When Maruzensky-san and I returned to Team Rigil's clubroom, the first thing that caught my eye was Trainer Okino slumped on the sofa — completely burned out.
If I had to compare, it was like he was saying, "I'm spent… burned out to pure white."
That alone would've been fine (well, not really), but the bright red handprints on both his cheeks added such a surreal touch that I honestly couldn't help but feel bad for him.
Trainer Hana let out a long sigh and rubbed her temples. Rudolf-senpai, on the other hand, looked somewhat refreshed and motioned for me to come over.
"Has the talk finished?"
"Ah, yes. It didn't take long. Anyway, let's continue our discussion — Nature, have a seat next to me."
Rudolf-senpai patted the spot beside her, and I sat down as instructed.
But… why did Maruzensky-san sit right next to me?
Across from us sat the still-smoldering Trainer Okino, looking utterly lifeless, while Trainer Hana reluctantly took a seat beside him.
"Nature, first of all, I'm sorry. This idiot here has a bad habit of touching the legs of talented Uma Musume.
He told me what happened — being touched out of nowhere must've been uncomfortable enough, but on top of that, trying to scout you without considering your grade… honestly, I have no words."
Seeing Trainer Hana bow deeply as she said that, I panicked.
"Please, Trainer Hana! You didn't do anything wrong!"
"This is my duty as a trainer. Trainers exist for the sake of you Uma Musume — to make you shine.
If we, who are supposed to help you do that, instead cause something that could turn into trauma, it undermines the trust in all trainers."
"Y-you're forgiven! Please raise your head!"
"Thank you… but still, Okino's eye for talent is the real deal.
If he says you're incredible, Nature, you truly have a gift to be proud of.
Originally, I only wanted to talk about your dreams today, but… if you don't mind, could you show me your running as well?"
"If someone like me is fine, then I'd be honored."
Finally, Trainer Hana lifted her head.
Watching her attitude up close, I really felt — she truly cares about us Uma Musume.
"Well then, let's get to the main topic.
I've already heard a bit from Rudolf, but I'd like to hear directly from you, Nature."
And so began my "interview" with Trainer Hana.
Well — interview might not be the right word. Since Rudolf-senpai had already explained the basics, I simply talked about the origins of my dream.
How it started with me admiring the sparkling, radiant Uma Musume I saw on the track.
How I wanted to support them — to help them shine — and witness the moment their dreams came true, right up close.
Maybe to Trainer Hana or Trainer Okino, still half-dead beside her, my dream sounded naive and childish.
Maybe they'd say, "Being a trainer isn't that easy."
But ever since the day I declared my resolve to Ten Point-san, I've been ready.
If I have to win the Triple Crown to make it happen, then so be it.
When I finished speaking and looked at the two trainers, both were smiling at me.
Also, Maruzensky-san — why are you patting my head?
And Rudolf-senpai — why are you holding my hand??
"That's a good dream," Okino said, smiling brightly.
"The best part about being a trainer is when we see an Uma Musume like you achieve her dream — that shining moment of pure joy.
To put it in your words, that's when we see them at their most sparkling."
If not for that habit of his, he'd actually be a really cool trainer.
"But you know, Nature — dreaming alone isn't enough. You have to reach out for it yourself," said Trainer Hana as she stood from the sofa.
She walked to the trainer's desk, picked up several photos, and handed them to me.
They were X-ray images — of Uma Musume legs.
Then she added a few research papers to the pile.
"Do you know what these are?
Trainers don't just instruct you girls.
We also need the knowledge to reduce leg strain, and to notice even the smallest signs of trouble."
Rudolf-senpai and Maruzensky-san leaned over the images but looked confused.
Okino, however, took one glance and smirked knowingly.
"This is… a case of tendonitis, right? In its very early stage?"
The disease, also known as "ebi" or "ebihara," is officially called superficial digital flexor tendonitis — commonly known among racehorses as "the incurable disease" or "the cancer of the racetrack."
In real-life horses, it's an inflammation of the tendon fibers connecting the upper arm bone to the elbow joint, most often in the forelegs, particularly the outer superficial flexor tendon.
It's believed to result from repetitive strain or overwork.
Many legendary horses — Narita Taishin, Winning Ticket, Biwa Hayahide, Narita Brian, Fuji Kiseki — all had their careers ended by this disease.
