Night had fallen over Kasamatsu.
Adults were returning from work, young people were heading out to have fun with friends at karaoke.
The women at home were preparing dinner.
But that's not important. What's important is to clearly focus on our well-known protagonist.
Who was currently in the house Kenji had given him.
Simply observing in silence the whiteboard on which he had been writing various things for the past two hours.
His brow was furrowed as he began to play with the marker in his hand.
What stood out most on the board was a single question.
"How do I tell her it's impossible without crushing her enthusiasm?"
Something that would normally be a meaningless question for him was very important right now.
Throughout all this time interacting with the Uma Musume, he had grown fond of them.
March was the one he cherished most of all, which is why at some point he stopped trying to force her to go to the Nationals before fulfilling the period for the Classic races.
But now it was different.
He wanted to win the Tokai Derby with her to fulfill her dream, and then go to the Nationals.
He had come to understand that the dreams of the Uma Musume were important things, just as his own dream had been in its time.
Telling March that abandoning her dream to attempt the Triple Crown was foolish due to her limitations was largely cruel.
He didn't want to see that expression again, the one he saw on the day they met.
It was pitiful... and at that time... he didn't care.
"Tsk."
Kiyoshi clicked his tongue.
Getting March to win the Triple Crown wasn't impossible, but it was difficult.
Not only because of the variations March presented, but even if she managed to reach that threshold only a few Uma Musume touched, March would have to compete with those Uma Musume who had already been there for a while.
All with the same desire to raise their hand and touch the sky, to rise above the other 'umas' of their generation.
This was a bit annoying, and the fact that sentimentality was involved made it even more annoying.
As he kept thinking about how to proceed, his phone started ringing, and in an instant he picked it up.
"Hellooo."
The person on the other end felt a chill upon hearing the tone the other person used to answer.
"Hello..."
Their doubt could be heard in their voice, and Kiyoshi just maintained a sweet smile.
Totally happy about the person who had just called.
"Do you have something important to tell me?"
He got straight to the point, didn't ask about anything, and was rude to a certain extent.
"I just wanted to ask a few questions... but you seem too cheerful for me to ruin your day with them."
Yayoi on the other end spoke with a bit of discomfort, feeling as if a snake had started climbing up her legs trying to reach her throat to bite.
"Nothing can ruin my day."
Kiyoshi responded, though it was obviously a lie since there were only a few people who could achieve that and they seemed to be far away for at least two months.
"Well... do you know Detective Charlotte?"
Akikawa asked while looking at the picture of the black-haired woman who had handled the investigation into alleged doping in Kasamatsu.
"Mmm? Yes, I know her. Do you need to contact her?"
Kiyoshi asked confusedly while looking at the board where he had also noted a question related to the detective.
"No, I just wanted to verify."
Director Akikawa responded, surprised at how easily Kiyoshi revealed his relationship with this person.
And with this answer, a small doubt began to form in her mind.
"Next question, what have you learned?"
Kiyoshi felt confused by the question.
But he simply answered with sincerity.
"The Uma Musume aren't that different from human girls. Despite their fanaticism for races, many of them are still interested in romance and looking prettier."
Kiyoshi said boredly, and the other party fell silent, as if stunned by his response.
"I meant as a trainer!"
"Oh... in that regard... it's very annoying trying to cling to some things. Working in this field is very different from theory, like most things, but theory helps a lot."
Kiyoshi stroked his chin while thinking.
"It's kind of fun because of that."
"Fun?"
The director was puzzled by that.
But she quickly recomposed herself and focused on what she wanted to talk to Kiyoshi about.
"Anyway, I've been thinking about some things."
Kiyoshi raised one of his eyebrows curiously upon hearing that and waited in silence for the director to speak.
"I can bring March and Oguri Cap as transfer students to the central academy from now on... but."
"But?"
"I want to see more of the two of them to be totally sure their talent isn't just a first impression."
"You mean you already want March at the Nationals but don't want to risk someone questioning your decision? I guess that's correct."
Kiyoshi shrugged.
"If it's just that, I guess it's really not a big problem. March will prove she has enough talent to make it to the Nationals."
"It's good that you have faith in your Uma Musume."
The director let out a small chuckle, feeling a bit happy that Kiyoshi really trusted March.
"I trust her. What I don't trust is her body..."
Kiyoshi murmured to himself, but the silence on the other end indicated the other side was aware of what he had said.
