As for the preparations for the Spring Stakes, Hokubu Genkoma seemed to understand everything.
Still, she asked Yasui Makoto to stay a little longer. She wanted to organize everything herself, then go for a run on the track and try it out. If any new questions came up, she could ask him right away.
Yasui Makoto was more than happy to agree.
Before meeting Hokubu Genkoma, Yasui Makoto had never coached another Uma Musume.
But drawing on his own experiences from school, he could tell that this black-haired girl had the makings of a top student.
Picking things up as soon as they were explained was one sign. More specifically, she had solid study habits.
Over lunch once, Hokubu Genkoma had mentioned her personal motto.
"I'll train until I'm completely exhausted."
She wasn't just saying it. Whether it was training, studying, or pre-race instructions, if she couldn't do something on the first try, she'd try again. If the second try didn't work, she'd try ten times.
And if she still couldn't manage it after ten tries, she'd keep at it dozens or even hundreds of times.
Since they'd met, he'd seen her do this more than once.
In Yasui Makoto's eyes, she certainly qualified as a top student.
Not the genius type who said, "I know how to solve this problem."
Rather, she was the hardworking type who could honestly say, "I've solved this problem before."
And when they arrived at Nakayama Racecourse the next day, Hokubu Genkoma still didn't slack off.
The race was the eleventh and final event of the day, scheduled for 3:25 p.m.
The morning was set aside for the usual preliminary appearance and getting used to the track, followed by pre-race adjustments in the preparation room.
During this time, aside from carefully confirming her adaptability,