Days pass with passionate training at the training camp, all for Rice's Summer Dream Trophy. They are incredibly fulfilling days, and you can see a noticeable improvement in the other Uma Musume who have joined the camp, not just Urara and the others.
During this training camp, I ran into a certain problem.
"Rice, I know you're tired, but starting today, I need you to take a special lesson."
After the morning and afternoon training sessions were over, it was now free time. However, I called Rice into a room that was suitable for exercise and brought up this subject.
The room was a storage room we had borrowed from the inn. It had a solid concrete floor instead of tatami mats, and I had intentionally chosen a room on the first floor instead of the second because we were about to do some intense exercise.
"A... a special... lesson... with my big brother...!" Rice murmured, sounding strangely terrified. I had told her to come in her training uniform because we'd be exercising, but she seemed unsettled, fidgeting with her hair and rubbing her knees together.
"Yes. It's a special and important thing. It's my first time, too, so I think we should take it slow and learn together."
"You've... never done it before either, big brother?"
"Of course not. I've never had this kind of experience... I'm sorry to bring it up at a time like this. I should have told you sooner..."
I can only say I was careless. I never thought such a problem would be lurking.
"I wish I could say I'd teach you everything, but we'll be learning together... Is that okay?"
"Y-yes! Of course!" Rice nodded enthusiastically. Her horse ears and tail perked up, and her face was inexplicably flushed. Maybe she's got heatstroke? But she doesn't seem to be struggling physically.
"I actually wanted to teach Urara and King too, but it would be too much to start with all three at once."
"If it wasn't all at once, would it be all three of us together?! Rice is surprised!?" Rice exclaimed in surprise. Huh? It's impossible for me to handle all three at once. I plan on teaching Rice first, and then having her help me with Urara and King later.
I tilted my head at Rice's reaction, then crouched down. We had laid down a slip-resistant, soundproof dance mat, so it was fine to sit on the floor.
"Here, you sit down too, Rice."
"R-Rice... is starting to get nervous..."
"It's okay, Rice. First, we'll learn from a video."
"From a video!?" Rice's eyes widened in shock as I prepared my laptop. What's wrong? Isn't it easier to understand if you study with a video first?
Thinking that, I opened a folder on my laptop. Rice sat down next to me, inching closer and closer until she was right against me.
"W-what kind of... video is it? Rice doesn't know anything about that kind of thing..."
"Hmm? It's just a normal one."
"Rice doesn't know what's normal!"
"I borrowed a familiar one from Symboli Rudolf."
"From Rudolf-san!?" Rice's eyes went wide. I feel like we're having a misunderstanding, but she'll understand once she sees the video. Thinking that, I played the video file.
On the screen was Symboli Rudolf in her racing uniform—not the one she wears for G1 races, but her special Dream Series uniform. Several other Uma Musume in their racing uniforms were also on screen, and at this point, Rice tilted her head in utter confusion.
"...Um... Big Brother, what is this?"
"This is... oh, it's starting now."
Seeing is believing. I decided it was best for her to just watch, so I turned up the volume.
A light, indescribable music, like a fanfare, began to play, and the Symboli Rudolf in the video said, "Get into position," and then it began.
"Big Brother... what is this?"
"It's a Dream Series victory live performance video."
"Victory live performance."
Rice's face went completely blank. She then looked at me with a serious expression and started tapping me on the back with her tail. It didn't hurt, but I could feel her protest.
That's right... I had completely forgotten. I had been wondering what song we would dance to if she won a victory live performance in the Dream Series.
And then that song came up. The one that repeatedly chants "Uma-pyoi" for some reason.
Why did the URA decide to use this song for the Dream Series victory live performance? I had seen Symboli Rudolf dancing to it as a reference video beforehand and was so surprised.
But it's a song that's oddly memorable. It's not moving, but it certainly has an impact. The first time I heard it in this world, my eyes went wide. If you listen to it closely, it's so impactful that it will play in your head on its own when you close your eyes to go to sleep that night.