"The deadline I'll give you for March to reach the Nationals is before the registration document submission deadline."
The director seemed to change the subject and focus on the matters at hand.
"July 31st of next year. That's the deadline. I expect great things from you, and your Uma Musume, Kiyoshi Ishikawa."
The call ended without waiting for Kiyoshi's response.
She just informed him of her words and hung up after asking a few questions.
"So... there's still time."
Kiyoshi sighed as he put his phone in his pocket after checking the time.
"Creating a plan that fits March by dawn isn't a bad idea."
He walked to the kitchen to make himself some coffee.
In his mind, thousands of thoughts related to training.
"Mmm, it's unlikely March can handle this weight if she hasn't mastered the effects of the collar yet."
He quickly discarded over 95% of the training plans; all involved too much weight that not even an Uma Musume who participated in the ancient wars could withstand.
"I wonder where Secretariat and Eclipse are."
Kiyoshi murmured, remembering the two great names he recalled from those beasts of horse racing.
Although too much time had passed to think Eclipse could still be alive, the American Triple Crown winner should still be in great shape.
"Maybe I should schedule a visit to the United States and England in the future."
———————————————————-
"It's five in the morning."
A girl's voice was heard as she looked at the watch on her wrist.
"It's a perfect time to start training."
She began to stretch.
The athletics uniform from her academy was the clothing she would use for her morning training.
So for now, she wouldn't have to worry about getting clothes for this type of activity.
"Alright, let's see what routine Dad prepared!"
She searched among her things for something that was well stored. It took several minutes, but when she took it out, a smile of happiness appeared on her face.
She began to read the paper.
"Since someday I know I won't be able to accompany you directly on this adventure, I prepared an exercise routine to get you in shape based on my experience as a trainer."
After those words, there was a chibi face of someone giving a thumbs up.
"Based on my knowledge of your mother in her days as a runner, I've intuited that you are a runner who will excel in middle and long-distance races. So, as first training, it will obviously be to run about two hundred laps around the city with fifty kilos in weights."
The girl's face became expressionless upon reading just the first part.
"Were you really a trainer?"
She wondered while her ears moved a bit restlessly.
"Well, this is based on genetics... you know... you're my daughter."
She kept reading and froze at that part.
"Even so, I think you exaggerate too much. I'm only eleven years old."
She complained.
Not even her mother in her prime could achieve that, or maybe she could?
"But if you don't feel confident, you should minimize what I suggest until you feel confident, then begin to increase the amount."
Below those words was another chibi drawing, but this time the two hands were gesturing "I don't know."
"Regardless, it doesn't matter if you do what I say. I will always support you, and I know that someday you will win that Triple Crown you want so much. After all, you are my daughter, one of my greatest prides."
A small smile appeared on her face as she imagined her father, but when she tried to imagine his face, she realized it was just a blur with a warm smile.
"What?"
She questioned while furrowing her brow.
Why couldn't she remember her father's face?
"By the way... this journey is difficult..."
She could hear a voice while she read the letter again.
But the voice began to distort and become unfamiliar.
"Walk carefully. Likewise... don't hesitate. I will always be protecting and supporting you from the shadows."
The chibi face that should have been perfectly drawn was now just a blur, as if being stored for so long had worn it out.
But she just stayed silent, observing the paper where there were more notes, but every second they became blurrier until they became just ink spilled on the paper.
As if it were something inconsistent with the world itself and it only expected to be read once.
"So..."
She clenched the sheet of paper that was slowly turning to dust.
"Is this what you meant by this journey being dangerous... Father?"
Her hands trembled. Every time she tried to remember, everything became blurrier: their voices, their faces, even their words began to be unintelligible.
"But you are supporting me, right?"
Her eyes shone with determination, and soon she left her home, totally willing to strive her hardest to achieve her dream.
She would win the Triple Crown, make her father and mother proud of her, so they wouldn't think she was clumsy anymore, so they would know she was someone who didn't need to be taken care of all the time.
"And... here we begin."
She exhaled and began to run through the personalized space for Uma Musume, starting her training.
————
"Why are we coming to watch this race?"
"Because I want you to start analyzing your opponents."
"Wouldn't it be better to keep training and then watch the race replay?"
"You're just upset because it's an Oguri Cap race, right?"
"You only came to watch the race because Oguri Cap is in it, right?"
Trainer and Uma Musume looked at each other seriously while the two other Uma Musume and the trainer next to them just watched them expressionlessly.
