New Volume.
Volume 5: Queen of Two Nations, Legend of Three Nations
Chapter 1. The Most Important Condition
The reputation of the "Golden Generation" soared almost immediately after Shuta Ann gave that evaluation. Even Uma Musume who had not participated in last year's major races were gradually included under the same label—as long as they belonged to the same generation and later demonstrated the ability to compete in the Twinkle Series' major events.
To the surprise of Central Tracen Academy, the first time a generation of Uma Musume was collectively praised produced an unexpectedly strong promotional effect.
"Was the result of promoting one or two individual Uma Musume in the past really not as effective as promoting an entire generation like this year?" Symboli Rudolf found herself deeply pondering the matter.
However, this was no longer Shuta Ann's concern.
After finishing the New Year's Hatsumode, Shuta Ann brought Oguri and Berno back home and went straight to sleep. Later that day he still had to host a New Year's gathering for the Uma Musume of his team, and there were many preparations to take care of. He had no intention of staying up late only to look exhausted during the day. Heaven knew whether such a sight might cause unnecessary misunderstandings among the members of Team Sadalsuud.
On New Year's Day in the Dream World, Shuta Ann simply cleaned his apartment as usual, then paid a few visits to acquaintances with whom he had good professional relationships. Aside from that, he stayed at home.
"It seems I really don't have much of a social life in the Dream World," the young man muttered. "Other than watching TV, there's nothing much to do."
That wasn't entirely accurate. In the living room stood a horse-riding training model, used specifically for Shuta Ann to maintain his riding feel.
Still, whether it was Yutaka Take or other jockeys who had visited his apartment, all of them commented that the place was so simple it hardly resembled the home of a champion jockey.
Each time, Shuta Ann merely smiled.
After all, when it came to enjoyment, he felt he already had more than enough in the real world.
On the morning of New Year's Day, the Uma Musume of Team Sadalsuud arrived together at their Trainer's home.
"It's rare for everyone to gather like this," Shuta Ann said with some emotion as he helped Berno prepare the ingredients.
"Yes, but it also increases our workload," the logistics Uma Musume pouted. "Their home economics grades are average at best, so we can't rely on them to help. It would be bad if they got injured."
"Then we'll just have to work a little harder," Ann muttered while chopping vegetables. "Fortunately, Berno processed a lot of the ingredients yesterday. Otherwise, today's workload would be terrifying."
Just as he finished speaking, Mejiro Dober leaned over.
"Berno-senpai, Trainer, do you need my help?"
"Dober is a guest. There's no reason for you to help," Shuta declined politely.
At the same time, Berno spoke up.
"Dober, can you help me blanch the radishes?"
"Mm-hmm! No problem!"
The task wasn't difficult for Mejiro Dober. She immediately put on an apron and bravely joined the "battlefield."
"I'll help!"
Meanwhile, in the living room, Oguri Cap was entertaining the younger members of the team. Both Tokai Teio and Kurofune held immense respect for the gray-haired senior Uma Musume. She could eat a lot, run fast, had accumulated countless honors, and enjoyed overwhelming popularity throughout Japan.
For many Uma Musume at Central Tracen Academy, Oguri Cap represented the ideal dream.
"I really hope I can win double-digit G1 races like Oguri-senpai in the future," Kurofune said, already drifting into daydreams.
Silence Suzuka quietly observed the living room.
She knew very well that in two years, this place would become her home as well. Still, she didn't show it too obviously.
"Suzuka-senpai, how is your recovery now?" Tokai Teio asked first.
"Quite well. I feel like I can start rehabilitation training soon, but Ann-san said I should rest until the end of the month. Either way, it's better to listen to him." Silence Suzuka gently stroked her thigh. "I don't want to get injured again and make him worry."
"Yes…When I watched the live broadcast, Mejiro Dober-senpai and I were both shocked. We were so afraid something had happened to you—" Tokai Teio bit her lip.
