In the afternoon, Kagura retrieved the completed strategy guide from Gold Ship. Gold Ship seemed genuinely happy helping out, readily handing the finished materials to Kagura and enthusiastically declaring that if Kagura ever needed similar help again, she absolutely had to come back to her. Kagura could see clearly: despite Gold Ship normally being as eccentric as an alien, she sincerely cared about her trainer and the team—even though the team currently had no members besides herself, she still diligently sought ways to strengthen it.
"Trainer Tojo, I've completed my survey of Nakayama Racecourse. All relevant information has been organized. Same as before—please review."
Kagura borrowed the Student Council printer from Rudolf, printing out the completed strategy guide and handing it to Trainer Tojo, sending her an electronic copy as well.
Trainer Tojo quickly skimmed through it. Kagura's guide was as thorough and comprehensive as the previous one, but this time it contained even more astonishing techniques, specifically detailed instructions for track position battles. Compared to before, this was meticulously precise—exactly which moves to make, how and where to charge forward, everything clearly labeled. Kagura obviously had no actual chance to physically compete on the track, nor had Tojo ever seen Kagura training in anything resembling this; at most, Kagura occasionally strolled casually around the school's training track.
This guide is incredibly detailed… Without spending years as a frontline pro on the track, no one could possibly create something like this. Who exactly is the expert backing Kagura up?
Trainer Tojo certainly didn't believe Kagura had done this alone. To devise such precise competition strategies solely through solo training required imagination and intelligence beyond normal limits, although Tojo's own data-driven evaluations already placed Kagura's intelligence extremely high.
"This is impressive, Kagura. Your guides are always highly praised by the other trainers. Many have even asked me if they can receive full copies. It's hard to imagine you're only twelve… and supposedly completed this all on your own."
Trainer Tojo's tone carried a subtle probing; Kagura naturally picked up on it. To keep Eclipse-san's existence secret, Kagura instantly chose to act exactly like a genuine twelve-year-old girl, smiling innocently as she replied:
"Thank you, Trainer Tojo. If it satisfies you, then all my effort doing this alone was totally worth it."
"Hmm…"
Trainer Tojo wasn't particularly surprised by the non-answer, since Kagura was impossible to read clearly. She couldn't figure out if Kagura genuinely didn't notice her probing, or if she'd noticed but chose to play dumb. Considering the girl genuinely was just twelve, it wouldn't be odd at all if she'd missed the hint.
Not that discovering Kagura's secret helper was really that important, but Tojo genuinely wished someone of such exceptional skill would personally come to the track to provide direct guidance—even just for training runs. Rudolf was in desperate need of actual experience. Her peer Bizen Nishiki had already logged significantly more battle-hardened races than Rudolf. Tojo was also slightly concerned about Rudolf's recent slight weight gain, despite Kagura repeatedly reassuring her not to worry so much.
Even Director Akikawa hasn't found any suitable candidates. Mr. C.B. was also ruled out… Who exactly could it be?
...
"Good afternoon, Ojousama."
"Good afternoon, Kagura. It's been a while since we last did parallel-running together."
Trainer Tojo swiftly finished reviewing Kagura's submitted guide, quickly identifying the strategies Rudolf could immediately incorporate. Thus, she arranged for Kagura and Rudolf to engage in parallel-running practice that afternoon.
"Kagura, for this session, I want you to switch your strategy to a senkou (stalker) running style, not the usual daitō."
Before starting, Trainer Tojo specifically reminded Kagura once, making sure she knew exactly what to do.
Not everyone could comfortably switch between different running styles—there was also compatibility involved. Kagura was an unusual exception: initially, she specialized in daitō (front-running), then Tojo discovered she was skilled in a houoi (closer) style as well. She even began doubting whether a genius who could comfortably adapt to all distances and running styles without weaknesses truly existed. Apparently, this year, a trainer from the Kiryuin family had found a similar young Uma Musume with universal adaptability among the new students, and that particular Uma Musume had already made a verbal contract with her trainer, planning to officially join once she was old enough.
"I understand. I'll be careful to switch my running style."