They had gotten used to this after training together for the past week.
Although lately the fights had decreased in intensity and they remained more focused on training.
They also noticed that someone else was very focused on her training.
"She seems very focused."
Rudy murmured while watching Norn prepare for the race.
"For the past week, she's been getting up very early. Sometimes she even gets up earlier than that stinky rabbit."
Mimi said while looking boredly towards the track.
"The race is about to start."
Kiyoshi stopped March's complaints as he leaned on the railing and watched the Uma Musume line up at the starting line.
"If you're so sure Oguri Cap will win this race, why have you come to watch it?"
March huffed as she stood next to her trainer and watched the race.
"The result will always be correct, but you always have to watch the process."
"You sound like a math teacher who always demands the written procedure."
Rudy said dryly while looking at Kiyoshi, who frowned at that reminder.
"I'm not that annoying."
"You are..."
Kiyoshi just let out a sigh as he felt accused by the four women.
——————
"And the race begins!"
A female voice resonated on the television, making the group of students glance over briefly before returning to look at the board where they had written many names.
"So, this betting information won't help us get rich in the future?"
The blond asked while looking at the leader of this operation.
"Clearly. We just have to avoid Golshi getting so bored that she wants to win the races."
The black-haired boy said while touching his chin and looking at all the members of the Gold family enclosed in a circle that said, "They are bad-tempered, but very talented. Fenómeno is the exception to the bad temper."
"But where did you get the information from?"
Alice asked confusedly, and Toshi let out a chuckle.
"It's better if you don't know about that."
"You guys keep so many secrets it's annoying."
A brown-haired girl who was looking at her phone said, and she only received Toshi's gaze.
"Would you prefer that guy to pay you an 'educational' visit after finding out?"
"Secrets are better when kept."
The girl said dryly, and Toshi nodded in agreement.
"Then why are we watching Oguri Cap's race if our focus is mostly on Fujimasa March?"
Alice asked.
"Because we also depend on Oguri's current state. If she is too good, it's hard to bet."
Toshi shrugged.
They would also have to pay attention to Tamamo Cross, Dicta Strike, and possibly Super Creek.
"Oguri Cap has a good start and takes the lead."
"So we took this room just to collect data for bets?"
"No, it's also for a military strategy to dominate the world if Kiyoshi orders it."
The board was turned and showed a world map where Poland, the United States, Russia, and even China were marked.
"Why is Poland marked if it's not a world power?"
Alice asked dryly, noting that even her home country was marked as a major target.
Toshi, instead of answering the question, took out his phone, then went to X and showed her a photo of a white-haired guy with two orange-haired girls in Paris.
"Oh..."
Alice rolled her eyes, as did her companions who had the same doubt.
"But why make a plan if you can do it with... a simple hand movement?"
Alice made a downward movement with her hand, remembering something from not long ago.
"It's fun..."
Toshi shrugged again.
Although it surely wouldn't happen unless some government tried to start a war that would bother the unlimited vacation Kiyoshi gave himself.
"Hey Alice..."
"Yeah?"
"Right or left?"
"Left?"
"That's good."
Toshi quickly wrote a name on the board after hiding the map where they had already written many plans.
"Gentildonna."
Alice read in confusion, but Toshi said nothing more as he sat down to watch the race.
"We are entering the third turn!"
——-
"I think this is already decided."
Kiyoshi murmured while observing Norn being in a position where she was basically chasing Oguri rather than being a contender.
"That girl is too foolish."
Her trainer seemed to realize it too.
"We are entering the final stretch."
"Not much can be done about other people's thoughts."
Kiyoshi looked at the trainer while out of the corner of his eye he watched March being totally concentrated on the race.
"It's a shame."
Kiyoshi smiled while watching that there were only 200 meters left.
——-
'200 meters.'
Norn thought as she kept running.
Ahead of her was Oguri Cap, an Uma Musume she sincerely didn't like.
'It makes no sense to envy her.'
In her mind, the words Kiyoshi had told her the day before echoed.
Something that only made her grit her teeth in annoyance.
But he was right. He was the best example that it made no sense.
Someone who had grown up as a boy in a family of Uma Musume, loving races but seeing himself restricted by not being born as his Uma Musume relatives.
'You decide, keep lamenting, or try.'
Norn felt as if Kiyoshi himself was telling her those words right now.
It was her decision. She had been striving all week.
