Like the Spring Stakes, the Satsuki Sho would be held at Nakayama Racecourse, and all Uma Musume participants and their trainers arrived early to prepare.
Compared to previous races, Yasui Makoto's instructions this time were more meticulous than ever.
The course layout, overall tactics, key techniques, weather forecasts, and even the competitors' past performances…
All of these previously emphasized points were reviewed thoroughly again, culminating in the chosen running style:
"Nige."
"For this race, within your stamina's limits, you need to get as far ahead as possible."
After writing the character 逃 (Nige, front-runner) boldly on the whiteboard and circling it, Yasui pointed at the starting area of the Satsuki Sho track diagram and spoke solemnly to Kitasan Black.
"We're fortunate this time. There aren't many front-runners—in fact, hardly any at all."
"Judging from past performances, including you, there are probably only two Uma Musume capable of leading early."
"With just two front-runners out of fifteen entrants, the competition for the lead will be minimal. This is very advantageous for you."
"Get as far ahead as possible…probably one or two rivals…"
Kitasan mumbled, scribbling notes into her little book. Then she pointed her carrot-shaped pen toward the whiteboard, specifically at the name Azulita.
"So, you mean I'll be competing directly against Azulita-san from the start?"
Glancing at the board as well, Yasui nodded.
"That's right, according to her past records."
"Azulita debuted slightly earlier than you and has participated in six races already."
"In her second race, her passing positions were consistently 1, 1, 1, 1; the three races before that were all 2, 2, 2, 2."
"It's highly probable she'll still use the Nige style this time around."
Most tracks had four turns, and "passing positions" referred to the rank of an Uma Musume each time they passed a turn.
This data revealed a great deal:
Maintaining 1st or 2nd position through all four turns demonstrated Azulita's strong and steady front-running capabilities.
Her first three races consistently passing each corner in 2nd place might suggest that, like Kitasan, she specialized in a conservative, slower-paced Nige style (a "slow-escape"). Of course, it could simply mean she had lost the lead early to a stronger front-runner.
"What exact pace Azulita will choose this time, I can't fully predict," Yasui continued.
"But no matter how she runs, your approach won't change."
"Make sure you enter the middle stage at least a horse-length ahead of her, and never let her overtake you."
"Use extra stamina if needed. You have the advantage in this aspect."
"And not just her—if our guess turns out wrong and another front-runner appears, you must pass them at any cost and not allow them to retake the lead."
He tapped the whiteboard with his marker, his expression growing serious.
"Because once you secure the lead, your race has only just begun. Only then can your race truly start."
"Satono Crown, Satono Gallant, Crushing Raise, Noda Gold…"
"The late kicks of these opponents are formidable, each faster than the last."
"You must keep widening the gap from the very first stage until the final straight, pulling so far ahead that no matter how fast they sprint, they can't catch you."
...
After carefully noting Yasui's instructions, Kitasan went through pre-race course adaptation at Nakayama, attended interviews, had dinner…
Finally, having completed all tasks with anticipation and nervousness, she returned to her dorm. After strictly following her usual relaxation routine—a hot-and-cold water bath—she lay down in her yukata, staring quietly to her left.
She sighed softly.
"It still feels a little strange without Dia-chan by my side…"
She turned to gaze up at the ceiling, lips pursed in dissatisfaction.
"And why wouldn't they let me move my lanterns here? The Academy even approved it…"
Sitting up with a small grunt, she took her phone off the charger and began making calls.
"…Don't worry, Grandpa! I ate plenty and I'm about to sleep! Yep! I'll definitely give it my all tomorrow! Good night!"
"…My senpais are all coming to see me race?! Even Teio-senpai and McQueen-senpai?! That's wonderful! I'll definitely do my best! Mm-hmm! I'll sleep early tonight! Good night, Senpais!"
"…Crown-chan's still training in the gym? Gallant-chan too? …I won't join this time. Trainer told me to rest early today, and Grandpa said the same thing. Mm-hmm, good night then, Dia-chan."
"…Good evening, Almond-chan! I've been training so much lately, we haven't seen each other for ages! …Yep! Let's hang out after the race!"
Family, senpais, friends, juniors… After making calls to everyone she could think of, Kitasan's finger hovered over Yasui Makoto's contact on her screen. She paused.
Staring at the familiar name, she took a deep breath, and finally pressed dial.
After a moment…
"Hello? Trainer? You…aren't asleep yet, right…?"
She spoke timidly, voice barely above a whisper.
Somehow, although it was just another regular call, she suddenly felt anxious and uneasy.
Ugh…I probably shouldn't have called Trainer this late. He told me to rest early, didn't he…
Ahh…maybe I should have called him first…
As she hesitated awkwardly, Kitasan heard a familiar chuckle through the phone.
"So you really are nervous, huh?"
"…How did you know?" she asked, surprised, before realizing—
Indeed, for every previous race, she had called all the people who mattered to her. Yet, previously it was only to tell them about her upcoming race. This time, however, she was unexpectedly nervous.
"How should I put it… Being nervous isn't a bad thing, really."
There was a soft laugh from the other side, followed by the faint rustling of paper. Yasui's voice became calm and confident, the tone he used whenever discussing strategy:
"I was just about to call you myself to check how you're feeling. Didn't expect you'd call first."
"As I said, there's nothing wrong with being nervous."
"I believe in you, Kita-chan."
"I believe your legs crave victory more than anyone else's, and that your body has endured training beyond what any rival could handle."
"Remember your acceleration time during adaptation training last week? 43.4 seconds. Trust me, no other competitor can sustain acceleration for that long."
"And remember every turn, every slope we simulated during special training? Your potential energy conversion rate consistently exceeded 89%, more than enough to offset your weaknesses in explosiveness and top speed."
"As for the tactics we prepared—if you execute them at even half your best, you'll easily gain a lead of more than six horse-lengths."
"Even if someone behind you bursts into a 33-second-level late kick, they'll never catch up on the Satsuki Sho's final straight—this is the absolute safety margin, calculated from all your training data."
His voice grew softer then, as though sharing a private secret:
"If you still feel nervous now…"
"Then lie back slowly. Try remembering and imagining."
"Remember every ray of morning sunlight you've ever felt, every gust of wind rushing past, every drop of sweat shed, every single step you've ever taken on the track…"
"And then…"
"Imagine the moment when all your hard work finally brings you center stage, and the spotlight shines only on you."