Kagura still couldn't manage to surpass Rudolf, honestly speaking. Every match ended consistently with a difference of two or three lengths between them. Rudolf was growing, and so was Kagura, their growth rates seemingly balanced in a strange way—though perhaps Kagura was just too busy normally and barely had time for proper training.
"Well then… as usual, 2000 meters starting from here. Kagura, Rudolf, are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Please give the command, Trainer."
"Alright—"
Trainer Tojo lifted the whistle, counted down from three, two, one, and blew it.
Both Kagura and Rudolf executed perfect starts. Tojo was surprised to find Kagura's previous issue with late starts had been unknowingly corrected. According to Rudolf, Kagura recently spent her spare time practicing at the kyudo club—apparently, the method she'd chosen for concentration training was genuinely effective.
Hmm… Archery training, huh… Although it doesn't seem like a universally applicable training method, I'll still make note of it.
Even though Kagura had demonstrated the effectiveness of her training method, Trainer Tojo understood it probably wasn't suitable for widespread adoption. But by inference, she might still discover other suitable methods—it would simply require more time for verification and testing.
"Hi~ Trainer. Today's… Oh, Rudolf and Kagura-chan are parallel-running?"
Maruzensky-san, having just exited the school building, arrived at the track shortly after the parallel run had started, casually greeting Trainer Tojo.
"Yes, they're both performing very well. They've improved a lot recently. Rudolf, however, has slightly put on weight—it might affect her performance."
"Not bad… Kagura-chan's running style has clearly matured a lot. Yet I barely saw her training during this period."
"The child's talent spares her from repetitive training, allowing her to focus entirely on overcoming her weaknesses. Look—this time Kagura didn't start late at all."
"Whoa… so Kagura-chan has been doing archery every day for that reason."
Maruzensky-san's ears perked up, eyes glued to Kagura running on the track, appearing somewhat eager herself.
"By the way, I asked you to look at the newcomers. Anyone catch your eye?"
"Suitable, huh… not many. These past few days, just saw a younger student named Grass Wonder—a returnee from abroad. She seems promising and we had a nice chat, though she's still a bit young. She thanked me for inviting her and said she'll definitely find Trainer Tojo when she's older."
"A returnee from overseas…"
Trainer Tojo unconsciously glanced at Maruzensky-san, noticing an inexplicable anticipation on her face—perhaps she'd seen something special in the girl.
"Speaking of, Kagura-chan really is impressive. Rudolf is clearly a genius, yet Kagura is able to aggressively contest the track with her—though her overtaking methods are overly bold, always charging outside lanes… From whom exactly did she learn such running?"
"She probably figured it out herself. After all, no one at Tracen besides her could sustain such wasteful running."
Kagura's running clearly stemmed from her monstrous stamina stat. Only Kagura could afford to recklessly charge into outside lanes. Obviously, no one had taught her this, since no one else shared her approach—it could only have emerged naturally from her own experimentation.
What really made Trainer Tojo uneasy was Kagura's fiercely aggressive tactics. By now, already three-quarters into the race, Rudolf had lost the lead position four times. Although Rudolf immediately regained it, Kagura was still only twelve, hadn't even gone through honkaku, while Rudolf had already crushed numerous opponents professionally.
"Where exactly did this child learn such an aggressive battle strategy? It's frighteningly reminiscent of European racers. If this continues, wouldn't the media dub her something absurd like 'Mr. C.B. Reborn'?"
Thinking about the media's habit of nicknaming Uma Musume racers, Tojo didn't dare imagine the frenzy once Kagura debuted.
...
2000 meters ended quickly. Rudolf crossed first, Kagura just two lengths behind.
"Ah… lost again. Ojou-sama really is amazing."
Yet Kagura felt surprisingly calm, having fully expected this outcome, realizing that losing wasn't so difficult to accept after all.
"Kagura's also strong. The gap between us is now just one or two lengths," Rudolf smiled warmly, gently patting Kagura's head.
"Okay! Rest a bit, recall your earlier tactics, then we'll do another lap. Maruzensky, you've been eager—how about joining them?"
"Ohh! Count me in—I'm joining too!"
---
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