"You four should focus on adaptive training for the next few days."
Tokai Teio's enthusiasm had influenced Mejiro McQueen and the others; they too wanted to run side-by-side with Oguri Cap's group.But Kitahara shook his head and refused.
"First, you haven't fully entered your serious phase of development. Your physical foundation isn't strong enough yet."
He explained, "The tests you completed this morning were actually very intense. You may not feel tired now, but if you try to run parallel with the senpais, that accumulated fatigue will hit you hard by evening."
"Second, it's fine to follow your senpais during regular practice, but what they're doing next is a pre-race simulation."
"Many parts of a simulation are no different from a real race. With your current ability, joining that level of training would be too much."
"For now, just complete your regular training properly. Then spend the remaining time learning from the trackside."
"Kyoka, I'm entrusting their training to you."
Their desire to run with their senpais was strong—especially Tokai Teio, who hated losing even to upperclassmen.
But Kitahara's tone this time left no room for debate.The youngsters were surprised, but didn't push further.
Still, before leaving with Kyoka, Tokai Teio couldn't stop herself from asking:
"Uncle, from what you said… Inari-senpai's opponents in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen are really that strong?"
"But the Chairwoman told me that in terms of raw strength, the senpais don't have much to worry about."
"So what's so troublesome about this race?"
Kitahara didn't intend to hide anything about the race; he just didn't want them joining training beyond their ability.
Hearing Teio's question, he thought for a moment. Seeing that Oguri and the others were waiting for instructions, he naturally began to explain:
"If we're only comparing basic stats—speed, power, that sort of thing—Inari doesn't have much to worry about."
"We've already investigated the opponents."
"Judging from their past race results, their final three-furlong times, cruising speeds—on paper, Inari holds a significant advantage."
Oguri Cap and the others had heard this kind of pre-race analysis many times.They knew he was about to get to the important part, so they listened carefully.
Tokai Teio's group, unfamiliar with Eisei's habits, also began to think seriously.
"'On paper'… so that means…"
Teio murmured, and just as she had an idea, Narita Brian spoke up first:
"You mean their actual running style or preferred tactics might be disadvantageous for Inari-senpai?"
Hearing that, Teio looked disappointed—she had the same thought, but Brian beat her to it.
Mejiro McQueen also frowned and nodded slightly. She had arrived at the same conclusion.
"Correct. All of you reacted quickly. That's exactly the issue," Kitahara nodded.
All the horse girls invited to join training had excellent talent.
Even though they hadn't debuted yet, their instincts and understanding of racing were top-class among their age group.
After acknowledging their answer, Kitahara glanced at Inari One, who was also frowning.
He sighed helplessly, then looked toward Yuzuhara.
Yuzuhara wore the same troubled expression. Receiving Kitahara's look, he sighed lightly.
"It's fine, Kitahara. There's no need to hide this."
He spoke in a deep tone:"Inari's issue comes from her own traits, but it's not something that needs avoiding. Besides, we're about to practice the exact countermeasures we discussed."
"And this is a good learning experience for Oguri and Teio as well."
Before any real competition, teams always thoroughly analyzed opponents and potential problems.The Takamatsunomiya Kinen was no exception.
Before coming to Chukyo for the dress rehearsal, Kitahara and his colleagues had already spent hours discussing everything.So explaining it now posed no problem.
"There are two opponents in this Takamatsunomiya Kinen who may cause trouble for Inari."
Without hiding anything, Kitahara said firmly:
"Tanino Comet and Cosmo Dream."
"Tanino Comet?"
McQueen was surprised. "The one from the Tanino family?"
"Tanino Comet…"Narita Brian murmured, "I remember someone named Tanino Crystal in the class next to mine and Roman's. Is she her sister?"
"That's right. Just like you, McQueen and Ardan, she comes from a prestigious racing family—the Tanino family."
Kitahara nodded. "Tanino Crystal is indeed her younger sister."
In the world of horse girls, many elite families existed.
The Symboli family of Symboli Rudolf;The Mejiro family of McQueen and Ardan;And the Tanino family of Comet and Crystal—all were well-known dynasties.
Tanino's family line had many famous racehorses.
Before Symboli Rudolf's era, Tanino Moutiers was a famous dual-crown racehorse:18 races, 12 wins, including the Hanshin Stakes, Satsuki Sho, and Japanese Derby.
Her sister, Tanino Chikara, had 24 races, 13 wins, winning the Autumn Tenno Sho and the Arima Kinen.
But the most famous in later generations was Tanino Gimlet .
Their family was known for extraordinary power, endurance, and toughness.High-finishing bursts were a trademark.
Comet, currently active, had run 52 races; her younger sister Crystal had run 40 as a filly—this already showed their durability and stamina.
Tanino Gimlet, though only raced eight times, was infamous for his sheer strength.
The day she retired to the ranch, he kicked down four fence panels.Later he continued is hreign of destruction, kicking two more after recovering from injury—treating it as a celebration. He even taught other horses to kick fences.
[He taught it to Vodka, which she tried to do in Ireland and died lmao]
Though that sounded comical, their family's power traits were undeniable.The horse girl Vodka fully embodied it—7 G1 victories, the first filly to win the Japanese Derby in 64 years.
Given all their data and Eisei's analysis, if the timing was wrong, Tanino Comet could indeed cause trouble for Inari with her raw strength.
Kitahara naturally hid everything relating to the "other world," but the information he could disclose was already clear enough.
After hearing all this, both the seniors and the younger girls understood the race situation.
"Power, huh… Sounds troublesome after hearing that."
