The end of the Kikuka Sho race signaled the fact that T.M. Opera O now had the qualifications to enter the ranks of Japan's "Hall of Fame Uma Musumes."
It could be said that as long as she didn't start losing terribly in subsequent races, becoming a Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume of the same caliber as Narita Brian would be of absolutely no concern.
This also made many reporters, who had already arrived at the interview venue before the Winning Live hadn't even ended, to enthusiastically surround Wada and T.M. Opera O when they arrived.
With T.M. Opera O winning all three Classic Triple Crown races, the tone of these reporters, who had originally harbored doubts, shifted significantly.
"Miss T.M. Opera O, congratulations on winning the Classic Triple Crowns and becoming the fourth Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume!"
"I was already a fan since you first debuted, and seeing you win the Kikuka Sho today, I became so giddy I couldn't relax all day! May I ask what your thoughts are on your victory?"
A female reporter, who seemed very excited, squeezed through the sea of other reporters to ask T.M. Opera O and Wada. Her tone and expression truly made it seem as if she had met her idol.
Few people knew this, but, T.M. Opera O almost never forgets a fan's face, with her always taking a good look at the audience before every race.
—T.M. Opera O had absolutely zero recollection of this female reporter.
"Hahahaha!—it is only natural for me, the Overlord, to achieve such an honor!"
However, T.M. Opera O did not expose the female reporter's lie. Instead, she puffed out her chest as usual and confidently replied:
"This victory was the result of the combined efforts of both this Overlord and her most loyal subject. Without him, this honor could not have been achieved."
"I believe that my current achievements, as the Overlord, are already plenty sufficient to prove that my subject is the most outstanding being in all of history!"
"Then, Trainer Wada, may I ask, as the Trainer of the newly crowned Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume, do you have any thought about T.M. Opera O?"
Seizing the opportunity, another reporter turned the topic over to Wada.
"—T.M. Opera O is undoubtedly the strongest Uma Musume of her generation. To be honest, her excellence even makes me feel that I am somewhat unworthy of her."
And Wada, as always, maintained a humble and gentle demeanor, selectively forgetting how these same reporters had slandered him in the past, and replied:
"But I am also working hard, striving to become a Trainer worthy of her."
"Moreover, I will continue to support her wholeheartedly, and I will always stand by her until she surpasses the Emperor's 'seven-crown myth'."
"—Hmph, that's not right, Ryuji. Even when I surpass seven crowns, you still have to be by my side, my dearest subject."
T.M. Opera O simply smiled and spoke upon hearing this.
Her incredibly thought-provoking way of speaking was, of course, captured by the reporters, who planned to use it as material for a good round of publicity.
"Then, Trainer Fumino Nase, may I ask, as part of Team Miracle, and from multiple sources, Trainer Wada's assistant, does handling T.M. Opera O pressure you?"
"Hmm?"
Fumino Nase, as Wada's assistant, of course also came to the interview, but she had never intended to attract much attention herself.
Faced with this sudden question, she quickly replied:
"Pressure... I suppose that there is some. After all Trainer Wada and T.M. Opera O are a pair that no other can compare to."
"And only Trainer Wada can truly command T.M. Opera O. In this regard, I still need to work on it more."
"—Then may I ask, as an excellent Trainer who had managed to train Super Creek, an Uma Musume who managed to compete with Oguri Cap, what are you hoping to achieve by staying as Trainer Wada's assistant?
"Are you hoping to learn something? Or are you preparing to surpass your father, Hidehito Nase, who is a legenda—?"
"...This matter has nothing to do with my father, please do not mention it."
As soon as Fumino's father was brought up, her expression began to turn a bit irritated.
For as long as she has lived, from a child to an accomplished Trainer, there was a name that she has never been able to avoid hearing, Hidehito Nase, her legendary father.
Usually, she would just ignore it whenever he was brought up, but after several years of not being in the public eye, the fact that the first thing they asked was still about her father irked her to the core.
So many years have passed, yet, everyone still habitually linked Fumino Nase with her father, making her feel as if she was always living in her father's shadow.
'Hidehito Nase? Not Kunihiko Nase?'
Suddenly, a stray thought couldn't help but enter Wada's mind, though it wasn't that big of a surprise for him.
