True Winner's Stage

Chapter 38: True Winner's Stage

Five races remained after Hokubu Genkoma's race, and Yasui Makoto did not stay to watch.

While the commentators and other spectators could tell this race was noticeably faster than similar ones, he understood it even better.

The moment the race ended, he had calculated that Hokubu Genkoma's completion speed was 0.4 meters per second faster than in her debut race. This was a significant increase in the high-speed competitions of the Uma Musume.

Not only that, but this race was 200 meters longer than her debut, naturally requiring more stamina.

Although he knew his Uma Musume had an extraordinary physique, his concern led him to head directly from the spectator stands to the medical area as soon as the race concluded.

Yamato Akagi and Vodka accompanied him.

The two of them had come to cheer for Hokubu Genkoma and also possessed extensive experience, recognizing that their junior's race likely consumed a great deal of energy.

However, upon arriving at the medical area, the three were surprised to find Hokubu Genkoma was not there.

As they were puzzling over this, an Uma Musume happened to walk out of a medical examination room.

"Senior Yamato? Senior Vodka?"

After a moment's surprise, she quickly bowed.

"Greetings to you both, seniors, and to you, sir. I am Satono Diamond. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

After exchanging greetings, Satono Diamond asked curiously, "Are the three of you here at the medical room for something?"

"Ah, it's Satono-san. That was a great race just now, your Final Speed was quite sharp," Vodka said with a smile. "Honestly, it's a bit of a shame. If you had accelerated a little earlier, you probably could have overtaken Xiao Bei."

"Xiao Bei... You mean Hokubu Genkoma-san?"

Surprised, Satono Diamond bit her lip and unconsciously clenched her hands, then quickly released them.

"The three of you... are looking for Hokubu Genkoma-san?"

As she asked, she unconsciously glanced at Yasui Makoto.

"Yes, I am her Trainer, Yasui Makoto. It's a pleasure to meet you," he replied.

Sensing Satono Diamond's gaze, Yasui Makoto nodded. "Has Xiao Bei finished her examination yet?"

Astonishment flashed in Satono Diamond's eyes.

He's Hokubu Genkoma's Trainer... He's really as young as Crown and Light Diamond said?

"...Yes, the doctor said her physical condition is excellent and there are no problems."

Answering with lingering surprise, Satono Diamond unconsciously clenched her hands again, then quickly released them. She then raised her arm and pointed towards the lounge.

"After she came out, she took a phone call and then headed in that direction. I have some other matters to attend to, so I apologize for not being able to escort you. Excuse me."

With a graceful bow, the Uma Musume departed briskly.

Watching her retreating figure, Yasui Makoto pondered for a moment and sighed softly.

At the same time, two sighs came from beside him.

He exchanged glances with Yamato Akagi and Vodka, immediately understanding that they were likely thinking the same thing he was. He sighed again, then said as if nothing had happened, "Let's go, we'll check in that direction."

Without a word, the two Uma Musume nodded silently and walked towards the lounge with Yasui Makoto.

They had expected to have to search for a while upon arrival, but before they were even a short distance from the lounge entrance, the three heard a familiar, rousing voice.

"Ah—a Festival—ah—a Festival—ah—a Festival of the bountiful year—Hey ya hey ya hey ya—"

Simple and unpretentious lyrics, a clear and youthful voice, a powerful and forceful melody.

Normally, these three elements combined might sound strange, but the singing they heard at that moment was filled with an uplifting power.

This was, of course, Hokubu Genkoma's voice, and she was singing what could be considered Japan's most famous song, "Festival."

Yasui Makoto was also very familiar with it. Over the past dozen years of his life, whenever the New Year came, his parents would watch the Kohaku Uta Gassen, and this song was always the closing number.

In a sense, the Kohaku Uta Gassen was akin to Japan's Spring Festival Gala, and this song was undoubtedly comparable to "Auld Lang Syne."

After Hokubu Genkoma sang a line, the next line was not sung by her but by an elder.

The elder appeared to be in his seventies, but the power he displayed the moment he opened his mouth was nothing like what one would expect from an old man.

If Hokubu Genkoma's singing was as clear as a warbler's, the elder's voice was as resonant as an eagle's cry.

And not only was his singing full of vigor, but even without much musical knowledge, Yasui Makoto could feel that the latter's vocal skills were overwhelmingly superior, far beyond what Hokubu Genkoma could achieve.

He wasn't particularly surprised, as the elder was the original singer of "Festival," a titan of the music industry who had performed on the Kohaku Uta Gassen stage for 50 consecutive years—Kitajima Saburo.

As Yasui Makoto recognized Kitajima Saburo, the two Uma Musume beside him also recognized him.

"...Xiao Bei's grandfather?" Yamato Akagi stammered. "Why is he here... Ah, right. Xiao Bei mentioned at lunch that her grandfather was coming to watch her race today."

"This is wonderful!"

Vodka exclaimed excitedly, "I've only ever heard this old man sing on TV before. I never thought I'd get to hear him live today. I'm so lucky!"

Hearing this, Yasui Makoto nodded silently.

When he was looking up Hokubu Genkoma's profile, he had also learned a bit about Kitajima Saburo.

He had to admit, even without understanding much about music, it didn't stop him from respecting the old man.

It was precisely because of this old man and the many musicians of his era that "Enka," this style of Japanese folk song, developed and spread throughout the world, with the Festival being one of its representatives.

Besides that, the old man's experiences also deeply moved Yasui Makoto.

From interviews, he learned that the old man came from a poor, small fishing village in Hokkaido, where his family made a living by fishing.

He loved singing from a young age. To pursue his dream, he moved to Tokyo alone after graduating from high school.

He never gave up and gradually reached where he is today.

Even if the interview didn't go into detail, the hardships could be imagined.

In one interview, when asked about the secret to his success, talent, and ability, the old man said:

"Me? I never thought I had any talent or ability, nor was I a genius.

"There are far too many people with more talent and ability than me. I've seen so many over the decades.

"Compared to those true geniuses, I just sang day after day, sang continuously, sang with all my might.

"Sometimes I felt resentful, resentful of why those with more talent, more ability, more energy, and more time were so lazy.

"Why couldn't they give what they were wasting to me, because there were still so many things I wanted to create through my singing.

"Then I realized that talent, ability, genius – in the end, they are all things you dig out for yourself, bit by bit. Otherwise, even if you have them, they'll be buried.

"And then I started singing again.

"Then, perhaps by chance, I looked back.

"My old friends, my rivals – I don't know when they disappeared.

"Only this old man was left, standing at the peak of what they call the Japanese music industry.

"And a bunch of bored, lazy guys? They're sitting at the foot of the mountain, pointing at me and muttering, saying:

"'Who told you that guy was a genius?'"

(Xiao Bei singing with great effort. The game's ultimate move animation is probably a reference to the horse owner.)