Chapter 266: Best New Trainer and Best Classic-Year Umamusume
Hearing her Trainer question, Kitasan Black fell into brief thought.
After a moment, she looked at him thoughtfully.
"Trainer, the next G1 race after the New Year should be the Spring Tenno Sho, right?"
"That's right. Based on the current schedule, it is…" Makoto nodded slightly, then his eyes sharpened. "You're planning to go for the Spring–Autumn Tenno Sho route?"
Kitasan Black froze for a moment before she could answer, but Almond Eye's eyes were already sparkling as she exclaimed in amazement:
"Senpai, you're aiming for that level of challenge? Th-this… that's incredible!"
"Ah? Well… I haven't really thought about the autumn races yet…"
Scratching her head, Kitasan Black smiled shyly and hesitated before explaining:
"I was just thinking… since during my Classic year I already challenged the Classic Triple Crown, and even won the Arima Kinen, then I should keep pushing forward and become an even better runner, right?"
"Trainer, isn't there that saying?"
She paused to recall, then continued:
"Something like… 'A spring victory runner is never a fluke.'"
"'A spring victory…'" Almond Eye repeated softly, then looked curiously between Kitasan Black and Makoto.
"What does that mean, Trainer?"
"It refers to the Spring Tenno Sho." Makoto, understanding the phrase Kitasan Black mentioned, nodded and explained patiently:
"It's a 3200-meter race at Kyoto—the longest G1 distance. Winning it proves exceptional stamina and perseverance, and it also requires solid speed and strength."
"So even if it's a bit of an oversimplification, many people believe that winning the Spring Tenno Sho is proof of being the strongest active runner."
"Take Gold Ship, for example, she challenged the Spring Tenno Sho three times before finally achieving victory. That likely reflects a similar mindset."
"I see…" Almond Eye nodded in realization.
"Trainer's right, I remember hearing it explained that way too." Kitasan Black nodded. "Because of that saying… and maybe also because of Gold Ship-senpai's influence…"
"And then there's the Arima Kinen—I did win, but in the end, I crossed the finish line almost at the same time as Gold Actor-senpai and the others."
"I still need to work harder to achieve my dream."
"So, Trainer, I want to challenge myself in the Spring Tenno Sho."
"Spring Tenno Sho, huh…" Makoto fell into thought.
If not for that earlier video call, he would have planned to discuss Kitasan Black's race schedule a bit later.
But in terms of direction, his thinking matched what she had just said.
He knew very well that Kitasan Black was already a G1-level runner, and even within that tier, her ability and potential were among the very best.
As her physical prime continued to develop, over the next one or even two years, she would only grow stronger.
To fully unlock that potential, both targeted training and high-intensity races were essential.
The latter naturally meant focusing on G1 races. At the same time, high-quality G2 races such as the Sankei Osaka Hai and the Mainichi Okan also held significant importance.
With these high-level competitions complementing her training, the results would become increasingly evident, and her growth would accelerate.
Only through constant challenges could her deeper potential be unearthed.
Every race would be a chance for transformation.
Every clash with strong opponents would be an opportunity for all-around improvement.
Of course, for Makoto, higher-level races would also help him rapidly build experience and reputation as a trainer.
"Spring Tenno Sho… I think that's perfectly fine."
After thinking it through, Makoto nodded.
"The race is in early May. By then, my hand injury will have fully healed. It won't interfere with my overseas study trip, and it won't affect preparation either."
"After that, the next G1 is the Takarazuka Kinen in June. If you don't race in February and March, even running two consecutive G1s shouldn't be too much pressure."
"The Spring Tenno Sho… plus the Takarazuka Kinen… two G1 races?" Repeating her planned schedule, Kitasan Black took a deep breath when she saw Makoto nod, then straightened her posture and raised her fist high.
"Alright—! Then I'll work toward the Spring Tenno Sho, the Takarazuka Kinen… oh, and the overseas training trip too! I'll give it my all!"
"I've got to work hard too—I can't lose to senpai!" Not wanting to fall behind, Almond Eye copied Kitasan Black, puffing out her chest and raising her fist as well.
"Even though I haven't signed a contract with Trainer yet, one day, I'll definitely stand on that kind of stage too!"
"Mm-hmm! Ai-chan can definitely do it!"
Nodding even more confidently than for herself, Kitasan Black grew even more energized.
"Then next, we should prepare a nutritious lunch for Trainer! Almond Eye, let's go buy ingredients together, we need to help Trainer recover as quickly as possible!"
"Mm! I'm ready!" Almond Eye nodded enthusiastically.
…Hey, wait a second, if I remember correctly…
Watching the two Umamusume brimming with excitement, Makoto felt both comforted and amused.
Didn't we just have breakfast not that long ago…?
…
Over the following period, Kitasan Black's attentive care naturally played a huge role in Makoto's recovery.
Three meals a day, each one carefully prepared—balanced between meat and vegetables, full of nutrition and heartfelt effort.
However, as the days went by, what Makoto felt most clearly wasn't just that his hand was healing quickly… but that his body seemed to be quietly changing.
He had gained a bit of weight.
His clothes felt slightly tighter, and even his belt had to be loosened by one notch.
That made him somewhat troubled.
More than once, he considered telling Kitasan Black to take a break—to stop working so hard and not prepare such lavish meals every time.
But every time he saw her bright, expectant expression, and thought about the comfortable life he'd been living lately—being waited on hand and foot—
Those words of refusal always got swallowed before they could leave his mouth.
During this time of care, Makoto and Kitasan Black also made a special visit to Kitajima Saburo.
When they met, the elderly man repeatedly expressed his gratitude and urged Kitasan Black to take good care of Makoto. As for Makoto, he should focus on recovering, and if he needed anything, he could turn to him or Ono Shoji.
Kitasan Black naturally agreed wholeheartedly, and Makoto accepted the kindness without much formality.
After that came the New Year gala hosted by the URA Association.
As expected, Makoto won the Best New Trainer of the Year award.
At the same time, thanks to her outstanding performance during the Classic year, Kitasan Black unsurprisingly received the Best Classic-Year Runner Representative Award.
When it was his turn to go on stage, Makoto was already overwhelmed with excitement.
But when Kitasan Black stepped onto the stage in a formal evening gown, he almost forgot that his left hand was still in a cast and tried to applaud.
Looking at the girl under the spotlight—so different from when they first met, now radiating confidence and maturity—Makoto felt from the bottom of his heart that becoming a trainer for Umamusume was the most correct decision he had made so far.
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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]
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