Chapter 16: Race Schedule

Chapter 16: Race Schedule

For their eccentric and rather “precocious” son, Makoto, his parents in this life had always been patient and understanding. They rarely interfered in his decisions.

Over time, he came to accept this familial warmth he had never known in his past life. He started listening to others, even opening his heart a little to his parents.

And during this recent time spent with Kitasan Black, her boundless energy and liveliness had moved him deeply. Unknowingly, he began to feel the so-called “youth” he’d once thought far removed from himself.

So, he didn’t mind talking more with his Umamusume or listening to her thoughts.

“The answer… Ah! Oh no!”

After a moment of confusion, Kitasan Black’s expression turned into one of sudden realization as she scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“I was going to tell you the next day after I talked with Diamond-chan, but I got totally distracted thinking about that weird stone…”

She took a deep breath and looked seriously at Makoto.

“I’ve made up my mind, Trainer.”

“I want to challenge the Classic Triple Crown.”

Makoto wasn’t bothered by his easygoing Umamusume’s small slip-up.

Nor was he surprised by her answer.

The Tenno Sho (Spring), the Tenno Sho (Autumn), the Takarazuka Kinen, the Arima Kinen… These were the most prestigious races, even among the G1 tier.

But if one had to name the most special of all, every Umamusume would say it without hesitation—the Classic Triple Crown.

You only get one shot at it in your life. That fact alone elevates it to legendary status.

In the past hundred years, among tens of thousands of Umamusumes, only seven had ever won all three races of the Classic Triple Crown. Even those who’d won two were only in the double digits.

Tokai Teio was one of those rare two-crown winners—undefeated, no less.

With a Umamusume like that as her idol, Kitasan Black’s ambition was completely expected.

“The Classic Triple Crown, huh… Got it.”

Makoto nodded and began scrolling through his tablet.

“Then I’ll register you for the ‘Spring Stakes’ and use that as your debut race.”

“Okay! Got it—wait, huh?!”

She nodded instinctively, then suddenly froze.

“...You’re signing up already, Trainer?”

“Of course. What else would I be doing?”

Makoto paused on the race application screen and looked at Kitasan Black.

“It’s January. Your debut race will be in January.”

“Depending on how it goes, we’ll sign you up for another race in February to gain some necessary fan support.”

“In March, there’s the Yayoi Sho, Spring Stakes, and Wakaba Stakes—all prep races for the Satsuki Sho.”

“And then April is the Satsuki Sho itself. If we don’t register now, we’ll have to pay extra to apply later.”

The “Late Entry Registration System” had only been gradually established in recent generations of the Shining Star Series.

In the past, if you missed the deadline for registration, that was it—no second chances.

This had long been criticized, but the URA Association ignored the issue.

That is, until the shockwave brought on by the era of the “Eisei (Eternal) Top Three,” which forced them to draft reforms and gradually roll them out in the years that followed.

One of the main figures behind that upheaval? The same Oguri Cap who had once delivered lunch to Makoto and Kitasan Black.

Coming from the countryside, that legendary Umamusume and her trainer had never even considered competing for the Classic Triple Crown at first.

It wasn’t until a local race where the former Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf, noticed her talent and invited her to the central circuit for higher-level competition.

But since there was no Late Entry Registration System back then… Oguri Cap never got the chance to compete for the Triple Crown.

If her performance at Tracen Academy had been merely average, that would’ve been the end of it. But reality was far from that—despite the lack of recognition, she repeatedly defeated champions of both the Satsuki Sho and the Kikuka Sho in major races. Her strength was overwhelming, leaving no room for doubt.

Naturally, fans and industry professionals alike were left frustrated and disappointed. It was then that the URA Association introduced the “Late Entry Registration System.”

That system ended up preventing many regrets. For instance, the legendary T.M. Opera O, known as the “Conqueror of the Century's End,” had once missed the standard entry window and had to rely on this very system to compete.

If memory served, in the parallel world, Kitasan Black had also gone unnoticed during her debut, and her team only realized her potential later, applying for the Satsuki Sho through the same backup process.

However, while late entry was possible, it wasn’t cheap. A single late registration cost a hefty 2 million yen. And apparently, this world was no exception.

Still, that kind of money wasn’t really a concern for Makoto.

Living alone in Tokyo, aside from the allowance from his family, he had already saved up quite a bit since his first year of high school through part-time work. In fact, most of the training equipment he bought for Kitasan Black came straight out of his own pocket.

But if he was confident in her potential to shine in the Classic Triple Crown, then there was no reason to waste money on late registration.

“I see… I’m sorry, Trainer.”

Hearing Makoto’s explanation and suggestion, Kitasan Black lowered her head, looking remorseful.

“I didn’t know about all this… I should’ve tried to learn about it with you…”

“This isn’t your fault. You only just enrolled, and you haven’t even covered this in class yet.”

Makoto shook his head.

“Besides, this is my responsibility as your trainer. I’ll explain things as we go. You’ll learn it in school too.”

He added reassuringly before returning his focus to the registration interface.

“So, the debut race is in January, a condition race in February, a trial race in March, and then the Satsuki Sho in April.”

“Unless you’ve got any objections, I’ll go ahead and lock this schedule in?”

“Nope! I’ll go with whatever you decide, Trainer!”

She nodded cheerfully and leaned in with curiosity, watching him input the various registration details.

After watching for a while, Kitasan Black blinked and tilted her head, puzzled.

“Um, Trainer? If we’re entering a Satsuki Sho trial race, why not pick the Yayoi Sho or the Wakaba Stakes?

“Actually…”

She pursed her lips, then looked at him with a spark of anticipation.

“…I was kind of hoping I might get to race against Crow-chan in the Yayoi Sho.”

“Satono Crown?”

Makoto looked up, a bit surprised.

“Wait, don’t tell me… you two made some kind of promise to settle things on the track?”

“No, nothing like that! It’s just…”

Scratching her cheek awkwardly, Kitasan Black offered a sheepish smile.

“I mean, I know it sounds a bit defeatist, but Crow-chan really is amazing.”

“She comes from a big, respected family. A bunch of her relatives work for the URA or the Academy. And she even has senior racehorses in active competition.”

“She’s well-mannered, gets excellent grades—she’s always been one of the top students in our class.”

“Plus, she already debuted last year and has two wins under her belt.”

She sighed.

“If I really had to race her… yeah, I’d be under a lot of pressure.”

“But!”

Suddenly, her voice sharpened, eyes glowing with determination.

“If I back down just because of pressure, then how could I ever call myself a racehorse worthy of following in Teio-senpai’s hoofsteps!?”

Gone was the bashful girl from a moment ago—now she stood with a burning fire in her eyes.

“Compared to what my idol went through, my problems are nothing.”

“She overcame hardships far greater than mine, and still kept running.”

“There’s no way I can give up before I even start!”

She took a deep breath and declared with unwavering resolve:

“So don’t worry, Trainer. No matter who I face—I’ll fight with everything I’ve got!”

…He hadn’t expected that. For someone who normally acted so airheaded, she could sure pull off a serious face when it counted.

“Very well.”

Makoto smiled warmly, his voice calm but firm.

“As your trainer, I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“Yeah!”

Kitasan Black beamed, nodding with all her heart.

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