Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 526 Xiao Bei has "learned bad habits" from you
Northern Black Horse was taken aback and looked up at the opera.

A deep smile curved the corners of the opera singer's lips.

"The glory of four consecutive victories, that amazing performance on the track just now, and this 'duel' with me..."

What do you think these things will bring?

Before the Northern Black Steed could answer, she continued on her own, her voice carrying the composure of someone with experience:

"The answer is simple—it's the center of attention."

"From now on, every match you play, every training session you have, and even every expression you make will be magnified and interpreted by countless eyes."

"Flowers and applause will come like a tide, but at the same time, the weight of expectations and scrutinizing eyes will follow closely behind."

"This is the destiny that the strong must bear."

The tone of "Good Opera" suddenly intensifies, as if emphasizing a crucial note:
"The more dazzling you are, the higher you stand, the heavier this pressure will be."

"It will turn into an invisible shackle, trying to bind your steps."

"It will turn into sharp criticism when you make the slightest mistake, trying to break your will."

"Do you understand these things?"

Northern Black Horse's breath hitched slightly.

She wasn't unaware of the value of good opera; in fact, perhaps long ago, she gradually realized everything that fame and attention brought.

When I went to Izu with Apricot, Miki, and Rocket, the seniors reminded me to disguise myself...

The fan who suddenly became enthusiastic after accidentally revealing their identity at the train station...

An unexpected interview with a reporter named Fumiko Otana...

The buzz generated by this competition...

All of this flashed through my mind in an instant, proving that everything a good opera says is true.

Perhaps because her mind was focused on the agreement with the Miqi Rocket, she didn't think deeply about the impact of these things on herself.

But now, once reminded, she unconsciously began to imagine the scrutiny hidden behind the cheers, and a heavy feeling welled up in her heart.

The destiny that the strong must bear?

So, what exactly is this...?

"But you must remember this."

Noticing the change in Beifang Xuanju's expression, Haogeju nodded secretly, took a step forward, and looked intently at her:
"This pressure is precisely the badge that proves you are on your way to higher places."

"Back then, I was also surrounded by such gazes and chased by such pressure."

She suddenly laughed, but the laughter was no longer exaggerated and segmented; instead, it flowed as smoothly as clear spring water.

"Didn't you say that we should surpass our predecessors and forge our own path?"

"So what you need to learn now is to endure it, adapt to it, and then..."

"Break it."

Good Opera extended its finger and gently tapped the chest of the Northern Black Horse:

"Let this weight, which is the focus of everyone's attention, become the fuel for your run, not a stumbling block."

"When you can still run purely for your beliefs under the watchful eyes of countless people, just like today, then you can truly be called... a new legend who has surpassed us predecessors."

"If it were you, you could definitely do it."

With that, he withdrew his hand, and without waiting for Beifang Xuanju's reply, just like that time on the beach, Good Opera smiled, turned and left:
"Let me look forward to seeing how you, the 'new king,' will write your own glorious chapter on the future stage!"

……

The noise from the stadium still echoed in the distance, but the control room had returned to relative calm.

McQueen gently placed the microphone on the table, turned around gracefully, and his gaze fell on Makoto Yasui.

The man beside her, Da Zhen, also ended his brief communication with the staff and turned to look at her with questioning eyes.

"Yasui-kun, what's up with Kobe's tactics on the track just now..."

Megumi McQueen's voice was gentle, yet it carried a hint of doubt and undeniable seriousness:

"Actually, it was a bit unexpected for us. Logically speaking, that kind of running style... shouldn't be suitable for her, right?"

"It's not just unsuitable, it looks like he's a complete novice."

In a more direct tone, Da Zhen added from the side:

"That kind of running style, which involves giving up the lead and deliberately delaying the sprint, is completely out of character for her."

"So, did you arrange this specifically before the match?"

Yasui met their gazes, nodded frankly, and then shook his head:
"Sort of, but not entirely." He paused, then explained:

"That was Xiao Bei's own idea. She said she wanted to pass on something to the great opera veterans and classmate Mi Qi."

