Chapter 222: How to Win the Arima Kinen
Oguri Cap had always believed that her past training could be described as steady and down-to-earth.
The Umamusume who had fought fiercely against her on the track—and even defeated her—shared that same earnest, hardworking attitude.
Because of that, during this period of teaching cooking, she gave it her all, holding nothing back as she passed every bit of her culinary knowledge on to Kitasan Black.
After finishing the carrots, Oguri Cap personally demonstrated how to handle the other ingredients, as well as stir-frying, pan-searing, and simmering.
Her movements were skilled and fluid, each action flowing naturally into the next. The focused look on her face made it seem as though she had returned to the racetrack.
She carefully explained every step—from controlling the heat to the exact amount of seasoning—leaving out nothing.
After demonstrating, she patiently watched Kitasan Black and encouraged her to try.
Kitasan Black learned just as seriously, her eyes following Oguri Cap's every movement. She replicated each process with convincing precision.
Before long, an enticing aroma filled the kitchen.
The fragrance seemed like an invisible hand gently teasing their appetites. Kitasan Black couldn't help but take a deep breath, then looked at Oguri Cap with pure admiration.
"Oguri Cap-senpai, your cooking is really amazing. It's just… just…"
She racked her brain for the perfect description.
After struggling for a while, she finally blurted out loudly, "It's just as amazing as you are on the racetrack!"
Hearing that, Oguri Cap smiled gently and shook her head.
"It's not my achievement alone. We made it together."
"So you too, Kita-chan—whether it's cooking or racing—you're amazing."
"There's still dessert left to make. Shall we continue?"
"Mhm! I'll do my best!"
After nodding excitedly and continuing with the dessert, Kitasan Black suddenly remembered something and looked curiously at Oguri Cap.
"Oh right, Oguri Cap-senpai—how are you and Tamamo-senpai and the others planning to help Crow-chan?"
"This, huh…"
Oguri Cap paused, thinking for a moment.
"Inari should be more familiar with things, since she's still involved with race-related work."
"So Tamamo, Creek, and I can probably only help by running alongside her or doing some joint training runs."
"For the rest, we'll have to see what Inari suggests."
"Of course, it also depends on her trainer's arrangements… I mean Crow-chan's trainer."
"I see…"
Kitasan Black nodded and thought for a moment. Remembering how her friend had missed the Kikuka Sho, she couldn't help sighing.
"What's wrong? Something bothering you?"
A little surprised, Oguri Cap considered it, then asked tentatively, "Are you… worried about your own race?
"If I remember right, your next one is the Arima Kinen, right?"
"Ah? Ah… not exactly… well, I guess I am worried."
She hesitated. Thinking it would be better for her friend to talk about her own matters herself—and also remembering that even during her recent break she had indeed thought about the Arima Kinen—Kitasan Black changed her wording.
"As for the Arima Kinen… I don't know if Crow-chan can participate. I really want to run it together with her, but…"
Her eyes suddenly lit up, filled with both hesitation and anticipation.
"But no matter what, I'll be racing against you seniors there!"
"You want to challenge yourself, right?" Oguri Cap asked with a smile.
"Yeah!"
Kitasan Black nodded hard, her voice rising unconsciously, excitement overflowing.
"I've always wanted to run in the Arima Kinen. I just never imagined I'd get the chance during my Classic year!"
"My dream is to be like Teio-senpai—to run races that make everyone happy, races that move people deeply!"
"Just like her Arima Kinen back then!""
Oguri Cap nodded gently, admiration appearing in her eyes as she said with emotion, "Teio, huh? Yeah… no matter who watched that Arima Kinen, they'd probably feel happy… and deeply moved."
"Mhm! Exactly!"
Kitasan Black nodded excitedly again, then suddenly looked at Oguri Cap with curiosity.
"O-Oguri Cap-senpai… can I ask… what did you feel back when you ran in the Arima Kinen?"
She paused, pressing her lips together, a trace of determination flashing through her eyes.
"Actually… what I really want to ask is…"
"Oguri Cap-senpai, how do you think I should run… to win this year's Arima Kinen?"
Kitasan Black had always held extremely high expectations for that race.
At first, that expectation might have been something she hadn't even noticed—just a tiny spark born from admiration for someone she looked up to.
But after the Kikuka Sho ended, and after these few days of rest and calm reflection, that spark hadn't gone out.
Instead, it had grown into a blazing fire.
More than once these past few days, she had recalled her day-after-day training and race after race, and before she knew it, she found herself longing more and more for victory.
Oguri Cap stopped preparing dinner.
She stood still, lifted her head to look at the ceiling for a moment, then slowly turned her gaze back to Kitasan Black.
Her eyes settled on those crimson pupils.
For an instant, she thought she saw a familiar desire.
"…You've started craving victory, haven't you…?" she murmured unconsciously, her voice like a faint breeze, tinged with complicated emotions.
"…Senpai? What did you just say…?"
Still immersed in her excitement, Kitasan Black hadn't caught the whisper.
"It's nothing… no, actually, what I want to ask is…"
Oguri Cap slowly turned to face her fully. Her expression grew serious, her gaze unusually focused.
"Why do you want to win the Arima Kinen?"
"Ah? Um…"
Caught off guard by the question, Kitasan Black opened her mouth instinctively.
From the senpai in front of her, she suddenly felt a strange pressure—an indescribable presence that made her tense up.
She faltered slightly and muttered,
"I… I already said… I want to run a race like Teio-senpai…"
"Mm… and what else?"
Oguri Cap didn't respond to that answer. She simply continued pressing gently but seriously.
Her eyes stayed locked on her junior's face, as if trying to search out the deepest thoughts in her heart.
"And also…"
Not understanding what Oguri Cap really wanted her to say, Kitasan Black continued softly,
"And my grandpa. He's always said I'm amazing, so I have to keep winning. I can't let him down…"
"Oh right—and Crow-chan and the others, and Dura-chan, and Ribbon-chan too…"
"I feel like only if we win the Arima Kinen—or more big races—can we keep running side by side on the track together…"
"And of course my trainer…"
"He's put so much effort into me. I have to give everything I've got and keep winning, or it wouldn't be fair to all the work he's done for me!"
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 314: Kita, You're Truly Amazing[1]
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