Chapter 41: A Once-in-64-Years Racing Experience

Chapter 41: A Once-in-64-Years Racing Experience

After the Winner’s Stage ceremony, Makoto had been hesitating about whether to tell Saburo about the “hot spring therapy.”

It was true that the purpose was to support Kitasan’s health and training.

But taking a lively, youthful girl to a hot spring—especially when he himself was only 18—was bound to draw some attention.

He didn’t particularly care what others thought, but when it came to her family, especially elders like her grandfather, he felt it was better to explain in person while he had the chance.

However, when he brought it up with Kitasan, he learned that Saburo had already met with her backstage and then left.

That surprised Makoto a bit, but after Kitasan mentioned that her grandfather had work to attend to that night and would make time to accompany her tomorrow, he relaxed.

Someone of that status was probably busy all the time anyway.

In that case, there was no need to chase after him just to explain about the hot springs. That might even come off as suspicious.

So, just like after her debut race, Makoto took Kitasan to the same hot spring inn as before.

But this time, it wasn’t just the two of them—he also invited Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka.

With two more people, Makoto decided to book a small private villa.

It was certainly more expensive, but between the prize money from this race and the 2 million yen from the previous one, which had already arrived in his account, he had more than enough. He didn’t usually have many expenses anyway, so this kind of splurge was manageable.

Besides, the hot spring wasn’t just good for recovery—it also offered excellent service.

And with his "enjoy life while you can" mentality, there was no reason to turn down a more comfortable option.

After bathing, the four of them gathered in the small garden for a simple barbecue celebration.

“Cheers!” x4

“Haah! That was amazing!”

Downing a big glass of beer in one go, Vodka sighed in satisfaction.

“I used to want to drink like Gimlet-senpai back when I was still at the academy—but I wasn’t old enough, and we couldn’t drink because of competitions.”

The “Gimlet-senpai” she referred to was Tanino Gimlet, a first-rate Umamusume best known for her victory in the Japanese Derby—one of the Classic Triple Crown races.

“Hey, hey—you didn’t spend all those years in Europe binge-drinking, did you?”

While also sipping her beer, Scarlet shot her a look of distaste.

“If you’re going to be a dorm manager, I’ll be watching you closely. The dorms and campus are strictly alcohol-free.”

“Relax, relax, I know that much,” Vodka waved it off carelessly. “Besides, no way I was getting drunk all the time over there—I had tons of research to do, okay?”

She continued casually:

“And anyway, it’s not like I can’t drink carrot fruit beer like Kita-chan is doing.”

Just as Vodka said, even though Kitasan was holding a large beer mug like everyone else, hers was filled with a fizzy golden-orange drink—non-alcoholic fruit beer.

After taking a big sip, the black-haired girl had a white foam ring around her lips—especially her upper lip, which now looked like she had a thick, cartoonish mustache.

Hearing Vodka’s comment, Kitasan twitched her “mustache” and asked in surprise:

“Eh? Vodka-senpai wants to become a dorm manager like Daiwa-senpai?”

Makoto was a bit surprised too. He hadn’t heard anything about that from Teio, so he turned to Vodka with curiosity.

“Yep. If she can be a dorm manager, then I’ve definitely got what it takes.”

Pointing at Scarlet, Vodka grinned and said:

“Besides, our research overlaps a bit. I’ve talked with her before, and I feel like interacting more with you juniors might actually give me inspiration for new research topics.”

“Daiwa-senpai is a graduate student in medical science… Vodka-senpai, are you too?” Kitasan asked curiously.

“Not quite. I studied mechanical engineering while I was in Europe.”

Vodka’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“I’ve loved motorcycles since I was little—and I love the feeling of tearing down the road on one!”

“Even before I graduated from the academy, I dreamed of building the fastest motorcycle in the world.”

“Japan and some countries in Europe are top-tier in that field, and I figured—hey, I could always come back later—so I went to study abroad in Europe for a few years.”

“My current research is more or less related to the aerodynamics of Umamusumes.”

“Specifically, reducing wind resistance on the rider during the design phase of the vehicle.”

“So yeah, talking to younger Umamusumes like you might actually spark some ideas.”

“I see—huh?”

Kitasan nodded half-understandingly—then suddenly her eyes sparkled.

“If Vodka-senpai is going to be a dorm manager too…”

“Does that mean you can help train me, just like Daiwa-senpai?”

At that, Vodka and Scarlet exchanged a glance and smiled. Makoto, meanwhile, felt a spark of excitement.

If Vodka really did help train Kitasan, it would be nothing but beneficial.

Compared to Scarlet, Vodka had one particular race experience that was especially invaluable.

Before the rise of these two legendary Umamusumes, deep-seated bias between colt and filly categories was still the norm—even their trainers were not immune.

Due to that lingering prejudice, their trainers originally set their race schedules around the Filly Triple Crown rather than the Classic Triple Crown.

The Filly Triple Crown—paralleling the Classic Triple Crown—also consisted of three G1 races: the Oka Sho (Cherry Blossom Prize), the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), and the Shuka Sho.

Daiwa Scarlet had to withdraw from the Oaks after winning the Oka Sho due to a serious cold.

Vodka, on the other hand, had lost to Scarlet in the Oka Sho. After that, she and her trainer agreed that if the Filly Triple Crown was already out of reach, why not try for the Classic Triple Crown instead? So, they entered the Japanese Derby.

That race marked the first time in 11 years that a filly had entered the Japanese Derby.

Aside from Vodka, the other 17 competitors were all colts.

And yet, Vodka won by an overwhelming 3-length lead—an astonishing victory.

That triumph declared to the world that filly Umamusumes weren’t just stepping stones—and it marked the first time in 64 years that a filly had conquered the Japanese Derby.

The significance of that victory was self-evident. It was one-of-a-kind in 64 years.

More importantly, Kitasan was already signed up for the Classic Triple Crown. Learning from a senpai with such a rare and groundbreaking experience could only be beneficial.

Just as Makoto was thinking about whether to ask Vodka directly, he was delighted to see her smiling and nodding.

“But of course!”

“Back then, Kita-chan came to cheer us on in nearly every race. How could I let her down now?”

“And besides, Scarlet’s already jumped in to help train her—there’s no way I’m gonna lag behind!”

Out of sheer habit, Vodka gave a little jab at her longtime rival.

But unlike the sharp tension from their racing days, Scarlet smiled knowingly, raising her glass.

“I knew you’d say that. Honestly, I was worried you wouldn’t fight me over something like this.”

“No way!”

Vodka raised her glass too and bumped her fist against Scarlet’s with a cheerful laugh.

Then, the two Umamusumes turned toward them in unison.

“So let’s give it our all, Kita-chan! You too, Yasui-kun!”

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