Even after the training race ended, Yasui Makoto's complicated emotions refused to settle down.
He had known clearly from the start that racing against powerful senpai would naturally put enormous pressure on Kitasan Black, who hadn't even completed her Classic year yet.
But he still couldn't help feeling that, in this particular race, those senpai might have gone just a bit too far.
It wasn't about the result.
Just like last time, Kitasan finished dead last again. He could accept that easily enough.
Nor was it about any unexpected occurrences.
Deep Impact's strategy clearly had special intentions. Halfway through the race, Yasui had already guessed what she was aiming at.
That Uma Musume probably wanted to test something specific about Kitasan Black, which explained her relentless dominance from start to finish.
The real problem was—this was only supposed to be a training race!
Yet every single one of you senpai had to go and enter the [Domain]… Wasn't that too much for my Kita-chan?!
He endured silently for a long while, holding back the complaints that wanted desperately to spill out.
But thinking about it calmly, this unexpected scenario wasn't actually a bad thing.
After the Satsuki Sho, he and Tokai Teio and others had confirmed repeatedly that Duramente had undoubtedly entered a [Domain] on that final straight.
In that state, one's mental focus heightened dramatically, enhancing every aspect of performance, accompanied by an unmistakable, powerful aura.
Precisely because of this, Yasui had been researching and pondering it extensively while instructing Kitasan over the recent period.
However, currently, even worldwide, knowledge about this state remained superficial—no one, not even those who experienced it personally, could fully explain it.
Since there was no guaranteed way to trigger it intentionally, today's unexpected experience during the training race had undoubtedly benefited Kitasan greatly.
On another note, all the Uma Musume who participated in this race ended up utterly exhausted.
The [Domain] allowed one to exceed limits, yes, but it was no superpower—ultimately, it was fueled by stamina, consumed far more rapidly and intensely than in any normal scenario.
Just like Duramente after crossing the finish line in the Satsuki Sho, barely able to stand until Kitasan helped her up, the senpai today were similarly drained. After barely jogging to a halt, one by one, they collapsed onto the track, gasping for breath.
So, swallowing down his earlier complaints, Yasui, Daiwa Scarlet, Silence Suzuka, and a somewhat recovered Kitasan took responsibility for cleaning up afterward.
First, they all went to the infirmary to line up for physical checkups, ensuring no injuries had occurred.
Next, he confirmed everyone's weekend schedules, making sure nothing important was missed.
After verifying they'd just rest afterward, Yasui returned the gate and other borrowed equipment to the logistics office.
Finally, after some consideration, Yasui decided to treat the Uma Musume to a hot spring bath, intending to use the opportunity to review this unexpectedly dramatic training race.
Since hot spring therapy had long been integrated into training routines, the proposal received unanimous approval.
In the afternoon, at the familiar hot spring inn Yasui Makoto and Kitasan had visited several times before—
Inside one of the private rooms, reclining leisurely in a lounge chair and idly flipping through the latest issue of Yushun Weekly, Deep Impact spoke up upon hearing a knock on the door:
"Come in."
"Sorry for disturbing you, Deep Impact-senpai."
Sliding open the paper door, Kitasan Black entered, holding a plate of fruit salad. Her eyes were full of concern as she approached. "Senpai, how are you feeling? Still very tired?"
Putting down the magazine on the side table next to the chair, Deep Impact stood up and accepted the plate with a curt reply:
"I'm alright. What about the others?"
"…Um, Senpai, could I ask you something?" Hesitating, Kitasan dodged the question.
Not answering verbally, Deep Impact merely nodded.
"Senpai… it feels like you don't enjoy being around other people very much?"
Realizing how intrusive that sounded, Kitasan quickly waved her hands. "Ah, sorry, that's just my own impression—if I've said something inappropriate, please forgive me…"
After a moment of silence, Deep Impact stabbed a few pieces of fruit with a toothpick and ate quietly before looking straight at Kitasan.
"Why would you think that?"
"It's…just a feeling." Kitasan bit her lip gently. "I remember I once visited your home, Senpai…right?"
"That time with my sister?" Deep Impact quickly recalled.
"Yes, Black Tide-senpai often talks to me about you." Kitasan nodded slightly. "I also watched many of your races and wanted to meet you that day—but I couldn't find you anywhere…" Her voice trailed off uncertainly.
Another silent moment passed, and Deep Impact absently poked at the fruit again. Then, abruptly looking up, she changed the subject completely.
"What were you thinking…at the final corner?"
"Final corner…you mean today's training race?"
Seeing Deep Impact nod, Kitasan lowered her head and went quiet again.
Seeing this, Deep Impact didn't rush her. Turning back to her chair, she picked up the magazine again, casually flipping through it.
After a long pause—
"Frustration, and…regret, I guess." Speaking uncertainly and softly, Kitasan's fists clenched involuntarily at her sides.
"Why frustration? Why regret?" Without looking up, still flipping through the pages, Deep Impact's question seemed casual, almost indifferent.
For a brief instant, Kitasan felt transported back onto the track, that familiar crushing pressure from earlier questions gripping her chest, leaving her momentarily breathless.
After a moment—
"…I'm not completely sure, but—" Her fists tightened further, her voice strained.
"If I encounter an opponent like you at the Derby, and I shrink back again like today, victory will definitely—"
"Not if."
The magazine rustled as Deep Impact turned a page, interrupting without lifting her head. "It will definitely happen."
"At the Derby, you will undoubtedly face opponents you feel you cannot defeat," she emphasized firmly.
Kitasan froze, confused.
She wasn't entirely sure she understood Deep Impact's meaning.
Though she'd rarely interacted with this senpai before—even with recent training races—she was certain Deep Impact was undoubtedly among the top Uma Musume in Japan.
Such overwhelmingly powerful Uma Musume were extremely rare. Was the Japanese Derby truly going to present someone so daunting, as her senpai had implied?
"The Japanese Derby. Tokyo turf course, 2400 meters, left-turn, G1."
Placing the magazine aside, Deep Impact finally looked directly at Kitasan again and began talking about the race itself.
"It originates from the historic Epsom Derby—the earliest established race of the Classic Triple Crown. It's also called the Tokyo Yushun—the race designed specifically to crown the most exceptional Uma Musume—and was once the most coveted of all titles.
"Do you have any idea what your opponents will do for a race like this?"
The barrage of words left Kitasan momentarily stunned. Instinctively, she mumbled:
"Do…what?"
"Risk their lives."
Picking up the magazine once more, Deep Impact flipped to a page filled with racing records, holding it out to Kitasan as she continued in a heavy tone:
"Mid-distance races severely test the balance between stamina and speed. Most of these races start slow and end in fierce late kicks.
"But the Derby isn't like that.
"There have been far too many occasions when Uma Musume, determined to claim the title 'Derby Winner,' have run the first 1000 meters in under 60 seconds.
"That's usually the pace reserved for the finishing stretch of other mid-distance races.
"Do you understand now why I ran the way I did in today's training race?"