When Kitahara brought up the name Gold Ship, the rest of the Eisei team stared blankly at one another — clearly, none of them had heard of her. Only Maruzensky and Mejiro Ramonu furrowed their brows in thought, trying to recall something.
"This name… does it have anything to do with the new student in the elementary division — Stay Gold?"
McQueen asked the obvious question, though her expression shifted slightly the moment she mentioned Stay Gold.
At her words, Maruzensky's expression changed as well, her eyes glinting oddly.
"Even though I know it's probably impossible," Maruzensky said slowly, "I still hope the child Kitahara mentioned is related to Gold City and not to Stay Gold..."
The rest of the team — Komiyama and the others — were taken aback.
"Eh? Gold City and Stay Gold… aren't they from the same family? Then what kind of horse girl is Gold Ship supposed to be?"
Puzzled, Komiyama glanced between Maruzensky and Ramonu.
As trainers, they were always the first to learn about new horse girls. Around the time of the entrance ceremony, the Eisei team had already reviewed the list of new students, so Komiyama was aware of the connection between the two horse girls being discussed.
Horse girl naming conventions differed from those of humans — their prefixes didn't always indicate a family name. In Gold City's case, her "surname" was actually the suffix — "City."
Likewise, other members of her family followed that same pattern. For example, Dancing City, who had recently visited the campus during the entrance ceremony, also shared the "City" surname.
Stay Gold, on the other hand, had "Gold" as the family name, which explained why Maruzensky and Ramonu were pointing it out.
Komiyama observed their strange expressions for a moment, then hesitated before asking, "Um… and when you mentioned Stay Gold earlier — is there something… unusual about her?"
She could tell from their looks that there was definitely something odd, but she didn't dare pry too directly, so she chose her words carefully.
"Ah, that…"
McQueen didn't answer — she only sighed softly. Maruzensky, on the other hand, uncharacteristically hesitated, scratching her cheek with a finger, clearly troubled. Then, she glanced at Kitahara — and suddenly her eyes lit up.
"Why don't we let Kitahara explain? He seems to know the Gold family quite well."
…Hey, come on, stop throwing this kind of mess my way! Kitahara groaned inwardly. The Gold family, of all things…
He was already wondering how to explain it to the others — and now he was stuck with the task.
How was he supposed to explain a family like that?
The truth was, he really did find the "Gold" lineage to be the strangest family in the entire world of horse girls.
Take Gold Ship, for example. Historically, she was an incredibly strong racehorse: six G1 victories, two consecutive Takarazuka Kinen wins, five wins and one second out of seven races at Hanshin — which was practically her backyard. She was also the highest-earning gray horse in history, nicknamed the "New Generation Gray Monster."
She had countless legendary performances — like the Satsuki Sho Drain Ditch Turn Victory, where she came from dead last to first, and the Arima Kinen 1-to-15 Comeback.
Anyone who knew her record would never doubt her strength.
But ask anyone familiar with Gold Ship, and their strongest impression wouldn't be how strong she was — it would be how weird she was.
Take that famous Satsuki Sho, for instance: the track was a mess due to heavy rain, the inside lane was basically a swamp — so slippery that most "normal" horses would never take it due to the injury risk.
And yet, while every other horse kept 10 meters away from the inner rail, Gold Ship decided to cut inside, running along the drainage ditch from the third corner, and in the final 600 meters, she overtook all 16 opponents from last place to win by more than 2½ lengths.
That iconic moment was even recreated in the anime's first opening.
Then there was the Arima Kinen 1-to-15 Comeback, another unbelievable story. Despite a terrible start, Gold Ship charged down the outermost lane from 800 meters out, overtaking every single horse in a stunning finish.
But the strangest race of all was the 56th Takarazuka Kinen.
Already a two-time Takarazuka champion, Gold Ship decided to high-kick right before the start, missing the break by nearly ten horse lengths, and finished 15th.
Because of her previous dominance at Hanshin and Takarazuka, fans had placed bets on her totaling 12.1 billion yen — all of which went up in smoke because of one high kick.
It was, quite literally, a real-life lesson against gambling.
If her odd behavior had been limited to races, that would have been one thing — but she was equally eccentric during training and daily life, all of which were faithfully recreated in the official media.
Who could forget the infamous Gold Ship meme faces?
