Uma Musume: Why Do We, Horse Trainers, Still Have To Train Uma Musume? Chapter 165 165: Fumino Nase Has To Make A Choice

That evening, while all of Team Miracle's Uma Musu had enjoyed a relaxing day without any troubles and returned to their dorms for a good rest, the three Trainers held another eting late at night to discuss the 'problems' they encountered that day.

"Judging by everyone's expressions today, I'll assu that Shadai has targeted all of us today?"

Imanami, Ikezoe, and Wada were all sitting around the dinner table in the team building, with Gold Ship being the only one here besides the three of them.

Neither Ikezoe nor Wada had any objections to Gold Ship being here; they knew that Imanami must have his reasons.

And reasons he had; with Gold Ship present, even if she didn't participate in the discussion, she'll be able to keep up to date with the newest information and adapt from there.

In a sense, Gold Ship's role among the Uma Musu in Team Miracle was the sa as Imanami's role among the three Trainers.

"Okay, firstly. Where did you all run into Shadai today?" As the leader of the trio, Imanami was the first to speak up.

"I'll start. I t with them at the baseball stadium. Unfortunately, we ended things off on a sour note."

"...Orfevre, Curren Chan, and I were at the dessert shop at the ti." Ikezoe glanced at the two beside him and spoke in a low voice.

"They talked to Orfevre and for a while, but we ultimately also parted on bad terms."

After saying that, Ikezoe turned his gaze toward the silent Wada and couldn't help but ask curiously,

"Wada, did you not run into Shadai today? I rember seeing T.M. Opera O and isho Doto being quite happy today, not like they'd been harassed by Shadai."

"...They didn't look for ; they looked for Fumino Nase." Wada glanced at Ikezoe and, after a long pause, said hesitantly,

"I noticed that after we left the amusent park, she separated from us very quickly. Probably to et those guys from Shadai."

"I don't know the specifics, but when we t again a few hours ago, she didn't ntion anything about Shadai to , so I don't know what she discussed with them."

"Could it be... that she has ties to Shadai just like Yutaka Take? Did she beco a mole for them?"

Ikezoe couldn't help but be startled upon hearing this, subconsciously thinking of this possibility. After all, in Ikezoe's mind, the idea that 'Fumino Nase = Yutaka Take' still held true.

Moreover, the incident where Yutaka Take and Shadai tead up to block T.M. Opera O was still fresh in Ikezoe's mind.

Now that it's likely that Fumino Nase is involved with Shadai again, it was truly hard not to be wary of her.

"I don't know, but I don't think Miss Nase is that kind of person."

Surprisingly, despite being the victim of that incident, Wada expressed a different opinion from Ikezoe.

He shook his head and said, "Although she's clearly suspicious, I feel like... she hasn't betrayed us."

"Fumino Nase probably just hasn't made up her mind yet."

"After all, we are dealing with Shadai, an absolute giant in the Uma Musu scene; it's natural to be hesitant about being hostile towards them."

"That makes sense, but we should still prepare for the worst." Ikezoe still spoke cautiously to Wada.

"Orfevre and Curren Chan don't have any important races during this period, so I don't think Shadai will target them... but you and Imanami are different, Wada."

"isho Doto and T.M. Opera O are both going to compete in GI races—one is the Autumn Tenno Sho, and the other is the Kikuka Sho, the final leg of the Classic Triple Crowns! Wada, you need to prepare yourself."

"...Actually, there's no need for you two to stress about whether they'd really try sothing in the Kikuka Sho; the person from Shadai I t already hinted at it."

"It is almost certain they'll do sothing there."

At this mont, Imanami nodded, agreeing with Ikezoe's thought.

He certainly didn't want to think the worst of Fumino Nase, but as things stood, from a rational perspective, they really should prepare for the worst.

Of course, Imanami also felt that Fumino Nase wouldn't collaborate with Shadai like Yutaka Take did in their previous world.

If Fumino Nase really did collude with Shadai, then all Imanami and Wada could say was that they had misjudged her.

It would be a useful but extrely costly lesson.

"Don't worry, Wada. For this race, it's not just T.M. Opera O; McQueen will also be participating."

"Not only that, jiro Ryan will also be racing in the Kikuka Sho too. So, at least the three of them can protect each other from foul play whenever possible."

"But as for the other Uma Musu... Shadai probably wouldn't hesitate to pull so tricks."

Imanami knew exactly how powerful Shadai was. Since they already knew Shadai would be coming after them in the Kikuka Sho, plans will have to be made in advance.

