by an author whose face and name I don’t even know, but a real, living Uma Musume with her own blood and warmth.

…If only Trainer Horino were like that too.

He’s almost certainly a replacement for Okino T… sigh.

Thinking someone you’ve come to genuinely like is just a “character” feels kinda unpleasant.

But this also makes something else unclear again.

Does that mean I wasn’t a replacement for Spe-chan? Or is there something wrong with the assumption that everything works by replacements in the first place?

Well, maybe not the first one, but the second one definitely seems likely.

While I stew over it beneath my own internal mask, I notice I’ve already walked right up to the trainer.

He gives a single nod, clears his throat with an unbelievably awkward “ahem,” and speaks.

"…Mm. Welcome back, Hoshino Wilm."

"Welcome back… sir?"

"Yes. Trainer Horino always says this to a Uma Musume who completes an official race safely.
…You didn’t cause an accident and ran the whole race. Good job."

Ugh—this.

Being looked straight in the eye like that, with such a clear, sincere expression… it’s embarrassing.

I mean, I disobeyed his order not to go all-out. I thought he’d scold me…

Is he not angry? He got furious like a demon when I overtrained and caused inflammation before.

"You worked really hard. Amazing. Very good. …No, is just saying it too light for proper reward and punishment?"

…Hmm. How do I put this. For someone who wears a “mask,” you sure reveal your true personality super easily, Trainer. Are you sure that’s okay?

I don’t think a stern male trainer would say “very good.” And I also don’t think he’d mutter his inner worries out loud like that.

When it comes to mask-wearing skills, I’m a bit better. Behold—my superiority.

…Well, aside from that, I can’t think of a single thing I can beat him in. He’s absurdly virtuous, capable, and handsome.

While I’m inwardly smirking with petty satisfaction, the trainer tilts his head, thinking.

After a few seconds, he suddenly stops. Looks like he came up with something. Wearing an oddly confident expression, he nods once and turns toward me.

"Hoshino Wilm. For working so hard, you deserve a reward. If you have any requests, I’ll listen."

"A request… sir?"

"Yes, anything is fine. If you want, you could take a few full days off—though you probably wouldn’t want that.
Then, although it carries some risk, we could instead spend a few days doing intensive training.
Of course, we could also go somewhere far away, or you could have sweets if you want them.
If it’s something I can grant, I’ll manage it somehow. Speak."

Anything as a reward, huh…

I don’t actually want anything. If I had to pick, it would be victory and training, but those are things you win for yourself or impose on yourself—not something you receive as a reward.

Nothing else really comes to mind.

…Oh, wait. There is one thing.

But… asking for that… hmm. I don’t know.

There is, technically, something I want. Or rather—something I want him to do.

Ever since I reincarnated as Hoshino Wilm, I’ve developed this inexplicable fondness for it.

But… it’s kind of creepy for a girl to ask a man for it directly.

Honestly, I pride myself on getting along pretty well with Trainer Horino.

We’ve practically lived together for six whole months. At this point, we’re beyond friends—maybe even best friends. No, calling us family wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

…But how he sees me is another matter entirely. There’s a very real possibility he only views me as his assigned Uma Musume.

If that’s the case, making this request would drop me straight into the danger zone. Worst case, he’d be creeped out, pull away, and cancel our contract.

I should wait until we’re a little closer… yes. Let’s do that.

This is definitely not fear, nor doubt in our mutual trust. It is a highly logical decision derived through rational analysis, and I would like that clearly understood.

"Hoshino Wilm?"

"…No, it’s nothing. At the moment, I don’t have any particular requests. If possible, may I hold onto the option and leave it pending?"

"Ah, that’s fine. Today, after the Winning Live in an hour, we’re going straight back to the hotel. You can sleep on it and decide later."

…Oh. Right. I completely forgot.

There’s a Winning Live.

Uma Musume are, by default, beautiful.

Which one someone likes best varies by person—that’s already a matter of religion.

Some people love Suzuka-san. Others adore Spe-chan. Some are drawn to Scarlet-chan’s fiery competitiveness, some admire Vodka-chan’s coolness, some love Teio-chan’s childlike charm, some admire McQueen-chan’s dignity, and others enjoy Gold Ship’s sheer unpredictability.

