A short while later, the group found themselves at a cozy Japanese-style restaurant near Nakayama Racecourse. The warm glow of paper lanterns bathed the low wooden tables in soft light, and the air carried the delicate scent of fresh vinegar rice and grilled fish.
Tokai Teio popped a piece of cod sushi into her mouth, her eyes fluttering shut in pure bliss as she chewed. A contented hum escaped her before she finally swallowed and let out a deeply satisfied sigh.
"As expected… no matter when I come here, the sushi at this place is always incredible."
She glanced across the table at Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black, who sat beside her.
"So you two actually ran into Director Yukishiro and Almond Eye…"
"Yes. I really wanted to invite little Almond Eye to the celebration banquet, but she ended up heading back with Director Yukishiro," Kitasan Black replied, her voice tinged with regret. Then her expression shifted to open curiosity. "But I never imagined Director Yukishiro would turn out to be little Almond Eye's elder…"
She had only seen the Tracen Academy Director once before — during the brief opening speech at her freshman welcome ceremony. Even in that short moment, Director Yukishiro's cool, concise demeanor had left a strong impression. Later, she heard the Director had gone abroad for official business. Meeting her again today, that same sharp presence remained… yet the unexpected family connection with Almond Eye had caught her completely off guard.
From the way they spoke to each other, the elder-junior relationship felt genuine.
"It would be more accurate to say 'senpai,'" Tokai Teio corrected gently, reaching for another piece of sushi. "Director Yukishiro's family has deep roots and influence in the racing world, just like Akikawa Chairwoman's. Her parents and relatives have connections with many prominent families. It's safe to assume she or her family is quite close with Almond Eye's."
"I see…" Kitasan Black nodded, absorbing the explanation. Then her face lit up with renewed excitement. "Oh! By the way, Director Yukishiro also praised my performance in the Satsuki Sho! She said it was brilliant!"
"It was brilliant," Tokai Teio agreed without hesitation, a proud smile touching her lips. "Even without her words, I would have said the same. But when Director Yukishiro evaluates a race or an Uma Musume, her judgment is considered top-tier in the entire industry. Plenty of veteran Trainers can't match her insight. If she says it was brilliant… then it truly was."
Kitasan Black's eyes sparkled even brighter.
"Then I have to work even harder for the Japanese Derby! I don't want to let Director Yukishiro down!"
She leaned forward suddenly, remembering something important.
"Oh, right! Trainer said I still have training matches scheduled during my preparations. Tokai Teio, would you and McQueen be able to join?"
The atmosphere around the table instantly brightened.
"Oh? If Tokai Teio and McQueen help Kita-chan, doesn't that mean we might get to see the legendary 'TM' showdown again?" Vodka sat up straighter, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I've been waiting for something like that for years! I thought we might catch a glimpse during the Dream Cup, but it never happened. I can't believe we could see it now!"
Special Week's expression softened with nostalgia.
"Yeah… before that race back then, we were all racking our brains trying to figure out how to cheer for both of you. In the end, we just took turns shouting your names."
Daiwa Scarlet let out a wistful sigh. "After all, Tokai Teio was on an undefeated streak, and McQueen was chasing back-to-back Tenno Sho (Spring) victories. There could only be one champion, so we had no choice but to support both."
The Uma Musume were reminiscing about the one and only time Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen had clashed on the track. At the time, Tokai Teio carried a seven-race winning streak since her debut, while McQueen had dominated a string of prestigious long-distance events. Their records had made the matchup the most anticipated race of the year — and one of the most iconic long-distance battles in recent history.
Tokai Teio didn't answer her friends right away. Instead, she turned to Yasui Makoto for confirmation.
"Training races… Is that how Trainer Yasui is arranging Kita-chan's schedule?"
Yasui Makoto nodded without hesitation, his voice calm and steady.
"This was the strategy we decided on from the beginning. Everyone here knows Kita-chan's physical condition — her stamina and recovery are exceptional. She can handle intense training loads. Especially after her debut, her physique has grown even stronger, and the special training she's been doing lately has been quite demanding. But there's a month and a half between the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby. If we kept pushing high-intensity work every single day, it could easily affect her condition on race day. Replacing some of that volume with targeted training matches, like we've done before, is the smartest approach."
Tokai Teio listened closely, quietly impressed once again by the young Trainer's clear-headed planning.
She had watched Kitasan Black's Satsuki Sho victory with sharp eyes. The girl's tactics had been clever — exploiting the natural optimism of her rivals. A lead of three to six horse lengths was a dangerous, tempting margin. Most Uma Musume with strong finishing kicks would convince themselves they could close it in the final straight. They would rather wait and pounce on a tiring front-runner than waste energy chasing shadows. It was the logical, experienced way to race.
But Kitasan Black had shattered that logic.
She had seized the lead from the gate and refused to surrender it, enduring every challenge thrown at her with skill, courage, and an iron will. That kind of performance didn't come from talent alone. It came from relentless effort — and from the Trainer who had prepared her so thoroughly.
Tokai Teio gave a small, approving nod.
"Good plan. However…"
Her expression turned apologetic as she looked at Kitasan Black.
"McQueen and I really can't spare the time right now. The only reason we could even come today is because Director Yukishiro returned and handled a mountain of pending matters. With the Japanese Derby approaching, things are only going to get busier…"
She trailed off, lips pressed together in quiet frustration.
Kitasan Black quickly waved her hands.
"It's okay, Tokai Teio! I was just asking. Your work comes first, so I completely understand—"
A sudden video call chime cut through her words.
Mejiro McQueen, who had been quietly listening nearby, glanced at the screen and answered with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"Hey, Gold Ship. What's going on with you?"
"What's going on with me? Gold Ship-sama is helping Kita-chan figure out her training race, obviously!"
Gold Ship's energetic face filled the screen, her usual theatrical flair on full display even through the video feed. She had clearly been listening in.
"You and Tokai Teio won't have time later, right? I've got the Tenno Sho (Spring) coming up after this, and the distance is way longer than the Japanese Derby, so I can't train with Kita-chan either. But listening to you two just now gave me an idea. There's someone else who might be free…"
She paused, then added with a grin,
"Oh, by the way — does anyone know what time it is in Paris right now?"
---
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