"In short, my thinking is this: the 'Undefeated Triple Crown' is indeed a worthy goal, but it should remain pure. The horse girls should devote themselves to it wholeheartedly, without anything else mixed in."
On the childish-looking face of Akikawa Yayoi appeared a solemnity far beyond her years. The sight was somewhat comical, but Kitahara and Symboli Rudolf listened with grave respect to her calm tone.
"That's why I'll find a way to lower the public's attention on this matter gradually," she said, tapping her plump little palm with a folded fan. "This way, Oguri Cap and your Eisei Team won't be under so much pressure."
"As for you, Kitahara-san, it's best you focus every resource on raising training standards. Not to answer outside expectations, but purely for yourself, for Oguri, for your team, and for the horse girls."
"Can you do that? Train with no distractions?" She pointed the fan toward Kitahara.
"…I can. Though there will be some differences."
After thinking for a moment, Kitahara answered thoughtfully: "I'll give my all to training, but I'll also take some steps to reduce the public pressure."
"Of course, I won't let it interfere with the training itself."
"Well, I believe in you, Kitahara-san. As long as training isn't affected, I won't be meddling in everything like certain people do… Damn it, just thinking of it makes me mad!"
She fumed for a second before quickly regaining composure. Turning toward Symboli Rudolf, she asked, "Then Rudolf, what about you?"
"My thoughts are mostly the same as yours, Chairwoman."
Rudolf spoke in a deep voice: "When I reached the last race of the Triple Crown undefeated, I never encountered the kind of frenzy we see today. But at the later Japan Cup, the pressure was just as heavy."
"It wasn't just me; CB, Katsuragi, and others felt the same."
"We senpais endured such pressure. We must not let our juniors bear this extra burden. I'll lead the Student Council in assisting the Chairwoman in guiding public opinion, to lessen the strain on Oguri Cap and Kitahara."
"And also…"
She looked at Kitahara. "I'll find time to talk with Oguri. I think some of my experiences from when I was active might be useful to her."
"Of course, regarding the Classic Triple Crown, I'll share some techniques too. Call it favoritism if you like. I've been watching her since she entered Central, and she really is a remarkable horse girl. I…"
"Wait, no skating rink talk, please!"
Kitahara cut her off, wincing. But as soon as he said it, he realized he had slipped—this timeline didn't have the "skating rink" meme at all.
Awkwardness hung in the air.
The "skating rink" was an old cut concept from the original project—meant to depict the story as a "yuri romance," pairing Rudolf and Oguri as an official couple, even showing them figure skating together in the promo. Compared to the later hot-blooded sports style, it was utterly jarring. Once you knew both, it was impossible not to feel the clash.
Kitahara, who always found that concept painfully awkward, had blurted it out without thinking.
As he scrambled for an excuse, Rudolf suddenly twitched her ears and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! I don't know what Kitahara meant about skating rinks, but it reminds me of a joke."
Eagerly, she looked from Kitahara to Akikawa Yayoi. Before they could react, she said, "You know, skating rinks always make people scream—especially when you fall!"
"Hahaha! Don't you think that's hilarious? Hahaha!"
"Huh? You didn't get it? Well, let me explain—"
Akikawa shivered, Kitahara blinked thoughtfully, and Rudolf prepared to elaborate.
"No need. I understand your meaning, President Rudolf. It really is funny."
Smiling, Kitahara quickly shifted the topic. "Actually, I just remembered another joke. Would you like to hear it?"
"Oh? Yes! Please tell it—wait, give me a second."
With surprising seriousness, Rudolf pulled out a thick little notebook and a pen, smiling expectantly as she gestured for him to go on. "Alright, ready."
…It's just a joke. Do you really need to take notes?
Kitahara understood her humor, but actually recording it? That, he couldn't comprehend. Still, he went on.
"What I meant earlier with the skating rink was, if President Rudolf talks with Oguri, don't take too long. Otherwise, it might cut into her training, and she'll end up unable to Derby."
