Uma Musume: Why Do We, Horse Trainers, Still Have To Train Uma Musume? Chapter 153 153: Did You Protect Us? Gold Ship's Haze

Imanami and the others once again returned to their team's building as they always do, but unlike usual, Wada and Ikezoe were smart enough to give Imanami so private space.

They knew very well that Imanami wanted to say so words to his two Uma Musu.

Though this crisis was resolved by the actions of the jiro Family and the Gold Family, more trouble would follow.

There was a complete zero chance that Shadai would simply take this loss lying down, with Ikezoe and Wada both cautioning their Uma Musu to prepare for what was to co. After all, it was incredibly likely that they will have to face off against Shadai on the racecourse in the near future.

And Imanami, of course, also had other things he needed to tell his Uma Musu.

Click.

Imanami opened his door, and as soon as he did, he was imdiately embraced by a very enthusiastic figure. Soon, Imanami heard Tokai Teio's exceptionally cheerful voice:

"Trainer~ Trainer~! It's all over now! McQueen and Gold Ship have already handled everything! We don't have to be separated from you anymore, Trainer~"

"I know! Why don't we celebrate today! How about a party?"

"Teio... you're making Trainer uncomfortable."

McQueen, who was watching Teio clinging to Imanami like a spoiled child, also spoke with a hint of helplessness.

For a mont, she couldn't help but feel that the idea to tell Tokai Teio about this earlier, calling it a surprise gift for Imanami, might have been a mistake.

Tokai Teio... simply couldn't keep secrets, and she was very clingy, eager to share her joy with everyone, even though, strictly speaking, she hadn't been involved in anything from beginning to end.

"However, as Teio said, Trainer, this matter has been resolved jointly by our jiro Family and Gold Ship's Gold Family. But... why don't you seem happy, Trainer?"

"Sigh... McQueen, Gold Ship, I warned you not to get involved in this matter, and especially not to drag your families into it..."

Imanami also sighed deeply upon hearing this. If the Shadai in this world was similar to the Shadai back in his world, then he knew all too well what kind of people those from Shadai were.

But precisely because he knew, he had a headache. He would rather have himself be cast into an inescapable abyss in his career than see these children's future be hindered, or worse, cut short due to matters like this.

Those big suits from Shadai didn't understand; they didn't comprehend what these Uma Musu ant to them, nor did they care.

But for Imanami, for Ikezoe, and for Wada, this was a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity for them to start over anew. Wada cherished it, Ikezoe cherished it, and Imanami naturally felt the sa way.

This miraculous encounter in this wondrous world was sothing they had longed for, and they didn't want to see past mistakes be repeated again, especially so when these mistakes were experienced by their little children.

But now, that dream is being put in danger, and not only that, but the families behind these two children had also been dragged into it. (T/N: You could even say... The Dream Ending?)

"You little rascals... this matter isn't worth doing all this for. You should've just let us handle it, let us bear the burden. You didn't need to do this..."

"—No, Imanami-san, you're wrong."

McQueen's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, and she imdiately stepped forward to speak to Imanami:

"Trainer, I am indeed still very immature and I certainly still don't understand many things, but I know that there are so things I cherish, and things I cannot part with."

"This team... is what I cannot part with the most. For you, for everyone, if I can't stand up and do sothing at this mont, then what else is worth doing?"

McQueen had thought about this a lot before making her decision. She considered how to help her Trainer escape this crisis, and how to help the entire Team get through it, while minimizing losses.

However, McQueen had never for a mont wondered if it was all worth it.

"Maybe it's because the others consider you the backbone of the team, and since I'm also the Uma Musu who has spent the longest ti with you... I've just started to get used to thinking about everyone in the team, just like you, instead of just thinking about myself."

"And now, I truly consider myself a part of this team. I also want to stand up for the team when we face a real test, just like Trainer."

"At least, since I have the ability to help, I want to also do sothing for you, Trainer..."

McQueen said a lot in one breath. She usually would've never revealed such thoughts so loudly to others; after all, making statents like considering herself the "backbone" of the team was indeed sowhat embarrassing to say among a team filled with strong and helpful mbers.

McQueen never believed that she had the strongest presence in the team. Whether it was T.M. Opera O, isho Doto, Orfevre, or even the lazy and mysterious Gold Ship, they were all her rivals and could also be said to be her equals.

Yet, none of them would dare to call themselves the strongest of the team, let alone McQueen.

But still, she stood out as the glue of the team, because, as she said, she wanted to maintain this team like Imanami, to do sothing as a part of the Team.

But despite already having thought this through, she still felt a bit shy. It seems like she had beco... a little too emotional there.

"I'm sorry, Trainer, I lost my composure..."

"...No, McQueen, I'm very glad you said that."

However, Imanami, after a rare long silence, finally showed a long-lost smile and nodded—ever since Shadai sent that letter, it had always been hanging over his head, causing him to be constantly busy.

And looking at Imanami's familiar, long-lost smile, McQueen's lips also uncontrollably curved upwards, her mood instantly changing from gloomy to bright and sunny.

"...Let's go train, Trainer."

"Okay, Teio, McQueen, go wait for at the track. I need to organize so docunts before I co over."

Soon, it was as if nothing had happened, as if they hadn't just survived through a major crisis. Everything was just... so calm and natural.

Neither McQueen nor Imanami needed to say much. They knew very well that the current peace was hard-won.

Tokai Teio also did not break the atmosphere, but she also sensed the change in atmosphere, and a cheerful smile reappeared on her face. Her favorite team was finally back!

"McQueen, let's race! This ti, whoever loses isn't allowed to eat sweets for a week!"

"Sure, but I'll never lose, Teio."

McQueen and Teio both ran out of the room, heading towards the training grounds. At this mont, beside Imanami, Gold Ship also smiled as usual, saying to Imanami:

"Alright, old man, is there anything you need to do?"

"...Just the usual."

Imanami also looked up at Gold Ship at this ti, watching her act as if she had done nothing, neither boasting about her achievents nor overtly seeking praise, as if she had simply done an ordinary chore, and he smiled faintly.

Compared to McQueen's emotional outburst, Gold Ship seed much more at ease. She had taken off the dress she wore during discussions with the jiro Family, returning to her usual lazy state, and once again put on the beauty-suppressor hat.

This transformation surprised even McQueen. One who didn't know might think Gold Ship had so kind of personality disorder, being able to switch back and forth between being chaotically insane and elegant.

"Thanks, Gold Ship. Everyone's smiles today were protected by you and McQueen."

"Just as always, old man."

Gold Ship also smiled upon hearing this, her tail wagging happily behind her; clearly, she still appreciated Imanami's praise.

"You can ask for anything, old man. I, Golshi-sama, am omnipotent! As long as it's your wish, old man, I'll easily make it co true for you~"

"All right, all right, I'll spare you the act; I really can't get used to it."

I still prefer to be a bit more free and easy in front of you, old man.

Gold Ship kept this sentence in her heart and didn't say much. Only when facing the people she needed to be wary against would Gold Ship reveal her disguise.

But only when beside the most trustworthy people would she live so freely and unrestrainedly.

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GOAT Ship

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If you spot any errors, feel free to comnt about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.