At Tracen Academy, the responsibilities of trainers and teachers were somewhat similar, yet different in practice.
Teachers handled general knowledge: the "Twinkle Series" race system, rules for regional and central competitions, horse-girl history, and so on. They also supervised basic training and assessments.
Trainers, on the other hand, focused solely on their assigned horse girls. They didn't teach classroom lessons. Instead, after classes ended, they provided specialized training based on their expertise and the unique traits of each horse girl. Trainers were also responsible for arranging race schedules.
That meant events like the "mock training race" announced over the broadcast—standardized practice sessions—were overseen by teachers. Trainers could choose whether to attend and observe.
Kitahara had chosen Oguri Cap early on, but watching her train was different from watching her compete—even if it was just a mock race. And since Oguri Cap had specifically invited him to watch, of course he had to go.
When they arrived at the training grounds, Oguri Cap said goodbye to him and ran off toward the track. Kitahara, by habit, made his way to the railing on the outer edge of the grounds.
That was where trainers usually watched their horse girls, and this time was no exception. Several trainers were already gathered there—including three Kitahara knew well: Kawamura Hiyori, Shibasaki, and Gen Yuichi.
After greeting his colleagues with a few words, Kitahara went straight to Shibasaki. Honestly, he had been so preoccupied with training that he'd forgotten about the mock race entirely, so now he wanted to ask about the details.
Among the trainers present, Shibasaki always brought the most complete set of gear: clipboard, ballpoint pen, binoculars, and stopwatch.
"How's the track?" Kitahara asked.
"Kitahara, you're really looking sharp these days. Since you skipped the entrance ceremony yesterday, I thought you'd gone back to your old lazy self."
After that half-encouraging jab, Shibasaki glanced at his notes.
"Eight hundred meters, dirt track, good condition, weather's clear. Very suitable for girls from Kasamatsu."
Kitahara nodded, quietly considering how the conditions might affect Oguri Cap as he looked out toward the track.
On the sandy course, Uma Musumes had already gathered. Dressed in the academy's purple-and-white sports uniforms, they clustered in small groups, chatting with friends in high spirits.
The trainers stayed outside the course, leaning on the upper rail of the slope and looking down.
Just one glance was enough—Kitahara immediately spotted Oguri Cap among the dozens of Uma Musume.
"…Huh?"
Seeing her, and then the situation around her, Kitahara made a surprised sound.
"What's wrong?" Shibasaki, who had just answered his earlier question, instinctively turned to him.
"Hold on, I need a closer look…"
Kitahara noticed the binoculars hanging from Shibasaki's neck. He reached out a hand. "Shibasaki, let me borrow those."
Shibasaki handed them over easily. "What, did you spot your Uma Musume too?"
"…'Too'?"
Catching the hint in his words, Kitahara raised the binoculars and peered toward the field, chuckling. "Don't tell me—you saw Fujimasa March out there?"
"Yeah. She's in excellent condition today," Shibasaki said with a smile. "Looks like she'll put on a strong performance in this mock race."
At that, Kawamura Hiyori and Gen Yuichi both made sour faces.
"Damn it, why did Fujimasa March choose you? I don't think I'm any worse!"
"Seriously, Shibasaki—what did you say to her to make her join your team?"
Shibasaki only smiled without answering, then turned back to Kitahara to change the subject.
"So, how about Oguri Cap? How's her condition?"
Ignoring his colleagues' complaints, Kitahara kept his eyes fixed on the tall, lithe figure with long silver-gray hair.
"…Hmmm. Oguri Cap's condition is excellent too—no, better than excellent."
Through the binoculars, he could see that although she wore the same uniform as everyone else, hers was covered in more dirt and dust than all the others combined. She looked grimy, almost shabby.
Maybe because of that, most horse girls stood far away from her, glancing over with expressions of distaste.
Yet Kitahara no longer worried she might be isolated—because beside her stood another Uma Musume who seemed very close to her.
This girl was shorter, with a cute face and light brown hair. A white streak fell across her bangs, like a natural highlight, and she wore two hair clips shaped like the letter "B."
"…So she's the one Oguri Cap is close with."
Kitahara recalled, "Right—on the way here, Oguri Cap mentioned a horse girl from her class who often eats with her. She even gave Oguri some potato cakes because she worried she wasn't eating enough."
"Her name was… Belno Light, wasn't it? Same class as Oguri Cap?"
[T/N: For some reason OG Author wrote Tamamo Cross here ?]
As Kitahara thought about this, one of his colleagues spoke up in surprise.
"Oguri Cap? Seems like an interesting Uma Musume," said Gen Yuichi.
The others looked over, curious—including Kitahara himself.
"Oh? Interesting how?" Kitahara lowered the binoculars and turned to him.
"I just heard some things from one of my Uma Musume," Gen explained, stroking his chin.
"Like you guys, I picked my horse girl early—her name's Minami no Nyakaku. She's in the same class as Oguri Cap and Northern Ace."
"Last night, when we went out for oden, she told me about a very unusual classmate."
"She said Oguri Cap skipped the entrance ceremony yesterday. When the class roll call began, she still wasn't there. The teacher was about to start the lesson when Oguri finally showed up."
"Not only was she late, but she was covered in dirt, not wearing her uniform, dressed in an old-fashioned outfit. Then she nodded off during class, and when she got hungry her stomach growled so loudly the whole room could hear. Left a big impression, apparently."
"…Both the trainer and Uma Musume missing the entrance ceremony on the first day, and then the Uma Musume being late to class? I guess that's typical of you, Kitahara, and the girl you picked," Shibasaki sighed, covering his face.
Kitahara was speechless. He hadn't expected that since he'd been too distracted to attend the ceremony, Oguri had simply skipped it too—and then even showed up late to her first class.
Gen went on with a laugh:
"Minami-chan said she found Oguri Cap amusing, but most of the class didn't agree."
"Showing up dirty, late, sleeping in class… and at the cafeteria, she ate so much it was like she'd never eaten before. Her appetite actually scared everyone."
"Oh right, speaking of food—the kitchen staff have been complaining these last two days. They said one horse girl in this year's class eats so much she's already depleted this week's food supply. They're asking the school for next week's rations in advance."
…Give it some time, and it won't just be next week's supplies they'll be requesting in advance…
Kitahara smiled wryly. He was already well aware of Oguri Cap's monstrous appetite, but the others looked astonished as they murmured among themselves.
Still, the topic of her appetite ended as quickly as it began—because someone suddenly cried out:
"The first test is starting!"