After carefully reviewing the theories and past training records, Yasui Makoto saw that Kitasan Black had finished her first full lap.
"All right, take a breather. Good job on this lap."
He nodded approvingly, then asked with concern, "How's your right side feeling? Any discomfort?"
"Hehe, it actually felt pretty good just now!"
Kitasan smiled cheerfully, rubbing her right shoulder and flexing her right leg.
"My right side…seems fine. Is something wrong, Trainer?"
"You got the second gradient acceleration's lead change wrong," Yasui shook his head and started sketching on his tablet.
"I've explained this before: consistently using the same lead leg puts too much strain on one side of your muscles."
"At the third curve, you should've switched to the left leg lead earlier, but you didn't switch to the right leg beforehand, and ended up changing directly to the left leg entering the turn."
"Remember, changing leads isn't just about speed—it balances body strain and reduces muscle fatigue buildup."
Seeing the rough sketches on the tablet, Kitasan thought back and felt a bit embarrassed.
"You're right… Sorry, Trainer. I felt so comfortable running, I didn't pay enough attention."
"You don't need to apologize," Yasui smiled gently. "It's your first time combining all these techniques; naturally, you're not fully used to it yet."
"Like I said, you actually did well this lap."
"But in the upcoming training, pay close attention. If you properly use all these strategies we practiced, you'll need at least three sets of lead changes for positioning and the two gradient accelerations—that's six times."
"Plus, there are additional necessary lead changes on the straightaways. It's frequent, so you must get accustomed to it before the Satsuki Sho."
…
Training continued into the afternoon, mostly focusing on complete 2,000-meter runs.
With each completed lap, Yasui noticed fewer and fewer mistakes.
This made him both pleased and quietly moved:
His Uma Musume was undoubtedly the type who combined sheer determination with extraordinary talent.
Honestly, going lap after lap in repetitive practice was monotonous. Yasui doubted even he could withstand doing that the entire day.
Even if he managed, frustration would inevitably set in.
More importantly, although this training didn't involve something as demanding as parachute sprints, it was still incredibly taxing.
For Kitasan's current condition, her straight-line ability could be considered average—at least when compared to many of her peers.
To gain sufficient advantages, the focus had to be on curves.
But curves were far harder on the body than straightaways, especially with their current training course featuring sharp-angle turns, amplifying the physical stress.
Only after months of tests and evaluations, having fully assured himself of Kitasan's robust physical condition, had Yasui dared arrange such strenuous training.
Yet despite such repetitive, high-intensity training, whenever he glanced at her, the girl's enthusiasm never waned.
Even when fatigue finally began to show, the fighting spirit blazing in her crimson eyes remained undiminished.
By the end of the session, Yasui even felt a pang of guilt.
Yet, he still waited until Kitasan had completed the scheduled regimen before eagerly calling it quits.
"That's enough. We're done for today—let's get some dinner."
He waved Kitasan over from the track, beginning to pack away his tablet, drone, and other equipment.
Kitasan shook out her damp black hair, sweat droplets glittering like golden threads in the setting sun. She let out a relieved breath, wiped her sweat-soaked cheeks, and jogged over excitedly.
"Nice! Dinner! Oh yeah—Trainer, do you want to try the 'Victory Goddess Energy Bomb'?"
"The what…?" Yasui paused, halfway through packing the remote controller into his bag.
"It's today's special in the cafeteria!"
Swallowing hungrily, Kitasan wiped at the corner of her mouth, eyes dreamy with anticipation.
"I heard about it at noon—fresh bonito from Kochi's Katsuo Festival, Tokachi beef from Hokkaido, drizzled with secret-recipe honey, plus glazed carrots in sauce…"
"Hey, wipe your drool first," Yasui pointed helplessly at the sparkling trail forming at the corner of her mouth.
"Huh? Drool...? Ahh!"
Kitasan's ears flushed hot as she quickly turned away, hastily wiping her lips before looking back expectantly.
"So anyway, wanna try it, Trainer? It'll be my treat!"
"It does sound delicious."
Yasui lifted his shoulder bag and the backpack containing the drone, regretfully shaking his head.
"But I have a meeting right after this. It'll probably run late..."
"That's fine! I'll just wait for you at the cafeteria!"
Kitasan blurted out instantly, then asked curiously:
"Is it a meeting for Trainers?"
"Mm, they sent a notification last night."
Yasui nodded, smiling with a hint of anticipation.
"It's about UmaBook accounts and the racing outfit."
UmaBook accounts were similar to official race profiles—both symbols representing Uma Musume.
The difference was that the race account required an official debut, while anyone could register for UmaBook.
With an UmaBook account, users could share daily updates and see public information from other accounts.
Those qualified to participate in graded races received official verification from the URA Association.
Based on the race grade—G1, G2, G3—the certifications were gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.
Having won the Spring Stakes, Kitasan's UmaBook account naturally received certification, though Yasui hadn't paid much attention until now.
Only after seeing the notification did he realize that the account would periodically cooperate with the academy and association to release promotional content.
For instance, updates related to the upcoming Satsuki Sho.
The Racing Outfit was similar, though exclusively for Uma Musume competing in G1 races.
This was something Yasui knew well.
In this world, Uma Musume were blessed by the Three Goddesses, who watched over them all.
The clearest manifestation of this blessing was the Racing Outfit.
Only by wearing this special attire could Uma Musume unleash their full potential—sometimes surpassing their usual limits—during G1 races.
"R-Racing Outfit?!"
Instantly revitalized despite the exhaustion from training, Kitasan cheered in surprise, clenching her fists excitedly.
"Right! The Satsuki Sho is G1, and the Racing Outfit is exclusive to G1! I'm about to compete in the Satsuki Sho, so I'll finally have my own Racing Outfit…!"
Seeing his Uma Musume only now fully comprehending the situation, Yasui chuckled softly. He was about to tease her when, unexpectedly, Kitasan rushed over and pushed him urgently toward the exit.
"Then what are you still doing here, Trainer?! Hurry up and get to the meeting! If you're late and I don't get my Racing Outfit, I—I… I'll get really mad at you!"
Hey, hey, seriously? Forgetting your trainer the moment you hear about the Racing Outfit—what kind of Uma Musume does that?
Even as he silently teased her, Yasui understood her impatience and couldn't help but laugh aloud.
"Relax, relax. The Racing Outfit is custom-made. Every Uma Musume competing in G1 races will get one."
"But be careful when you eat later—don't stuff yourself too much."
"The measurements I gave are your current ones. If you eat so much that you put on weight, your Racing Outfit might burst at the seams."
He still couldn't resist teasing her a little.