Oguri Cap nodded thoughtfully. Then she asked:
"But Inari has mastered Domain now. If she uses it, shouldn't it be fine?"
Teio's group wasn't familiar enough with Domains to react, but the Domain users like Tamamo Cross understood immediately and relaxed.
"Yeah, Oguri's right. If Inari uses Domain, she'll be fine."
Tamamo Cross slapped Inari's shoulder."We always train while aiming at Domain as a standard anyway."
"Inari shouldn't have to worry."
"Oh, right—Uncle, Tanino Comet doesn't have a Domain, right?"
For Eisei's horse girls, the Domain had become a standard assumption.Its overwhelming advantage was something other horse girls couldn't imagine.
"Comet definitely hasn't awakened a Domain. Her races don't show extreme bursts."
Kitahara confirmed—but his expression didn't ease.
Instead, he exchanged a look with Yuzuhara, hesitated, and added:
"But—"
"But? But what…?"
Tamamo Cross was about to ask more when a soft whisper came from beside her.
"But… I'm probably the one who'll be affected this time."
"...Huh?"
Tamamo turned in surprise—only to see Inari looking unusually serious.
"Affected how…?"
"Mm. Look, even Taro isn't speaking."
Pointing at her trainer, Inari looked calm—very unlike her usual noisy self.
"I know Taro very well. If there were no problems, he wouldn't be fussing like this."
"Since Uncle Kitahara said all that and Taro didn't add anything, it means he's definitely worrying about something."
"I—I'm not 'fussing'… I just—"
Yuzuhara looked helpless, then sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Alright, yes. I'm worried."
He straightened up.
"If Tanino Comet were the only opponent, Inari would have nothing to fear."
"Based on our analysis, even without using Domain, Inari has enough ability to beat her."
"But as I said earlier, there's one more opponent—Cosmo Dream."
At that name, all the horse girls' attention sharpened.They quickly realized the significance.
"Cosmo Dream?! Isn't she—"
Mejiro Ardan gasped softly.Super Creek also frowned and continued:
"This year's Oaks winner…"
The Oaks—also known as the Yūshun Himba—was the filly equivalent of the Japanese Derby.
Only a dozen out of thousands of horse girls each year qualified.The champion's strength was unquestionable.
Mejiro Ramonu, whom Eisei knew well, was a previous Oaks winner.
Even after all Oguri and the others had gone through, they still struggled to measure up to Ramonu's level.
Of course, Ramonu was a rare "Triple Tiara / Domain-tier" horse girl.
In both this world and the other, such talents were extremely rare.
Even so, an Oaks champion was someone who absolutely couldn't be underestimated.
"I knew it. That's why you two looked troubled recently."
While others grew more worried, Inari actually relaxed.
"So you found out earlier that I'd be facing someone that strong."
"Anyone who can win the Oaks—maybe not as strong as Ramonu-senpai, but at least someone who's touched Domain."
"That kind of opponent is definitely strong."
"And there must be something troublesome about her, right?"
"Something that's especially troublesome for me, I bet."
"…Didn't expect you to be this sharp right now."
Yuzuhara was surprised.Before he could explain further, Inari snapped:
"Hey, Taro!"
She jumped in irritation.
"What do you mean 'this sharp right now'?!"
"I'm always sharp, okay?!"
"Your face has been stiff like Oi dirt track for days—I'd have to be blind not to notice you're worried!"
"And Uncle Kitahara barely shows expressions, so it's hard to read him."
"But you? You whisper with him while frowning? Anyone could guess something's up!"
"Alright, alright, no need to praise me that hard."
She waved casually, already back to her usual joking self.
"Anyway, it's too late to worry now, right?"
"You guys analyzed everything already. You must know exactly what's so strong about that Oaks champion—and how to counter it."
"So stop keeping secrets. Hurry up and explain and let's start training!"
As the competitor in this race, Inari wasn't affected at all—she was getting pumped up.
Seeing that, even Yuzuhara, who truly had been worried all along, couldn't help lifting his spirits a little. Kitahara also smiled.
"Good attitude. Looks like Yuzuhara really has been acting like a fussing parent."
He joked, making Yuzuhara pout miserably.
But Kitahara soon grew serious again.
"Cosmo Dream became Oaks champion because she's strong—no question."
"Her basic ability is excellent."
"As for her Domain, we're certain she has stepped into it. We just don't know the level or characteristics yet. We're analyzing it now—results should come in the next two days."
"But beyond basic strength and Domain, her biggest weapon is her running style and tactical specialty."
"Which is exactly what Inari guessed: something unfavorable for her."
Looking straight at Inari, Kitahara continued:
"She excels at a classic front-runner and stalker style. She adapts exceptionally well between the two."
"And within her preferred running styles… she specializes in marking tactics."
"Inari—you specialize in closing runs. That means for most of the race, you're positioned behind Cosmo Dream."
"That gives her the perfect angle to mark you and disrupt your rhythm."
"For Oguri and the others, that wouldn't be a big problem."
"But you have a weakness: if your rhythm is deliberately disrupted, you become irritable."
"That's what Yuzuhara and all of us have been worried about."
"Once your emotions go out of control, you can't use your full strength. And since Domain requires complete focus, you won't be able to enter it."
"If that happens, you'll struggle against pressure from Cosmo Dream in front…"
"…and then suffer from Tanino Comet attacking from behind."
"She's also a closer like you. If your rhythm collapses, you'll be in a two-sided pincer."
"That's why today's simulation focuses on Oguri's group helping you practice maintaining rhythm through variable-paced scenarios."
"We need to prevent the worst-case situation from happening."
(End of chapter)