The participating Horse Girls were extremely proactive from the start. Aside from a minor controversy regarding the lottery system, the arrangements for the relay race quickly received unanimous approval.
Not only did they agree swiftly, but they also proactively suggested that in order to foster better chemistry, team members should train together for the duration of the camp.
This actually aligned perfectly with Kitahara's subsequent plans.
The biggest difference between a relay race and the URA's Twinkle Series lies in the "baton pass" and the "exchange zone." Since different segments of the race are completed by different runners, athletes must exchange a "marker" during the transition to confirm the handoff has been completed on the track.
In an entertainment-oriented relay, this "marker" could be a ribbon, a ball, or a plushie. More formal events use a "relay baton." A relay baton is typically a cylindrical piece of wood about 20 cm long and 2 cm in diameter. During the exchange, the incoming runner must hand the baton to the outgoing runner to continue the race. If the exchange is not completed—specifically, if the final runner crosses the finish line empty-handed—the entire team receives no score, even if they cross the line first.
The "exchange zone" is also critical; negligence here can lead to disqualification. The zone is set between the tracks of two runners and is 20 meters long. According to the rules, runners can only complete the handoff within this space; doing so early or late counts as a rule violation. Beyond handoff rules, the relay involves the same requirements as the Twinkle Series: no diagonal running to obstruct opponents, no cutting corners, and so on. Any violation results in the disqualification of the entire team's results.
Overall, there were many points to keep track of in a relay race. The handoff, in particular, was vital, making chemistry between teammates a decisive factor for a good performance. Naturally, training together was the best way to build that chemistry.
Since the Horse Girls had brought it up themselves, Kitahara went with the flow and made the arrangements.
"The relay race will take place two weeks from now at 3:00 PM," Kitahara announced. "During this time, morning camp training will continue as usual. In the afternoons, you will train together under the leadership of your respective captains, and you will also live together. Regarding housing, we've coordinated with the staff here; they'll help arrange the rooms shortly. As for us trainers, our current plan is to rotate through the teams to check on training progress. However, if you have special requests, feel free to ask, and we will do our best to accommodate them."
With these arrangements, the remaining work—aside from logistics—lay in the Horse Girls' training. Although Kitahara mentioned the trainers would provide full assistance, he felt in his heart that this might be one of the few times he would actually be quite idle.
He likely wouldn't have much opportunity to provide guidance.
The group of Horse Girls including Symboli Rudolf were not only powerful with outstanding records; they were top-tier when it came to training themselves. While they might lack a systematic education and might not be excellent in theory—for instance, they might not be able to explain the principles behind a specific starting posture or cornering technique—their experience and talent were so vast that with just a little trial, they could master new skills and teach them to their juniors.
Symboli Rudolf, in particular, was famous for her immense talent. During her active years, many said she didn't actually need a trainer; not only that, she could practically teach trainers how to race.
As training began, Kitahara realized that he, Komiyama, and the others indeed found few opportunities to intervene when making the rounds. Their role became more about using theoretical knowledge to help team members understand their captains' instructions more quickly. This made the training proceed much more smoothly than usual.
After checking on the other teams, Kitahara arrived at Symboli Rudolf's group. He found that they were already practicing the finer details of the baton pass.
"I know that as sisters, your chemistry is likely already excellent, but chemistry in a race is different from daily life."
Teaming up with Symboli Rudolf were the Mejiro sisters, Ardan and McQueen. Rudolf was currently lecturing them. Instead of the school uniforms they wore on campus, they were in red-and-white tracksuits. Rudolf stood by the beach with her arms crossed, looking at the Mejiro sisters with a serious expression.
The sisters were dressed similarly. Like students receiving a lecture or soldiers under inspection, they stood with their stomachs tucked, chests out, and arms tight against their sides, looking cautious and respectful.
Kitahara had been there for a while, and the three Horse Girls had noticed him. However, after a brief greeting, they collectively ignored him as if he were thin air.
"Especially since the three of us need to coordinate in this race, adjustments must be made regarding running styles and tactical arrangements," Rudolf continued. "For example, both of your best positions are Pace Chasing. While you have some adaptability for 'Front Running', it isn't particularly outstanding... McQueen is a bit better, but as I said, not top-tier. My situation is similar, though I am also very skilled in Late Surging.
"In that case, if I want to gain time in my first leg, I might consider 'Pace Chasing,' or I might choose 'Late Surging' provided the distance and sprint status are appropriate. If I can secure a significant lead, you two might use that advantage to adopt 'Front Running'—even if it's not your specialty—to execute certain tactics. But if I am not the first to complete the exchange, or even if I'm last, you'll have no choice but to use your best style to reclaim the advantage. Especially for McQueen in the final leg—you have the fewest choices. If the segments before mine and your sister's don't go well, the pressure on you will be immense. Do you understand?"
"Yes! Understood!" they replied in unison.
"Very well." Seeing the Mejiro sisters' spirited, even slightly nervous response, Rudolf nodded with satisfaction and waved her hand. "Then, following what I taught you, we will begin chemistry training for the baton pass! To emphasize again, the 'upsweep' method is the most common and effective technique in relay races. This method requires holding the baton with a specific hand gesture while running; do not be careless. There must also be a mental preparation period of about 100 meters before the exchange. We must adapt to these in advance. So, give it your all!"