And to top it off, whether in real life or in the anime and game, she was an actual beauty, which only made her quirks even more pronounced.
[There is some fanarts where Goldship decides to let her hair free and she looks like a MILF McQueen]
In short, members of the "Gold" family weren't just eccentric — each generation managed to outdo the last.
And all that strangeness could be traced back to the family's origin — Stay Gold, affectionately nicknamed "Old Gold" or "Papa Gold."
Just thinking about her prototype's bizarre behaviors was enough to give Kitahara a headache:
attacking other horses on sight, kicking medical equipment during treatment, suddenly standing up to walk upright during training…
Kitahara could easily imagine what kind of reputation Stay Gold had in this world — and why Maruzensky and Ramonu hesitated to talk about her.
…So yeah, I know they're all weird, but in this timeline none of them have even made their debuts yet. How the hell am I supposed to explain that…
Torn between what to say and how to say it, Kitahara fell silent for a while.
Seeing this, Maruzensky smiled and stepped in.
"Alright, let's not make it hard for Kitahara. It's obvious he knows about Gold Journey, otherwise he wouldn't look so conflicted."
"When you meet that kid someday, you'll understand — she… leaves quite the impression, let's just say that, hehe."
She chuckled as if remembering something funny, then changed the topic.
"Anyway, as for the Gold Ship Kitahara mentioned — I've seen some records about her through my research on Gold Journey."
"They're both from the same Gold family — kind of like the relationship between McQueen and Ardan."
"Gold Ship also happens to have a gray coat. She's still in kindergarten right now, years away from proper training."
"If we can get her family's cooperation, not only could we better understand Tamamo's physical development, but this might also help refine the theory around gray-coat genetics."
"And once that theory matures, it could open up many more similar studies."
By the end of her explanation, Maruzensky looked genuinely excited.
"There's no time to waste. Let's visit her school later this afternoon when training wraps up."
"Kindergarten ends early, so Kitahara, you can come with me. Oguri and the others can continue training. McQueen, you'll oversee things here, alright?"
"Got it," McQueen replied with a nod.
"Then all that's left is Oguri and Inari's upcoming training plans."
Seeing how smoothly everything was falling into place, Kitahara couldn't help but smile.
"For Oguri's part, I've already worked out a plan."
"Looking long-term, I intend to adjust her daily routine. She's been getting up at around 4 a.m. to train, which is great for physical improvement…"
"But training that early means her peak endurance shows in training — not necessarily in races. So I plan to modify her schedule using monitoring equipment."
"By reducing total training hours and increasing intensity per session, she might improve her stamina for mid-to-long-distance races."
"With how much she eats, her endurance potential is huge — if we fine-tune her routine, she could absolutely excel at those distances."
At the mention of Oguri's appetite, the trainers couldn't help laughing.
They already knew she could eat — ever since the academy's eating contest, where she left the whole school astonished.
Glancing over at the horse girls' table, they saw that everyone — Tamamo Cross included — had finished eating, while Oguri's table was still piled high with food. Their smiles turned slightly awkward.
"…That's true," Yuzuhara chuckled. "With how much Oguri can eat, if we change her training method, that could really become an advantage."
He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "In fact, for her, that might even count as a unique… tactic?"
"Tactic?" Kitahara blinked, then laughed after a moment of thought.
"If it really counts as one, we could call it the 'Big Eater' Tactic."
He couldn't help but grin.
After all, in the mobile game, Oguri Cap actually had a skill called "Big Eater," which restored stamina mid-race — effectively boosting endurance.
Of course, that was just a coincidence. In this world, no one could simply "activate" a skill by following some game mechanic.
Even if he suspected Oguri's stamina wasn't being fully utilized, Kitahara still had to build her foundation step by step — focusing on her speed, cornering, and finishing power.
Without those, no number of "skills" would matter.
In truth, things like "skills" and "domains" were just convenient labels — ways to describe the horse girls' unique physical conditions, techniques, and racing strategies.
"How to develop that tactic — or adjust Oguri's training routine — will take some time," Kitahara continued.
"Once we refine it, we'll need to tweak her running style and race techniques accordingly. That'll take careful coordination."
"I already have a general plan, though. I'll discuss it with her later."
