Everyone readily agreed to Orfevre's request. Ending the call, Yasui Makoto pondered briefly, then made a video call to Kitasan Black.
"Hello? Good evening, Kita-chan—"
Seeing the familiar face appear on-screen, Yasui Makoto froze momentarily after his habitual greeting.
"…Are you taking a bath?"
"Good evening, Trainer-san! Yep, I'd just finished drying my hair when you called."
Drops of water trickled from her chin onto her pajamas as Kitasan Black held her phone, wiping her cheek with a towel in the other hand.
"Wait a second, my phone's about to die—I need to find the charger…"
The screen spun wildly before steadying again on the girl's flushed face, still pink from the bath.
"It's late. Trainer-san, aren't you sleeping yet?"
"Ah... I was just discussing something with Teio-kaichou and the others…"
Glancing away from the screen, Yasui Makoto rubbed his nose. "Hold on, let me find my charger too..."
"Sure! I'll wait!"
A moment later…
Holding the phone now connected to its charger, Yasui calmly addressed Kitasan, who had finally wiped the droplets from her face.
"Actually, I just wanted to ask if you'd like to go watch the Tenno Sho (Spring)."
He'd been considering this idea since Orfevre mentioned the race earlier.
Japan's Twinkle Series races had originated in Europe, closely following their overall structure.
For example, the Classic Triple Crown had been inspired by Britain's series—the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, and St. Leger. These races had existed in some form for nearly two centuries, with the Epsom Derby being the oldest of its kind.
Aside from race structures, Japan had its own unique racing traditions, such as the Eight Great Races:
Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, Kikuka Sho, Oka Sho, Oaks, Tenno Sho (Spring), Tenno Sho (Autumn), and the Arima Kinen.
Before international grading, these eight were Japan's most prestigious events, naturally becoming G1 races afterward. Due to tradition, official reports still referred to them as the "Eight Great Races," and they remained significantly more influential than other G1 races in various rating systems.
Considering this, Gold Ship's casual mahjong-playing before the Tenno Sho (Spring) was indeed as eccentric as rumored.
However peculiar her personality, Gold Ship's record spoke for itself. Of her twelve career victories, ten were graded stakes—with five G1s. She was undoubtedly one of the strongest currently racing.
More notably, she possessed outstanding long-distance adaptability and top-tier physical strength.
Kikuka Sho, Arima Kinen, and Hanshin Daishoten were all long-distance races demanding exceptional stamina, and these events were precisely Gold Ship's signature victories.
Moreover, her unique ability to leverage this stamina even in middle-distance races was remarkable.
The Satsuki Sho and Takarazuka Kinen were shorter—2000m and 2200m respectively—where most Uma Musume relied on strong cruising speed and a late kick.
Gold Ship was different; her winning strategy was to initiate an extremely long sprint, accelerating from the mid-race, where others conserved stamina, all the way through to the finish line.
Long-distance adaptability, elite physical strength, sustained sprinting—all these were traits Kitasan Black shared.
Putting aside personality quirks, Yasui felt it highly beneficial to observe Gold Ship's Tenno Sho performance in person. It would also allow Kitasan to directly consult Gold Ship about the actual racing experience.
After asking Kitasan, Yasui briefly explained his thinking.
"Of course, I'd love to!"
Without hesitation, Kitasan eagerly accepted.
"I was actually thinking of inviting you too, Trainer-san! Now we can just go together!"
"Oh, right—Crown-chan and the others are coming too. I've invited Almond Eye already."
"Ah, and Grand-chan. Trainer-san, you don't mind that many people, right?"
Though Yasui already knew Kitasan was quite sociable, he was slightly surprised by the last name.
"Grand…? Cheval Grand?" He recalled the student files.
"I knew you'd recognize her, Trainer-san."
Kitasan smiled softly as she explained, "Grand-chan's been down lately, so I wanted to take her out to cheer her up."
"She said she wasn't sure at first, and needed to ask her sister first."
"So I went along to ask. Surprisingly, her sister, Verxina-senpai, was thrilled, even texting me afterward, specifically asking me to look after Grand-chan."
"Oh right—we already booked train tickets and a hotel in Kyoto. Should I help book yours too?"
"Ah, really...?"
Caught off guard by Kitasan's swift preparations—faster even than her trainer—Yasui Makoto felt briefly surprised before quickly agreeing.
"I'll leave it to you, then."
"There's no trouble at all, Trainer-san. You're being way too polite."
Visibly delighted, Kitasan practically bounced with excitement.
"Alright! Let's officially book a Kyoto trip!"
...
Since becoming a trainer, this Kyoto trip was Yasui Makoto's first time attending a race purely as a spectator.
Stepping off the shinkansen, he immediately sensed the unique buzz of excitement.
Huge promotional posters, prominently featuring Gold Ship, lined the path from the exit to the ticket gates, punctuated by life-sized cutouts of competing Uma Musume.
Many people leaving the train didn't hurry toward the exits, instead eagerly rushing toward posters and cardboard standees with smartphones and cameras raised—excitedly taking selfies, or asking friends and even passing strangers for photographs.
Kitasan Black quickly immersed herself in this atmosphere, enthusiastically waving a support stick and a small flag bearing Gold Ship's image, rushing ahead toward a massive poster.
"Whoa! This Giant Golshi-senpai is amazing! Crown-chan, Crushing-chan, someone help me take a picture? Trainer-san, you too!"
"Honestly, you look like a puppy that's finally allowed out after being locked up for days…"
Satono Crown chuckled, teasing gently, as she pulled out her phone.
With her usual aloof expression, Duramente also took out her phone, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Kita-chan trains incredibly hard normally. She probably hasn't had a proper day off for ages."
"That's not true—she took Almond Eye to an amusement park just last week..."
With another amused retort, Satono Crown aimed her phone camera at Kitasan, striking a pose in front of the giant poster. Her eyes glanced toward Duramente casually.
"So, you watch Kita-chan train often, huh? Aren't you always training together?" she asked, seemingly innocently.
Duramente, focusing her own camera on Kitasan, had a faint shift in her typically even voice.
"Only strength training. Air Groove-senpai said…Kita-chan's ahead of me in that area. I have to learn from her."
After Satono Crown and Duramente took pictures, Kitasan enthusiastically insisted that they, along with Satono Diamond and Almond Eye, take group photos in front of the poster.
Even Cheval Grand, who'd quietly stayed behind, head lowered, anxiously clutching the brim of her navy cap, wasn't spared Kitasan's enthusiasm.
Watching the cheerful scene unfold, Yasui Makoto felt warmth rise in his chest, his gaze quietly drifting toward the figure standing quietly at his side.