"I don't know."
Fujiwara Chiya's question was met with a merciless denial from Nase Fumino.
"But didn't you successfully bring Super Creek into the Zone before?"
"I did, yes. But as for how she entered it, I'm not entirely sure. We trained normally every day, raced normally, and didn't really do anything special. Maybe Super Creek simply realized something on her own."
Seeing Fujiwara Chiya fall into thought, Nase Fumino spoke again.
"In that case, why not talk to Super Creek herself? Maybe she'll be able to explain something."
"Would that really be okay? Thanks so much, Fumino."
"It's nothing."
Nase Fumino brushed back her bangs out of habit. Helping Chiya was also, in a way, helping herself.
It could be said that ever since Fujiwara Zenya had extended that invitation, the relationship between the two of them was no longer that of simple childhood friends. Even if she thought of Chiya as her future husband, there would be nothing strange about it.
Nase Fumino had even considered whether she should simply merge their teams and have them train together. That would make it easier for her to guide Chiya's Uma Musume directly.
But if she did that, nearly every race would turn into an internal team battle. From a trainer's perspective, the disadvantages outweighed the benefits. After weighing everything carefully, Nase Fumino had no choice but to keep their teams separate.
If Uma Musume were given clear rivals, then their competitive drive would be stimulated more effectively.
"I'll go bring her over."
"Yeah. I'm counting on you."
Not long after, Nase Fumino returned with a brown-haired girl wearing her hair in braids. Her blue eyes were as calm as water, and her soft features perfectly embodied her warm, nurturing air.
She was the first Uma Musume Nase Fumino had met after coming to Tracen: Super Creek.
At the time, Nase Fumino had been a brand-new trainer, wandering around the training grounds in confusion and without direction. Super Creek, who already showed remarkable talent, had been the one to reach out to her first.
That was right. It was not Nase Fumino who had chosen her. It was Super Creek who had chosen Nase Fumino.
Their meeting had felt both accidental and inevitable. Perhaps it had been fate. Or perhaps Super Creek had simply seen how out of place this young girl looked among the seasoned adults around her and had wanted to help. Whatever the reason, she had signed with Nase Fumino.
And that unassuming decision had changed both of their lives forever.
Super Creek had brought Nase Fumino, who had just become a trainer, her very first G1 victory. Later, under Nase Fumino's guidance, she went on to claim back-to-back Tenno Sho titles in both spring and autumn, becoming known alongside Oguri Cap and Inari One as one of the "Three Greats of the Heisei Era."
In this age of fiercer and fiercer competition, ordinary Uma Musume struggled even to win Open-class races. Most could only participate in ungraded events. That alone showed how difficult graded races truly were.
And yet Super Creek had won three G1 races, including the Kikuka Sho, a race often said to be winnable only by the strongest of Uma Musume.
That was proof enough of her power.
Super Creek had been fortunate to meet a trainer capable of drawing out her full potential, and Nase Fumino had been fortunate to meet an Uma Musume with such extraordinary promise.
"Hello, Trainer Chiya."
When she arrived in front of him, Super Creek greeted him with a gentle smile. Her voice was so soft and soothing that it seemed capable of washing away irritation from the heart.
"Hello, Super Creek-san."
Faced with one of the legendary Uma Musume whose name had been carved into history, Fujiwara Chiya was exceptionally polite.
"Trainer Fumino already told me the situation. You want me to teach Shirayuki and the others about the Zone, right?"
"That's right."
Super Creek touched her cheek lightly, and a trace of helplessness slipped into her smile.
"To be honest, I can't fully explain what that feeling was like either. But I'll do my best to describe the state I was in back then."
"That's more than enough."
Super Creek turned to glance at her trainer. Nase Fumino nodded.
"Then let's go to the track, Trainer Chiya."
"Okay."
Fujiwara Chiya followed after her.
Super Creek was already an Uma Musume who had stepped into the background. Her peak years had passed, and she had moved on to the Dream Trophy League. From time to time she still raced, mostly to satisfy her fans' wishes, but she rarely appeared in official Central events like the Shining Series anymore.
After all, Super Creek had already obtained the highest honors available to an Uma Musume. Her career had ended in glory, and thanks to her success, Nase Fumino had risen into the ranks of senior trainers.
Uma Musume and trainers were always complementary existences. When an Uma Musume earned glory, her trainer earned renown as well. That was why trainers always tried to choose the most promising girls they could find. It was the fastest path upward.
"Trainer Chiya, you and Trainer Fumino are childhood friends, aren't you?"
While they walked, Super Creek asked the question as if casually.
"Yeah."
"How long have you known each other?"
"Since we were really little, I guess. Maybe six or seven."
"That young? What was Trainer Fumino like back then...?"
"Her face hasn't changed that much, really. She was basically a smaller version of how she is now. But her personality was much livelier."
"Really? I'd love to see what Trainer looked like back then."
Super Creek smiled gently, but her hands quietly clasped together.
