Uma Musume: Why Do We, Horse Trainers, Still Have To Train Uma Musume? Chapter 167 167: In The End, Fumino Nase Chose

"Oh? Trainer Fumino Nase? She's a really good person."

After the three Trainers returned to Tracen Academy, Wada imdiately sought out several Trainers who had been eting frequently with Fumino Nase recently.

Among those, Wada t two Trainers he knew well, they were the Trainers of Admire Vega and Narita Top Road.

And now, the three of them were now chatting about Fumino Nase. As soon as they started, these two Trainers who were childhood friend began to recount many things Fumino had done for them during this period.

"Trainer Nase has been discussing about the Kikuka Sho with us recently."

"I originally thought she was here to scout for information, since she's in the sa team as you now, but I didn't expect her to actually be here to help us!"

"Yeah, thanks to her help, my Top Road managed to successfully win the Kobe Shimbun Hai and qualify for the Kikuka Sho! I really should thank you all!"

As soon as this was ntioned, Narita Top Road's Trainer chuckled incessantly.

Clearly, winning the Kobe Shimbun Hai was a much-needed morale boost for Narita Top Road, who had suffered crushing defeats in both the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby.

As Narita Top Road's Trainer, he was very happy to see his Uma Musu this fired up again.

Moreover, what Narita Top Road's Trainer didn't say was that Narita Top Road's strength had experienced a qualitative improvent after winning the Kobe Shimbun Hai.

If the Satsuki Sho was a duel between T.M. Opera O and Admire Vega, with Narita Top Road rely being a pace-setter; and if the most eye-catching performances in the Japanese Derby were isho Doto and jiro McQueen.

Then for this Kikuka Sho, he had absolute confidence that Narita Top Road now possessed the strength and skill to claim the Kikuka Sho crown.

This ti, his Uma Musu will definitely not be a side character, but an Uma Musu with the strength to legitimately compete for the Kikuka Sho alongside T.M. Opera O and jiro McQueen!

"So, how about your side? How is Admire Vega doing?"

"...Not so good. After Vega lost consecutively in the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby, her perforamce has been quite unstable."

"The doctor even said that her physical condition was deteriorating rapidly and that she might be unable to run in the Kikuka Sho..."

On the other hand, Admire Vega's Trainer's mood was not high.

While Admire Vega's decline was sowhat expected due to how much she pushed herself, she couldn't help but feel sad when it actually happened.

"Fortunately, Trainer Nase gave and Vega a lot of help. She managed to encourage Vega to continue racing and to continue aiming for the Kikuka Sho."

"She even helped and Vega refine our tactics, leading to us winning the Mainichi Okan—now, Vega can also participate in the Kikuka Sho!"

"For this... we are all very grateful to Trainer Nase, and of course, to you too."

"For Trainer Nase to be so willing to help our Uma Musu out of their predicant, you must have tacitly approved right, Wada?"

As she spoke this, both Admire Vega's and Narita Top Road's Trainers looked at Wada with grateful eyes.

Everyone knew that Fumino Nase was an assistant in Wada's Team. Although this news was explosive and unbelievable when it first spread, since Fumino Nase was now helping them, it must have been with Wada's tacit approval.

After all, who would help their competitors improve their strength in such a important race?

Thus, there was almost no doubt that the help provided by Fumino Nase must have been approved by Wada.

Although they weren't quite sure what Wada's objective was, after competing against each other two tis, and seeing Narita Top Road's and Admire Vega's improvents, they could at least be sure that this was not ant to harm them.

Especially when they saw their own Uma Musu regain their usual vigor, even showing a burning desire to win the Kikuka Sho! How could they not be imnsely relieved?

However, facing the grateful gazes of the two Trainers, Wada fell silent for a mont. But soon, he smiled again and said to them:

"Thanks for your kind words. I feel quite flattered..."

"—But, I think these words of thanks should be reserved for Trainer Nase. She's the one who helped you after all, not ."

He didn't know what Fumino Nase was aiming to do, but he didn't have the conscience to take credit for sothing he didn't even know was happening.

After a bit more small talk, Wada quickly chose to take his leave.

Wada then began to instinctively walked towards the team building.

However, he had only just reached halfway when another person, walking in the sa direction, both looked up simultaneously and noticed each other.

And when Wada and Fumino Nase t as usual, both remained silent, neither speaking.

This ti however, Wada finally got a good look at Fumino Nase's current state.

