"Let's introduce ourselves properly again," I said.
It was evening in the assigned Trainer's Room.
I was once again face-to-face with Hoshino Wilm, the Uma Musume I would be training.
*Observing her again, I realized she was truly a beauty.*
Her soft, light chestnut hair was styled in a semi-long cut, with a single strand of dark chestnut hair hanging down from her bangs.
Of course, she possessed the characteristic ears and tail of an Uma Musume—though they moved very little. Perhaps she was a reserved, emotionally subdued type.
Her facial features... while common among Uma Musume, were exquisitely balanced. Her downcast, bluish-white eyes and delicately compressed lips enhanced her quiet demeanor.
Her petite, slender build, however, contrasted sharply with her refined beauty, emphasizing that she was still a child, not yet fully grown.
Overall, Hoshino Wilm, the Uma Musume, possessed a captivating charm that blended the innocence of a young girl with the allure of a mature woman. It was an almost incongruous yet intricately balanced allure.
*If she had this appearance in my original world, the entertainment industry would have snatched her up immediately.*
However, in this world, Uma Musume were athletes.
Even though they possessed idol-like qualities, their primary focus remained on racing. I couldn't afford to forget that.
I was neither her fan nor her friend—I was her Trainer. I needed to maintain professional boundaries.
"I'm Horino. You can call me Trainer or Horino, whichever you prefer.
I'm the Trainer assigned to you starting today.
I'm still a rookie with limited experience, so I might make mistakes along the way. But I'm determined to work with you as a team to achieve our goals. Let's do our best together."
*Hmm, even I have to admit that was a flawless introduction.*
I can't deny it lacked flair, but I figured I should stick to the serious approach for now.
After all, I was a rookie. If someone with no experience or skill started cracking jokes, I'd probably get a little irritated.
*Ah, no, wait. It's my introduction after all—should I have mentioned a hobby or something? Maybe I should have shared more information to foster mutual understanding...*
But I don't actually have any hobbies.
For the past twenty years, I've focused solely on self-improvement. I've always approached it with a professional mindset, so it never really felt like a hobby.
*...Ah, in my previous life too, I struggled to find topics to talk about because I didn't have any hobbies. From now on, I should probably develop some hobbies for better communication with Uma Musume.*
Wait, if I'm getting a hobby for work purposes, is it really a hobby? Self-improvement is also done for work, so what's the difference?
*Finding something I truly enjoy outside of work...*?! C-Can I even do that...? For someone like me—a workaholic in both my previous and current life...?
"...Trainer?"
"Ah, sorry. That's all. If you don't mind, could you introduce yourself as well?"
As if she had anticipated this, she nodded and smoothly began her introduction.
"I'm Hoshino Wilm, a first-year Middle School student. I'm from Hokkaido.
My favorite food is glazed carrots, and my hobby is self-improvement. My special skill is maintaining unwavering concentration.
In my hometown, though it wasn't part of the official curriculum, I used to run up to 2,400 meters. I'm not particularly fond of dirt courses, but I don't think I'm incapable of running them.
It's a pleasure to formally meet you."
*A-ah... wait, wait, don't give such a perfect introduction! It's incredibly embarrassing!*
*As someone with professional experience—and on my second life, no less—could I really let myself be outdone in a self-introduction by a teenage girl? I had nearly four times her life experience!*
...Ugh, suddenly I feel like a mentally old man and just want to die. I don't think my values are that different from my peers though.
Could it be that the historically strong Uma Musume also had high stats in areas not displayed? Rudolph's stats were exceptional in every aspect except her pun-generating creativity.
But... Hmm.
Even from her introduction, I could sense her attitude toward racing and her determination to win.
"Self-improvement as a hobby" probably refers to self-training, and "maintaining concentration" likely means she can train continuously.
In essence, about 70% of her introduction was information about her running.
It shows just how disciplined she is. Being like-minded, I hope we can work well together.
Her competitive instinct was genuine.
No one in their right mind would engage in Self-Training with depleted Stamina. It's something you only do when instructed by your Trainer.
