After reflecting quietly, Yasui Makoto turned his attention toward the big screen.
At its center, energetically waving at the camera, was none other than his own black-haired Uma Musume.
Meanwhile, the announcer introduced Kitasan Black to the audience.
"Having overcome countless doubts prior to her debut…"
"Achieving two consecutive victories, proving her talents beyond just short-distance races…"
"Full of spirit and vigor—"
"Please welcome gate number one, Kitasan Black!"
Cheers echoed throughout the racecourse.
Smiling broadly, Kitasan Black pumped her fist energetically, then dramatically pulled off her jacket and tossed it toward the paddock's outer railing.
"Impressive. Good energy," Yasui muttered approvingly.
But his praise quickly turned to awkward amusement as laughter filled the stands.
The announcer joined in with a good-natured chuckle:
"Kitasan Black is certainly fired up—she's thrown her jacket all the way into the spectator stands! Let's hope she brings that same powerful performance onto the track."
Indeed, Kitasan Black's stylish toss had been a bit too enthusiastic—her jacket flew more than ten meters away, landing squarely in the audience seats.
Clearly embarrassed, the black-haired girl quickly jumped down from the stage, retrieved her jacket from the crowd, repeatedly bowed in apology, then dashed backstage without a backward glance.
"…Ahh, something unexpected every time," Yasui murmured, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "First the debut, then the last race, and now today…"
Special Week, who had been laughing at Kitasan's performance too, glanced at him curiously upon hearing this remark.
"Debut? Last race? Did something happen before, Yasui-san?"
"Ah… Well," Yasui coughed lightly and briefly summarized his Uma Musume's previous mishaps. "Kita-chan usually isn't careless at all, but for some reason, these little mistakes keep happening before her races…"
"Little mistakes, huh? Well, that's not so bad," Special Week laughed softly, recalling her own experiences. "During my debut, I got so nervous during the parade that I ended up stumbling over my own feet and falling down."
"My Winner's Stage after the race was pretty bad too—I had absolutely no idea how to sing or dance. I had to practice with Teio-senpai for a long time before I finally got it right."
She chuckled for a moment longer before suddenly becoming thoughtful.
"But…"
Intrigued by Special Week's stories of past embarrassment, Yasui raised an eyebrow.
"But what…?"
"Ah, well," Special Week hesitated briefly, then gave an awkward laugh, scratching her head. "It's nothing, really. Please don't mind it, Yasui-san."
Puzzled, Yasui paused, unsure of what she meant. After a moment, convinced Kitasan Black was probably fine, he refocused on watching the rest of the Uma Musume being introduced.
Once satisfied that their conditions matched his earlier analysis, Yasui glanced toward the tunnel leading from the paddock, awaiting his Uma Musume's return.
Soon enough, spotting Kitasan's familiar figure approaching, Yasui raised his arm—
"Kita-cha—"
But Special Week's excited shout completely drowned him out:
"Heeey! Kita-chan! I came here to cheer you on!"
Her hands cupped around her mouth, Special Week jumped up and down energetically, waving frantically at Kitasan.
Clearly surprised at first, Kitasan quickly brightened, waving back joyfully before trotting over to the railing directly in front of them.
"Spe-chan-senpai?! Wh-What are you doing here?!"
After exclaiming in happy shock, Kitasan's expression shifted to sudden realization.
"Oh! I get it now—so the senpai Daiwa and Vodka mentioned…was you, Spe-chan-senpai!"
"Hehehe—here I come!"
With a silly giggle, and to Yasui's astonishment—not to mention the startled audience around them—Special Week swiftly hopped over the railing, rushing forward to embrace Kitasan warmly across the barrier.
"Surprised? Honestly, I've been a pretty neglectful senpai," Special Week confessed sheepishly, tightly holding both of Kitasan's hands.
"I didn't even know you'd already debuted until Daiwa and Vodka told me. I feel terrible I didn't realize sooner."
"Anyway, congratulations on your two debut victories, Kita-chan! You've done amazing!"
"Hehehe, thanks, Spe-chan-senpai…" Kitasan grinned bashfully back at Special Week, quickly shaking her head earnestly. "Please don't say that! I heard you've been busy running the ranch in Hokkaido with your mother. I was already thrilled just knowing you'd watch my races. I never expected you'd actually come to cheer me on!"
She squeezed Special Week's hands firmly.
"Don't worry, senpai—I'll absolutely give it my all today! I promise I won't let you down!"
"I believe in you!" Special Week nodded enthusiastically. Suddenly her eyes landed on Kitasan's chest, and her smile widened knowingly.
"But I can't just cheer for you from afar—here, let me help fix your number bib, Kita-chan."
"My bib?"
Confused, Kitasan glanced down.
"Yep! In my debut race, I was so nervous that I forgot to put mine on altogether."
Smiling nostalgically, Special Week gently untied Kitasan's bib, recalling her own past experiences with amusement.
"I later found out my trainer intentionally didn't remind me… Lift your arm for me, Kita-chan."
Now completely absorbed by Special Week's story, Kitasan obediently raised her arm, curious.
"Intentionally didn't remind you? Was it so you'd never forget again?"
"No, not exactly," Special Week smiled warmly as she secured the bib. "I was really nervous before my debut, and my trainer noticed. So she deliberately didn't remind me about the bib, and instead asked Suzuka-san to bring it to me."
"You know Suzuka-san's personality—she's so gentle and thoughtful. The night before that race, she comforted and encouraged me. Even when she brought me my bib, she reassured me with such kindness and care."
"For some reason, the moment she handed me my bib, I instantly felt calmer and less nervous."
After carefully smoothing down Kitasan's bib, Special Week stepped back, looking directly into her junior's eyes with genuine warmth.
"So, that's the thing."
"I'm not as gentle or thoughtful as Suzuka-san. I've always been careless, clumsy, and forgetful."
"But even someone like me can do small things to support you, Kita-chan."
"Like passing along the encouragement and warmth Suzuka-san gave me—together with my own feelings, and those of everyone else who's cheering for you."
"Now, go ahead, Kita-chan."
"Whether it's me or everyone else supporting you—we'll always be with you, no matter what happens. Actually…"
"We'll keep running right alongside you."
Kitasan stood frozen for a moment, her gaze fixed on Special Week, before finally snapping out of her daze and nodding firmly.
"Mm! I'll definitely live up to everyone's expectations!"
"Exactly! That's the spirit!" Special Week gave Kitasan's shoulder an encouraging pat, watching fondly as the younger girl ran excitedly toward the gate.
A moment later, Special Week's expression twitched with gentle amusement.
"…Still a little nervous after all—she put the bib on upside-down. Good thing it's a '1,' otherwise it might've been noticeable…"