Author's Note: I am not an editor or a professional writer. I will write this and edit it to the best of my ability. I also do not own Uma Musume, which is owned by Cygames. Watch the animes and read the mangas, for they are pretty good. Finally, please enjoy.
Tsukasa Takajima POV
Two weeks had passed since Steel herself confessed to me. It was adorable how nervous she had been when she accidentally confessed in that way. Still, thanks to her teammates, our first date had to be rescheduled until after training camp. Even so, I'm excited to go out with someone so strong—and someone who won't get me arrested.
Since then, I've pulled all-nighters, at least until the no-overtime rule was implemented, to create the perfect training plan for this camp.
I assigned my assistant coaches, coordinators, and specialists to each trainee to help develop their individual training plans. I spoke with Mina to acquire the proper equipment and supplies we would need. I even planned everything around our vast facilities and resources to effectively bring out the potential of our trainees. I was ready for this, with emergency and backup plans prepared as well.
I got dressed and soon headed to the practice field. I had prepared for every type of resistance from the trainees, including knowing how to manipulate them psychologically. I also adjusted the training schedule with the other staff heads to make everything as effective as possible, ensuring there would be no creative or promotional work until after training camp. Finally, I arranged emergency services in case of sickness or injuries.
Everything was completed by the time I arrived, ready for training camp to finally begin.
I saw that everyone was there: the training staff, the trainees, and even some of the heads of staff, along with Mina. Mina was with Iguro, which made sense. Suzu was there serving Mina, while Mana was present in case of medical emergencies. Takeshi and Juna were there to handle supply and cleaning duties.
Ana and Yuto were also part of the coaching staff, just in different fields, with their respective teams helping mine. Still, Ayana and Hana hanging around was somewhat unexpected. I soon blew my trusted whistle, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Now, training camp begins soon. All staff have been assigned their duties, so disperse and wait in your designated workspaces."
All the staff immediately dispersed, leaving only Mina, Suzu, Iguro, and Hana behind as Ayana left and responsibly returned to her work.
She was probably here to say goodbye to Spice and the rest of the team she had been taking care of for so long. She would see them again soon, so it wasn't completely sad. She had done a good job finding a lot of personnel for us over these last two weeks, significantly bolstering our organization.
Soon, I nodded toward Mina, and she nodded back, giving me the signal to begin training camp. She left while saying, "I'll leave things to you, Tsukasa. I have to navigate and manage the staff. Let's go, Iguro, Suzu."
Hana also moved to the side of the practice field to watch the training as Mina's group left. Now, it was just me and the team.
I began speaking.
"Okay, my staff already took attendance, so every one of you is here. For the next few weeks, these training grounds will be your Hell."
They all listened attentively.
"Now, you've all been taught the four pacing styles and their branches, such as Escape, which is essentially Front Runner but much more reckless."
Everyone responded loudly and clearly in agreement, showing me that they had all studied this before.
I continued, "Now, you all know the five stats every trainer focuses on: Speed, Stamina, Power, Guts, and Wit. Am I correct?"
They all responded, "Sir, yes sir!"
I nodded and continued.
"Well, this is the professional adult league now. What you knew in the past was high-school-level training from the second-rate country we live in. In other, stronger countries, there are five additional stats we use: Adaptability, Flexibility, Agility, Tenacity, and Creativity. All of these will be trained alongside the original five that you already know."
Jo raised her arm.
"We already know about that, Coach, and we've already implemented it into our training."
I knew that, but this was more of a warning about what was about to happen to them than an actual lesson.
"That's great news. Now we're amping that training up to infinity. Thanks for the data, by the way, Jo. It helped me figure out ways to make all of you so much stronger."
I smiled, which caused Jo and everyone else to shiver in fear.
I walked back and forth, and once they had begun listening again, I continued.
"Let's begin. We will be doing warm-ups daily, followed by physical training that will improve your stats and teach you common skills and techniques. Then comes breakfast. After that, we'll have strategy classes, followed by combat training for everyone. After lunch, we'll conduct performance reviews, followed by specialized training for each of you to enhance your talents and teach you skills and techniques unique to yourselves. Finally, you'll shower, eat dinner, and sleep. I expect everyone to be here at 6:30 a.m. throughout this training camp."
Vic soon raised her arm, and I allowed her to speak.
"Will this training continue after camp, or will we be assigned different coaches?"
"No," I responded. "After camp, your training will be adjusted individually to determine where each of you can improve. You'll all be trained as individuals or through relay-style training. We'll also teach you how to race on different tracks, in different race types, and across different distances during this camp. That way, we can determine how to use each of you strategically once the tournaments begin."
They all nodded, clearly ready.
And soon, training began.