In fact, during my rookie training, I once saw an Uma Musume who claimed she was at her limit and couldn't go on, even though she still had 70% of her Stamina left.
Back then, I passionately lectured her about the importance of pushing past her perceived limits, inadvertently turning her into a training addict.
Later, when I heard she'd almost caused an accident from overtraining, my face turned pale.
Though I properly emphasized the importance of rest and corrected her course, I still wonder if she's running happily now. Perhaps I should check if she's been assigned a Trainer next time I see her.
*Ah, I'm getting sidetracked.*
Amidst such Uma Musume, who aren't uncommon, Hoshino Wilm continued running all day, pushing herself to near-total Stamina exhaustion.
Her insatiable hunger for victory and relentless pursuit of speed were undeniable.
...At the same time, I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of unease.
"Well, knowing you, I imagine you're eager to learn how to become even faster."
"Yes, please do tell me!"
"...Hm. Your enthusiasm is admirable."
*No, "slight" is an understatement. This overly proactive attitude felt downright unsettling.*
Imagine it: A girl who had seemed cool and composed just moments ago suddenly leaning in with the intensity of grabbing someone by the collar.
To be honest, I was genuinely startled, and my carefully maintained facade nearly crumbled. *Please, have mercy.*
"That said, it's not particularly difficult.
As a Uma Musume, you must already understand the differences between distances and Running Styles, as well as Aptitudes, right?"
"I'm sorry, but I have almost no knowledge of such things. I would be grateful if you could teach me."
"...Hm. Understood."
*Was she doing this on purpose?! Was this girl deliberately playing dumb?!*
*That can't be right.* Uma Musume have such strong competitive instincts—they're supposed to study tirelessly to win!
Understanding race distances and Running Styles isn't exactly rocket science. It's like knowing the difference between a pitcher and a catcher in baseball—basic knowledge that anyone involved in the sport should naturally possess.
*Surely she knows something this fundamental?!*
Ah, wait, wait. Why am I getting so worked up about my assigned Uma Musume?
I'm a Trainer for the Horino family—a guide for Uma Musume.
When an Uma Musume sets sail, I take the helm. If she forgets her compass, I provide one.
By eliminating every source of anxiety and illuminating her path, I ensure she stays on course. That's my role.
Still... *Ugh, can I really handle this problematic Horse?*
***
Now, let's talk about aptitude.
This might take a bit of a roundabout path, so if you find it confusing, feel free to just listen for the main points.
First, there's the URA, an organization that oversees nearly everything related to Uma Musume in Japan, including Central Tracen Academy.
The URA organizes a series of races collectively known as the Twinkle Series. This is where you'll be running, Hoshino Wilm.
...Wait, you didn't know this? You knew the name but not the details?
I see... I see.
Ah, no problem. Some students are like that.
Now, you'll be competing in Twinkle Series races, which have various classifications.
Let's start with those.
First, there's the distinction between lanes covered in turf and those filled with dirt. The former are called Turf tracks, while the latter are Dirt tracks.
You seem to excel on the Turf, which is a significant advantage, especially in Japan, where most of the Twinkle Series' graded races are held on Turf.
...You're not familiar with graded races either?
...Ah, I see. Well, honesty is refreshing. For the sake of mutual understanding, feel free to ask about anything you don't understand in the future.
Still, let's set aside the discussion of graded races for now. They won't concern you for quite some time yet.
Now, after dividing by Turf and Dirt, the next classification is by distance.
First, there are short distances of 1400 meters or less, the domain of Sprinters who rely on explosive speed.
Next, there are Mile distances, ranging from 1401 to 1800 meters. Unlike the shorter sprints, where stamina hardly matters, the mile requires strategic energy management. Those who specialize in this distance are known as Milers.
Beyond that lies the Medium Range, spanning 1,801 to 2,400 meters. It's a distance where Uma Musume with a balanced combination of Stamina, Speed, and Power excel. In the Twinkle Series, the Mile and Medium Range are the two most competitive distances, and you'll likely be competing in them as well.
