Episode 9

**Dreams of Spica** (スピカの夢 *Supika no Yume*) is the ninth episode of the Uma Musume: Pretty Derby anime.

## Summary

Special Week is notified by Fuji that she has a call from El Condor. They talk briefly and El Condor asks Special to relay a message to Silence Suzuka that she looks forward to race her again, which irks Special, but promises to relay the message.

With his back laid to a wall in front of a hospital, Trainer reflects on how obtuse his team is currently and is soon joined by Suzuku. The two then walk home and talk about the doctor's report about Suzuka's condition and then about how Suzuka feels how she's holding Special and Trainer back. However, Trainer reassures Suzuka to not worry about such things and Suzuka understands.

Soon, Trainer takes Team Spica to a hotel by the beach side and also the members of Team Rigil are spotted there as well. Figuring they'll be staying in the same hotel, Trainer enlightens the group that they'll be staying in a dilapidated motel adjacent to the fancy hotel. Inside the motel, the girls learn that they'll be split into two teams and will be staying in separate rooms in accordance to their teams. Later Trainer announces that for the summer they'll be split into two teams and the theme of the training is "No Being Friends". The purpose it all is to keep them focused on their training and that on the final day a match will be held.

Outside of the motel, Team A talk about the theme of the training and then do some jogging, while Team B practice with Trainer. Suzuka's condition is brought up and Suzuka states that she's fine for the most part. That night, El Condor gets in contact via video call with her trainer Hana and teammate Symboli Rudolf who relay's Suzuka's message. They then discuss El Condor's encounter with the best race horse in France Broye, who signed her French learning book. Symboli then asks El Condor to have Broye to sign something for her as well and El Condor agrees.

The following day, Team A trains under Trainer's supervision and Special is notably slower than usual as she has Suzuka on her mind. Trainer is then approached by Suzuka and the two talk at the motel about her inability to run full speed. It's noted to be a mental thing by Trainer after hearing Suzuka doesn't want to hurt herself again. Meanwhile, Team A gamble together and the following afternoon, Team B's training is supervised by Trainer and Suzuka is notably a lackluster.

The next day, at morning, by the beach, Trainer announces that a triathlon between the two teams will be held. It ensues that both teams must swim to a nearby island, take a lap on a bicycle, and finally run to the goal at the bottom. Upon learning this, the teams try to bail, but get roped into doing after hearing that the winner will receive a Dessert Voucher. Ignited by the thought of winning the voucher, the two teams start swimming to the island. Eventually, the teams start the bike ride across the island and during it Suzuka falls off her bike and Special tries to help her. Trainer then approaches the two and scolds Special for trying to help and Suzuka for not trying hard enough. This motivates the two to continue and in the final part of the triathlon, the two teams are unable to slow down while running down a steep slope. The end result is both teams crash into the water and Trainer amused by the situation allows the win to go to both teams. At the fancy hotel, the teams talk together and after Special states her dream to race against Suzuka, Trainer proclaims that he wants to see them all race against each other one day.

Later that night, Team Spica and Rigil watch El Condor's race against Broye and although she's favored to win, she ultimately loses against her opponent. Back at school, Special is approached by Symboli who hands her smartphone to Special with El Condor on the line. The two talk about El Condor's recent loss in the race, although she puts up a happy front at first as the conversation goes on, El Condor starts to get emotional. This motivates, Special to do some late night training and is joined by Suzuka.

## Characters

* Special Week
* Fuji Kiseki
* El Condor Pasa
* Trainer
* Tokai Teio
* Daiwa Scarlet
* Mejiro McQueen
* Gold Ship
* Vodka
* Hana Toujou
* Symboli Rudolf
* Broye