Chapter 15: A Once-in-a-Century Beauty
Time quickly arrived at the weekend.
After a few days of adjustment, Sakura Bakushin O had gradually grown accustomed to Kisei's training rhythm.
High-intensity specialized training was scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays focused on technical adjustments and recovery-based maintenance training, with Sundays completely off. This arrangement stood out as particularly composed within Tracen Academy, where training intensity was generally high.
As Kisei put it, "Blindly piling on training volume only accumulates fatigue and injuries. What we want is precise stimulation, efficient recovery, achieving the greatest improvement with the least cost."
On Sunday morning, the two of them went together to the sports medicine center affiliated with the academy.
A series of thorough and comprehensive examinations were conducted—bone age assessment, muscle ultrasound imaging, cardiopulmonary function stress tests, three-dimensional analysis of joint mobility... Kisei carefully reviewed the freshly printed test report.
"The maturation process is progressing smoothly. The skeletal muscle ratio is within the ideal range, and cardiopulmonary function is especially outstanding."
Sakura Bakushin O sat quietly beside him, watching his focused profile. Sunlight streamed through the window onto the report in his hands; those complex charts and numbers seemed to transform into clear training language in his eyes.
"Overall," Kisei closed the report and looked at her, "making your debut in October is completely feasible."
"October..." Sakura Bakushin O repeated softly, her eyes gradually brightening. "Less than two months left—I can't wait!"
"Don't rush." Kisei smiled, pulling a tablet from his bag and pulling up a preliminary race schedule. "The Debut Race is just the starting point. If things go smoothly, we can arrange an OP-level race as a warm-up in January next year. Then..."
He zoomed in on the calendar on the screen, where March was specially marked.
"The target: the Yayoi Sho."
Sakura Bakushin O held her breath.
The Yayoi Sho. Nakayama Racecourse, 2000 meters on Turf. Historically regarded as the most important precursor to the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho. And according to the latest announcement from the association, starting next year, this race would be upgraded to an international G2-level major stakes race.
This meant that if she won, she would become the inaugural G2 champion after the race's upgrade.
"The first G2 Yayoi Sho." Sakura Bakushin O unconsciously clenched her fist, her voice trembling with excitement. "That's truly significant."
"So, we must face it with the most thorough preparation."
Kisei put away the tablet, his gaze calm and resolute. "From now until the October Debut Race is the critical period for building a foundation. From debut to next March is the sprint period for tactical refinement and condition adjustment. We cannot afford any mistakes at any step."
"I understand." Sakura Bakushin O looked up, the longing in her eyes already solidified into steadfast determination. "I will strictly follow the plan at every step, to win the Yayoi Sho."
"I believe in you." Kisei reached out and naturally ruffled the top of her head.
The gesture was so instinctive that both of them froze for a moment.
The tips of Sakura Bakushin O's ears turned slightly red, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she narrowed her eyes like a kitten being petted. Kisei cleared his throat lightly, withdrew his hand, and was the first to walk toward the hospital exit.
"Let's go. Time to adjust your training menu for next week."
"Mhm!"
Upon returning to the academy gate by car, the two had just stepped out when they spotted an Uma Musume standing beneath the cherry blossom tree beside the entrance. Noticing them, she approached at a leisurely pace.
"Bakushin O."
She gave a slight nod to Sakura Bakushin O first, then turned her gaze to Kisei.
"Trainer Hoshino, hello. I am Sakura Bakushin O's classmate, Gold City."
Kisei froze; he had never seen such a beautiful Uma Musume before.
Her platinum-blonde hair cascaded like flowing water to her shoulders, shimmering softly in the sunlight. A light blue ribbon tied to her right ear fluttered gently in the breeze, creating a curious contrast with her cool demeanor. Her features were exquisitely crafted like works of art, yet a touch of lively warmth shone through her slightly curved eyes.
(Note: Gold City—referred to in the original work as the "once-in-a-century beauty" Uma Musume. Height: 158cm, measurements B85/W58/H82, shoe size 23.0cm)
"Hello!" Kisei quickly snapped back to attention, though his voice was inexplicably deeper than usual. "I am Bakushin O's Trainer, Kisei."
Sakura Bakushin O stood to the side, her eyes subtly shifting between the two. She pursed her lips and quietly took half a step closer to Kisei.
Gold City seemed not to notice this subtle movement, merely bowing gracefully. "I've often heard Bakushin O speak of you. She says you are a very professional and dedicated Trainer."
"Is that so?" Kisei cleared his throat lightly, trying to regain his usual tone. "I haven't really done much—it's all thanks to Bakushin O's own talent and hard work."
"Not at all," Gold City smiled faintly, a smile that left several passing underclassmen staring in awe. "Bakushin O says Trainer Hoshino is the best Trainer."
"Hahaha, is that right?" Kisei laughed, scratching the back of his head.
"Well, I won't disturb you two any longer," Gold City nodded again. "Trainer Hoshino, Bakushin O, I look forward to meeting you in the classic races next year."
With that, she turned and left, her platinum-blonde hair tracing a graceful arc through the air.
It wasn't until her figure disappeared at the end of the tree-lined path that Kisei slowly let out a breath.
"She's truly an incredible beauty."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.
Turning his head, he saw Sakura Bakushin O looking up at him, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes clearly saying, "I saw that."
"Trainer~" Her voice was soft, but the tail end of her tone lifted slightly. "Your voice just now sounded a bit different than usual, didn't it?"
"Did it?" Kisei immediately straightened up, changing the subject. "You must have misheard. Speaking of which, is Gold City also debuting this year?"
Sakura Bakushin O didn't press further, nodding instead. "Gold City debuted in May this year and even placed second in the Sapporo Stakes last month."
"The Sapporo Stakes, a G3 graded race—what a shame to come in second," Kisei remarked.
"Yeah, she was so close to winning," Sakura Bakushin O also felt it was a pity. "But Gold City is really amazing. I believe she'll definitely become a graded stakes Uma Musume!"
Kisei agreed with this, as he had also seen an "A" rating in Gold City's profile.
"Perhaps she'll be your biggest rival in next year's classic races."
"I also look forward to meeting Gold City on the field." Sakura Bakushin O was filled with anticipation.
As classmates who debuted in the same year, the two were destined to be direct rivals for a long time to come.