He paused, then added, "Let's end Oguri's training a little early today. When I go to the kindergarten later, I'll bring her along."
As Oguri's trainer — and the team's chief — no one objected.
Just as Kitahara turned to discuss Inari One's training, Yuzuhara spoke up first.
"I've already made clear arrangements for Inari."
Looking across the dining aisle at his trainee, Yuzuhara explained:
"I know her temperament well. Back in Oi Racetrack, she never had any particularly strong rivals. Like us trainers, she got used to smooth, easy victories."
"When she came to the Central circuit, she quickly adapted to the tougher turf conditions, and her early races went well too."
"But once she entered high-level events like the Hanshin Daishoten and Tenno Sho (Spring), her opponents grew stronger — especially with Tamamo as a rival. Her impatience started to show, leading to small mistakes that affected her overall performance."
"That's where my experience from the Dino Dojo came in handy."
He paused, his eyes thoughtful. "She's a very traditional-minded girl, so she takes well to equally traditional training methods."
"Coincidentally, in Oi — or the old Edo region — there's a style of training meant to temper one's spirit. I'm planning to combine that with martial arts training."
"Her basic abilities are excellent — her strength in particular is among the best, even across the industry. If we can rein in her temperament, her future races will go much more smoothly."
"Kitahara, do you think this approach sounds okay?"
"Of course," Kitahara nodded. "Martial arts are a great way to build discipline — I assume the Edo-style method you mentioned falls into that category?"
When Yuzuhara nodded in confirmation, Kitahara smiled.
"Then it sounds perfect. In martial arts, there's a saying — 'meikyō-shisui', a mind as clear and still as polished water. If she can approach that state, her problems will naturally resolve."
With everyone's training plans finalized, Kitahara felt invigorated.
"Alright, since everything's in order, let's stay focused on our goals. Before Oguri and the others' next race, no one is allowed to slack off."
"Understood!" everyone replied in unison.
The afternoon training went exactly as planned. Oguri Cap finished early and followed Kitahara and Maruzensky to the other side of Bunkyō Ward.
This area, located in central Tokyo's 23 wards, is home to many public and private schools—from elementary to universities—making it the cultural and educational heart of Japan. The University of Tokyo's main campus is located here.
The Central Tracen Academy was also in this ward, situated near the middle. Because it's an integrated junior and senior high school, most of its students enter after graduating elementary school, so it's still some distance from the primary school and kindergarten zones.
The car heading to the kindergarten was driven by Kitahara—a business van he'd bought casually some time ago. Over this choice, he and Maruzensky had already quarreled earlier.
"Come on, Kitahara, just let me drive~"
The legendary racehorse girl begged shamelessly. "Just for a bit, okay? I'll use my sports car~"
"It's an older model, sure, but it feels so comfortable to ride in~"
"Absolutely not," Kitahara cut her off flatly. "There's no way I'm ever riding in a car you drive—not in this life."
He couldn't resist adding a jab:
"You call that driving to kindergarten speed? You just want to go racing, don't you?"
"Come on, think about your nickname—'Supercar.' Tokyo's speed limit is 60 km/h! You seriously think you can drive properly at low speed?"
"And don't pretend you haven't been fined a hundred times already for speeding. You're definitely on the Metropolitan Police blacklist!"
He spoke rhetorically, but inwardly he was certain.
He'd never ridden in Maruzensky's car, nor seen her drive, but from past memories and rumors, one thing was clear—never ride in Maruzensky's car unless you have a death wish.
Outside the racetrack, her favorite hobby perfectly matched her nickname—supercar. She adored racing.
Her beloved "Tachan" was an old red Lamborghini inherited from her father. She often took it for joyrides around town, dragging unsuspecting humans and racehorse girls along for the thrill.
Rumor had it, if you didn't fasten your seatbelt, you might literally get thrown out. And among those who had ridden with her once, few ever dared a second time.
So far, the only regular passenger was Tazuna, who often missed the last train and reluctantly accepted Maruzensky's "offer of a ride."
Given Kitahara's iron refusal, Maruzensky slumped into the back seat, sulking and muttering the whole way to the kindergarten.
"It's just driving, what's the big deal…"
"Ugh, I get carsick if I'm not in the driver's seat… Kitahara, pull over and let me drive for a bit! Just a little! I promise~"
"Man, who the heck leaked that blacklist story anyway? Only a few people knew!"
