Can't Let Them Down

On Monday morning, in Yasui Makoto's single-room living room, classical strings and avant-garde electronic music filled the air, while two young, ethereal voices intertwined and echoed softly.

One voice originated from a VCR, the other from Hokubu Genkoma.

The song they sang was, naturally, "Uchiage Hanabi," which Yasui Makoto had written a few days prior.

Compared to his memory, the version played on the VCR had a decent musical arrangement.

Judging by the sound quality, rhythm, and other aspects, it seemed to have been handled by a master, and the tone was pure.

However, the mixing and some other details showed clear signs of being rushed.

There was no helping it; even though Hokubu Genkoma's elders were all top professionals, producing a flawless finished product in just over a day was indeed too difficult for them.

Yet, the vocal performance possessed a unique perfection.

This wasn't to say Hokubu Genkoma's singing skills had reached any great heights.

On the contrary, the young Uma Musume had only started practicing vocals since arriving at Tracen, and previously, she had only learned by listening to her family.

This gave her excellent musicality, but her technical skills couldn't even be called refined; at best, they could be described as familiarity gained through family tradition and innate talent.

But that very sense of youthful, innocent shyness and confusion was precisely what "Uchiage Hanabi" aimed to express.

Elusive, dreamlike, seemingly clear when just out of reach, yet vanishing like smoke the moment one tried to grasp it or recall it.

This unique vocal tone, this dreamlike quality, was something no amount of advanced singing technique could replicate.

"...The ambiguous knot of feelings melts and connects / May tonight never end..."

As the song concluded, the black-haired girl gracefully bowed, much like a master performer's final bow.

However, the moment she spoke, she reverted to her usual boisterous, carefree self.

"Trainer, Trainer! How was it, how was it? Did I sing really well?"

Clapping, Yasui Makoto said with a half-joking, half-serious tone:

"It was wonderful. I owe Xiao Bei a concert ticket."

"Hehehe, you're exaggerating, Trainer..."

Chuckling foolishly and scratching his head, she carefully took the song tape out of the VCR, then carefully put it back and brought it over. Hokubu Genkoma said excitedly:

"If anything, it's because you wrote such a good song, Trainer!

"After I got home, I first sang it for Dad. I thought he'd help me out.

"But after listening, Dad didn't say anything. He just called Grandpa over!

"When Grandpa heard it, he didn't say anything either and called everyone in the family!

"I initially wondered what was going on, if there was something wrong with the song you wrote, Trainer.

"Only later did I realize that Grandpa and Dad thought I wrote the song and that someone in the family was going to become a music prodigy.

"Hehehe, how could that be? I just like to sing.

"If we're talking about a music prodigy, that should be you, Trainer!

"Then Grandpa and the others were very surprised...

"No, they were extremely surprised and kept asking me if it was really true."

At this point, the black-haired girl sounded a little displeased.

"They doubted that you, Trainer, actually wrote this song.

"They asked so many questions that I almost didn't want them to help me record it.

"But they didn't keep pressing, and it seems they asked around with their friends, found out that no one had actually published this song, and only then did they believe me and record the song.

"Trainer, if you think this 'demo' is okay, I'll go for the official recording next week."

Hearing this, Yasui Makoto pondered for a moment.

It wasn't surprising that Hokubu Genkoma's family was so shocked by "Uchiage Hanabi," even questioning if he had written it.

After all, the song's popularity and musical quality in his previous life were undeniable.

It was a chart-topping hit two years later, receiving continuous accolades upon its release.

Among the most prestigious awards were the "Golden Disc Award," comparable to the Oscars of the Japanese music industry, and an appearance at the Kohaku Uta Gassen.

In other words, with this song, he would be qualified to attend Japan's top music event, just like Hokubu Genkoma's grandfather.

He was only 18 years old and the youngest Central Trainer in history.

This level of talent was already unbelievably prodigious; adding a music prodigy on top of that would naturally lead to suspicion.

However, Yasui Makoto wasn't worried about that.

This song hadn't appeared in this timeline yet, so there shouldn't be any problems.

More importantly, he was only using this top-tier song to help his own Uma Musume gain some fans for her races; he had no intention of pursuing a career in music.

In his view, Hokubu Genkoma might face a fan shortage in her upcoming races.

This was unavoidable; the industry placed significant importance on pre-debut results, which was akin to prejudice based on bloodline.

In a sense, this view ultimately boils down to issues of resource allocation, background, and luck.

Just as some people are born in Rome, Uma Musume with the same talent who are born into wealthy or prestigious families, or attend Central Treisen Academy, indeed receive much better resources.

Or perhaps their families have no prior Uma Musume, or they grew up in the countryside, or they come from ordinary families; even with talent and ability, they might still be overlooked.

However, Yasui Makoto had no intention of changing this perspective; he simply felt he should make the necessary preparations for Hokubu Genkoma.

Thinking ahead, perhaps in addition to "Uchiage Hanabi," he could prepare a few more songs after this race.

So, hearing Hokubu Genkoma's implication, her family seemed to approve of the song, and Yasui Makoto nodded.

"If we record it next week, that will be perfect.

"There will still be a week until the race then. The association routinely promotes you and drives traffic.

"If we record it and release it directly on the race account at that time, it will definitely meet the requirements for the qualifying race."

"Mhm! Grandpa and the others said the same thing!"

After nodding repeatedly, Hokubu Genkoma became regretful.

"It's a shame that the number of fans you can gain this way is limited, only counting up to 30,000, right, Trainer?"

"Yes, it won't be counted towards the race's fan count if it exceeds 30,000. After all, the Sparkle Series races are primarily about the competition itself."

Yasui Makoto nodded.

"Actually, it's enough for you. This is just a small supplement made for the race."

"That's true." After thinking for a moment, Hokubu Genkoma nodded in understanding.

"Do you need any help with the recording?"

Yasui Makoto pondered for a moment and asked, "I should pay a visit to your grandfather and the others to thank them for their trouble. However, they should be very busy recently?"

"They should be fine... I'm not too sure about their usual work schedule."

Hokubu Genkoma shook her head. "Besides, they originally wanted to meet you, Trainer. I was worried you'd be too busy, so I told them to just come watch me race then.

"It's a bit of a shame, they only watched my debut race on TV...

"But it's okay! For the next race, I believe they'll be able to see me win the championship live!"

"Oh? Your family will be attending the race in person?"

After a moment of surprise, Yasui Makoto nodded.

"Then, for the time we have left, we must work hard and not disappoint them."