'Damn it, how did I forget about this...'
'The Autumn Tenno Sho... Silence Suzuka... Just how could I have forgotten about this?!'
Gradually remembering the tragic circumstances around this Uma Musume and this race, Wada immediately realized the seriousness of the matter.
This was the 'Silent Sunday' incident! How could it not be serious?!
'But why this year?! Shouldn't this year be 1999, with El Condor Pasa's expedition to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe?'
Of course, the current actual year was already deep into the 2000s, however, the sequence of events that played out this year was near identical to that of his previous world's 1999.
Although the timeline and the ages of the Uma Musume in this world differed slightly from Wada's original world, the two still remained largely the same.
Yet, for such a significant event to be delayed for an entire 'year', just why was that?!
At this moment, many conjectures formed inside Wada's head, from it being due to the butterfly effect of the three of them transmigrating into this world to just sheer coincidence.
Nonetheless, now that Wada knew what was going to transpire, he absolutely could not ignore it.
Although Wada got an absolute guaranteed statement from the Three Goddesses that Uma Musume wouldn't die from injuries like fractures, how could anyone bear to let this tragedy occur without even trying?
Legs represent the lifeblood of an Uma Musume; they are the most essential instrument for them to even run.
An Uma Musume who can't run... can they even be considered an Uma Musume anymore?
"What's wrong, Wada? Is something the matter?"
Fumino Nase, seeing Wada suddenly turn tense, asked with a hint of nervousness.
"—Nase, this might sound weird... but has Silence Suzuka ever suffered a fracture during a race? Like, this or last year?"
"Huh? Why are you asking that?"
Despite Wada's odd question, Fumino Nase still spoke honestly.
"Well, I haven't heard of Silence Suzuka having a fracture recently... and even if she's somehow hiding it, I doubt she would be running in so many races."
'...There's a high likelihood I'm right then.'
Hearing Fumino Nase's reply, Wada's expression immediately darkened several tones before he quickly patted her shoulder.
"Nase, please watch over these two for me. I- I need to go find Trainer Okino."
"Though I must sound crazy right now, I absolutely must persuade him and Silence Suzuka to withdraw from the Tenno Sho."
"Nase, if things come down to it, please help me. Trust me, there's a very important reason for this."
"Ah? Wait—!"
Obviously confused after hearing Wada's words, Fumino Nase reached out to pull him back.
Unfortunately, she was a tad bit too late, helplessly watching as Wada's figure slowly disappeared, sighing with considerable powerlessness.
"...How can I help you if you don't tell me why you want to ask someone to withdraw from a race?"
"Even if Trainer Okino acts pathetic and casual all the time, he definitely won't go against his Uma Musume's wishes if you don't have a leg to stand on."
However... although Fumino Nase murmured this to herself, for some reason, having known Wada this past year, she vaguely felt that he must have noticed something for him to be this tense.
And... it probably was very severe.
"Ugh…"
Suddenly, an unusual sense of vertigo crashed into Fumino Nase's head as she instinctively covered her head, her steps becoming a bit unsteady.
Fortunately, just then, a pair of arms promptly supported Fumino Nase from behind.
Turning her head around, Fumino Nase found T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto, who had rushed over after noticing her erratic movements.
"Trainer Nase, are you alright? Do you need to lie down somewhere?"
"No, I'm fine…"
Still clutching her dizzy head, Fumino Nase felt as if weakness had taken over her body.
Still, Fumino Nase gathered her remaining strength and spoke to the two.
"But... you two might want to find Wada... he might be in some kind of trouble... he's most likely going to Team Spica's team room to find Trainer Okino."
"You don't have to worry about me... I just need to sit down for a bit."
'Silence Suzuka...'
When this name appeared in Fumino Nase's mind again, she couldn't help but picture the girl's figure.
She didn't know the reason, but this Uma Musume, whom she had only met once or twice before, left an incredibly strong impression on her...
...
"...Huh? You want Silence Suzuka to withdraw from the Autumn Tenno Sho?"
"Wada-kun, you're not joking with me, are you? If you are, April Fools was already done a long while ago; a joke like this in May doesn't stick well at all."
Upon arriving at Team Spica's team room, Okino's reaction was exactly as Fumino Nase had imagined.
When Wada, this S-rank junior of his, took the initiative to find him, Okino initially thought that there was something important to discuss.
