In contrast to the tense atmosphere around Ikezoe's group over the Japanese Derby, Wada's group was much more relaxed.
They had no upcoming races, nor any important activities.
The only things they needed to worry about were the Takarazuka Kinen and the expedition to France after it.
Having reached the pinnacle, what T.M. Opera O needed to do right now was not to seek further power, but to maintain her own health and current strength.
This was the reason why T.M. Opera O's training schedule had been relatively relaxed these past few months.
With the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe imminent, T.M. Opera O's safety was of the utmost importance.
It was also for this reason that Wada started taking T.M. Opera O for a checkup after every training session, doing so daily without fail, all to ensure T.M. Opera O's health.
And, from every checkup so far, T.M. Opera O had been determined to be extremely healthy without any issues, putting Wada at ease.
Thus, on yet another ordinary day, Wada was, as usual, supervising T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto's training.
Just then, as the two Uma Musume continued another lap, Fumino Nase quietly approached Wada, lightly tapping him on the shoulder.
"Wada, I just got wind of something about the Autmn Tenno Sho."
"It seems like an Uma Musume from Trainer Okino's team called Silence Suzuka is going to run in it."
"Silence Suzuka? She's participating in the Autumn Tenno Sho?"
Though slightly surprised, Wada quickly nodded and responded.
"It's alright. Although her Runaway running style is very strong, I still believe Meisho Doto will win."
"...By the way, are you really planning to leave Meisho Doto behind in Japan?"
Asking this question, which she had always wanted to ask, Fumino Nase followed Wada's gaze toward T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto, who were doing pair running as usual.
These two Uma Musume, with similar tactics and strengths, could perfectly synergize with one another, becoming the best partners for paired training.
May was fast approaching, and in another month after that, Wada and T.M. Opera O would embark to France on their lonesome.
Although Meisho Doto wanted to go to France with them, Wada had persuaded her otherwise.
"Meisho Doto, it's not that I don't want to take you with me; it's just that if you do so, you won't be able to do much of anything other than training, and you would miss a lot of important races."
"And... I absolutely cannot leave T.M. Opera O alone. I need to make sure nothing happens to her."
"—Meisho Doto, you are a strong girl. Run well in Japan, and after you win the Autumn Tenno Sho, T.M. Opera O and I will be back before you know it."
...
"...I've already entrusted Imanami to look after Meisho Doto while we're on our expedition."
Turning his gaze toward Fumino Nase, Wada continued.
"I understand what you're concerned about. When we return to Japan, I'll definitely spend some quality time with Meisho Doto."
"Mmh, and I have no choice but to go with you since neither of you two speak French at all. Plus, you could easily get lost or scammed."
Twirling a strand of her hair, Fumino Nase looked toward the ground.
As Wada's assistant, she naturally was given a spot to go represent Japan.
Though she was just there as an assistant and translator, Fumino Nase was incredibly experienced as a Trainer, and thus knowledgeable about all the backstage negotiations involved as well.
To prevent any malicious party from interfering, and to ensure that incidents like the Deep Impact scandal would not happen again, Fumino Nase was a natural choice as a safeguard to ensure nothing goes wrong.
After all, if T.M. Opera O were to fall from grace due to circumstances similar to Deep Impact's... Who knows when a Japanese Uma Musume would ever step foot onto the Longchamp Racecourse again?
With the whole world watching, once could be waved off as a freak accident; two times? Japan's reputation would get dragged through the mud. Even the Japanese Government would take action at that point.
"...Speaking of which, Wada, I just decided."
"Hm?"
"After this year... I plan to officially return as a Trainer, one who will train an Uma Musume once more."
Returning her gaze to the running T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto, Fumino Nase opened her mouth with measured breaths.
"Thanks to you, I now know what I'm lacking... and what I need to do to fix it."
"So, I'm going to be leaving the team and returning to being an independent Trainer. Just like when I was training Super Creek."
"...I see, I'm happy for you, Nase."
Showing a smile upon hearing this, Wada replied as his gaze still followed the two running Uma Musume.
"I'm sure you'll be an amazing Trainer— not that you aren't already."
"Do you need us to do anything for you? I can recommend a few promising students if you want."
"Heh, are you really that generous to give me your most anticipated Uma Musumes?"
Giving Wada a side eye, Fumino Nase gave him an amused scoff.
"Don't make me laugh; I know you're just as possessive as your two girls. When you see a truly good Uma Musume, I doubt you'll ever let them go unless they firmly reject you."
"It's the same with T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto; I've never seen you fully let go of them for even a moment."
"But, if you're not joking, then can I interpret this as you having wanted me to leave for a long time~?"
"Hey, hey, I'm really trying to help you out here!"
Wada, slightly startled by Fumino Nase's joke, immediately showed a look of trepidation, regardless of whether she was joking or not.
"How could I dare to want you to leave? You've helped us so much this past year. Without you, we surely wouldn't be where we are today."
"However, I do think your talent shouldn't just be limited to being a small assistant in our team. It would be a better use of your talent to help more Uma Musume, don't you agree?"
"I very much look forward to the day our respective Uma Musumes can meet on the same track. Then, I'll show you that the student has surpassed the master!"
If Wada of the past were asked to have a horse race against Yutaka Take again, he could only admit defeat.
But, after everything that had happened in this world, Wada now had the confidence to say these words to Fumino Nase, a reflected version of Yutaka Take.
"...Is that so?"
Turning to look at Wada beside her, Fumino Nase's mouth slightly opened.
"Then... don't you feel even a little bit reluctant...?" were the words Fumino Nase left unsaid as she wordlessly closed her mouth.
In truth, Fumino Nase actually hadn't reached a decision yet, leaving it up to how Wada responded.
However, it seemed the answer was now obvious; it was time for her to pick the date to leave.
Yet... this tightness in her chest... why was she so sad?
As Fumino Nase silently returned to watching the two Uma Musume running their next lap, unknown to her, Wada's smile had also receded.
Perhaps he had actually understood everything and had deliberately said such words.
"—Speaking of, I find it surprising that Silence Suzuka isn't participating in the Takarazuka Kinen. As an Uma Musume of her caliber, I'd expect her to at least try."
"It's because T.M. Opera O's in it; Grass Wonder and El Condor Pasa are also withdrawing."
Fumino Nase, having recomposed herself, responded.
"Unless a dark horse appears, T.M. Opera O shouldn't have any opponents."
"Right... So she's just running in the Autumn Tenno Sho..."
But, just as Wada muttered this to himself, his words suddenly trailed off as a certain memory slowly surfaced in his mind.
'El Condor Pasa and Grass Wonder gone from the Takarazuka Kinen... Silence Suzuka... the Autumn Tenno Sho...'
'...1998?'
At that moment, Wada's eyes widened dramatically as if he had realized a terrifying truth.
1998's Autumn Tenno Sho— wasn't this the Silent Sunday incident?!
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Silent Sunday refers to the incident during the 1998 Autumn Tenno Sho where the real Silence Suzuka suffered a fracture and was promptly euthanized.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.