"My teacher is Miss Obey Your Master's trainer back in the United States!"
Kuroha was surprised, though he faintly remembered something like that.
In the original timeline, when Obey Your Master came to Japan for her second Japan Cup, her trainer had chatted with Taro Yuzuhara—a lively, sharp-eyed old man.
That race had been brutal—Obey Your Master, Inari One, Oguri Cap—all of them were crushed by the dark horse from New Zealand: the Commoner Queen.
Ah… Amei…
Kuroha's mind flashed back to the blonde gyaru bidding him farewell not long ago, full of confidence that she'd be back.
Taro hadn't noticed his expression and continued:
"Miss Obey Your Master applied to my teacher for entry into the Japan Cup later this year. She said that if she won, she wanted to stay here—"
He paused for a beat, then added, "—and join a team at Ōi Tracen Academy led by a trainer named Kuroha!"
…She just said that out loud? That's bold…
"What did your teacher think of that?" Kuroha asked.
If one of your own Uma Musume suddenly applied to transfer to another trainer in another country, most people would feel uncomfortable.
"My teacher fully supports it!"
That was an answer Kuroha hadn't expected.
"He's retiring in a few years, and his team doesn't have many Uma Musume left," Taro explained.
"And…" He glanced at Kuroha before continuing, "Miss Obey Your Master's results in the US… aren't great."
That was putting it mildly—she was far from impressive at the moment.
"So, he hopes she can find the path that suits her best. He even said she doesn't need to win the Japan Cup—he can help her transfer now if she wants."
"…I see."
Kuroha murmured the words to himself, a faint trace of something complicated in his tone.
This old man… he's genuine.
Was this what happened to trainers when they grew old?
Half-ready to "let go" of everything, yet still willing to go out of their way to look after their girls—nonchalant on the surface, but stepping up whenever a problem arose.
Roppira Ginjiro in the Central, this old man in the US… both the same.
"…Taro."
Kuroha chose his words carefully, voice gentle: "Thank you for telling me. I'll keep an eye on her races. As for joining my team… I'll respect Amei's wishes."
He would never make such a promise lightly. Taking on any Uma Musume meant accepting a responsibility. But once he gave his word, he would never go back on it.
Taro nodded, a glimmer of respect in his otherwise stern expression.
"Of course, Kuroha-senpai. I'll pass your message on to my teacher."
With the leave requests handled and news of Obey Your Master in hand, Kuroha was satisfied with this trip. He waved with a smile.
"Well then, Tatsuko, Taro, I'll be going."
"Alright—take care!"
"And Kuroha, you'd better invite me next time you throw a victory party!" Tatsuko added.
"…Got it, Tatsuko," he said with a wry smile.
Meeting the mother and son had been a coincidence, but Kuroha's main task for the day was still to purchase necessary living supplies and training equipment.
"First, buy a car."
Hailing a taxi, he started planning his shopping list en route.
A car was a must—not something flashy, but something big, steady, and reliable. That way, whether taking his girls to races or out for leisure, there'd be no more relying on taxis or trains.
Before long, he arrived at one of Tokyo's top-rated "5S" dealerships—different from the standard 4S shops for regular customers, this one specialized in vehicles for the horse-girl industry.
Sprint — Speed Guaranteed.
Their vehicles met every requirement for Uma Musume travel.
After a thorough introduction from the salesperson, Kuroha chose a large MPV similar to the "Toyota Alphard" of his past life—the Triumph 5th Generation.
A Tokyo car company's latest model, named after the Arc de Triomphe.
The price tag: 5 million yen—gone from his wallet in a heartbeat.
Ignoring the salesperson's chatter, he paid on the spot, took the keys, and drove straight to the shopping district.
Yes—Kuroha did have a license. Back when he'd turned 18, while waiting for his local trainer license exam results, he'd gotten it alongside.
"Next: new training running shoes, horseshoes, and weights for March and Inari."
"…Inari's hoof weights should be increased a bit—she always finishes training full of energy."
He parked in a nearby lot and walked into the shopping street.
On a massive outdoor screen, advertisements and news played on rotation. Among them were stage lives from Uma Musume idols—one platinum-haired girl's image appeared most often, fronting both ads and live footage.
Gold City…
Known as "the once-in-a-century beauty."
Kuroha tilted his head at the screen—not in awe of her looks, but at the thought that in all his time here, he still hadn't met many of the Uma Musume he knew from the game in his past life.
Shaking his head, he focused back on his errands.
At the Penguin Sports Shop — Uma Musume Exclusive, the same store he'd visited with his two girls before, the clerk greeted him warmly. Recognizing him, she came right over.
Kuroha handed her a pre-written list.
"Here, I'll take all of these."
As she gathered the items, his eyes fell on her phone lying nearby, screen lit with a news article:
[Daily Broadcast Kyoto Special] Kasamatsu Transfer Student Oguri Cap — Can the Local Legend Continue the Miracle?
Below was a photo of Oguri in full sprint, her silver-gray hair catching the sunlight, eyes sharp as a blade, her presence radiating through the screen.
"Oh, you follow Oguri too?" the clerk said with a smile. "She's so popular right now! Came up from the local circuit, took two Central graded crowns in a row—like a manga heroine! All our customers love her."
"…Yeah," Kuroha murmured. "She's impressive."
Inside, though, his thoughts were heavier.
Oguri Cap might not yet be the nationally beloved "White-Haired Monster" she'd become, but her storm was already forming.
Especially now, in this "gray age" of Central racing with no clear star, her local origins, defiance of the established order, and overwhelming strength struck deep into the public's yearning for a hero.
After paying and leaving with his bags of specialized gear, the early summer breeze brushed his face.
But his mood was heavier than when he'd arrived.
The tide of the era was already surging, and he and his team would have to find their place in its center.
"…First, we have to join the Central."
For the first time, he truly longed for the trainer's exam to come sooner—because as a local trainer, too many doors remained closed.
(End of Chapter)
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