Uma Musume: Your Uma Has A Problem! [62]

“Nice Nature! Nice Nature!!”

The spectators’ cheers for Nice Nature still echoed through the racecourse, her spectacular performance impressing everyone—not only the audience but even her competitors, who showed genuine admiration.

“Thank you, everyone, for your support! Thank you so much!”

Since Tracen’s Selection Race had no follow-up Winner’s Concert, Nice Nature’s task now was simply to leave the track, take a brief rest, and prepare herself to meet the incoming wave of trainers.

“Congratulations on winning the Selection Race, Nature-neesan~”

“Ah!”

As soon as she stepped into the exit passage, Nice Nature saw Kagura-chan already waiting there. Kagura-chan faithfully fulfilled her promise from before the race, changing how she addressed Nature.

Pure bliss…

Hearing Kagura-chan call her “nee-san” with that soft, fluffy voice, Nice Nature couldn’t help but silently squeal with delight. She suddenly felt fully re-energized, ready to go out and run another 2000 meters.

With Nature’s Selection Race finally over, Kagura-chan felt a weight lifted from her chest. Nice Nature had magnificently secured this victory. Her performance was essentially perfect, and that nine-length gap clearly showed her formidable strength.

“Kagura…um…can you say that again?”

“Hehe~ Of course, Nature-neesan.”

“So wonderful—!”

Listening to that adorable voice, Nice Nature felt her heart melt completely. If she weren’t so soaked in sweat right now, she’d definitely be hugging Kagura-chan and rubbing her face against her.

“All right, all right. You still need to meet with the trainers. Think carefully about what kind of trainer you want. Trainer Tojo recommended a trainer named Minamizaka. You’d better see him yourself first.”

“Mm! Kagura-chan, how about you come with me? I’m not sure I can handle so many trainers alone.”

“I intended to go with you anyway. I can’t relax knowing how silly you are—I have to personally see what kind of trainer you choose. I won’t let some irresponsible guy ruin your potential.”

Kagura-chan took out her little notebook and gently tapped Nice Nature’s head. She planned not only to examine the trainers on-site but also to hand over this notebook to Nature’s chosen trainer. Though she wasn’t sure how useful it’d be, it should at least provide some reference.

“Great~!”

Nice Nature happily walked out of the waiting area with Kagura-chan, but before they took two steps, a swarm of trainers surged toward them, instantly creating a lively scene.

Kagura-chan listened closely: they were all asking Nice Nature about her interest in finding a trainer and such. It was Nature’s first time facing a scene like this. Instinctively, she almost reached out to Kagura-chan for help but hesitated, lowering her hand again. She didn’t forget that now she was the “older sister”; this was something she’d eventually have to handle alone. She couldn’t always depend on Kagura-chan.

——So many trainers are trying to recruit her. Your goal is perfectly achieved, congratulations. Can you finally take a break now?

Not yet. Only after we’ve found one can I rest.

Kagura-chan saw Nature carefully maintaining a composed expression while dealing with the crowd of trainers pressing toward her. Kagura-chan didn’t directly respond for her but made gestures at the trainers, reminding them not to all rush forward at once. It was partly to prevent a stampede and partly to relieve Nature from handling too many trainers simultaneously.

Wait, wasn’t Tracen supposed to have a trainer shortage? Why are there so many people crowding here today that it feels like they’re gonna break down the door? Is this really a shortage?

Glancing toward the back, Kagura-chan spotted familiar faces—Nishizaki Ryu and Trainer Tojo. Nishizaki Ryu was stretching his neck from the far outskirts of the crowd, while Trainer Tojo stood helplessly to one side, shaking her head. Considering the crowd’s density, Nishizaki Ryu probably had no chance of squeezing in. Kagura wondered whether the trainer recommended by Trainer Tojo—Minamizaka-san—had also watched Nice Nature’s race.

Listening in, Kagura-chan roughly summarized the trainers’ speeches. Their words were pretty uniform and straightforward—promising championships, offering training resources, or conditions. Though Kagura-chan understood that trainers meeting for the first time couldn’t say much else, she still felt most of these trainers seemed unreliable.

