It has been several months since the three transmigrators, led by Imanami, came to this specific Izakaya to drink. Back then, they were still outsiders who weren't used to the many different things in this world.
But now, they have completely integrated into this world, come to love the unique Uma Musume, and knew what goals they should strive towards.
Now, they have once again returned to this Izakaya, the starting point where their lives were changed forever. But this time, their purpose in gathering was not for a party, but for Wada to share his joy with everyone else...
"Pffft HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAA —!!!" X3
...Yes, joy; that is the simplest wish of men.
"Y- Yutaka Take— is there really a version of Yutaka Take in this world? H- he turned into a woman? AND is good looking? BWAHHHAAHAAAAA!!!"
"I wished Yutaka Take was here right now! I really want to see that kid's face darken after so many years; it'll be so funny!"
In the reserved room, the three men, having had a few drinks, burst into laughter at the story Wada shared.
Among them, Ikezoe was the most boisterous, his hands slamming the table creating loud banging sounds. Although he knew it was impolite, he simply couldn't help himself.
Ikezoe didn't have as many grievances with Yutaka Take as Wada did. After all, although he might not have been as talented as Yutaka Take, he was also a very accomplished Jockey. Just by the fact that he once rode Orfevre, his position in the JRA was technically above Yutaka Take's.
Thus, Ikezoe was not afraid of Yutaka Take at all. He could laugh at him without restraint; they were separated by an entire world anyways, there was no way Yutaka Take can hear him.
As for Imanami, though he rarely participates in the banter between youngins, he too laughed heartily for a while.
Imanami had met the genius Jockey Yutaka Take more than once. Although he was a stable hand, he was also a senior; thus, even this genius Jockey was respectful in front of him.
Therefore, when he thought that this junior, who acted reserved in front of him yet was brimming with confidence when riding a Racehorse, was also in this world as a Trainer, he also laughed immorally.
"This is fate, Wada. I never expected for you to be connected with someone like Yutaka Take again."
Ikezoe also put an arm around Wada's shoulder, having drunk a bit too much at this point. Still holding a half-empty beer mug, he said to Wada:
"So, Wada, what do you plan to do now? I didn't know Maruzensky's assigned person would be the Yutaka Take of this world. If you feel uncomfortable, I can explain it to her..."
"That would be a bit too much for me to ask of you, Ikezoe."
Wada smiled slightly at this. He was also a bit tipsy at the moment, and when drunk, the mouth usually moves faster than the brain, making it easier to speak one's true thoughts.
"Miss Fumino Nase… Although she should be the Yutaka Take of this world now, I won't treat her as Yutaka Take. She and Yutaka Take are separate people."
"What's more, how can I let the 'Yutaka Take' of this world take the blame for what happened back then? At least for now, while we are still getting to know each other, it's better not to let old grudges make things bitter, right?"
"Peaceful times are the best times after all."
Although Wada was the first to realize that Fumino Nase was the Yutaka Take of this world, he didn't actually treat Fumino Nase as Yutaka Take. She was just "a person that shared similar traits with Yutaka Take."
Wada and Yutaka Take's relationship was a bit shaky, but he certainly wouldn't wish to have a similar relationship with Fumino Nase.
Besides, she came to him with the intention of helping him. If he were to give her the cold shoulder due to such preconceived notions… it would be an incredibly unmanly thing to do.
Moreover, if you ask Wada to just look at Fumino Nase's face, which in no way resembles Yutaka Take, and say she is Yutaka Take, Wada simply couldn't do it. How could a woman with such a cute face be that guy? Please don't make such jokes, okay?
"But thinking about it, I acted really strange back there. I just hope that she doesn't think that I am some sort of weirdo."
Wada finally emptied his beer mug. Imanami, watching Wada, who seemed to be considering his future, smiled and asked:
"Your thinking is in the right place, Wada. Since the other party is here to improve your skills, maintaining a good relationship with Fumino Nase is very important."
"Furthermore, since she'll become your assistant if you pass her test, she can help lessen the burden of managing T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto."
"But I really don't know how to talk with her at all…" Wada said with a blush from the alcohol. "Plus, she says she hates 'Trainers who piggyback off the efforts of their Uma Musume'... Just thinking that Yutaka Take will be the one testing me is already making me nervous. And I have no idea what she'll test me on. I'm starting to worry if I can even pass the test in the first place..."
Wada's complaint made Ikezoe and Imanami, who were beside him, slightly taken aback. They hadn't really considered the difficulty of the test, only thinking that Wada was truly lucky to have Fumino Nase as an assistant.
They had completely forgotten that since Fumino Nase is most likely similar to Yutaka Take, she would be a very strict person, and she might even have some disdain for Wada. It was perfectly normal for Wada to be concerned about this assessment.
"…Then, how about I give you a crash course real quick?" Ikezoe, hearing this, subconsciously spoke, but was rejected by Imanami, who shook his head.
"Ikezoe, your skill level is quite similar to Wada's. Your biggest advantage lies in practical experience."
"Plus, your preferred strategy is also quite different from Wada. You can't really help him much here."
Imanami thought for a moment and finally came up with a solution, saying to Wada: "How about this, I'll accompany Wada to meet Fumino Nase. I hope I can be of some help."
"Eh? Imanami, you're coming?"
However, Imanami's answer made both Wada and Ikezoe slightly surprised. Imanami's face held a mysterious smile as he chuckled and said:
"Am I supposed to just watch my dear junior miss out on such an excellent assistant? You're not still planning to rely on me to tutor you and then go to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, are you? Old people tend to get tired easily, you know?"
"Ahem…" Wada and Ikezoe were speechless at this. Indeed, before this, much of their knowledge came from Imanami teaching them.
Although Imanami looks unbothered, in reality, he was the busiest one out of the three, and also the one who needed an assistant the most.
Fortunately, Imanami had his unique Uma Musume assistant—Gold Ship. Moreover, he was much more energetic after regaining his youth; otherwise, being so busy every day, even with Imanami's seasoned experience, he would probably die of overwork.
Of course, this was only part of the reason. Imanami, after hearing Wada's words, also really wanted to see what kind of person Fumino Nase was.
If she really was the "Yutaka Take" of this world, as Wada said… then perhaps the help she could provide to this team would be far more than just helping Wada challenge the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Thinking this, Imanami looked at Wada and Ikezoe, who were now drinking together again, and a sense of helplessness appeared in his eyes as he muttered:
"Young people are so energetic… Then I, this old man, will help you clean up things behind the scenes."
Saying this, Imanami also took a sip of the liquid in his mug, which looked like oolong tea. However, after one sip, he silently put it down again.
"…The owner of this place seems to have misheard me. Oolong tea mixed with shochu, but this time too much oolong tea was added. It's bland."
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Imanami's back is genuinely hurting from carrying everyone in the team
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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.