Long after Opera-senpai had left, Kitasan Black stood frozen, staring blankly in the direction she'd gone, before stiffly turning toward Yasui Makoto as if her neck had rusted.
To her, Opera-senpai was one of the legendary "Seven Crown Champions" of Uma Musume history, famed for an astonishing undefeated season—a true Hall of Fame legend.
Though she hadn't previously paid much attention to Opera-senpai's trainer, surely someone who trained a legend like her had to be amazing?
A sudden unease gripped her.
"T-Trainer… Is…is that really true?"
"Gallant-senpai… No, Gallant-san's trainer is… Opera-senpai's trainer…?"
Kitasan Black's voice trailed off uncertainly.
Noticing Makoto, Daiwa Scarlet, and Vodka all wore peculiar expressions, she hesitantly asked:
"Trainer… senpais… what's wrong?"
Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka exchanged a swift, meaningful glance before simultaneously turning toward Makoto.
"There's no need to worry about that," Makoto calmly reassured her, shaking his head.
"Even the best trainers can have Uma Musume who struggle to perform, and even an inexperienced trainer can produce an exceptional racer. It's precisely this unpredictability that makes the Twinkle Series so fascinating."
He paused, meeting her eyes gently.
"I think I know what you're worried about, Kitasan. But let me ask you something: If you discover your opponent's trainer is incredibly talented, does that mean you'll give up on racing today?"
"Or perhaps we shouldn't race at all—we'll just decide the winner by comparing trainers, and hand the trophy over directly. Would you prefer that?"
Kitasan shook her head vigorously without hesitation.
"Of course not!"
She then took a deep breath, gradually replacing uncertainty with determination.
"I understand what you're saying, Trainer."
"I'll prepare thoroughly and definitely won't disappoint you!"
"And besides," she added, brightening up, "like I said earlier, Grandpa and the others are already on their way here. I'll absolutely win to show them!"
A relieved smile softened Makoto's face as he pointed at the plate in front of her.
"Good, you've got spirit. Now…"
"First things first—gotta eat up! Hehehe…"
Interrupting him cheerfully, Kitasan pressed her hands together, called out an earnest "Itadakimasu!", and started wolfing down her meal.
With another fond smile, Makoto also began to eat.
Meanwhile, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka exchanged another knowing glance, discreetly pulling out their phones as they started on their food.
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Wait, for real? ∑(ノoДo)ノ Is this trainer seriously a rookie?
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:I already told you Trainer Yasui was special ￣へ￣ Though I admit I was surprised at first too.
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Who wouldn't be?ヽ(ー_ー)ノ Pre-race mental guidance isn't something even veteran trainers always manage. You've definitely seen some Uma Musume throwing tantrums right before their races.
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:You mean Fune-chan (￣_￣)?
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:I didn't name namesヽ(￣▽￣) You did. Screenshot saved—I'll send it to Fune later.
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:ψ(｀ー)ψ Why are you still so childish!?
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Just kidding! (<ゝω-)☆ Anyway, I'm genuinely interested in this trainer now.
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:What's that supposed to mean? (￣_￣)
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Think the dorm admin would mind if I join in too?
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Hey, are you copying me again?
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Not the time for jokes—I've already thought about bringing my own research back to Tracen. If you can do it, why can't I?
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Fair enough. Seeing Fuji-senpai apply for transfer, and Amazon-senpai thinking about it too, I'll ask around.
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:You really get me. Thanks.
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:No trouble. But you'll have to tell Teio yourself.
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:OK. Oh, seems like Kitasan doesn't know Opera-senpai's story.
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Probably not. It's normal—remember, we didn't know either when we first joined.
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:True... but Trainer Yasui probably knows what happened back then, doesn't he? Did he intentionally avoid telling her?
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Seems like it. Kitasan is really talented, but often as clueless as you. Putting some pressure on her before the race is probably intentional.
[Coolest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Oi, explain yourself clearly! (╬￣皿￣)=○ Clueless!? That's called being cool and free-spirited! You'd never get it!
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:(﹁"﹁)
[Prettiest_Uma_Musume_at_Tracen]:Alright, enough chatting. Keep this up and we'll get caught.
Daiwa quickly pocketed her phone first, smugly ignoring Vodka's sullen gaze and savoring her meal with victorious satisfaction.
Kitasan Black finished eating first.
Her meal consisted mainly of bananas, oats, corn, and carrots—energy-rich, high-sugar, low-fat foods providing enough fuel and satiety while digesting swiftly.
This efficiency ensured blood wouldn't pool excessively in her digestive system, unlike high-carb, high-fat, or heavy-protein meals—perfect for racing conditions.
"I'm done!"
Kitasan stood up energetically, tray in hand. Seeing Makoto had also finished his ramen, she turned toward Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka.
"Senpais—"
"No need to wait for us," Vodka swiftly smiled back. "You have an hour till your race, so go prepare properly in the waiting room. Scarlet and I will cheer for you from the stands."
"Oh, Trainer Yasui, where do you usually prefer to watch races from?"
"Up front," Makoto responded naturally. "It's the best spot to clearly see Kitasan. Easier to analyze afterward and adjust training based on what I observe."
"Most trainers watch from there anyway. Isn't it common knowledge?"
Sharing an amused look with Daiwa, Vodka chuckled lightly.
"True enough. We'll wait there for you then. Kitasan's counting on you."
The two waved together, watching Makoto and Kitasan leave before Vodka spoke thoughtfully.
"He's quite different from most Japanese trainers, huh…"
"Hm? What was that?" Daiwa Scarlet asked, puzzled.
"I met a lot of foreign trainers and Uma Musume in Europe," Vodka explained. "They're straightforward. If a trainer's good, they immediately get promising rookies and resources. But here, we have seniority, hierarchy, and all kinds of complicated traditions."
"If I recall, your own trainer struggled with that initially too, didn't he?"