"So you're asking me to join the joint training sessions... is that what you mean?"
Facing the trainer who had mistaken her for Manhattan Cafe, Sunday Serenity asked in confusion.
"Given your recent training results have been quite good, I want to focus more on simulated exercises from now on. For instance, training together with other members of the team to adapt to race rhythms as soon as possible. That would bring greater improvement for you. What do you think, Cafe?"
The rather young-looking trainer sought the girl's opinion.
"I don't really mind."
But who knows if Manhattan Cafe would feel the same?
Still, since this was her trainer, she must have given serious thought to future training methods. It probably wouldn't lead to any issues...
Well, most likely.
"That's good then. I'll take you to meet the seniors from the team now."
"Right now?"
"Yes, because they happen to be free and are in the lounge next to the training field."
She pointed toward a single-story building not far away.
It was way too close!
There wasn't even a chance to make an excuse.
With no other choice, Sunday Serenity temporarily followed Manhattan Cafe's trainer into the room to speak with those seniors.
As the door opened, she saw three girls seated around a table in the center of the lounge, eating sliced apples from a fruit platter with forks.
Hearing the noise, the three girls turned their heads.
"Hey, Trainer Kiyokawa."
They greeted her.
"So this is the junior you mentioned."
A girl with short brown hair and white highlights, her expression gentle and relaxed, giving off a bright, almost handsome vibe, waved at her.
"Hello, seniors." Sunday Serenity bowed. "My name is Manhattan Cafe."
"Such a polite and adorable child. Hello, I'm Ten Point." said the girl who had greeted Sunday Serenity earlier.
At the same time, the other two girls stood up.
"Since you're a junior, of course we should look out for you."
A girl with medium-length dark brown hair and red-and-gold diamond-shaped earrings hanging from her ears nodded in greeting. "Hello, I'm Tosho Boy."
As for the girl on the far right, who kept bowing repeatedly after standing up—she seemed less like a senior and more like a junior herself—she spoke up hastily.
"N-Nice to meet you. I'm Green Grass. If possible... could you call me Green Grass-senpai?"
Looking at the girl with dark brown hair adorned with a grass-shaped hairpin, Sunday Serenity was puzzled.
"Green Grass-senpai?"
"Ah—!" She clutched her chest, overcome with emotion. "At last... I'm finally someone's senpai too."
"You were already a senpai to others, weren't you?' Tosho Boy couldn't help but retort beside her."
"It's not the same. Every time I pass by the lower grades, no one ever greets me. Even though I'm a senior, everyone ignores me. Some even treat me like a suspicious person and ask what I'm doing there."
"Even though I'm a senpai... even though I'm a senpai..."
She wore a deeply hurt expression.
"Well, it's because you always act so timid whenever you see anyone. It's easy to mistake you for a shady character."
"But... whenever I think about juniors talking to me, and how I have to act like a proper senior, I get so nervous."
"Alright, everyone, we're not here to discuss this."
Ten Point intervened, then turned her attention to the trainer.
"So then, Trainer Kiyokawa, do you have a specific training plan already?"
"Yes." She nodded. "Tomorrow afternoon is the joint training session. The three of you will run a simulated race with Cafe. I'll be giving commands from the sidelines—when to accelerate, when to hold position. Cafe, remember to watch for my hand signals."
"As for the rest of you three, proceed as usual during training, replicating the conditions of an actual competitive race."
The three girls nodded.
"Cafe." The trainer called out to the black-haired girl, whose gaze had begun to drift.
"These three seniors are all Uma Musume who have previously won major graded races. You should learn seriously from them."
Ten Point: career record of 18 races, 11 wins. Known as the Young Youth of the Falling Star, champion of the Spring Tenno Sho.
Green Grass: career record of 26 races, 8 wins. Top pick in the Tenno Sho, champion of the Kikuka Sho, known as the Green Assassin of the track.
And Tosho Boy: career record of 15 races, 10 wins. Once hailed as the Heavenly Horse, she broke the record in the Kobe Shimbun Hai, a record that remains unbroken to this day, and dominated the Arima Kinen.
However, due to their retirement and the rise of dazzling new stars that overshadowed their achievements, the legendary stories they lived through during their time in the junior division have been somewhat buried by those who came after.
Even so, these three girls are still among the most powerful Uma Musume at Tracen Academy.
For Manhattan Cafe to have them as seniors for joint training was incredibly fortunate.
Even Sunday Serenity herself only had a record of two wins from two races.
Compared to these seniors with dozens of races under their belts, her experience and knowledge fell far short.
"Today is just a simple introduction. We'll gather again tomorrow for the joint training session."
"Understood." Tosho Boy made a gesture to the trainer, then waved goodbye to Sunday Serenity.
"Well then, junior, see you tomorrow."
At the same time, Ten Point had matters to attend to and prepared to leave. Before going, she said, "If you need any help, you can come find me at the dorm. My door is always open for you, adorable junior."
What was that...? That vibe like she's some kind of Fuji rock star.
After the two left, the trainer also gave a few brief instructions and exited the room.
Now only Sunday Serenity and Green Grass remained.
"Well then, Green Grass-senpai, I'll be going now." Planning to report what happened here to Manhattan Cafe, Sunday Serenity was about to leave when Green Grass stopped her.
"P-Please wait, Cafe! Ah... no, I mean, Cafe-san."
Her large, watery blue eyes fixed on Sunday Serenity.
"If it's possible... could you have dinner with me, your senpai?"
"...Huh?"
"It's just that... you know, caring for a kouhai, wanting to strengthen our bond and all that. Is it... not okay?"
As if she'd messed up again, Green Grass hung her head dejectedly, her ears drooping listlessly.
This demeanor reminded Sunday Serenity: Did she really want that much to experience being treated as a senior?
No matter how you looked at it, these seniors' achievements weren't something people would simply ignore...
Watching the anxious Green Grass, Sunday Serenity understood immediately.
It had nothing to do with their race records; it was purely her personality.
"Since she is a senior, it's better not to strain the relationship."
Sometimes, the experience they pass on is no less valuable than what the trainers teach.
The more you learn about the racetrack, the more it helps you grow.
Sunday Silence reminded her from the side.
That's true too.
Sunday Serenity nodded. "I understand, Green Grass-senpai. Let's work on deepening our relationship."
"Really?"
Her ears immediately perked up with spirit.
"That's great! I've finally become a senior that someone can rely on. This is truly wonderful."
Is this kind of person really going to be okay?
Sunday Serenity couldn't help but feel concerned for Manhattan Cafe's future.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
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If you guys wanna check it out.