"Wuyou… we're here to advise you… to give up becoming a trainer."
The moment the words fell, the world around them became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Wuyou lifted his head and looked at Byerley Turk for a long time without speaking.
This goddess of Discipline—the toughest and most unyielding of the three—was actually avoiding his gaze, as if she wanted to look away.
It wasn't because there was accusation or anger in Wuyou's eyes.
On the contrary—
All that remained was clarity.
A clarity unwavering—pure and unbreakable, like a diamond that would never fade.
"Lady Byerley…" Wuyou called softly. "I have a question."
Byerley Turk's horse ears twitched. Instinctively she straightened her back and answered in a low voice, "Ask. If I know it, I'll tell you."
To be honest, she didn't dislike Wuyou.
If anything… she liked him a lot.
Plant-type fairies were born with a fear of Uma Musume etched into their bones.
And for a carrot fairy, that fear was even stronger.
After all, in a sense, horse girls who loved carrots could be considered the natural predator of carrot fairies.
And yet even so—Wuyou, a carrot fairy, had the nerve to walk into Tracen Academy and become a trainer!
And all three goddesses could tell: Wuyou truly intended to pour his entire life into this.
So toward this little guy… the Three Goddesses felt sincere gratitude, and genuine affection.
"I want to ask…" Wuyou finally spoke.
"…how did you get so tall?"
"…Huh?" Byerley Turk blanked.
Not just Byerley Turk—the other two goddesses froze as well.
Wuyou didn't care about their reactions. He continued in complete seriousness:
"I've seen plenty of giant Uma Musume overseas, but I have to say… Lady Byerley, you're easily the biggest I've ever seen. Like… three meters, right?"
Wuyou kept rambling. Meanwhile, Byerley Turk's fists clenched, flames flaring behind her—
"You… you bastard. Maybe I really should just punch you…"
But in the end, she did nothing.
Instead, she stomped back to where she had been, dropped down with a heavy plop, shut her eyes in a sulk, and refused to speak.
The other two goddesses exchanged helpless smiles.
Of course they understood.
This was Wuyou changing the subject—
And it was also his answer.
He wasn't going to quit.
He could not.
Godolphin Arabian moved to sit beside him and gently held his hand.
"Wuyou. All three of us understand very well—and we truly thank you for everything you've given to every Uma Musume. Especially everything you poured into helping Symboli Rudolf."
"At that time, you used your power almost without holding anything back."
Darley Arabian continued, her tone serious. "Not just that. While you traveled the world helping Uma Musume, you used your abilities to save them again and again."
Wuyou replied calmly, "It's fine. It's what I should do."
"But you'll die," Byerley Turk said.
Wuyou didn't argue.
Every time he used "trade," he was essentially paying with his own body.
Especially when he treated Symboli Rudolf—he had nearly burned away half his life force.
In truth, he understood perfectly why the Three Goddesses were trying to stop him.
Injuries were something almost no athlete could avoid over a career.
And for Uma Musume, especially—
Their legs were heaven's gift…
But also carried terrifying risk.
Once an Uma Musume's legs were injured, recovery was far harder than for humans.
And some Uma Musume were born with "glass legs" to begin with.
And with Wuyou's personality…
If the injury was minor, it was fine—using his power wouldn't necessarily cost life.
But what if it was severe?
What if it was the kind of injury that could leave permanent damage for life?
The Three Goddesses all knew:
Wuyou would never stand by and do nothing.
Even if it meant consuming more of his own life—
He would still choose to let them run again.
"You can save a child's career," Darley Arabian said heavily, "maybe even her life. But every time you do it, the flame of your own life becomes weaker."
Godolphin Arabian's gentle voice trembled. "We're truly grateful to you, Xiao You… but we also don't want to see you die young one day, all because you chased your dream…"
Wuyou said nothing.
He simply stared quietly into Godolphin Arabian's eyes.
Godolphin froze—then finally opened the beautiful eyes she'd kept half-lidded.
They were the color of emerald.
The two of them locked gazes like they were playing a game: whoever blinks first loses.
Because they didn't need words.
They could see the answer inside each other's eyes.
In the end—
The emerald lost to the diamond.
Godolphin's eyes filled with hot tears, and she sat to the side, quietly sobbing.
Wuyou offered silent comfort, then lifted his gaze to the other two—
First Darley Arabian.
Then Byerley Turk.
At last, all three understood Wuyou's resolve.
He would never abandon being a trainer.
It was his dream—
And his promise to his late sister.
The Three Goddesses exchanged looks. The worry in the air slowly softened into something gentler.
Finally, Godolphin Arabian whispered:
"We understand. Since this is the road you've chosen… we will respect it."
Byerley Turk opened her eyes. The anger was gone from her gaze, leaving only helplessness and concern.
"But remember—know your limits."
Darley Arabian walked up to Wuyou and lightly patted his shoulder.
"That stubbornness of yours… it makes me happy. But sometimes it gives me a headache…"
A pure white door appeared in the distance, forming out of nothing.
Walking through it would mean waking up.
Wuyou rose and bowed deeply to the three goddesses.
"Thank you for understanding. I'll be careful."
Just as he turned—
Two soft bodies hugged him tightly.
The heat of passionate flame—
And the warmth of a gentle sea.
"Really… thank you, Xiao You," Godolphin murmured at his ear.
Darley Arabian waved toward the figure still sitting on the sofa.
"Hey! Byerley! You too—come on!"
Byerley Turk pretended not to hear, turning her head away.
But the tail swishing restlessly behind her betrayed her.
"Don't go tsundere at a moment like this!" Darley teased. "Otherwise you'll miss your chance! Haven't you always wanted to hug Wuyou too?"
"I never—!" Byerley shouted, face red.
But under Wuyou's gaze, she clicked her tongue, made a sound like striking flint, and walked over.
"This is only to thank you for helping Uma Musume. Don't get the wrong idea."
Even so—
She hugged him the tightest out of the three.
"Hehe~ By the way, Wuyou," Darley Arabian teased, "who do you think has the best feel? My thighs are obviously the best, right?"
"…Huh?"
"It should be me, shouldn't it?" Godolphin said. "Back then Xiao You touched my chest several times."
"…Huh?"
"Hmph! I don't care either way!" Byerley Turk snorted. "But the feel of my abs won't lose to anyone!"
"…Uh…"
Listening to the Three Goddesses chirp away, Wuyou really wanted to say—
Do stone statues even have a "feel" to begin with?
....
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