Having trained real horses, why are we now training racehorse girls after time-traveling?

"What—you idiot, Ikezoe! I didn't say I was going to run away with the opera! Don't get me into trouble!"

The Golden Master trembled with fright. She believed that she was still a long way from being a good opera singer. How could she possibly grow as quickly as a good opera singer in just one year?

But the Golden Master has gradually realized that she has unknowingly reached the age where she should challenge for the Classic Triple Crown. After the Arima Kinen tournament this December, she will likely embark on her journey to win the Classic Triple Crown...

"Oh no... what should I do... Big sister... help me! I'm under so much pressure trying to win the triple crown after a great opera..."

At this moment, following Good Opera, Saima Musume, who has become the second member of the team to attempt the Classic Triple Crown, is feeling unprecedented pressure...

This pressure is called "the era of good opera." Does she have the ability to immediately change the name of this era and make it the era of her golden maestro status?

Chapter 186: Mr. Nase's Reunion with Wada

The conclusion of the Chrysanthemum Sho race signifies that Good Opera now has a real chance to join the ranks of Japan's "Hall of Fame Racehorses." It can be said that as long as she doesn't underperform in the following races, becoming a Triple Crown Racehorse on par with Narita Shirahito is entirely possible.

This led to many reporters who had been eager to witness the event surrounding Hotan Hokkien Opera, who were ready to give interviews, after the chrysanthemum appreciation event ended. This time, it was quite obvious that after Hokkien Opera won three championships, these reporters who had previously doubted the team changed their tune considerably.

"Miss Opera, congratulations on winning the Triple Crown and becoming the fourth Triple Crown horse girl. I was one of the earliest fans to support you, and I am very excited to see you win the championship today. What are your thoughts on winning the Triple Crown?"

A female reporter was clearly very excited. She squeezed through the crowd to interview the opera singer and the singer, and her words and expressions were just like those of someone who had met their idol.

But what few people actually know is that Good Opera always looks around at every audience member before a competition, and then pays special attention to the fans who support it—but unfortunately, this reporter is not in Good Opera's memory.

"Hahaha—it's only right that I, as the Overlord, receive such an honor." However, the opera troupe didn't expose the reporter's lie, but instead, as always, stood tall and confidently replied:

"This honor is the result of the joint efforts of the Overlord and her most loyal ministers. We would not have been able to achieve this honor if either of us had lost it."

"I believe that my achievements as a hegemon are enough to prove that my subjects are the most outstanding."

"So, trainer Wada, as the youngest trainer of the classic Triple Crown race horse girl in all of Japan, what is your evaluation of your horse girl?" At this moment, another reporter also turned the topic to Wada.

"Bel Opera is undoubtedly the best horse girl of this era. To be honest, her excellence even makes me feel that I am not good enough for her."

Wada, as always, maintained a mild attitude, selectively forgetting how these reporters had fabricated stories about him, and answered in the same way:

"But I am also working hard to become a trainer worthy of her, and I will continue to support her wholeheartedly until she surpasses the 'Emperor's' seven-time championship myth. I will always stand with her."

"—Hmph, that's not right, Ryuji. Even if I really surpass the Seven Crowns, you still have to be by my side, my dearest subject."

Good Opera smiled slightly upon hearing this and spoke up. However, the reporters captured their very good relationship and planned to use it as material for publicity.

"So, Trainer Fumino Nase, as part of such a team, such a duo, with your talent serving as Trainer Wada's assistant, do you feel a lot of pressure?"

"Hmm?" As Wada's assistant, Naze Fumino naturally went on stage as well, but having never intended to attract much attention, she immediately answered the unexpected question:

"As for pressure... there is still some. After all, the combination of trainer Hetian and good opera is one that no one can interfere with. Only trainer Hetian can conduct good opera. I still need to work on this more."

"—So, as an excellent trainer, what are you trying to learn by working as an assistant to Trainer Wada? Or are you preparing to surpass your father, who is a legendary trainer?"

"...This matter has nothing to do with my father, please don't mention it further."

When this topic was brought up, Naze Fumino's expression became a little serious. This was a topic that Naze Fumino could never avoid since she became a trainer: her legendary father.

However, in reality, whenever this topic is brought up, Fumino Naze usually doesn't respond. She didn't become a trainer to surpass her father, but after so many years, people still habitually associate Fumino Naze with her father, making her feel as if she is always living in her father's shadow.

"As for why I stayed by Coach Wada's side... that's not the right way to put it. I didn't stay by Coach Wada's side all the time. I was just serving as Coach Wada's assistant. But in reality, I was learning from all three coaches in the team."

“The Hotan trainer surprised me greatly and gave me a huge sensory change in my perception of the trainer profession. I believe I can learn a lot from the Hotan trainer that I don’t know.”

