A Special Song

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

Nodding, Hokubu Genkoma grew bashful.

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

"I was secretly worried about it and even mentioned it to Light Diamond-chan. I was afraid Trainer was just too busy to bother with me.

"But Trainer had already thought of all this and even helped me write a song.

"With such an amazing song, once we finish it and upload it to the race account, I won't have any trouble getting enough fans for my next race!"

The Satono Sisters both nodded, and Rizumu Hikari mused:

"It sounds like the song will need an arrangement and such. Xiao Bei and Trainer still have to train, so you probably won't have enough time, right?"

"Mm-hmm, so I was thinking of asking Grandpa and the others for help." Hokubu Genkoma nodded.

"Is that so...?"

Rizumu Hikari said in surprise, "But Xiao Bei, didn't you say before that your grandfather and the others wouldn't interfere with anything you did at the academy?"

"That's right, and Senior Emperor specifically reminded me of that."

Hokubu Genkoma scratched her cheek.

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

"My family has never really been involved in competitions, and although they're fairly famous in the music world, the two things can't be mixed 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 that count as something I won through racing, or something I got because of Grandpa and the others?

"So, only a few elders in my family know that I debuted. The others probably still don't know.

"But I'll definitely make them learn about me through my races later!"

The Satono Sisters exchanged glances unconsciously, seeing the oddness and admiration in each other's eyes.

They had realized long ago that Hokubu Genkoma understood almost nothing about her family's reputation and status in the music world.

For one thing, her grandfather alone held a position in the industry that could hardly be described as "fairly good."

It was no exaggeration to say that if he declared something to be Japanese music, every textbook in the industry would have to define it that way.

Yet in Hokubu Genkoma's words, Grandpa was "merely" someone who sang beautifully and had many students, friends, and fans.

At the same time, this friend had never once considered borrowing her family's influence.

If she had, her fan count would not merely be the highest among active Uma Musume—it would certainly be near the top.

That determination to rely entirely on her own strength truly deserved admiration.

"But this song is different."

As the Satono Sisters exchanged glances, Hokubu Genkoma continued:

"Trainer wrote it for me, and it's meant to help me gain enough fans to enter races.

"Trainer told me that the number of fans you can gain this way is limited. Once you go over the limit, the Association won't recognize them.

"But that's fine. I only need enough to qualify for next month's qualifying race.

"I don't think there should be any problem with that.

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

When Hokubu Genkoma mentioned racing, Rizumu Hikari's eyes filled with anticipation and envy, while Satono Crown gave a bold smile.

"With this song, you'll definitely have no trouble entering your next race, Xiao Bei.

"I looked at your racing schedule. After next month's qualifying race comes the Spring Stakes, and then the Satsuki Sho.

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

Rizumu Hikari froze for a moment, hesitating over whether she should say something to soften the challenge in her sister's words.

Hokubu Genkoma also froze, then turned and walked back to the singing stage.

She picked up the two microphones on the stand. Holding one, she extended the other toward Satono Crown.

"Xiao Bei, what are you...?"

Neither Satono Crown nor Rizumu Hikari understood what Hokubu Genkoma was trying to do.

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

"Winning the Soul..."

Rizumu Hikari still hadn't understood, but Satono Crown smiled confidently.

Walking over to Hokubu Genkoma, Satono Crown accepted the microphone.

"Of course I've practiced it! I'll definitely sing this song on the three Winner's Stages this year!"

Not to be outdone, Hokubu Genkoma immediately said:

"Of course I will too, and I'll stand in the very center!"

"That's not certain, Xiao Bei. I'll definitely be the one standing in the center!"

"Then just wait and see, Crown-chan!"

"Of course!"

Trading words back and forth, the two Uma Musume stared fearlessly at each other.

Finally, with perfect understanding, they both turned toward Rizumu Hikari.

"Then, Light Diamond-chan/Little Sister, sorry for the trouble, but could you start the song for us?"

Rizumu Hikari nodded silently and searched the song mentioned by her friend and sister on the song-selection machine.

Winning the Soul was a very special song.

There were ten central-level tracks directly managed by the URA Association. Each year had 104 race days, with approximately twelve races per day, and every race had a corresponding performance on the Winner's Stage that evening.

Including local races, the number of performances was more than doubled.

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

The song was reserved for the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese Derby, and the Kikuka Sho. It was the exclusive Winner's Stage song of the Triple Crown, and only the Uma Musume who stood at the top of her generation was qualified to perform it.

The one standing in the very center, the C position, was without a doubt the Uma Musume who won the Triple Crown.

Rizumu Hikari had practiced the song too, so when its rousing and stirring intro began, she unconsciously hummed along with the two Uma Musume onstage.

At the same time, she secretly envied them.

That's wonderful, Big Sister and Xiao Bei...

But it's all right. Next year, I'll be just like them too...

I'll challenge the Triple Crown as well...

More than an hour later.

"Hey! Singing really is refreshing!"

Coming out of the karaoke room, Hokubu Genkoma said excitedly, "Thank you, Crown-chan and Light Diamond-chan. Thank you for coming to sing with me!"

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

Waving casually, Satono Crown's eyes shifted as she looked behind Hokubu Genkoma.

"That figure... Is that Senior Air Groove?"

Hokubu Genkoma and Rizumu Hikari looked over as well.

After studying the back of a short-haired black Uma Musume for a while, Rizumu Hikari nodded.

"It is... Is Senior Air Groove out shopping here today too?"

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

After making a guess, Satono Crown looked at Hokubu Genkoma.

"Then, Xiao Bei, we'll... Xiao Bei, is there something you need to discuss with Senior Air Groove?"

"Ah... Huh? Ah, no, it's nothing..."

Hokubu Genkoma looked away, paused, then unconsciously turned back again.

Beside the short-haired black Uma Musume was another Uma Musume's silhouette.

But she didn't have black hair. Instead, she had long brown hair with a slight gradient.

"...It's nothing."

Hokubu Genkoma looked away again and waved at the Satono Sisters with a smile.

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