Only after seeing Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black again at the university division did Bamboo Memory take a special interest in this trainer-and-Umamusume duo she'd met once before.
After asking around a bit and watching some of their races, she realized just how astonishing this kouhai's achievements truly were.
Especially since she'd heard that, before her debut, Kitasan Black wasn't favored for middle and long distances.
Yet now she was posting remarkable results in precisely those races—G1-level races at that—which only piqued Bamboo Memory's curiosity further.
By coincidence, Bamboo Memory had the day of the Kikuka Sho off, so she'd invited Oguri Cap—who had also previously met Yasui and Kitasan Black—to watch with her.
Now, seeing her senpai indifferent to the race and single-mindedly focused on eating, Bamboo Memory could only sigh—but still went along with it.
Moments later, near the snack stalls inside the venue:
The five skewers and the Gold Ship bento were long gone, leaving only sticks and empty boxes behind. Having tossed them into the trash, Oguri Cap now held three servings of okonomiyaki and five portions of takoyaki.
"…Senpai, you still eat like you're competing."
Bamboo Memory stared, dumbfounded, then joked, "Maybe that's why I never beat you. It's probably the difference in appetite."
"Mmm. More accurately…"
Freeing one hand to pat her stomach, Oguri Cap paused thoughtfully. "I've always been able to eat a lot, even before my debut."
"And after retirement… I still can."
"I see…"
Bamboo Memory nodded, then asked curiously, "You eat so much… but I've never heard you worry about your weight, senpai?"
In the Twinkle Series, weight was crucial—too heavy meant losing speed and results.
Bamboo Memory vividly recalled how strict their diets were during their racing days.
Only rest days allowed a little indulgence in favorite foods.
"For me…"
Oguri Cap tapped her chin and smiled faintly. "I guess I'm the type who doesn't gain weight no matter how much I eat. At least, that's what everyone says…"
Despite knowing Oguri Cap for years, Bamboo Memory had never talked much about this sensitive topic.
Only now did she learn her senpai had such an enviable constitution.
"Looks like your metabolism was part of why I lost back then…"
After a sigh, Bamboo Memory looked ahead. Seeing the stands approaching, she asked casually,
"So, senpai—about this Kikuka Sho… do you really not have any thoughts?"
"Like, in your opinion…"
"Who's going to win?"
At that, a gleam flashed in Oguri Cap's usually calm eyes.
"About winning… I couldn't say."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"You know, aside from the Arima Kinen, I never really ran long-distance races."
"The Arima Kinen is special—just 2400 meters plus another 100, only barely longer than middle-distance. It's actually quite different from the 3000-meter Kikuka Sho."
"If you want a good opinion…"
That flicker appeared in her eyes again.
"You'd have to ask Creek."
"Creek-senpai…"
Bamboo Memory's eyes brightened. "Right! She won the Kikuka Sho herself, and when it comes to long-distance, she's practically unmatched."
"Mhm. We've talked about the Kikuka Sho—and the Tenno Sho (Spring), too."
Oguri Cap nodded. "She told me my talent probably wasn't suited to those distances. The demands are completely different from mile and middle-distance races."
Oguri Cap had mainly competed at mile and middle distances, while Bamboo Memory specialized in sprints and miles. Curious, Bamboo Memory asked, "So… what exactly are those demands?"
"Here. Brainpower."
Oguri Cap tapped her temple. Whenever she spoke seriously about racing, her demeanor grew intense, her eyes fierce and focused.
In a low voice, she said, "You know how strong Creek is."
"But even for her, after two thousand-plus meters, your stamina plummets. Yet, you still have nearly a thousand meters left."
"Your head starts getting sluggish. It's hard to think clearly, your vision blurs."
"Your opponent's movements, how far remains, how much stamina you still have, your arm swing, your stride rhythm… The further you go, the harder it becomes to notice any of it."
"By the last one or two hundred meters, you don't even know how you finish—at least, that's what Creek told me."
Bamboo Memory fell silent for a moment.
"It sounds like…" she said hesitantly, "long-distance racing gets kind of frightening, hearing you describe it…"
Oguri Cap suddenly smiled.
"Frightening… maybe."
"But the kouhai you mentioned—her name's Kitasan, right? I'm not very good with names. Did I remember correctly?"
Bamboo Memory blinked. "Yeah, Kitasan Black."
"Kitasan… election?"
"It's Kitasan Black, senpai. We saw her together that one time—… never mind. You really are hopeless with names."
"Oh, oh. Kitasan Black."
Oguri Cap didn't seem embarrassed at all. She thought for a bit, then smiled again.
"She should be fine."
"…Huh?" Bamboo Memory didn't follow.
"I mean your kouhai—Kitasan Black. She'll do fine."
They'd reached the stands. As Oguri Cap climbed the steps, her gaze shifted to the giant screen across from them.
On screen, a short-haired girl in black-and-gold stepped out, energetic and spirited—yet with underlying steadiness—as she lifted an arm toward the camera.
At that moment, the announcer's voice echoed over the course.
"Now!"
"The chief celebrant of the Kyoto festival takes the stage!"
"Her footsteps are war drums awakening the gods; her black hair, a storm tearing the heavens apart!"
"She turns the track into her own mikoshi, delivering a runaway performance that sweeps everything before her!"
"The spirited girl stepping out to the festival's beat—"
"Ranked number one in popularity—"
"Kitasan Black!!"
A wave of cheers erupted from the stands. Watching Kitasan Black on screen, Oguri Cap freed her hands and softly clapped.
"I think I met her at the start of this year. Back then she hadn't even debuted yet…"
With a light laugh, Oguri Cap nodded.
"In less than a year, she's standing on the Kikuka Sho stage… I knew she'd be good, but not this good. So yeah. She'll have no problem."
"What do you think, Bamboo?"
Still watching the screen, Bamboo Memory nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah. I think so, too…"
Before she could finish, a voice beside them called out, bright with surprise.
"Eh—? Is that… Oguri-senpai? Bamboo-senpai?"
Both Oguri Cap and Bamboo Memory turned, seeing three Umamusume behind them—two closely resembling each other, another with long hair and gradient-colored eyes.
"And you are…?" Bamboo Memory asked, glancing toward Oguri Cap.
"Ah, pardon us…"
Of the two who looked alike, one stepped forward.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Satono Crown. This is my younger sister, Satono Diamond, and our friend, Duramente."
"We… oh, right."
Satono Crown glanced toward the screen.
Kitasan Black's introduction had just finished, and Real Steel was stepping out next.
"We're in the same class year as Kita-chan. We just came from the prep room to cheer them on."
"Senpais… would it be okay if we watched the race with you?"
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