"Unable to Derby… hahaha! That's brilliant, Kitahara! I didn't expect you to be such a jokester!"
Catching the pun, Rudolf's eyes crinkled with laughter. She laughed so hard she nearly cried.
"Hahaha! I love puns and four-character jokes! Kitahara, if you have more, please share!"
"Haha! No, not now—'unable to Derby'… my stomach hurts! I need a break… hahaha!"
She collapsed onto the table, clutching her belly with one hand and pounding the table with the other.
Kitahara thought of calming her down, but then noticed Akikawa shrinking into her chair. Already tiny, the loli chairwoman seemed even smaller as she curled up, clutching a cup of tea, trembling like the kitten atop her head.
"…Chairwoman Akikawa, are you alright?"
Concerned, Kitahara leaned forward. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing… brrr… I'm just old, and the cold's biting… brrr…"
Whether true or not, she looked pitifully chilled, sipping her tea.
"…Brrr… if we're done talking, let's rest quietly. Soon, we'll take Oguri and the others to the Winning Live… brrr…"
Kitahara nodded quickly, urging Rudolf to stop laughing lest she strain herself.
As Akikawa said, the three of them stayed in the tea lounge a while longer, sipping tea and eating sweets, until word came from Nakayama and Hanshin that preparations were complete. Then they returned to the cars and sent the competing horse girls on for the Winning Live.
Even after the live show, Kitahara remained deep in thought.
He wanted to influence public opinion, and he had already devised a plan.
The "script" he had promised to Kurokawa Masato: Uma Musume Season 2.
Since Nishijin Corporation was Japan's top film conglomerate, and he had an excellent script in hand, there was no reason not to collaborate. It would bring his team more resources—and now, it could also divert the public's focus away from Oguri.
If he handed the script over now, Nishijin's money and efficiency could quickly turn it into a film. This would draw attention to someone else, reducing pressure on Oguri, while still securing financial benefits—two birds with one stone.
Back when he had promised Kurokawa, he'd already considered that a new protagonist would be needed. With his knowledge of racing and horse girls, it didn't take long to choose the perfect candidate:
Miho Shinzan.
Her career nearly mirrored Tokai Teio's from the original Season 2.
A genius debut, winning the Satsuki Sho with ease, clearly marked as Triple Crown material. Expectations soared.
Mainly since the previous two years had produced CB and Rudolf, both Triple Crown winners, if Shinzan succeeded, too, it would mark three consecutive years of miracles.
But she didn't. Like Teio, who fractured after two legs of the crown, Shinzan broke her leg before the Derby, losing her shot at glory.
Later, she too staged a miracle comeback at the Kikka Sho—only to be crushed by Rudolf by four lengths at the Arima Kinen, then injured again.
And yet, horse girls seemed born for miracles. Even after two fractures, Ramonu returned. Though much weakened, she fought destiny and triumphed again—winning the grueling 3200-meter Tenno Sho (Spring).
Her career's ups and downs needed no embellishment. Shot as-is, it would be a masterpiece. With Kitahara's script, it wasn't even copying—it was real history.
And was already retired, now da orm leader at Tracen. This was essentially a documentary—nothing to apologize for. Kitahara felt fully justified in pitching it.
With a real, recent story like this, fans would flock to it. People's passion is fickle and fleeting—such a project could neatly redirect their attention from Oguri and Eisei to Miho Shinzan instead.
Would it trouble Shinzan herself? Kitahara doubted it. Horse girls were already treated like idols. Shooting a movie was no big deal. Gold City modeled and occasionally acted without issue.
With the plan clear, Kitahara wasted no time. After the Winning Live and Akikawa's celebratory dinner with the team, he slipped away and called Kurokawa Masato.
"Kurokawa, sorry to bother you this late… It's about the script we discussed. I've developed the idea. Do you have a moment? Good. Let me outline it briefly."
After polite greetings and gaining Kurokawa's consent, Kitahara explained the concept.
