After meticulously going through every detail of the race strategy and analysis with Kitasan Black, confirming she was well-prepared on all fronts, Yasui Makoto gave a few final reminders, left the preparation room, and made his way to the stands through the underground passage.
He took his usual spot at the very front, almost perfectly aligned with the finish line. Standing still, he pulled out his phone.
Just as he was about to make a call, a voice suddenly echoed from behind.
"Kukuku, Yasui-kun is punctual as always."
Startled, Yasui Makoto turned around with a wry smile.
"…Tachyon-sensei, can you please not scare people like this?"
Unbeknownst to him, Doctor Agnes Tachyon had quietly appeared behind him. Today, the usually white-coated Uma Musume had swapped her lab attire for a white, long-sleeved trench coat.
The sleeves were excessively long, hanging far past her hands, stirring an inexplicable urge to grab them and tie them into knots.
"You can't blame me for this."
Casually waving her hands, Tachyon gestured toward the figure beside her.
"Yasui-kun should blame this one instead.
"When you're around her, you just unconsciously become silent. It's truly a mysterious phenomenon, kukuku…"
After her trademark eerie chuckle, she extended a hand toward Yasui.
"Did you bring it?"
…Why does this feel like some shady deal going down?
Silently grumbling to himself, Yasui Makoto patted the shoulder bag he carried, took out a thick package, and handed it over.
"Here, everything's here."
Eyes sparkling with surprise, Tachyon carefully took the package and examined it thoroughly, a rare tremor in her voice:
"So, this is every training log since Kitasan-kun's debut?"
"There's even some pre-debut materials in there; it's all the paper documentation."
Yasui Makoto nodded. "These are all photocopies from the academy's archives. I specifically asked President Teio about it. Hearing it was for you, she agreed right away.
"The logs and some of my personal training insights are in the USB drive and the external hard drive inside, so please handle them carefully, Tachyon-sensei."
"Thanks, I'll be careful," Tachyon replied gratefully, her tone taking on a rare seriousness.
Hearing this, Yasui nodded slightly, unconsciously shifting his gaze toward the figure standing next to Tachyon.
After agreeing to hand over the logs and some notes to Doctor Tachyon, he'd spent quite some effort organizing everything.
A few days ago, once he felt everything was ready, he'd called Tachyon, asking when he should deliver them.
But the response was: "Kitasan Black has a race coming up, doesn't she? Let's do it then—I'll meet you at the racecourse."
Yasui Makoto didn't particularly mind the timing; what he hadn't expected was that Tachyon wouldn't come alone. Another Uma Musume had joined her.
She seemed like Tachyon's polar opposite—waist-length black hair, thick black bangs half-covering her face, and a fitted black trench coat; the girl gave off an impression of pure blackness.
Even the scent that gently wafted from her seemed dark, like the rich, heavy aroma of black coffee.
Aside from the darkness enveloping her, the most striking feature were her dazzling golden eyes.
Yasui Makoto hadn't concealed his curiosity. Both Tachyon and the unknown Uma Musume noticed his scrutiny.
"Well, since there's a USB and hard drive…I'll just look it over later."
Stooping slightly, Tachyon carefully placed Yasui's file packet into her backpack, straightened up, and stretched lazily.
"Right—"
Patting the black-haired Uma Musume's shoulder, she turned toward Yasui.
"Yasui-kun probably knows her, but I'll introduce her anyway.
"Manhattan Cafe—my old classmate, rival, and important experimental subject…"
"That last bit…is entirely unnecessary."
Previously unresponsive to Yasui's gaze, the Uma Musume named Manhattan Cafe interrupted Tachyon's introduction flatly, extending her hand.
"Manhattan Cafe… Nice to meet you, Yasui-san…"
Just as Yasui reached out to shake her hand, he paused in confusion. "Manhattan-san… you know who I am?"
"…I've heard of you."
Retracting her hand, Manhattan Cafe suddenly held a drink she seemingly conjured from nowhere, gazing toward the track.
"…From her."
Though Manhattan Cafe didn't specify, Yasui knew exactly who she meant—Tachyon-sensei.
Unable to help himself, Yasui glanced between Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe again.
When Tachyon said "important experimental subject," Yasui figured it roughly meant a particularly significant friend. Indeed, looking back at their racing careers, these two Uma Musume did share similar experiences.
Just as Tachyon had been injured after the Satsuki Sho, Manhattan Cafe had also faced digestive issues around the Yayoi Sho, losing significant weight then and again in the Azalea Sho.
With her naturally frail skeletal-muscular structure, she'd had to withdraw and rest, missing the Japanese Derby and the entire spring season.
Fortunately, she fully recovered, almost reborn—her abilities elevated even further.
Returning stronger, she first conquered the Kikuka Sho, then ended her classic year triumphantly by winning the Arima Kinen.
In that Arima Kinen, not only had she claimed consecutive G1 victories, surpassing both peers and senior Uma Musume, she'd also set a record for the fastest late kick (sueashi) on the 2500-meter Nakayama course.
Thinking of this, Yasui felt an urge to ask her advice.
"It's probably been a while since Manhattan-san has visited Nakayama Racecourse, right?"
Clearly caught off-guard by his question, Manhattan Cafe paused for a moment.
Likewise slightly startled, Tachyon glanced at her friend and spoke casually:
"It has indeed been a few years. Recently, she's either off shooting films or busying herself with that café of hers. She's probably forgotten how to break from the gate."
Yasui was aware of Manhattan Cafe's active presence in the film industry. Promotions for her movies were visible even around the Academy.
He'd also heard in interviews about her café, which seemed similar to how Tachyon pursued medicine—likely a passion or calling.
"…It has indeed been a few years," Manhattan Cafe quietly confirmed Tachyon's words. Opening the bottle in her hands, she closed her eyes, savoring its aroma in blissful indulgence, then turned to Yasui.
"Tachyon mentioned that your Uma Musume is in today's race… Do you want my thoughts?"
Not surprised at having his intentions read, Yasui nodded frankly.
"I've been a trainer for less than a year. If I get a chance to seek advice from an experienced senior like Manhattan-san, I definitely can't let it pass."
"Less than a year, yet already leading an Uma Musume into a G1…"
Manhattan Cafe clearly knew more than just the basics of Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black's situation. With a slightly melancholic tone, she continued:
"You say advice, but truthfully…there isn't much I can offer."
"But…"
Her brilliant golden eyes swept across the track, pausing momentarily on the final straight before settling on the screen opposite the stands.
"At Nakayama Racecourse…the final battleground is very vast.
"The Uma Musume no one notices, positions overlooked…there are many chances there to overturn the race."
"Especially when…there's an opponent everyone's eyes are fixed upon."
"I just hope your Uma Musume has enough advantage before that happens."
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T/N: im back, did a poll on my patreon on the new schedule and releases for webnovel so yeah
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