Different preferences. All valid. All good.

Hoshino Wilm, a haiku of the heart.

That said, these are just differences in type. They’re all high on the attractiveness scale.

And it’s not because Uma Musume spend extra effort improving their looks. If anything, most of them cut corners to make more time for training.

Despite that, there are only beautiful girls. It’s probably just a trait of our biology.

When I reincarnated, I realized how incredible an Uma Musume’s body is.

Face shape, features, hair texture—they all naturally settle into place without any effort. Acne and split ends are rare, and unless you truly overeat, you don’t really gain weight.

Moments like that remind me that I resemble humans but am definitely not one.

As for me, a fellow Uma Musume… well, yes. It’s embarrassing to say, but I’m definitely a cool-type beauty. My voice is high and clear—pleasant to listen to, I think.

The only problem is my, well… childlike body.

My height stopped dead at 145 centimeters and never grew again. And my chest is essentially nonexistent.

I thought maybe once my full-scale training started I’d grow or fill out a bit, but that never happened. It feels like I just hit an unbreakable ceiling.

I mean, I got isekai’d—so I kind of wanted to experience being on the “has” side for once… but I guess that was a distant dream.

Still, even if my body type makes it hard to be seen as a woman, I’m undeniably an Uma Musume beauty.

Same goes for the other six girls who ran in the race today—every one of them is gorgeous.

Races between Uma Musume naturally become battles among high-level beauties.

And when you host such races, you inevitably attract people who look for idol-like charm or personal narrative.

…In other words, there’s demand for it.

Which is why racing Uma Musume have one more job besides competing.

That is the post-race Winning Live.

The girl who takes first place becomes the center and sings and dances on stage. It’s basically an idol concert.

It’s a way of giving back to the fans who always support us—a form of fanservice.

Though honestly, even if it’s for fanservice, I can’t help thinking: why are athletes practicing singing and dancing for dozens of hours…?

But with such a massive lineup of pretty girls, it’s not hard to understand why people want them to be idols. If my past self had seen this, I’d absolutely have been on Team Winning Live Support.

And apparently the merch sales are insane. If I were the type who prioritized fans or money over winning, I might see the live performances differently.

And in this official race—one where you’re required to do the Winning Live—I took first place.

"""I believe, to the far end of our dreams—!"""

Yes, I danced properly in the center.
To be honest, it was embarrassingly stupid, but I shoved all those feelings down under my mask.
Big bright smile! Yay!

I struck the final pose and held it for a moment. Thank goodness for the core strength of a Horse Girl’s body—my previous life’s body definitely would’ve slipped.

A huge roar—"Wooooooo!" The cheers were honestly about as loud as they get during a race. I can see why the Winning Live is emphasized so much.

Once the flashes from the press calmed down to a reasonable level, I broke the pose, lined up with the other Horse Girls, and—

"Thank you very much!"

We all bowed together.

With that, the group performance came to an end. After this, the girls standing on the far ends leave the stage first.

Since I took first place, I’m supposed to give a brief personal send-off at the end and then exit… but…

Ugh, the number of sparkly-eyed stares is insane. They’re all expecting some kind of impressive final appeal.

I had planned to just smile and wave casually before heading out, but… with this much expectation, that would feel underwhelming.

Hmm. What should I do? Leaving things anticlimactic would be rude to the girls who danced beside me.

Maybe I should wrap things up with something that feels like an extension of the performance.

Tap-tap-tap-tap—light, dance-like steps in place.
A quick spin.
One hand on my hip, the other raised straight up with a pointed index finger, and I give an intentionally sly grin.

A brief moment of silence.

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

The loudest cheer of the entire day hit me.

Good. At least I fulfilled my role.

"Good work out there, Hoshino Wilm."

"Thank you."

I took the towel the Trainer handed me and headed toward the waiting room, which doubled as our changing area.

For G2 and lower races, you run in gym clothes, but for the Winning Live you wear that special light, fluttery outfit. Personally, I really like it… but right now, the sweat sticking to my skin is torture.

