After removing Kitasan Black's running shoes, Yasui Makoto didn't immediately help her put them back on. Instead, he flipped them over and carefully examined the soles.
The front edge of each sole shone with two crescent-shaped metallic glints—these were special racing horseshoes.
Because of their immense leg strength, Uma Musume put tremendous strain on their shoes during training and races. Horseshoes helped reduce wear and allowed them to better utilize their strength.
"Hmm, you've adjusted the horseshoes well. But remember to double-check them right before the race."
Satisfied, Yasui glanced up at Kitasan, then shifted his gaze to Satono Diamond.
"Kita-chan, did you adjust these yourself, or did Satono-san help—"
He paused abruptly, noticing their strange expressions.
"Why are you two looking at me like that?"
In his view, both Uma Musume were bright red and looked utterly embarrassed. Satono Diamond in particular appeared especially flustered, her eyes darting strangely between Yasui and Kitasan.
"I-it's nothing…" Kitasan muttered in an oddly strained voice. Suddenly, she leaned forward awkwardly from the motorcycle seat and hastily snatched back her running shoes.
"I—I can put them on myself…"
As Kitasan fumbled with her shoes, Satono Diamond also spoke up in a slightly strained tone.
"Kita-chan adjusted them herself. She spent quite a long time on it last night…"
"I see. Well done."
After responding simply, Yasui's confusion deepened.
"So, what exactly are you two—"
"N-nothing at all!" Diamond hastily interrupted, waving her hands in panic. "Ah, right, what I wanted to say was…"
Not giving Yasui time to finish, she continued nervously:
"Since you came all this way specifically for Kita-chan, Trainer-san, she should ride with you to the racecourse. Don't worry about me—I'll head over with my sister since she's also watching today's races. Kita-chan, I'll cheer for you during your race!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Diamond dashed off like she was fleeing.
"Eh? Wait, Dia-chan…"
Kitasan, who'd just finished putting on her shoes, looked up only to see her friend's disappearing figure. Momentarily stunned, she bit her lip and turned hesitantly back toward Yasui.
"Trainer-san, so…um…about us…"
"What about us?"
"N-never mind! Oh right, Trainer-san, how should I run today?"
Seeing Yasui glance at her curiously, she panicked and changed the topic.
Yasui had already thoroughly prepared his racing tactics—such planning was fundamental to being a trainer.
However, the area around them was currently filled with other competing Uma Musume and trainers. Discussing race strategies openly here would be inappropriate, especially with potential opponents nearby.
"No rush. We'll discuss that at the racecourse."
"Oh, right… Got it."
Recognizing the situation herself, Kitasan responded quietly, obediently following Yasui toward the academy bus.
Inside the bus, the atmosphere felt significantly heavier than outside. Other Uma Musume and trainers were either silently watching race videos or resting with closed eyes, and no one was conversing.
Influenced by this somber mood, Kitasan also sat quietly, focusing on race footage displayed on the monitors. Yasui, meanwhile, took out his tablet, carefully reviewing the tactics he had planned beforehand.
They soon arrived unnoticed at Tokyo Racecourse.
There was a dedicated entrance for trainers and racers, along with private lounges and preparation rooms.
Today's schedule featured twelve races, with the first race starting at 11 AM. Before that, the morning hours were reserved for warming up, adapting to the track, and preliminary appearances.
Thus, arriving early at the racecourse, the surroundings remained quiet and largely empty.
Noticing this, Kitasan leaned against the preparation room's window for a while, then turned curiously to Yasui.
"That's strange… Trainer-san, whenever I watched races on TV, this place was always packed. But today, it seems pretty empty?"
"Those races you watched were probably G1 or G2, at least G3, right?"
Yasui replied casually, drawing and writing on the preparation room's whiteboard.
"Today, most races are at the Pre-OP level. The afternoon highlights—Risshun Sho, Shirafuji Stakes, and Crocus Stakes—are all OP-level."
"These kinds of race days naturally draw smaller crowds compared to G1 races."
"Still, not exactly few people either."
"Considering this is Tokyo Racecourse, even Pre-OP events draw plenty of spectators. Conservatively…"
"By the time races start, at least sixty or seventy thousand spectators will arrive. Approaching a hundred thousand isn't impossible."
"Whoa, that many…?" Kitasan's eyes widened.
"Earlier you thought it was too few, now you think it's too many… Didn't you just say you always saw large crowds when watching races?"
Amused by Kitasan's childish reaction, Yasui suddenly became serious.
"Alright, enough small talk. With fewer people around, it's quieter, making this a perfect time to discuss your racing tactics."
Instantly energized, Kitasan leaped from the window to his side in two quick steps.
"Hai! I'm ready, Trainer-san!"
"Good energy. Now, let's go over today's race details."
Yasui smiled approvingly, gesturing toward the whiteboard covered with diagrams and notes.
He had diligently prepared for Kitasan's debut race, thoroughly examining the profiles of all the registered competitors.
Since this was a debut event, all participants, including Kitasan herself, were inexperienced rookies without race histories, leaving only training data available.
This data was publicly accessible; both professionals and fans could review it and offer their evaluations and support.
In terms of popularity, Kitasan ranked fairly well—third among the dozen or so participants in today's event.
Setting aside subjective preferences, many objective analyses expressed concern about Kitasan's top-end speed shown in training.
Since top speed was crucial in the final stretch, many commenters believed Kitasan wouldn't have an advantage during the closing sprint, making victory challenging.
Yasui didn't deny these assessments outright, but he knew Kitasan better than any outsider.
"Your stamina, power, and explosive acceleration are all outstanding. Finishing 1800 meters on turf isn't a problem at all."
"Admittedly, your stamina management, power control, and sustained acceleration could use some work. But races aren't decided solely by training data."
"As it happens, besides raw statistics, I've carefully analyzed your competitors."
"Simply put, after the race starts, find a competitor you feel comfortable pacing behind. You can also switch to a different opponent at any time during the race."
"However, once you reach this specific area…"
He tapped on a certain spot along the track diagram.
"You'll accelerate from here—and maintain acceleration all the way to the finish line."
"No, don't panic. Listen first."
"I know starting your sprint from here might be considered overly ambitious for most Uma Musume. After all, it's still over 300 meters to the finish line."
"But tell me, Kita-chan—do you really think you're just 'most Uma Musume?'"
"Or let me put it another way: Could an ordinary Uma Musume achieve miraculous victories like Tokai Teio?"