The documents Kitahara handed to Tomomi Konan weren't something he threw together overnight — he'd been working on them for quite a while.
He understood the importance of resources very well. Even before meeting Oguri Cap, he had already begun preparing various related analyses.
The current proposal combined his long-term understanding of the world of Uma Musume with his previous experience as a corporate executive and club president. In the gaps between daily training and exam prep, he had slowly compiled this "future plan."
The plan contained quite a bit of "foresight" from another world — naturally, that couldn't be disclosed — but once those pieces were removed, what remained was still enough to astonish many professionals.
As a graduate student in business by training, he was fully proficient in tools like SWOT, the 7S model, PEST, and the GE matrix. Classic case studies and practical strategies were also second nature to him.
Using these to analyze the Uma Musume industry — especially with the previous analysis of the horse racing industry as a foundation — was child's play.
SWOT could clarify the industry's resource advantages, competitive weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The 7S model could lay out strategy, systems, organizational structure, culture, and models on a macro level. PEST could conduct targeted external analysis from political, economic, and social perspectives. The GE matrix could assess the internal structure of the industry. The case studies were ready-made — encountering similar situations just required tailored adjustments.
This entire set of documents wasn't perfect. Much of it was extrapolated from past experience, meaning it would inevitably deviate from actual circumstances.
To truly make it executable, someone would need to refine it further based on the real situation.
Tomomi Konan just so happened to be the perfect person to take it to that next step.
—
After leaving the café.
Walking down the street beside Kitahara, Oguri Cap was holding a big cup of honey milk tea, sipping it in little gulps as she curiously asked:
"Kitahara, after reading that pile of papers, why did Light's mom just leave without saying anything?"
Kitahara thought for a moment. "She probably needs some time to verify exactly what's in those papers."
More accurately, knowing Mrs. Konan's working style, once she had that guiding framework from me, she likely already planned to start acting on the preliminary arrangements.Of course, many of the details were just my guesses — she'll definitely need time to revise them.
Which means next…
"Let me give you a heads-up."
Kitahara warned Oguri Cap: "If nothing unexpected happens, the next time Mrs. Konan contacts us, it'll probably be to have you sign contracts, prepare endorsements, and shoot commercials."
"When that time comes, apart from contract matters, I might not be with you every step of the way — you'll have to listen carefully to her instructions. You can handle that, right?"
"Oh, listen to Light's mom? That's easy."
Slurping a sip of honey milk tea, Oguri Cap nodded. "Whenever I went to Light's house to play, whatever her mom told us to do, we just did it. No problem at all."
"Mm, good girl."
Ruffling Oguri Cap's hair absentmindedly, Kitahara thought for a moment. "Since I've wrapped up my end of things, how about we go meet up with Light and the others?"
"Yay! Kitahara, you can finally take a break!"
"Hey, hey! You spilled it — you spilled the drink! …Honestly… I get to rest, why are you so excited?"
"Mm… what a waste… Anyway, I'm just really happy!"
"Alright, alright… I wonder what Light and the others are doing. I'll call and ask."
"They were probably planning to see a movie, right? We agreed that once you were free, I'd bring you along so we could all go together."
"A movie, huh? Sounds good — it's been a while since I've gone to see one… Which movie?"
"Umm—"
"Oh, Godzilla, huh… Hey, Oguri Cap."
"What?"
"If we can get Mrs. Konan to custom-make you a costume, want to play Godzilla?"
"Eh? I can play Godzilla? That sounds awesome! Kitahara, I have to do it!"
"You definitely, definitely will. I'll make sure you get to."
Nodding with a smile, Kitahara suddenly pictured a goofy, adorable kaiju.
Then three more giant monsters popped into his mind.
…This is pretty interesting. The Godzilla movies have the classic four monsters: "Godzilla," "Ghidorah," "Mothra," and "Rodan."
In Uma Musume, there were four who matched them one-to-one:
Oguri Cap as "Kurisura," Tamamo Cross as "Tamadora," Super Creek as "Super Sura," and Inari One as "Inaridon."
Now that I've already got "Kurisura" and "Super Sura," maybe I should figure out how to recruit "Tamadora" and "Inaridon" too?
Then I can make a team called "The Super Hungry Squad."
After all, all four of them can really eat.
Haha, I'm getting ahead of myself. Better focus on taking care of Oguri Cap and Super Creek first.
With an amused mood, Kitahara met up with Light and the others, and they spent a lighthearted, pleasant day together.
The next day was still part of their break. Kitahara had already given Oguri Cap and the others two days off, and now, under Oguri Cap's supervision, he had to rest as well — so he ended up spending another day having fun.
But around noon that day, Kitahara got some unexpected news.
Oguri Cap received a call from Tamamo Cross — apparently, she wanted to ask Kitahara for a favor.
Huh?I was just casually thinking about Tamadora… no, Tamamo Cross — and here she comes?
"Kitahara, Tama-chan says she wants to talk to you. Should I hand you the phone?"
"Yeah, give it here."
With a touch of surprise and amusement, Kitahara took the phone.
"Hello, Tama-chan, long time no see. How have you been?"
But the voice that came from the other end wasn't Tamamo Cross.
"Hello? Is this Kitahara-senpai? Sorry to bother you out of the blue — I'm Tama-chan's temporary trainer, Komiyama. Nice to meet you, please take care of me."
A girl? Wasn't Tama-chan's trainer that old man?
Oh, right , she had two trainers. The old man at first, then Komiyama later on.
But temporary…
"Hello, Ms. Komiyama."
Greeting her politely, Kitahara said modestly, "Sounds like we're probably around the same age — I'm not really worthy of being called senpai, no need to be so formal."
"That won't do. You don't know yet, senpai — I'm the Nephew of Mr. Ginjiro Musaka."
The voice on the other end cheerfully laughed. "You're Mr. Musaka's nephew, and you're older than me, so of course you're my senpai."
"So as your junior, it's only natural for me to call you senpai, so don't decline, okay?"
"…Then you could just call me aniki at least, no need to—"
Wait a second!
He was just about to ask this Komiyama what exactly was going on when suddenly her tone shifted, carrying a faint trace of triumph — like a plan coming together.
"Well then, senpai, your junior has something very important to discuss with you."
Without warning, her voice became serious.
"Over five months ago — that is, on May 10th this year — Tama-chan participated in a conditions race."
"In that race, there was a crowding and trampling accident. She was unfortunately caught up in it."
"She's developed PTSD."