"Well said, my daughter, but what you just said made me, as your father, a little sad."

Just as Fumino Naze was answering the reporter's questions in a serious manner, a voice suddenly drew everyone's attention.

“You…” Naze Fumino was also slightly surprised by the arrival of the man in front of her, and subconsciously asked:

"Father...how could you..."

"—Didn't I say I'd come to the Chrysanthemum Appreciation to watch the competition? You don't think I was just saying that offhand, do you, Fumino?"

The person who arrived was none other than Mr. Naze, who had helped Wada at the station. He arrived at the scene in time and witnessed the final showdown between Naho Opera and Mejiro McQueen. After confirming some things, Mr. Naze felt that he should step forward and formally meet with his daughter and her current friends.

"Nase Kunihiko—that legendary trainer?!"

"Father and daughter in the same frame? That's big news!"

"Quick, take a picture! This is big news! Kunihiko Nase has made a rare public appearance!"

The Japanese reporters reacted very quickly. After a moment of eerie silence, the flashbulbs started flashing rapidly, illuminating the entire scene brightly.

Under the blinding flashes of the cameras, even Mr. Nase couldn't immediately adapt to such "enthusiasm," but he still maintained the seriousness and dignity befitting a senior, waving his hand and saying:

"Alright, alright, fellow journalists, the interview is over. Could you please give this retired old man and his daughter some privacy? Your interview reports should be complete now, right?"

"Please leave now and go back to your own business. I may have another chance to appear in the next few days, and there will be plenty of time for individual interviews."

It must be said, he truly lives up to his reputation as a senior figure. Although his words seemed very friendly, they carried an imposing presence that was difficult to ignore. With every gesture, he caused the initially excited reporters to slowly leave the scene, and soon, only the four of them remained.

As soon as Mr. Nase turned around, he first looked at Wada, and asked with a gentle smile:

"Young man, it's been a while. You haven't forgotten who helped you escape danger back then, have you? Shouldn't you have a good chat with this old man?"

"Uh... yes, senior, I haven't forgotten."

Wada belatedly realized that in his moment of desperation, Mr. Naise had indeed helped him and Nutao escape their predicament. Now, it was clear that Mr. Naise wanted something from him, so Wada couldn't very well refuse.

But the way Wada and Mr. Nase were bewildered left Fumino Nase and Yoko Kagura standing to the side. Yoko Kagura tugged at Wada's sleeve and couldn't help but ask:

"What's wrong, Ryuji? Why do you know Trainer Nase's father? And what did you ask him for?"

"Uh... things are complicated here, but Mr. Naze really helped me a lot. What a wonderful opera! Without him, I probably wouldn't have been able to get to the venue in time to cheer you on today."

Wada didn't know how to explain this matter. He and Mr. Nase had some misunderstandings from the first time they met, and now that he was here, he was undoubtedly there to ask him some questions. And as Wada expected, this matter should be related to Nase Fumino.

Wada did not refuse, and Mr. Nase nodded in agreement. He then turned to look at the opera and said with a smile:

“Good opera—right? You and your trainer have a good relationship, but I’m sorry, could you lend your trainer to this old man for a day? There are some things I’d like to talk about with him and my daughter.”

"But don't worry, your trainer will be back safe and sound tomorrow. It's just... there are some things we all think are best left unsaid to the racehorse girl."

Chapter 187: A Hot Spring Trip with the Nase Family?

"So... how did things turn out this way? I only came to the Chrysanthemum Festival with a good opera... why did it turn out like this?"

At this moment, Wada had no idea why things had developed to this point. However, instead of returning to Treson Academy, he accepted Mr. Naise's invitation and came to a very famous hot spring resort in Kyoto. At this moment, he was sitting alone in the steaming hot spring, thinking about this problem.

Good Opera and Raging Waves were not invited. After all, Wada was "borrowed" by Mr. Nase from the two horse racers, and if they could have been invited, there would have been no need for such an excuse.

However, neither Ikezoe nor Imanami-senpai were invited. There were only three people at the entire hot spring resort tonight: Wada, Mr. Nase, and Nase Fumino, who was probably only separated from Wada by a wall.

Wada didn't understand. If Mr. Nase hadn't been friendly to him from the start, he could have understood. After all, it was normal for a father to be angry when a stranger like himself was with the other man's daughter.

What Wada couldn't understand was that Mr. Naze had not only helped him at a crucial moment, which could be attributed to his high moral character and ability to distinguish between public and private matters, but he also couldn't comprehend why Mr. Naze was now asking him to come here for a day of rest.

What exactly does Mr. Naase mean? Is it out of kindness or malice? At this moment, Wada felt that his brain was struggling to keep up with the unfolding events.

"Splash."

Just as Wada was pondering, the wooden door next to him made a sound. Soon, when Wada looked over, he saw that Mr. Naze, wrapped in a bath towel, had already entered the hot spring.

