Overall, this year's summer camp was fairly identical to the one that happened last year, likely by design. It was a summer camp, after all—its main purpose was to aid umamusume to better train for the latter half of the year, where many more prestigious races were to be held.
Sure, the background was different. Okinawa was far more tropical, even compared to that oceanside town we'd been at last year. But after two weeks of exploring the place, even this complete reversal from Tokyo's metropolitan concrete jungle was becoming familiar.
And combined with how I was here more for fun than any actual training, it almost felt as if time itself had frozen. Waking up next to Oguri, going on morning jogs with her, helping March train, going on evening jogs by the seaside, exploring the main city of Naha at night, and then repeating it all over as the next day arrived–
Everything felt so liminal, in a way. As if everything outside this prefecture had vanished without me looking.
But if there was something that injected the sense of progressing time back into my world, it was the fact that it was getting harder to recognize the many students I passed by during my daily excursions.
It was my fault. I hadn't been as active in getting to know everyone this year around—mostly because I no longer craved the validation it brought. After I'd sorted out most of my thoughts, I found that being with my team was more than enough, with the occasional scuttle with other friends to add some spice into my daily life.
So as I explored, it wasn't rare for me to find students I'd genuinely never seen before. That was awkward enough, but it was made even more so when they came up to me with such awe and reverence. And it always made something in me shrivel up whenever I was forced to ask for their names.
Of course, there were anomalies from time to time.
"Oh, Star-aneue!"
I blinked as I heard that familiar cheery voice, and I turned to find a certain fox-like umamusume waving at me with a bright grin. She deftly leapt onto the sideroad I was on, ignored the calls of her poor trainer, and charged straight at me.
I smiled as she skidded to a stop in front of me. "Good afternoon, Inari One." I said, as I then turned towards her trainer. "And good afternoon, Yusuhara-san."
Yusuhara Tarou was gasping as he finally caught up to his plucky trainee. "It's nice…to meet you as well…Blossom-san."
Inari clicked her tongue. "Ya' need more cardio, Boy!"
Nerves visibly bulged on the poor man's forehead, but he quickly took deep breaths as he tried to calm himself. And after another good mouthful of air, he cleared his throat as he fixed his tie. "Apologies for the sudden greeting, Blossom-san." He gave a side glare at his trainee, who was entirely unrepentant. "We did not intend to interrupt your outing."
I smiled lazily. "It's fine, it's fine~" I glanced at Inari's spiky bundle of hair for a moment, before I gave in to the urge and gave her head a pat. The girl's ears flopped with joy. "Besides, it's not like you're interrupting me. If anything, I was trying to find things to do."
Inari blinked. "Eh? Weren't you helping Fujimasa March train?"
My smile turned wry. "I would, if she was conscious enough to do so." I looked away, feeling a little guilty. "She wished to find out a portion of the training I did in America. I…indulged her request." I shrugged. "She has seen better days."
Inari's eyes bulged. "Eh!? Ya' mean that crazy trainin' you doin' with March ain't the whole thing!?" I smiled at her growing terror, and the girl just looked down at her hands, likely thinking about her own training.
So, funny story.
It'd been a couple weeks since summer camp began, and the schtick about me training March had become quite well known. Naturally, such news attracted attention, and soon the students were 'blessed' to see the spartan-like training I was putting March under. And those that expressed concern about it were even more horrified when I told them that this was an incredibly toned-down version of the training I went through back in America.
But to my surprise, someone willingly stepped up and asked if she could also join the training. Claimed that as a 'child of Edo', they would naturally be able to handle something like this.
Simply put, Inari One was left lying on the sands for nearly an hour by the time I was done with her.
I thought that'd be the end of it. I mean, I knew what Inari was like from the manga, but I wouldn't be surprised if I'd outright scared her off after that.
That did not happen.
Just a day later, while I was on my morning jog with Oguri, I had another encounter with Inari One. And this time around, she bowed to me, called me and Oguri her aneue, and then proceeded to follow me and Oguri around whenever she caught sight of one of us.
"A truly horrifying thought to consider." Tarou said, frowning slightly. "And you went through such intense training every day?" I nodded, and he slowly shook his head. "By the Goddesses…"
I smiled wryly. "My constitution's a little special. I'm a little more durable than others, so I'm able to handle it." I said, and then added, "Oh, and Oguri too."
"Oguri-aneue too?" She blinked. "But she isn't training with March?"
I pursed my lips. "Yeah, that can't be helped." I rubbed the back of my neck. "If we trained seriously, we'd pretty much destroy this entire beach. I mean, you've seen how we left the Hanshin Racecourse after the [Takarazuka Kinen]." I shrugged. "It's why we train outside of Tracen Central. Better not disturb anyone if we can."
Inari stared at me for a good moment, before she shook her head. "Aiya, you and Oguri-aneue are so strong." She sighed. "Compared to you, I'm–"
"Don't compare yourself to us." She paused when I patted her head. "Everyone is different. There's no point in putting yourself down just because someone else's ahead." I smiled kindly. "Remember; the only you have is yourself. Keep pushing forward." I then grinned. "And besides, it's not like we'll be here forever. You'll need to step up once we're gone."
"...I know." She whispered, sounding none too pleased. Even Tarou looked a little regretful after hearing what I'd said.
I just smiled.
The movement of time was inevitable, after all. Every umamusume had to retire eventually. I mean, the entire Generation of Miracles were all Seniors by this point, and it wouldn't be a surprise if one of us would retire some time soon.
And retirement aside, Team Kitahara would soon leave Japan as well. Our journey would finally move beyond the country I had called home for most of my life, and I could only hope that my career had left enough of an impact that it would inspire many others to step forth into the limelight, just like we did two years ago.
"Well, that aside," I smiled as I gently ruffled her hair. "That isn't important right now. The only thing you need to think about is training for your next race."
Inari One quickly perked up. "Ah-, yeah!" She grinned as she raised her fist into the air. "The [Sapporo Kinen]'s gon'a be mine!"
I nodded faintly, humming as I tried to remember if anyone I knew would be participating in that race as well. And though it took me a minute to remember, I then blinked when I realized that Inari One would have some competition if she truly wanted to win. "Ah, you'll be going up against Dicta Striker and Mejiro Ardan, right?"
Tarou nodded. "She will, yes." The man's eyes remained closed, but his determination was plain to see. "I'm sure Inari One will do well."
I nodded. "I'm sure she will."
Inari blinked, and then chuckled sheepishly. "Aiya, if Star-aneue thinks so, then I gotta work hard!" She said, tail playfully wagging.
I smiled.
It wasn't a hyperbole.
Just from that one time I helped Inari One train, I could tell that she was far stronger than any average umamusume. Her speed might not match Dicta's {Yellow Bullet}, nor could she outsmart Ardan's mind, but Inari's tenacity was unmatched. The fact that she'd actually completed the drills I gave her, even if it left her on the edge of unconsciousness, showed that she had the Guts to back up her words.
And that wasn't even getting into the fact that, out of everyone I knew, Inari was likely the one closest to unlocking her Domain. I wasn't sure how that even worked, but my instincts told me that she was already tip-toeing into that realm.
My smile deepened.
Regardless of whether Inari won or lost, I was sure that the upcoming [Sapporo Kinen] would prove to be quite exciting.
Anyway,
"Since you're already here, why don't you join me on my jog?" I asked, unconsciously tapping my foot as my legs began to itch.
Inari One grinned. "Of course, Star-aneue!" She then turned to her trainer and smirked. "You too, Boy!"
Tarou opened his mouth to argue, and then sighed as he slumped. "Very well." He whispered, already resigned to his fate.
I just chuckled.