The Dream Series is like a festival for Uma Musume who have graduated from the Senior Grade, in a different way from the Takarazuka Kinen or Arima Kinen, so maybe they use a cheerful song like this for the victory live performance.
In addition to the lyrics and melody, the dance choreography is also quite unique. It was used for G1 victory live performances in the past... well, the victory live performance of the Shinzan race, which I first saw in this world, was this song, too. But if she's in the Dream Series, I'll have Rice dance to this.
As with previous races, only the top three finishers stand on the stage and dance in the center or on the sides. However, in the Dream Series, all the Uma Musume who participated in the race dance as backup dancers.
Therefore, the choreography changes depending on whether you finish in first, second, third, or fourth place or below. The fact that all the participants get to go on stage and dance in the victory live performance, even if they don't finish in the top three, sets it apart from races up to the Senior Grade.
The stage setup is also completely different from a normal victory live performance, and they even run along a U-shaped narrow stage connected to the main stage in the middle of the song.
"...Rice is going to dance to this?" Rice, who had been watching Symboli Rudolf dance, finally murmured. A moment ago, her face was bright red, but now her cheeks were a soft pink with embarrassment.
"It... might be a little embarrassing...?"
I can understand that. The dances she's performed in previous races have been mostly cool andかっこいい (cool). But this dance is completely different. So I can understand Rice's reluctance... but still.
"If I danced to it, it would be a disaster, but I think it would be cute if Rice danced to it."
"C-cute!?"
Uma Musume are all beautiful, so I think any dance would look good on them. It might be embarrassing, but a shy dance would probably be a big hit with fans.
In the video, Symboli Rudolf is dancing, but it looks a lot better than when she's just spouting her usual dignified... and majestic... and authoritative... well, all the jokes that come to her mind. No, those moments have their own charm.
While I was thinking about that, Rice repeatedly replayed the victory live performance video. Her expression was serious... I wonder why she keeps replaying the pose where they kiss? That pose and dance are only for the first-place winner, so maybe she's determined to get first place?
"Rice, I believe you are the strongest stayer. But the Dream Series is on a level even higher than the Senior Grade. You have to properly learn the choreography for finishing in second place or below as well... You understand, right?"
Telling Rice that she'll definitely win and only teaching her the first-place choreography would put an immense amount of pressure on her. And if she were to lose, she wouldn't be able to dance the victory live performance, which would be a hassle for the other Uma Musume. That's why all Uma Musume properly learn the choreography for all places.
Besides, thinking that she'll never finish in anything but first place and not teaching her the other choreographies would be the height of overconfidence. It's like a death flag in anime and manga.
Even so, I believe Rice will win, and that she is the strongest stayer. But nothing is absolute in this world. Because her most likely opponent is that Symboli Rudolf.
And the Uma Musume who appear in the Dream Series are all top-class in recent years. There aren't many who are as outstanding as Symboli Rudolf, but at the very least, they're all girls who have placed multiple times in G1 races. In fact, there are G1 Uma Musume everywhere.
Or they're all girls who have won multiple graded races. The lowest line that I know of would be Ikuno Dictus, who won multiple graded races but no G1 races.
Their physical condition might be inferior to their peak, but they train their bodies and minds for the one big race that happens every six months, and they run at full speed, burning up all their energy.
Everyone runs at their peak speed, exceeding their current limits, and fiercely competes, using all the experience they've accumulated. That's what the Dream Series is all about.
By the way, the first-place prize money is 100 million yen, which isn't particularly high compared to domestic G1 races. Considering the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen are 300 million yen, it's about average.
However, unlike the Senior Grade, where the Uma Musume gets 20% and the trainer gets 10%, the full amount is paid out. The URA's stance is that the Uma Musume and the trainer should discuss and decide on their share.
The breakdown for second through fifth place (40%, 25%, 15%, and 10% of the first-place prize money) is the same, but the participation incentive and special participation allowance are on a completely different scale from the Senior Grade. You get about 5 million yen just for participating.