Finally, there's the Long Range, covering distances of 2,401 meters and beyond. These grueling endurance races demand exceptional Stamina and are the domain of Stayers—Uma Musume with extraordinary resilience and determination.
*Did that sink in? Well, it's probably easier to remember if you read it in a textbook or something. Don't worry, you'll learn all this in class soon enough.*
Anyway, the key takeaway is that after races are divided by Turf and Dirt, they're further classified into Short Range, Mile, Medium Range, and Long Range.
Just remember that for now.
Hm, a question? Go ahead.
"What do you call Uma Musume who run the Medium Range?"
...*Is that really what you're curious about? Well, it doesn't matter.*
Compared to other distances, the Medium Range lacks a distinctive common name. The most you'll hear is "medium-distance horse." Some theories suggest that since medium distances are the most common, other specialized names emerged to differentiate them.
Now, that concludes our discussion of race distinctions.
Next, we'll cover Running Styles. I won't keep you long, so focus your concentration and listen carefully.
There are four main Running Styles:
* **Front Runner (逃げ):** They burst into the lead early, build a cushion, and hold onto first place until the finish.
* **Pace Chaser (先行):** They stick close behind the Front Runner, looking for an opening to overtake and seize the lead.
* **Late Surger (差し):** They conserve stamina in the mid-pack, then unleash a final surge to pass both Front Runners and Pace Chasers.
* **End Closer (追込):** They survey the race from the rear, biding their time until the final stretch, where they unleash a powerful burst to pass everyone.
Your strategy in the last race was Late Surger. You seem to be aware of that. Good.
We've covered a lot, but now we finally come to Aptitude. This is the most crucial part, and I'll keep it brief, so focus carefully.
Turf, Dirt. Sprint, Mile, Medium Range, Long Range. And Front Runner, Pace Chaser, Late Surger, End Closer.
These categories suited some Uma Musume better than others.
For instance, some Uma Musume specialized in Sprint races on Turf as Front Runners.
Others were versatile, capable of running on both Turf and Dirt across a wide range of distances—Mile, Medium Range, and Long Range—and proficient in both Pace Chaser and Late Surger strategies. These were considered all-around Uma Musume.
In this context, "Aptitude" referred to what an Uma Musume was naturally suited for, while "lack of Aptitude" indicated areas where they struggled.
As for Aptitude... Though I hesitate to say it, bloodline and innate talent largely determined it.
Aptitude couldn't be easily acquired through training.
Extraordinary effort might allow one to overcome their limitations, but fundamentally, developing existing strengths remained the most effective approach.
...Now that I've explained all this, you should understand why I'm telling you all of this, shouldn't you?
***
*No, if you don't understand, just say so.* It's the Trainer's job to explain things properly.
It's quite simple.
In the simulation race, you ran the Mile distance as a Late Surger, but that style doesn't suit you.
Your abundant stamina and speed truly shine in Medium Range and Long Range races.
And judging by how your Final Burst faltered, your Aptitude likely lies with the Front Runner style.
Ah, to put it very simply...
You've been fighting an uphill battle.
After speaking at length, I felt a slight headache coming on.
Maintaining my facade as Horino's Trainer was a struggle for a fool like me.
Unlike Hoshino Wilm, who listened intently to my dull explanations, I lacked focus. A moment's lapse in concentration, and my mask would easily slip.
That's why I usually avoided long conversations, but there was no choice in this situation.
Besides, I'd likely need to handle interviews in the future, so I might as well start practicing this aspect of my job.
"Do you understand now, Hoshino Wilm?"
"Yes."
Her straightforward nod relieved me inwardly. So her high intelligence wasn't just for show after all.
...Well, she did seem surprisingly lacking in general knowledge, but perhaps that was due to her upbringing.
Her natural aptitude seemed promising, and with my support, she should get on the right track.
"So, if I run a Front Runner strategy in Medium Range and Long Range races, I can win?"
"...Well, I can't guarantee a certain victory. You're talented, but you still have areas to improve. We'll focus on developing those through training."
"Yes, sir!"
Her enthusiastic reply was reassuring, yet it filled me with unease.
