The race was confirmed.
This would be Fujimasa March's first central race as a local Uma Musume.
One could say this race would determine whether Fujimasa March could secure a permanent place in the central circuit. If she could string together consecutive wins, perhaps she could even earn a transfer to the central league, just like Oguri Cap had.
Of course, that was only a 'possibility'.
To accommodate March, who was new to central races, her trainer, Koichi Shibasaki, didn't have her run on turf, opting instead for dirt tracks similar to those she was used to locally.
Namely, the upcoming GIII [Miyako Stakes].
The 1,800-meter distance suited March perfectly. Although it was a graded stakes race, its difficulty was moderate—far simpler compared to the various GI races in the central circuit.
It was practically tailor-made for her debut in the central league.
The only notable point was the venue: Kyoto Racecourse, famous for its triangular turn.
It wasn't because the turn was particularly sharp, but because just before it lay an enormously daunting slope, notorious even among racecourses nationwide.
With a nearly three-meter climb, Uma Musume would burn through most of their stamina just getting up it, making the timing of their acceleration absolutely critical.
It was a race that tested both stamina and tactics.
A test not only for the competitors, but for the trainers as well.
"[Miyako Stakes], huh..."
Her blood-red eyes fixed on her trainer.
"Fine. Seems like a good fit for me. After being here so long, I can finally get some real action."
Fujimasa March spoke without a trace of objection to Shibasaki's arrangement.
"In that case, I'll go submit the entry paperwork..."
"Go ahead."
Watching March's composed demeanor, Koichi Shibasaki didn't leave immediately. He stood there for a moment, simply looking at her.
"What is it, Trainer?"
"Nothing." He shook his head. "It's just... you seem different from before."
"Me?" She tilted her head slightly. "Maybe a little, I suppose."
It was more than just a little.
As the one who had trained her all along, Koichi Shibasaki knew that Fujimasa March had grown more steady than before—or perhaps, she had shed some of her former impatience.
Back during their local training days, her biggest rival was Oguri Cap. To defeat her, March devoted almost all her time to training.
Every session had a fierce sense of purpose.
Eager to overcome her rival as soon as possible, her training rhythm was intense, always anxiously awaiting the next race.
That urgency made her seem perpetually restless during training, a feeling she couldn't quite hide.
But lately, Shibasaki noticed that Fujimasa March rarely gave off that impression anymore.
Was it growth...?
Shibasaki wasn't sure, but he hoped so.
Truth be told, ever since arriving at the central circuit, he too had grown more quiet.
He rarely joked with others anymore, seldom chatted about popular gossip.
He'd become somewhat withdrawn.
This change wasn't because Tracen Academy had any shortcomings. On the contrary, everything here was almost excessively well-appointed.
Every piece of training equipment imaginable could be found in the gym; the tracks had both turf and dirt courses laid out for different Uma Musume.
Cafeteria, dorms, library, swimming pool—everything trainers and Uma Musume could need was right here.
And precisely because of that, Shibasaki couldn't help but compare it to his own past.
There was no comparison at all...
It wasn't just the facilities and environment. Even he himself fell far short compared to the central league trainers.
For instance, during training, he could tell something was off with March's running form, but he couldn't pinpoint the root cause. He could only have her run lap after lap, slowly observing.
The inefficiency was embarrassing.
In the end, it was a dark-haired, golden-eyed girl wearing a cap nearby who pointed out: "Her ankles are too stiff, and her arm swing is incorrect."
Two simple sentences, and it was like a revelation.
The gap—such an obvious gap right before his eyes—made Shibasaki feel overwhelmingly inadequate.
When it came down to it, even here in the central league, he was just a third-rate trainer.
But Fujimasa March was different. Her potential far surpassed that of a trainer like him.
So Shibasaki hoped she could make a name for herself here.
Before that happened, she must never end up like him.
Once your spirit breaks, there's no coming back.
"Maybe so," Shibasaki said. "I'll go submit the documents. Until I get back, why don't you do some independent training?"
"Understood."
After Shibasaki left the room, Fujimasa March slowly sat down in her chair.
Her inner feelings weren't as calm as she appeared.
Her first race in the central league had finally arrived...
Clenching her fists, March gritted her teeth in secret.
After these days of training and observation, Fujimasa March realized Tracen was far more formidable than she had imagined.
Those Tracen Uma Musume, even during routine training, posted times better than her official race results.
Sometimes, during her sprint practice, someone would even overtake her from behind.
And in their eyes, there wasn't any intention of competing with her—they were just going about their usual running drills.
No wonder people said an insurmountable gap existed between the central and local circuits.
The difference in ability was plain to see.
With my current ability, competing in central races...
Fujimasa March looked down at her clenched hands.
Do I really... have a chance?
To cross that terrifying chasm.
Just as Fujimasa March was sinking into these thoughts, with a bang, the door was shoved open forcefully.
A girl with chestnut-brown long hair, a white streak-like highlight sweeping across the corner of her eye, and a red ribbon tied around her ear walked in.
Her powerful legs moved rhythmically as she strode into the room, casually tossing her backpack to the floor.
"Pardon the intrusion," a clear voice rang in March's ears.
Fujimasa March looked up.
A Predator.
For some reason, that was the illusion that came to mind at first sight of the other girl.
That powerful physique reminded her of a carnivore on the hunt.
"Sorry about this. The bed originally assigned to me was damaged somehow, and the academy doesn't have a spare new one, so they had to move me to a different dorm temporarily."
Flamelike crimson eyes turned to Fujimasa March. "I told them to just assign me anywhere, and they sent me here."
"Oh... okay."
The girl had been talking entirely on her own. Fujimasa March nodded blankly.
It was all so sudden; she hadn't fully processed it yet.
"For the foreseeable future, as your roommate, I look forward to getting along."
The girl extended her hand.
Blinking a few times, Fujimasa March pulled herself out of her melancholy and slowly reached out to shake it.
The hand was soft, yet radiated strength, pulling March's focus completely back to the present.
Wait... roommate?
She definitely said roommate, didn't she?
"Let me introduce myself first." The girl patted her head lightly and flashed a frank, open smile.
"My name is Meisei Opera, from Mizusawa Tracen."
Meisei Opera.
Hearing that name, Fujimasa March froze for a second.
She had heard of her.
Undefeated in the Tohoku region, breaking records in graded stakes races and the Tohoku Derby.
The hero of Tohoku, the monster of Iwate.
So she's come here too.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.