Let's Eat First (Two extra chapters for the New Year)

Northern Hokubu Genkoma never expected Oguri Cap to encourage her.

She had seen this senior before, of course, and had heard all about her legendary career.

But in her memory, this senior always seemed cold and distant, with an air that warned others to keep away. She never expected that actually interacting with her would feel so warm instead.

Without realizing it, after being stunned by the encouragement for a moment, she quickly chased out the door, wanting to say a few words of thanks.

She caught sight of two figures who hadn't gone far yet. Nervously, she took a few steps after them, then overheard the two seniors chatting casually.

"Senpai Oguri, do you know that junior?"

"No."

"Then how did you know she hasn't run her debut race yet, and that she has trouble controlling her power?"

"It was written on the computer and in the papers. Probably written by her trainer."

"Is that so? I didn't notice..."

"Yeah... but it feels like her power really is quite strong."

"Feels...?"

"Do you remember that Daily Crown race of mine?"

"Of course I do! Senpai Oguri is the first Uma Musume to win consecutive Daily Crowns! But which race are you talking about?"

"The second one."

"'Best G2 Race of the Year'?"

"Yeah. That junior just now gave me a feeling a bit like when I met Inari."

"Senpai Inari? Really? In our generation, if we're talking pure power, besides you, senpai... Senpai Inari should be the strongest, right?"

"Something like that."

"So that junior really is impressive. If she has that kind of potential... wait, but I remember your debut race, senpai..."

"Yeah. I only came in second."

"...You absolutely can't use the word 'only' to describe that, okay? And senpai, your record in the regions was 12 wins out of 14 races! That's total monster-level, okay?!"

"That's why I said temporarily having poor power control isn't that big a problem. Maybe that junior is even better than me and will win her first race."

"Better than you, senpai? Hehe, well... let's go deliver the food, Senpai Oguri. Where's the next stop?"

"Let me see... over by Hongo Dormitory."

"The old dormitory... great! Then same as before—let's see who gets there first! Senpai Oguri, be careful not to spill the food!"

"Don't worry. I might get lost, but running is never a problem."

"Great! Then three, two... one!"

In an instant, through Northern Hokubu Genkoma's dazed eyes, the figures of the two seniors blurred and vanished from in front of the trainer dormitory.

Only then did she realize she had unconsciously followed them all the way here.

Power control, huh...

Biting her lip, she turned the phrase over in her mind. After hesitating for a long moment, she turned and walked toward Yasui Makoto's single room.

Along the way, she kept replaying the two seniors' conversation.

She could tell that when Oguri Cap mentioned the possibility of her being even better, Aotake Omoide had awkwardly changed the subject, clearly not agreeing.

That wasn't hard to understand or accept.

No matter how you looked at it, a dazzling Uma Musume like Oguri Cap only appeared once every few decades. She hadn't even experienced her debut race yet, let alone compared herself to a senior like that.

Besides, even that brilliant senior hadn't won her debut race. She herself had never received outstanding evaluations from any teacher or trainer at the academy. Winning this race would probably be even harder.

But this discouraging thought only flashed for a moment before she steeled herself and rallied.

Her desire to become an outstanding Uma Musume came partly from the promise she made to her father and grandfather as a child, and partly from witnessing the miracles her idol Tokai Teio had created with her own eyes.

Whether she could become a miracle like her idol—she didn't know.

But she knew very well that if she didn't even have the will to chase, if she was too timid even for her debut race, then her father, her grandfather, her idol in her heart, and even herself—all of them would be disappointed and unable to accept it.

Besides, she already had her own trainer now. Both her idol Tokai Teio and Senpai Oguri Cap had said her trainer was quite outstanding.

In that case, as long as she listened carefully to his guidance, completed every training session step by step, her debut race, the next race...

Even the "Triple Crown," a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Uma Musume, and the Arima Kinen, symbolizing the year's highest honor...

She had the potential to become champion.

Yes! That's right!

Xiao Bei, you can't get discouraged before you've even started!

Silently cheering herself on, she rushed back into the living room of Yasui Makoto's single room in one breath. Before she had even steadied herself, Northern Hokubu Genkoma declared loudly:

"Trainer! I've made up my mind. From now on, no matter what instructions you give, I'll listen carefully and follow them to the letter!"

Slurp--

While eating ramen, he suddenly saw a black shadow dart in front of him. Yasui Makoto nearly choked and didn't catch what Hokubu Genkoma had just said.

"...So what did you just say?"

"I said..."

Taking a deep breath, Hokubu Genkoma bowed sharply.

"From now on, in training and races, no matter what instructions the Trainer gives, I will—definitely, definitely, definitely—listen carefully and follow them all down to earth!

"Please believe me, I will become an Uma Musume that makes the Trainer proud!

"This is my, Hokubu Genkoma's, pledge to my assigned Trainer!"

Yasui Makoto paused for a moment, glanced at the computer and draft paper on the coffee table, then swept his eyes toward the entrance.

Probably after following him out, she overheard something those two Uma Musume were chatting about, or she was hung up on the matter of power control.

Pretty simple-minded.

But that's fine. This kind of spirit.

"So you're saying you'll listen to whatever I say—I mean, in terms of training and races?"

After thinking it over, Yasui Makoto asked.

"Yes! This is the promise and pledge I'm making to my Trainer!"

Hokubu Genkoma replied in a full, spirited voice.

"Oh, plenty of energy."

He nodded and tilted his chin toward the coffee table.

"Then eat first."

"Okay... huh?"

Hokubu Genkoma froze. She had expected Yasui Makoto to say something encouraging or directly arrange training, but instead he told her to eat.

Slurp—

"A horse that runs a thousand li... cough, forget I said that."

Slurping a mouthful of ramen, he was about to quote On Horses, but suddenly remembered he'd already looked it up—this world didn't have that essay. Yasui Makoto changed his tune:

"Whatever you just heard or thought, whether it's races or training, you can only do it well after you've eaten.

"Also, don't be so impatient. From now on, slowly learn to settle down.

"Eat first. I'll arrange your training later—there's no rush.

"Over the next few days, I need to go to the hospital for a checkup, handle some debut race matters, and buy some training equipment.

"During these days, when you train, ask a classmate to film your running practice from the sidelines, then bring it to me afterward."

By then, Hokubu Genkoma had already picked up her lunchbox.

"Only film the training? Do I need to film anything else?"

"No, I just need to confirm some training conditions."

Shaking his head, Yasui Makoto continued:

"Also, if it's convenient, it'd be better to get a separate shot of your leg movements."

Just so happens it's New Year's Day, and just so happens I'm writing about the Festival Girl.

So I'll add two extra chapters. Happy New Year to all readers.

There are still two chapters during the day.