Hokubu Genkoma had never expected Oguri Cap to encourage her.
It wasn't as if she'd never seen this senior before; she'd also heard about her legendary career.
But in her impression, this senior always seemed cold and unapproachable. She hadn't expected her to feel so kind and friendly when they actually spoke.
Before she knew it, she'd stood there for a moment, stunned by the encouragement. Then she hurried out, hoping to thank her.
She spotted the two figures not far ahead. A little nervously, she took a couple of steps after them, then suddenly heard the two seniors chatting casually.
"Senior 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 strength?"
"It was written on the computer and on the paper. I assume her Trainer wrote it."
"Really? I didn't notice..."
"Mm... But I did get the feeling that she's very strong."
"Just a feeling...?"
"Do you remember my Daily Crown race?"
"Of course! Senior Oguri was the first Uma Musume to win the Daily Crown back-to-back! But which race are you talking about?"
"The second one."
"The 'Best G2 Race of the Year'?"
"Mm. That junior just now reminded me a little of Inari."
"Senior Inari? Seriously? If we're talking strength, apart from you, Senior Oguri... I guess only Senior Inari is stronger than the rest of us this generation?"
"Probably."
"So that junior really is exceptional. If she has that much potential... Wait, but I thought your Debut Race..."
"Mm. I only came in second."
"...'Only' is definitely not the word for it! And you won ten out of twelve races back home! You were a total monster!"
"That's why I said that being bad at controlling her strength for now isn't a big problem. That junior might even be better than me and win her first race."
"Better than you, Senior Oguri? Heh, well... Let's go deliver these meals instead. Senior Oguri, where's the next place?"
"Let me see... The Hongo Dormitory."
"The old dorm... Great! Same as before, then—we'll see who gets there first! Senior Oguri, be careful not to spill the food!"
"Don't worry. I may get lost, but I'm fine when it comes to running."
"Great! Then, three, two... one!"
In Hokubu Genkoma's stunned gaze, the two seniors ahead of her suddenly blurred and vanished in the blink of an eye, right in front of the Trainer Dormitory.
Only then did she realize that, without noticing, she'd followed them all the way here.
Controlling her strength...
She bit her lip, turning the words over in her mind. After hesitating for a while, she turned and headed for Yasui Makoto's room.
As she walked, she kept thinking about the two seniors' conversation.
She could tell that when Oguri Cap had mentioned how the junior might be even better than her, Aotake Omoide had awkwardly changed the subject. She clearly didn't agree.
That wasn't hard to understand or accept.
No matter how you looked at it, an Uma Musume as dazzling as Oguri Cap only came along once every few decades. Hokubu hadn't even run her Debut Race yet, let alone earned the right to compare herself to someone like that.
Besides, even a senior that exceptional hadn't won her Debut Race. Hokubu had never received praise from any teacher or Trainer at the academy, so winning this race would probably be even harder.
But that discouraged thought only flickered through her mind for an instant. In its place, she felt a surge of determination.
Her dream of becoming an outstanding Uma Musume came partly from what she'd promised her father and grandfather as a child, and partly from witnessing all the miracles her idol, Tokai Teio, had achieved.
She didn't know if she could become a miracle like her idol.
But she knew very well that if she wasn't even willing to chase after that dream, if she shrank from her Debut Race, then her father, her grandfather, her idol—and even she herself—would be disappointed. She couldn't accept that.
Besides, she already had a Trainer, and both her idol Tokai Teio and Senior Oguri Cap had said that her Trainer was quite capable.
In that case, as long as she followed his instructions, diligently completed every training session, and did her best in her Debut Race and every race after that...
Even in the Triple Crown, the once-in-a-lifetime challenge for every Uma Musume, or the Arima Kinen, the ultimate glory of the year...
She still had a chance to become champion.
That's right! Exactly!
Xiao Bei, don't get discouraged before you've even started!
She silently gave herself a pep talk, then rushed into the living room of Yasui Makoto's room. Before she'd even caught her breath, Hokubu Genkoma called out:
"Trainer! I've made up my mind. From now on, whatever you tell me to do, I'll listen carefully and follow your instructions to the letter!"
Slurp—
Yasui Makoto was eating ramen. When a dark figure suddenly darted in front of him, he nearly choked. He hadn't even heard what Hokubu Genkoma had just said.
"...So, what did you say?"
"I said..."
Taking a deep breath, Hokubu Genkoma bowed deeply.
"From now on, whether it's training or a race, whatever you tell me to do, I'll listen carefully and do it all, step by step!
"Please believe me. I'll definitely become an Uma Musume who makes you proud!
"This is my promise to you as my Trainer! I, Hokubu Genkoma, give you my word!"
Yasui Makoto fell silent for a moment. He glanced at the computer and manuscript paper on the coffee table, then looked toward the entrance.
She'd probably followed them outside and overheard the two Uma Musume chatting, or maybe she was worried about controlling her strength.
She was pretty straightforward.
But that kind of enthusiasm was nice.
"So you mean you'll listen to whatever I say—in terms of training and races, I mean?"
After thinking it over, Yasui Makoto asked.
"Yes! This is my promise to you, Trainer!"
Hokubu Genkoma answered loudly, full of spirit.
"Oh, you've got plenty of spirit."
Yasui Makoto nodded and gestured toward the coffee table.
"Then let's eat first."
"Okay... Huh?"
Hokubu Genkoma froze. She'd expected Yasui Makoto to say something encouraging or immediately arrange her training. She hadn't expected him to tell her to eat.
Slurp—
"'A horse that can travel a thousand miles...' Ahem, pretend I didn't say that."
Yasui Makoto slurped up some ramen. He'd been about to quote "On Horses," then remembered he'd already checked that no such essay existed in this world, so he changed course.
"No matter what you just heard or what you were thinking, whether it's a race or training, you can only do it well if you've eaten your fill.
"And don't be so impatient. You'll learn to calm yourself down over time.
"Eat first. I'll arrange your training afterward. There's no need to rush.
"Over the next few days, I'll need to go to the hospital for a follow-up, take care of some things related to your Debut Race, and buy some training equipment.
"While you train over the next few days, ask a classmate to film you running from outside the track. Bring the footage to me afterward."
By then, Hokubu Genkoma had already picked up her lunchbox.
"Should they only film my training? Do I need them to film anything else?"
"No. I just need to check a few things about your training."
Yasui Makoto shook his head, then continued:
"Also, if it's convenient, it'd be better to film your leg movements separately."
It just so happened to be New Year's Day, and I happened to write about Festival Girl.
So I'll add two extra chapters. Happy New Year to all my readers!
There'll be two more chapters during the day.
Before you continue