Before coming to the university division, Yasui had initially intended just to have a brief chat with Sakura Bakushin O and leave it at that.
But after just a few partner runs, that plan changed.
Breaking his usual training approach, Yasui quickly checked with Kitasan Black and Sakura Bakushin O, then added an extra morning training session right there.
With her heart set on winning the Kikuka Sho, Kitasan Black readily agreed, and Sakura Bakushin O also gave her enthusiastic approval.
Not only Sakura Bakushin O—once Bamboo Memory recognized Yasui and Kitasan Black from their previous meeting, she showed great interest and eagerly offered to help, even excitedly bringing in the other Umamusume who had been watching from the sidelines.
Perhaps it was simply an Umamusume trait, but none of them refused, and nearly everyone joined in for a partner run or two.
During breaks in these extra sessions, Yasui also learned why Sakura Bakushin O and the others were here.
It wasn't preparation for this year's sprint races.
They were there at the request of the Association and university division, preparing for next year's coaching duties.
It was part of the academy's existing system—quite a few retired Umamusume were invited back as seniors to guide and mentor younger runners.
Normally, such partner runs required a formal application. Yasui and Kitasan Black's timely arrival had conveniently bypassed that process.
And, thanks to that coincidence, the training grounds were already equipped with measurement devices and other tools.
Aware they were already imposing, Yasui simply borrowed these tools to record data from the partner runs.
They decided not to trouble Sakura Bakushin O and the others further that afternoon, but to express his gratitude, Yasui suggested treating everyone to some shopping and dinner afterward.
Just as with the partner runs, this suggestion also passed unanimously.
Thus, by evening, at the arcade center near the university division…
"W-Whoa! They've got this version of Oguri-senpai?!"
With an excited shout, Bamboo Memory dashed toward a claw machine, hurriedly pulling out a few tokens and dropping them in with rapid clinking sounds.
Behind her, Kitasan Black, Sakura Bakushin O, and the others jumped at first.
But when Bamboo Memory began operating the claw with a serious, focused stare, they drifted over, curiously inspecting the plushies inside.
After a quick glance, Kitasan Black's eyes lit up.
"Huh? Isn't this the 'Ogurizilla' plush?"
"No wonder Bamboo Memory-senpai got so excited—it's this one."
Sakura Bakushin O laughed. "It's the 'Ogurizilla' plush from a limited collaboration back when Oguri-senpai was still active, linked to a 'Godzilla' movie."
"Bamboo Memory-senpai collects them whenever she spots one. If I remember right, she has quite a few on display in her room."
"But I thought they stopped selling these ages ago. Did they start again?"
The other Umamusume had the same realization. Under all those curious gazes, Bamboo Memory focused intently on a plush with a chibi Oguri Cap's head on a cartoon Godzilla's body, holding her breath as she guided the claw.
Under her meticulous control, the claw moved slowly, carefully toward the "Ogurizilla," and everyone's breathing seemed to halt with it.
Seeing that, Kitasan Black and the others tensed as well—eyes unblinking, bodies stiff, breathing shallow.
The claw paused, swayed slightly, hovering half a meter above the plush.
Suddenly, Bamboo Memory released the joystick, leaned her head back, took a deep breath, and then quickly seized the controls again.
The claw descended slowly, carefully sliding between the plush's oversized head and its round little body.
"Alright! Now! Baku—"
Before Sakura Bakushin O could finish her shout, Kitasan Black reflexively reached out and covered her senpai's mouth, eyes fixed nervously on the claw.
The claw lifted.
"Ogurizilla" rose with it.
The claw began moving toward the chute, carrying "Ogurizilla" along.
"...Yeah, like that… slowly, slowly…"
Entirely forgetting she was still covering Sakura Bakushin O's mouth, Kitasan Black whispered anxiously.
Then, just as the claw reached the spot above the chute, it wobbled slightly due to inertia.
"Ogurizilla" dropped back into the pile.
After less than half a second of stunned silence, Bamboo Memory grabbed her head in despair and shouted:
"Noooo—! My 'Ogurizilla'!"
The next instant, she gritted her teeth, plunged a hand into her pocket, yanked out over a dozen tokens, and dumped them all into the machine.
"I won't believe this! Again! I'm absolutely getting this 'Ogurizilla'!"
This time, Kitasan Black, Sakura Bakushin O, and the others remained perfectly quiet, staring tensely as Bamboo Memory carefully operated the claw.
But as if to tease her, the claw kept wobbling or losing its grip at crucial moments—either on the way to the chute or just before it could secure a hold.
That silly-looking "Ogurizilla" kept shifting around within the plush pile but stubbornly refused to be caught.
After repeated failed attempts, Bamboo Memory's shoulders slumped, and the determination in her eyes gave way to gloomy resignation.
"...Why am I so unlucky? Wait, why are you all gathered here…?"
Only then did she notice the Umamusume clustered around her. Before they could respond, she gave a wry laugh.
"Ha ha… sorry you had to watch that. Do you want a turn? You can have it."
"N-no, it's fine, but…"
Kitasan Black quickly waved her hands. "Would you like me to try grabbing it for you, senpai?"
"I come to game centers often with Dia-chan… I mean, a friend of mine. And claw machines—I think I'm pretty good at them."
"Huh? Really? Then I'll be counting on you, Kita-chan."
Addressing her warmly, Bamboo Memory blinked, then waved casually and turned toward the arcade counter.
"But hold on. I didn't expect to play, so I didn't buy enough tokens. Let me go grab some more."
"Huh? You don't need to, senpai, I've still got plenty—"
Bamboo Memory didn't hear her. She swiftly wove through the crowd and arrived at the counter.
She bought a hundred tokens at once. Holding the little storage box, she turned back toward the claw machine with determination.
Just as she started to head back, something at the corner of her eye caught her attention.
On the waiting seats near the counter, Yasui sat staring blankly ahead, brow deeply furrowed. He held a tablet, appearing completely out of place amid the lively atmosphere of the arcade.
After a moment's thought, Bamboo Memory carried the token box over to Yasui.
"Yo, Yasui. Thinking about the Kikuka Sho?"
Surprised by the sudden question, Yasui froze, then gradually snapped out of it.
Seeing Bamboo Memory smiling at him and waving casually before plopping down beside him, Yasui looked slightly startled but nodded without hiding anything.
"Yeah. The Kikuka Sho is next week—since I'm her assigned trainer, I have to think this through."
"And from today's partner runs… I feel Kita-chan's burst power still has room to grow."
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