Usually, the Trainer is the first person to arrive at the training room.
As a competent Trainer, it is a matter of course to arrange training schedules for their team members every day.
Although the general framework for each team member's training usually doesn't undergo major changes, there are always exceptions.
Therefore, the Trainer adjusts the day's training plan slightly in the training room every morning, just in case.
The Trainer should always be the first one to arrive at the training room, and Trainer Okino, who practices laissez-faire, is no exception.
But today was an exception.
The Trainer, who had just opened the training room, was startled by Gold Legend in a burnt-out posture.
"...Are you cosplaying Ashita no Joe?"
The now-calm Trainer asked a rather dated question.
"...What, it's the Trainer."
Gold Legend lifted her eyes to glance at the Trainer, then continued fading into grayscale.
"What happened to you?"
Observing Gold Legend, who clearly lacked sleep, the Trainer felt his blood pressure rising.
"...Didn't I tell you yesterday? I went to find Agnes Tachyon to solve some problems."
"And then?"
"And then I cooperated with her for a whole night of tests and experiments."
"Then you really are amazing."
The Trainer, who had heard a little about Agnes Tachyon, sighed with emotion.
"So, should I give you a day off?"
"Please do."
"Alright, alright, I understand."
The Trainer reluctantly approved a day off for Gold Legend.
"So, what happened last night?"
The Trainer, who had started rearranging the training schedule, began chatting casually with Gold Legend.
"Speed tests, strength tests, stamina tests, intelligence tests, muscle mass evaluation, comprehensive physical examination, plus a series of quizzes and a bunch of other tests I didn't understand."
"...That sounds quite comprehensive, haha."
Just hearing it sounds awful.
"Did you gain anything from it?"
"Aside from realizing I'm a good-for-nothing with incomplete intellectual development, not yet."
Gold Legend was clearly giving up on herself.
"Ah, well..."
The Trainer felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Trainer, tell me, what is the meaning of an Uma Musume's existence?"
"Huh?"
"Look, isn't the existence of Uma Musume strange? Aside from having superior physical bodies compared to humans, Uma Musume don't possess any other qualities that humans would consider outstanding. Humans have already proven their strength and superiority; anything an Uma Musume can do, a human can do too, or even better. So why did Uma Musume appear? Isn't it illogical? What exactly has the existence of Uma Musume brought to humanity?"
Has this kid fallen into some kind of philosophical crisis?
Seeing Gold Legend in full 'Sage Mode,' the Trainer was dumbfounded.
However, the Trainer didn't mock Gold Legend. Instead, after thinking carefully, he answered her.
"Memories, dreams, and hope, I suppose."
"What?"
"Didn't you ask me what Uma Musume brought? That is my answer. What Uma Musume bring is memories, dreams, and hope."
The Trainer seemed to recall something, and his tone softened.
"...And then?"
"Ah, what?"
"Shouldn't you explain to me why you came up with that answer?"
Usually, things develop like this: introduce a topic, then launch into a lengthy discussion.
Gold Legend waited for the Trainer's follow-up.
"There's no need for a reason. This is my answer, not yours."
"It wouldn't hurt to tell me."
"What you need right now isn't my answer, but your own, Legend. To you, what does an Uma Musume mean?"
The Trainer turned around and looked into Gold Legend's eyes.
"Only at times like this do you act like a Trainer."
Gold Legend turned her face away.
"You're looking for a reason, or rather, an excuse, aren't you? That won't do. You should find the answer yourself."
"...I'm going to rest now."
"Although it's morning, good night, Legend-kun."
The Trainer said softly... "What are you thinking about, Little White Mouse-chan?"
Agnes Tachyon's words brought Gold Legend back to reality.
"Nothing, just spacing out. So, Tachyon Senpai, what's the conclusion?"
The time was afternoon, and the location was Tachyon's Laboratory.
Gold Legend, having finished resting, had come here once again.
"The results are out! You truly are incredible. Are you absolutely sure you won't consider becoming my exclusive Little White Mouse?"
"Please allow me to refuse. Just tell me the results."
Seeing Gold Legend's completely unyielding demeanor, Agnes Tachyon felt a bit bored.
"The result was predictable. Your body is incredibly strong, your fundamentals are impeccable, and your willpower is decent. As for the foundation of Mind-Body-Technique, you don't have anything that needs supplementing."
"Then why can't I reach it?"
"You lack a key—your key."
"A key? What kind of nonsense is that?"
"Simply put, you lack the emotion that can make you truly excited."
"Huh? Just because of that?"
Agnes Tachyon sighed involuntarily, looking at Gold Legend's dumbfounded expression.
"Uma Musume are surprisingly idealistic creatures. Things like emotions affect an Uma Musume far more than you might think. A 'Domain' is, fundamentally, just a competitive state. Don't underestimate this."
"...I still can't understand."
"Are you truly unable to understand?"
A moment of silence.
"Alright, changing the topic: What do you run for?"
"...Why is everyone asking this question?"
"Because this is an attempt. Uma Musume are the embodiment of dreams. Every Uma Musume who runs has something that can be called an origin point—the reason for running. Of course, you can also call it a dream."
"Like your [The End]?"
"Like my [The End]. So, what about you?"
Agnes Tachyon ignored Gold Legend's attempt to joke and continued the conversation.
"...I don't know."
"...That truly is a peculiar answer."
Agnes Tachyon showed a surprised expression for the first time.
"Is it strange?"
"If you were a human, I wouldn't find it strange."
But you are an Uma Musume.
"For an Uma Musume, having a dream is a matter of course. Maybe dreams change, maybe one falls into confusion, but for an Uma Musume, a dream must exist. Heh, I think I've found the reason why you are so different."
"..."
Gold Legend remained silent.
"It seems the reason you can't enter the Domain has been found."
"It appears so."
"Oh my, did you already anticipate this? Hahaha, you truly are interesting."
"Since the reason has been found, I shall take my leave."
"Feel free to come again next time. I'll save a spot for you here, Little White Mouse-chan."
..."A dream, huh?"
What a luxurious word.
Gold Legend thought indifferently.
For her, it was a word she had long forgotten.
In her previous life, she was someone who just drifted along. Perhaps when she was little, she had impractical dreams like becoming light, but those vanished without a trace as she grew older.
Dreams, it seemed, were not meant for her.
Growing up routinely, studying routinely, working routinely, passing each day simply and monotonously.
She didn't think there was anything wrong with that.
It was the same in this life; a regular and simple life was perhaps a reflection of her mentality. Although she was willing to try new things, she still preferred that monotonous life.
She thought this was quite good.
It was just that occasionally, she felt that those who struggled for their dreams were dazzling.
"A dream, huh."
A lonely voice echoed in the silent air.
Everything was as usual.