A Big Lead Uma Musume's face flashed through my mind, her reactions eerily similar to Hoshino Wilm's.
Her usual cool demeanor, making it hard to discern her thoughts.
Her ability to run for inhumanly long periods.
Her unwavering obsession with winning, making it unclear if she was even listening to my advice.
The similarities were striking—and unfortunately, concentrated in all the worst traits.
*Could it be that all talented Frontrunner Uma Musume are destined to end up like this?*
*Ah, how I miss Seiun Sky. That seemingly oblivious yet keenly attentive nature, her unwavering focus—she was such an easy Uma Musume to train... in the game, at least.*
Well, that's the end of the Aptitude discussion for now.
I can teach her proper pacing for Medium Range and Long Range races, as well as Front Runner techniques, thoroughly before her Debut Race. Ah, the luxury of not having to rush!
Next, let's talk about... hmm, her excessively high status, perhaps?
"Now, I have one more very important topic to discuss. But before that, may I ask you something?"
"If it's something I can answer."
Hmm, she looks so sharp and adorably cool, yet she seems utterly clueless about racing despite her intelligent demeanor.
One shouldn't judge a book by its cover—the same goes for Uma Musume.
"Let me ask you this: are you aware of your own abnormality?"
"...... What exactly do you mean by that?"
The air tensed. Her eyes narrowed sharply, making me feel as if she were glaring at me.
*Well, that's understandable, I suppose.*
After all, her overwhelming physical capabilities had never been clearly demonstrated before.
In yesterday's simulation race, she ran with a Running Style and distance that differed from her true strengths, making her appear no better than average.
And it had been confirmed that she hadn't participated in any simulation races prior to that.
In other words, from her perspective, there was no way I could have known about her extraordinary physical capabilities.
Her wariness must have stemmed from suspecting me of being a stalker.
*Did you follow me all the way from Hokkaido, you creep?*
*Fu, I'm such a brilliant detective, even if I do say so myself.*
Having anticipated this reaction, I already had an excuse prepared.
"Of course, I'm referring to your power. Surely you're aware of such extraordinary strength?"
"...How did you find out about that?"
"It was simple."
*But honestly, I doubt this explanation will convince her.*
Still, at this moment, leveraging the advantages of *App Reincarnation* seemed the only way to persuade the Uma Musume. I couldn't afford to damage our relationship now—a misstep could waste months of effort.
...Yet, to ensure her victory, using the information from my *App Reincarnation* was essential.
*Please, Hoshino Wilm—just for this moment—display your unparalleled obliviousness!*
"I know you have an incredibly well-toned physique.
Because, when I look at an Uma Musume's legs, I can perfectly discern the extent of their conditioning...!"
"I see, that explains it. I understand now."
...Huh? Hmmm?
Wait, she accepted that so easily? Isn't that a rather far-fetched explanation?
Suppressing my confusion, I observed her closely. She seemed genuinely convinced, even radiating an aura of relief.
Could it be...?
...She bought it?!
Truly astonishing—Hoshino Wilm, the extraordinarily oblivious Uma Musume...!
In truth, this had been a dangerous gamble.
I couldn't provide a clear explanation, and if she had even a shred of suspicion, I would have been unable to justify myself.
First, let's consider what would have happened if I had honestly revealed the truth.
The answer is simple: she would have dismissed me as a madman, completely destroying our trust.
"Actually, I reincarnated from another world, and since this is a game world, I can see your status!"
*Amazing. Completely insane from head to toe.* If anyone trusted someone who said something like that, they'd probably have a hard life. I hoped they'd live strong.
So, what if I tried to deceive her instead?
"I happened to be in Hokkaido when I saw you run in a casual race. By chance, you were running the Medium Range, and even though you were a Late Surger, you looked incredibly strong!"
Yeah, that wouldn't work either. She'd always run as a Late Surger, never showing her true potential. To discern her hidden capabilities, I'd need a clear explanation, but I lack the logical basis to provide one.
Moreover, if I were to rely on the power of "App Reincarnation" to manage her Stamina, accident rate, and training going forward, I'd need to keep up the deception. That would be far too inefficient.
