"Before training, I need to understand the reasons for your weight gain. Only by addressing the root cause can we effectively help you lose weight. So don't be shy; report truthfully."
Trainer Imanami could be said to be quite experienced in dealing with overweight Racehorses. He had spent almost his entire life involved with Racehorses, from being a Jockey to a horse Trainer, and then from a horse Trainer to a stablehand. He had seen more Racehorses than many people could imagine, and the countless tricky situations he had encountered were innumerable.
Compared to Racehorses with kicking or biting habits, or those that would occasionally flare up and become so violent that even stablehands couldn't calm them, weight gain was a minor issue, a normal occurrence that most Racehorses experienced.
Even Gold Ship would get fat from eating too much. Losing weight was something Trainer Imanami, as a stablehand, could do with ease—the only problem now was not knowing how effective weight loss would be for the Uma Musume of this world. If it was like the Racehorses of the past, then McQueen's Debut Race might have to be postponed again.
More importantly, Meisho Doto only had two months to prepare for the Mainichi Hai stakes race. If she couldn't successfully lose weight and get into training condition within two months… well, McQueen's debut could be delayed, at most leading to a tighter race schedule. But for Doto to catch up to the Mainichi Hai, going from a negative state to zero, compared to Opera O's continuous progress, it would be very difficult to catch up.
"I, I'm sorry. It's just that after the Debut Race, I didn't have a Trainer for a while, so I became a little… a little self-defeating…"
Meisho Doto was also cautious, apologizing for the big trouble she had caused. She knew that Trainer Wada and Trainer Imanami were good people and wouldn't blame her for her mistakes, but she was well aware that this troublesome situation was entirely her own doing, and thus she was extra careful.
"I ate a little… a little more than usual… really, really just a little…"
"But, but my training hasn't fallen behind, you know. I get up for morning exercises every day. It's just because I ate a bit more," Meisho Doto quickly added, seemingly afraid that her Trainer would think she was a lazy Uma Musume.
After all, Meisho Doto knew that Opera O would absolutely not accept her request to leave the team, and her Trainer certainly wouldn't let her leave either. Since yesterday's events, although Doto was still very uneasy, she also understood that if she didn't rouse herself to fight Opera O, she had no other path to take.
Therefore, the only choice she had was to make herself as strong as possible, compete with Opera O, and achieve her Trainer's goal!
"Weight gain caused by overeating, is it? As expected, it's not difficult to solve."
Hearing Meisho Doto's words, Trainer Imanami and Trainer Wada exchanged glances and then both had a general understanding of Doto's situation.
Although neither of them had experience training Meisho Doto, nor did they know that Meisho Doto also had a physique prone to obesity, similar to Mejiro McQueen in the past, as long as the cause was clear, it wasn't a troublesome matter.
"Then, Miss Mejiro McQueen, how did your situation come about?"
"Um… it was just… a little accident."
Mejiro McQueen, however, was even more hesitant than Meisho Doto in this regard. Although she had already admitted that she was indeed training here due to obesity and had accepted Trainer Imanami's help with training, she truly found it difficult to explain the reason… Fortunately, McQueen had a few good companions. Ikuno Dictus adjusted her glasses and said in a deep voice:
"McQueen gained weight because she indulged in sweets. Before this, I had tailored many training methods for her, but the results were not very good."
"Diduce…"
McQueen, whose predicament was directly exposed by Diduce, blushed. However, it was precisely Diduce's opening that made McQueen realize her true colors were revealed. She simply gave up and confessed honestly:
"Yes… I have a sweet tooth and always enjoy eating desserts. When I first entered Tracen Academy, because I lacked the family members who usually regulated my behavior, I indulged a little…"
"As an Uma Musume of the Mejiro Family, falling into such a state is a great disgrace—but, Trainer Imanami, please do not spare me during training. As long as my weight reaches a level where I can compete in the Debut Race, I am confident I can win the race."
"Training, huh? It's not difficult," Trainer Imanami nodded. He was quite satisfied with Doto and McQueen's attitudes; at least they could communicate now, and he could understand the thoughts of these Horse Girls whose prototypes were Racehorses.
