Chapter 163: The Taller Almond Eye
"It's difficult…?"
Hearing Silence Suzuka's words, Kitasan Black thought for a moment before asking curiously, "Then, senpai, who do you think will win this race?"
"Well…"
Silence Suzuka pinched her chin and pondered for a while. Then she looked at Kitasan Black with a troubled expression. "This… is actually hard to say."
"Hard to say…? Why?"
"A race's outcome can be predicted based on past performances, but the Dream Trophy is quite special."
Silence Suzuka explained patiently: "Everyone participating is very famous, but they've all already retired. They all have their own lives now, and we don't really know how well they've been maintaining their training."
"You saw it too, right? For this Dream Trophy, Teio even came back from home to train at the academy. I'm sure there are many others like her."
"Some might've started preparing much earlier, and some… might barely have prepared at all."
"I see…" Kitasan Black sounded a little disappointed.
She had been looking forward to the Dream Trophy for a long time, imagining she would get to see her seniors recreate the glory they once had on the track.
If things were as Suzuka-senpai said—if the seniors couldn't maintain training due to their personal lives—then the race might turn out a bit disappointing.
But after thinking about it, she relaxed.
No matter how much someone loves running, life isn't only about running.
Just like she herself had once dreamed of becoming a singer. Her seniors each running toward the life they love is only natural.
And more importantly, simply getting to see the veteran racers who once shone on the track appear there again—that alone is the meaning of the Dream Trophy. There's no need to push them beyond that.
While Kitasan Black was lost in thought, the subway began to slow down. An announcement chime rang through the car: arriving at Fuchu Station.
Fuchu Station was the closest station to the Tokyo Racecourse—the venue for this year's Dream Trophy.
"Ah! We're here!"
Instantly excited, Kitasan Black sprang up from her seat, staring at the station sign drawing closer and closer.
"Let's go cheer for everyone in today's race together! Oh—right…"
She pulled out her phone and opened a message. "Ai-chan said she's already arrived. Let's go meet her at the racecourse entrance."
...
Almond Eye was also coming to watch the Dream Trophy today—something Kitasan Black had learned the night before.
The little one said she happened to be on vacation, and she had a social studies assignment to complete. Without hesitation, she chose the Dream Trophy as her topic and wanted to ask Kitasan Black and Makoto for suggestions.
Kitasan Black quickly agreed. After she mentioned it to her Trainer, he also said it was fine.
Silence Suzuka and Rice Shower, after hearing how this little girl had gotten to know the two, were eager to meet her as well.
Like all G1 races, the Dream Trophy was scheduled as the highlight of the day—the second-to-last race.
The group had left Mt. Mito early in the morning; it was barely past 8 when they boarded the subway. By the time they arrived at Fuchu Station, it was almost time for the racecourse gates to open.
From the subway to the racecourse—especially on the pedestrian bridge leading to the main gate—the place was filled with people wearing the same excited expressions as Kitasan Black.
Judging from the race pamphlets in their hands and all the merchandise they wore, it was clear they were all here for today's Dream Trophy.
Amid the bustling crowd, following the directions from the message Kitasan Black had received, they quickly spotted Almond Eye by the Umamusume statue at the entrance, looking around anxiously from side to side.
"Kitasan-senpai!"
With sharp eyes, Almond Eye spotted them immediately. Her eyes lit up, and she began waving her arm frantically before hopping excitedly toward them.
"Ai-chan! Long time no see!"
Kitasan Black hurried forward, unable to contain her excitement. She wrapped her arms around Almond Eye—who was still a full head shorter than her—and squeezed her tightly.
"It's been two months since we last met, right? Eh—?"
She raised a hand and measured above Almond Eye's head. Then she froze in shock.
"Ai-chan… you've gotten taller?"
Almond Eye had been all cheerful a moment ago, but once she noticed the surrounding people looking over—Makoto and the 2 Umamusume included—watching Kitasan Black compare their heights, she grew a bit embarrassed and looked away.
"Kitasan-senpai… can you please let go of me first…"
Kitasan Black blinked, hurriedly let go, and apologized repeatedly. Almond Eye glanced around nervously—almost guiltily—then lifted her chin in a slightly proud smile and rose on tiptoes.
"Mm! I've grown quite a bit."
"I don't know why, but right before summer break, I suddenly started eating way more than before. But I didn't get fatter—just taller."
"If I keep growing like this, I might be as tall as Kitasan-senpai soon."
Beside them, Makoto and the others had been watching the two with gentle smiles. But upon hearing that exchange, the three of them all paused—and then fell into thoughtful silence.
"Getting taller…" Silence Suzuka stared at Almond Eye's head and lower legs.
"Eating more than before…" Rice Shower unconsciously glanced at Almond Eye's mouth and stomach.
Makoto rubbed his chin, looking her up and down, and nodded as if reaching a conclusion.
"…She's probably beginning her Honkakuka stage."
"Honkakuka—?!"
Kitasan Black's eyes widened, darting between her Trainer and Almond Eye. "Who—Ai-chan? Really?"
"It should be true," Silence Suzuka agreed with a nod. "I remember you and Makoto-san saying Almond Eye is about to move up to the next school level. Usually, that age lines up with the start of Honkakuka."
"Mm. For me, it was around that time too," Rice Shower added. "That was when my appetite suddenly increased… although I didn't grow very tall afterward…"
"So," Makoto said, looking curiously at the stunned Almond Eye, "your parents or family members or senpai didn't notice anything? It should be pretty obvious."
An Umamusume's Honkakuka was unusual in some ways, but in terms of timing, it was similar to a human's puberty—usually happening around the end of elementary school, though some started a bit earlier.
The signs were clear: steady height growth, increased appetite—those were the common ones.
The difference lay in talent: during this stage, an Umamusume's abilities would leap dramatically. Their running ability would skyrocket once they entered Honkakuka.
To put it a bit dramatically: Almond Eye's speed and overall capability after Honkakuka would surpass what two or three of her previous event-race opponents combined could achieve.
If memory served, Almond Eye was set to make her official debut about two years later than Kitasan Black.
Kitasan Black had entered her Honkakuka a year ago, stabilized, and then enrolled in Tracen Academy.
And now Almond Eye was beginning the same stage—right on schedule.
<+>
If you want to see more chapter of this story and don't mind paying $5 each month to read till the latest chapter, please go to my Ko-Fi[1].
Latest Post In Ko-Fi: Chapter 194: My Turn to Write a "Peach Letter"[2]
Link to the chapter: https://ko-fi.com/post/Chapter-194-My-Turn-to-Write-a-Peach-Letter-Y8Y31RUK1R[3]
https://ko-fi.com/umazing[4]
[1] https://ko-fi.com/umazing
[2] https://ko-fi.com/post/Chapter-194-My-Turn-to-Write-a-Peach-Letter-Y8Y31RUK1R
[3] https://ko-fi.com/post/Chapter-194-My-Turn-to-Write-a-Peach-Letter-Y8Y31RUK1R
[4] https://ko-fi.com/umazing