Thus, I bet on her accepting the vague notion that "I don't really understand it, but my Trainer seems to possess some mysterious power."
If this worked, I wouldn't need to explain the *App Reincarnation* again whenever I used it in the future.
The only problem was that it seemed like only gullible children would believe such a thing.
So, I tirelessly worked on creating the right atmosphere and crafting my explanation.
Last night, I spent three hours pondering things like, "The *Uma Soul* and that whole concept are so vague and poorly defined... if I lean into that ambiguity, could I somehow pull it off? ...But wait, I'm just an ordinary human..."
And that painstaking effort had finally borne fruit.
Ah... this must be what it feels like when hard work is rewarded. The sweet taste of victory—it felt like an eternity since I'd last savored it.
Well, I hadn't exactly wanted to experience it this way, though.
"Hmm, if you're satisfied, then there's no problem. Thank you."
"? Why are you thanking me?"
"Gratitude is important, you know. I make it a point to express it whenever I can. Thank you, thank you."
*Oh no, my excitement is making my mask slip and I'm rambling nonsense.*
*Chuckle, chuckle. This is exactly why my sister teases me so much.*
"Ahem, ahem. Anyway, I can accurately assess your Condition and Status—likely more accurately than other Trainers.
Therefore, I might propose some unconventional training strategies.
If you think my decisions seem strange, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. I'll always explain my reasoning thoroughly."
"Yes, I'll trust you to guide me."
*Ah, wait... is there a hint of... trust? Respect? Something like that in her gaze?*
*Erm, um... Why is that?*
*I'm clearly talking nonsense, aren't I? Since it's about my future, shouldn't you be more skeptical?*
...No, wait.
A flash of insight struck my mind.
Her past behavior. Her reactions. Her words. Her high status and innate talent.
Could it be...?
...No, wait—could this actually be the case?!
She, Hoshino Wilm—!
Could she possibly be incredibly gullible?!
My guess was that her exceptional abilities had backfired. Having always relied on brute force to solve problems, she might have grown tired of doubting people and simply stopped.
Or perhaps, instead of doubting, she intended to strike back the moment she realized she'd been deceived, aiming to "win" against the lawless scammers who had swindled her?!
But physical force can only resolve basic scams. True con artists never let their victims even realize they've been cheated.
What should I do?
*This girl might buy a whole set of pots just because someone said they have a slight benefit.*
*If even one scammer got to her, she might come home with piles of down comforters.*
...No!
*Slap!*
"?!?"
I slammed both hands against my cheeks with all my might.
*What am I coddling myself for?!*
*What to do?* is not the question!
*Who am I? I'm a Horino family Trainer!*
*I'm here to stand by my assigned Uma Musume and help her achieve her dreams!*
*If anyone tries to deceive her, I'll chase them to the depths of hell and make them pay the price!*
*And above all, I'll make sure she never gets tricked in the first place!*
*That's my duty, isn't it?!*
*No good. I still have a long way to go.*
The day I become the ideal Trainer—the day I come close to my Father—still seems distant.
"U-um... are you alright?"
Hoshino Wilm asked tentatively, her voice filled with concern.
*Crap, I worried her.*
"I'm fine, Hoshino Wilm."
"I see. If that's the case, then that's good."
"No matter what happens, I'll protect you!"
"...Huh?"
There's no need for her to worry. *No, I had to work hard enough to ensure she wouldn't even feel the need to worry.*
So that she could run without any worries. So that she could win the race.
I... I must protect her... *I must!*
"Trainer."
"What is it, Hoshino Wilm!"
I whipped my head around, and there she was.
My assigned Uma Musume had both hands pressed to her mouth, stifling a quiet, modest laugh.
"You're often told you're... *a bit clueless*, aren't you?"
"What?! Hoshino Wilm, where did you hear that?!"
As I asked, Hoshino Wilm giggled even more gleefully.
...Come to think of it, that was probably the first time I'd ever seen her smile.
I felt an overwhelming surge of joy and watched her, unable to tear my eyes away, until she fell silent, looking bashful.