The Day of the Debut Race

Understanding his Uma Musume's fighting spirit and intentions, Yasui Makoto thought for a moment and then compared Satono Crown's situation.

First debut race: turf 1800 meters, finish time 1 minute 50 seconds, speed 16.36 m/s.

Last three furlongs: 33.5 seconds, speed close to 18 m/s.

Second race: same turf 1800 meters, faster finish time of 1 minute 47.9 seconds, speed 16.68 m/s.

Last three furlongs slightly slower at 38 seconds—likely cruising speed affected sprint stamina, otherwise it could have been faster.

For a newly debuted Uma Musume, this level was genuinely impressive, especially compared to Satsuki Sho data from the last five years.

Looking purely at finish times, in a G1 like the Satsuki Sho, the winning times over the past five years ranged from 1 minute 58 seconds to 2 minutes.

The slowest was two years ago, champion Gold Ship, with a time of 2 minutes 1.3 seconds.

The Satsuki Sho total distance is 2000 meters; Gold Ship's race calculated to a speed of 16.48 m/s.

Satono Crown's two races were both Pre-OP, yet she ran 16.36 and even 16.68 at that lowest level—solidly one of the top contenders for the Satsuki Sho title.

In comparison, Hokubu Genkoma's average training speed recently was around 15-point-something, with a few better runs near 16.2.

Maybe it was because he'd quietly compared these numbers that this Uma Musume felt the pressure.

But Yasui Makoto didn't explain any of this to Hokubu Genkoma.

Compared to training, race conditions were far too complex.

Weather, track, crowd, physical condition that day, opponent situation, race atmosphere... all of these could affect the outcome.

If pre-race predictions were the same as results, then there'd be no point running—just look at the predictions and hand out the trophies.

To truly win a race, trainer and Uma Musume had to work together, in perfect sync.

Thinking this, Yasui Makoto registered Hokubu Genkoma for a race while explaining.

"One race a month is the ideal rhythm I believe, so that's why I arranged things before the Satsuki Sho.

"The reason for choosing the Spring Stakes is simple: the Yayoi Sho is on March 8th, too early.

"The Spring Stakes is on the 22nd, giving us more preparation time.

"I didn't consider the Wakaba Stakes because it's at Hanshin Racecourse in Kansai.

"The Satsuki Sho is at Nakayama Racecourse, same as Tokyo Racecourse, both in the Tokyo area—the track conditions are relatively similar, at least closer than Hanshin.

"So unless you're from Kansai, you'd definitely pick the Yayoi Sho and Spring Stakes, the two Nakayama prelude races, over the Wakaba Stakes."

After giving his Uma Musume a solid lesson on classic route basics, seeing Hokubu Genkoma's look of sudden understanding, Yasui Makoto shifted gears.

"But that's all over two months from now. What you need to focus on is the debut race right in front of you."

"Okay! I'll do my best!"

Reflexively nodding hard, Hokubu Genkoma then froze.

"Wait, right in front of you...?"

"Haven't you checked the time? It's this Saturday's race day."

Pointing at a line of race info, Yasui Makoto reminded her:

"In my opinion, your condition is good enough to complete the debut race. Why pick another day when you can do it today? This Saturday it is.

"Tokyo Racecourse, turf 1800 meters, fifth race.

"That's your debut race."

After waking up on race day, Yasui Makoto felt for the first time that maybe he should find a way to move into the academy's trainer dormitory.

Probably the same in every dimension of Japan—every industry emphasized seniority and hierarchy.

A new trainer like him wasn't qualified to live in the academy dorms; no matter how good his assessment scores, those spots were reserved for seniors first.

He'd never cared about living on campus before—he didn't like interacting with others anyway.

But for his own contracted Uma Musume's first race, it was impossible not to be nervous and excited. He couldn't wait to see how Hokubu Genkoma was doing today.

Despite his urgency, he patiently washed up, had breakfast, packed everything needed for the race, then went downstairs, got on his motorcycle, put on his helmet, and headed to Treisen Academy.

Central Treisen Academy and Tokyo Racecourse were both located in Fuchu, west of the 23 wards, a few kilometers apart.

Without a special request, Uma Musume and trainers with races were transported by school bus.

Hokubu Genkoma was already waiting at the academy parking lot entrance. Beside her stood an Uma Musume with light brown long hair and pale gold eyes.

From the materials he'd read, Yasui Makoto quickly recognized her as another young lady of the Satomi family, his own Uma Musume's roommate—Rizumu Hikari.

Then, he looked at Hokubu Genkoma's feet with a strange expression.

Today, Hokubu Genkoma was still wearing her tracksuit—crimson top, crimson pants—and she'd already changed into her running shoes.

The problem was...

"Xiao Bei, when you came out of the dorm, didn't you feel anything uncomfortable with your shoes?"

"Good morning, Trainer... Huh? Uncomfortable? No... Huh?! My shoes are on the wrong feet?!"

Today is race day at Tokyo Racecourse, with twelve races total, an average of fifteen runners per race—over two hundred Uma Musume, all enrolled at Central Treisen Academy.

At this hour, many students are arriving at the parking lot one after another; those in tracksuits have races today.

Beside them are friends like Rizumu Hikari, accompanying them to the track—also academy Uma Musume.

Hokubu Genkoma's startled cry was loud enough to draw quite a bit of attention.

The other Uma Musume glanced over, following the exclamation to spot Hokubu Genkoma's shoes on the wrong feet, and more than a few covered their mouths, snickering.

"What happened... I-I'm sorry, Trainer, I, I'll find a place to change shoes right now..."

Her pretty face flushed red, Hokubu Genkoma turned to bolt.

Rizumu Hikari was a bit surprised too, and also a little self-blaming.

"Xiao Bei, I'll help you too... I'm so sorry, Trainer Yasui, I should have checked Xiao Bei's shoes for her..."

As for Hokubu Genkoma wearing her shoes backward, Yasui Makoto found it a bit exasperating, but he could understand.

If you counted his real age, he was more than twice as old as he looked, yet he still felt a little nervous about the upcoming races—let alone Hokubu Genkoma.

Because of Full Bloom, Uma Musume develop differently from humans, but you could roughly convert it.

Having just entered Full Bloom, Hokubu Genkoma's mentality was no different from a human girl of fifteen or sixteen—facing her first race ever, it would be harder to understand if she wasn't anxious and nervous.

"There's nothing to apologize for. This should be my responsibility as her trainer."

Tossing a quick explanation to Rizumu Hikari, Yasui Makoto raised his voice.

"Hey—Xiao Bei! Don't run! Come back!"

Uma Musume really were fast; in just a few seconds, Hokubu Genkoma had already dashed back several dozen meters.

But hearing Yasui Makoto's words, she quickly slowed down, stopped, turned around, hesitated for a moment, then ran back with a slightly awkward gait.

"I'm back, Trainer, but my shoes..."

"Just change them sitting on the motorcycle."

Nodding at the embarrassed Hokubu Genkoma, seeing her obediently sit on the parked bike, Yasui Makoto crouched down.

"Hey?! Trainer, you, you..."

Amid Hokubu Genkoma's startled cries, Yasui Makoto naturally crouched, untied her shoelaces, and pulled off the shoes that were on the wrong feet.