"My parents probably still have old photos. There should be some with Fumino in them. If you want to see them, I can bring them for you."
"Eh!? Well... if it isn't too much trouble, Trainer Chiya..."
"It's no trouble. It's just retrieving a few old pictures. Do you want to know more about Fumino's past, Super Creek-san?"
Hearing that, Super Creek blushed faintly.
"Yes. I'd like to see what Trainer was like when she was little. Lately she's been busy and hasn't had much time to spend with me, so I thought maybe I could at least do something like learn more about her past."
"Busy?"
"Well, I wouldn't exactly say busy... It's more that there's one child who's always glued to Trainer's side, so Trainer ends up spending most of her time with her. There hasn't been much chance for me to talk to Trainer alone."
A trace of loneliness flickered across Super Creek's face.
At the word child, Fujiwara Chiya immediately pictured Tokai Teio.
Even when he had invited Fumino out for a meal, Teio had tagged along. That alone showed just how clingy she was with her trainer.
As Nase Fumino's first Uma Musume, Super Creek probably felt neglected. Her feelings were written plainly on her face.
Seeing that, Fujiwara Chiya thought for a moment. Strictly speaking, maintaining the bond between another trainer and her Uma Musume was beyond the scope of his job. But as Fumino's childhood friend, he could not just stand by if one of her girls was troubled.
Fujiwara Chiya decided to help.
At the same time, it would be a way to repay Super Creek for helping him.
"How about this, Super Creek-san? I'll take Teio out somewhere when I get the chance. While she's away, you can go spend some time alone with Fumino. It must be pretty frustrating when your trainer never gets time for just you."
"Trainer Chiya..."
Super Creek's eyes widened.
"Just like you treasure Fumino, I'm sure Fumino treasures you too. She probably wants chances to talk with you, but can't find the right moment. So leave Teio to me, and you go spend some proper time with your trainer."
"I didn't realize my thoughts had already been seen through so completely by Trainer Chiya... In that case, I won't refuse. If you can help create that opportunity for me, then as thanks, I can offer you an ear-cleaning service."
"Well... ahem, I'm not helping you because I want services. Teaching my girls about racing experience is already a huge help."
"Of course. I'll teach those girls sincerely."
Super Creek smiled warmly, while those gentle blue eyes quietly studied the man in front of her.
For Uma Musume, the Zone was a deeply guarded secret, not something that should ever be spoken of lightly. Yet Nase Fumino had asked her to share something so important with him. Clearly, the relationship between those two was not shallow.
Childhood friendship could explain some of it, but Super Creek had worried there might be something deeper there.
From what she had seen now, perhaps she had been overthinking it. If there really had been something between them, Trainer Chiya would not have so seriously offered to help her grow closer to her own trainer.
If he and Trainer Fumino were truly just ordinary childhood friends, then Super Creek was willing to befriend him as well. She could clean his ears for him, or even offer a lap pillow service.
But if their bond ran deeper than that, then Super Creek would not be nearly this gentle. She had no intention of letting anyone steal her trainer away.
As for Tokai Teio, Super Creek had not lied. Lately, that girl had been sticking to Trainer far too much, leaving Super Creek with almost no time to talk to her.
She was not willing to indulge her younger junior forever.
She wanted to deepen her bond with her trainer too.
If Teio was always there, she could not make Trainer focus on her.
Even now, Super Creek still vividly remembered what Nase Fumino had told her before the Kikuka Sho.
"Creek, your legs are no longer made of glass."
That earnest gaze, those firm words — even now they continued to give her strength and stirred her heart.
She wanted her trainer to lean on her, to lie in her lap, and she in turn wanted to give her trainer every bit of care she had.
That was Super Creek's wish.
Her trainer had made her who she was, and she had also made her trainer who she was.
The two of them were already inseparable.
No one could split them apart.
If Trainer Chiya could take Teio away and create an opportunity for her, that would truly be a tremendous help.
And in return, she would sincerely explain everything she knew about the Zone.
At the training grounds, Super Creek found Fujiwara Shirayuki and began teaching her.
She taught her everything: the state she had been in when she approached her limit during a race, the thoughts in her heart at the time, and the obsession that had driven her forward.
Her explanation was so detailed that it even included what she and her trainer had said to each other.
By the end of it, Fujiwara Shirayuki had the distinct impression that Super Creek was not really teaching her how to enter the Zone at all — she was showing off the irreplaceable bond she shared with her trainer.
Half an hour later, Super Creek finally finished recounting her experience.
"So that's how it was... Senpai, your story with Trainer Fumino was really extraordinary. From your low point, the two of you climbed all the way to the top of the Uma Musume world together, always trusting each other."
"Shirayuki... what a good child. It seems you really understood what I was trying to say."
Like a mother, Super Creek drew Shirayuki into her arms, and her ample chest gently swallowed the girl's head whole.
A moment later, however, a hand abruptly yanked Shirayuki out of that embrace and into another pair of arms.
