The next day
"Self-Selection Race?"
"Yes, today is Saturday, but the Elementary School Division doesn't have a holiday, precisely for the Self-Selection Race being held today."
Kitamura still maintained a poker face, but he now conversed with Kazuo. Their time together had shown Kazuo that the glasses-wearing man sitting opposite him was actually a kind-hearted man with a cold exterior.
Kazuo followed the crowd to the academy's Racecourse. Tojo and Sasaki walked in front, while Todo, Kitamura, and Kazuo walked at the back of the group.
Among the Trainer team today, Kazuo saw many unfamiliar faces he had never seen before.
"Senior Kitamura, why does it feel like there are so many people today?"
"Because our academy has more than just our training class. It's actually divided into Group A and Group B. Group A is our current class, responsible for the High School Division and Elementary School Division. The other is Group B, responsible for the Middle School Division and High School Division. Choosing the weekend specifically is because the Middle and High School Divisions have a holiday today. Other teachers also have time to observe the Uma Musume being tested today."
Kitamura said, pointing to a burly man walking alongside Tojo: "See that man? That's Senior Kuronuma, the leader of Group B."
Kazuo followed the direction he pointed, only to see a man wearing a felt hat, sunglasses, and a tracksuit. This somewhat bizarre combination of attire made Kazuo secretly click his tongue.
"Today is an activity involving all classes of the Elementary School Division. On such an important day, the people from Group B wouldn't miss this opportunity either."
"Self-Selection Race..."
Kazuo couldn't help but recall Koji, who was lying in bed reading a new magazine last night, introducing him to this campus race he had heard of for the first time.
"Ah, the Self-Selection Race, that's an internal simulation race organized by the academy itself. Although it's a simulation race, its specifications are actually infinitely close to official races, after all, they specifically invite JRA Horse Racing commentators, and in terms of race format, it includes everything from short, middle, and long distances, Mile Race, and dirt races."
"It's divided into morning and afternoon sessions. The 'self-selection' part means that registration for this simulation race is entirely up to the Uma Musume themselves. Didn't I mention it before? They've gone through over a week of simulation races, so they should already have some understanding of their personal situation, right? So, choosing races according to their own wishes, that's the Self-Selection Race."
"Of course, essentially, this is also a race for students to choose to showcase their talents, after all, all the Trainers in the school will come to observe, so this is also an opportunity to promote themselves. After all, Uma Musume need to find suitable Trainers, on one hand, so the two can form a team to participate in major races, and on the other hand, it's also for their future development, isn't it?"
"Oh... So that's how it is?"
"So each Uma Musume has two chances to choose the races they want to participate in, if I remember correctly... The morning should be short-distance and Mile Race, and a few individual dirt races... The afternoon is mainly middle and long-distance races."
Koji tilted his head, thinking for a long time. It had been a long time since he had participated in this race; his impression was that it was two years ago.
"Before the new students of the Elementary School Division debut, there will be a race of this scale once a month. Uma Musume with potential can form a contract with a Trainer and join their team at the earliest during this time."
"Speaking of which... Koji, will you go tomorrow?"
Seeing how knowledgeable Koji was, Kazuo couldn't help but ask again.
Who knew he would just lie in bed, flipping through a magazine completely uninterested. "No, I've been a waste lately, not motivated for anything. If I had to say, I plan to go to Fuchu Racecourse to watch a few races these two days, and then go to an izakaya for a good drink."
"Are you an old man?"
"Pseudo-old man—listen, Asama, the term 'old man' can only be used when you're making fun of yourself. When others say it, it's forbidden."
"That sounds very reasonable, but it's actually useless."
Although Kazuo knew that something must have happened to Koji before, he honestly didn't have the confidence to ask for the reason.
However, from his behavior during that drunken night, Kazuo could somewhat guess the reason.
.
Back to this side,
There was still some time before the race registration closed.
However, Todo had been acting strangely from the very beginning. He clenched his fists and widened his eyes, muttering like he was possessed: "Convincing one today is a success, convincing one today is a success, convincing one is a success..."
"Senior Todo, you'll be mistaken for a pervert if you act like that. Please don't."
"Shut up, Asama! Don't underestimate me, I'm your senior!"
Todo shouted, but ever since Kazuo learned that he hadn't yet formed his own team, he actually found it difficult to be a senior in front of Kazuo. Especially after they became familiar, their relationship now resembled that of two unfortunate brothers who constantly ribbed and insulted each other.
"Asama, you haven't received your Trainer qualification certificate yet, so today you're just here to observe the race. Watch me, I will definitely convince an Uma Musume to join my team today!!"
Todo swore in front of Kazuo, as if he had made up his mind.
"That's easy to say, but in this first major training race, talented Uma Musume are the target of everyone's competition."
Kitamura, who was beside him, interjected coolly. Although he was kind-hearted with a cold exterior, he occasionally showed a very sharp-tongued side... Kazuo thought, while also feeling a hint of admiration.
Todo was right, he could only be an observer this time. After all, from all perspectives, it was impossible for an Uma Musume to choose someone who wasn't even considered a newcomer...
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