"Of course, I'm not trying to shirk responsibility or anything. In fact, as a trainer, she must have had my permission to run like that."

He looked at the screen beside him, wanting to switch the view to the final straight line of the game.

Before she even made a move, as if she could read his mind, Alice tapped on the keyboard and moved the mouse.

A moment later, images of Northern Black Horse and Good Opera appeared on the screen.

"Thank you."

Nodding gratefully to Alice, Yasui Makoto glanced back at Megumi McQueen and the Great Shock, pondered for a moment, and then spoke with a hint of barely perceptible emotion in his voice:

"As you all know, Xiao Bei isn't the type to easily ask for help from others."

"Since I became her trainer, this is probably one of the few requests she has made on her own initiative."

"Since she has made up her mind, all I can do is help her refine this idea and ensure that she can achieve her wish without taking unnecessary risks."

"The tactics we just used were designed with this purpose in mind."

McQueen and Shock exchanged a glance, and the doubts in their eyes gradually dissipated.

"So that's it..."

The great shock eased his tense expression, and his tone softened considerably:
"Xiao Bei has always been a child who keeps her thoughts to herself. It's only natural that Yasui-kun would fully support her since it's rare for her to speak up."

"If that's the reason, then it makes sense."

"but……"

Her softened tone didn't last long; her expression turned serious again. She looked at Yasui Makoto and said, word by word:

"Yasui-kun, you should know very well that after today's match, the outside world's attention to Xiaobei will only increase."

"Especially the upcoming 'Autumn Triple Crown' – the Emperor's Autumn Viewing Tournament, the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen – each one is the focus of everyone's attention."

"You and the Northern Black Steed will inevitably become the center of all eyes."

"Were you mentally prepared for this situation?"

The atmosphere in the control room suddenly became heavy. Yasui Makoto unconsciously became serious, and Alice Soko couldn't help but frown slightly.

McQueen, on the other hand, was clearly very relaxed at this moment.

"Don't rush, I believe Yasui-kun understands this."

After saying something to Da Zhen, she looked back at Yasui Makoto, her tone carrying a hint of a joke:

"Speaking of which, Yasui-kun, don't you think that Kita is... going 'bad' because of you now?"

"...Going astray?"

Yasui Makoto was stunned, then immediately turned to laughter and tears: "What... what kind of description is this?"

"Is not it?"

McQueen asked in return, then laughed and said:

"Although Xiao Bei used to have a tenacious spirit, he always preferred to play it safe when it came to tactical choices."

But this time...

“Giving up her advantage in long distances and insisting on competing with opera veterans in short distances, this kind of all-or-nothing courage is not like her past style.”

"Isn't this because he's been around you for too long and has been corrupted by you?"

McQueen Megumi explained his joke, and Yasui Makoto suddenly realized what he meant, then smiled as well.

The tense atmosphere in the control room immediately eased a lot, and the seriousness on Da Zhen's face also faded a bit, with more understanding in his eyes as he looked at Yasui.

“However,” Megumi McQueen changed the subject, his tone becoming serious again, but without the previous doubts:
"Since this is Kobe's own idea, and Yasui-kun is willing to fully support it, then there is no problem."

"After all, the industry has long known that your style has always been known for its boldness."

"From the very beginning when you took over Xiao Bei, every training plan you devised and every competition route you chose made people hold their breath."

"But what was the result?"
"The comeback at the Chrysanthemum Festival, the decisive victory at the Arima Memorial, the steady performance at the Emperor's Spring Festival, the breakthrough at the Takarazuka Memorial... It is this boldness that others dare not attempt that has brought you and Kobe to where you are today."

"So, Yasui-kun, there's no need to worry."

"Whether it's the upcoming Autumn Triple Crown or the more distant future, the Student Council and Association will continue to pay attention to your, Xiao Bei's, and Xing Mu's performance."

"We are very much looking forward to seeing what kind of amazing performances you will deliver on your journey ahead."

(End of this chapter)