"It's today, isn't it?"
"I think already saw them this morning…"
"I heard the president was the one who invited them…"
"P-President Symboli did…!?"
Dicta Striker clicked her tongue. "So damn loud." She glared at her fellow classmates who'd been whispering nonstop, but they didn't even acknowledge her. They were all too taken by the rumor that was circulating around Tracen Central right now.
"It's no surprise." Mejiro Ardan softly said, an enigmatic smile on her lips. "This is perhaps the largest news we have heard—a culmination of months."
Dicta striker glanced at her, and scoffed as she rolled her eyes. "You probably already know the truth, you rich girl."
She then sighed. "Though it'd be nice if it was true." She admitted in a low voice, slumping slightly. "I mean have you seen that monster?" She grinned fiercely. "Just watching her run gets me pumped up."
Ardan blinked. "Ara? So you managed to find time to watch one of their races?" She smiled brightly. "What a coincidence! Her power is rather terrifying. Although…" Her eyes narrowed, and her smile deepened. "I have my eyes on another."
"That so?" Dicta Striker hummed. "So even the Mejiro got sucked in too, huh."
Ardan just giggled.
Sakura Chiyono O kept glancing at the two, desperately wanting to join in but knowing that it wouldn't be appropriate. After all, if that rumor really was true, then wouldn't it be super duper rude to talk about someone who could be listening at any moment? That'd be like talking about Maruzensky-senpai while she was listening from the other room!
Even so…!
But before she could muster the courage to try and join in, their homeroom teacher suddenly came in. "All right everyone! Please be quiet!" She said, smiling gently as usual. Once the whispers quieted down, she nodded. "Today, I'd like you to introduce a few transfer students from Kasamatsu Tracen."
"Holy-!"
"K-Kasamatsu Tracen—isn't that their…?"
"So it was true!?"
"Wait, so they're all here!?"
"Please quiet down!" Their teacher called out, trying her hardest to keep the peace by clapping her hands. Thankfully the students listened, and she sighed. "Without further ado," she turned to the door and smiled. "Please come in, you three!"
The door opened, and the class fell silent as three very familiar umamusume stepped into the classroom, garbed in the same uniform as everyone else.
Their teacher nodded. "Please, introduce yourselves."
The first to step forward was the gray-haired umamusume. "Oguri Cap." She introduced herself plainly. The class waited for her to say anything more, but Oguri remained silent.
Dicta Striker hid a grin behind her fist. Oh, she's the real deal, alright. Even from here, she could feel the pressure Oguri exuded without doing anything. She might come from some countryside she didn't know of, but no one would dare argue that The Beast wasn't destined for more.
Meanwhile, Blacky Yell outright scowled. There were a lot of things she could say, but simply put, she just didn't like her. Those 11 wins she accumulated—they were all done in backwater races. She dared think that was enough for her to stroll into Central like she owned the place?
Then, the umamusume with blindingly blue eyes snorted as she stepped forward. "Sorry about her." She gave Oguri a pat on the head. "She's real nice, just a bit slow about it." She winked as she pointed at herself. "As for me—I'm Blossom Star. Call me whatever you want."
Sakura Chiyono O smiled in awe. "So confident…"
But it wasn't just that. She herself had gone to watch a few of the races Blossom Star had run last year, and it was always a spectacle. That very first few seconds of the race when The Comet would shoot forward, leaving behind the other competitors in the dust as they desperately chased at her retreating back-
It reminded her of the way Maruzensky-senpai ran, and the thought of potentially racing against someone like that was an electrifying feeling!
Super Creek just silently smiled.
"A-And I'm Belno Light." The last of the three finally stepped forward, seeming somewhat overwhelmed as she bowed. "Please take care of us!"
Ardan gently clasped her hands together. Belno Light might not seem impressive compared to the other two of Team Kitahara, but she knew better. Behind her gentle demeanor is a ruthless tactician, capable of commanding an entire race without anyone noticing. A true tactical runner that controlled a race's pace instead of the opposite.
She couldn't wait to race against her.
"Well then," their homeroom teacher smiled. "Why don't you three take a seat?" She said, gesturing at the three empty seats located at the back of the class.
Star gave their teacher a thumbs up. "Right'o, boss lady." She smirked at the teacher's surprised look, but quickly pulled Oguri and Belno along as they made their way to their seats.
