Chapter 23: Plotting the Empress’s Path!!
After running the 2000-meter and 2400-meter courses, I got my trainer's evaluation. Honestly, I felt the scores were pretty low. Today's training was just about observing my runs, and now we're set for a meeting to discuss… something. What's he got planned?
"…Seventy, seventy-five, and… sixty," I muttered, grimacing. "Of all things, my lowest score is for the crown I want most. If it were any other trainer, I might've argued, but with Hikitani, it'd be pointless. Fine. I'll improve and overcome. I can't stumble over something like this."
Clubroom
"Sorry to keep you waiting," I said, stepping into the room.
"No worries," Hachiman replied, leaning back in his chair. "Ready to dive in?"
"Yeah, I'm good," I said, sitting across from him.
"Alright, straight to it," he said. "Based on your runs today, I'm setting your debut race at Sapporo, 2000 meters. Want the reasoning?"
"If you've got it, lay it out," I replied.
"Three reasons," he started. "First, corners. Sapporo's course has longer corners than straights. I want you to learn how to close gaps in corner-heavy races. Second, distance."
"Wait," I cut in. "You said distance, but 2000 meters got my highest score. You're going with that?"
"Exactly," he said. "There's no debut race over 2000 meters, and Sapporo's straight is short—about 270 meters, second shortest among central tracks. Even if you sprint at the end, catching up is tough. But if you nail the corners—reason one—you'll win easily."
"I see…" I nodded. "And the third reason?"
"For the future," he said. "In the Junior Grade, you'll only run 2000 meters this once. The rest will be 1600-meter races, building toward the Oka Sho and Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Plus, minus the venue, it's the same as the Shuka Sho. Think of it as prep for that. Pretty good deal for one race, right?"
I stared at him. I'd thought this trainer had knowledge but lacked… something. Knowledge is useless without application. But this guy? He's planning around my goals, weaving in Classic Grade races like the Shuka Sho, looking a year ahead while setting up this debut.
"What's wrong? You went quiet," Hachiman said, tilting his head.
"…Just reassessing my opinion of you," I admitted.
"My opinion doesn't matter," he said, waving it off. "I'm just a trainer, nothing more, nothing less. I'll take the sentiment, though. Back to it—any thoughts on the debut plan?"
"No, I'm sold on your reasoning," I said. "Anything else?"
"…What's your goal, anyway?" he asked.
"What?" I blinked.
"I never asked," he said. "Can't plan properly without knowing, right?"
"You didn't know?" I asked, surprised.
"Nope," he said flatly.
"Then why pick the Tiara route?" I pressed.
"Because you said you want to embody the ideal Uma Musume as the 'Empress,'" he replied. "The Triple Crown route didn't fit that vibe, so I figured Tiara."
…I take it back. My opinion of him stays right where it is.
I sighed. "Fine, it's my route, so no complaints. But ask that stuff first next time."
"Will do," he said.
"As you guessed, I want to embody the ideal for all Uma Musume and prove it as the Empress, like my mother," I said.
"Got it," he said. "Then I'll keep the Victoria Mile and Elizabeth Queen Cup in mind for the future. Tiara titles alone feel a bit empty."
"You're planning that far already?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just keeping options open," he said. "If it feels risky, we'll pivot. For now, we focus on prepping for your debut. Depending on how it goes, we'll pick the next race."
"Understood," I said. "So, we're done for today?"
"Yeah," he said. "Tomorrow, we start for real. Three months to the debut sounds long, but fixing your weaknesses? That's a tight window. Think of it as prep and improvement time."
"Got it," I replied.
And so, the day's training and meeting wrapped up. I hadn't expected Classic Grade talk on day one, but unlike yesterday's awkwardness, he seemed… reliable. If he could keep that up, I'd have no complaints.
"Pain in the neck," I muttered to myself. "Guess I'll have to teach him some manners and etiquette."