My contemporary's Uma Musume, Yuiitsumuni, won her first G1 race.
The news was immediately shared on our messaging app. Actually, some of my contemporaries had Uma Musume in the Victoria Mile but lost to Yuiitsumuni, and I was watching it on the TV in the clubroom since it was a G1 race on a Sunday.
Following me and Kiryuin-san, my contemporary became the third G1 trainer from our generation. What's more, she defeated Meek, who is famous as a member of the Golden Generation.
"Yessssssss! My Yuiitsumuni is the strongest!"
And for some reason, my contemporary called me and shouted that. My eardrums hurt!
"Oh, crap, sorry, I made a mistake."
Then the call ended. I wonder who she meant to call... I guess she was trying to call her parents or boyfriend and accidentally misdialed.
Yuiitsumuni is a 'runner' type Uma Musume. She bolted from the start of the 1,600-meter mile race and managed to hold on in the final straight, not getting caught by the closing Meek. The margin was a neck, but a win is a win. Right after crossing the finish line, Meek seemed to be moving faster, so Yuiitsumuni herself didn't think she had won.
But when she saw the reactions of those around her, heard the commentators, and saw her number on the results board, Yuiitsumuni broke down crying right there. It was a cry of joy.
Winning a G1 race is a heavy, weighty thing. Of course, winning a G2 or lower race isn't a bad thing, but a G1 victory is special.
Rice has won 5, King has won 3, and Urara has won 2, but a G1 win still makes me tremble with joy and gets me so excited I can't sleep at night.
My body trembles from the core, a shiver runs from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, and my knees feel like they're going to buckle. That's the joy and emotion of a G1 victory.
"Yuiitsumuni got a one-of-a-kind result... Hmm, is one G1 win enough to call it 'one-of-a-kind'?"
Muttering this, I opened the clubroom door and looked outside. Yup, Symboli Rudolf isn't here.
At least for my contemporary, it was her first G1, and I'm sure she felt a one-of-a-kind emotion. I also thought about how I still get happy when Urara and the others win a G1, but my first G1 win was truly special...
My first G1 victory was probably when Rice won the Arima Kinen two years ago, but if it's about an Uma Musume I raised from scratch, it would be Urara's JBC Sprint last year.
In any case, it's a happy occasion. This calls for a get-together... no, a banquet. The person whose Uma Musume won a major race usually treats, but since King won the Tenno Sho (Spring), there's no problem with me organizing it. I'll also grab the juniors and invite the new trainers.
A celebration for the winners and a consolation party for the losers. With that thought, I decided on a convenient date, sent messages to my contemporaries, juniors, and new trainers, and started the banquet at our usual spot in the shopping district after work—but then.
"I'm soooooo frustrated! My Meek!"
"It's my win this time! Yay!"
After the toast, there was a rare sight of Kiryuin-san chugging a beer and getting all over Yuiitsumuni's trainer. Yeah, it was really rare. I think it was the first time I'd seen Kiryuin-san like that.
"She beat me to becoming a G1 trainer..."
"My Uma Musume's mile aptitude isn't great... and I have to deal with this freak in middle and long-distance races..."
"Who are you calling a freak?"
Meanwhile, I was drinking with a contemporary I had clashed with in the recent Tenno Sho (Spring).
"By the way, how's Imperial Tally, who fell in the race?"
"He's fine. Just a few bruises, he's perfectly okay now. How about your King Halo?"
"A lump of mud hit her eye directly, and it took almost five days for it to heal completely..."
Unlike a cut or fracture, an eye infection from bacteria is something I can't do anything about. All I could do was check that she was using the prescribed eye drops correctly, but King is meticulous about that, so there were no problems. The eye patch is off now, and I checked her right eye every day, but there was no impact on her vision. This was confirmed at the hospital, and she can finally resume normal training.
"King Halo has three G1 wins now... And they were in a sprint, a mile, and a long-distance race..."
"Next, if she wins a middle-distance G1, she'll have G1 wins in all distances."
"What do you call someone who sets that kind of goal if not a freak?"
