"Hmm? Trainer, when did you get here?"
Seiun Sky, leading Mejiro Ardan and Blue-Eyes White Dragon to the edge of the training ground, looked at Saito Asuka, who was standing shoulder to shoulder with Nakayama Megumi: "And why are your clothes…"
"Good afternoon, Seiun Sky."
Nakayama Megumi spoke quickly, interrupting Seiun Sky's unfinished sentence: "...Also, congratulations, you won another race."
"...Ms. Megumi, when did you get here?"
Seiun Sky looked at Nakayama Megumi, who was waving at her beside the black-haired man, a little puzzled: "Ardan and I walked from the school gate, why didn't I see you?"
"Because I came in the morning."
Nakayama Megumi explained with a smile: "...You were still wandering around then, right? It's normal that you didn't see me."
"Oh, oh, I see."
Seiun Sky nodded knowingly: "But why is Trainer him…"
"Cough, cough! Rather than that, Seiun Sky, aren't you going to introduce your two friends to us?"
"...Trainer and Ms. Nakayama, you're both so strange."
Seiun Sky moved one step to the side, then introduced them from left to right: "She is Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and the Uma Musume standing next to her is Mejiro Ardan…"
"Mejiro?!"
Saito Asuka's eyes widened when he heard Seiun Sky say the Blue-haired Horse Girl's name: "Wait! It's not the Mejiro family I'm thinking of, is it?!"
"If there are no surprises, Mr. Trainer, your assumption should be correct."
While Seiun Sky was introducing them, Mejiro Ardan was also observing them.
Upon realizing that everyone's gaze was focused on her, Mejiro Ardan elegantly bowed to everyone, then smiled and said, "I am the young lady of the Mejiro family."
It really is the young lady of the Mejiro family…
Saito Asuka, who had only seen the surname 'Mejiro' in books, never expected that he would one day personally meet a prestigious Uma Musume.
"Then… that… I represent Himeji Tracen Academy in welcoming you…"
Saito Asuka, who had relaxed quite a bit under Nakayama Megumi's comfort, his tone became faltering again: "I, I am Saito Asuka…"
"Mr. Saito Asuka, you don't need to be so nervous."
Mejiro Ardan said with a smile: "...I am Seiun Sky's friend, I just happened to be free today, so I wanted to come and see her."
"Yes… Yes!"
…No, he became even more nervous instead.
Nakayama Megumi, standing beside him, looked at Saito Asuka, whose body had stiffened and whose expression was becoming increasingly tense, a helpless look on her face.
"Trainer, what's today's training plan?"
Because the expression on Saito Asuka's face was too obvious, even Seiun Sky noticed that he was a bit off.
She interjected and forcibly changed the subject.
"Hmm? Of course, it's the same as usual…"
Saito Asuka, hearing Seiun Sky say this, subconsciously looked up at her and answered.
"Eh… it's self-training again?"
Seiun Sky's expression became bored when she heard Saito Asuka say this: "It's like this every day, it's so boring…"
"Hmm? Seiun Sky, have you always been doing self-training?"
Mejiro Ardan, noticing that Saito Asuka used the word 'usual,' asked curiously.
"Hmm? Not always self-training."
Seiun Sky thought for a moment: "Hmm… there were a few times when I trained according to Trainer's requirements."
"…A few times?"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon's expression became strange when she heard Seiun Sky say this.
…Is this number a bit too small?
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, who had always trained with the help of a Trainer, questioned Seiun Sky, who was standing in front of her.
"This can no longer be described with the word 'few,' can it?"
Saito Asuka replied with a wry smile.
"Then, why…"
"Because I can't help at all."
Saito Asuka shook his head: "...I can't apply the knowledge I learned from my Trainer qualification certificate to her."
"Can't? What does that mean?"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, unable to understand what Saito Asuka said, pressed for an answer.
"It's literally what it means."
Saito Asuka sighed: "I can't help her with her training at all."
"What?! Trainer, haven't you helped me a lot?"
Seiun Sky, hearing Saito Asuka say this, retorted somewhat indignantly.
"...Are you referring to things like race registrations when you say 'help'?"
"Aren't those considered help?"