Training with Kiyoshi and March early in the mornings.
Learning alongside the Uma Musume she admired, training under the supervision of someone who came from a great family of Uma Musume.
'It's time.'
Her eyes opened a bit and she watched as Oguri prepared to accelerate.
Her instincts, her recent experiences in training, and now... her newfound conviction.
Norn closed her eyes and accelerated at the same time she felt the sand being kicked up before her.
"Oguri Cap has accelerated!"
"She overtakes South Heroine and takes the lead!"
The narrator's voice reached her, but when she opened her eyes, she found the sight of Oguri Cap at a greater distance than before.
'She's so fast.'
She gritted her teeth in annoyance, but instead of stagnating, she accelerated.
'It's incredible.'
She watched as the distance between her and Oguri began to lessen as they got closer and closer to the finish line.
But in her mind, the distance between her and Oguri Cap never decreased at any moment until reaching the finish.
"Oguri Cap crosses the finish line with a lead of two lengths!"
She ignored the narrator's comments as she began to catch her breath.
Her eyes fixed on the Uma Musume who had achieved victory in this race.
'You won't win.'
She felt frustrated, not because of Kiyoshi's mental reminder when he assured her she wouldn't beat Oguri.
"Sorry."
Her eyes opened upon hearing the voice offering her an apology.
"I accidentally kicked sand at you."
Before her, Oguri Cap bowed and extended her hand.
"Are you okay?"
The question was innocent, her concern was real, something that only made her remember again that guy who was such a fan of the Uma Musume before her.
"I'm... fine."
Norn responded while averting her gaze.
"It wasn't that bad."
She added in a low voice as the top three Uma Musume to cross the finish line were announced.
She remained in third place, a short distance behind South Heroine.
———
"You did well."
Kiyoshi said calmly while eating a hot dog and sitting next to the silent Norn.
"I thought you wanted to interrupt Oguri's acceleration, but in the end... you were better than I thought."
The Uma Musume silently watched as Kiyoshi offered her a bag of baby carrots, which she took and began to eat quietly.
"Have I behaved so badly that you think that of me?"
"Belno doesn't think highly of you and complains to me."
Kiyoshi said dryly, and Norn nodded.
"Where is March?"
"She went to get her own snacks to quietly watch the Winning Live."
Kiyoshi responded, and Norn silently watched the people and Uma Musume beginning to arrive to watch Oguri Cap's Winning Live.
"March's Winning Live... did you teach her?"
Norn looked at Kiyoshi, who raised an eyebrow, trying to remember that event, and then nodded.
"Yes, although she is very rigid. I wanted to teach her to sing in English, but it can't be done."
Kiyoshi shrugged, although he was still teaching English to March for her future forays abroad.
"And thus, Oguri Cap has achieved her first victory!"
"Now let's see her Winning Live!"
"This will be catastrophic."
Kiyoshi let out a low laugh, and Norn looked at him with doubt.
"Let's go!"
"Good luck!"
Although not more than a few seconds passed, and Norn quickly knew the answer.
"Although she looks cute, it seems the traditional doesn't fit."
Kiyoshi laughed while watching as someone offered her a hamburger.
"I couldn't find anything else you'd like."
March murmured as Kiyoshi took the hamburger with a smile.
'If it weren't for divine forces, I would have hugged you.'
Kiyoshi thought as he began to eat the hamburger with a sincere smile of happiness.
"Why are you so happy?"
"I love hamburgers. That you gave me one makes me so happy I could hug you."
"You're scary."
March sat a bit farther from Kiyoshi, who had already finished his hot dog and the hamburger she had given him.
So she preferred to keep eating her carrots while feeling a bit perplexed by Oguri's Winning Live.
——————
"And here is your lunch."
Kiyoshi placed a special plate in front of South Heroine, who felt a bit downcast while looking towards Oguri Cap's table where, in addition to the massive amount of food for the Uma Musume, there was a carrot dessert.
"When will I get one of those?"
South Heroine looked with teary eyes at the cook who had started these actions for the Uma Musume from the academy who placed in the top three of their races.
"Birthday or victory."
Kiyoshi responded with an amused smile, and the Uma Musume's ears perked up with new spirits.
"I'll try that dessert in my next race."
Kiyoshi smiled as the Uma Musume began to eat the special plate he had prepared especially for her with great speed.
"Wow... that was faster than I thought."