As a Trainer, the most dreaded thing is knowing you are acting for a Racehorse's future racing career, but the Racehorse doesn't understand your intentions and resists and refuses to cooperate—now that problem is solved. These girls are obedient good children who understand their good intentions.
"But my training is also very strict. If you are determined, I can guarantee you will lose weight with virtually no injuries, and you won't be hungry, but you will feel very tired every day. The muscle soreness during the first week will be extremely difficult to endure."
"Especially, you need to restrict your diet. I will arrange your daily meal plan. Can you accept that?"
"—I am ready! Please begin!" McQueen immediately nodded, taking a step ahead. She had long since made up her mind.
"Y-yes, please guide me," Doto replied nervously. At this moment, Wada, who was standing nearby, walked over and patted Doto's head, whispering to her:
"Don't worry, I will train with Trainer Imanami and you. There's a lot I need to learn too, so don't worry. Training might be tough, but I'll be with you every step of the way."
"T-Trainer…"
Doto was clearly unaccustomed to Wada's intimate gesture. Her ears, which usually drooped slightly, were now completely flattened against her head, yet her tail behind her wagged with exceptional joy. It was hard to tell if it was from nervousness or happiness.
At least, she still had someone encouraging her, the only Trainer who believed in her and had high hopes for her… "I, I will do my best."
"Very good, then we—" Trainer Imanami nodded, just about to take Wada and the two plump… oh no, the two slightly fuller Uma Musume to train, when his back was suddenly embraced.
"Honestly—Old man! Don't leave me out and just play with McQueen and the others!"
Gold Ship, who had been neglected from the start, pouted and hugged Trainer Imanami's back, her tone full of dissatisfaction as she said, "Didn't you promise to watch my 3000-meter run? I prepared for so long yesterday! Don't you know it's rare for the great Gold Ship to want to run voluntarily, old man!"
"Ah… Gold Ship…" Trainer Imanami almost forgot about this troublesome roan Uma Musume behind him. He immediately and skillfully soothed her, "I really want to play with you, but you see, McQueen and Doto have very important things they need my help with."
"Gold Ship, no matter what it is, we have to prioritize. How about I arrange their training first, and then I'll be with you?"
"W-well, I want to train too!"
Gold Ship, however, was very unhappy that Trainer Imanami was only arranging training for McQueen and Doto. She refused to be outdone, clinging tightly to Trainer Imanami and refusing to let go: "I want to train with McQueen and them too! I'm fat too!"
"Alright, alright…"
Trainer Imanami knew that when Gold Ship was making a fuss, it was best to indulge her. After all, according to the excellent genetic tradition of the Gold Family, the more you restrict them, the more they would fuss. It was better to let them have their way.
"…Gold Ship really likes Trainer Imanami," Ikuno Dictus murmured, looking at the scene before her with some surprise.
"I've never seen anyone tame Gold Ship in such a short time. It's a Miracle. Don't you think so, McQueen?"
"Yes… I never thought so either," McQueen nodded, but she was a little distracted.
After all, in her plan, Trainer Imanami was her candidate for Trainer. And if Trainer Imanami's training this time truly allowed her to successfully lose weight and win the Debut Race, then McQueen's plan would involve taking Trainer Imanami to the Mejiro Family to introduce her Trainer to her grandmother, no matter what.
But now… the fact that this child Gold Ship had such a good relationship with Trainer Imanami made McQueen feel uneasy… Should she… really stick to her own ideas? McQueen didn't think that a Trainer who taught Gold Ship would have extra energy to teach her, after all, that was Gold Ship.
The only thing that made McQueen feel both fortunate and uneasy was that Gold Ship had not yet signed an agreement with Trainer Imanami, so she still had a chance, still had time.
But she also felt somewhat uneasy about her own actions. Gold Ship had finally found a Trainer she could rely on so much. Should she really do this?
"Sigh… If only there were two Trainer Imanamis, I wouldn't be so worried."
Mejiro McQueen sighed deeply, not knowing why she had such a thought. However, snatching Gold Ship's beloved Trainer felt truly guilt-inducing. Now, she could only hope that Gold Ship was simply being clingy to Trainer Imanami.
After all, for the honor of the Mejiro Family, she absolutely needed a Trainer who could bring out her talents.