After all, a change in name wasn't that big compared to a change in both name and gender.
As Wada was daydreaming nonsense, Fumino Nase continued,
"As for why I stay by Trainer Wada's side... your statement is incorrect."
"I did not join Team Miracle for the sole sake of learning. I am indeed serving as Trainer Wada's assistant, and... I am not just learning from Trainer Wada but from all three Trainers in Team Miracle."
"Team Miracle has taken me by surprise, they have caused a huge shift in my perspective of what being a Trainer entails, and I believe that I can learn many things from this team that I don't possess."
"—Well said, my daughter. Though, it makes me a little sad at how you dismissed me so rudely."
Just as Fumino Nase was seriously answering the reporter's question, a voice suddenly drew everyone's attention.
"You..."
Fumino Nase could recognize the voice of the man in front of her from a mile away, and subconsciously asked:
"Father... how come you..."
"—Didn't I say? I told you I would come to watch the Kikuka Sho. You didn't think I was just saying it casually, did you, Fumino?"
The person who arrived was precisely Hidehito Nase, who had helped Wada at the train station.
He was also present to witness the final showdown between T.M. Opera O and Mejiro McQueen.
As he had managed to confirm certain matters, Hidehito felt that he should step forward and formally meet his daughter and her current friends.
"HIDEHITO NASE—THAT LEGENDARY TRAINER???!!!!"
"Father and daughter in the same frame?! This'll make the headlines!"
"QUICKQUICKQUICK! TAKE PICTURES! TAKE PICTURES! THIS IS BIG NEWS! HIDEHITO NASE HAS APPEARED IN PUBLIC!"
The reporters' reactions were not slow in the slightest as they quickly took action.
Soon, after a strange silence, camera lights quickly began to flicker, instantly illuminating the entire scene with extraordinary brightness.
Under a dazzling barrage of flashes, Hidehito Nase, clearly used to this, quickly wore a pair of sunglasses before the lights burned his retinas.
Even so, he was momentarily unable to adapt to such 'enthusiasm,' but he still maintained the seriousness and dignity befitting that of a senior figure and waved his hand, saying:
"Alright, alright, interview time is over. Please give an old retired man and his daughter some private space, okay? You all should've already got what you wanted, right?"
"Now, please vacate this area. I might have free time in the next few days, so there will be plenty of time for interviews."
Should it be said that he truly lived up to being a respected senior? Although his words seemed very casual, they carried an elusive authority.
With every gesture, he made the originally excited reporters leave the scene. Soon, only the four of them remained.
And as Hidehito Nase turned around, he first cast his gaze towards Wada, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he asked:
"Hello junior, it has only been a few hours since we last met, you haven't forgotten who helped you out of that predicament, have you? Shouldn't you have a good chat with this old man?"
"Uh... yes, sir, I haven't forgotten."
Wada also belatedly realized that in his moment of urgency, the person who helped him and Meisho Doto out of their difficult situation was Hidehito Nase.
And now that the other party clearly had something to discuss with him, Wada naturally couldn't refuse.
However, the sight of Wada and Hidehito Nase like this left Fumino Nase and T.M. Opera O, who were standing by, confused.
T.M. Opera O tugged at Wada's sleeve and couldn't help but ask:
"What's wrong, Ryuji? Why do you know Trainer Nase's father? And what favor did he help you with?"
"Ah... the situation is complicated, but Mr. Nase really helped me a lot, T.M. Opera O. If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't have been able to make it to the venue in time to cheer you on today."
Wada didn't know how he was supposed to explain this matter.
From their first meeting through Fumino's phone, misunderstandings probably began to brew. Now that he was personally here, it was probably to ask him some questions.
And, if his conjectures were true, those questions will unquestionably be about Fumino Nase.
Since Wada didn't refuse, Hidehito nodded in contentment, then turned to T.M. Opera O and said with a smile:
"T.M. Opera O—right? You and your Trainer have a very good relationship."
"I'm sorry, but please lend me your Trainer for a day. There are some topics I want to discuss with him and my daughter."
"Don't worry, your Trainer will be back safe and sound tomorrow. It's just... we have some things that are better discussed only among adults."
-----+-----
Hidehito: Haha Wada, you're banging my daughter.
-----+-----
If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.