Uma Musume: Become a Legendary Trainer

Chapter 238 Protagonist
The position changes on the track do not actually require explanation, as the spectators inside and outside the venue can see them very clearly.

Under the scorching sun on a summer afternoon, the beach surface is drier and the sand structure is looser than at other times.

In this kind of venue, the horse racing ladies' steps are more strenuous and the visual effect is more obvious.

For any of the five contestants, it was as if a small sandstorm had been raised behind them, and their position and approximate speed could be seen at a glance.

That is why, when Super Kobayashi and Mejiro Aldan accelerated, the audience instantly cheered for them.

"Go! Little Bay! We came here just for you!"

"Ms. Mejiro! I have been your loyal fan for ten years! Come on!"

Regardless of the fact that Mejiro Altan was still in kindergarten ten years ago, unlike the audience who would get excited when seeing exciting scenes, Kitahara was thinking about the situation of this game.

After truthfully reporting the track conditions, Kitahara silently analyzed the situation in his mind while Akikawa Yayoi took over the race commentary.

After taking the lead, won't you slow down? If it were a formal competition, Xiaoyu's choice would be somewhat risky...

But in the relay race, with the certain advantages brought by Mejiro Peak and Oguruma's voluntary giving way, it is not completely impossible to continue to maintain the lead.

Compared with the running style that he was better at in the past, this pace would consume more physical energy, but it would also force other opponents into a war of attrition.

Besides, Xiaoyu's next opponent is the Emperor of the East China Sea.

The kid hasn't reached his peak yet, but his talent is so outstanding that he has few rivals in his current age group.

In other words, even if Xiaoyu made some mistakes at the end of the stage, the third runner would be able to cope with it.

It seems that Xiaoyu's team's tactics are based on overall victory...

What about Little Chestnut Hat? What’s going on with this team?

Kitahara frowned slightly as he shifted his gaze from the Ash-haired horse girl in front to the one behind her.

Coincidentally, Akikawa Yayoi's commentary came to an end, and it was his turn to commentate.

Holding the microphone next to his ear, he said:
"The current leader is still Tamamo Cross. Under her leadership, the pace of this match is obviously very fast."

"Following closely behind is still the player named Ogururo."

"Probably out of consideration for the team's victory, the player in the Ogurashi hat was in the lead after completing the handover, but he quickly gave up the position and ended up in second place."

“However, compared to her previous performances on the field, this advance countermeasure looks somewhat similar, but she still ran quite far ahead.”

"We can only hope that this choice is made with the team's victory in mind."

"Behind them are the two players Super Xiaohai and Mejiro Aldan. After their sudden acceleration, the distance between them and Oguruma is also very close."

"It's also a running style that's further forward than before. This may be a man-marking tactic."

"It seems like the pressure on contestant Ogururomo is much greater than what I just said."

"Inari is still very relaxed. She is more than 6 lengths away from her opponent in front of her."

“This is rare in previous competitions, but considering her performance at the end of the Shining Star event, she still has a good chance of catching up at this distance when she sprints to the finish line.”

While the match situation was being reported, the cheers from below the helicopter became more and more frequent.

Indeed, the name that the audience shouted at the beginning was "Oguruma".

Their yearning for an undefeated triple crown and the excitement over the fact of an undefeated double crown made their performance not surprising.

Similarly, compared to a scene where only one team stands out, watching a more evenly matched and intense competition is obviously what everyone is looking forward to more.

This is also why the cheers were even louder.

But in the eyes of professional trainers like Kitahara, or horse racing ladies, the situation on the field, even though it is intense and exciting enough, is not ordinary.

Kitahara was very familiar with his racehorse ladies, and his intuition told him that they would not run like this if nothing had happened.

So, maybe something must have happened between them during these few days of preparation, or maybe before the game.

While Kitahara was explaining and thinking secretly, at the starting point of the second stage, two little guys who knew the situation were watching the live broadcast of the game and whispering.

"Hey, what a great opera. Why did you say that Oguri-senpai and the others were a little abnormal?"

With one hand holding up the canopy to cover his eyes, he looked at the in-car screen from afar. With his other hand, Teji Zhou was pulling the arm of the opera singer beside him.

Although the two horse girls are still in elementary school and have not received formal instruction related to the Shining Series, they have heard a lot of basic knowledge in class.

But in terms of theory, Zhou especially felt that he was still a little behind compared to good operas.

This is not to say that she has no talent for learning. In fact, her test scores are quite good.