“Oh, junior, you’re already here. The hot springs here are really nice. I always come here to relax whenever I come to Kyoto. This isn’t the first time Fumino and I have been here.”

“Uh…yes, thank you, Nase-senpai.”

Wada was momentarily speechless. Looking at Mr. Nase who was aggressively approaching, Wada felt a chill run down his spine—how did this middle-aged man maintain his physique? Eight-pack abs!

Most riders do have muscles, after all, they have strict weight management and control, and as riders, their physical fitness is definitely not bad, so most of them have a well-proportioned figure, and Hetian is no exception.

But Mr. Naise in front of me, obviously because he is a local, truly embodies the word "tall and mighty" as a trainer. Although he looks to be about fifty years old, he still maintains a very good physique and does not look old at all.

You couldn't tell at the station before... but after he took off his clothes, you realize how strong Mr. Nase really is... Wada couldn't help but feel a little dangerous, and had no doubt that if Mr. Nase were to throw a punch, he would die on the spot.

But Mr. Naze was clearly not there to pick this occasion to beat up Wada. On the contrary, this old man was completely different from what Wada had imagined. Although he looked very dignified, his face was always kind, and he seemed to be an easy-going person.

"How about it, junior? Let me scrub your back for you."

"Huh? Ah—no need, I can manage myself—"

"Don't be shy, junior. That's how male friendships are formed. Don't be so reserved here. I'm not your senior, and you're not my junior. Let's just chat casually."

Without saying a word, Mr. Nase grabbed Wada and pulled him aside. Before Wada could react, he was already sitting on a small wooden chair. Mr. Nase then grabbed a towel, wet it, applied shower gel, and pressed it against Wada's back.

"pain!"

"It's good that it hurts. How can I clean my back if it doesn't hurt? I'll need your help later, junior."

Mr. Naze was surprisingly cheerful and not at all pretentious. Wada gradually got used to the pain and slowly calmed down.

It seems... things aren't quite what he expected? Perhaps Mr. Nase doesn't dislike him as much as he thought?

"Young man, how old are you this year?"

"20 years old." Wada was slightly taken aback, but still answered honestly. In reality, he was already more than twice 20 years old, but his face undoubtedly looked like that of a college graduate who had just graduated, a typical 20-year-old.

Even his identity documents in this world are like that... It seems the three goddesses were really well prepared for their arrival.

"Oh, 20 years old, that's really young." Mr. Nase was also taken aback by Wada's age and couldn't help but praise him.

"I was already 25 when I got into Treson Academy as a trainer. Even Fumino was 21 when she entered Central Academy under my tutelage. You got in even earlier than Fumino? You're a real genius."

"Ah, the three of you on your team are truly enviable to this old man. You're all 20 years old, and you entered the central government at 21. There are just more and more geniuses like this."

"Hahaha..." However, Wada also chuckled awkwardly upon hearing this, not daring to say anything more.

Actually, Wada joined the Central rider team at a similar age in the previous world. At the age of 21, he won the Satsuki Prize GI riding Kogeki, making him the youngest GI rider at the time—but back then, he really got into Central entirely because of Kogeki.

If we're talking about the first big prize, then Hotan won it even earlier, at the age of 19. But that's nothing special among the central riders, not worth mentioning.

But in this world, because of the good opera, and because no one except Ichinami and Ikezoe knew that he had traveled from another time, almost everyone thought that Wada was a genius. He was someone who entered the Central Academy of Drama at the age of 20 and trained the Triple Crown racehorse girl. He was not at all associated with the word "mediocre".

But in reality, even if others don't know, doesn't Hotan himself know himself? Without a good opera, this honor would be a very, very long way off for him... Isn't this also the first time in his life that he has won three awards?

"Actually, Nase, the trainer, helped me a lot. Without her, I and the opera probably wouldn't have been able to win the Chrysanthemum Prize."

"Haha, you don't need to be modest, junior. Although I'm old, my eyes are still sharp. I can see that you are a rare genius. It's just that you are too self-conscious right now. As long as you overcome this, you won't be any worse than Fumino."

"—Besides, on paper, Fumino is already 28 years old, and she hasn't reached your level yet, so I think it's quite reasonable for her to be your assistant."

"boom!"

However, no sooner had Mr. Naise finished speaking than an angry banging came from the bathroom on the other side of the bamboo wall. Clearly, there was a woman on the other side who disliked her father intensely, and she was talking about her age.

Even Fumino Naze doesn't like people talking about her age. After all, being 28 years old... she doesn't need anyone to remind her; she knows what kind of gossip she'll get.

Faced with his daughter's silent accusation, Mr. Nase was not afraid. Instead, he jokingly retorted louder, "What's wrong with that? My daughter? Aren't you 28 years old this year?"