As Satono Diamond stared at the comments on Kitasan Black's phone, a flicker of envy flashed through her heart again. Then, her eyes moved to the follower count, and she paused.
"310 followers… That doesn't seem like a lot…"
"Hmm? Dia-chan, did you say something?"
Completely immersed in the excitement of her new racing account, Kitasan Black hadn't caught what her roommate murmured.
After hesitating briefly, Diamond shook her head gently and asked with concern:
"It's nothing… I just mean, since you now have an assigned trainer and an official racing account…"
"Have you—or your trainer—considered what path you'll be taking in your racing career?"
Kitasan's scrolling finger abruptly halted. The excitement on her face gradually subsided, giving way to a more serious, thoughtful expression.
Besides being roommates, Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond had grown up as childhood friends.
They'd known each other since elementary school and even joined Central Tracen Academy together right before reaching honkaku-ka—full maturity.
Yet, in all their years together, Diamond rarely saw her friend display such a solemn expression.
Oh no… Did I ask something I shouldn't have?
Diamond nervously clasped her fingers.
Silence filled the room for a long moment, until finally—
"I've decided..."
Uncharacteristically subdued, Kitasan took a deep breath, clearly having gathered significant resolve.
"I'll aim for the Classic Triple Crown."
Diamond's eyes instantly widened in shock, her mouth slightly agape.
Within the Twinkle Series, G1 races represented the pinnacle of competition, limited to just 25 races each year.
Among these, three races held an extraordinary status:
The year Uma Musume fully matured was known as their "Classic Year." Afterward came their "Senior Years."
Satsuki Sho, Tokyo Yushun—the Japanese Derby, and Kikuka Sho.
These three special G1 events were exclusively reserved for Classic-year Uma Musume.
Hence, these races collectively became known as the "Classic Triple Crown."
In other words, each Uma Musume had only one chance in their lifetime to compete in these races.
Every year, around ten thousand Uma Musume across Japan would qualify through various Tracen academies.
Yet the Classic Triple Crown occurred just once annually, each race producing only one champion.
To win even one of these prestigious races truly meant you were one in ten thousand.
Diamond remembered clearly: only a few days ago, her friend had been discouraged and uncertain.
Discouraged because several trainers advised her to specialize in short-distance races.
Uncertain because she didn't know what path she should follow.
The Classic Triple Crown consisted of middle- to long-distance events—2000m, 2400m, and 3000m—completely incompatible with a sprinter's specialization.
Since childhood, Kitasan's dream had always been stepping onto the stage of the Classic Triple Crown, emulating her idol. Diamond knew that if she faced the same choice between reality and dreams, she too would feel conflicted and uncertain.
Yet, in just a few short days, her friend suddenly made up her mind, setting her sights immediately on a path every Uma Musume dreamed of.
Could this decision have something to do with her trainer?
With that thought, Diamond mulled it over and quickly grew more certain.
Ever since Kitasan joyfully told her she'd gained an assigned trainer, her earlier doubts had vanished completely.
Or perhaps she'd simply forgotten, entirely absorbed in the joy of having a trainer of her own.
Since school ended this afternoon, her friend hadn't returned until late evening.
At dinner, her older sister mentioned Kitasan had been training intensely in the dance studio all afternoon, guided by her new trainer.
Diamond was well aware of that unusually young trainer.
Passing the Central Trainer exam at age 18 was unheard of, causing quite a stir months ago—students still occasionally gossiped about it.
From what Diamond overheard, this trainer seemed determined to skip the assistant stage and directly coach his own assigned Uma Musume.
Previously, she might have dismissed this ambition as unrealistic.
Coaching required more than mere knowledge; it demanded ample experience. Her sister—and many others—held the same belief.
Therefore, initially learning that her friend's assigned trainer was this same young man, Diamond genuinely felt concerned.
Yet now, that trainer seemed truly extraordinary.
Not just for teaching her friend those strange gestures and poses.
Her sister had mentioned during dinner that today's special training in the dance studio seemed highly effective.
Leaving effectiveness aside, Kitasan had thoroughly enjoyed the training process, clearly adapting easily to methods entirely new to her.
That alone was remarkable. Adapting to a trainer's methods was already challenging enough for assigned Uma Musume, much less achieving immediate compatibility.
This indicated the trainer was genuinely as talented as his test results implied.
If even my sister thinks he's special, maybe…
After a moment's thought, Diamond cautiously asked:
"Kita-chan, aiming for the Classic races… Was it your trainer's suggestion?"
"Huh? Ehehe, no, it wasn't…"
Like a bubble bursting instantly, Kitasan, who had just been deeply thoughtful, immediately broke into a silly grin, scratching her head bashfully.
"Trainer-san only asked me what I thought an outstanding, dazzling Uma Musume was, and whether I'd considered which races to aim for in the future."
"I… Hey, Dia-chan, do you remember what my dream was when I first entered Central Tracen Academy?"
Surprised by the sudden change in topic, Diamond hesitated briefly before nodding.
"Yes… you wanted to become an Uma Musume just like Teio-senpai—a miracle runner."
"Yeah, Teio-senpai..."
Nodding slowly, admiration mingled with slight uncertainty in her eyes, Kitasan quietly continued:
"I said the same thing to Trainer-san at the time."
"Then Trainer-san asked me what exactly I thought a 'miracle' was."
"I suddenly didn't know how to answer him."
Though claiming she didn't know how to respond, the black-haired, red-eyed girl murmured steadily as if finally understanding:
"But I suddenly realized what Trainer-san was really asking me."
"Being 'outstanding,' 'shining,' or a 'miracle'—these things aren't definite."
"Compared to these vague ideals, Trainer-san probably values something concrete—something we can clearly see and feel."
"These days, especially today, I haven't really understood exactly what he's been doing for my training."
"But whether it's closely observing my running, adjusting my pace, or calculating lots of data, those are all tangible and real."
"As his Uma Musume, I should also focus on things that are definite."
"I don't know exactly what being 'outstanding' means, but individual races are clear and definite."
"And Teio-senpai's miracles were achieved race by race. In that case…"
She took another deep breath.
"I'll follow her path, starting with the Classic Triple Crown."
"No matter what others say, I believe in Trainer-san—he promised he'd help me achieve my dream."
"And I believe in myself—I won't let Trainer-san down."
"Nor will I disappoint the fans who have started supporting me right now."
Silence settled briefly in the room until soft applause broke the quiet.
"Dia-chan..."
Turning toward her clapping friend, Kitasan was stunned to see Diamond smiling warmly, quietly taking out her phone. With a few taps, she proudly displayed the screen—her own follower notification for Kitasan's racing account.
"I believe in you too, Kita-chan. As your fan, I know you won't disappoint me."