My contemporary said, looking dumbfounded, but then he suddenly looked serious and turned his gaze to me.
"By the way... I know this is a drinking party, but could you give me some advice?"
"Hmm? What's up? Are you asking for money?"
Lending or borrowing money can ruin relationships, so I'd prefer not to. I said it half-jokingly, and my contemporary looked into the distance.
"I'm not so broke that I need to borrow money... The salary at Tracen Academy is high, and I don't have time to spend it, so it just accumulates..."
"I know. So, what's the advice about?"
My contemporary has won major races and placed in G1s, so I knew he wasn't in financial trouble. That's why I joked, but it seems he also doesn't have time to spend money. We're all like that because our hobby is training our Uma Musume, so it can't be helped.
"The kids I scouted this year have gotten used to my training, and I'm thinking of applying to establish a team soon, but... what's it really like to have a team? Is it hard to manage?"
"Hmm... it's tough at first, but once you get used to it, it's not so bad... I guess?"
The contemporary I was talking to has six Uma Musume... two this year, two last year, and two the year before, scouting two new ones every year. He scouts girls who are good at sprinting and miles, and others who are good at middle and long distances, and trains them so their race schedules don't overlap.
With six Uma Musume, he meets the minimum number to establish a team, and he's also won a major race. The total number of wins for all his Uma Musume is close to 20, so I figured his application would go through without any issues.
"You get a clubroom, the money allocated from Tracen Academy increases, and you get priority use of the facilities... there are a lot of benefits."
"Right... but if you have to spend more money, the paperwork will be a pain... but if it helps my girls' training, I guess it's worth it..."
While we were talking, another contemporary who was drinking on my left joined the conversation.
"I have five, but my record is a little... do you think I can get an application through?"
"I think so. I'd even guess Tracen Academy is hoping you'll create a team soon."
This other contemporary has two senior-level, one classic-level, and two new students he scouted this year. The two senior-level girls have four wins each, for a total of eight, and the classic-level girl has three wins, so he's a trainer with double-digit wins. The new students haven't made their debut yet, so it's hard to say, but the other three have all won open races.
Even though he hasn't won a major race, he has won open races, so I thought he'd be fine. Actually, wouldn't it be faster to ask?
'Tazuna-san, one of my contemporaries who has five or more Uma Musume wants to establish a team.'
'Please fill out the necessary documents and submit them tomorrow. I'll be waiting.'
I sent a message to Tazuna-san on the app, and she replied in less than a minute. The reply came quickly even though I hadn't mentioned his record.
"It's okay. She said she'll be waiting."
"Don't take away my escape route! ...But this is a good opportunity, I guess."
"Then let's form a team!"
He had already planned to establish a team, so once he was encouraged, he made a quick decision. People usually have their minds made up when they ask for advice. They vent what they want and make a decision once they get a push. While some people truly want advice, my contemporary wasn't like that. My contemporary wasn't like that, at least.
"Senpai... could you give me some advice...?"
As I was having fun with my contemporaries, a junior with a serious face came over. I feel like he asks me for advice at every drinking party, but he's a cute junior, so it's fine.
By the way, this junior is the one who consulted me about how to interact with his Uma Musume before. He's training the only Uma Musume in the current Classic level who seems to be a rival to Narita Brian.
"I can't beat Narita Brian, what should I do...?"
As expected, his consultation was about Narita Brian. Since he always finishes second when clashing with Narita Brian in races, he's looking for countermeasures.
"My Clay isn't good at long distances, so the Kikuka Sho will be tough. I want to win the Japan Derby somehow..."
The junior's Uma Musume is named Crazy in Love. Her performance was sluggish last year, but she won the G3 Kisaragi Sho and G2 Yayoi Sho this year.
However, she hasn't beaten Narita Brian. Crazy in Love, who the junior is training, is a pure miler who can also run short and middle distances but is terrible at long distances. A case like my King, who is a pure sprinter but has aptitude for all distances and won the longest G1 in the Twinkle Series, is a bit of a rarity. She also won the shortest G1, which is truly a rare event.