Can't help at all…
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, who received an unexpected answer, turned her head to the side.
She had thought that by simply coming to Himeji Tracen Academy to see her daily training intensity, she would know why she was so strong, but it turned out…
…She was already this strong before she even met her Trainer, wasn't she?
She looked at the Black-haired Horse Girl who was still trying to correct Saito Asuka's statement, and thought to herself.
"…Hmm?"
Thinking this, Blue-Eyes White Dragon suddenly realized something was wrong.
Seiun Sky… she's only sixteen this year, right?
Sixteen is the age when Uma Musume can begin to receive formal training.
At this age, an Uma Musume's body has developed to a degree where it can withstand high-intensity training.
Starting training after sixteen can effectively reduce injuries to Uma Musume.
But…
"...Sorry to interrupt."
Blue-Eyes White Dragon cut into the conversation between Seiun Sky and Saito Asuka.
Under their puzzled gazes, she walked up to Seiun Sky.
"...Seiun Sky, did you start formal training before you were sixteen?"
She stared intently at Seiun Sky's face, asking seriously.
"...Before sixteen? Why the sudden question?"
Seiun Sky asked, puzzled.
"..."
But Blue-Eyes White Dragon didn't answer her question, only staring intently at her.
"Hmm… I did start training before sixteen. What about it?"
"What about it?!"
Hearing the answer she least wanted to hear, Blue-Eyes White Dragon wished she could pry open Seiun Sky's head to see what was inside: "...Don't you know that training before sixteen can easily lead to injuries?!"
"...So, Bailong, you were worried about me?"
Looking at Blue-Eyes White Dragon standing in front of her, Seiun Sky blinked, then a happy expression appeared on her face.
"Don't try to change the subject now!"
Looking at Seiun Sky's smiling face, Blue-Eyes White Dragon finally couldn't hold back and flicked her forehead three times: "Tell me honestly! Is it because of hidden injuries that you couldn't give your all in the race against us?!"
"Wait… hidden injuries?!"
Saito Asuka, who had opened her mouth several times trying to find a suitable moment to interject, couldn't hold back any longer when she heard this: "Why did you…"
"Because Aogami told me in the last race, 'For some reason, I don't know when I'll be able to run at full strength'!"
Interrupting Saito Asuka with a somewhat impatient tone, Blue-Eyes White Dragon pressed closer to Seiun Sky.
"Alright! Is that what happened or not?!"
'I don't know when I'll be able to run at full strength…'?
Saito Asuka, hearing Blue-Eyes White Dragon say this, suddenly froze.
...Come to think of it, I've never seen this child run at full strength.
Focusing her attention on Seiun Sky, waiting for her explanation, Saito Asuka's heart also began to fill with worry.
He had always thought that Seiun Sky's current strength was due to her exceptional talent and persistent effort.
But… if all of this was achieved through 'excessive' effort, then he would rather he hadn't invited her that day.
If his request ended up harming this child…
"..."
Seiun Sky hesitated, realizing everyone was staring intently at her.
'Three Goddesses? Are the Three Goddesses there?'
[Yes, we are.]
...Eh?
Seiun Sky, who had intended to stall for more time before getting a reply from the Three Goddesses, paused.
...Such a quick answer?
[I already know everything you want to say.]
Without waiting for Seiun Sky to 'speak,' the Three Goddesses, as if prescient, answered her question: [Feel free to tell them about my existence.]
'Won't that cause any negative impact on you?'
Seiun Sky asked, still worried.
[...Child, are you getting distracted a bit too often?]
After a brief silence, the Three Goddesses' voice, sounding a bit helpless, rang out again: [We were talking to you very seriously about this world back then, weren't we?]
'...Sorry.'
Seiun Sky cleared her throat, her expression becoming a bit awkward.
It was just too much like my classes in my previous life, so I couldn't help but feel a little sleepy…
...If the Three Goddesses found out about this, would they be angry?
[...Never mind, if you can't remember, you can't remember.]
The Three Goddesses sighed again: [...After all, we no longer have any expectations of you in this regard.]
'...'
Seiun Sky hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
...At a time like this, should I say something?
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