Upon hearing Tokai Teio's question, Deep Impact paused for a moment.
"Kitasan Black, huh…"
She looked toward Tokai Teio. "President, how do you see her?"
"...Why suddenly ask this?"
Momentarily surprised, Tokai Teio quickly broke into a smile.
"Kita-chan, huh… I'd say she's like the sun—or rather, an ever-burning flame."
Deep Impact pondered briefly. "She sounds...energetic and cheerful?"
"She's also kind-hearted and thoughtful."
Smiling softly, eyes shimmering with gratitude and nostalgia, Tokai Teio reached into her uniform collar and pulled out an omamori, a protective charm.
The indigo silk edges were frayed with uneven stitches—clearly reworked multiple times—but sewn tightly. The character on the front, awkwardly rendered in katakana as "御" rather than kanji, still had each stroke neatly placed alongside "守".
Deep Impact intuitively sensed that whoever made it wasn't very skilled, but had undoubtedly poured their heart into it. However, she didn't understand Tokai Teio's intent.
"This is...?"
"This was from the day I first submitted my retirement notice to the President; I remember it vividly."
Tokai Teio glanced out the window toward Tracen Academy's track, bathed in the warm orange hues of sunset, watching the silhouettes of Uma Musume training tirelessly.
"It was also the first day I stepped onto the track and realized—I no longer had to run."
"That day, I went to the park, grabbed plushies, bought new clothes, sang karaoke, took photo stickers, rode toy cars…"
"For the first time, I realized how incredibly long a single day could feel."
Returning her gaze, gently rubbing the uneven edges of the omamori, she chuckled softly.
"And it was about then, returning to the school gate, I saw Kita-chan squatting there alone, looking as if she'd played her heart out just like me."
"At that time, I didn't accept this charm."
"Later, I found it tucked anonymously in bouquets at my dorm and the hospital; each time, I found ways to return it."
"In the end, of course, I accepted it—at my first retirement concert."
"You see, she never gave up."
"So, she's the kind of girl who never gives up—maybe she doesn't even know what those words mean."
The room fell silent for a long moment, the distant echoes of running footsteps outside the only sound audible.
"Then it seems, in the upcoming training race, I don't really need to worry about demoralizing her."
Breaking the silence abruptly, Deep Impact nodded, returning to her desk.
Still somewhat immersed in memories, Tokai Teio took a moment to grasp what Deep Impact meant.
Several seconds later…
"So…you're agreeing to it?!" Tokai Teio asked, delighted.
Looking through the documents on her desk, Deep Impact responded indirectly, "Actually, my sister asked me as well."
"Your sister…" Tokai Teio quickly recalled another Uma Musume. "Verxina?"
"After retiring, my sister became an instructor at the elementary school Kitasan attended," Deep Impact confirmed.
Similar to Trainers, instructors at Tracen Academy specifically taught foundational skills; advanced or targeted training fell to the Trainers themselves.
"That much I knew," Tokai Teio nodded, then shook her head. "But I didn't realize Kita-chan and your sister were that close."
"My sister once brought her home."
Deep Impact recalled the past. "But Kitasan was still young then, and I disliked strangers, so I didn't come out to greet her."
"My sister liked her a lot—often bringing her konpeito candy and lemon soda."
"Once, they secretly went fishing on a school outing. Dinner that evening, if I recall, was fish stew."
"I see…" Tokai Teio nodded thoughtfully. "But if your sister made such a request…" she hesitated slightly.
Deep Impact understood immediately.
"President, I'm sure you receive similar requests often?"
Seeing Tokai Teio nod, Deep Impact silently sighed. "It's inevitable for Uma Musume like us."
"Passing on our experiences to juniors is a natural responsibility."
"Our seniors did the same for us."
An authoritative yet gentle face flashed through Tokai Teio's mind, and she subconsciously nodded.
"True. Back then, I often ran side-by-side with the former president…"
"But now, with student council duties, many things aren't so easy."
Deep Impact's voice, usually cold and calm, now took on an air of indifference.
"Besides, advice without future value…doesn't really matter."
"So," Tokai Teio pondered aloud, "you've decided Kitasan has enough potential, which made you agree?"
Unlike earlier, Deep Impact hesitated briefly before replying uncertainly.
"To be precise, I want clarity on something."
"Before Kitasan's debut, my sister constantly worried about her racing prospects, and often asked me about it."
"I checked her initial entrance evaluations, and frankly…"
Deep Impact shook her head, "Based solely on those metrics, it's hard to imagine she'd achieve what she has."
"Maybe her potential hadn't emerged yet; many Uma Musume mature late."
"Though if memory serves, her trainer...is rather unusual, isn't he?"
Tokai Teio quickly understood and began forming her own guesses.
"So, you're curious how Yasui-san normally trains Kita-chan, and also…"
She glanced at the desk, picking up the Dubai Turf proposal.
"Wondering if he has any interest in something like this?"
...
Discussing Yasui Makoto and overseas competitions, Tokai Teio and Deep Impact talked extensively, then spontaneously organized a small video meeting to confirm training race arrangements with Yasui Makoto and Orfevre.
Of course, Yasui Makoto had no objections.
Learning two Triple Crown Uma Musume were participating, he drafted the training outline that very evening.
While guiding Kitasan Black through the basics of her new special training these days, he had already begun refining specific details.
However, during their video call, Orfevre made a request regarding the timing.
"The training race… I'll be there, but give me a week."
On-screen, the golden-haired Uma Musume rubbed her forehead, appearing deeply troubled.
Behind her looked like the interior of a game room, two or three Uma Musume visible over her shoulder.
Among them stood a tall figure with distinctive silver-gray hair—none other than Gold Ship.
From the clattering noises and excited shouts across the room, it was unmistakable they were playing mahjong.
Amid the constant clacking of tiles, Orfevre's forehead veins visibly twitched.
"I know what you're thinking, and well... it's exactly what you imagine.
"A certain someone scheduled to race in next week's Tenno Sho (Spring)—at this crucial time when her rivals are training their hearts out—is instead…
"Casually playing mahjong."
No sooner had Orfevre finished speaking, an excited shout came from the mahjong table.
"Ron! Suuankou Tanki! Pay up, everyone!"
Followed instantly by a disgruntled complaint.
"Hey! Who're you calling casual?! Do you even appreciate the subtleties of this yaku?!"