"Yeah, Trainer said that from the start."
Kitasan Black nodded, slightly embarrassed.
"My training results haven't been all that great, so even after winning my debut race, my fan count hasn't increased much. I'd been quietly worrying about it—I even mentioned it to Dia-chan—but I was afraid to trouble Trainer since he's always busy."
"Turns out he'd already thought of it himself and even wrote a song for me. With a great song like this, once we record it and upload it to my official account, fan numbers for the next race definitely won't be a problem!"
The Satono sisters nodded thoughtfully. After a moment, Satono Diamond spoke up, concerned:
"It sounds like you'll need music arrangements and other things too. But with your training schedule, won't you and your trainer be short on time?"
"Yeah, that's why I was thinking of asking Grandpa and the others to help," Kitasan said.
"Oh…?" Satono Diamond said, mildly surprised. "But didn't you say before that your grandfather wouldn't get involved in your academy activities?"
"That's right. And Teio-senpai specifically reminded me about it, too."
Kitasan sheepishly scratched her cheek. "My family's different from yours or Crown-chan's. We've never been involved with racing, and even though Grandpa is pretty famous in music, racing is a totally separate thing, you know?"
"If Grandpa openly supports me, his students, friends, and fans will all come over, regardless of whether they watch the races or not."
"Would those fans be mine because of my own races, or just because of Grandpa?"
"That's why only a few older family members even know I've debuted. Everyone else still has no idea. But someday soon, I'll definitely let them all know through my racing!"
The Satono sisters exchanged a quiet glance, both impressed and mildly amused.
They'd long since realized Kitasan was completely oblivious to just how influential her family was in the music world.
Putting aside everything else, her grandfather was certainly not just "pretty famous." It was no exaggeration to say that if he defined what Japanese music was, the whole industry would rewrite their textbooks to match his definition.
Yet, in Kitasan's mind, her grandfather was just someone who sang beautifully and had many students and fans.
At the same time, their friend had never once considered using her family's immense influence. Had she done so, her current fan count would probably be near the top among active Uma Musume.
This determination to succeed solely by her own strength truly deserved admiration.
"But this song is different," Kitasan continued, interrupting the Satono sisters' quiet contemplation.
"This song was written for me by Trainer, specifically to help gather enough fans for races. Trainer told me this method has limits set by the URA—beyond a certain point, the association won't count those fans anymore. But that's okay; we just need enough fans for next month's Conditions Race."
"I think asking Grandpa's help for this should be fine. He'll definitely be happy to help—he's been wanting to help out for a long time, actually, but I kept refusing."
As Kitasan spoke about her upcoming race, Satono Diamond's eyes sparkled with envy and excitement. Meanwhile, Satono Crown smiled challengingly.
"With this song, your entry into your next race should be guaranteed, Kitasan. I checked your schedule: after next month's Conditions Race is the Spring Stakes, and then the Satsuki Sho."
Crown's eyes sharpened confidently. "Looks like we'll meet in the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown, Kitasan."
Diamond paused, slightly worried that her sister's words might sound overly aggressive. But Kitasan merely stood still for a moment, then returned to the karaoke stage.
Picking up two microphones from the platform, she held one out toward Satono Crown.
"Kitasan, what's this…?" Crown hesitated, puzzled. Diamond also looked confused.
"'Winning the Soul'—you've practiced it, haven't you, Crown-chan?"
"'Winning the Soul'…?" Diamond was still confused, but Crown quickly grinned with confidence, taking the microphone firmly.
"Of course I've practiced it! I'm planning to sing it proudly on those three Winner's Stages this year!"
Without backing down, Kitasan immediately responded:
"Me too—and I'll be the one standing right in the center!"
"Don't be so sure, Kitasan. I'll be the one in the center!"
"We'll see about that, Crown-chan!"
"You're on!"
Neither Uma Musume backed down, staring intently at each other. Finally, both turned simultaneously to Satono Diamond, perfectly synchronized:
"Dia-chan/Sister, could you please queue up the song for us?"
Diamond quietly nodded, searching the karaoke machine for the song her friend and sister had requested.
Winning the Soul—it was a very special song.
URA-controlled central racecourses numbered ten in total, each holding races approximately 104 days a year, with around twelve races per day. Each race winner performed a song on the evening's Winner's Stage—if one counted local races, performances would easily number in the tens of thousands annually.
Yet, among all those performances, Winning the Soul would sound only three times per year.
It was the exclusive Winner's Stage song for the Classic Triple Crown races: the Satsuki Sho, the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), and the Kikuka Sho. Only Uma Musume who reached the pinnacle of their generation had the right to perform it.
And naturally, the Uma Musume who stood at center stage—the winner of the Classic Triple Crown—would have that honor above all others.
Diamond had practiced this song secretly herself, so when the inspiring melody began playing, she couldn't help humming softly along with the two Uma Musume on stage, feeling quietly envious inside.
How nice… Crown-onee-sama, Kitasan…
But next year, I'll be there too.
I'll definitely challenge the Classic Triple Crown, just like them…
Over an hour later.
"Ahh, singing really is so refreshing!"
Exiting the karaoke building, Kitasan energetically stretched her arms, beaming at her friends. "Thanks so much for coming with me today, Crown-chan, Dia-chan!"
"You don't have to thank us for that…" Satono Crown waved casually, starting to turn away. "Anyway, Diamond and I should head back now. See you Monday… Huh?"
She suddenly paused, squinting into the distance behind Kitasan.
"That silhouette over there… Isn't that Air Groove-senpai?"
Kitasan and Diamond both turned to follow Crown's gaze. After carefully examining the black-haired Uma Musume's back, Diamond nodded.
"It is. Did Air Groove-senpai come shopping here today too?"
"Probably the university department wasn't busy today," Crown speculated, glancing curiously at Kitasan again. "Anyway, Kitasan… Wait, is something wrong? Did you need to talk to Air Groove-senpai?"
"Ah…huh? Ah, no, it's nothing."
Kitasan quickly turned her head back, but couldn't help glancing behind her again.
Beside the short-haired Air Groove-senpai was another Uma Musume, her long hair a distinctive gradient shade of brown.
"…Never mind, it's nothing."
Withdrawing her gaze once more, Kitasan smiled and waved brightly at the Satono sisters.
"Alright, I'll head back to the dorm now. See you Monday, Crown-chan, Dia-chan!"