Musaka Ginjiro was a little surprised:
"Adjusting training based on medical data? Didn't think you'd come up with that. That kind of training philosophy, even in Central—or internationally—is considered pretty advanced. Over in Central, aside from me, it's only that old fossil Nisei who ever talks about this stuff…"
When he mentioned that name, the rough-mannered old man suddenly looked a bit embarrassed. He gave a dry cough and changed the subject:"Ahem… anyway, even by international standards, that's cutting-edge thinking. Never thought you, brat, would know about this kind of thing."
In the other world, sports medicine had already been used for years. Here they're still treating it like some advanced idea… sigh. I'm not trying to single anyone out, but seriously, all these so-called trainers here are trash…
Keeping that complaint to himself, Kitahara put on a look of mild surprise:
"Really? Well, I only read about it in a foreign racing magazine. It seemed pretty reasonable, so I wanted to try it out with Oguri Cap."
"Hmph, the brat's grown up, huh? Even reading foreign racing magazines now. Guess I can finally give your parents a little peace of mind." Musaka Ginjiro's expression softened with a hint of comfort.
Kitahara's parents had died long ago in an accident, leaving Ginjiro as his guardian.
To take care of Kitahara, Ginjiro had even stayed unmarried and was still alone to this day. For all his harsh words, he was, through and through, a good man.
But raising a child by himself inevitably meant oversights, especially since a Uma Musume trainer's life was busy—always training or competing, barely able to split himself in two. That's why Kitahara had drifted through life listlessly for so long.
Because of all that, though Kitahara was cheeky with his uncle, deep down he respected him sincerely.
At the mention of his parents, Kitahara also fell silent. Uncle and nephew quietly shared a few cups of sake.
"Alright, it's getting late. I need to take Oguri and Light to catch the train." Rising with a touch of tipsiness, Kitahara pulled out his wallet and called the noodle shop owner over to settle the bill.
"You're heading for Central today?" Ginjiro was taken aback.
Paying the tab in cash, Kitahara nodded: "The tickets were booked in advance. I already told them, after the Young Crown race we'd make a trip to Central.
"I checked the timing again—if we take the Shinkansen now, we'll arrive tonight. First, get them settled at the hotel, then tomorrow morning head to the hospital for check-ups. The results will probably take until noon or evening the day after. In the meantime, we can tour the Central Tracen Academy.
"After that, I wasn't sure what else, but with Uncle's connections, maybe we can have someone guide us around. Let Oguri and Light run alongside the Central girls, or watch some races."
At first Ginjiro nodded, then frowned: "The plan's fine, but going today's too rushed.
"You brat, I just finished praising you and you're already rushing off like wildfire. I just got back home for a family visit—what kind of nephew doesn't even accompany his uncle for a stroll?"
Taking his change from the owner, Kitahara feigned ignorance:
"Huh? Uncle, after going to Central, you haven't forgotten your way around home, have you? Surely you don't need me to show you the roads?"
"You…! You brat! Got yourself some promising horse girls and now you've forgotten your uncle, is that it?! Scram, scram, scram!"
He whipped up his cane, waving it around like chasing flies. Turning his head away, the rough old man put on a face of exaggerated irritation:
"Go on, get lost! Let those two enjoy themselves for a few days! And that one—Light, right? Don't think I didn't notice. She just ran an official race not long ago too! You brat, don't you know how to let girls rest?!"
Kitahara couldn't help but admire his uncle's sharp eye—he was exactly right. Just a few days ago, Light had run her second race after her debut.
And just like Oguri Cap breaking free from her "second-place debut" fate of the other world, Light too had avoided the parallel world's "failed debut," winning her first start—and then another right after.
Remembering that adorable Uma Musume crying tears of joy after her victory, Kitahara couldn't stop a smile of relief.
He also knew, though Ginjiro acted gruff, he hadn't actually stopped them from leaving. He understood the girls needed a break.
Not wanting to provoke his uncle further, Kitahara only shrugged with a smile, then called out inside the shop:"Oguri! Light! Say goodbye to your friends—we need to catch our train!"
Without waiting to see if his uncle was watching, Kitahara bowed slightly and headed toward the door.
Just then, the shop owner—who had been quietly tallying accounts across from them—spoke up:
"Excuse me, are you heading to Central as trainers? Both of you?" His tone and expression were very respectful. In this world where Uma Musume were treated as idols, both Uma Musume and their trainers received admiration everywhere.
Surprised, Kitahara glanced back at his uncle.
Still turned away, his hand gripping the cane tight enough that veins bulged.
…Alright, so he doesn't want to acknowledge me.
Helplessly, Kitahara turned back to the owner with a smile:
"I'm not. I'm just a local trainer here in Kasamatsu. This is my uncle, Musaka Ginjiro—he's the one from Central."
The owner's manner became even more reverent.
"I see," he nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "I just overheard you mention going to Central. If you're taking the Shinkansen, you might actually run into a horse girl from Central."
That made both Kitahara and Ginjiro speak up at once:
"What?!" Ginjiro even turned his head and stood up.
But realizing he'd spoken in sync with his nephew, he immediately shot him a glare, grunted, and sat back down, turning away again.
…Stubborn old man.
Suppressing a sigh, Kitahara pressed on:
"Do you remember what she looked like? Did she say her name? Why would a Central horse girl come to Kasamatsu?"
Strange. What business would a Central horse girl have here…? Wait. Could it be…
He suddenly recalled a certain scene from the original story.
The owner scratched his head, then gestured as he explained:
"Seemed like after a race she got on the wrong train. Ended up here, so she came by for noodles. At least that's what I heard her muttering.
"She did mention her name—something starting with 'Ta,' I think. But her Kansai accent was so thick, I didn't catch it. She only said it once before rushing out."
"As for appearance…" The owner held his hand level at his waist.
"About this tall. Long silver-gray hair, blue eyes, very cute, with little fangs.
"She had red earrings, and her hair had red and blue ornaments. Her outfit was also blue and red… Do either of you trainers know who that might be?"
Of course Kitahara knew. The moment he heard "Ta" and a Kansai accent, he knew exactly who.
Tamamo Cross…
He laughed inwardly at the sheer coincidence.
How could it be that one of Oguri Cap's fated rivals would appear here, in Kasamatsu, on this very day…
(End of Chapter)