Kiyoshi murmured as he walked to the table where March waited alone.
"Lately you seem happier."
March said calmly as Kiyoshi placed several plates before her.
"Well... I've learned many things and started preparing for some things that are out of my control."
The trainer who now served as a cook said while smiling.
"They seem like good news."
"Yes... very good news."
Kiyoshi smiled while in his mind the photograph he had seen in that book remained engraved.
"They are two very adorable pieces of news."
Kiyoshi sighed as he stole a meatball from March without her noticing and went back to the kitchen.
Hearing from a distance how Norn apologized to Oguri and then ran away totally embarrassed.
"Heh."
He smiled.
"Really... I don't want this to change."
He murmured and focused on cooking lunch for the academy staff.
———
"I still wonder how you can keep up with my pace."
March glanced sideways at Kiyoshi, who was jogging at the same speed as her on an incline.
"I'm the son of an Uma Musume, and you know it. It's normal that I'm physically stronger than normal people."
Kiyoshi smiled, secretly joking about his true identity with March, who just huffed.
She felt that Kiyoshi being the son of an Uma Musume was incongruous.
It was as if he were totally human, but with a physical condition not inferior to Uma Musume.
Something that put her back on that path where Kiyoshi was in fact... someone who used magic.
"If you were to compete against an Uma Musume, how do you think you'd end up?"
March asked with a smile, but Kiyoshi actually seemed to think about the question.
"If the Uma Musume are national level and give their all..."
"You'd lose?"
March seemed amused, but Kiyoshi smiled.
"I'd win."
"Hahahaha."
March began to laugh, finding her trainer's joke totally funny, who just gave a half-smile, not caring that the Uma Musume took his words as a joke.
'People believe everything based on facts. Only fools follow mere words if they don't have enough trust in the person.'
Kiyoshi thought as he accelerated his pace a bit more and left March a little behind, who upon noticing this quickly matched his rhythm.
Both kept talking as they continued climbing to their meeting point, and more and more, March was only surprised to see Kiyoshi not at all exhausted until they reached their destination.
"Hehehe."
Kiyoshi let out a chuckle as he wiped the sweat drops running down his forehead.
"Seems it was a good idea to increase the weight."
He murmured, but the movement of March's ears indicated she had caught some of his words.
"This place is very different when you visit in the afternoons."
March said while catching her breath and looking towards Kasamatsu from the spot.
"Different points of view, different feelings. It all depends on how you feel at the moment."
Kiyoshi shrugged.
There was nothing special about this view.
"I'm going to do something. I'll be right back."
March nodded as her trainer went off to do whatever he wanted.
It didn't take long.
While she silently observed, another Uma Musume arrived at the spot.
'Did he know she would come?'
March wondered while looking at Oguri Cap in the place.
'It should be impossible.'
She denied with a smile, but now that everything was like this... it would be better to get those thoughts she'd had for a long time out of her heart.
While the Uma Musume began their chat, Kiyoshi only observed calmly from the heights.
"This is a repeating event..."
He frowned and simply turned around, and without anyone noticing, landed on the ground behind Oguri Cap's trainer.
"You'd better not interrupt them, Kitahara."
"Kiyoshi?"
The trainer turned to him completely terrified by the way he appeared, but he really didn't care.
"It's better to leave them alone."
Kiyoshi turned and began to walk away while putting his hands in his pockets and taking out his phone.
"This is something that only Uma Musume can settle between themselves."
Kitahara gave a glance towards the two Uma Musume and then followed Kiyoshi, who sat on a bench farther away.
"Were you expecting this?"
Kitahara asked as he walked towards the younger trainer, who only looked up and shook his head.
"This wasn't supposed to happen according to my calculations."
Kitahara sweated but limited himself to sitting on the bench next to Kiyoshi.
For some reason, he glanced at this guy's phone and was only bewildered to see a photo of him with two Uma Musume of similar appearance.
'Why do their appearances seem familiar to me?'
Kitahara wondered while Kiyoshi simply put away his phone after looking at the photo for a few more seconds.
"Have you ever thought about training for the Nationals, Kitahara?"
Kiyoshi looked at the older trainer and only saw him show a hint of panic.
"I... have never thought about training for the Nationals."
He admitted, and Kiyoshi made a grimace but quickly hid it.
"What made me become a trainer was my uncle Rupei's insistence and my nascent dream of winning the Tokai Derby."