In Uma Musume, it manifests around the ankle, sometimes leading to full tendon rupture.
These X-rays showed an extremely early stage — no visible swelling yet, but slight thickening of the tendon was noticeable if you looked closely.
The attached papers were written in German.
I couldn't read everything, but from the familiar medical terms, I understood the gist.
"…You got that right," Okino muttered in disbelief.
Trainer Hana, Rudolf-senpai, and even Maruzensky-san all stared at me, astonished.
"Ever since I decided to become a trainer, I started buying medical reference books.
I figured that if I focused on the medical side first, I could always learn the training methods later as a sub-trainer."
"That really is an X-ray of tendonitis," Okino said, leaning back heavily against the sofa.
"It's one of the first cases detected using a new imaging device — a big topic among trainers right now.
If this research pans out, we might finally have a reliable treatment."
He sighed, then gave me a half-exasperated grin.
"Are you sure you're in middle school?
Even most rookie trainers wouldn't recognize that."
"I thought illnesses would be the biggest obstacle for any Uma Musume, so I focused on studying them.
Nowadays you can even access academic papers online.
And for leg-related studies, Rudolf-senpai helped me, so it was easier to understand.
I also summarize my daily training data like this."
I ignored Rudolf-senpai's proud grin and pulled out my training notebook, handing it over to the trainers.
Both scanned it, then sighed in disbelief.
"Clear goals, measurable results, visualized graphs, analysis of weak points…
Nature, you could work as a sub-trainer right now with this level of data."
"Doing all this voluntarily as a middle schooler… you're a total monster— ow!!"
Rudolf-senpai kicked Okino under the table for calling me that.
Serves him right.
"It's true your knowledge is heavily skewed toward medical science, but it's solid.
You've shown both resolve and capability.
As far as I'm concerned, I have no doubts about your dream, and I'll support you however I can.
But… unfortunately, Rigil won't be able to scout you, even when you become a second-year."
"What!? Why not, Trainer Hana!?"
Rudolf-senpai's reaction was faster than mine — she looked genuinely shocked.
"Rigil is a team of structure and control — in that sense, we're actually similar to Nature."
"Then why—?"
"Because of that, Rudolf.
At Rigil, Nature's technique would improve, but her potential wouldn't grow.
Our training is about uniform, balanced growth — raising every aspect evenly to form a stable strategy.
For someone like Nature, who thrives on specialization, this environment would only hold her back."
"That's where I come in!" Okino jumped in, grinning.
"If Rigil's all about structure, Team Spica's the opposite — we're laid-back.
We build the basics but focus everything on enhancing an Uma Musume's strengths.
Plus, Nature wants to study training itself, right?
Rigil's schedule is too strict, but Spica gives you plenty of freedom after basic sessions."
"Unfortunate as it is…" Hana sighed.
"Letting such talent fall into the hands of a perverted trainer like Okino really hurts."
At that, Rudolf-senpai fell silent. She looked down, frustrated, as Maruzensky-san patted her shoulder gently.
"As for your training studies, I'll still help you personally," Hana continued.
"In fact, it'd be best for you to learn from multiple trainers — different methods, different philosophies.
So I'll arrange for a few trustworthy trainers besides me and Okino to guide you in rotation."
"Really!?"
"Of course. You might become our junior someday, right? So be ready — I won't go easy on you."
"Thank you so much!"
I hadn't expected such an offer — the chance to learn directly from several active trainers. I was thrilled.
"Well then, Nature," Okino said, standing up.
"From next year, you'll be with Team Spica. I'll teach you what I know about being a trainer, too.
Until then, keep training yourself and Nice Nature the way you've been doing."
"Yes! I will!"
Rudolf-senpai still seemed down… I'll have to cheer her up later.
"Anyway, Hana-san, how about we see Nature's running? It is her trial session, after all."
"Good idea. The other trial members are already practicing with our girls — let's head over.
Nature, you ready?"
"Yes! I'm ready!"
Our talk and plans were settled.
I hadn't expected to join Spica instead of Canopus, but since things had already diverged from the "anime" version of events, there was no point worrying about that.
For now, I'll just enjoy this valuable trial experience.
Okino-san, me, Rudolf-senpai, Maruzensky-san, and finally Hana-san left the clubroom in that order.
I found myself wondering — just who are the current Rigil members, anyway?
With that small curiosity in mind, we made our way toward the training grounds.