"Wait, did I pay that last fine? Or did they already deduct it from my account?"
"Anyway, Kitahara, look at how much money I've already paid in tickets! Let me drive this once, please~"
Kitahara's mouth twitched.
How many fines have you even paid?! And you still dare ask to drive?!
He tried his best to ignore her rambling, but there were just too many things worth retorting to.
Eventually, to stay focused, he decided to talk to Oguri Cap instead—about her new special training plan.
"As for your schedule, just follow what I mentioned before we left. You don't have to wake up so early anymore."
He had already explained the adjustments to her stamina training on the way to the parking lot. Now, he wanted to talk about sprinting and lane-switching techniques.
"Ideally, with your new routine, you'll have more energy left during races—enough to execute more complex tactics.
But even without that, you still need to master one thing: sprinting while changing position."
Oguri Cap, sitting in the passenger seat, kept glancing at Maruzensky through the rearview mirror, curious about her constant muttering.
When Kitahara mentioned training, though, she immediately turned her focus back.
"Hmm? Sprinting and position changing? I think I'm already decent at that."
"Back in Kasamatsu, I practiced switching between inner and outer lanes. I'm also pretty confident in outside-lane sprints."
"I've kept up with those drills after moving to Tokyo. They've never been a problem in races."
"So… are you saying I have to change my style completely?"
Whenever Oguri talked about racing, her thoughts became crystal clear—a sign that made Kitahara quite pleased.
He was used to her practical thinking and always explained tactics with examples from real races when teaching her.
"Not completely," he said patiently. "That would be wasteful and unnecessary.What I want is for you to add a new one."
"I told you before—I'd eventually find the perfect strategy for you. But because your strengths are so pronounced, finding a way to adjust around them has been really tough."
This wasn't unique to her. It was a truth for any elite athlete.
Most competitors fall within a normal range of ability; coaches can handle them using existing theories and examples.
But for prodigies with overwhelming strengths, normal logic doesn't apply.
In sports history, there were plenty of such examples—Shaquille O'Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, Pelé… athletes so extraordinary they changed the rules of their sport.
Some even revolutionized training methods.
In track and field, there were runners who found existing theories lacking, pursued research, and ended up earning doctorates.
Oguri Cap was that kind of "super-spec" athlete—her strength, explosive power, and racing instincts were all top-tier.
Each of those traits alone could make someone elite. All of them in one body made her exceptional—and hard to manage.
To make all her strengths work together was itself a massive challenge, and there was no precedent to follow.
Now, with more race data, Kitahara finally had a concrete idea.
"Oh! So you finally came up with a strategy I can use?"
Oguri's eyes lit up. "What kind? Tell me! I can't wait!"
Kitahara smiled at her excitement.
"I'm calling it 'Ultra High-Speed Lane Change.' I didn't have a name at first, but it just popped into my head…"
Mid-sentence, he suddenly realized—he probably got the idea because Maruzensky was right there in the car.
Now that he thought about it… the concept did sound a bit like street racing.
And sure enough, from the back seat came a very enthusiastic shout.
"I get it! I totally get it!"
A face suddenly appeared between the front seats, eyes shining.
"You're talking about drifting, right?!"
"I know exactly what you mean!"
"You hold the wheel like this—then shift gears like this—!"
Of course, the face belonged to the racing maniac herself—Maruzensky—excitedly waving her arms as she explained:
"You let the car slide sideways using oversteer instead of turning normally—it feels amazing!"
"Oh, oh! Oguri Cap, if you ever want to learn racing, I can teach you!"
"I'm really good at it! I'm an amazing driver!"
"Listen, the most important thing about drifting is—never brake, never slow down!"
"What kind of drift slows down, huh?! You gotta keep accelerating! Cornering fast—that's the soul of drifting!"
"Anyone can go fast on a straight! Real pros take corners fast!"
"Come, come, I'll show you—"
"Wait, wait! Maruzensky, put your seatbelt back on! Sit properly! Oguri, help me push her back!"
Startled by her sudden movement, Kitahara immediately slowed the car, calling for Oguri's help.
"And for the record, I'm not talking about actual street racing! Just something similar, okay?!Calm down before you start another scene!"
