Ñ
Those focused on Dirt races might not recognize Sakura Baimu.
But how could Wakō Dōjin, who had argued with Smart Falcon about her trainer before the race, not know Sakura Baimu?
"Really... really?! Smart Falcon's trainer is really Sakura Baimu?!"
Wakō Dōjin stood there, stunned, feeling her worldview crumble.
What Smart Falcon had just told her was true; she hadn't lied to her?!
"Sakura Baimu really did tell her that she has a lot of talent on the Dirt track?"
"No wonder she crossed the finish line by a huge margin last time she participated in the Seaside Stakes."
"Then why was she so scared before the race?!!!!"
Wakō Dōjin simply couldn't understand Smart Falcon's thoughts.
She imagined it: what if her trainer was Sakura Baimu, and Sakura Baimu had told her about her exceptional talent in Dirt?
Then she would definitely be standing tall and fearless during the race, even against an Umamusume who had returned from America.
How could Smart Falcon be like this?!
Wakō Dōjin thought about it and realized that she had been misled by Smart Falcon's fearful behavior, which was why she had made such an embarrassing statement.
So, in a fit of anger, she directly asked Smart Falcon the question that had been nagging at her:
"Smart Falcon! I'm asking you, you're clearly so strong, so why are you so afraid before the race?"
This wasn't just Wakō Dōjin's question.
It was also the shared question (harmoniously) in the minds of many Umamusumes present.
Smart Falcon's strength was outrageously powerful, terrifying.
But Smart Falcon, possessing such terrifying power, acted like a rabbit caught in a wolf's den.
Is this reasonable?
Many Umamusumes looked at Smart Falcon, who had turned her head in confusion, curious about her answer.
Then.
They saw.
The Smart Falcon who had broken the Leopard Stakes record by a full 3.45 seconds, who defeated Starlight Helios, who had returned from America and remained undefeated since, suddenly covering her mouth with both hands.
She uttered astonishment and fear, and whispered.
"Huh?! Falco thought she was going to lose~"
The other Umamusumes: "???????"
Wakō Dōjin felt her jaw almost drop.
"What? You thought you were going to lose? What do you mean? Do you think everyone can break the record by more than three seconds?!"
"What a very rich statement!!!"
The Umamusumes all had this thought.
The key was that Smart Falcon's expression was incredibly genuine, making it impossible to tell she was lying.
It was as if she really thought she was going to lose.
But...
"How could this be!!!"
Countless Umamusumes stared wide-eyed, screaming internally.
--
The race ended, and next up was the Winning Live.
As the first Umamusume to cross the finish line, Smart Falcon stood in the center of the stage, stunning the audience once again with her sweet voice and graceful dance.
"Thank you, everyone! Please call me Falco☆~"
"Thank you, everyone~?"
After the Winning Live ended, Smart Falcon gave the audience an incredibly cute look.
Smart Falcon: (??＞?＜?). ??
The audience, seeing Smart Falcon's adorable expression that she had practiced countless times, felt their hearts melt instantly.
Cries of "Falco!" rose and fell.
Some audience members who had captured Smart Falcon's cute expression stared at their phone photos, wishing they could stick their own faces into the screen for a close-up look.
This Umamusume is so cute!
--
The Seaside Stakes concluded successfully. From the end of Winning Live until her journey back to Tokyo with Sakura Baimu, Smart Falcon wore a beaming smile.
This time, Smart Falcon had completely let go of her inferiority complex and anxieties.
She began to believe that she truly had the ability to win a G1 within a year.
She also began to believe that Sakura Baimu's promise to her was truly something she could fulfill.
"Wow! Falco's race today is generating so much buzz! They're all calling Falco a 'Dirt Rising Star'!"
"Wow! Some people are even comparing Falco to Suzuka-san! Hehe... hehe! Falco can't compare to Suzuka-san..."
"Wow! Trainer-san?! Trainer-san?! Look, look! Falco's Umastagram (a social media app similar to Instagram, often shortened to Umasta) gained over 5,000 followers in just one night!"
"Trainer-san?! Falco's Umasta is almost at 10,000 followers now?!"
"Trainer-san?! Go follow Falco☆!"
"Eh—? Trainer-san doesn't use Umasta? Falco, let me help Trainer-san register one. Falco wants to be the first person Trainer-san follows?!"
On the Shinkansen back, Smart Falcon sat next to Sakura Baimu, chattering excitedly.
She took Sakura Baimu's phone, bent down, and helped Sakura Baimu register an Umasta account, then followed herself.
Smart Falcon retrieved her phone and, amidst the flood of newly followed notifications, found Sakura Baimu's account and clicked "Follow."
"Trainer-san?! Look! Falco is your first mutual follower!"
"Trainer-san, Falco announces that you are Falco's number-one mutual follower!"
Smart Falcon excitedly held up her phone screen to Sakura Baimu, then handed the phone back to her and looked down at her own phone.
"Wow! I've gained over 800 followers in such a short time! Who knows, I might actually break 10,000 followers tonight!"
"Hey, Falco should give her fans something special when she reaches 10,000 followers. How about a selfie on the Shinkansen?"
Smart Falcon had been talking non-stop next to Sakura Baimu ever since she got on the train, even though Sakura Baimu hadn't said a word. She looked incredibly happy.
But just then, Sakura Baimu finally spoke up.
"Selfies are so boring, so cliché, nothing special."
"Trainer-san is right. So, Trainer-san, do you have any suggestions? What should Falco post to make it more unique?"
"How about you post 'GG'?"
Smart Falcon: "???"