A Special Song

"Yeah, that's exactly what Trainer said from the start."

Nodding, Kitasan Black began to feel bashful.

"My training results weren't that great, so even though I won my Debut Race, I didn't have many fans yet."

"I was secretly worried about it and even talked to Diamond-chan about it, but I didn't dare bother Trainer because I knew he was busy."

"It turns out Trainer had already thought of all this and even wrote a song for me."

"With a song this amazing, once it's finished and posted to my Racing Account, I won't have to worry about my fan count for the upcoming races!"

The Satono Sisters both nodded, and Satono Diamond pondered aloud:

"It sounds like this song will need accompaniment and production. Little Kita and Trainer are busy with training every day, so you probably don't have enough time, right?"

"Yeah, so I'm thinking of asking Grandpa and the others for help," Kitasan Black nodded.

"Is that so...?"

Satono Diamond said, surprised: "But didn't you say before, Little Kita, that your grandfather and the others wouldn't interfere with your affairs at the academy?"

"That's right, and Teio-senpai specifically warned me about that, too."

Kitasan Black scratched her cheek.

"My family is different from Crown-chan's and Diamond-chan's families, after all."

"My family has never really been involved in the racing world. Even though they have a decent reputation in the music industry, the two things just can't be compared."

"If Grandpa and the others came to support me, their apprentices, students, friends, and fans would all come to follow me, regardless of whether they watch racing or not."

"Would that count as me winning through racing, or would it be because of Grandpa and the others?"

"That's why, only a few elders in my family know about my debut; everyone else should still be in the dark."

"But I'll definitely make them recognize me through my races later on!"

The Satono Sisters exchanged a look, seeing a mix of bewilderment and admiration in each other's eyes.

They had realized long ago that Kitasan Black was completely oblivious to the fame and status her family held in the music industry.

To put it mildly, her grandfather's status in the industry was far beyond what "decent" could describe.

It was no exaggeration to say that whatever that man defined as "Japanese music," the entire industry's textbooks had to follow suit.

Yet, in Kitasan Black's words, Grandpa was "merely" someone who sang well and had many students, friends, and fans.

At the Same Time, this dear friend of theirs had never once thought of leveraging her family's influence.

If she really did that, her current fan count wouldn't just be high—it would arguably be the top among all active racers.

This determination to rely entirely on her own strength was truly worthy of respect.

"But this song is different."

As the Satono Sisters exchanged glances, Kitasan Black continued:

"Trainer wrote this for me, and it's specifically to help me secure enough fans to enter the races."

"Trainer told me that the number of fans you can gain this way is limited; once you pass a certain threshold, the Association won't count them anymore."

"But that's fine, it's enough for me to enter next month's Condition Race."

"I don't think there will be any problems with that."

"Grandpa and the others will definitely be happy to help; they've been saying they wanted to do something for me for a long time, but I just never agreed."

Hearing Kitasan Black talk about racing, Satono Diamond's eyes filled with anticipation and envy, while Satono Crown offered a spirited smile.

"With this song, Little Kita, your entry into the next race is a sure thing."

"I checked your race schedule; after next month's Condition Race, there's the Spring Stakes, and then the Satsuki Sho."

"It seems we'll be meeting at the first leg of the Triple Crown, Little Kita."

Satono Diamond froze for a moment, hesitating over whether she should say something to soften the challenge in her sister's tone.

Kitasan Black was equally stunned, then turned and walked back to the stage.

Picking up the two microphones on the stand, she held one in her hand and extended the other toward Satono Crown.

"Little Kita, what are you..."

It wasn't just Satono Crown; Satono Diamond didn't understand what Kitasan Black was trying to do either.

"Winning the Soul, Crown-chan, you've definitely practiced it, right?"

"Winning the Soul..."

Satono Diamond still didn't understand, but Satono Crown smiled with confidence.

Walking toward Kitasan Black, Satono Crown took the microphone.

"Of course I've practiced it! At the Winner's Stage for those three races this year, I will definitely be the one singing this song!"

Refusing to back down, Kitasan Black immediately retorted:

"I will too, of course, and I'll be the one standing right in the center!"

"That's not necessarily true, Little Kita. The one standing in the center will definitely be me!"

"Then let's wait and see, Crown-chan!"

"Of course!"

As they exchanged words, neither Horse Girl backed down, both staring straight at each other.

Finally, with a tacit understanding, they both turned their gaze toward Satono Diamond.

"Then we'll have to trouble Diamond-chan/little sister to queue this song!"

Nodding silently, Satono Diamond searched for the song mentioned by her friend and elder sister on the karaoke machine.

Winning the Soul—this song was special.

There are 10 central-level racecourses directly managed by the URA Association, with 104 race days per year and about 12 races per day; each race has a corresponding performance on the Winner's Stage that evening.

If you count the Local Races, the number of performances more than doubles.

Yet, out of the tens of thousands of performances each year, Winning the Soul only rings out three times.

This song is limited to the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese Derby, and the Kikuka Sho; it is the exclusive Winner's Stage track for the Triple Crown, and only the Horse Girls who stand at the pinnacle of their generation are qualified to perform it on stage.

The one standing in the very center, the C-position, is undoubtedly the Horse Girl who has won the Triple Crown.

Satono Diamond had actually practiced this song herself, so as the passionate and uplifting intro began, she couldn't help but hum along with the two Horse Girls on stage.

At the same time, she felt a secret envy in her heart.

It must be so nice, elder sister and Little Kita...

But it doesn't matter; when next year comes, I will be just like them...

Just like them, I will challenge the Triple Crown...

Over an hour later.

"Hey! Singing really is refreshing!"

Stepping out of the karaoke parlor, Kitasan Black said excitedly, "Thank you, Crown-chan and Diamond-chan, thank you for coming to sing with me!"

"What's there to thank us for... Well, Diamond and I will head back now. See you on Monday... Huh?"

Waving her hand casually, Satono Crown's eyes flickered as she looked behind Kitasan Black.

"That silhouette... is that Senior Symboli Rudolf?"

Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond looked over as well.

After studying the back of the Horse Girl with short black hair for a moment, Satono Diamond nodded.

"It is... Is Senior Symboli Rudolf out shopping here today too?"

"I suppose the University Department isn't busy today."

After making a guess, Satono Crown looked at Kitasan Black.

"So, Little Kita, we... Little Kita, do you have something you need to ask Senior Symboli Rudolf?"

"Ah... huh? Oh, no, not at all..."

Withdrawing her gaze and blinking in a daze, Kitasan Black couldn't help but look back once more.

Beside the Horse Girl with short black hair was the silhouette of another Horse Girl.

However, it wasn't black hair, but long, gradient brown hair.

"...It's nothing."

Withdrawing her gaze again, Kitasan Black smiled and waved at the Satono Sisters.

"I'm heading back to the dorms. See you Monday, Crown-chan, Diamond-chan!"