I guess since an Uma Musume who can participate in the Dream Series has made a large contribution to the URA so far, they're giving something back... Originally, the prize money given to the Uma Musume was capped at 20%, but when you're talking about Uma Musume who appear in the Dream Series, they're at an age where it wouldn't be strange for them to have graduated from high school and become working adults, like Rice.
Maybe the URA has decided that it's okay to give them a certain amount of money... No, wait, I said a certain amount of money, but this is an insane amount of money. What is 100 million yen? Even second place gets 40 million yen, and fifth place gets 10 million yen. My sense of scale is completely off.
(The prize money... well, I'll transfer the full amount to Rice's account... No, Rice would probably refuse. If I just dump the whole thing into her account without a word, she'd probably do the same thing to me, so I'll stick to the usual 10%... If she doesn't place, then I'll put the whole thing in, yeah.)
Rice already has a considerable amount of assets, but it's always better to have more money than less. Rice isn't a wasteful person, but her income will drastically decrease once she retires from racing, so she should save money for the future.
Hmm... At this point, Rice already has several hundred million yen saved up from race prize money and merchandise sales. I've thought about this before, but I should have her study not only how to be a good supporter but also how to handle money and manage her assets.
Now, back to the Dream Series victory live performance. It would be best to use a nearby indoor training facility, but it's difficult to move around after training is over.
Even after the sun sets, Uma Musume fans are walking around, and there are reporters everywhere who haven't been given permission to cover the events from the Tracen Academy. The reason Uma Musume fans are out and about is simply because there are food stalls set up every day like a festival.
Also, considering the travel time and the procedures for applying to use the facility, I figured it would be okay to do it at the inn... Once she's learned the basics, I plan on using an indoor training facility and having Urara and the others help her perfect the dance.
And so, days went by with her training camp schedule plus the addition of victory live performance practice.
Then came the day of the Summer Dream Trophy.
The event is being held at the Tokyo Racecourse, which boasts the largest capacity of any racecourse in the country. With a capacity of about 200,000 people, I don't think that's nearly enough, considering the recent trends in Uma Musume fans.
There are no notable races at the Tokyo Racecourse in early August. There are no graded races or even open races. In fact, the only races held at the Tokyo Racecourse from July to September are Maiden races. I think that's also a reason why it's being held at the Tokyo Racecourse.
For the past few days, Rice has been gradually lightening her training menu to recover from fatigue and get her body in shape. Her victory live performance dance is also perfect.
Urara and King are also accompanying us, but today is a complete day off... Wait, is watching a race considered a day off? Well, she's not running, so I guess it's a day off.
By the way, our classmates and juniors also seem to be planning to take the day off since it's a good opportunity. The Uma Musume can't keep up if they don't take a break and unwind every once in a while. Some of our classmates and juniors offered to come and cheer for her, but I thanked them for their kind offer since they probably wouldn't be able to get in anyway.
Unlike a regular race, the starting time is different, so we drove to the Tokyo Racecourse from the morning, and the crowd was insane. I turned on the car radio, and they were saying something terrifying: that many people who took the first train still couldn't get in.
Normally, many Maiden races are held, and it takes a long time until the main race, the 11th race. So only die-hard Uma Musume fans would show up in the morning to watch all the Maiden and Open races, the main race, and then the 12th race before heading home.
But today, the Dream Series is being held at the Tokyo Racecourse. There are no Maiden races; instead, top-class Uma Musume who have graduated from the Senior Grade will run five races: sprint, mile, intermediate, long-distance, and dirt.
This is a race that only a handful... no, just a pinch of Uma Musume from the entire Tracen Academy can participate in, so the fans' enthusiasm is incredible.
Specifically, the radio news program interviewed people who were able to get in, and they said that it was normal to line up the day before, and some crazy people said they lined up three days beforehand.
People who live near the Tokyo Racecourse start gathering at night, so the farther away you live, the harder it is to watch the race live.
