For an Uma Musume, what's the most important thing? Or rather, what's most essential to aid their professional career?
Victory, racing gear, opponents, and fans?
These should indeed be part of it—but in reality, they're either results to be pursued or things you can purchase with money. And the other two can't be quickly secured or reliably supported.
Especially for rookie Uma Musume who've just debuted—these young fillies have nothing but talent on display. These aren't goals they can realistically chase.
Then, what is it that these young rookies are likely to come into contact with soon after their debut?
There indeed is something—because most Uma Musume don't actually choose to compete alone. Most of them will seek out a Trainer, and while a Trainer forms an almost lifelong bond with their assigned Uma Musume, beyond that role, many Trainers recruit multiple Uma Musume.
These gathered Uma Musume then form what's called an "Uma Musume team."
So, for the majority of Uma Musume, what does being part of such a team signify?
It's something akin to a family—a place accompanying most of their professional life, unlikely to change barring some drastic event. That's probably how you'd define it.
Usually, Uma Musume on the same team try to avoid conflicting race schedules, each pursuing their own paths to victory. Relationships within these teams tend to be unbelievably good—
After all, Uma Musume might bicker endlessly, but they're creatures who genuinely care deeply about each other.
Therefore, joining an Uma Musume team becomes the first significant decision after debut, bringing a tremendous boost in resources—because not only do these teams include Trainers for guidance, they also provide experienced senpai and teammates for daily training.
Then, in this world, which is the very best Uma Musume team?
Perhaps, if asked this question, you'd receive as many different answers as there are Uma Musume, since to any individual, a team isn't simply about the people gathered there.
For the assigned Uma Musume, a Trainer might become their lover—so naturally, the team with their beloved would always be the best team. For Uma Musume who aren't directly assigned, teammates who spend every day together become their very closest friends—
Even among Uma Musume, childhood friends joining the same team is practically a common agreement, a testament to their closeness.
Of course, a team with your best friend would undoubtedly be the best!
Moreover, even Uma Musume who aren't directly assigned can end up together with their Trainers. Thus, while ten thousand people might not have ten thousand different Hamlets, ten thousand Uma Musume from different teams would absolutely give you ten thousand different answers for the "very best team."
However, if the question were reframed differently, asked from another angle altogether, perhaps the answer would change dramatically.
Question: which Uma Musume team in this world is the absolute most enviable?
Faced with this question, many dim-witted Uma Musume, who haven't realized that "most enviable" in some sense equates to "best," would suddenly arrive at another conclusion.
Among ten thousand Uma Musume from various teams, maybe five thousand of them would give the same answer?
And that answer would be…
"Eternal Beat."
Eternal Beat. This was a name chosen whimsically by Secretariat while casually filling out the registration form, watching a video recording of Gotham Song's Winner's Concert live performance. But isn't it perfectly fitting? After all, that stage had been where Gotham Song's charm was maximized, and this was precisely the song she sang.
Then, why had Eternal Beat become the team most envied by Uma Musume worldwide? Was it because this team included Gotham Song, a legendary Uma Musume still active, not yet retired? Was it because this legend also happened to be active as the team's Trainer?
Yes, and no. Although Gotham Song was undeniably popular, that alone wasn't the real reason why so many Uma Musume envied this team.
If you like Gotham Song, isn't supporting her enough? Wouldn't the greatest tribute from a fan be challenging their idol head-on in a race? Besides that, wouldn't Song-san prefer not to have her private life disturbed?
Thus, out of respect and mutual understanding among Uma Musume, Gotham Song herself wasn't what truly made this team enviable—at least, not the main reason.
Then, what exactly was the advantage exclusive to Eternal Beat, coveted by all Uma Musume?
It's…
Young Uma Musume, have you heard of a legendary team? One with numerous Hall-of-Fame Uma Musume from various countries, where three legendary Uma Musume can directly mentor you?
Whether turf, dirt, long-distance races—Japan, Europe, or America—as long as you aim for a competition anywhere, this team can definitely match you with the most suitable, historically powerful Uma Musume to train alongside you.
This is the true reason Eternal Beat has become legendary among all Uma Musume.
This isn't merely enviable—it's an asset virtually unattainable by any other team, something most teams wouldn't dare dream of.
After all, for most Uma Musume teams, having just one Hall-of-Famer occasionally providing advice is already considered invaluable.
But for Eternal Beat?
Let's momentarily set aside the fact gradually dawning on many—that Trainer Gotham Song is actually an overwhelmingly powerful yet utterly ridiculous Great Escape idiot.
Even if Gotham Song's running style leaves others dumbstruck, besides her, the team has two unofficially affiliated figures:
The Central Director of America's Tracen Academy, Secretariat—the legend who conquered American dirt.
And…
Europe's master tactician from France, well-versed in nearly every racing style, particularly brilliant at pre-race analysis and strategy—the very one who personally mentored the Arc legend Helissio, Dancing Brave!
Just these two alone are resources any team would desperately envy, not to mention Gotham Song's close relationships with Daiichi Ruby, Oguri Cap, Tokai Teio, the Mejiro family's Uma Musume, and her actual cousin, Manhattan Cafe, renowned for her terrifying stamina and long-distance prowess!
If an Uma Musume from Gotham Song's team ever needed it, they could probably simulate an entire race by perfectly replicating the running styles of every competitor they'd face.
How should something like this be described?
It's practically like having a physical cheat activated!
Damn it, I'm so jealous.
Then, today, who would be the Uma Musume to inspire envy?