Kitahara talked about his goal, and Kiyoshi couldn't help but find the similarity with Fujimasa March and her former goal.
"Entering the Nationals isn't just complicated; there are years when no one passes the exam."
The trainer kept talking, and Kiyoshi just huffed.
It wasn't that complicated... or was it?
"That's why I admire you a little."
Kitahara looked at Kiyoshi.
"Even though you're so young, you managed to get the license, but because of that, they also sent you to train in the regionals."
"I spent a long time studying before taking the test. It's just about having confidence and retaining enough knowledge."
Kiyoshi said amusedly while watching how March began to descend the stairs after finishing her chat with Oguri Cap.
"Well, it seems they've finished their chat."
Kiyoshi stood up and said goodbye to Kitahara to follow March, who had just given him an accusatory look.
"Those two are strange."
Kitahara sighed amusedly as he also stood up.
———
"So... you really had something to do?"
March asked as they both descended the stairs at a slow pace.
"Yes, I had to make some important calls."
Kiyoshi said calmly while crossing his arms.
"In November I have to take a trip. You know, family celebrations."
Kiyoshi moved his head.
"Is it your birthday?"
"Yes."
Kiyoshi nodded as he took out his phone after it received a call.
"Yes?"
"Hellooo!"
A cheerful voice responded from the other end, and Kiyoshi moved the phone away from his ear.
"Are you really the older brother Mom always talked about?"
The black-haired guy frowned with doubt and looked at March, who only pretended not to hear the call, but the movement of her ears indicated otherwise.
"Big sister Kyo gave me this number."
The person on the other end didn't seem to be alone, as several excited whispers could be heard from the other side.
"Mm? What's your name?"
Kiyoshi seemed more confused.
"My name? I am the princess, daughter of the Ruin Witch and Kuroyami, Aurora!"
Kiyoshi hung up instantly and put away the phone.
"It's just a crazy person with eighth-grade syndrome."
Kiyoshi huffed as he kept walking.
"Do they play some role-playing game to be so into their character?"
March asked with genuine curiosity, and Kiyoshi just huffed.
"Yeah, and I'm a God."
Kiyoshi mocked.
"How about a competition?"
Kiyoshi turned to look at March, who now seemed interested in that.
"What are the prizes?"
"The loser owes a favor to the winner."
"I want a huge carrot dessert."
March got ready, and Kiyoshi did too.
"The goal is to get to the supermarket and... I want March to treat me to a meal."
"A date?"
"Not everything is about dates..."
Kiyoshi rolled his eyes and began the count.
"Now."
Both took off running, regardless of the path not suitable for a race they were running on.
But little by little, March began to take the lead over Kiyoshi, not being able to notice how the black-haired guy simply frowned.
"Just when I was starting to enjoy..."
Kiyoshi sighed while clenching his teeth with great force.
He could taste his own blood, something that only annoyed him more.
"These fools with the altered reality had to show up."
It was annoying, very annoying. Not more than a few months had passed since he had decided to become a trainer and had begun to enjoy this fun.
Although now that he thought about it...
"Trainer."
His eyes opened when he collided with the Uma Musume who had placed herself before him.
Instinctively, he controlled his whole body and avoided knocking down the Uma Musume by grabbing her hand when she ended up being pushed by him.
"Don't do that again."
Kiyoshi quickly scolded with a furrowed brow at March, who shrank a bit in his grip at the unexpected scolding.
"I... just saw you very distracted and thought something was wrong with you."
March averted her gaze, and Kiyoshi huffed as he calmed down.
March's action was very careless.
But it was because she was unaware of those facts. That he was distracted only put her in more danger than she thought.
"Are you okay?"
March suddenly asked, and the black-haired guy was bewildered as he released his grip on the Uma Musume, who stood up again.
"Why do you ask?"
Kiyoshi asked while stretching a bit, feeling how that effort had put some things out of place.
"It's not normal for you to be distracted. You're almost always murmuring or mocking. It's weird for you to be quiet."
Kiyoshi sweated at that description.
In March's eyes, was he such a bad person?
It seemed he didn't even pay attention to that aspect when in public.
"Is it because of that Princess Aurora?"
March asked again with genuine curiosity.
Since that girl's introduction, Kiyoshi began to act in a more evasive manner.
More evasive than usual.
"It's better if you forget that."
Kiyoshi said with a grimace as he moved his hand to stroke March's hair, who showed no resistance.