But even so, many Uma Musume fans want to feel the excitement of the race up close, even if they can't get in and watch it live. In fact, there are too many of them.
As we got closer to the Tokyo Racecourse, I started to notice a large number of pedestrians on the sidewalks. The pedestrians were all heading toward the Tokyo Racecourse.
The pedestrians must have already given up on getting in. They weren't in a hurry and were walking quietly on the sidewalks without spilling out onto the road.
By the way, there are many shrines and temples around the Tokyo Racecourse. Some of them have quite a large area, and it seems that a large number of worshipers visit them during this time.
...Yeah, people who can't get in and find the area around the Tokyo Racecourse too crowded apparently visit these places. The temples and shrines seem to be okay with it, too, as they've set up large TVs in their precincts and are getting excited with the Uma Musume fans. I wondered if that was okay for a shrine or temple, but they apparently decided that the gods and Buddhas would also enjoy watching it.
And so, we were overwhelmed by the massive crowds as we drove and parked the car in the staff parking lot. The fact that the staff parking lot was completely empty, even though the public parking lot was full, made me realize how amazing Uma Musume fans are. Well, it makes sense that they wouldn't want to cause any trouble for the Uma Musume who are scheduled to race by not being able to park.
But it's probably because their feelings for the Uma Musume are so strong that they have booing live performances like they did at Rice's Kikuka Sho. Or maybe fans who go all the way to the venue are more gentlemanly toward Uma Musume. The booing live performance for Rice wasn't very gentlemanly, though.
With that, I pushed through the crowd and entered the Tokyo Racecourse, and after taking Rice to the waiting room, I headed for the paddock... or so I thought, but this time it was different.
The Dream Series doesn't have an unveiling in the paddock because it's too dangerous due to the large number of spectators who would rush to see them.
In the past, it was done in the paddock like other races, but they stopped doing it because many children would get lost and it could lead to a serious accident when moving between the spectator seats and the paddock.
So after I took Rice to the waiting room, I headed straight for the spectator seats. I planned on checking the condition of the Uma Musume from the spectator seats and telling Rice before she entered the gate...
"Ah! I finally found you!"
Just as I was lost in thought, I heard a familiar voice from behind me. And as I felt a jolt on my back, I braced my feet and barely managed to stay upright.
"It's been a while, Uncle!"
"Dia-chan... What if you got the wrong person?"
I looked back over my shoulder to see Dia-chan smiling up at me. She was wearing her usual ladylike clothes, and her Uma ears were twitching happily, and her tail was wagging.
"I could never mistake you, Uncle!"
Dia-chan said that with a smile, but anyone can make a mistake. I just hope she never hugs someone from behind and finds out it's a stranger when they turn around.
"D-Dia-chan... where are you...?"
"Ah! Kita-chan, over here!"
I heard Kita-chan's voice from a distance. As Dia-chan called out and waved, Kita-chan emerged from the crowd.
"Jeez, you just took off running... and... oh... of course Uncle was here..."
Kita-chan muttered with a weary... no, a resigned expression and tone. I looked behind Kita-chan and saw Kita-chan's father approaching with a wry smile.
It was surprisingly rare to run into Dia-chan and Kita-chan at the racecourse. The reason for that is simple: they're in elementary school.
Even with a guardian, there's a limit to how far they can travel, so the Tokyo Racecourse is probably the only place they can go. Their parents aren't always available on weekends, so it's been a while since we've met at the racecourse.
Well, it's been a while since we've met at the racecourse, but Dia-chan often contacts me on messaging apps, and she's come to visit me, like on Valentine's Day.
"It's impressive that you were able to get in today."
"We took the first train and ran as soon as we got to the station!"
I see. No human can beat an Uma Musume's sprinting power, no matter how crowded it is. They barely made it in, but they did. However, it seems like Kita-chan's father had a tough time.
"Uncle, you're not going to the paddock today, right? Can we watch the race together?"
Dia-chan looked up at me with sparkling eyes and asked. I smiled wryly and nodded, and we headed for the spectator seats.
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