The Kikuka Sho that King ran in had ended, and as usual, the next morning I bought a sports newspaper at the convenience store and relaxed in the clubroom.
The front page was dedicated to yesterday's Kikuka Sho... no, the second and third pages were also full of articles about the Kikuka Sho. There were articles about Seiun Sky's world record, how it compared to the previous record, and how many seconds she had shaved off.
The newspaper was filled with Seiun Sky's pictures, along with various articles.
(The person of the moment... the Umamusume of the moment. Well, I guess that's what happens when you set a record like that.)
I read the articles with a wry smile. There were many color photos of Seiun Sky in the paddock, her expression when she entered the gate, her race, the moment she crossed the finish line, and the moment she was held up by King and Special Week, with Biwa Hayahide offering her a handshake.
In fact, it was such a big deal that extras were being handed out the day before. When I turned on the TV, the news and variety shows were all talking about it, and the radio was also covering Seiun Sky.
There were even articles saying that 'Seiun Sky' had recorded the most searches in a single day on Umatar and other search engines.
Right now, Tracen Academy must be flooded with interview requests, TV appearances, and merchandise deals for Seiun Sky. I'm not involved in that kind of work, so I'm not touching it, but I wonder what Seiun Sky's trainer is going through.
Well, it's probably a good problem to have. A happy problem. But she probably won't be able to sleep for a few days because she's so happy.
Besides Seiun Sky, the newspaper also had articles about Biwa Hayahide, who finished 2nd, and King, who was thought to be a sprinter but challenged a long-distance race.
I was so focused on Seiun Sky's world record, but King also beat Special Week and Oguri Cap. She couldn't catch Biwa Hayahide, but it was a close finish. The fact that the Umamusume up to 7th place ran with a time better than the race record was also making headlines.
The content was so incredible that the newspaper was calling the Umamusume in the top 7 the Golden Generation. King being in the Golden Generation... that has a nice ring to it.
I'm frustrated that King only got 3rd place, but even after a night has passed, my feelings of admiration for Seiun Sky are stronger than my frustration. I guess it can't be helped since the news keeps showing the race footage.
I turned on the TV to see, and a news program was playing the Kikuka Sho race footage from start to finish without any edits. And after the finish, it cut to King and Special Week holding up Seiun Sky and lending her a shoulder, and Biwa Hayahide offering her a handshake.
But as I watched the footage, there was one thing that bothered me.
(Oguri Cap is... she's depressed, or something...?)
Before, she was the type of girl who would stare blankly at the sky after a race, but maybe because she finished 5th in the Kikuka Sho, she was looking down with a frustrated frown.
(If she's starting to feel frustrated, she'll become even stronger...)
I wouldn't say that showing your emotions is always a good thing. But if Oguri Cap has found a new fighting spirit, she'll become an even more formidable opponent.
I took a sip of the coffee I had made and let out a wry smile--and then, there was a knock on the clubroom door.
"Coming... Oh, Tazuna-san? What's wrong?"
Standing on the other side of the door was Tazuna-san. Huh? Did something happen? I've been doing my work without any problems...
"Do you have a moment?"
While I was thinking about that, Tazuna-san smiled sweetly and tried to enter the clubroom. When I saw her smile, I thought, 'Oh, this is not good.'
(Tazuna-san is mad... Is it about the overtime? I've been spending so much time on researching races for the past month...)
She must have found out that I've been spending a lot of time on research to make King win and for Rice, who is running in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) this weekend.
I quickly looked away and racked my brain for something to change the subject. Wait, I have the perfect topic.
I picked up the newspaper I had just been reading and showed her the front page, laughing.
"Look at this, Tazuna-san. It's all about Seiun Sky since yesterday. She's truly the Umamusume of the moment."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Huh?"
"Oh? ... Oh, yes, that's right. Tokino, no, Seiun Sky is the Umamusume of the moment."
Huh? I tried to change the subject, but she gave me a strange reaction. Tazuna-san cleared her throat delicately and smiled again.
"You know why I'm here, don't you?"
"Yes... I'm sorry..."
I obediently bowed my head. 'You've been working too much overtime,' I understood, and 'I'm sorry.'
When I apologized, Tazuna-san let out a big sigh.
"I know you're working hard, Trainer-san. Personally, I find that attitude very commendable. However, from my position as your boss and in a management position, it is my duty to stop you... You understand that, right?"
"Yes..."