Even for a Horse Girl, singing and dancing take more stamina than people think, and you sweat a ton.

Leaving the Trainer behind, I stepped into the waiting room, peeled off the costume, and wiped myself down with the towel.

…Oh, there’s a cooling towel tucked inside. My Trainer is such a thoughtful adult. I love you, man…

While I enjoyed the refreshing chill, his voice came from outside.

"So? How was your first Winning Live?"

He always jumps into topics so suddenly. I’m used to it by now.

"Let’s see… personally, I think I managed to show the results of our practice. How was I from your perspective?"

"Your dancing and singing both exceeded the minimum standard by a wide margin, so rest easy. And… to be honest, you surprised me a little. I’d heard from the choreographer, but I didn’t expect you to deliver such expressive facial expressions."

Ehehe. I feel a tiny bit smug for surprising my competent Trainer.

Honestly, I think I’m good at making expressions. Once you get used to it, it isn’t that hard.

You just recall a small fragment of an emotion you’ve felt before, let it swell in your chest, and a natural expression forms.
Then you plaster that onto the mask you normally wear, and from the outside it looks like a real emotion.

A little lifehack from my previous life—I never expected it to be useful here.

"…If anything, I’d prefer if you showed that level of emotion all the time."

"Because it makes it easier for you to maintain my motivation?"

"It makes it easier for me to stay close to your heart."

…Man, this Trainer really says stuff like that with a straight face.

It’s only because he’s my Trainer that I don’t misunderstand him. With that neat face of his, he shouldn’t say things like that to girls—or someone will take it the wrong way and cling to him.

I pressed the towel to my cheek. Haaah, hot.

"…Those were expressions I constructed. The real me is this."

A lie. The real me is this mess inside.

Well, it’s not like I’ll ever reveal my true nature to my Trainer, so it won’t count as a lie if he never finds out.

I’m a reincarnator—the only odd one out in this world. It isn’t hard to imagine how freaked out people would be if they learned the truth.

I won’t make that mistake. This mask exists specifically to avoid even the slightest chance of exposure.

"I see. Then stay as you are. I don’t want to misunderstand you."

…Sorry, Horino Trainer.

But in a way, that’s also real. The “Hoshino Willm” who isn’t “me as a reincarnator” is probably that kind of girl.

Alright—track jacket on, quick check of every part of my body. No issues.

I open the door and speak to the Trainer waiting outside.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go."

Using the usual tone of Hoshino Willm, I said that.

The sun had already set, and the city was sinking into darkness.

Inside the car heading back to the hotel, I found myself absently watching the streetlights slide past the window.

Both my trainer and I… well, maybe he’s a naturally talkative person, but at least when we’re both wearing our masks, neither of us speaks much.

Aside from discussing training schedules, future plans, or, on rare occasions, playing word chain, we spend most of the ride in silence.

But I don’t dislike this time.

I’m usually thinking about training or upcoming races.

He’s probably thinking about how to help me grow from here, or which races to enter next.

These quiet, reflective moments make me feel like he and I are aiming for the same place—and that’s not something you get often. It feels like a small kind of happiness.

…Haha. Feeling happy that someone thinks about me—wow, I sound kind of like a basket case.

"Hoshino Willm."

"What is it?"

The silence usually breaks like this—my Trainer’s sudden voice cutting through it.

Anyone who doesn’t know us would probably assume our rhythm of talking, going quiet, then talking again is awkward.

Now then, what’s he going to say?

I assumed it’d be something about tomorrow and answered in my usual tone.

…But the voice that followed was far more serious than I expected.

"About today’s race. There is one thing I must ask you. For this question alone, please answer honestly."

"…I don’t mind."

Even I tense up when he sets things up that dramatically.

What is he going to ask? Well, he’s not the type to say anything strange, but—

From the back seat, I glance into the rearview mirror. For a moment, our eyes meet.

…? What’s with that expression?

"Did you enjoy today’s race?"

That’s all?

…Wait. Why ask something like that? Since it’s him, maybe it has something to do with training.

Well, whatever. It’s not something I’m unwilling to answer.

"I have never found a race fun. I run for the sake of winning."