"Just as you advised me before, I've really bonded with Clay. Sometimes I feel our distance is a little weird, but she's training much more enthusiastically than before and has started winning major races... But I just can't imagine beating Narita Brian."
"Hmm... Narita Brian seems to be good at middle and long distances. The difference in distance aptitude is hard to overcome..."
If it were a normal Uma Musume, a slight difference in aptitude might not be a problem, but against Narita Brian, it would be extremely difficult. Still, I wouldn't say the possibility is zero, and I don't want to. Since she's not good at long distances, did he give up on the Classic Triple Crown from the start? Or did he challenge it anyway, thinking about his beloved Uma Musume?
As I was thinking, my contemporary, who had been listening, interjected with a wry smile.
"By the way, it's pretty crazy for a trainer in their first year to have their Uma Musume win a G2 or G3. And it's crazy that he's competing with Rigil's hopeful. I'm not including this freak over here."
"Who are you calling a freak again?"
The junior is in his second year now, but he was still in his first year as a trainer when he won the Kisaragi Sho and Yayoi Sho... His performance review must have been good last year.
In my case, I was reverse-scouted by Rice, an Uma Musume with a track record that a rookie trainer shouldn't be training, so I got a G1 win and established a team in my first year...
"...Huh? By that logic, isn't Kiryuin-san, who won a G1 and major races in her first year as a trainer, also a freak?"
"She's Kiryuin, so she's not a freak."
"What do you mean by that..."
I guess they think Kiryuin-san is from a prestigious trainer family, so it's not weird for her to win a G1 in her first year... By the way, Kiryuin-san is in a headlock from Yuiitsumuni's trainer, desperately trying to tap out. I'm glad they're having fun.
"Aoi-chan, you're upset about getting two G1 wins and many major races? I was much more frustrated!"
"Ahhhh, I give! I give up!"
Yeah, I'm glad they're having fun. Kiryuin-san is getting along with her female contemporary, and despite being in a headlock, she seems happy.
"But figuring out how to beat Narita Brian, huh... Honestly, it'll be tough as things are now."
I shifted my gaze from Kiryuin-san and the others and returned to my conversation with the junior.
"If this were a race six months or a year from now, that would be one thing, but the Japan Derby is less than a month away. If there's anything you can do before then... maybe race against an Uma Musume who's better than Narita Brian?"
"Huh?"
The junior looked at me with a startled expression. My Rice and King are better than the current Narita Brian, let alone the future one. It's an unlikely situation, but if it were a dirt race, I think Urara could beat Narita Brian, too.
Narita Brian's talent is genuine. But she's still just starting to make a name for herself in the Classic level.
It might be a good experience to hold a simulated race with G1 Uma Musume like Meek and Yuiitsumuni, and others who are in G1 races.
"Even if it's difficult to get them all together for a simulated race, how about just asking for a parallel run? It would be a good stimulus for G1 Uma Musume to compete against each other."
Well, if you could win just by doing that, no one would have a hard time. Still, the experience of competing against a superior opponent is huge.
"If you come to my place, my G1 six-win Uma Musume and G1 three-win Uma Musume will 'go easy' on her in a parallel run."
"I understand. You'll 'go easy' on her in a sumo-wrestling sense, won't you?"
The junior's Uma Musume came in second in the Satsuki Sho, so a parallel run with her would be a good stimulus for Rice and King.
"Rice Shower and King Halo from your team are probably better than Narita Brian, but... I'm worried my Uma Musume might lose confidence..."
The junior hesitated, but my contemporary laughed.
"Don't worry. My girl did a simulated race with Rice Shower when she was a junior, and the level was so different she didn't get discouraged, she just admired her. It was beyond the point of losing confidence. Now... if she's in good condition and it's a middle-distance race, maybe there's a small chance... right?"
"My Rice will never lose in a long-distance race."
"I said in a middle-distance race!"
When I declared with a fist pump that my Rice is the strongest in long-distance races, my contemporary put me in a headlock. As we were goofing around, the junior was thinking about something with a serious expression.