Worried she'd do something even crazier, he added quickly:
"If you really want to talk about racing, you can have your fill when we start training for this method, alright?"
Oguri obediently followed orders, gently pushing the overexcited Maruzensky back into her seat.
"That's dangerous, you know. If something happens, it'd be bad. Please sit down and fasten your seatbelt, President Maruzensky."
Maruzensky pouted as she sat back, disappointed she couldn't continue her "racing lecture."But when she heard Kitahara's next words, her excitement returned—just a little more restrained this time.
"Okay, fine," she said cheerfully. "No problem! I was just thinking it's a shame no one at the Academy likes talking about racing with me!"
"Racing is so fun—it's one of the few ways to feel real speed outside the track. I don't get why no one else enjoys it!"
After a moment, her tone grew more thoughtful.
"But… if we're talking about racing and running techniques… yeah, that approach really does suit Oguri.
Not bad, Kitahara."
Familiar with both racing physics and Oguri's traits, she caught on quickly.
Kitahara nodded, relieved she'd finally calmed down.
"Honestly, I only came up with that name because you were in the car," he admitted. "But since you mentioned it, I can actually borrow some principles from racing to refine it."
"Oguri's biggest trait is her extraordinary acceleration. Her cruising speed is normal, but once she explodes, her speed jump is terrifying."
"That kind of sudden burst creates so much momentum that even she can't control her body properly."
"That's why she leans outward in corners and sometimes runs extra distance—it's all due to that inertia."
He glanced in the rearview mirror. Both Maruzensky and Oguri were deep in thought.
"Sounds just like a race car, right?"
"If we compare it—most horse girls are like ordinary cars. Good cruising speed, decent acceleration."
"But Oguri? She's like a sports car—or even a bullet train."
"Once she accelerates, that momentum makes tight maneuvers and subtle lane shifts nearly impossible."
"So her current outside-lane sprinting is like a train running on a pre-set track—it can go fast, but only along that fixed route."
"Her inner-outer lane switches are like preset railway switches—fine for cruising, but fixed in position."
Oguri nodded thoughtfully.
"Yeah… I've felt that too."
She raised her hands to illustrate, just like Maruzensky had earlier.
"Since I started practicing at Kasamatsu, I've realized that my timing is kind of… predetermined."
"Well, not uncontrollable, but I know before the race when I'll switch lanes and where I'll sprint."
"By the time I'm on the track, I'm just following a routine."
"When I moved up to Tokyo, the habit stuck."
"The Yayoi Sho and Satsuki Sho races were both 400 meters longer, but my rhythm didn't really change."
"Even the Japanese Derby is another 400 meters more… but I don't think that'll be much different either…"
She suddenly paused, her expression shifting slightly.
"If the same thing happens in the Japan Derby…"
She trailed off midway, frowning. It felt like she had realized something important but couldn't quite put it into words.
"Then your running style will be anticipated by your opponents. They'll prepare countermeasures ahead of time. I think that's a big reason why Kitahara wants you to learn a new racing method," Maruzensky said, suddenly speaking with calm seriousness.
"In this kind of situation, if it were just a typical one-on-one setup between a trainer and a horse girl, they might not even notice the problem — not because they're incapable, but because they don't have enough time or manpower."
"Or maybe they do notice it," she added, "but still can't arrange a proper counter-strategy for the same reason."
She paused, her gaze meeting Kitahara's steady eyes through the rearview mirror."But Chouetsu Team isn't like that. They're fully capable of noticing something like this."
"It seems like you've already thought of that, and you're taking it seriously too — I mean, the competition between the two teams."
Then she smiled lightly. "Still, whether or not they've realized it, the fact that you're adjusting Oguri Cap's style now means they won't see it coming."
"…It's not really because of Chouetsu Team," Kitahara replied after a short silence.
Under Maruzensky's curious gaze, he shook his head slightly.
"What I'm thinking about is simply that Oguri Cap needs to move on to the next stage of her development."
"I do care about winning or losing," he admitted. "But rather than the result itself, what matters more is just doing what needs to be done."
"Step by step, making my horse girls stronger — and then spreading what we learn to others. That's all I've ever been doing."
After briefly explaining his thoughts, he continued talking about the new running strategy.
"In any case, the basic idea isn't that complicated."
