Recruiting Tamamo Cross was a sudden decision Kitahara made, though he knew very well that the chances of success were slim.
According to the timeline of another world, Tamamo Cross was born in 1984 and Oguri Cap in 1985. By the time the former had already started racing, the latter hadn't debuted yet.
In this world, under URA regulations, a racehorse girl must belong to a trainer's team to compete. Since Tamamo Cross had already participated in races, she obviously had her own trainer.
So Kitahara's idea was essentially "poaching."
If it had been just after he had crossed over, he wouldn't have even considered such a thought.
Putting himself in others' shoes, he wouldn't want to give Oguri Cap to anyone else, and surely other trainers wouldn't willingly part with their horses either.
Moreover, according to the other world's timeline, Tamamo Cross was likely racing frequently at Hanshin Racecourse. Horses competing there were basically under central Tracen Academy.
Kitahara was just a small local trainer; why would a prominent central Uma Musume agree to join him?
However, through his experiences over this period, Kitahara had firmly decided to secure more resources and influence in this world. Using his foresight and knowledge of advanced ideas and technology, he aimed to create a better world for the Uma Musumes.
To do this, he needed more outstanding Uma Musume and to win as many top-level races as possible—only then could his ideals be realized.
Furthermore, Kitahara firmly believed that Tamamo Cross would fare better under him than with her current trainer.
He had superior training skills and could provide a better future—not just in race glory but in life—of this he was fully confident.
Besides, under her current trainer, Tamamo Cross had already suffered five consecutive defeats. With him, she could hardly lose that badly.
Still, in this world, Kitahara and Tamamo Cross had never met. He couldn't just go up and talk about dreams or the future.
He had already planned to act as if it were a chance encounter: make an impression, exchange contact information, and then gradually find a way to attract her.
Tamamo Cross was easy to find.
Not because she was shouting about races, but because she was asleep—and snoring loudly.
…Yes, really loud.
Kitahara almost followed the sound of her snores straight to her.
In the waiting hall, she immediately drew attention: surrounding passengers were quietly laughing and observing her, some even snapping photos.
After all, Tamamo Cross's sleeping posture was striking.
A small 1.4-meter girl sprawled across the chair.
One leg hung over the armrest, the other dangling at the edge, swinging slightly because her short legs didn't reach the floor.
Her head, adorned with red-and-blue ribbons, rested on the other armrest, mouth wide open, breathing slowly.
Her small nose twitched rhythmically, accompanying loud, patterned snores, and a big snot bubble protruded.
Her arms were not placed properly either: one clutched the chairback as if afraid of falling; the other tucked under her shirt into her lap, occasionally scratching herself.
It was attention-grabbing and endearingly messy.
Kitahara couldn't help but smile secretly, just like the other passengers, and moved closer to her.
A nearby passenger blocked him, whispering cautiously:
"Excuse me, sir… what do you intend to do with this Uma Musume?"
Not just that passenger—others nearby also cast watchful eyes.
Kitahara realized immediately: these passengers were instinctively protecting the sleeping Tamamo Cross.
This world adored Uma Musume, both for their spectacular races and performances and because many served as police, firefighters, etc., protecting people with physical abilities far beyond humans. They were widely respected.
Of course, they were all beautiful and cute, which also mattered.
So seeing a young man silently approach a sleeping Uma Musume, the passengers reacted defensively.
Kitahara didn't explain much. He pulled out his trainer ID:
"I'm a trainer from Kasamatsu Tracen Academy. Although this girl isn't in my team, she could catch a cold sleeping like this, so I'll wake her up."
The crowd, who deeply loved racehorse girls and respected trainers, visibly relaxed upon seeing the ID.
"Oh, I almost misunderstood your intentions," the passenger said, embarrassed, and handed over a ticket, whispering:
"Since you're a trainer, it's better for you to take this."
"What's this…?" Kitahara asked instinctively, taking the ticket.
He saw it was a train ticket, with the same train number and departure time as his own.
"It's hers," the passenger whispered with a smile, "Her sleeping posture… well, the ticket fell from her pocket while she was asleep. I was debating waking her, since her train will depart soon. But as a trainer, it seems more appropriate for you to handle it."
Kitahara smiled and nodded:
"Alright, thank you. I'll take care of it for her."
After a brief acknowledgment, he didn't hesitate and reached out to pat Tamamo Cross's small hand:
"Wake up, wake up, your train's leaving."
Her hand twitched, then slapped his hand away, and she murmured in her slightly open mouth:
"N…no stealing…stealing my noodles…Zzzz"
Still dreaming of noodles? Like Oguri Cap, she's a foodie too?
Suppressing a chuckle, Kitahara grinned and looked at his hand.
The back of his hand was already red. Uma Musume weren't weaklings; even a casual slap packed far more force than a human could imagine.
But she needed to wake up, so he switched hands and reached out again—this time patting her head while calling:
"Hey, you're going to miss your train, wake up."
"…Wah…who's…stealing my noodles…I'll bite you…Zzzz"
The sleeping Tamamo Cross tried to swat him again. Quick reflexes, Kitahara pulled back.
To avoid being hit, he clasped both hands behind his head, leaned close to her ear, and raised his voice:
"Hey! Your train is leaving! You—"
"…Ugh…why is…this bowl of noodles…so noisy…never mind…eat it…then it's quiet…ah—"
"Ahhh—!"
A pitiful young man's scream echoed throughout the waiting hall.
Thank you all for your support!
(End of Chapter)