Leading by the Nose

Hokubu Genkoma finally left the parade ring with a flushed face, a stiff smile, one hand mechanically waving, the other clutching a broken zipper.

Walking from backstage towards the underground tunnel leading to the track, she glanced left and right, seeing the nearest Uma Musume was over a hundred meters away...

"Ahhhhh, I'm so embarrassed! How could the zipper suddenly get stuck! The Trainer and the others must have seen it! So embarrassing!"

Burying her head against the wall, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet, she twisted around. After a moment of frantic muttering in a low voice, she stood up straight, lifted her head, clenched her fists, and let out a long breath.

"Forget it, let's look on the bright side, at least I didn't put my shoes on the wrong feet this time... But it's still so embarrassing ahhhh!"

She pressed against the wall and twisted for a while longer.

"All contestants, please proceed to the gate for readiness. All contestants, please proceed to the gate for readiness. Repeat, all contestants, please proceed to the gate for readiness."

Hearing the broadcast in the tunnel, she paused, quickly patted her cheeks, and took a few deep breaths. Hokubu Genkoma trotted towards the tunnel exit.

Opponents who had already appeared in the parade ring were approaching the gate one after another. With no time to think too much, she quickened her pace.

Suddenly, as she passed an Uma Musume, the other girl called out to her in a strange voice.

"Hokubu Genkoma-san..."

"Huh? Eh? It's Satono-san..." Seeing that it was Satono Diamond who had called her, Hokubu Genkoma quickly stopped and greeted her enthusiastically, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"It's nothing specific, it's just..."

Still with that strange voice, Satono Diamond pointed to Hokubu Genkoma's upper body.

"Did you forget you're still wearing your training jacket?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Hokubu Genkoma wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

Even without seeing her face, the burning sensation made her very sure that her cheeks must be bright red right now.

Sensing Hokubu Genkoma's embarrassment, Satono Diamond kindly said:

"The staff haven't left yet, and there's still some time before we enter the gate. Hurry and take off your jacket and give it to them..."

Halfway through her sentence, she saw Hokubu Genkoma tugging at the zipper, her face turning even redder, as if she couldn't pull it. Satono Diamond unconsciously took two steps closer.

"Uh, do you need me to help..."

She suddenly froze.

Riiip--

A loud tearing sound of fabric. In Satono Diamond's shocked gaze, Hokubu Genkoma ripped off her training jacket.

Then, the black-haired girl, blushing, smiled awkwardly at her with twitching lips, covered her face with the jacket, or rather, the torn pieces of fabric, and rushed towards the staff in the field.

After a long moment of stunned silence, Satono Diamond shook her head with amusement, then her expression turned serious as she began to ponder.

Although she's still so careless, that kind of strength... Hmm, just like the Trainer said, I need to pay attention to that.

Naturally, quite a few spectators saw Hokubu Genkoma "rip her clothes" on the spot, and it understandably drew bursts of laughter.

Yasui Makoto, Yamato Akagi, and Vodka also saw it. After a moment of speechless silence, Vodka frowned thoughtfully.

"Xiao Bei's strength is still so great... It must be difficult to control during a race, right?"

"It really is like that when I run next to Xiao Bei."

Yamato Akagi also frowned:

"Her speed control is a major issue. She can manage if she's maintaining a stable speed; she has good rhythm in that regard.

"But if she needs to increase or decrease her speed, it takes her too long.

"It's manageable during training... but in a race..."

She shook her head.

"The opponents won't give her that many chances."

As she said this, she intentionally glanced at Yasui Makoto, and Vodka did the same.

Knowing what these two Uma Musume were likely asking about her approach, and having corresponding plans, Yasui Makoto didn't speak.

This wasn't something that could be explained in a short time. On the other hand, the race was about to begin.

Perhaps it would be more convenient to let the two Uma Musume witness it themselves rather than explaining now.

And with their talent and experience, they wouldn't fail to understand his intentions.

"Everything is ready now. The contestants are gradually entering the starting gate.

"Now, Tokyo Racecourse, turf 2000 meters, handicap race...

"Start!"

As the commentator's voice landed, 14 figures shot out from the gates.

It felt familiar, all the Uma Musume unexpectedly veering towards the inside lane.

Suddenly, the commentator's voice changed.

"One of the contestants had a poor start, a step behind!

"It's the third most popular, Minisuke!

"However, she lives up to her popularity and previous results, quickly adjusting to the back of the pack.

"Currently in first place is the tenth most popular, Touki!

"She's very fast, snatching the lead in one go.

"Outside!

"Bursting forth! It's Satono Diamond!

"She's closing in on Touki, is she trying to take the lead position?

"No, Satono Diamond briefly accelerated and took third place.

"In second place is Saint Martin.

"Closely following the leading group is Hokubu Genkoma, her positioning is even more forward this time."

As the commentary reached this point, in the spectator stands, Vodka suddenly nodded.

"As expected, Yamato, you guessed it too, right?"

"Mm, just as I thought, Touki is in the lead."

Yamato Akagi nodded as well.

"She's probably not an Escape Horse; her running form, positioning habits, and pacing aren't suited for leading.

"But the previous races were all short, and she's used to higher-speed races. As soon as she starts, she'll unconsciously adopt her familiar speed and rhythm.

"However, it could also be the Trainer's instruction. If that's the case, and she can't react in time, she'll be led by the nose.

"Especially..."

She paused, exchanging a look with her friend for a moment. Yamato Akagi glanced at Yasui Makoto and then looked puzzled.

Strange, he should know very well that Xiao Bei isn't good at fine control of speed, and high-speed leading is inherently difficult to manage. Plus, he hasn't even started training Xiao Bei in that area yet...

So why is he still so calm?

Yamato Akagi frowned inwardly.

As one of the most outstanding Escape Horses in recent generations, and even in the entire industry, she didn't believe her judgment was wrong.

She wasn't denying this Trainer's talent and ability; she had confirmed his excellence multiple times.

However, no matter how excellent, and no matter how much she overlooked his youth, the fact remained that this was only Xiao Bei's second race.

So, lacking precise speed control, and her second race happening to be one that heavily required such an ability, the confidence represented by this Trainer's calmness...

Where did it come from?

Frowning again for a moment, she stared intently at the fast-moving pack on the track and thought rapidly.

She didn't intend to ask Yasui Makoto.

What others can do, I can do, and I will definitely be the best. There is nothing else besides this goal.

This had always been her creed.

She was confident she could figure out the key.

However, as time passed, her frown tightened.

Because she still hadn't figured out Yasui Makoto's plan.

So, does he... have no arrangements at all?

No, that's not right. I'm not hallucinating. The abilities he's shown are real...

But it's almost time for the third corner, and Xiao Bei hasn't made a move. Is she just going to follow all the way...

Wait!

Follow...

Her eyes suddenly widened, and Yamato Akagi gasped softly.

"Satono Diamond?!"

I'll add another chapter tonight to finish the race in one go. Please support with your continued reading >_<