"The Oka Sho, huh? Honestly speaking… um, Donna-san? This is going to be quite a challenge for you. You understand that clearly, don't you?"
"Yes, Dancing Brave-senpai. Of course, I understand."
Of course she understood…
Before the faintest light of dawn had fully faded from the morning horizon, several Uma Musume figures had already appeared on the training grounds of Mejiro Manor.
Currently speaking were today's training session's protagonist, Gentildonna ("Donna"), and Dancing Brave, the Uma Musume who could actually provide useful advice.
As for Gotham Song, this disgraceful Trainer who had barely managed to get up early? She'd only tagged along because of her duties and role. Otherwise, she'd probably still be curled up comfortably in bed right now!
Training at 6:30 on a summer morning, huh? Donna, you… Maybe I've underestimated just how strict you are with yourself.
Gotham Song never had to worry much about Donna's training—usually, Donna herself would write the training plan, hand it over for Gotham Song's approval, and there was never a need to check if it was followed.
Donna never did more, nor less; she just completed exactly what was written in the plan—such a reassuring, super fully-automatic Uma Musume who never worried anyone about things like lack of sleep.
Perhaps precisely because Donna was so worry-free, when she'd requested special training yesterday night, Gotham Song agreed without thinking. And thus, she'd crawled out from the warmth of Ardan-nee-san's embrace early this morning, enduring her older sister's helpless yet doting gaze to reach the training grounds.
But… the Oka Sho would be a big challenge for Donna? What's that supposed to mean?
Gotham Song didn't fully understand. She glanced at Vernal Equinox ("Vernal-chan"), who was standing obediently at her side, and sank into confusion.
Donna's strength was undeniably very strong; Gotham Song was certain of that. Yet, Dancing Brave's words left her feeling somewhat bewildered.
The Oka Sho, the first race of the Triple Tiara, held at Hanshin Racecourse—a 1600-meter turf race. Was that really so challenging for Donna…?
1600 meters certainly wasn't a problem for Donna. Ah… oh! So that's why.
Gotham Song suddenly realized the real reason behind Dancing Brave's words.
1600 meters really wasn't an issue for a monster of stamina like Donna. It was short—too short!
In a certain sense, Donna was quite similar to Manhattan Cafe. Both had monstrous stamina, both had... speed that couldn't exactly be described as explosive.
Was it because her stamina was too overwhelmingly strong that it became an obstacle? Or was there another reason?
In short, Donna and Manhattan Cafe were both types whose performance improved dramatically at longer distances—especially beyond 2500 meters, where their true strength emerged.
So, the distance itself wasn't the problem, but rather that the current race was simply too short.
"Let me see. I took a quick look yesterday. Your biggest opponents in the Oka Sho will be Almond Eye, as well as Verxina-san, whom you've met previously in Dubai."
"Still, should I call this cruel or a fortunate opportunity? Donna, do you want to experience in advance the kind of scenario you might face in the Oka Sho?"
As Dancing Brave said this, she suddenly revealed a strange smile—one which wasn't directed toward Donna at all, but toward Gotham Song and Vernal Equinox.
Why do I suddenly feel like I'm going to have bad luck?!
A bad feeling abruptly rose within Gotham Song's heart. Before she could speak, however, Donna had already answered.
"I think, no matter what, I must take this Oka Sho perfectly and without flaw. Please guide me well, Dancing Brave-senpai."
"Good, I was waiting for those words. Get over here, Song—you'll have plenty to keep you busy."
Gotham Song's mouth twitched, but she still obediently approached Dancing Brave, looking at her expectantly as if awaiting instructions.
"Don't look at me with that expression, Song-san. Ah, no—from now on, I hereby declare you to be Verxina-san."
You declare me as Verxina…? Wait, what does that mean—I'm Verxina?
Dancing Brave ignored Gotham Song, who was doubting life itself, and instead turned toward another Uma Musume standing nearby.
"Vernal-chan, could I trouble you to temporarily play the role of Almond Eye-san?"
Playing Almond Eye…? Wait, hold on! Why are you so gentle with Vernal-chan?! You old hag!!
"Stop glaring at me like that. Look—Vernal-chan's behaving so nicely, isn't she? Anyway, haven't you already figured out exactly what kind of method I'm intending to use?"
Dancing Brave didn't bother with further explanation. But the moment Gotham Song heard the word "roleplay," she fully understood what Dancing Brave was getting at.
Though Vernal Equinox was still an Uma Musume yet to debut, her tall frame had nearly reached the level required for debut, and her strength had already reached a pleasing level. More importantly…
Vernal Equinox had exactly the same racing style as Almond Eye!
Thus, during the training race, Vernal-chan could temporarily take Almond Eye's role to provide special pre-race training for Donna. And why exactly did Dancing Brave declare Gotham Song to be Verxina?
Because Verxina had experience racing as a front-runner!
And who was currently the best front-runner Uma Musume in the world? Obviously, she was standing right there! Thus, in Dancing Brave's eyes, the lineup currently assembled wasn't just a casual list put together for the sake of Oka Sho special training.
Perhaps this formation would create competition intensity a thousand percent higher than the actual Oka Sho itself!
As long as Donna could overcome this intensity and simulation—
Forget the Oka Sho; wouldn't the entire Triple Tiara fall effortlessly into her hands?
Dancing Brave didn't speak further. She merely picked up the stopwatch, silently observing the unfolding scene.
Since a kouhai like Donna had expressed such hopes to her, as her senpai, Dancing Brave would naturally fulfill her duties wholeheartedly.
Ah, Gotham Song—this kind of free labor sure is convenient.
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