After that, the class continued on as normal. Their homeroom teacher discussed a few important things about an umamusume's Classic Year, especially since over half of the class were now in their Classics. She emphasized this by pointing to some of the most prestigious races in Japan that only a Classic-Year runner could race in.
The Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, and Kikuka Sho; together called the Triple Crown.
The Oka Sho, Japanese Oaks, and Queen Elizabeth II Cup; together called the Triple Tiara.
Anyone who won one of these races was an umamusume who stood on a whole different field compared to the rest of Japan, and only the strongest of all umamusume could go on to claim all three legs required to earn such coveted titles.
Throughout the explanation, many students glanced at the members of Team Kitahara, silently wondering if any of them would be racing in one of these races. Blossom Star seemed to notice their stares, but she simply placed a finger over her lips and winked, unwilling to share.
Then, once the mandatory morning class ended,
"Well, I gotta go now~"
"S-Star-san!?"
Just as the rest of the class began crowding around them, Blossom Star swiftly evaded the commotion and sped towards the door. "Try your best, Belno! Make some friends while I'm gone!"
"W-Wait-!" But before Belno could say anything else, Blossom Star threw out one last peace sign before she vanished down the hall, leaving Belno to her fate as nearly a dozen umamusume suddenly crowded around her and Oguri. "Um-, uh-!"
Oguri just tilted her head, her ears drooping. "I'm hungry…" She whispered, before her stomach loudly growled.
Belno quickly clapped her hands. "T-That's right! We should go and have some lunch!"
"Well, why don't we have lunch together then?" Ardan kindly offered, and Belno was quick to accept.
So the entire class went to the cafeteria together, and soon they shall realize the other reason why Oguri Cap was given the moniker of 'The Beast'.
…
But that aside,
Clang!
I reached down and pulled out the iced tea I bought from the vending machine, and soon sat down on a bench in a secluded corner of the academy. I sighed as I popped the can open, and I began taking small sips as I focused on the floating panel only I could see.
[The "Umamusume Hero" System expands!]
To say I was surprised when this notification first appeared would be an understatement. It took me all I had not to let my surprise show in front of Symboli Rudolf back then. After all, I already thought that my System already seemed expansive enough. And now it showed that there was more?
[Name: Blossom Star
Track Affinity: [Dirt: A] | [Turf: B]
Running Affinity: [End: G] | [Late: G] | [Pace: C] | [Front: A]
Distance Affinity: [Sprint: G] | [Mile: C] | [Medium: B] | [Long: A]
SP: 634]
And what an upgrade it was! My System now also showed me my different affinities in regards to racing, and it was pretty much as I expected. The fact that I had a B in Turf was a little surprising, but most of what I saw didn't surprise me much.
But my affinity for Mile-length races was…concerning, to put it lightly. For my System to classify it as a Rank-C even after all my training and the Mile races I ran back in Kasamatsu? That just showed how slow I was at improving without the System's help.
Thankfully, I did have the Three Goddesses' blessing with me, and the SP Shop showed a potential solution I could take.
{Mile Affinity Up}
Increases the Hero's Mile affinity by one Rank. Only works until Rank A.
Cost: 500 SP
This was one of the things that was unique to the System. In the game, an umamusume's affinity could only be raised through the inheriting Legacies. But I suppose since that wasn't a thing here, it'd been relegated as an upgrade I could purchase using SP.
Though it wasn't one I was eager to purchase. 500 SP was a hefty cost, and if I bought it now, it'd only bring my Mile-affinity up to B. The best case scenario was to continue training, hopefully raise the affinity up to Rank-B, and then purchase the upgrade if I didn't have enough time.
And I really didn't have much time left. There was only about a month and a half before my first Central race.
The G2 Mile race; the Tulip Sho.
It confused Kitahara when I first told him about it. After all, considering my Stamina, wouldn't it be better if I ran in, say, the Yayoi Sho instead? I had an A in Medium-length races—it'd no doubt give me an easier time in comparison.
But no. I won't. That wasn't what I planned for.
…I guess that means there's nothing else to do but to return to the grind.
Sighing once more, I finished the rest of the iced tea, and after throwing the empty can, I began making my way to the cafeteria for some lunch.
Hopefully Oguri hadn't completely cleared the place out, but considering that fearless lunch lady works there, I had a feeling I'd be fine.