It was Mejiro Dober.
The difference was impossible to ignore. What had just been wrapped in a lush mountain range was now more like resting against a modest hill.
"Dober-Onee-chan?"
"Shirayuki, a lesson is a lesson. There's no need for all these extra gestures."
Mejiro Dober smiled sweetly as she spoke.
"Dober-san, I was only trying to show Shirayuki a little affection. If that caused a misunderstanding, then I apologize."
Super Creek apologized calmly, and only then did Dober's expression ease.
"How is it, Shirayuki? Did you understand what Super Creek was saying?"
"More or less." Shirayuki thought for a moment. "If I had to sum it up: for an Uma Musume to enter the Zone, she needs a very powerful obsession. Training alone won't get her there. What creates that qualitative leap isn't how long she trains, but how she feels about the race itself. In your case, Senpai, it was because you wanted to repay everything Trainer Fumino had done for you. Is that right?"
"Exactly. Shirayuki really is clever."
Super Creek stroked Shirayuki's head, unable to resist the soft, fluffy feel of it.
A child this cute and this perceptive naturally made people want to spoil her, especially since Shirayuki had understood all those subtle hints Super Creek had been dropping about her irreplaceable bond with her trainer.
"Shirayuki, do you have anything you yourself want so badly that you'd devote everything to it?"
Fujiwara Shirayuki thought in silence.
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe...
No. Was that really her goal?
At the very beginning, what had drawn her toward the Arc had been the senior trainer status it could bring. But when it came down to it, what did Shirayuki herself, as an Uma Musume, truly want?
She had never seriously thought about that.
Triple Crown titles, graded races, the Arc... those were all things Uma Musume longed for, races that brought endless glory if you could win even one of them.
But Shirayuki felt that what she truly wanted was not any one specific race.
"Hard, isn't it? Finding what you truly want to strive for is never easy. Just because others want something doesn't mean you should follow after it too. That kind of thinking has no will of its own. Racing is the same way. If you can find one race that carries special meaning for you, and you pour everything into it, then maybe you'll enter the Zone in that race."
Super Creek spoke softly.
"Yes. Thank you for teaching me, Super Creek-senpai."
Shirayuki lowered her head. From Super Creek, she felt a true senior's guiding presence, even stronger than what she had felt from Symboli Rudolf or the others.
She had gained a great deal from these words.
At the side, Mejiro Dober's expression was complicated.
As expected of Super Creek, who managed to get along with everyone. In just a short while, she had completely won Shirayuki over.
There was no way Dober could let Shirayuki spend too much time with her. Anyone who became especially close to Super Creek eventually got spoiled into uselessness.
Even now, there were more than a few Uma Musume who simply sat around waiting for Super Creek to feed them.
Mejiro Dober absolutely did not want Shirayuki to become one of them.
"Come on, Shirayuki. We're going to train."
"Alright. Then I won't disturb you any longer, Super Creek-senpai."
"Let's meet again soon, Shirayuki."
Super Creek waved her off with a smile.
She really was a lovely child. Just looking at those fluffy ears made Super Creek want to reach out and pet them again and again.
But what had drawn Super Creek's attention was not just Shirayuki's adorable appearance.
It was her identity.
Shirayuki was Trainer Chiya's younger sister.
And just so happened, Super Creek wanted to better understand the relationship between Fujiwara Chiya and her own trainer.
Perhaps Shirayuki could become the perfect entry point.
She could dote on the girl, while at the same time keeping an eye on Trainer Chiya.
That would kill two birds with one stone.
I should spend more time around this child in the future.
With that thought, Super Creek cheerfully swayed her tail and returned to her own team.
The next day arrived.
According to their plan, today was meant to give Super Creek and Nase Fumino a chance to grow closer. In other words, someone needed to remove Tokai Teio from her trainer's side for a while.
This was not something Chiya himself should do. He was not especially close to Teio. The two of them had only really met once, at that restaurant.
But Fujiwara Shirayuki was different.
As a student council member, she saw Teio almost every day. And Rudolf had even arranged for the two of them to train together as rivals. The two of them were very familiar with each other by now.
So inviting Teio was a task far better suited to Shirayuki.
After informing Super Creek ahead of time so she could prepare, Fujiwara Shirayuki headed to Nase Fumino's office.
When she opened the door, she found Tokai Teio sprawled across the sofa, idly swinging her legs and reading manga in complete comfort.
Nearby, Nase Fumino had the look of someone who had already given up on scolding her and was just letting her be.
"Shirayuki? What are you doing here?"
Seeing Fujiwara Shirayuki arrive unexpectedly in her trainer's office, Tokai Teio sat upright.
I'm here to drag you, you clingy little gremlin, out of this room.
That was what Shirayuki thought.
Of course, she could not say that aloud.
Instead, she put it in the most elegant and graceful terms she could manage.
"Teio," Fujiwara Shirayuki said, extending the invitation. "Would you like to go on a date with me?"