I want to research rival Umamusume and races as much as I can for Urara and the others. But I'm an employee of Tracen Academy. From Tazuna-san's position as my manager, it wouldn't be strange for her to get angry at this point.
A subordinate who doesn't stop working overtime no matter how many times you warn them... It wouldn't be strange for her to lose her temper... That's me.
Tazuna-san stared at me for a while, then let out a small sigh and smiled in a troubled way.
"Honestly... you have dark circles under your eyes. If you work too hard and collapse, Haru Urara and the others will worry, you know?"
"No, these are actually eyeblacks..."
"Trainer-san?"
"Yes, I'm sorry..."
I tried to play dumb, but she put me in my place. I'm taking advantage of her kindness. I feel bad, but for some reason, she's so reliable that I can't help but depend on her. No, I know it's a bad thing.
Normally, the conversation would end here, but Tazuna-san tilted her head a little and made a puzzled face.
"By the way, I've been wondering for a while... if it's not too much trouble, can I ask you why you have to work so much overtime?"
"...I've also been wondering for a while, but don't you usually need a detailed reason for overtime?"
I'm answering a question with a question, but I always apply for overtime with reasons like 'I'm researching rival Umamusume' or 'I'm researching race footage,' but Tazuna-san has never questioned me deeply.
Tazuna-san gave a wry smile and put her hand on her cheek.
"To explain it to you simply, Trainer-san... You know Kiryuin-san, right? The Kiryuin family has been a family of trainers for generations, and they have inherited a training method. You could say it's a secret art or a hidden technique."
"That sounds cool."
I'm a grown man on the inside, but I still get excited when I hear words like 'secret art' or 'hidden technique.' Men can never get rid of their inner child.
"And so, that kind of information is basically never shared with outsiders. For a trainer or their family, the Umamusume training method is the culmination of experience from training many, even dozens of Umamusume."
"I see... So they've accumulated information like how to train Umamusume who are good on turf, or how to train Umamusume who specialize in short-distance and runaway racing?"
You learn some of those training methods in trainer school. However, it's only on a basic level, and trainer families probably delve deeper into or apply those basics.
Some trainers might specialize in training runaway-style Umamusume. In extreme cases, they might turn away any Umamusume who isn't a runaway and refuse to train them.
"That's right. To put it another way, that information is a source of income. You're an employee of Tracen Academy, but you're doing what's necessary based on your own training method, aren't you? That's why it's hard for us to stop you."
Saying that, Tazuna-san tilted her head with a troubled look.
To use an analogy, a doctor might read the latest research papers or study new case examples outside of work hours. The question is whether or not that should be considered overtime. Tazuna-san decided that it was necessary for Umamusume training and had given me her permission.
"I could understand if you were from a family of trainers, but I'm curious about what you're using your research on rival Umamusume and race footage for... It's just a personal curiosity, so you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"...Couldn't that mean I'm pretending to work overtime and improperly receiving overtime pay?"
"Is there a possibility of that?"
"No, there isn't..."
Honestly, I would want to stay even without the overtime pay. I was convinced by Tazuna-san's words and picked up the files from the shelf.
"It's not that I can't tell you. In fact, I'd even like to get some advice from you, Tazuna-san."
Saying that, I handed her a file. Inside was Urara's data. I had printed out and organized the data from the first six months since I started training her.
I also have the data stored digitally and have backups, but the advantage of keeping it on paper is that it won't be lost unless it burns up.
"Um... what is this?"
"It's Urara's data. I've compiled data on how a certain training affects her muscles, her time, and her running style."
While talking, I took out another file.
"And this one is data on Urara's rival Umamusume. I'm predicting how they'll grow based on their past race footage and training Urara to surpass those predicted values."
As I explained, I suddenly remembered. I've never talked to Tazuna-san like this before...
She supported me for about six months after I founded Team Kitalpha, but she only helped me with the work assigned by Tracen Academy. She would bring me the entry lists for Urara and Rice's races... but that was probably just out of her kindness.
"..."
Tazuna-san silently read the files I gave her, and her face showed a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
"...Tazuna-san?"
I was curious about her reaction and called out to her. Tazuna-san tilted her head a little and then started reading the data on the rival Umamusume.
I wonder what's wrong. Did I do something wrong? Or is she going to get angry at me for showing her something that's not even worth a damn? If she gets angry, I'll be disappointed.
"I see..."
