Chapter 96: Nani?! Almond Eye?!
While Kitasan Black was on the training ground giving guidance to Almond Eye, Makoto happened to run into quite a few acquaintances around the campus—including Air Groove.
Thanks to frequent interactions these days regarding Kitasan Black and Duramente, it was only natural that, after bumping into each other, he and Air Groove walked together.
With Air Groove's reputation, her appearance at this event naturally drew a lot of attention.
Practically every few steps, the two would run into excited fans or reporters popping out of nowhere.
Beyond asking about Air Groove's current situation at Tracen Academy and Duramente's preparations, the question that came up the most concerned the Satsuki Sho one week away.
Clearly accustomed to such scenes, Air Groove handled even these sudden interviews with grace and composure, never losing her poise.
Once again silently watching Air Groove finish yet another impromptu interview, Makoto saw the Umamusume rub at her temple, finally showing a trace of fatigue. He couldn't help but give a wry smile.
"Looks like I underestimated the hype for the Satsuki Sho… No, I should say that only by experiencing it firsthand can I really understand just how much heat surrounds this race."
"I was surprised too… Let's head straight to the cafeteria. Reporters aren't allowed in there."
Rubbing her temple, glancing cautiously at her surroundings, Air Groove lowered her voice with a wry smile as well:
"Back when I was still racing or serving as the student council vice president, it wasn't this lively during the lead-up to a race… or at least it happened less often. These past few years, it's only gotten bigger and bigger."
"And with the growing popularity of the sport, it's all the more so for the Classic Triple Crown."
"This year's Satsuki Sho tickets sold out in five minutes, and even the billboard ads along the track had their prices bumped up thirty percent by the sponsors."
"After I finish accompanying Duramente here, I'll still have to head back to the university department to deal with those matters."
"You really have it tough." Makoto nodded, filled with both respect and gratitude.
Every Umamusume sincerely loved running. Whether or not they shone on the track, each of them did what they could to contribute to the Twinkle Series.
Air Groove was clearly one such Umamusume.
Chatting idly, the two slipped away from the crowds and arrived at the cafeteria. After finishing lunch, the time had come for the afternoon races.
This event had clearly been prepared with great care. Even though the participants were all little children, the procedures faintly mirrored those of a real race.
Once the attending parents and guests were guided into the venue, the broadcast even included a parade-ring style introduction.
"Welcome, everyone, to the special race 'Little Satsuki Sho!' As you can see, after a morning of focused and meticulous preparation, the future Umamusume stars are now ready to shine on stage."
"First to enter is contestant number six—Shining Starlight!"
Amid a wave of cheerful applause, a little Umamusume stepped into the mock parade ring.
Her bearing carried an air of confidence that made her look the part.
With not the slightest hint of stage fright, she strode to the center of the platform, flipped her jet-black twin-tails, and swung open her jacket just like her senpai in real races.
The audience immediately erupted into louder cheers and applause.
As Makoto wondered which Umamusume was mentoring this child, Air Groove's voice reached him, full of praise.
"Mm… Starlight's spirit is much steadier than Duramente's. And here I was worrying she might get swept up in the nerves."
Makoto's heart stirred. "So this child is from your family, Air Groove-san?"
"She's the child of one of my mother's kouhai." Air Groove nodded with a smile of relief, clapping along.
As Makoto took this in, the broadcast confirmed what Air Groove had said.
The introduction matched her words exactly, mentioning that the Umamusume guiding Shining Starlight was none other than Duramente.
Hearing the name Duramente, the applause and cheers from the stands grew even louder.
Makoto wasn't surprised. After all, the URA Association had already released quite a bit of information regarding the Satsuki Sho, including the popularity of the contestants.
Judging by fan numbers alone, Duramente's support already ranked third.
Never mind the official race a week from now—there were definitely plenty of people attending today's event just to see her.
Above Duramente, the ones with even more fan support were Satono Crown and REAL STEEL.
However, following Shining Starlight's entrance, the next child to appear wasn't mentored by either of those two Umamusumes.
So the order of entry wasn't based on fan popularity? Was it completely randomized by lottery?
With that thought in mind, Makoto clapped along with the crowd, keeping an ear out for his own Umamusume's name while trying to spot her in the stands.
According to the schedule, Kitasan Black's role today was that of a "trainer," and she had a special viewing seat right at the front.
But before he could catch sight of her familiar figure, the broadcast suddenly announced another name that instantly caught his attention.
"Now entering, contestant number twelve—Almond Eye!"
…
…Huh?
Same name? Or could it be…
The Almond Eye?
Makoto froze.
In his original timeline, he hadn't known much about horse racing, and the further back in time, the less he remembered.
Take Kitasan Black, for instance—his memories of her were limited to the most famous races and anecdotes, and even then, much of it only resurfaced after he started training her himself.
Conversely, the further forward in the timeline, the more he knew.
And Almond Eye was exactly one of those.
The only horse in Japanese racing history to achieve the feat of nine G1 victories. That alone made her unforgettable.
Back when he'd repeatedly failed to recruit age-eligible Umamusumes a few months ago, he had even toyed with the idea of following the advice of other trainers—spend a few years working as an assistant to build up experience, then later try to approach some of the Umamusumes he remembered most vividly.
Almond Eye had been one of the names that came to mind.
But after Kitasan Black crashed into his life—quite literally—and he ended up signing with her by chance, those thoughts had faded away.
After all, knowing which Umamusumes had incredible talent was one thing; whether he himself had the ability to shoulder such talent was another.
The future could wait—his focus was on Kitasan Black's training.
And yet, hearing that name now, he couldn't help but want to rush over to the parade ring, just to see whether the chestnut-haired little girl there was truly that Almond Eye.
At the same time, his curiosity stirred.
If it really was her—then how did Kitasan Black know her?
In his impression, the two of them hadn't had much connection in the parallel timeline… had they?
While he was still puzzling over this, a surprised voice came from beside him.
"Huh? That's Kanaloa kouhai—why would she want to join this event…?"
So it was Almond Eye!
Instinctively glancing at Air Groove beside him, who wore a puzzled look, Makoto felt certain.
He remembered very clearly—Almond Eye' sire was none other than the stallion known as the Short-Distance King, Lord Kanaloa.
In the world of Umamusumes, though, it was apparently the senpai–kouhai relationship Air Groove had just mentioned.
At the same time, he regretted not bringing a pair of binoculars—or even a drone—to properly watch Almond Eye' race.
But soon, he calmed himself down.
Even if the Umamusume who had just left the parade ring really was Almond Eye, his focus right now had to remain on Kitasan Black.
If he wanted to learn more, he could do so after the race was over.
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Note:
Lord Kanaloa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Kanaloa