As beautiful as ever, that was a given. However, looking closely, Fumino Nase's eyes now had a bit of dark circles.

Although she seed to have used make-up to conceal them, perhaps due to her unfamiliarity with using costics, they were still sowhat visible.

Her hair was also a bit ssier than usual, probably because she forgot to blow-dry it after washing?

Though Fumino Nase was masking her fatigue very well, she couldn't hide it in front of Wada.

"...If you don't mind, let's walk together for a bit," Wada said to Fumino Nase with a smile.

"I have sothing I'd like to ask of you, Trainer Nase."

"Sothing... is it the Kikuka Sho?"

Fumino Nase, seeing that Wada seed as calm as ever, as well as always expecting him to question her about Shadai every ti they t, breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn't refuse and followed Wada, asking:

"If it's about the Kikuka Sho, I've already examined T.M. Opera O's condition recently."

"After comparing her data with Narita Top Road and Admire Vega, I believe T.M. Opera O still holds a significant advantage."

"However, to stop T.M. Opera O from injuring herself from training at this crucial ti, her training intensity has been dropped quite a bit. Now, she's just aiming to maintain her current condition."

"Narita Top Road on the other hand... her growth rate has been sowhat scary recently. I think we should re-plan our tacti—"

"—Actually Trainer Nase, I've decided to supervise over isho Doto during the Tenno Sho, so I hope you can help oversee T.M. Opera O's Kikuka Sho."

Before Fumino Nase could finish speaking, Wada proactively explained his purpose for coming.

When Wada said these words, Fumino Nase's steps unconsciously paused.

"You want to... oversee T.M. Opera O at the Kikuka Sho... am I hearing you right?"

Seemingly finding it unbelievable, Fumino Nase even sowhat refused to believe her own ears—because she knew very well that T.M. Opera O held extraordinary significance for Wada.

How could Wada willingly miss the Kikuka Sho, the final leg of the Classic Triple Crown?

Fumino Nase had already planned to oversee isho Doto at the Tenno Sho (Autumn), and even prepared for the possibility that her connection with Shadai had long been exposed, leading her to be sidelined

But she never imagined that Wada would actually ask her to oversee T.M. Opera O during the Kikuka Sho.

"T.M. Opera O... isn't she the Uma Musu you care about most? Letting oversee her Kikuka Sho, is it really... okay?"

"—T.M. Opera O is indeed the Uma Musu I care for most, but isho Doto's condition is actually more worrying than T.M. Opera O's."

"If I'm not present at the Tenno Sho, I'm afraid her performance might be unstable."

Wada also explained with a smile, without the slightest doubt about his decision:

"Therefore, isho Doto's race is the one I need to personally oversee the most. What's more, at the Tenno Sho, isho Doto will be fighting alone; she needs my support."

"But T.M. Opera O is different; she will understand. Even if I'm not there, I believe she will give her all to win the race."

" asking you to help oversee her is just to have you help monitor T.M. Opera O's condition beforehand to ensure that nothing abnormal happens to her before the Kikuka Sho."

"Of course, if I can, I will try my best to get to the Kikuka Sho as quickly as possible, but I trust you will take good care of T.M. Opera O during these next few days, just as I believe T.M. Opera O will continue to achieve victory."

"...You trust ?"

However, upon hearing Wada's words, Fumino Nase unconsciously repeated them. After closing her eyes for a mont, as if hesitating, she seed to have made her decision.

So that's how it is... You really are a fool, Wada Ryuji.

Up until now, you still don't know that Shadai and I are involved? You trust that much?

...How cunning. In the end, I was just scaring myself all along.

Thinking of her days of trepidation and her continuous efforts to compensate during this ti, Fumino Nase inexplicably found it a bit amusing.

She never expected her partner to be such a fool, a fool who knew nothing...

But wasn't this the pot calling the kettle black? She was also a fool, actually doing sothing she never dared to imagine before... going against Shadai and all that.

But now, these things aren't aningless.

After hearing Wada's words, "I trust you," Fumino Nase finally made up her mind and her choice.

"—Go to the Tenno Sho with isho Doto without worry, Trainer Wada. Rember, you must co back with a GI win."

"I will also take care of T.M. Opera O. I promise you, even if you can't make it back in ti, I will make sure T.M. Opera O wins this race to see you."

"—I swear I won't let anyone interfere with this Kikuka Sho."

----- -----

I'm sure this will continue being a normal Trainer-assistant relationship and nothing else.

----- -----

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