"There are things about me that you really shouldn't know for your own happiness."
March frowned. Was talking about those secrets so complicated?
"If I win the Triple Crown, will you consider telling me a bit about your life?"
March questioned, and Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow as he returned to his normal attitude.
"It's better if you don't keep feeling curious about my life beyond what I do with you here."
Kiyoshi sighed as he got back into position to start the competition again.
"Ha, I'm worrying about you, and you want to play the mysterious one."
March followed her trainer's actions and got into position.
"Without a doubt, you are a despicable person."
March made a fake grimace of disgust, and Kiyoshi let out a laugh as they both took off again at the same time.
But unlike before, March was moving at a greater speed, even going at a speed that would be normal in her races.
'This girl really wants to win this game.'
Kiyoshi thought while maintaining his pace and beginning to lose sight of the uma musume.
"Really a girl who pretends to be serious."
A laugh escaped his mouth as little by little his movements began to gain speed without him realizing it, lost in his thoughts.
"I hope you stay like this, March, and don't insist on that silly curiosity about my distractions."
He huffed and finally noticed how his pace had shortened the distance between him and the uma musume greatly.
---
"He's still a careless brat."
"Well, he's only eighteen. Besides, it's your fault."
The white-haired woman calmly ate the chocolate she carried with her while next to her a black-haired man with green eyes silently watched a screen showing Kiyoshi running in training alongside his Uma Musume.
"How is it my fault?"
The green-eyed guy turned and frowned.
"Why do you want me to be a babysitter for the girls these months? You know those girls have grown up hearing about his achievements and admire him."
"Besides, we didn't teach him to probe, especially since she is a great princess, hehehe."
The woman leaned back in her seat while ignoring the other people in the room who were calmly eating their snacks.
"So the company has started directing funds to infrastructure and tools related to Uma Musume..."
The black-haired man changed the subject and observed another screen showing the company's recent expenses in the last few months.
"Well, there was nothing else to spend on. Video games and armaments we can't innovate that quickly."
A black-haired woman with turquoise blue eyes shrugged.
"Besides, most of the top executives are now playing at having normal lives and leave all the work to me."
She complained; she was also too young to be managing a multinational technology-based company in all its known branches.
"Hmm."
The black-haired man brought a hand to his chin and seemed thoughtful.
"I find Uma Musume as entertainment a bit odd. What if we teach them the art of war like their ancestors?"
"You want this fic to become supernatural and warlike in its entirety?"
The girl asked with her head tilted in confusion, and the black-haired man sighed.
That was a good point. Uma Musume were loved because of the races and their attitudes. Imagining one fighting a God just for Carrots was incongruous.
"Well... can I see how the projects for Uma Musume aid are going?"
"Contact Souji. I'm focused on monopolizing here in England, where we still don't have projects to build structures specifically for them."
The girl said while looking at her notebook.
It seemed Nero wasn't getting any ideas on how to close the chapter.
"Well... I have another question..."
The black-haired man now looked serious, and the girl shuddered a bit.
"The three Uma Musume goddesses... they are alive... right?"
End of chapter.
And another chapter down.
A bit late, but as compensation, it's a little longer than promised.
But oh well, what can you do.
I was pretty hooked on a MOBA game, so I couldn't write much because of that Dx.
I think there's a lot to explain, but let's keep it short.
I'm not entirely sure about the timeline concerning Norn's race and March's challenge to Oguri just makes it clearer that, well, the days are flying by hehehe.
But anyway, another thing to clarify is about Kiyoshi. The details I've added in this chapter related to him are just for this chapter; I won't delve too deep into it. I'm just adding it to partly explain the reason for Kiyoshi's mood swings.
Which, between the classic year and until Manhattan Café, will be mostly significant changes in my opinion :v.
The Uma Musume who appears without introduction and starts her training is from the golden generation. Although I haven't watched Pretty Derby (the one starring Special Week and Silence Suzuka), I know it's an Uma Musume who might not have a major protagonistic role.
I've made some changes for the future that might be very "out there" (fumados).
(It's a phrase commonly used in the Spanish community to refer to crazy ideas).
Anyway.
In the previous chapter, I asked about a choice and honestly, I would have liked to choose both. But if I take both, basically the Stella team would be an overkill in terms of future achievements hahaha.
So in the end, I chose the one with greater physical strength.
I think that's all I'll clarify for now, but if you have questions, I'll answer them.
So, until next time.