"Yes! Understood!"
After responding vigorously again, Ardan and McQueen glanced at Kitahara as Rudolf waved her hand but remained silent. They nodded slightly in greeting, then turned and began running one after the other along the beach.
Only then did Symboli Rudolf turn around with her arms still crossed, a slight smile appearing on her face as she walked toward Kitahara.
"Well, Trainer-san? Was there anything wrong with what I just taught?"
Having known each other for so long, Rudolf usually called Kitahara by his name. Changing the address now was clearly a joke. Kitahara didn't laugh; his attitude remained rigorous. After a moment of thought, he nodded.
"Theoretically, there's no issue. However, regarding the exchange, you still need to perform side-by-side training. The exchange zone is only 20 meters, and you Horse Girls are all very fast, which means you need to achieve a state of relative stillness in a very short amount of time. This requires a lot of practice."
The most stable way to exchange is for both parties to stand still, which is a common way to build chemistry for beginners. But that certainly wouldn't apply to Horse Girls, especially those with racing experience. They needed to exchange while in a state of relative stillness while running. That is, within the 20-meter range, the two would match speeds to create a static-like state relative to each other.
"But you surely knew that. I'm just making a suggestion," Kitahara added with a smile.
"Yes, I planned to tell them that a bit later." Acknowledging his point, Rudolf abruptly changed the subject. "Ahem. Since you're here, there's something I want to confirm with you."
Becoming even more formal than when she was teaching the Mejiro sisters, she regained the serious, upright demeanor she held at school. She cleared her throat, holding a loose fist to her lips like an orator, and looked directly at Kitahara.
"I've heard through certain channels that you have a complete plan for the URA Association, or rather, the entire industry. Those who shared this with me generally have a very high opinion of that plan. So, I was wondering if, if it's convenient, you could talk about it directly?"
Kitahara was stunned. He didn't understand what "plan" Rudolf was referring to, so he asked instinctively, "What plan?"
"Ah, perhaps I should say, it's what you have been doing all along." As if she had anticipated Kitahara's reaction, Rudolf wasn't surprised by his confusion. She explained patiently, "If 'plan' isn't the right word, perhaps 'dream' is. Most people probably think you are just an excellent, thoughtful trainer with great results. I thought so too at first. But later, I slowly realized that you have many ideas, or dreams, or ambitions.
"I've made a point to confirm many details with Naise Sensei, Chairwoman Akikawa, and many people in the business world. I've found that you don't just focus on training, nor just on a specific Horse Girl or group. You are looking at the entire world of Horse Girls. And you have a complete set of schemes and plans. My observations, understanding, and intuition tell me that your plan's value to the entire world is immeasurable."
...Huh? Wait, Rudolf, can you see through my thoughts? Kitahara was stunned again.
He did indeed have a so-called plan, and it just so happened that he had recently developed some ambition—specifically, wanting to make some changes to the entire Horse Girl world. He was confident in his plan; its professionalism stemmed from his background in business and his experience managing industries. Both from a theoretical and practical perspective, it could withstand scrutiny.
Combined with his advantage as a transmigrator, many future prospects from another world could be deduced using business knowledge. It was like knowing the answers and working the process backward—it was too easy, and he wasn't afraid of anything going wrong.
In the past, he didn't have such thoughts because he lacked reliable results. But things were different now. If it really was as Rudolf and Maruzensky said, perhaps with these ideas...
Just as this thought appeared, he suddenly calmed down. Wanting to truly change things was no easy task. The Horse Girl industry in Japan had started late but had always followed international standards. Over decades, the entire industry had grown into a behemoth. In such a situation, any small change would lead to massive shifts in resources—shifts that could be good or bad. Regardless of the outcome, the resources involved were in the tens of thousands. To be fair, Kitahara asked himself: if he were the helmsman of the Association, would he be willing to change anything easily?
The original story was the same. After Oguri Cap missed the timing to participate in the Japanese Derby, she showcased her brilliance on the Central tracks, causing countless fans to protest the fact that she couldn't participate in Classic races. Public opinion was almost entirely in her favor. Even the "Emperor," Symboli Rudolf, was willing to bow her head and plead with the URA Association to modify the rules. The result was that the rules did change, but only after Oguri Cap's time; she still couldn't participate in Classic races like the Kikuka Sho.
While the reality of this world had changed, the core had not, because he was still accomplishing these things under this world's rules. If he really wanted to "become the rule" as he had thought before, it was still too early.
"...I do have many ideas, even a desire to change something, but to be honest, I know this isn't child's play." After saying this, Kitahara hesitated, wondering how to explain it to Rudolf.
However, Rudolf seemed to misunderstand.
"I trust you completely. I mean, I trust that you can change what you want to change."
Upon hearing this sudden statement that left Kitahara bewildered, a strange look of anticipation appeared on Rudolf's face.
"Many things have already proven this. Take Super Creek, for example. Creek is actually an outstanding Horse Girl, just weighed down by injury. I was originally trying to find an excellent trainer for her, but unfortunately, no one was willing to take her. Now, thanks to your dedication, she has become an outstanding racer. I am relieved and grateful."
Bowing slightly to Kitahara, Rudolf continued: "Ardan is the same. Tamamo Cross, Inari One, Teio, and the others—they are also proof. With this proof, I believe you can definitely go and change things. And I... I want to do that too."