Tazuna-san finished reading the documents and nodded as if she understood something. She handed the files back to me and let her gaze wander.
"Tazuna-san? What do you see?"
"No... it's just that my question has been answered, or rather, the answer I found is one that is very troubling for us... that's all."
What do you mean? I tilted my head. But Tazuna-san didn't answer my question and let out a big sigh.
"Haru Urara-san, who passed the Tracen Academy interview with just the results of her races... isn't she one of the top runners on dirt now?"
"I'm a little embarrassed when you praise her."
"Rice Shower-san was on the verge of breaking down, but now she's running with energy and is a top contender in the Senior class, isn't she?"
"Yes, she's my pride."
"And King Halo-san, who won the Sprinters Stakes, finished 3rd in yesterday's Kikuka Sho, didn't she?"
"She did."
What is it? What's going on? Did you come here to praise them? If so, I'll be so proud and in a good mood. I'll take you out for a drink tonight and buy you the most expensive liquor. Oh, Tazuna-san, you're just praising my girls so much. You can praise them more, you know?
I was excited, thinking about how much money was in my wallet or if I could just use my card. But Tazuna-san had an unexplainable look on her face, so I stopped being excited.
"Um... is there something wrong?"
"It's not... a problem... no, it is a problem..."
Which one is it? Huh? Is there a problem?
"...I don't know... After all... love... But Trainer-san... your ability is..."
Tazuna-san was muttering to herself. To be honest, it's a little scary. And love? Why love?
Tazuna-san was muttering for a while, then she let out a big sigh and looked up.
"Trainer-san, do you have any secrets to training Umamusume?"
"Huh? If I did, I'd want you to teach me..."
That's not a question you ask a rookie in their second year of being a trainer, is it? Huh? I feel like I've had this conversation before.
"Hmm... It's not a secret, but I try to avoid injuries. I can't prevent sudden injuries during a race, but I make sure they do a proper warm-up before training and a proper cool-down after. I also tell them to report any discomfort they feel in their body."
"I think that's very important."
"I just have them train hard every day while avoiding injuries, then increase the intensity as their abilities grow, and I try to make the training interesting so they don't get bored... that's about it?"
"I see... that's right."
There really are no secrets. I'm just diligently training them as Umamusume, making their bodies a little stronger every day. Oh, but it's not a secret, but there's something that's essential for me to train them.
"Oh, there's one more thing that I think is very important."
"--What is it?"
Tazuna-san asked with a glint in her eyes. Wait, why that reaction? It's a little scary.
"Oh, it's not a big deal. If the Umamusume I'm in charge of doesn't have the grit to go through any kind of training... or the personality to enjoy training, I don't think I can train them to the end..."
The former are Rice and King, and the latter is Urara. It's probably only when I can train Umamusume who aren't like that that I'll be considered a full-fledged trainer, but for me, I'm relying heavily on the Umamusume's personality.
I can't train a girl who doesn't have the guts to go through the kind of training that gives her muscle soreness every day and still keeps pushing forward.
Or a girl like Urara, who is happy just to be able to run in races and training. But the current Urara has gained an amazing amount of grit and still has her cheerful personality from before.
Thinking about it, the Umamusume I can train are very dependent on our compatibility. If I have to train a Umamusume who isn't motivated from the start or who has lost her passion, I probably can't do it.
Well, a Umamusume who isn't motivated from the start... who would say no to races and training... probably wouldn't even aim for Tracen Academy, so I probably won't have a chance to train one.
The only exception would be someone like Gold Ship, who can think of the necessary training for herself and can train herself to a level where she can win races. I see her often, and she seems to be the type who only wants you to be serious with her when she feels like it, so I think she'd be easy to train. And she's an interesting girl.
When I finished talking, Tazuna-san had a face like she had just chewed on dozens of bitter insects. No, I've never chewed on a bitter insect, so maybe a single one would make her look like that.
"I see..."
"Um... Your reaction has been bothering me. Is there something wrong...?"
She wants me to ask, right? When I asked, Tazuna-san sighed again.
"No... from what you've said, it's all very reasonable... I've known this for a while, but it's just that the reason why you work so much overtime to research rival Umamusume and races has become very clear to me..."
Tazuna-san looked troubled, as if she couldn't find the right words. I couldn't help but smile wryly.
"I'm sorry, I'm the type of person who can't do anything without taking my time."
The ability to see a rival Umamusume's condition comes from comparing it with past data. I can get a general idea without data, but to see it in more detail, I need to have a lot of data.
