The First Trainer to Think of This Method

After arranging the subsequent training in the dance hall, Yasui Makoto, Hokubu Genkoma, and Vodka tidied up their belongings and left the hall, heading for the Academy cafeteria.

As soon as they stepped outside, a figure suddenly darted out from the side of the door.

"Hello, hello~ Is that Mr. Yasui? I have a package that requires your signature, please sign for it!"

The figure was an Uma Musume with shoulder-length brown hair, a single ponytail tied to the left side of her head, and light brown freckles on her cheeks. Her charming face and green eyes were filled with liveliness.

She held a large, meter-square package in her hands. As she handed it over, her eyes shifted, sweeping over Vodka and Hokubu Genkoma.

"Huh? Vodka? Weren't you in Europe? And this child... the one who was always following Emperor and Mejiro McQueen? What was her name, Be, Bei something?"

"Hi! Hello, Fuujin-senpai! My name is Hokubu Genkoma, nice to meet you, please take care of me!"

After Hokubu Genkoma straightened up and introduced herself, Vodka became curious.

"Why is Fuujin-senpai still delivering packages... Oh, right, I haven't explained yet. I just returned to the country recently and plan to stay at the Academy for a while."

"Is that so..."

Nodding in understanding, the Uma Musume named Fuujin smiled, "Well, it's just a habit.

"When I was at the Academy before, I always worked part-time to earn tuition and living expenses. Even though I have some prize money now, I can't just sit around.

"Besides, both my younger sisters have debuted. Although they didn't get into Chuo, their performance in the local leagues has been quite good.

"Studying is expensive, and what if they have a chance to transfer to Chuo later? The expenses would be even greater.

"So, as the elder sister, I definitely have to consider them more."

Hearing this, Yasui Makoto and the other two felt a sense of admiration mixed with strangeness.

You call that "some" prize money? That's the champion's prize money from the Japanese Derby...

Fuujin's full name is Aunise Fuujin, and like Vodka, she is a Japanese Derby champion.

Although she retired after that race, the prize money for that single race alone was 110 million.

Unlike the agreement Yasui Makoto signed with Hokubu Genkoma, where they had a simple and direct 50/50 split of prize money, it was much more complicated with other Uma Musume.

Many Uma Musume's Trainers came from a certain team or family. These organizations could provide richer training resources, and the prize money split would also be higher.

Aunise Fuujin was in such a situation, and her split percentage was significantly lower than Hokubu Genkoma's.

However, with a total sum of over 100 million, even with a lower split, the amount she ultimately received was not small.

Let alone her own living expenses, even with her two sisters' living costs and tuition fees, that money was more than enough.

Yet, in the months she had been in Tokyo, Yasui Makoto had unknowingly come into contact with many top-tier Uma Musume.

Interestingly, they could all be described as wealthy, beautiful women, yet without exception, they disliked being idle.

And the jobs they engaged in were basically related to their hobbies, and more or less connected to running.

For example, Aunise Fuujin, who was in front of him now, and Oguri Cap and Aotake Omoide, whom he had seen before.

Delivering packages, delivering food, and even being a patrol officer – these jobs all involved running.

Yamato Akagi, Vodka, and Alice Speed were similar; their research interests were all related to Uma Musume, or rather, speed.

Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen were even more so.

As the student council president and vice-president, they interacted with their juniors every day and occasionally guided some students.

It seemed that running was a nature and pursuit they could not let go of.

While lost in thought, Yasui Makoto took the package and delivery slip from Aunise Fuujin, checked them, and signed his name.

"Thank you for your hard work, Fuujin-san."

After nodding, he looked at Hokubu Genkoma and Vodka.

"Since the items I ordered have arrived, I won't be having dinner with you tonight. I need to go back and calibrate them so they can be used in tomorrow's training."

"Ah? We can't have dinner with Trainer tonight? That's a shame..."

With a hint of regret, Hokubu Genkoma became curious.

"It sounds like what Trainer ordered is... training equipment?"

"Equipment?"

Vodka also leaned closer, "What kind of equipment is it?"

At the same time, she began to speculate.

She had heard from Yamato Akagi before that Yasui Makoto was different from most Japanese Trainers.

Other Trainers still relied more on experience, or followed the guidance of seniors and peers, or simply followed textbooks for training.

Yasui Makoto was different.

In addition to traditional training, this Trainer also liked to consult overseas literature and then combine it to formulate Hokubu Genkoma's training plan.

This method was undoubtedly novel, especially since Vodka was more familiar with traditional methods, so she was curious about what new gadgets Yasui Makoto had come up with this time.

"A drone. For filming."

Without keeping them in suspense, Yasui Makoto patted the package and explained with a smile:

"Before coming to Tokyo, I did some research. This kind of equipment is mainly used in agriculture now, like using drones for spraying water and fertilizer.

"However, some people have tried attaching high-speed cameras to drones for filming.

"Your running speed is very fast, and it's difficult to capture ideal footage for training using conventional methods. The common filming technique is multi-camera during races.

"But I can't exactly request to set up so many cameras on the training grounds.

"Theoretically, drone filming can not only meet the multi-camera requirement but also follow-shot, which should yield even better results.

"But I'll definitely need time to test it out, as this method hasn't been used for training before.

"So I'm heading back first. If luck is on our side, you'll understand what's going on tomorrow."

With that, Yasui Makoto walked towards the Academy gates, a package tucked under one arm and waving with the other.

Watching his retreating figure, Vodka's eyes lit up with intense interest.

"Drones... Interesting. I learned a little about them in Europe too. I didn't expect Anzai-kun to think of using such a tool to assist training."

"Vodka-senpai, is this tool very powerful?"

Hokubu Genkoma asked curiously, "I've never heard of it before."

"Let alone you, I haven't heard of anyone thinking of this method either."

Vodka exclaimed, "Those machines can indeed be equipped with high-speed cameras, and they fly faster than we run.

"So Yasui-kun is right. Theoretically, using drones to film training conditions could very well reveal things we haven't noticed before.

"Even if the effect is the same as multi-camera filming, it means Xiao Bei will have a better training method from now on.

"Xiao Bei, Yasui-kun is truly amazing.

"If this method succeeds, he'll probably be the first Trainer in Japan to think of it."

Nodding vigorously, Hokubu Genkoma's face was full of excitement.

"Yeah! The Trainer is really amazing!"

At this moment, Aunise Fuujin, who had been looking curious until now, spoke up.

"Um, from what you're saying, was that young man just now... Xiao Bei's Trainer?"