"Of course you can go to Kasamatsu with Mr. Kitahara. Didn't Mr. Kitahara take a liking to Super Creek?"
Hayakawa Tazuna asked naturally, smiling as she tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. "It's still that sad matter—Super Creek has no trainer at the academy and can't participate in her debut race."
"She doesn't usually talk about it, but as a Uma Musume, she can't run on the track, can't feel the speed of the wind—how could she not be upset?"
"So rather than being sad in Tokyo, why not let her go to Kasamatsu with Mr. Kitahara?"
"From what I remember, the scenery around Nagoya is quite nice, so it's a good chance for her to clear her mind."
"There, besides having an excellent trainer like Mr. Kitahara, she'll have racehorse girls like Oguri Cap and Belno Light to train and play with. She won't be alone."
"Isn't that right?"
Before Tazuna could elaborate further, Kitahara was already moved.
If he could take Super Creek to Kasamatsu, he was confident he could provide first-class training, care, and physical conditioning.
With such experience together, when he later went to the Central Academy, having Super Creek join his team would naturally follow.
In that case, his team would include Oguri Cap and Super Creek, two of the "Eternal Three Greats." Just thinking about it made Kitahara grin in his dreams—how could he not be excited?
"Ms. Tazuna is absolutely right! Can we arrange her leave from the academy now?"
He couldn't hide his eagerness.
Excitedly, his voice grew louder, catching the attention of the other racehorse girls chatting and playing behind him.
"Huh? Leave?"
Oguri Cap asked directly, while the other three girls, though silent, paused and looked over curiously.
Kitahara, eager to get Super Creek's leave sorted, didn't answer them immediately, instead turning expectantly toward Haykawa Tazuna.
"Alright, I see how much you value Super Creek, Mr. Kitahara."
With a slight smile that seemed to say "I can't help you," Tazuna pulled out her phone.
"Then, explain the situation to Super Creek, and also talk about training."
"I'll handle the application with the board. If nothing goes wrong, we'll get a reply quickly."
Working on her phone, Tazuna stepped aside, giving Kitahara and the girls some space.
Before the others could ask anything, Kitahara smiled at Super Creek and explained.
"Actually, I was just discussing your transfer with Ms. Tazuna…"
He quickly summarized his conversation with her, then added with a smile, "…so now, if you want a trainer's guidance, I'm at your service anytime."
"That's amazing! I feel like Super Creek is really strong. If we train together, I'll surely learn a lot from her…"
Perceptive Oguri Cap had already noticed Super Creek's potential. Being simple-minded, she thought only about running. If she had a friend to run with, it would feel like happiness on top of a miracle.
However, as she excitedly spoke, she turned to Super Creek and was suddenly surprised.
"Super Creek, why are you crying?"
Oguri Cap asked in astonishment. "Y-you don't want to go to Kasamatsu?"
"No… boo… it's not… I-I'm… boo…"
Super Creek covered her mouth with both hands, her wide eyes misty, and her words broken. She was crying, indeed, and her speech was muffled and interrupted.
"She's crying because she's happy, Oguri Cap," Belno Light explained with a smile.
The girls had come laughing and playing; they already knew how unappreciated Super Creek was at the Central Academy and understood what Kitahara's words meant to her.
"Well, Oguri Cap might not understand, but we mean she's crying tears of joy."
Beside them, Tamamo Cross beamed brightly.
She walked over to Super Creek, raising her hand as if to pat her on the shoulder.
But with their height difference—1.40 m and 1.68 m—she ended up just tugging at Super Creek's sleeve slightly.
"Alright, don't cry! Mr. Kitahara's waiting for your answer!" she said, tugging gently at her sleeve.
"I… boo… I agree… boo…"
Though broken by her sobs, everyone understood what Super Creek meant. She truly was crying out of happiness because a trainer finally recognized her.
She knew her background wasn't exceptional. As a child, she had leg problems, and her parents worked hard to help her walk normally.
By the time she reached school age, she had a rocky path before entering the Central Tracen Academy, and after enrollment, her illness kept her from standing out.
The academy was divided into elementary, middle, and high sections. According to regulations, after participating in a debut race, students transfer from elementary to middle. Trainers generally only select girls from middle or high sections.
She had been scheduled for a debut at the Hakodate track, but severe diarrhea forced her to cancel. No trainer at the academy had faith in her despite multiple attempts to recommend herself.
She never expected that Kitahara would agree immediately. She had been ready to give up.
Oguri Cap and the other girls were delighted, and Kitahara was thrilled to add such a talented "reserve" racehorse girl to his team.
Excited, he suddenly had an idea.
"Alright, Super Creek, don't cry anymore," he said, walking over and patting her head.
"Today's a good day. How about we do something fun?"
"Y-yes… okay…"
After a few shy sobs, wiping her tears, and taking a deep breath to calm herself, Super Creek asked curiously, "What kind of fun thing, Mr. Kitahara?"
Oguri Cap and the others leaned in, interested.
"The kind you were just talking about."
Pointing to the wide grass track nearby, Kitahara smiled.
"The training ground is right next to it. Since all of you are racehorse girls, how about… a simple training session to warm up, and then a friendly race?"
Kitahara's heart raced; he thought of December 15, 1988, the 33rd Arima Kinen—the retirement race of Tamamo Cross.
In that race, Oguri Cap won against Tamamo Cross for the first and last time, while Super Creek was disqualified for drifting. "The final showdown of the white-haired girls" and "Super Creek disqualified again for drifting" became unforgettable memories for those who watched and are often talked about by enthusiasts later.
Now, the three Uma Musume who contributed to that classic race were right in front of him. Kitahara couldn't resist wanting to see a "preview version" of it.
(End of Chapter)