T/N: you know what, screw it, I don't care if I got a full-time job.
I still enjoy doing what I do want and I'm not planning to stop.
I'll continue releasing chapters for all the fics as usual.
If you want advance chapters, you can find them on my (patreon.com/LizTL)
===
Chapter 75
With this training method in mind, Yasui Makoto naturally planned to ask Daiwa Scarlet and the others for help.
A single joint training session could last anywhere from one to several hours, depending on how the groups were divided. Training matches, on the other hand, took far less time.
Compared to official races, training matches were less intense, and they usually only lasted a few minutes. As long as everyone rested properly afterward, this approach offered much more flexibility in scheduling.
This way, he wouldn't have to worry about interfering with Daiwa Scarlet and the others' studies or work schedules.
However, before Yasui Makoto could even figure out how to bring up the idea, Special Week suggested that the upcoming Summer Dream Cup would be the perfect opportunity.
As he had just explained, the Dream Cup was an All-Star Invitational event within the Twinkle Series. It was a true G1 race, because every Uma Musume invited to past Dream Cups had previously won at least one G1 event during their careers.
Even though these Uma Musume had already retired, their outstanding talent and strength from their active days still made the races incredibly competitive and exciting. Each of them was a well-known celebrity both in Japan and overseas. It was no exaggeration to say that simply seeing them return to the turf could draw tens of thousands of fans, even without the competition itself.
Events like this naturally helped maintain and boost the popularity of the Twinkle Series. They also contributed greatly to the growth of current and future Uma Musume.
The participants invited to the Dream Cup were outstanding in both skill and experience. After the participant list, venue, and schedule were confirmed, the invited Uma Musume would head to the nearest Tracen Academy to prepare.
During this time, students and trainers at the academy could apply to seek advice from these legendary seniors or arrange joint training sessions and practice races.
Yasui Makoto had known about the Dream Cup for some time, but he had never really considered taking part in it. He had only been in Tokyo for about half a year. Even if he applied and Tracen Academy approved it, he would likely have to wait in line to meet those star Uma Musume.
However, thanks to Kitasan Black's friendly and outgoing personality, he had already built good connections over the past few months. He had met several of these famous Uma Musume and completed many training sessions with their help.
Taking advantage of the Dream Cup to arrange some training matches should therefore not be a problem.
While Yasui Makoto was thinking quickly, the Uma Musume continued discussing Kitasan Black's future training and races.
"But about the Classic Triple Crown experience…" Special Week took a sip of her carrot juice and scratched her head with a sheepish smile. "I lost both the Satsuki Sho and the Kikuka Sho to Seiun Sky, so the Japanese Derby might be the most useful one…"
Kitasan Black quickly shook her head.
"Special Week-senpai, please don't say that. I've only run three races so far, and there's still so much for me to learn. Every bit of your experience is incredibly valuable to me!"
Vodka nodded in agreement.
"That's true, Special Week. It just so happens that Daiwa Scarlet and I won't be as free as before. We'll probably only be able to run with Kita-chan once or twice next week. You can use this chance to talk more with Kita-chan and Yasui-kun about the Classic Triple Crown races.
"Kita-chan performed so well in the Spring Stakes this time. She has a real shot at doing great in the Satsuki Sho."
Her gaze shifted toward Gold Ship, who was happily eating away.
"Hey, Gold Ship. Stop stuffing your face for a second. You're the only one here who has won the Satsuki Sho. Aren't you going to share some advice with Kita-chan?"
The moment she said that, everyone turned to Gold Ship. While Kitasan Black looked at her with sparkling eyes, Daiwa Scarlet and Special Week gave her somewhat strange looks.
Gold Ship finished chewing a large piece of steak, swallowed it, wiped her mouth, and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. She looked at Vodka, then at Kitasan Black, then at Yasui Makoto, and finally back at Vodka.
"So… you're really sure you want Kita-chan to learn from me?"
Vodka's expression froze instantly.
"…I might have been a bit hasty there…"
Her mouth twitched slightly. She turned to Kitasan Black with an awkward laugh.
"Ahaha… Kita-chan, could you maybe pretend you didn't hear what I just said?"
Kitasan Black blinked in confusion.
"Eh? What's going on?"
She frowned slightly, tapping her chin as she thought for a moment.
"I thought Gold Ship-senpai ran the Satsuki Sho really impressively. Can't I learn from her?"
"Well, I did run it pretty well, I won't deny that," Gold Ship said frankly, acknowledging her past success with a serious expression. "But Kita-chan, you know what I'm like. I've never been one to follow my trainer's instructions properly.
"So even if you wanted to learn my running style, I'm not sure I could teach you properly, because I can't really explain how I did it most of the time.
"Take the Satsuki Sho, for example. It was pouring rain that day, and the track had already been torn up by ten previous races. The conditions were terrible. Especially the inside lane… it was slippery and sticky at the same time.
"I don't know if Yasui-san has told you about track conditions like that, but normally, no Uma Musume would choose to run on the inside in those conditions.
"But…"
Gold Ship smiled proudly and pointed a thumb at herself.
"I, Gold Ship-sama, am no ordinary Uma Musume. At the time, I just thought the inside lane looked so open while everyone else was crowding to the outside. So I charged straight through from the inside and took the lead in one go.
"But honestly, if I had to run on a track like that again, I might slip and fall flat on my face.
"Also, I asked Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka. They said you're better at running from the front. I'm a closer, so what exactly are you going to learn from me? How to fall behind?"
After mixing pride with a bit of teasing, Gold Ship noticed a hint of disappointment on Kitasan Black's face and let out a hearty laugh.
"Haha, don't look so down, Kita-chan. Daiwa Scarlet and the others are already helping you out. How could I just sit back and watch? I'll definitely find a way to help you too!
"But as for exactly how I should help… I think…"
Gold Ship's eyes sparkled as she turned to look at Yasui Makoto.
"…that should be up to your trainer to decide."
Hearing this, Kitasan Black and the others all turned their attention to him as well.
To be honest, if this had been a while ago, Yasui Makoto would never have considered asking Gold Ship for help. The rumors about her being extremely eccentric were well known.
However, after seeing Special Week and now Gold Ship, he realized something. No matter what the rumors said or how they usually acted, when it came to racing, they both had a remarkably clear and sharp understanding of the sport.
His first impression of Special Week was that she seemed a bit naive, yet it was precisely that seemingly simple-hearted Uma Musume who could instantly spot the key points in Kitasan Black's races.
Gold Ship was the same. She claimed she often didn't understand how she ran, yet she had just explained the Satsuki Sho situation with perfect clarity.
In that case, perhaps the best approach was to set aside any preconceived notions from outside sources, observe these Uma Musume's true abilities with his own eyes, and then decide how to best use their strengths to help Kitasan Black grow.
---
Bonus chapters
200 - Stones
400 - Stones
600 - Stones
And so on, do you best!
Also visit my patreon for advance chapters to all my work!
(patreon.com/LizTL)