Chapter 263: A Hundred Million Neurons
As soon as Makoto finished speaking, the Umamusume on the screen exchanged glances. Deep Impact nodded, then spoke calmly—almost as if answering a different question:
"Kitasan Black… isn't ready yet."
"I don't deny what McQueen-senpai said. Compared to Western training styles, there are many ideas here that are… difficult to grasp."
"But this is the kind of training I received, and I've also been to Europe, so I understand the differences—and I can also see the merits of some of the ideas here.
"For example… 'purpose'."
She emphasized the word slightly before continuing:
"If I'm not mistaken, Kitasan… probably hasn't fully figured out why she runs."
After stressing the point, Deep Impact added:
"Of course, I'm not saying that not understanding this means she can't win races, nor am I saying there's anything wrong with your training methods, Yasui-san."
"She just won the Arima Kinen, which proves that even without following traditional approaches, your methods work—perhaps even better."
"But to describe it in terms you're more familiar with… understanding why one runs…"
She paused briefly.
"It could probably be considered a form of cognitive-level training? I specifically looked it up—some American research papers mention this."
To be honest, even after talking with Kitasan Black, Makoto still didn't quite understand this idea of a "reason for running." But the latter part was something he was familiar with.
"Then we've probably read the same papers," he quickly responded.
"They fall under the field of cognitive neuroscience, with a bit of humanistic and psychoanalytic theory mixed in."
"The core idea in those papers is 'metacognition', essentially reflecting on one's past experiences to unify the id and the self."
"And from there, constructing a new cognitive framework for oneself, one's opponents, and the race…"
Suddenly, Makoto paused.
On the screen, the Umamusume's eyes had started to spin in confusion. Noticing this, he hesitated:
"Did I go too fast?"
The Umamusume exchanged looks. Deep Impact scratched her head awkwardly and admitted:
"Actually… from the part about 'neuro-something' onward… I didn't really understand…"
Makoto was speechless. So basically, you didn't understand anything from the start…
Then Deep Impact added, as if explaining:
"And even though I read those papers, I kind of skimmed through them. Based on my experience…"
"I really don't understand why changing that cognitive framework would help someone win races or perform better."
Makoto thought for a moment, then, like he was teaching Kitasan Black in a lesson, spoke patiently:
"Alright, let me give an example… no, actually, let me ask a question first."
He glanced around, then casually picked up a pen from his bedside table.
"This pen—it has color, gloss, hardness, weight… in short, it has many properties, right?"
Seeing the Umamusume on the screen nod in unison like attentive elementary school students, Makoto continued:
"Now imagine—you can't perceive its color, gloss, hardness, or weight… you can't sense any of its properties at all."
"Does it… still exist?"
This time, all four faces on the screen showed thoughtful expressions.
"Probably…" Tokai Teio spoke first, hesitating: "It doesn't exist anymore, right? If we can't perceive it at all…"
Mejiro McQueen thought for a moment, then shook her head:
"I feel like… it still exists? I just don't know how to explain it…"
Deep Impact remained silent, deep in thought, while Orfevre's eyes started spinning again.
Seeing this, Makoto didn't keep them in suspense and answered directly:
"It still exists—at least in my understanding. It's just that because our perception is limited, we can't detect it."
Then he shifted the topic:
"Cognition—or consciousness—is the same kind of thing."
"Now I can give the example."
"You've probably heard that consciousness is like an iceberg. What we can perceive is only the small part above the surface."
"But the part beneath the water doesn't mean it doesn't exist. On the contrary—it exists, and it's extremely important."
"The part of consciousness that we can't directly perceive, yet is extremely important—when applied to training and racing—represents your understanding of your own strengths, weaknesses, the racecourse, and your opponents."
"And more importantly, it's about actively understanding and actively recognizing these things."
He emphasized that point, then unconsciously glanced toward the bedroom door, a faint smile appearing on his face:
"Just like Kitasan Black."
"In her races during the first half of the year, she could only be aware of herself—at most, only aware of running. Everything else, she handled purely by instinct."
"For example, unexpected situations on the track, or her opponents."
"But once she brings that part up from the subconscious, she gains the ability to actively perceive all of it."
"In that state, she can not only control herself and direct herself, but also go a step further—controlling the race and her opponents, and even dictating the flow of the race."
"Of course, she hasn't reached a perfect level yet, but she's already starting to do it."
"And the starting point—the most fundamental part of all this—is what I mentioned at the beginning—"
Before Makoto could finish, Tokai Teio's eyes suddenly lit up. She interrupted eagerly, as if answering a question:
"I think I kind of get it now!
"Like in the past, especially when I first started racing—I just knew to rush forward. If I saw someone overtaking me, I'd panic."
"Even if my trainer gave me instructions beforehand, I'd forget them during the race. I didn't have the capacity to think about strategy, opponents, or the track."
"But if, like you said, I could 'pull all that up from beneath the surface,' then I could handle things better—maybe even exploit my opponents' weaknesses."
"And this would be something I actively do, not just blindly following my trainer's instructions."
"That's what you mean, right?"
Makoto couldn't help but feel surprised. He knew Tokai Teio—and all the Umamusume on the screen—were exceptional talents.
But he hadn't expected her to grasp his explanation so quickly and so thoroughly.
Before he could respond, Mejiro McQueen also nodded:
"If that's the case, then it really does align with what Deep Impact said—or rather, it's a more concrete explanation of what we call 'mental focus.'"
"By becoming aware of all these aspects, Kita-chan can actively draw on the information stored in her mind."
"Once she completes this process, she won't rely solely on talent, instinct, or fixed instructions during a race."
"Instead, she'll be able to grasp the situation more comprehensively and proactively."
Hearing this, Deep Impact opened her mouth as if to add something, but before she could speak, Orfevre—who had been silent all this time—suddenly frowned, her eyes spinning in confusion as she spoke:
"Wait! I… well… even though I didn't really understand what you were talking about just now… Doesn't that kind of thing sound exhausting just thinking about it?"
"Trying to think about all that while racing… is that even possible?"
Her question made not only herself, but also Tokai Teio and the others pause, their expressions turning thoughtful.
Makoto smiled.
"Don't underestimate the brain."
He tapped his temple confidently:
"There are about 86 billion neurons in here. In a single second, it can perform operations on the order of 10¹⁶, while surpassing any supercomputer in parallel processing, energy efficiency, and adaptability."
"So in a sense, one of my roles in guiding Kitasan… is simply teaching her how to make proper use of the most complex information-processing system in nature."
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
<+>
Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
Latest Chapter: Chapter 314: Kita, You're Truly Amazing[1]
Link: https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/umamusume-it-all-161293563?collection=1617249[2]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/umamusume-it-all-161293563?collection=1617249
[2] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl/posts/umamusume-it-all-161293563?collection=1617249