A Race Experience That Happens Only Once Every 64 Years

After the Winner's Stage, Yasui Makoto hesitated whether to tell Kitajima Saburo about the "Hot Spring Therapy."

How to put it, his intention was to consider Hokubu Genkoma's health and training.

But taking a lively young girl to a hot spring, especially when he was only 18, would honestly attract attention.

He didn't care what others thought of him, but he felt he should explain to Hokubu Genkoma's family, especially the elders, when he met them.

However, when he mentioned it to Hokubu Genkoma, he learned that Kitajima Saburo had already gone backstage to see his granddaughter and had left.

This surprised Yasui Makoto a little, but after hearing from Hokubu Genkoma that her grandfather had business to attend to that evening and would make time for his granddaughter tomorrow, he felt relieved.

Given his status, he must be very busy usually.

Then there was no need to chase after him to talk about the hot spring, otherwise it would seem like he was being shifty.

Thus, just like after her debut race, Yasui Makoto took Hokubu Genkoma to the Hot Spring Inn they had visited last time.

Not only the two of them, but he also invited Yamato Akagi and Vodka.

With two more people, Yasui Makoto simply booked a small private villa.

It was certainly much more expensive, but not to mention the prize money from this race, the previous 2 million had already arrived. He didn't have many personal expenses, so he could afford this expenditure.

Moreover, besides the excellent therapeutic effects, the service here was also very comfortable.

He was a person who lived in the moment, and there was no reason to refuse a more comfortable option.

After bathing separately, the four of them had a simple barbecue celebration party in the small courtyard.

"Cheers!" x4

"Ah! This is amazing!"

Downing a large mug of beer, Vodka reminisced:

"Ever since I was at the Academy, I've wanted to drink like Miyoshi-senpai, but I was too young back then, and I couldn't drink because of the races."

The "Miyoshi-senpai" Vodka mentioned was Tani no Miyoshi, also a top-class Uma Musume, whose victory was the Japanese Derby, one of the Triple Crown races.

"Hey, hey, have you been drinking every day in Europe all these years?"

Drinking beer as well, Yamato Akagi said disdainfully:

"If you're going to be a dorm manager, I'll keep a close eye on you. The dorms and the Academy prohibit all alcoholic beverages."

"Don't worry, don't worry, I know that. Besides, how could I be drinking every day over there? I have a lot of research to do, you know?"

Waving her hand dismissively, Vodka said:

"And I can still drink non-alcoholic carrot fruit beer with Xiao Bei like this."

Just as Vodka said, Hokubu Genkoma, holding a large beer mug like everyone else, was actually drinking fruit beer, a yellow bubbly drink in her mug.

After taking a big gulp, the black-haired girl had white foam around her lips, especially her upper lip, making it look like she had a thick, straight mustache.

Hearing Vodka's words, Hokubu Genkoma, twitching her white "mustache," said in surprise:

"Eh? Vodka-senpai is going to be a dorm manager like Yamato-senpai?"

Yasui Makoto was also a little surprised. He hadn't heard about this from Tokai Teio before and couldn't help but look at Vodka.

"Yeah, if this girl can be a manager, then I definitely can."

Pointing at Yamato Akagi, Vodka said with a smile:

"Besides, our research has common ground. I've talked with her, and I feel that interacting more with you juniors will help me get inspiration for my research topics."

"Yamato-senpai is a medical graduate student... Are you one too, Vodka-senpai?" Hokubu Genkoma asked curiously.

"No, I studied mechanical engineering in Europe."

Vodka became excited.

"I've loved motorcycles since I was a kid, and I love speeding on them!

"Vroom vroom-- it's so cool!

"So before I graduated from the Academy, I thought about building the fastest motorcycle in the world myself.

"Japan and some European countries are top-notch in this regard. I figured I'd come back eventually, so I studied abroad in Europe for a few years first.

"My current research topic, roughly speaking, is related to Uma Musume aerodynamics.

"Specifically, it's about reducing wind resistance on the rider during the design process.

"So, interacting with you juniors frequently might give me some inspiration."

"I see... Huh?"

Nodding as if she understood but didn't, Hokubu Genkoma's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Since Vodka-senpai is also going to be a manager...

"Then can senpai help me train like Yamato-senpai?"

Hearing this, Vodka and Yamato Akagi exchanged a smile, while Yasui Makoto's heart stirred.

If Vodka were to truly assist Hokubu Genkoma with her training, it would undoubtedly be all to the good.

Compared to Yamato Akagi, Vodka's experience in one particular race was extremely important.

Before this "Peerless Duo," the prejudice of "male versus female" was deeply ingrained, and even their Trainer couldn't escape it.

Influenced by past prejudices, their Trainer initially scheduled their classic year races for the "Filly Triple Crown" instead of the "Triple Crown."

Corresponding to the Triple Crown, the Filly Triple Crown also consists of three G1 races: the Oka Sho, the Oaks, and the Shuka Sho.

After winning the Oka Sho, Yamato Akagi had to withdraw from the Oaks due to a severe cold.

After losing to Yamato Akagi in the Oka Sho, Vodka and her Trainer agreed that since the Filly Triple Crown was out of reach, they might as well aim for the Triple Crown, and thus entered the Japanese Derby.

That race was the first Japanese Derby in 11 years to be participated in by a Female Uma Musume.

Apart from Vodka, the remaining 17 participants were all Male Uma Musume without exception.

As a result, Vodka achieved an astonishing victory with an absolute lead of 3 Horse Lengths.

This victory not only declared to the world that Female Uma Musume were by no means stepping stones, but also achieved the feat of a Female Uma Musume dominating the Japanese Derby again after 64 years.

The value of such a victory goes without saying; it's a singular achievement in 64 years.

More importantly, Hokubu Genkoma has already entered the Triple Crown, so gaining this extremely unique experience from a senior would undoubtedly be beneficial.

As she was secretly looking forward to it and contemplating whether to ask, Yasui Makoto was pleasantly surprised to see Vodka nod with a smile.

"Do I even need to say it!

"Xiao Bei supported us so much back then, coming to cheer us on almost every race. How could I possibly falter at a time like this?

"Besides, Yamato here already trained with you ahead of me. Am I going to keep dawdling?"

Almost habitually, after agreeing, she teased her lifelong rival and close friend.

Unlike their previous confrontational interactions, Yamato Akagi smiled and raised her glass with an expression that said, "I knew you'd say that."

"I knew you'd say that, but forget about other things. For this, I was actually worried you wouldn't compete with me anymore!"

"How could that be!"

Raising her glass in return, Vodka extended her fist and playfully bumped it against Yamato Akagi's.

Then, the two Uma Musume looked over together.

"So let's work hard together, Xiao Bei! And you too, Yasui-kun!"