"…That's the gist. I think this script could meet your needs."
Then he paused. "Also, you must have heard about today's Yayoi Sho. After this race, the commentators and crowd started framing Oguri as a future Undefeated Triple Crown horse girl."
"As a fan yourself, you can understand how stressful that must be, right?"
Kurokawa's voice echoed slightly, but his tone was firm.
"I understand completely, Kitahara. Absolutely."
He nodded audibly. "Expectations, when balanced, drive the horse girls forward. But too much, too frenzied, becomes a burden."
"I couldn't watch live due to work, but I just saw the replay with my mother. The pressure was palpable."
"You want to use this script and film to redirect attention, easing Oguri's burden, don't you?"
"No problem. I can promise you now: once details are settled, I'll assign a director and crew, making this project our top priority. You have my word."
"Thank you, Kurokawa!"
Kitahara bowed instinctively, then added, "Is your mother present? Please give her my regards. I've long admired her reputation."
"You can tell her yourself."
Kurokawa chuckled. His voice echoed even more. "You're on speaker. She can hear you."
"…Ah?"
Kitahara froze. Before he could recover, a gentle, elegant voice came through.
"Trainer Kitahara, hello. My son has told me a great deal about your dedication. I, too, have been following you, your Eisei team, and Oguri. I admire such a promising young man."
It was clearly Kurokawa Miyu, speaking warmly. After her introduction, she sighed softly.
"I also heard your script. I consider myself gifted in film. Yet at your age, I could never have conceived something so fine."
"It seems my son has understated your talent."
"With your gifts, even if you weren't a trainer, as a director or screenwriter, you could succeed."
Kitahara knew better. Outside of training, he had some business sense, but in film? Only with horse girls could he shine. University life had been all work, little entertainment.
"No, no… I just know horse girls well. Inspiration struck. Without that, I'd never think of such a script."
"And besides…"
Thinking quickly, he added, "It's still rough, needing polish. That's why it requires a true talent like you to refine it."
That was sincere. He could draft an outline, but storyboarding, character design, dialogue—all beyond him. That needed Miyu's expertise.
"Because you know horse girls well, you can create such a script… what an enviable ability…"
She murmured, then sighed again.
"You're right, though. As it stands, the script is too raw. It won't hold public attention enough to ease Oguri's burden."
"It must be revised."
Decisive, like her son, Miyu went straight to the point.
"The Satsuki Sho win should be the first climax, matched by the injury before the Derby as the first downfall."
"That's a rise and fall. Usually, a script needs three acts: three rises, three falls."
"The second rise: comeback at the Kikka Sho. The second fall: loss to Rudolf. Your idea is brilliant—great stories are all around us, yet so often overlooked…"
She sighed again but continued briskly. "Next comes the 'darkest hour.' Conveniently, your script already has it: the year of defeats."
"Then, before the final miracle revival at the Tenno Sho (Spring), you need foreshadowing. Let CB and Rudolf be cast as Shinzan's closest friends and rivals. Rudolf's sacrifice with acupuncture therapy, CB's relentless challenge—both fuel Shinzan's resolve."
"Finally, the grand climax: her miraculous return. Foreshadow it with Rudolf's failed overseas bid and forced retirement, and CB's tragic string of defeats. This sharpens Shinzan's arc."
"By then, the script will be perfect."
"What do you think, Kitahara, as the original author?"
Kitahara was dumbstruck.
Had she… already read the original? Was she a time traveler?
Because what she just described—CB and Rudolf's arcs—was precisely the buildup in the original story: Bourbon and Rice Shower's "Hero's Birth," Twin Turbo and Teio's "Escape of the Century."
To recreate it so precisely without knowing the future—
Was this what a true genius looked like?
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Author's note:
Also, I won't be adding a heroine for now. I revised the character cards. Writing this, I realized that romance arcs often feel forced—teammates focus on training and racing, while outsiders don't fit into the competition-driven main plot.
(End of Chapter)