Chapter 278: Lucky Lilac with a Kansai Accent
They had come intending to observe a rival's training, but instead were greeted by such a heated argument right from the start. Kitasan Black quietly glanced at her Trainer, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes, as if asking what they should do.
Makoto gave her a reassuring look. After all, this wasn't his first time witnessing the Umamusume of the Gold family, this kind of argument… was, in a sense, part of their daily routine.
After calming Kitasan Black, he quickly turned his attention to the training ground.
Unlike the full-scale facilities at Tracen Academy, this place only had two tracks—one turf and one dirt—each about five to six hundred meters long, along with a grassy field for physical training.
Gathered at the starting point of the turf track were five Umamusume, four of whom looked very familiar.
Orfevre had a flushed face, faint veins bulging on her forehead as she prepared to argue back at Gold Ship once again.
Gold Ship, hands on her hips and eyes wide, showed no intention of backing down, glaring right back at her.
The tension between the two was palpable—it felt like they might start competing right then and there.
Meanwhile, Dream Journey wore a helpless expression as she continued trying to mediate, while Nakayama Festa watched with interest, clearly enjoying stirring things up.
Amid this tense yet oddly comical atmosphere, the last Umamusume seemed completely unaffected, as if standing apart from it all.
She stood quietly with her hands lowered, her posture graceful and composed.
Beneath her neatly trimmed bangs were bright yet calm eyes.
Her cherry-pink hair, long enough to reach her waist, was tied into a smooth side ponytail that swayed gently in the breeze, catching faint glimmers of light.
Every movement she made was poised and precise, exuding the refined elegance of someone from a distinguished family—completely untouched by the surrounding commotion.
While her seniors argued fiercely beside her, she simply listened quietly, occasionally nodding slightly as if thinking something through.
Makoto's attention was instantly drawn to her, and he thought to himself:
She looks about the same age as Almond Eye… Being able to stay this composed in such a noisy environment—she's got a strong temperament. So this is Lucky Lilac…
That composed Umamusume was indeed Lucky Lilac. Noticing her as well, Kitasan Black nodded, her eyes filled with admiration.
"Trainer, Lucky Lilac seems… very steady."
"Yeah, she does seem calm. But…" Makoto paused thoughtfully. "How someone acts normally and how they perform in a race are two different things. We'll have to watch her training to really know."
Their conversation was quiet, and at that moment, Takatoshi Imanami shook his head helplessly and walked toward the track together with Stay Gold.
As they approached the still-arguing Orfevre and Gold Ship, the old man raised his voice with authority, trying to restore order:
"Alright, that's enough arguing!"
"Let Lucky Lilac proceed with today's training first, you can discuss your ideas later."
"Also, we have guests today. Come over and greet them… honestly, have you forgotten basic manners?"
Hearing this, although Orfevre and Gold Ship still looked a bit unwilling, they immediately stopped arguing. Dream Journey and Nakayama Festa also ceased their respective "activities."
All of the Umamusume—including Lucky Lilac—turned to look at Makoto and Kitasan Black.
"Whoa! Kita-chan—and Makoto!"
Gold Ship was the first to react, calling out in surprise and delight. She rushed over like a gust of wind, beaming brightly.
"Long time no see!"
After that, Orfevre, Dream Journey, and Nakayama Festa also stepped forward one after another, politely greeting Makoto and Kitasan Black.
After the greetings, Gold Ship rolled her eyes mischievously. Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she excitedly proposed:
"Since Kita-chan's here, why don't we switch up the training today?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Lucky Lilac, then at Takatoshi Imanami, and continued:
"Old man, how about we arrange a joint run?"
"Lilac usually only trains and runs with us, she's probably bored of it already."
"This time, if she runs together with a new senpai like Kita-chan, she'll definitely gain something different. What do you think?"
The moment she said this, Imanami's previously helpless expression brightened instantly.
Meanwhile, Orfevre and the others looked at Gold Ship as if they had just discovered a new world, exclaiming in unison:
"Wow, you actually came up with such a normal training idea for once?!"
"Hey, hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" Gold Ship immediately protested, hands on her hips. "Am I really that weird in your eyes?"
On Makoto's side, his heart stirred, and his eyes lit up as well.
If they really arranged such a joint run, it would not only be a perfect opportunity to better understand Lucky Lilac's abilities and characteristics, but also a valuable challenge and training session for Kitasan Black.
After all, Orfevre, Gold Ship, and the others were undeniably strong. Even though Kitasan Black had trained with them many times before, doing it again would still bring her considerable gains.
Thinking this, he instinctively looked at Kitasan Black.
And sure enough, her eyes were sparkling with eagerness—clearly, she also saw this as a rare opportunity.
At that moment, the previously quiet Lucky Lilac stepped forward a few paces, gave a slight bow, and spoke in a gentle Kansai accent:
"It'd be an honor for me to run together with Kitasan Black-senpai."
Despite the Kansai dialect, her tone was exceptionally soft.
There was none of the usual bluntness associated with it; instead, it complemented her elegant and composed demeanor, adding a unique charm.
"Then it's settled."
Having already understood Kitasan Black's intent through a glance—and not hiding their purpose—Makoto stepped forward and said:
"We originally came here just to get a sense of Lucky Lilac's current condition. But if we can run together, it'll naturally benefit both sides."
"We'll give it our all, and afterward, we'll also do our best to help with race analysis."
Hearing this, the Umamusume of the Gold family all nodded, while Imanami smiled with satisfaction.
"I'd heard from Gold Ship and the others before that Yasui-san is a very straightforward person. Looks like they were absolutely right."
Then, the old man decisively pointed toward the training field:
"Alright, let's do it this way—two and a half laps on the outer track should be about 2000 meters. We'll run a 2000-meter turf simulation."
"Treat this as a real race—everyone, give it your all."
"Pay attention to pacing, and manage your stamina properly."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over each Umamusume before finally resting on Lucky Lilac, filled with expectation:
"Lilac, make good use of this opportunity. Learn as much as you can from Kitasan Black-senpai."
"I will give it everything I've got."
Still in her distinctive Kansai tone, Lucky Lilac bowed neither arrogantly nor humbly.
"I won't disappoint you, Grandpa—or Makoto Yasui-san and Kitasan Black-senpai."