Fujimasa March's training was finally on the right track.
In the cycles of high-intensity training, Kuroha added strength training, and even on her once-a-week rest days, she wasn't allowed to slack off—he required her to go for light jogs to maintain her condition. He also taught her dancing and singing to improve her coordination and prepare for a possible Winner's Stage in the future.
Yes, Kuroha could dance and sing too. Although these weren't registered as skills in his system—just like nutrition—if we graded it by "Uma Musume standards," it'd still be G1-level.
Whenever March expressed amazement at Kuroha's many talents, he'd always reply passionately:
"Don't underestimate how much I love being an Uma Musume trainer!"
Time passed quickly. A whole month went by.
February 23rd. Just two days left until the 1600m Group C race at Kasamatsu Racecourse.
In Kuroha's private trainer's room, Fujimasa March lay face down on the bed, blanket pulled over her head.
Kuroha calmly began applying his [Massage] skill.
He gently gripped the girl's long, toned legs, pressing along certain meridians. Her body shivered, and a small, muffled whimper came from under the blanket.
Still not used to it, huh?
Kuroha shook his head helplessly as he loosened her tense muscles and said,
"We can ease off a bit these next few days. Just keep up with some light speed drills."
March gave a broken "mm" sound to show she understood.
"As for the race in two days—it's a classic mile track, 1600 meters. You've got a strong sense of pacing for mile races, and you're also quite adapted to the Kasamatsu course. This shouldn't be a difficult race for you."
"Mile races tend to be more intense. I've analyzed the data of the seven other horse girls in this group—most of them are Front Runners and Pace Chasers. So even though you've rarely used lead-running tactics before, this time you must take the lead from the start and hold it to the end. You absolutely cannot get swallowed up in the front pack."
Stats are stats. A race is a race.
Back in his previous life playing Uma Musume, even god-tier stat horse girls would get stuck in the pack and finish 5th to 8th. Rage and aneurysms were common. That's why he never underestimated any race.
"The final stretch at Kasamatsu is only 201 meters long. If you wait to accelerate at the end, it'll be too late. While someone like Oguri Cap has a finishing kick that's rare even locally, you still have to go all out. That's why we need to accelerate during the final curve—remember the technique we practiced?"
[Fujimasa March]
Track Aptitude: Turf C / Dirt B
Distance Aptitude: Sprint B / Mile B / Medium C / Long F
Running Style Aptitude: Front Runner B / Pace Chaser A / Late Surger C / End Closer D
Unique Skill: None
Skills: Good Track Condition, Rainy Days, Mindfulness, Corner Adept, Focus, Poor Track Condition, Positioning Sense
Speed: 371 / Stamina: 422 / Power: 367 / Gut: 413 / Wit: 334
Even without having learned Professor of Curvature, these stats alone were proof of how hard March had worked over the last month.
"It's time to put our training to the test, March!" Kuroha said with a smile.
The girl peeked out from under the blanket, a few strands of white hair falling against her cherry-colored cheeks. She nodded firmly.
"Don't worry, Trainer. I'll win!"
"I believe in you," Kuroha replied softly.
March froze, her blush threatening to spread again, and she retreated back under the blanket.
Kuroha gave a helpless sigh. She was still such a pure-hearted little horse girl—even after a month of massages and leg therapy, she still got this shy.
Over the next two days, Kuroha had March review the key points of running in the lead. Running style aptitude was considered a form of natural talent in this world, and not easily improved.
There were four types: Front Runner, Pace Chaser, Late Surger, and End Closer. The determining factor? Explosive power.
Front Runners and Pace Chasers generally lacked short-burst explosiveness, but they excelled at stamina control, pacing, and race management. That's why they used extra leg power early on to cut from the outer lane to the inside, securing better positioning for the final stretch. The downside? That early sprint cost more stamina, and breaking wind for the group ahead consumed even more. If they couldn't disrupt the rhythm of the horses behind them during the race, the final stretch would be tough.
Late Surgers and End Closers were the opposite. Their burst potential was high, but they often lacked in other areas. They conserved their stamina, waiting for the final curve or straight to strike—slicing through the group with a killer kick. The weakness? Everyone clusters in the endgame, so if they lacked the skill to cut through, they'd get blocked and rage-quit from brain hemorrhages.
March lacked strong explosive bursts. She could maintain high speed and even reach her top speed over short intervals, but even with stamina to spare, it was hard for her to trade that for sudden acceleration.
That's why Front Runner and Pace Chaser tactics were her main styles.
"What a shame. If only the shop sold Unique Skills, I'd slap on the fishing dude's, Santa Hat Suzuka's, and Emotional Wave's. I don't even want to imagine how fast she'd be…"
Kuroha had thought this more than once.
And then... race day arrived.
The sun was shining. The skies were clear. A perfect day for activating Good Track Condition and Sunny Days.
Kuroha brought March to Kasamatsu Racecourse.
After watching her enter the competitor's preparation tunnel, he glanced around—the audience was sparse.
Kasamatsu was a local venue, and this race wasn't anything major. A small crowd was only natural.
Out on the track, the commentator calmly introduced the racers.
Unlike the passionate tone he'd used for Oguri Cap, his voice now was flat—clearly saving his throat for more important matches.
"The 1600m Group C race at Kasamatsu Racecourse, held under clear skies, is about to begin…"
Kuroha quietly listened as the commentator read out the list of horse girls.
"And finally, the crowd favorite—Number 3, Fujimasa March!"
Having once defeated Oguri Cap, March now held the undisputed top popularity for this race.
"All horse girls have entered the gates."
On the field, Fujimasa March took a deep breath.
This was her first race since special training.
It felt amazing.
That was the first thing she noticed. Standing in the gate, she wasn't nervous like before. Confidence welled up from deep within her.
Click! — the clear sound of the gate unlocking rang out.
"The gates are open!"
"The horse girls have started beautifully! Who will take the lead?!"
(End of Chapter)
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