But while it was indeed important, Okino did not expect Wada to say something as absurd as advising him to withdraw Silence Suzuka from the Tenno Sho (Autumn).
As Okino and Wada were having their conversation, the four Uma Musume who were lazing around in the room, alongside Tanino Gimlet, who had been invited by Grass Wonder through who knows how to be Special Week's temporary coach, naturally heard it all.
Unlike the rest of the Uma Musume, the frank Tanino Gimlet was not at all afraid of Wada in both status and seniority, lazily turning her head around on the couch.
"Hey, you're that T.M. Opera O's Trainer, right? I must say, though your looks are quite good, your brain clearly isn't up to par."
"Even if you want your precious little Overlord to win the Autumn Triple Crown, you'd have to wait until next year because of your trip to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, right?"
"You're already going to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe! Why be so greedy?! Even if you wanna sweep every crown, at least have the decency to let your Uma Musume rest a bit!"
"Um… Senior Tanino Gimlet? I don't think Trainer Wada is that kind of person…"
Tanino Gimlet's words did not hide her hostile attitude at all, which immediately made the others, who felt her words were a little too harsh, step in.
"Yes... I also don't think Trainer Wada is that kind of person. Since he's asking me to withdraw from the Tenno Sho, he must have his reasons."
Even Silence Suzuka, the 'victim' of this situation, stepped forward and took Wada's side.
Although she too wasn't entirely sure why Wada was so vehement in wanting her to withdraw, Silence Suzuka believed there must be a reason why he was so agitated.
Seeing Wada not backing down in the slightest, Okino's original confusion turned into seriousness as he asked him with some nervousness.
"...Wada-kun, is something going to happen in the Autumn Tenno Sho? Is someone trying to harm Suzuka? Is Shadai making a move again?"
Thinking it over, Okino felt that this was the most likely scenario.
Considering that Team Miracle included Fumino Nase, who was once a Trainer for Shadai, it would not be a stretch to assume that she might have gained some internal information, which would explain why Wada was so insistent on Silence Suzuka withdrawing from the race.
However, facing this question, Wada suddenly realized that he had been too impulsive to come up with a reasonable excuse or evidence.
But, after a moment of silence, Wada chose to speak the truth, though he obviously left out just how he managed to obtain this piece of knowledge.
"I know this might sound unbelievable... But I had a... premonition that Silence Suzuka... might suffer a fracture during the Autumn Tenno Sho."
"...Huh? A premonition? How? Where? From Matikanefukukitaru?"
As expected, after hearing this, there was an awkward silence inside the room, which was first broken by Tanino Gimlet.
"If you really have precognition, can't you predict what the next lottery number is? Wouldn't that just be free income for your team?"
"Ugh... This is a bit too hard to believe..."
Vodka, scratching her head, also seemed to want to break the awkward atmosphere, though she too felt that Wada's words sounded like nonsense.
However... a fracture... even a small chance of it happening could not be ignored.
For a moment, even Special Week felt a little scared as she couldn't help but grab the stunned Silence Suzuka nearby.
"Suzuka-san... How about we go to the hospital? Maybe Trainer Wada really can see the future..."
"Sigh... Okay."
Just then, Okino, half-believing, half anxious, nodded his head and turned to Suzuka.
"Our regular checkup is almost overdue anyway. Let's go to the infirmary to check, Suzuka."
"Everyone, thank you for your concern, but I think I'm fine—"
But, after seeing everyone's concerned gazes around her, Silence Suzuka couldn't bring herself to refuse.
In the end, Silence Suzuka relented and nodded, agreeing.
"Very well, I'll go for a checkup."
"Phew..."
Hearing this, Wada finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he wasn't sure if the signs had emerged or not, it was good that Okino and Silence Suzuka were now taking this seriously.
Who knows? Perhaps 'Silent Sunday' might never happen at all!
However, unknown to Wada, the changes in his expression were fully observed by Tanino Gimlet nearby.
Though nothing seemed particularly off about Wada other than his tense demeanour, this senior Uma Musume seemed to vaguely perceive something before a strange glint flickered in her eyes.
'This Trainer... is definitely hiding something.'
Once Tanino Gimlet confirmed this thought, the corners of her mouth began curling upwards.
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Okay, so, I promised to release an IF chapter today. But real life stuff and procrasination got in the way.
So, if things go well, chapter will be released during the weekends, if not, next weekend at maximum.
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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.