Uma Musume: Why Do We, Horse Trainers, Still Have To Train Uma Musume? Chapter 44 44: Bring Back A Healthy McQueen?

anwhile, on the other side of the jiro Family mansion, jiro McQueen, who had returned ho after a long ti and was discussing everyday matters with her reunited sisters, never expected that in just an hour, their situation would undergo a drastic change… "…Orfevre, Tosen Jordan, Nakayama Festa, what exactly brings the three of you to the jiro Family?"

Nakayama Festa, wearing a beanie hat that she almost never took off, held a wooden sword and unenthusiastically said to McQueen, Ryan, Dober, and Bright, the four Uma Musu of the jiro Family: "Gold Ship just asked us to create a ruckus. Don't worry, we're not here to rob you. Although it is Gold Ship, she wouldn't commit a cri… probably?"

"Is that so? You two are on good terms, so that's understandable…" McQueen cald down a bit. She was the only one who could remain composed at the mont. jiro Ryan had already sent Dober and Bright back to their rooms and was poised to protect her sisters.

"But Tosen Jordan, I rember that you and Gold Ship don't get along. So why would you…"

"Orfevre just asked , that's all. It's rare for Orfevre to ask for help, and even though it's for Gold Ship, I'm willing to lend a hand." The twin-tailed Uma Musu called Tosen Jordan smiled with interest. She also held a wooden sword, but it wasn't for self-defense; Gold Ship gave each of them one, saying that it would give them "Aura," whatever that ans.

And sure enough, Orfevre, who was also carrying a wooden sword, was now glaring fiercely at jiro Ryan with an imposing Aura and was the source of jiro Ryan's current tension. Although she hadn't removed her mask, the ferocity in her eyes alone was enough to make anyone alert.

When they first arrived, jiro Ardan was almost scared to tears by Orfevre's gaze… and rushed to find Grandmother… However, in reality… though Orfevre's eyes looked fierce on the outside, deep down, she had already started to panic.

"Waaaaah~… Gold Ship, you big idiot, hurry up and finish already! If it really cos to a fight… I'll lose!" (T/N: Girl is literally King)

Orfevre's hand, holding the wooden sword, trembled slightly. Gold Ship had specifically instructed Orfevre when she arrived to maintain a fierce gaze no matter what to ensure she could stall for as long as possible. And Orfevre, seeing such a formal Gold Ship for the first ti, had no choice but to dutifully agree… Why was it like this… She was supposed to be the big sister… Why was she so afraid of Gold Ship?

However, Orfevre couldn't figure out the reason at the mont. Although Gold Ship also called her "Big Sis Orfevre," in tis like these, she could only obediently follow orders… Damn it, I feel so annoyed! I really wanted to kick sothing…

"…Child of the Gold Family, I rember, your na is Gold Ship, right?"

And at this mont, on the jiro Family Head's side, facing the imposing Gold Ship who had trespassed, the jiro Family Head was not flustered at all. This child wouldn't dare to cause trouble here. Beating up a few bodyguards was sowhat acceptable, but if she dared to openly attack the jiro Family Head, that would be a huge problem.

Although Gold Ship was chaotic, she understood what is acceptable and what is not. On this point, the Old Mistress was very reassured.

"Since you are a junior, please take a seat first," the jiro Family Head said calmly, then looked at Takatoshi Imanami beside her and asked, "Imanami-san, perhaps you would like to excuse yourself?"

"No need, there's nothing we can't say when the Old Man is right here!" Gold Ship stubbornly shook her head, pulling Imanami with one hand and holding a wooden sword with the other, then sat down, staring at the jiro Family Head with a rather unfriendly gaze.

"…Child of the Gold Family, if you wish to visit, you could call us in advance. Showing up uninvited now, isn't that a bit out of line?"

"Where is your Family Head? Where is Stay Gold? Have her co out and see ."

"Sorry, the Family Head is very busy, and I am temporarily in charge of the Gold Family's affairs!" Gold Ship said openly, "I'm here to announce to the jiro Family Head that the Old Man… Mr. Takatoshi Imanami, is a Trainer that our Gold Family reserved long ago, and we will absolutely not give him to the jiro Family."

"Reserved…" However, Imanami's mouth twitched slightly. How did he not know about this?

However, Gold Ship's anxious and fiery deanor was sothing even Imanami found rare. But he had just arrived, and Gold Ship, who was still sleeping at the ti, must've chased after him… Did she run all the way here?

"However, as the jiro Family Head, before your arrival, my discussions with Imanami-san were already quite harmonious. I believe we are about to reach an agreent." The jiro Family Head, however, was not flustered at all. Instead, she smiled slightly and looked at Imanami, asking, "So, regarding what I said earlier, Imanami-san, what is your answer?"

"Old Man?"

For a mont, even Gold Ship looked at Imanami with a subtle gaze, a mix of anticipation and reluctance. She pitifully clutched Imanami's sleeve and said aggrievedly, "Old Man, you wouldn't want to abandon , would you? You wouldn't really want to abandon to be the jiro Family's Trainer… would you?"