So far, among the Uma Musu running in the Kikuka Sho, aside from the Uma Musus from their own team, which were T.M. Opera O and jiro McQueen, they could only guarantee that jiro Ryan wouldn't be swayed by Shadai to participate in a coordinated attack.

Shadai probably also wouldn't go so far as to display a blocking scandal without any pretense, especially in a race as big as the Kikuka Sho, else they'd receive massive public backlash.

But undoubtedly, many Uma Musu that weren't originally a part of the roster will appear in this Kikuka Sho. They'd also probably be placed outside the top ten in popularity to avoid being too obvious.

Of course, there would also be a few Uma Musu who belonged to Shadai but were actually qualified to compete in the Kikuka Sho.

As for how much of a threat they were... that was hard to say.

The worst-case scenario was that in this race, besides T.M. Opera O, jiro McQueen, and jiro Ryan, the rest were either bribed by Shadai to sabotage them or Uma Musu arranged by Shadai to interfere with the race.

Shadai might not resort to outright blocking yet, but taking turns to disrupt your rhythm is a normal tactic.

Especially in such an important race, where targeting the first and second favorites is a pretty common and effective strategy.

Even if you complained to URA, they would have excuses. And even if those excuses were exposed, the vast majority of Japanese Uma Musu fans probably wouldn't stand on their side.

Wada remained silent for a long ti after hearing this, but in his heart, he was still hoping that Fumino Nase would co clean about her situation with Shadai as soon as possible.

He believed Fumino Nase wouldn't betray them, but... who wouldn't want such trust to be confird, even if just verbally?

anwhile, while the three Trainers were having their eting, Fumino Nase wasn't focusing at all on the fact that she hadn't been invited.

Currently, she was in her own residence, her mind filled with mories of her conversation with Shadai today.

"Trainer Nase, a large portion of your study funds currently cos from Shadai."

"Shadai has trained you to beco a top-tier Trainer in Japan in the hope that you will achieve success and win key races for Shadai's Uma Musu at critical monts."

"Now, the ti for you to prove yourself has co. Although Shadai is sowhat dissatisfied with your decision to join Team Miracle, you might be able to do sothing now to make up for it."

"For example, in the upcoming Kikuka Sho, observe what tactics T.M. Opera O and jiro McQueen plan to use, and then send your analysis to Shadai... pretty simple, right?"

"Don't forget, you've only made it this far because of the support Shadai provided you."

"If you lose Shadai's support, your plans for studying abroad and attending foreign Trainer schools will likely have to be delayed indefinitely..."

...

...

"...What should I do..."

Fumino Nase lay on her bed, her mind filled with these exchanges with Shadai, murmuring to herself in distress.

On one side was her own future; on the other were the promises she made to Maruzensky as well as her own morals. For a mont, Fumino Nase didn't know how to choose.

Although Shadai's threat was blatant, they were right.

Without Shadai's support, Fumino Nase's plans to study abroad would undoubtedly fall through, and Shadai wouldn't write recomndation letters for those schools either.

The troubled Fumino Nase slowly sat up from the bed, picked up her phone again, and opened her contacts.

However, looking at the nas "Shadai" and "Wada Ryuji," she knew that by clicking either one, she would be making her choice.

Yet she hesitated for a long ti, unable to press either... but finally, Fumino Nase swiped the screen and tapped on another contact.

"...Hello? Trainer, it's so late, is sothing the matter?"

"Hello... Super Creek... I have so things... I want to tell you. I hope you can give so advice."

With no one else to rely on, Fumino Nase lost her usual decisiveness and asked Super Creek over the phone:

"Super Creek, do you think... I should break a promise for the sake of my future? I—I know asking this is silly, but I really don't want to betray this promise..."

By this point, Fumino Nase was starting to sound incoherent. However, the silence from Super Creek on the other end of the line made Fumino say with a bitter smile:

"...I'm sorry. I'll just... make the decision myself."

"—No, Trainer, actually I think you've already made your decision."

At that mont, Super Creek's gentle voice ca through the phone:

"Trainer, although it's the first ti you've said sothing like this, what you just said was 'you don't want to betray that promise,' right?"

"That ans subconsciously, you actually don't want to betray that promise. Otherwise, you would have said sothing like 'I really want to cherish this opportunity,' wouldn't you?"

"So Trainer, do what you feel is right. No matter what choice you make, I just hope you can be a little happier."

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Super Freak to the rescue!

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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.