"Although it's a little embarrassing, when I saw Suzuka-senpai slow down, I suddenly thought about the training program Trainer always arranges for me. I always feel like he thinks I'm very prone to injury."
Team Sadalsuud wasn't unfamiliar with injuries. Oguri Cap had dealt with them frequently.
But Silence Suzuka was the first to suffer an injury during an actual race.
Tokai Teio, who carried high expectations, had realized something at that moment.
"Only after seeing a senior teammate get injured on the track do you understand how heartbreaking that kind of misfortune is."
She closed her eyes.
"I also don't want Trainer to see me injured on the sidelines one day. He's always tried to prevent me from getting hurt. If I still end up injured during a race—it would feel like all his efforts were meaningless."
"That would be too cruel."
Tokai Teio glanced toward the kitchen, where the Trainer was focused on preparing ingredients, and quietly reached that conclusion.
"That's why I've decided to restrain myself a little as well," Silence Suzuka said, shaking her head. "It might disappoint the fans—but I'm more afraid of disappointing Ann."
She awkwardly adjusted the hair by her ear.
"Saying that probably doesn't sound very worthy of an idol. But it's my decision."
"Believe me, fans would definitely prefer Suzuka-senpai to run safely for a long time rather than burning out like a fleeting meteor," Kurofune offered her opinion.
"Exactly." Oguri Cap nodded in agreement. Having experienced the Dream Trophy Series herself, she understood the matter clearly. "For most fans, seeing the Uma Musume they support win races is certainly the happiest moment. But the most important thing is staying healthy. Without health, there's no possibility of racing—and that would be the cruelest thing for the fans." (Absolutely true, looking at Meisho Doto still active in his old days feels so reassuring.)
Silence Suzuka lowered her head slightly.
"Health, huh…"
Kurofune and Tokai Teio murmured at the same time.
—
At noon, lunch began.
Kurofune finally witnessed firsthand how Oguri Cap devoured food like a raging storm.
"It's hard to imagine how much Trainer must spend on food just to raise Oguri-senpai—" she silently calculated in her mind.
At that moment, Shuta Ann—who had already finished a chicken leg—cleared his throat.
"Everyone, keep eating while you listen. I've finalized your plans for the first half of the year. Next, I'll explain them one by one, starting with Suzuka."
"Actually, Trainer already revealed quite a lot during yesterday's program," Tokai Teio complained.
Before she could continue speaking, Shuta Ann picked up a carrot and stuffed it into her mouth.
"If you interrupt me again, next time I'll put in two."
Tokai Teio immediately fell silent.
—
January 20th—the day Silence Suzuka officially began her recovery training.
Shuta Ann arrived at Central Tracen Academy early that morning. Walking skillfully to the edge of the training ground, he quickly spotted Silence Suzuka warming up alongside Mejiro Dober and Tokai Teio, just as he expected.
However, the training intensity for the three Uma Musume was now different.
Mejiro Dober's training intensity was the highest, since this year she would challenge the Triple Tiara route. Tokai Teio's training, under Shuta Ann's guidance, focused on gradually increasing intensity while shortening training time, placing her second in terms of workload. As for Silence Suzuka—having only recovered for less than a month—her training intensity was kept deliberately low.
After scanning the three Uma Musume during their warm-up, the young man suddenly noticed a problem.
"Where's Kurofune?"
He looked around the training ground but couldn't spot the gray-haired Uma Musume anywhere.
"Did she skip training today?" he muttered. "According to my January training plan, she should be here today."
Just as Shuta Ann was about to quietly message Kurofune on Line to ask why she was slacking off, he suddenly remembered something.
Central Tracen Academy had more than one training ground.
"Maybe she went to another one."
With that thought, he turned around and left, heading toward the other training fields to look for her.
"Trainer left," Tokai Teio noticed immediately.
"Isn't that normal?" Mejiro Dober said while stretching her leg. "If we don't ask him for guidance, he usually just lets us train on our own. Suzuka-senpai and I are active Twinkle Series racers, and Teio has trained with him for a long time. It's enough if he just checks in during morning practice."