"...I'll go around to the seniors' places starting tomorrow and ask for parallel runs. I want to do anything I can for Clay... for that girl."
As he said this and clenched his fist, my contemporary and I narrowed our eyes, watching him with a heartwarming look.
And so, some of my juniors started bringing their Uma Musume to challenge me and my contemporaries more often.
My team accepts the challenge with Rice. She welcomes them as a G1 six-win Uma Musume. This made both the junior and his Uma Musume very happy.
The junior's Uma Musume is currently in the Classic level, and her strength and record are far inferior to Rice's. However, having Rice as an opponent has a significant advantage not only for them but for us as well.
I wanted to use this to help Rice with her 'studies'—having her run with Uma Musume other than Urara and King, who she just transferred to the support course this year, to find areas for improvement and give advice.
The junior's Uma Musume can do a parallel run with a G1 six-win Uma Musume. Rice can check for problems and other things while running with the junior's Uma Musume. By having Rice study not only through lectures but also practical training, it's a win-win relationship.
It's only been a little over a month since she transferred to the support course, so Rice is still a beginner at studying. However, with her experience as an athlete and having firsthand experience of my training methods, she's a quick learner compared to when I entered the trainer academy. If I instill knowledge of Uma Musume through practical training, she will grow significantly.
Rice is a hard worker and good at studying. When I gave her the textbooks I used, she liked them so much that she carries them around and reads them whenever she has free time.
No matter how much experience as an athlete she has, her learning speed is clearly faster than mine, who is on his second life and studied hard until graduating from junior high... Well, she's my cute little sister, so there's no need to feel discouraged, yeah... huh? Yeah... I felt like something was wrong, but it wasn't.
Anyway, the parallel runs with the junior's Uma Musume were very helpful for us... mainly for Rice.
"Onii-sama, about Clay-chan, who we ran with today, Rice thinks she should do this kind of training..."
After training, Rice, who had changed into her uniform, stayed in the clubroom and brought up the topic with me. She's been back from her long recovery, and the intensity of her training is gradually increasing, so she must be tired, but she doesn't show it.
Even though she's physically tired, it's a fulfilling fatigue, and she seems to have plenty of mental energy. Hmm... it's good to be young... wait, I'm young too, physically.
By the way, Urara and King are also in the clubroom. When they heard Rice was staying, they decided to stay as well, instead of going back to the dorm.
"Nnyuu..."
"Hehe... Urara-san..."
Urara, meanwhile, looks sleepy. She's curled up with her head on King's lap on the sofa, with her eyes closed. King is gently stroking Urara's head, and Urara looks completely at ease and relaxed.
"King-chan, maybe you should go back to the dorm with Urara-chan..."
Seeing Urara's state, Rice asked with a slightly worried look.
Urara is training intensely for the Teio Sho, and King is for the Takarazuka Kinen, but because of the difference in their stamina, Urara is starting to get tired sooner.
(This is probably Urara's limit in terms of training intensity... King can handle another level up.)
As I was making this judgment from Urara and King's appearance, King smiled at Rice.
"I'll let Urara-san rest a little longer before we go back. I'm also interested in what Trainer and Rice-senpai are talking about."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. It could be useful for my own training, couldn't it? This King believes that to become even stronger, my training needs to be taken to the next level."
Saying that, King gave me a sidelong glance. Yeah, it looks like I can make her training a little tougher.
However, there's a limit to the facilities at Tracen Academy. I have to compensate for that with ingenuity, keep things from getting boring, and make the training as efficient as possible. Thinking about that is the difficult part, but it's also where I can show my skills as a trainer, and it was a fun part of the job.
I would train Urara and King as much as possible until their races at the end of June. And with the goal of making them win, I would spend each day.
--------------------------------------------
🚀 Want INSTANT Access & Bonus Content?
"Loving this story so far? You can read ALL chapters RIGHT NOW by joining my P4tr3on!
✨ Unlock instant access to the full completed novel
✨ No waiting for daily updates
✨ Support your favorite degenerate author (that's me!)
Only $5.99 for the full experience!
🔗 Check my profile for the Link!!