Even though I had this strange experience of being reincarnated, my intelligence hasn't improved. But I think I'm in a much better position than I was in my previous life. I've known the importance of working hard to improve my intelligence and body since I was a child, and I've been doing so. It's just that I could become a good student, but I could never beat a true genius.
A trainer like Tojo-san... no, even a trainer who's my contemporary would probably get more information just by looking at an Umamusume once than I would. I learned that when I talked to a contemporary of mine in the paddock when King ran in the Sprinters Stakes.
He must have been researching King, but he was able to tell her condition at a glance and was sure that the Umamusume he was training was at a level where she could win. I was also at the same level, but there's a huge difference in the time it took for us to get there.
I'm the type of person who repeatedly and meticulously checks race footage and makes a judgment after checking every little detail.
Tojo-san probably gets the same amount of information from watching race footage once as I do from watching it 10 or 20 times. That's why Tojo-san can train close to ten Umamusume, while I'm pretty much at my limit with just Urara and the two others.
Of course, that's just for now. I hope that if I get more experience as a trainer, I'll be able to get more information from just a single look, like Tojo-san.
If I can do that, I'll be able to spend less time on researching rival Umamusume and races and take on a new Umamusume. I wish I had that much talent as a trainer...
As I was talking, Tazuna-san frowned with a mix of understanding and doubt.
"I see... No, that's right. Trainer-san is the type of person who builds things up little by little. The way you handle your work is also like that..."
"And I need overtime to build things up, so please turn a blind eye to it..."
I begged her with my hands together, and Tazuna-san nodded with a face that wasn't completely convinced.
"Please don't overdo it. For now, I'll overlook it until the Tenno Sho (Autumn) this weekend, but after that, please get some proper rest."
"Of course... I'd like to say that, but..."
After the Tenno Sho (Autumn), at least for Rice, there's about a month until the next race. Rice is going to run in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in late October, the G1 Japan Cup in late November, and the G1 Arima Kinen in late December every month, but I think we can manage.
However, Urara has the JBC Sprint in early November, and I have to set a new goal for King. If I want her to win G1s in all distances, the races will be too close together, but the Fukushima Kinen in early November is a G3 race that's easy to aim for at 2000 meters.
"I think it's going to be pretty tough for another month... no, for the rest of the year..."
"Will you really stop working overtime after the new year?"
I quietly looked away from her question, which was asked with a smile. I have a decent amount of data, but there are still Umamusume like Twin Turbo that I've overlooked, and Umamusume like Seiun Sky who completely disregard my predictions and set a world record.
When I think about it that way, I might be weak against runaway-style Umamusume. No, there's also Smart Falcon, so if I had to say what kind of Umamusume I'm bad against, it would definitely be runaway-style Umamusume.
I've been getting better at handling the work from Tracen Academy quickly, but the research on the Umamusume never ends. In fact, it can't end because the rival Umamusume are always growing. It feels like I'm stacking stones at Sai no Kawara.
I know I have to stop at some point, but I can't bring myself to do it when I think about Urara and the others losing.
"I've told you this many times, but if you collapse, Haru Urara and the others will be sad, you know? Of course, I'll be sad, too. So please take it easy."
I nodded at her words and saw Tazuna-san off. However, after she left, a question came to my mind.
(Did she just come here to warn me about my overtime...?)
That's probably part of it, but for some reason, it felt like she was more focused on the secrets of training... Is it something that she would come all the way here to talk about when she's busy with Seiun Sky's world record?
(If Urara had won a G1 turf race, a long-distance one at that, she might be concerned, but King was already running middle-distance races before I became her trainer... Wait, but it was after the Sprinters Stakes, so maybe she was curious about my training method for her distance aptitude?)
But if that's the case, I think it would be better to research Meek, who can run on both turf and dirt and in all distances, rather than me... In terms of talent, I think she's probably the best.
(Hmm... but I made her worried... I guess I'll just focus on the last three races for my research...)
It would be good to check from the make debut race to understand the rival Umamusume's habits, but if I collapse, it will be all for nothing. Besides, I'm getting tired. My body might be young, but my spirit is that of a middle-aged man. I'll take it easy.
"Alright... I'll just finish my work quickly and then start planning for the Tenno Sho (Autumn)..."
I motivated myself with those words and headed to my desk.
And the weekend--the Senior Triple Crown (Autumn) was about to begin.
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