A Special Song

"Mm-hmm, that's what the Trainer said from the very beginning."

Kitasan Black nodded, looking a little embarrassed.

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

"I was secretly worried about it, and I even talked to Diamond-chan. I was afraid the Trainer was too busy, so I didn't dare bother him.

"But the Trainer had already thought of all this, and even wrote a song for me.

"It's such an amazing song! Once we finish it and upload it to my Racing Account, I won't have to worry about my fan count for the next race!"

The Satono Sisters nodded. Satono Diamond mused, "It sounds like this song will need accompaniment and everything. Little Kita and the Trainer still have training to do, so you probably won't have enough time, will you?"

"Mm-hmm, so I'm thinking of asking Grandpa and the others for help," Kitasan Black replied with a nod.

"Really...?"

Satono Diamond looked surprised. "But Little Kita, didn't you say before that your grandfather wouldn't get involved in what you do at the Academy?"

"Yeah, and Teio-senpai specifically reminded me about that."

Kitasan Black scratched her cheek.

"My family is different from Crown-chan's and Diamond-chan's.

"My family has never really been involved in racing. They're pretty well-known in the music world, but the two things can't be lumped together.

"If Grandpa and the others supported me, their apprentices, students, friends, and fans would all come to follow me, whether they watched races or not.

"Would I have earned those fans through racing, or would I have gotten them because of Grandpa and the others?

"So, only some of my older relatives know I made my debut. Everyone else probably still doesn't know.

"But I'll definitely make sure they find out about me through my races!"

The Satono Sisters exchanged a glance, unable to hide the odd mix of admiration in their eyes.

They had realized long ago that Kitasan Black had only the vaguest idea of her family's standing in the music world.

For one thing, her grandfather's position in the industry couldn't be described as merely "pretty well-known."

It was no exaggeration to say that if he declared what Japanese music was, the entire industry's textbooks would have to adopt his definition.

Yet in Kitasan Black's telling, Grandpa was "just" a wonderful singer with lots of students, friends, and fans.

At the same time, their friend had never considered using her family's influence.

If she had, she'd be near the top of the active racers in fan count, if not already number one.

Her resolve to rely entirely on her own strength was truly admirable.

"But this song is different."

As the Satono Sisters exchanged glances, Kitasan Black continued:

"The Trainer wrote it for me, and it's meant to help me get enough fans to compete.

"The Trainer told me that there's a limit to how many fans I can get this way. Once I go past it, the Association won't count them.

"But that's okay. I only need enough to enter next month's Condition Race.

"I don't think there'll be a problem with that.

"Grandpa and the others will be happy to help. They've been saying for ages that they want to do something for me, but I've always said no."

When Kitasan Black mentioned racing, Satono Diamond looked excited and envious, while Satono Crown gave a breezy smile.

"With this song, you'll definitely have enough fans to enter your next race, Little Kita.

"I checked your Racing Account schedule. After next month's Condition Race, you've got the Spring Stakes, and then the Satsuki Sho.

"Looks like we'll meet in the first race of the Triple Crown, Little Kita."

Satono Diamond hesitated, wondering if she should say something to soften her sister's words, which sounded a little like a challenge.

Kitasan Black also froze for a moment, then walked over to the karaoke stage.

She picked up the two microphones on the stand, holding one and extending the other toward Satono Crown.

"Little Kita, what are you...?"

Neither Satono Crown nor Satono Diamond understood what Kitasan Black was trying to do.

"Crown-chan, you've practiced 'Winning the Soul,' haven't you?"

"'Winning the Soul'..."

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

She walked over to Kitasan Black and accepted the microphone.

"Of course I have! I'm going to sing it at all three Winner's Stages this year!"

Kitasan Black immediately replied, just as determined:

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

"That's not certain, Little Kita. I'll be the one standing in the center!"

"We'll just have to wait and see, Crown-chan!"

"Of course!"

As they traded words, neither racehorse girl looked away from the other.

Finally, in perfect unspoken agreement, they both turned to Satono Diamond.

"Could you do us a favor and queue up the song, Diamond-chan/little sister?"

Satono Diamond silently nodded and searched the karaoke machine for the song her friend and sister had mentioned.

"Winning the Soul" was a very special song.

The ten central-level racecourses directly managed by the URA Association held 104 race days a year, with about twelve races per day. Each race had a corresponding performance at that evening's Winner's Stage.

Including Local Races, the number of performances more than doubled.

Yet among the tens of thousands of performances held each year, "Winning the Soul" was played only three times.

The song was reserved for the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese Derby, and the Kikuka Sho. It was the Winner's Stage song for the Triple Crown, and only racehorse girls who reached the top of their generation were eligible to sing it.

The one standing in the center, without a doubt, was the racehorse girl who won the Triple Crown.

Satono Diamond had actually practiced the song too. So when its stirring, rousing introduction began, she couldn't help humming along with the two racehorse girls onstage.

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

That's wonderful... Sister and Little Kita...

But that's okay. Next year, I'll be just like them...

I'll challenge for the Triple Crown too...

A little over an hour later.

"Ha! Singing really does feel great!"

As they came out of the KTV, Kitasan Black said excitedly, "Thanks, Crown-chan and Diamond-chan! Thanks for coming to sing with me!"

"What's there to thank us for...? Well, Diamond and I should get going. See you Monday... Huh?"

Satono Crown waved a hand casually, then her gaze shifted to something behind Kitasan Black.

"Is that... Symboli Rudolf-senpai?"

Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond looked over as well.

They spotted the back of a racehorse girl with short black hair. After taking a closer look, Satono Diamond nodded.

"Yeah... Is Symboli Rudolf-senpai out shopping around here today too?"

"Maybe the University Department isn't busy today."

After guessing, Satono Crown turned to Kitasan Black.

"Well, Little Kita, we... Little Kita, is there something you need to talk to Symboli Rudolf-senpai about?"

"Ah... Huh? Oh, no..."

Kitasan Black turned her gaze away, paused, then glanced back again without thinking.

Beside the short-haired racehorse girl was another racehorse girl's back.

She didn't have black hair, but long, slightly gradient brown hair.

"...It's nothing."

Kitasan Black looked away again and smiled, waving to the Satono Sisters.

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