It was a bright and sunny day! Warm, but not uncomfortably so. The air was fresh with a light breeze, the skies clear, and the academy's tracks beneath Sword’s feet were in ideal condition—firm, fast, and ready for training. Everything was perfect.

Everything except for the teeny tiny tightening in his chest.

This was his first time as a trainer, and today marked the beginning of his trainee’s journey toward her racing debut—just eleven days away. He knew the stakes. And yet, despite the nerves prickling at his edges, Venomshank’s words still echoed clearly in his mind:

"If you're going to be a trainer, be one your uma musume can rely on."

With a deep, determined breath, Sword tried to steady himself. There was no room for hesitation. His trainee was counting on him, and he couldn’t afford to be the weak link in her path to success!

Sword leaned lightly against the track fence, scanning the horizon. A soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips as his ears twitched slightly.

"She'll be here soon,"he mused."Maybe she just... overslept a little? First-day jitters, maybe. I shouldn't start doubting her already."

But as the minutes ticked by, his confidence began to fray. The sun, once high and golden, had begun its slow descent toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the track. Still, there was no sign of her!

Concern settled in like a weight on his shoulders.

"Maybe I should start looking for her..."

His expression shifted, worry now clearly etched across his face. He started tapping his foot anxiously, eyes scanning every corner of the field. Every passing moment without her only made the silence louder.

Finally, with a low sigh, Sword pushed himself away from the fence. His hands clenched into fists by his sides with determination.

If something had happened to her, he needed to know. And if she was simply hiding from nerves, then he’d be the one to remind her she didn’t have to face this path alone.