However, compared to Hokkaido, the courses at Umamusume Elementary School in Tokyo include more content, and since she has only been transferred to the school for one semester, she still needs more time to adapt.

The most intuitive example is that in order to complete more homework than in her hometown primary school, or to prepare for exams, she always has to spend more time to complete it.

This makes her go to bed much later now, and she even can't help falling asleep during some exams.

And through their past interactions, she felt that good opera singers seemed to be better at learning.

At least every time I ask the other person a question, he or she can give an answer very confidently.

And in response to Special Week’s inquiries, Good Opera’s response was the same as always.

"Ha ha ha ha--!"

After his signature laugh, Good Opera tilted his head back, brushed his bangs, and said confidently:

"Does this need to be said?"

“It was obvious how the seniors performed before the game started.”

"They all want to be the protagonists of this magnificent show!"

"No wonder. On any stage, there is always only one protagonist."

"Of course it would be weird if everyone wanted to be in the center of the flash."

She pushed her bangs back again.

"After all, compared to my predecessors, even I would not give up the leading role, let alone such outstanding ones."

"Then it's Oguri-senpai."

"I feel like she doesn't seem to have any special interest in the protagonist, at least..."

"At least before this game."

Especially at the beginning, Monday was a little uncomfortable with Good Opera's narcissistic behavior. Whenever she encountered such a situation, she would feel inexplicably embarrassed for Good Opera.

But maybe it's because she goes out with such good operas more often and sees other people's strange looks more often, she is gradually getting used to it.

“Is that so?”

Te Yi Zhou had a look of sudden enlightenment on his face, "Then it seems easier to understand..."

"Huh? It's Xiao Te and Good Opera? What are you talking about?"

The place where Special Week and Good Opera whispered was outside the tent next to the starting point of the second stage.

You can see the on-board screen here so you won’t miss any action in the game.

There were also staff nearby to help maintain order, keeping the spectators and fans more than ten meters away so as not to affect the horse racing ladies who were resting and preparing here.

In this situation, the only people who can come and talk to Tokugawa Nikki and Good Opera, besides the staff themselves or the trainers, are Uma Musume.

And she's also a horse racing girl who's participating in the competition.

"Ah! President Luduo! And all the seniors!"

They looked towards the direction of the sound, especially Zhou Hehao Opera, who straightened their bodies at once and stood at attention like the soldiers taking part in the review.

Good Opera's narcissistic expression just now disappeared in an instant.

In the hearts of horse racing girls of their age, Luduo symbolizes that this group of horse racing girls is not only a powerful senior, but also an idol that they admire and yearn for.

It can be said that they grew up watching the latter's games when they were young.

"Well, Ludo, look at yourself, don't be so serious."

Before Luduo could continue speaking, Maruzenski suddenly bent his elbow, nudged his friend's arm, and joked with a smile, "Look, they were just chatting, but when you came over and opened your mouth, they were scared and dared not speak anymore."

"Don't be so nervous, little ones."

After teasing his best friend and ignoring her embarrassed expression, Maruzenski approached Te Bie Zhou and Hao Opera, and suddenly straightened his waist with abdominal muscles.

"How about we go take a shower together, get some sun, and do some skin and tail care or something?"

"It's really nice not to have to go on stage to sing and dance for the Winning Live after the competition. I've been wanting to relax like this for a long time."

"So, let's go together and let Senior take you to see the world of adults."

"Your senior Gao Feng will treat us~"

He had just finished the game and hadn't changed out of his short-sleeved shirt and shorts yet.

But even in sportswear, her beautiful and fit figure is still displayed to the fullest as she stands tall.

Especially Zhou Hehao's operatic eyes, subconsciously swayed up and down.

Perhaps he was dazzled, Te Zhou scratched his head subconsciously and said in a silly way:

"Actually...actually, I didn't talk about anything with Good Opera just now."

"I'm just saying that Oguri-senpai and the others' competition this time seems a little different from before."

"Good opera said that this is because the seniors all want to be the protagonists this time."

"I feel...what she said seems to make sense."

"main character……"

He originally had a smiling expression on his face, but after hearing Te Bie Zhou's words, Maruzenski's eyes changed slightly and he looked at the in-car screen.

Having also heard Te Zhou's words and noticed the change in Maruzenski's expression, Rudo indicated that they were also watching the game on the screen.

With their conversation, the second stage has already reached the middle stage.

It is obvious that the distance between each position of the team is subtly shortening.

"Maruzen, the way Oguruma is running now..."

