After Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen had been looking through Sakura Baimu's "Takarazuka Kinen Guide" for a while, both of them showed expressions of surprise.
The two of them hadn't expected that Sakura Baimu would actually come up with a plan in just one night, and in such detail.
Tokai Teio took a closer look at the steep slope section related to the Takarazuka Kinen that Sakura Baimu had just mentioned.
But after turning to that section, Tokai Teio's eyes widened suddenly, revealing a look of surprise.
Because she discovered that the method for getting across the steep slope in the fastest way was clearly written inside.
From the preparation for the relatively gentle descent before the steep slope, to the posture and steps when starting the steep slope, and the way to exert force with the soles of the feet, calves, and thighs, everything is clearly written.
Moreover, Sakura Baimu's guide records many different ways to climb the hill, and lists the advantages and disadvantages of each method, making it extremely detailed.
"Trainer-san, did you really come up with this plan after you sent us back last night?"
Tokai Teio was somewhat incredulous. She flipped through the contents repeatedly, confirming that she had not seen any similar guides elsewhere.
"Of course, otherwise I'd like to spend a few days in Kyoto too," Sakura Baimu replied.
"But... how could such a detailed guide be created if an Umamusume wasn't asked to experiment? Did Trainer-san ask another team's Umamusume to practice uphill running last night? No, unless it's an Umamusume who participated in the Takarazuka Kinen, how could they create it in one night, and with so many different running styles!"
"I'm amazing, aren't I!" Sakura Baimu smiled, without offering any explanation.
"Trainer-san…" Mejiro McQueen spoke slowly at this moment, with a questioning expression, "You didn't ask Rigil's Trainer for the walkthrough, did you?"
Tokai Teio denied it, saying, "That's impossible. I heard Condor and Grass Wonder say that Rigil's Trainer is a very strict trainer. She wouldn't give her own team members special treatment, let alone our Trainer-san."
"McQueen, can't you have a little more faith in me? How could I possibly take someone else's plan and claim it's my own? Besides, the strategy that Tojo-nee made for her team members might not be as detailed as mine," Sakura Baimu said to Mejiro McQueen, feigning dissatisfaction.
"You're just bragging. Rigil is the strongest team in Tracen, and they have two three-time champion Umamusume. How could they not be as detailed as you?" Mejiro McQueen flicked her long purple hair and habitually teased Sakura Baimu.
"Within two years, the number of three-time champions in our team will definitely surpass Rigil's. Just you wait and see."
Sakura Baimu stood up with a smile.
"Having a strategy guide is useless; you have to test it out yourselves. There's a similar steep slope on the Tracen track, but it's much lower, yet it's still sufficient."
Sakura Baimu led several team members to the training ground from the previous night and found that the lawn had already been renovated at Akikawa Yayoi's behest, which put her at ease.
"As you can see, the Takarazuka Kinen course is counter-clockwise, so you will also run counter-clockwise this time. The starting point is set at 1600 meters. After 300 meters, there is the first steep hill. After running one lap counter-clockwise, the finish line is set 200 meters after the steep hill." Sakura Baimu pointed to the small hill that didn't look very high. "There are two small hills in total. Your task is to quickly overcome these hills without losing speed."
"This level is a piece of cake." Mejiro McQueen tossed her long, light purple hair, her tone nonchalant and full of confidence.
"Wait until you've finished one lap before saying that." Sakura Baimu walked over to Mejiro McQueen, smiled, and patted her on the shoulder. "You two shouldn't treat this as a practice run; just treat it as a normal race. Don't follow the strategy for the first part; just do what you think is right."
"Understood."
"I see."
After Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen each agreed, they began their warm-up exercises.
"Kita-chan, go and borrow that finish line sign." Sakura Baimu pointed to the finish line sign with the Amazon diamond design in the distance and instructed Kitasan Black.
"Leave it to me." Kitasan Black raised her little fist and responded energetically, then quickly ran towards the place where the finish line sign was placed.
Now only Sakura Baimu and Satono Diamond, who has a brown princess braid, are left standing here.
Sakura Baimu also took this opportunity to observe Satono Diamond, who was standing quietly with her hands elegantly clasped in front of her.
"Look at Dia-chan, now that's what a young lady should be like. Even when she's just standing there, she's so dignified and elegant. And when she does things, she's so graceful and poised. She's so different from that fat, purple-haired umamusume." Sakura Baimu couldn't help but think to herself.
Satono Diamond gave Sakura Baimu a completely different feeling than Mejiro McQueen.
Perhaps it was because Sakura Baimu had seen Mejiro McQueen in her unruly childhood.
In Sakura Baimu's eyes, Satono Diamond was more like a young lady from a wealthy family.
Despite Mejiro McQueen's elegant demeanor, once you get to know her, you'll find that this sophisticated lady is actually quite down-to-earth in private.
Previously, Sakura Baimu had a situation where she received some prize money after a competition, but then took Mejiro McQueen out, and she ate all of it in one afternoon.
Sakura Baimu recalled her memories of Mejiro McQueen. A smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.
"Trainer-san ..."
Sakura Baimu's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a soft voice.
"What's wrong, Dia-chan?"
"Um…" Satono Diamond glanced around, and after making sure no one else was around, continued in a low voice, "Actually, when I first decided to join Trainer-san's team, I didn't tell my family…"
Satono Diamond phrased it tactfully, but Sakura Baimu immediately understood and a bad feeling arose in her heart.
"Your family has objections to you joining TCB, right?"
"Well… Dad actually wanted me to join Ms. Tojo's team at first," Satono Diamond said softly. "Of course I didn't want to, so I argued with my father for a while, and he finally reluctantly agreed to let me join TCB, but he made a condition: if Trainer-san could meet the requirements, he would agree to let me train with you."
Satono Diamond's voice trailed off as she spoke, a faint blush rising on her fair and delicate cheeks, clearly indicating that she was very embarrassed by what she had said.
Sakura Baimu stared at Satono Diamond with a look of utter disbelief, inwardly thinking.
"Please, can you stop making it look like a father-in-law choosing a son-in-law for his daughter?!"