Those trainers who immediately promised championship titles or bragged loudly about their coaching skills all had an air of desperation. They didn’t feel like the type suited to Nice Nature. Through her work, Kagura-chan had encountered countless people and had developed an instinct for judging character.

Thus, Nice Nature had yet to agree to anyone. Firstly, Kagura-chan hadn’t secretly poked her from behind as a signal of approval; secondly, Nice Nature herself didn’t feel she’d met the right trainer. Their vibes didn’t match her own.

Amusingly, some trainers didn’t just approach Nice Nature but also tried recruiting Kagura-chan. It seemed Kagura-chan had gained a small reputation among Support Uma, leading trainers with or connected to Support Uma to attempt bringing Kagura into their team. Of course, Kagura-chan refused them all.

As more trainers crowded around, those who came later appeared calmer. Once Nice Nature declined several impatient trainers, without those loud, anxious voices, Kagura-chan began to hear comments from the rear clearly.

“Such a strong kid…if she doesn’t become a champion, it’d be purely the trainer’s incompetence.”

This kind of remark was common among the trainers who arrived later, leaving Kagura-chan unsure how to comment. She felt familiar with this scenario—she’d heard Rudolf Ojou-sama had faced a similar situation at her own Selection Race. Rudolf had also outrun her opponents by a wide margin, frightening trainers so much that many didn’t dare approach her casually.

After a few more cautious trainers stepped back, Kagura-chan noticed a handsome young man stepping forward. By Kagura-chan’s judgment, this was a genuine pretty boy, exactly the type girls liked, with a gentle, polished way of speaking. He lacked the desperation of earlier trainers and the timidity of later ones.

Huh, this guy seems promising… His temperament feels solid, like a reliable big brother.

Unexpectedly, this trainer had investigated Nice Nature beforehand. He not only outlined his vision for her future but provided solid reasoning, having observed Kagura-chan and Nature’s training sessions. Kagura-chan was surprised she hadn’t noticed him earlier.

“…Precisely because I know her, I won’t recklessly promise Nice Nature-san a Triple Crown or such things. The track is unpredictable, and empty promises aren’t my style. But I can promise this: Nice Nature-san will enjoy a fulfilling career, run to her heart’s content on the track, and safely return to everyday life.”

The handsome young trainer finished speaking, calmly looking at Nice Nature and Kagura-chan—though mostly at Kagura-chan.

Did this guy realize I’m actually making the decisions? Makes sense, he’s seen Nature train…

Feeling Nice Nature repeatedly poking her, Kagura-chan knew Nature had approved. So, she stepped forward from behind Nature for the first time.

“Trainer-san, you really are different from everyone else who came before. You’re the only one who sought the opinion of an ‘unrelated person’ like me.”

“You’re modest, Kagura-san. You’re the key person here. Today’s victory couldn’t have happened without your excellent guidance. It’s a pity Kagura-san already belongs elsewhere; I’d really love for the ‘best Support Uma at Tracen’ to join my team.”

“Hah…interesting. I didn’t even know I had such a title.”

Kagura-chan nodded lightly, gently poking Nature once from behind.

“One final question, Trainer-san—if Nature learned an extremely dangerous racing style, unbeatable yet harmful, would you allow it or help her find a safer alternative?”

Minamizaka-san smiled warmly: “Protecting students is a trainer’s first responsibility. If forced to choose between championships and a student’s safety, I’ll always choose my student.”

“Hmm… Good. Last question—your name?”

Kagura-chan poked Nature again, signaling approval.

“I’m Baba Hideki. My colleagues call me Minamizaka. You two can also call me that.”

Ah, so this is Minamizaka-san! No wonder Trainer Tojo recommended him.

Relaxed, Minamizaka-san’s posture softened further.

Kagura handed her notebook to Nice Nature: “Use this well.”

Suddenly, a roaring cheer erupted outside—Nature’s cheering squads were ready to celebrate.

“Eh?! Kagura-san, are you sure they’re a normal cheering squad?!”

“Don’t worry~ Just a bit passionate, that’s all!”

“Wait! Don’t leave, Kagura-chan!”

“Sorry~ You two got this!”

Looks like her rest would have to wait.