After just one glance, Luduo symbol frowned slightly. She did not look away from the screen, but tilted her head to ask to the side.

"Did you arrange this on purpose?"

"...No, I didn't arrange any specific tactics or running methods for this relay race."

Also staring at the screen, Maruzenski frowned, "I think you all feel the same way."

"It's impossible to come up with a perfect plan and tactics in about two weeks. It's good enough to develop a good tacit understanding when handing over the baton."

"Besides, Oguruma, Chiaki, and Katsuragi are a bit like me."

"She's not the kind of horse girl who's particularly comfortable with rules and regulations."

"In the past, the competitions that Kitahara arranged for her did not have any rigid rules, except for some powerful and effective techniques and overall running ideas."

"Mi Yu...she's not very easy to communicate with."

"I tried to guide her to speak more about her own ideas, but she is very timid, introverted and sensitive. She always said that she should just follow whatever decision I and Xiaolimao made."

“Everyone’s younger generation is different, but I think the situations they face should be similar.”

Before this relay race, Lu Duo had some ideas and hoped that these friends could help her with something.

But as for the game itself, both Luduo and Maruzenski had a sense of winning.

Things like telling each other about game tactics will definitely not happen, otherwise the chances of winning will be low.

But after all, we have been together for many years and know each other well. We can roughly guess what the other party does by a simple guess.

As she quickly explained her plan, Maruzenski glanced around and noticed that her companions were nodding slightly. She then frowned and said:
"But even if there is no special arrangement, I still think that Xiao Limao will run according to his previous habits."

"That is to say, keep a sufficient distance and take the lead."

"but now……"

"She was too close to Jade."

Unable to resist, Maruzenski raised his hand and pointed at the screen.

“Following the leading opponent closely can indeed reduce wind resistance, but there will also be pressure to follow closely.”

“If you are too close, you can easily lose the rhythm if you are not careful, but if you deliberately stagger the speed and rhythm, you will easily lose it.”

"This situation also makes the first position seem to save effort, but in fact the psychological pressure is greater."

"What's more, on a unique place like the beach, the flying sand will affect your vision. If the distance is too short, you need to pay more attention to adjust the details."

"I... don't quite understand why Oguruma ran away like that."

Having said that, she paused and slowly turned her gaze towards Te Bie Zhou and Good Opera.

The two horse racing girls looked a little confused at the moment, and it seemed that they did not understand Maruzenski's analysis just now.

But Maruzenski's own eyes revealed clarity.

"But after listening to what they both said, I roughly got the idea."

"I think it should be like Luduo, Chiaki and Katsuragi, like you three..."

"Oguruma, Super Bay, and Mejiro Aldan finally discovered that no matter how strong their friendship is outside the arena..."

"On the court, there is only one champion. This cruel fact will never change."

"Ah? Is that so? That's great, isn't it? Competition and friends, isn't that how it should be? Hahaha!"

As soon as Maruzenski finished speaking, Ace Katsuragi burst into laughter.

"Of course this is the case with me, Luduo, and Qianming!"

"Even if we can watch videos, sing karaoke, and race motorcycles together, there must be a winner in the competition!"

"Isn't this kind of thing as it should be?"

"...No, Katsuragi, you will decide for sure, it's just because you've been through it."

Since Maruzenski started talking, Ludo had been silent for a while. Now, she suddenly spoke:

“But that’s not the case for these younger generations.”

"Let's not talk about Tama and Inari for now, the main ones are Oguruma, Kobayashi, and Aldan."

"All in all, they debuted in Central Entertainment for only half a year."

"In such a short period of time, and with their outstanding performances, it is easy for them to overlook the significance of the competition."

"In this respect, we were actually the same back then..."

Looking away from the game screen and scanning his former opponent and long-time friend, Luduo sighed softly.

"At least, I hesitated back then. I mean, before I competed with you, Katsuragi, and Chiaki."

"Especially Chiaki. At that time, she was not only my senior, but also the most popular star in the entire Umamusume world."

"Now think about it..."

She suddenly smiled bitterly, "For a while, I felt that other people looked at me like the villains in the mainstream anime we watched."

"Oh? Little Luduo, you still have such an idea, it's really strange."

Representative Qian Ming marveled as if he was seeing the symbol of Luduo for the first time.

However, she quickly put on her usual nonchalant look.

"But the grudges and hatreds among us old guys are all in the past. For these younger generations, it seems that they are just beginning..."

(End of this chapter)