Symboli Rudolf's first defeat came when she challenged the Japan Cup right after the Kikka Sho. The gap between the two races was too short, there wasn't even time to rest properly. And she was challenging a world-class Japan Cup in her third year.
At the time, Symboli Rudolf was completely exhausted dealing with that race. Rudolf had even gotten sick before it, pushing through illness and fatigue.
The winner was the dark horse Katsuragi Ace, who pulled off a major upset using a Front Runner strategy. She was the first Uma Musume to win the Japan Cup.
That race was called "Rudolf's victorious defeat."
Afterward, URA headquarters decided to adjust race scheduling. Some GI races couldn't be held too close together, or Uma Musume wouldn't have time to recover properly.
Symboli Rudolf knew how painful it would be after trying and failing, but there really was no way to win forever.
After that, Daiwa Scarlet returned to school. The moment she entered the gate, a trainer jumped out at her, stumbling on unsteady legs, apparently from crouching for so long that his feet had gone numb.
That Trainer held a training plan in his hands, waving it eagerly. "Daiwa Scarlet, come train with me! I'll teach you an even better running style. As long as you don't rush to the front at the start next time and conserve some stamina, run like Vodka, you'll win first place!"
"Like Vodka?" Daiwa Scarlet's brow furrowed slightly, her expression turning sour. So not a single trainer would acknowledge a Front Runner strategy?
What's that supposed to mean? You want me to copy her?
I not as good as her?
Do trainers really have nothing better to do?
You think I haven't thought of that running style? But would it actually work? Her late-race acceleration power is completely different from mine, isn't it?
Power determined the late acceleration capability. She knew her leg power wasn't suited for Vodka's running style. Using that strategy would guarantee a loss.
"Sorry, I'm not interested. Excuse me." Daiwa Scarlet politely declined and left without looking back.
There was another Uma Musume who wanted some quiet.
Right now, Vodka was being pestered by a different trainer. She held her head in distress, ears flattening against her skull. "Aaah! Stop following me around every single day! At least let me think about it a bit!"
"You say that, but you're still just running away. Join my team, Vodka. I've already arranged everything for your overseas campaign."
"Got it, got it," Vodka said tiredly, exhaustion bleeding through every word. What overseas campaign? I just wanted to give a reason for going abroad so this trainer would back off. I didn't think he'd actually take it seriously.
"This is so annoying. Just let me have some peace." She ran off again before he could respond.
Vodka had no intention of accepting that trainer right now. Doing so would only make more trainers try to recruit her, and the more there were, the more annoyed she became.
"Ah, wait, Vodka! I won't give up... I'll definitely make you the world's fastest uma musume!"
The person saying this wasn't Kouji Okino. Okino wouldn't say such things. It was another well-known first-class trainer.
"First place..." Hearing those two words made Daiwa Scarlet's heart clench inexplicably, a sharp pain she couldn't quite name.
Is that girl really that popular?
I need to hurry up and find my own trainer, too.
She'd already realized she couldn't beat Vodka on her own. She had to borrow someone else's power.
The next day, Hayato returned to school with several small, adorable uma musume trailing behind him and the 'Sakura Crown'.
After winning the Triple Tiara, besides the trophy, there was also a crown awarded. The Oka Sho crown was pink, the Yūshun Himba was blue, the Shūka Sho was gold, and the Queen's Elizabeth Cup was white.
Even though she'd won the Sakura Queen's crown, Silence Suzuka had absolutely no intention of wearing it. Forget wearing it, just walking around, young Uma Musume would run up calling her "Sakura Queen," and she didn't know what to do with that kind of attention.
The post-race press conference had been torture, too. She was especially nervous, constantly asking Hayato what she should say.
When it came to interacting with people, she really needed more practice.
"Welcome back, Mr. Hayato and Your Majesty the Queen." Hayakawa Tazuna greeted them with a smile at the school gate.
"What do I do, trainer? Here we go again...." Silence Suzuka immediately hid behind Hayato's back. She was particularly worried that entering school would have tons of people running up calling her 'Sakura Queen', 'Your Majesty', etc.
It feels like they're just having fun watching a shy person squirm.
"It's fine. Hayakawa-san is just teasing you."
Only after hearing Hayato's reassurance did Silence Suzuka emerge from behind his back, letting out a small sigh of relief.
Hayakawa Tazuna smiled warmly. "Suzuka-san is still so shy, even though she won the race and broke the record."
"Hayakawa-san, please stop. She's been asked about it the whole way back. Give her a break." Hayato pleaded with mild exasperation.
Hayakawa Tazuna pressed her lips together, clearly suppressing a laugh, then smiled again. "Alright, I won't say anymore. Hayato-san, please come by HR later. I have something to give you."
"Mm, okay."
Hayato could guess what it was.
Hayato figured he'd been promoted, finally able to shed his new trainer status.
Having just returned, he didn't plan on making them train today. After giving a few instructions and putting away the trophy, Hayato headed to the place Hayakawa Tazuna had mentioned.
Hayakawa Tazuna handed him an elegant purple wooden box. Opening it revealed a golden badge with the words "Tracen Trainer" engraved on it in precise lettering.
"Isn't this the identification badge that only first-class trainers who've been employed for at least three years can wear?"
Hayato knew he'd definitely get promoted, but he didn't expect to skip straight to the top.
Isn't this too fast?
"That's correct, but this is also the Director's intention. She hopes you'll definitely accept it."
"Can I keep my original badge? Or just not wear one at all?" Hayato seemed to remember never seeing trainers like Tōjō Hana or Okino wearing these things.
"The original badge needs to be returned. As for whether to wear it, that's up to you. Actually, only new trainers are required to wear them. Mid-level and senior trainers only wear them to attract Uma Musume's attention."
After hearing Hayakawa Tazuna's explanation, Hayato decided not to wear it.
"Hayato-san's salary will increase to two million yen. Your training room stays the same, but you'll get an additional office. Once a year, you'll have the opportunity to hold a selection trial to recruit uma musume.
To hold a selection trial, you need to apply one week in advance. The event can't be held on weekends."
The benefit of holding selection trials was that Hayato wouldn't need to beg Uma Musume to join his team anymore. Just one trial would have many Uma Musume sign up, and then he could pick whoever he wanted.
That felt pretty good.
With only one chance per year, he'd need to carefully consider the timing.
First off, now definitely wouldn't work. All the good Uma Musume had basically been picked already. He'd have to wait for new students to enroll.
"Thank you, understood." After saying goodbye to Hayakawa Tazuna, Hayato headed to the cafeteria.