"It's probably because of Kurofune," Silence Suzuka said quietly, sensing another possibility. "Does she usually not train here?"
"At first she trained with me," Tokai Teio replied, shaking her head. "But later she said training with me was too discouraging, so she moved to another training ground."
"Should I say she really is a returning overseas student?" Mejiro Dober complained. "She's incredibly straightforward. Normally, if an Uma Musume feels discouraged, she'd just quietly go talk to a tree in the courtyard."
"Straightforward person aren't annoying," Tokai Teio said casually. "Besides, she told me she'll come back to train with me once she feels she can keep up with my pace."
"Then Teio, do you think that's possible?" Mejiro Dober asked curiously.
"I don't know. That's something you should ask Trainer," Tokai Teio said with a pout. "I'm not the one who judges potential."
Meanwhile, after searching two training grounds, Shuta Ann finally found Kurofune at Training Ground No. 4, the smallest track in the academy.
She had likely finished warming up and was now jogging in circles along the track.
"Why is she training here?" Shuta Ann frowned slightly. "It can't be that she's being bullied…"
The thought vanished almost as soon as it appeared.
The members of Team Sadalsuud were not the kind to bully others, and he could see no grievance or dissatisfaction on Kurofune's face.
"I'll just ask her."
Shuta Ann called her over, and the gray Uma Musume quickly came to stand in front of him.
"Trainer, good morning," Kurofune greeted politely.
"Good morning, Miss Kurofune." Shuta Ann went straight to the point. "Why are you training at such a secluded track?"
"I…can't quite keep up with the seniors' training pace," Kurofune answered honestly. "I thought it would be better to train here and improve until I can keep up. Otherwise, Teio-senpai always has to slow down for me. It feels like I'm holding her back."
"Is that the only reason?"
Shuta Ann stared directly at her, pressing further. He wasn't certain whether she had said everything on her mind.
"…."
Kurofune's gaze drifted aside.
"You don't need to avoid me," Shuta Ann said, gently holding her wrist. "I'm your Trainer. Asking me for help is the best solution. Look at me and tell me what else is bothering you."
"Maybe I'm just overthinking things."
Kurofune spoke quietly.
"Whenever I train behind Teio-senpai, I always feel a lot of eyes on me. People are watching me with this—evaluative look. It makes me uncomfortable."
Hearing this, Shuta Ann could only roll his eyes.
"You don't need to worry about that. They're just curious, not hostile," he explained calmly. "Our Sadalsuud team is considered the strongest team in the academy. Naturally, when someone new joins, people will pay attention."
He paused slightly.
"You should know that whenever I walk around the academy, there are always Uma Musume trying to submit applications to join the team. I reject them every time."
He patted Kurofune on the shoulder.
"So don't mistake those looks for malice. If you keep training alone here, the seniors won't be able to give you advice. Personally, I hope you return to the main training ground. But it's up to you. If you still feel uncomfortable, I can come here more often."
Kurofune remained silent for a long moment.
Then she finally spoke.
"Trainer— please give me a little more time."
She lifted her head and met his eyes.
"I want to build a little more confidence first. Being left behind by Teio-senpai every time is embarrassing. I want to catch up to her pace and then face those gazes properly."
"No problem."
Shuta Ann smiled.
"The one thing we have plenty of right now is time. Relax. Since I accepted your application to join the team, it means I believe you can grow strong enough to bring glory to Sadalsuud. Don't worry about those trivial things."
"Mm." Kurofune nodded firmly.
"Then it's settled." Shuta Ann turned and waved his hand. "From now on, I'll come here to supervise your training whenever you train."
He paused before adding a warning.
"But under my supervision, slacking off won't be easy. I'll be very strict about your training."
"As long as it helps me catch up with the seniors' pace quickly, that's no problem!" Kurofune called out confidently as she watched his departing figure.
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