"Gold Ship…"

Suddenly, Imanami was truly in a dilemma. One hand gently ruffled Gold Ship's head as usual, helping her calm down a bit, but his heart was unsure how to handle the current situation.

On one side was the sincere invitation from the jiro Family Head, and on the other was the Uma Musu he cared for most. It was a difficult choice. Both paths offered prospects and required trade-offs. For Imanami, if he could truly choose, he would want to choose both paths.

But he couldn't split himself or conjure up a second person. Once he chose to accept the jiro Family Head's invitation, it would be impossible for him to have any spare energy to teach Gold Ship—at least the jiro Family Head certainly wouldn't allow him to continue teaching Gold Ship.

He also didn't know if the Gold Ship of this world was the Uma Musu who possessed both Gold and jiro Family bloodlines. At least for now, Gold Ship's seed to lean towards the Gold Family side… And under the jiro Family Head's expectant gaze, and Gold Ship's pitifully tightening grip on his sleeve, Imanami didn't ponder for too long before making his decision.

"Alas…"

A sigh was heard from Imanami. The next mont, Imanami silently grasped Gold Ship's hand that was clutching his sleeve. Under Gold Ship's gradually brightening gaze, he calmly said to the jiro Family Head:

"I'm truly sorry, Madam jiro, but I must decline your offer."

"I am just an inexperienced new Trainer. I do not possess the ability to ensure every jiro Family Uma Musu avoids harm, nor do I have the capability to serve as an exclusive Trainer for such a large family."

"I just want… these children to gallop on the Racetrack, and then return safely every day."

Has Imanami seen few Racehorses? Absolutely not. Whether personally riding them or later caring for their lives, Imanami has probably seen more Racehorses than people… But precisely because of this, he gradually understood one thing.

Honor is perhaps what every Jockey pursues, like Wada and Ikezoe. They are young, and they both have strong convictions and a fierce competitive spirit. They want to strive, to compete one more ti. Imanami understood them.

But Imanami now considers himself very old. He is no longer the Jockey who rode Racehorses in pursuit of victory… His mindset has aged and he now only hopes that the Racehorses that compete can also return safely to their stables.

He has witnessed too many partings and the ends of too many legends. What he pursues now is not victory and honor, but the hope that every Racehorse, like Gold Ship, can retire without pain.

They gallop on the Racetrack, bringing so much honor and pride for others. Shouldn't a safe and pain-free retirent be what they deserve?

And watching the jiro Family Head's gaze gradually dim, Imanami also showed a gentle smile and added:

"But… I might be able to bring you back a jiro McQueen without injuries or illnesses. I think I should still be able to do that."

"For , bringing you back a jiro McQueen who has won the Tenno Sho and will not be tornted by illness should not be entirely impossible."

"…Really?"

However, under Imanami's eyes, the jiro Family Head's previously sowhat dim gaze gradually regained its luster. Imanami also nodded solemnly, indicating that he did indeed believe so.

The jiro Family's two fears are their late developnt and their easily fractured legs, which are publicly acknowledged facts. But if Imanami could truly bring back a jiro McQueen who had won the Tenno Sho and was without pain or misfortune… then perhaps, the jiro Family still had hope.

"Trainer Imanami, if you can fulfill your promise, then I, as the jiro Family Head, give you my word: you will be an eternal friend of our jiro Family!"

"No need to be so hasty, Madam jiro, I am simply just doing my job."

Imanami waved his hand. Seeing that the situation seed to be resolved, he breathed a sigh of relief and said to the jiro Family Head: "I am just a Trainer. I help McQueen because Miss McQueen is my temporarily assigned Uma Musu, but this doesn't an I will continue to train all the jiro Family's Uma Musu. I'm quite strict with who I choose."

"Naturally." The jiro Family Head agreed without hesitation. She could tell that Imanami's unspoken aning was that he might also put a lot of effort into teaching Gold Ship or other Uma Musu, and not necessarily focus all his attention on McQueen. But the jiro Family Head was very reassured.

She understood Trainers like Imanami. Strictness represented a sense of responsibility, and once he chooses an Uma Musu, he would definitely see it through to the end.

"Well, there are many details we still need to discuss. Imanami-san, why don't you stay overnight?"

"I'm staying too!" Gold Ship, hearing this, imdiately stopped making a fuss, threw her wooden sword aside, grabbed Imanami's arm, and laughed.

"Miss Gold Ship, your room has been arranged separately, but I don't know about the others…"

"Ah, them? I'll tell them to leave right away!"

With the matter resolved, they no longer needed to cause a scene. Gold Ship imdiately ran out to inform Orfevre and the others that they could go ho.

However, she had to stay, lest that cunning old hag make any moves against the Old Man!

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Would you lose?

Orfevre: Yeah, I'd Lose.

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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.