"If Oguri Cap can perform lane changes during her high-speed sprint, then she won't be limited to just outside-lane surges or mid-race lane switches anymore. She'll be able to make targeted choices based on different race situations."
"For example, just like in the Tenno Sho (Spring) — if the Japan Derby ends up with a similar race flow, Oguri Cap won't only be able to take the outside lane like Inari One did. She could also consider something like Tamamo Cross's inside breakthrough."
"Ohh, so that's where your inspiration came from," Maruzensky mused, thoughtful again.
"But Oguri's situation is closer to Inari's — both of them are explosive-type runners."
"Still, compared to Tama-chan, her strength is far greater. I'm afraid that at such extreme speeds, it'll be difficult to make delicate lane adjustments."
She smiled knowingly. "But then again, since you already have a plan, I bet you've got a specific training method in mind, right?"
"More or less," Kitahara said frankly. "The exact details will depend on actual practice, but I already have the concept."
"Tama-chan's lightning-fast style is based on her incredible balance."
"Likewise, Oguri Cap also has a clear defining trait — her posture is lower than most horse girls', and her center of gravity is the same."
He lifted a hand from the wheel and pressed it low beside him, illustrating the point.
"See? Just like a racing car. With this kind of physical trait, I think she can definitely develop her own unique style."
"And besides…"
Through the front windshield, he could already see the kindergarten gates coming into view. He said thoughtfully,
"This time we're here to talk with Gold Ship — or rather, with her guardian."
"She's of gray-hair lineage, and we have more than one gray-hair in our group — not just Tama-chan, but Oguri too."
"So maybe, if we compare Gold Ship's data with Oguri's, we might gain insights that'll help refine her new running style."
Though he phrased it as speculation, inwardly Kitahara was almost certain.
After all, in the other world, Gold Ship's famous 'drainage-ditch cornering' was a textbook example of drifting — pure racing-car style.
The original racehorse's unique ability came from her robust frame and unusually tough legs. In this world, Gold Ship the horse girl was also tall — about 170 cm — with a rare, powerful build among horse girls.
Oguri Cap was similar. Though her figure looked slender at first glance, her physical strength was tremendous, allowing her to handle the intense strain of high-speed lane switching.
And since both were gray-hair bloodlines — the "Gray Monster" and the "New Generation Gray Monster" — they clearly shared certain traits. Learning more about the former would undoubtedly help the latter's growth in training and racing.
Before coming to the kindergarten, Maruzensky had already used her position to contact the district administrator. Once Kitahara explained their visit at the reception desk, they quickly found a parking spot and learned which class Gold Ship was in.
It was still a bit early — class hadn't been dismissed yet. Inside the classrooms, rows of tiny horse girls were quietly doing their assignments, making crafts, or playing games under their teachers' watchful eyes.
But when they reached the classroom they were looking for, Kitahara's group froze at the sight before them.
"Gold Ship, get down from there! That's too high — it's dangerous! You— you…"
"Shh! Don't make noise. I'm receiving cosmic signals right now. This is the highest place in the school — it's the best spot for reception… Can't you feel it?"
"What signal? Gold Ship, get down already…"
"Ah-chan, hurry down! Or I'll come up there and spank you!"
"Pfft, you're joking, right, Craftsman? You can't beat me. Even if you could, you can't catch me."
"See, teacher? Scaring her doesn't work. How about we just go home and leave this idiot here?"
"Craftsman, you can't say that! You two can't keep acting like this — you're good friends, remember? No fighting!"
"That's not my fault. I'm a quiet horse girl. It's always Ah-chan who picks on me — I never start anything."
"Good grief, you kids really don't give me a break…"
"Ah, teacher! Look, there's a strange uncle and two big sisters coming over!"
"Huh? What did you say, Ittsu? …Oh! Hello there — may I ask who you three are…?"
That was the scene that greeted Kitahara, Oguri Cap, and Maruzensky when they arrived — total chaos.
On the low roof of the kindergarten building sat a small horse girl with chestnut hair and a streak of white across her bangs, legs crossed proudly.
Below her stood the flustered teacher and a group of amused little horse girls.
Among them were two who stood out — one wearing a mask, rolling her eyes up at the rooftop troublemaker, and another quiet, timid-looking one clutching the teacher's pants and sneaking glances toward the newcomers.
(End of Chapter)