Training with Obey Your Master was just a side episode. Kuroha's primary focus now was on Inari One's future development.
After dealing with that stubborn foreign mare, Kuroha returned to the trainer's office right on time and cooked up a hearty, nutritious meal.
Then, while waiting for his two Uma Musume to return from school, he sat at the table, deep in thought.
"Inari One's adaptation to heavy tracks has reached a solid milestone. She's even formed a skill to handle it. For the race in a dozen days or so, there shouldn't be any major issues."
April 13th—the OP-level race: the Tenno Sho (Spring).
This was an event Tatsuko had signed Inari One up for even before the team transfer.
In the original timeline, Inari One experienced her first-ever defeat on March 3rd—just shortly after Kuroha had transferred to Tracen Academy.
March 3rd, OP-level Kimpai Stakes, heavy track. Inari One, despite her strength, came in third, beaten down and frustrated.
But because of Kuroha's arrival, and perhaps some consideration on Tatsuko's part, the entry was canceled. Instead, she requested Kuroha to help Inari One build her adaptability for heavy tracks.
Which meant—in this altered course of events—Inari One was still undefeated.
"One of the Heisei Big Three… her talent is among the greatest of her era. On a track suited to her, defeat is practically impossible."
Kuroha tapped his pen against his notebook, then scribbled out three large characters: True Self State.
"Inari One's different from Fujimasa March. She's already quite familiar with the first step of the Domain. In fact, she's just a hair away from the second."
"The issue lies with her temperament. She's too reliant on stats and luck, so her Domain trigger is still unpredictable."
Kuroha recalled the times during their heavy track training where Inari One's temper flared too soon, breaking her rhythm. Her footwork would collapse, her stamina control gone—leaving Kuroha fuming more than once.
But occasionally, when she did explode—
That piercing red gleam in her eyes was far more intense and overwhelming than the unstable white glint Fujimasa March gave off.
At the height of her rage, crimson streamers of light even surged around her body.
This signaled that Inari One had already grasped the True Self State—the first stage of Domain—and had likely brushed up against the second.
But that hot-blooded idiot—despite having such deep mastery—still had to rely on luck to trigger it, sometimes failing completely.
It was embarrassing.
Unlike Tamamo Cross. During this same period, she had already completely mastered the True Self State, and could even release her Domain streamers outside of races.
Kuroha, being in Tokyo, would occasionally bring Fujimasa March along to experience high-level Central races firsthand.
Every time Tamamo Cross surged in the final stretch, her terrifyingly powerful legs would unleash lightning-like streaks from the corners of her eyes, radiating wildly in all directions!
At the time, Fujimasa March had said she didn't see any lightning.
But after awakening her own True Self State in the Keihin Cup, she suddenly began noticing the blazing red aura around Inari One.
Looks like only those with a Domain can perceive others' Domains.
Why Kuroha could see them himself—he still didn't know.
He chalked it up to either natural talent… or some system-related mystery.
"These next few days, Inari One's getting a round of special training!"
Kuroha murmured, "And I'll use this to help March stabilize her Domain, too."
Two Uma Musume, both with Domains—and both having overcome their personal hurdles!
One from the Classic Year, and one from the Senior Year!
In the local circuits, Kuroha was certain they were now unrivaled.
"My job now is just to help them progress step-by-step and avoid injury…"
"And then—rake in the cash!"
Yes. Kuroha was feeling poor lately. Especially after adding Inari One to the team, his finances suddenly felt stretched again.
Fujimasa March's earnings back in Kasamatsu had basically dried up—but after the Keihin Cup? She'd won big.
Twelve million yen in prize money, and even after taking out March's share, Kuroha walked away with several million!
Which meant—for once—he didn't have to penny-pinch on the girls' expenses.
Nutritious meals, regular full-body checkups, racing shoes, custom horseshoes, even weighted training gear—all of it, Kuroha could now afford with confidence!
"If we keep winning until October, once I pass the Central Trainer Certification, I won't have to worry about money at all!"
Just as Kuroha was daydreaming about that bright future—
SLAM!
"Trainer, we're back!"
The door burst open. Even before stepping in, Inari One's unmistakable voice rang out, followed by the arrival of the two Uma Musume.
"Wah! Smells amazing!"
Inari One immediately swapped into indoor shoes and ran over to the dining table, sniffing the aroma with stars in her eyes.
Fujimasa March, meanwhile, walked up behind Kuroha and began gently massaging his shoulders.
"Trainer~"
Her tone was calm, but her voice carried a slight pouty lilt.
"What is it?" Kuroha leaned back in the chair, closed his notebook, and smiled.
"My legs feel a little sore lately… I was hoping… you could give me a massage."
Fujimasa March let go, then wrapped her arms around Kuroha's shoulders, her head resting gently behind him. Her soft breaths tickled the air.
"Sure. However you want it, March."
Kuroha raised a hand and gently stroked her snowy white hair, like calming a little cat.
"Alright, time to eat. Inari One, go wash your hands—don't grab meat with your fingers!"
"Hmph, I knooow—!"
...
After the meal, the three of them lounged on the sofa, clutching their full bellies in satisfied silence.
"This afternoon, let's take a break and hit the shopping street," Kuroha suddenly said, as if recalling something.
"Shopping? I'm in! I'll lead the way!"
The moment she heard they were going out, Inari One shot up with surprising energy, hand raised high. "I know every good shop around Oi!"
(Info: Oi is in Kanagawa)
"My recommendations are super delicious!"
"We're not going to buy snacks..." Kuroha rolled his eyes. "We're getting you two new running shoes."
"Back then we couldn't afford much. But now that your trainer has money, it's time we get you proper shoes for both racing and training!"
"Aw… not snacks..."
Inari One wilted instantly, puffing out her cheeks and flopping dramatically by Kuroha's legs.
Fujimasa March simply leaned quietly against Kuroha's shoulder, eyes closed and resting.
"Well… snacks aren't completely off the table—"
Kuroha deliberately stretched his sentence.
"If during tomorrow's training—"
"I'll absolutely totally definitely follow every single order you give, Trainer!!"
Before he could finish, Inari One shot up and saluted while lying down, voice loud and pitifully sincere.
Kuroha couldn't help but laugh and gave her cheek a playful pinch.
"Alright then. No slacking tomorrow."
"Mm… understood!"
(End of Chapter)
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