Chapter 54: Thinking About the Spring Stakes?
Two weeks later, on a Friday afternoon during training class, at the edge of the sports field—
A group of Umamusume in athletic T-shirts and shorts stood facing a teacher holding a clipboard, who called out loudly:
"This lesson's content is something I hope you'll all review thoroughly afterward.
"If you've already debuted, please prioritize your trainer's instructions. If anything we teach here differs from what your trainer tells you, be sure to ask questions. Don't keep doubts to yourself.
"Alright, that's it for today's class. Thank you for your cooperation—dismissed!"
After bowing and thanking the teacher together with the rest of her classmates, Kitasan Black glanced toward the spectator stands with a hint of melancholy and pursed her lips.
Taking a few steps with the others toward the exit, she scratched her head, then turned back toward the track.
She had only taken a couple of steps when a voice suddenly called out from behind.
"Hey—Kita—!"
Kitasan instinctively turned her head. Before she could see who had shouted, something came flying at her in a neat arc.
"Catch!"
"Ah? O-okay—!"
She reached out and caught the object. Looking at it closely, she found it was a drink bottle and blinked in confusion as she turned toward the voice.
"Crow-chan, this is…?"
The one who had called out to her was none other than her classmate, Satono Crown.
"It's for you."
Carrying a shopping bag full of drinks, Crown walked over with a cheerful smile.
"After I won the Yayoi Sho last week, I wanted to reward myself, so I ordered some stuff from overseas."
"But I accidentally bought too much. Even after giving a bunch to my family, there was still plenty left over, so I figured I'd bring some to share with everyone."
"Not sure if it's your kind of flavor, but if you don't like it, I have other options too."
Kitasan Black looked down at the drink in her hand without thinking.
It was a bottle of milk—on the packaging it said "Alfalfa" flavor.
Besides the flavor label, there was a photo of a mature and glamorous Umamusume on the front.
Something about her looked oddly familiar, so Kitasan squinted at the name written beside the image.
"Eh? Chinese?"
"Yeah, I ordered it from Hong Kong."
Satono Crown had already come closer. She pulled a bottle of "Royal Bamboo" flavored milk from the bag and said with a grin:
"It's endorsed by a veteran Umamusume from there that I know of—you've probably seen her in some of the Twinkle Series matches, right?"
"Hong Kong… ah, I remember now."
Kitasan's ears perked up. "She's from that race with Special Week-senpai? The Japan Cup?"
"Yup. She didn't win that race, but coming in third was still amazing."
Satono Crown nodded.
"I see…"
Nodding in realization, Kitasan looked again at the drink in her hand. Without hesitation, she asked,
"Could I swap this for a banana flavor? I like that kind of drink more."
"Banana, huh? Let me see… Here you go."
"Yay! Thanks, Crow-chan!"
After swapping her drink and inserting the straw, Kitasan took a big sip. Her eyes lit up immediately.
"It really does taste different from the ones in Japan!"
"Right?" Satono Crown laughed. "My family has a lot of trainers from overseas, so I've gotten used to trying things from other countries."
"Yeah, yeah! Whenever I go to play with you and Diamond-chan, there's always a ton of foreign stuff around."
Kitasan nodded repeatedly. Then her expression shifted as something occurred to her.
"Oh right, Crow-chan—at your celebration party the other day, those foreign guests… were they all trainers?"
The party, of course, had been to celebrate Crown's victory at the Yayoi Sho.
The race was more than just a high-stakes event—it was the stepping stone toward the prestigious Satsuki Sho.
With her victory at the Yayoi Sho, Crown had secured a critical advantage: guaranteed entry to the next stage. That win wasn't just a trophy—it was a ticket.
The rest of the competitors, including herself, Kitasan Black knew, would have to rely on a combination of fan votes and a draw to earn their spots. Meanwhile, Crown could stride forward with certainty, her place in the spotlight already secured.
Unless she chose to withdraw—which was highly unlikely—there was no scenario where Satono Crown wouldn't be present at the Satsuki Sho.
Realizing that, a quiet envy settled in Kitasan Black's heart. She glanced across the field in silence.
It was already mid-March, the early stirrings of spring painting the training grounds in hues of fresh green. Delicate new grass blanketed the track like a soft carpet, and even though class had ended for the day, the field remained alive with movement. Several Umamusume were still immersed in self-guided training.
Among them… stood her next opponent.
Crow-chan's already taken the Yayoi Sho. Of course she'll aim for the Satsuki Sho next...
Then—what about me?
Before she could sink deeper into her thoughts, a soft voice chimed in from beside her.
"Thinking about the Spring Stakes?"
"Mm... Eeehh?!"
Kitasan Black jolted, face flushing with embarrassment. Her private musings had been read like an open book. She turned toward Crown, who had a knowing smirk on her face.
"C-Crow-chan! H-How did you...?"
"Your expression gave it away."
Satono Crown chuckled and tilted her head, her eyes drifting toward the bleachers that lined the edge of the field.
"I noticed during class too. Usually, around this time, your Trainer would be sitting over there, right?"
She pointed casually to the stands.
"But today, he's not. And during training breaks, you kept glancing that way. Not just once or twice, either—right, Kita-chan?"
"W-Was I really that obvious?" Kitasan scratched her cheek sheepishly. "Hehe... I guess I'm not used to it yet…"
"I get it," Crown nodded softly. "Not every Trainer is like yours—so focused, so dedicated, always by your side…"
As she said that, her voice trailed off ever so slightly, and her eyes dimmed for the briefest moment.
Kitasan blinked. She hadn't expected that kind of wistful note from Crown. There was a weight to her tone that tugged gently at her chest.
She wanted to ask—Is everything okay?—but the words caught in her throat.
She knew a bit about Crown's past now. After hearing the story from Vodka-senpai and the others, she pieced together some of the pain Crown and her family Umamusume carried. The troubled partnership with their family former Trainer, the weight of expectations, the shadows of disappointment.
That was why, even though she truly wanted to offer comfort—she held herself back.
Because what can she really say that wouldn't just rub salt in the wound?
After all, hadn't she just beaten Rasen in their last race?
Even if she meant well, wouldn't asking risk sounding like she was showing off?
Kitasan Black wasn't someone who could stand to see others hurting. Whenever someone was in trouble, she had a strong, almost instinctive desire to help. But at the same time, she understood—
Kindness alone isn't always enough.
If she didn't have the strength to truly help someone, then her goodwill could end up being nothing more than a burden.
And so, ever since that night at the post-race celebration, when she had quietly observed Crown from across the room, she had held back. Crown's expression had seemed okay that night—not cheerful, perhaps, but composed. That had been enough to reassure her, just a little.
But now, seeing that flicker of melancholy again…
She parted her lips, intending to say something—but Crown beat her to it, smoothly changing the subject with a gentle smile.
"By the way, if it's not a secret, could I ask—where is your Trainer today? I'm just curious. If it's something related to race strategy or confidential training, feel free to ignore the question."
Kitasan blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the shift in tone. But then, seeing no sadness in Crown's expression, she let herself relax.
"Oh, it's not a secret or anything!" she replied, perking up a little. "He went over to the university today, that's all. So he couldn't make it to the grounds."
"The university?" Crown repeated, arching a delicate eyebrow. "So he's researching something training-related over there? Got it."
She nodded in understanding, and with that, didn't press further.
<+>
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