For some reason, the moment Yasui Makoto's words reached her ears, Kitasan Black felt something shift inside her chest. His voice had sounded completely ordinary, the same warm and steady tone he always used, yet those simple words wrapped around her heart like a gentle anchor. All the nervous energy that had been swirling through her since the previous night simply melted away. In its place bloomed an even stronger wave of confidence, bright and unshakable, for the race that lay ahead.
With that quiet conviction glowing warmly within her, Kitasan Black offered a grateful, joyful goodnight and slipped into the deepest, most peaceful sleep she had enjoyed in weeks.
The first race of the Classic Triple Crown, the prestigious Satsuki Sho, stood as one of the biggest G1 events of the season. Naturally, it had been placed at the very end of the program as the eleventh and final race of the afternoon on the second day. Before that grand moment arrived, the morning and early afternoon belonged entirely to final preparations and the traditional paddock walk.
Unlike any race Kitasan Black had taken part in before, this G1 event featured a special interview session held in a dedicated venue right before the paddock walk. The stage was lined with every contestant entered in the Satsuki Sho, while rows of eager reporters filled the seats below. The entire hall buzzed with electric energy, the atmosphere thick and lively like a full-blown press conference.
After the exclusive interview wrapped up, Kitasan Black stepped out into the long corridor that led toward the paddock. Through the tall windows she caught sight of the bustling crowds already filling the spectator stands outside. Her heart gave a powerful leap. She clenched one hand into a tight, excited fist while her other hand gently pulled Satono Crown along beside her.
"Wow! It's just like what I used to see on TV! This… this is a G1 Race!"
"Alright, alright, calm down, Kita-chan…" Satono Crown replied with an amused smile, though her own eyes drifted toward the stands with a flicker of quiet awe.
"But it's true," she added softly. "It really does feel like there were already spectators coming in when we got up for breakfast this morning…"
"This is a G1 Race!" Kitasan Black declared matter-of-factly, her voice full of pride. "The spectators Crown-chan mentioned must have stayed up all night queuing outside the racecourse yesterday!"
Satono Crown fell silent for a moment, then let out a small sigh.
"What you're saying… isn't that exactly what you and Satono Diamond did? Really, you two are so daring, actually sleeping rough outside the racecourse all night…"
Kitasan Black scratched the back of her head sheepishly and let out a soft chuckle. The memory brought a fond warmth to her chest. Ever since her elementary school days, she had idolized Tokai Teio with all her heart, while Satono Diamond had looked up to Mejiro McQueen in exactly the same way. From that time onward, the two of them had never missed a single race featuring their heroes. The day before any big event, they would pack sleeping mats, hot drinks, and rice balls, then arrive early to spend the night queuing outside the racecourse gates.
Satono Crown knew all about those adventures, of course. She had often stood up for her sister's stubborn, passionate way of supporting her idols whenever the family brought it up. After a brief moment of mock complaint, she turned her gaze back to the lively scene beyond the windows, the clamor and excitement of the crowd filling the air.
"I've been to races in person before, and it feels like it was just yesterday… I can't believe it's already my turn to participate in a G1 Race…"
"Yeah, it really does feel a bit like a dream…" Kitasan Black sighed, her voice soft with emotion. She glanced to the side, searching for another familiar face. "Hey, Dura-chan, have you ever had an experience like this… Dura-chan?"
Having trained together since the beginning of the month, Kitasan Black had grown wonderfully familiar with Duramente. She knew all about her new friend's dreams, the foods she loved, and even the little habits she showed during training sessions. She also recognized the current movements perfectly.
Duramente's arms were bent at her sides as though ready to burst into a sprint, while her long legs rose and fell in a rhythmic pattern, thighs lifting high before her lower legs kicked out sharply, like some special training drill only she understood. Her expression remained serious, eyes fixed straight ahead with intense focus.
Kitasan Black realized in that instant that her friend was nervous. Whenever Duramente grew anxious, especially when it involved training or an important race, she would unconsciously fall into these strange high-knee movements.
After Kitasan Black's question had hung in the air for quite some time, Duramente finally turned her cool gaze toward her.
"Were you… just asking me something?"
"Ahaha, no, it's nothing," Kitasan Black laughed lightly, not wanting to embarrass her friend by pointing it out. She quickly changed the subject. "Oh right, Dura-chan, did you eat enough for breakfast?"
"1000 grams of oatmeal porridge, 4 slices of whole wheat bread with dark chocolate spread, 2 bananas, 2 boiled eggs, 2 carrots, 2 corn cobs."
Duramente answered in a calm, clear voice, staring steadily at Kitasan Black. Her steps gradually returned to their normal rhythm.
"This is the arrangement Air Groove-nee made, and I also believe it is the ideal breakfast. It provides quick energy, is easy to digest, and places a low burden on the gastrointestinal system needed for the race."
"Is that so… Dura-chan really is as meticulous as ever. I had a similar breakfast myself…"
Kitasan Black chuckled again, feeling the tension ease from her shoulders as she sensed her friend and upcoming opponent relaxing just a little. She was about to continue chatting about breakfast when a deep, subtly stirring voice suddenly drifted from the large wall-mounted screen across the corridor. The screen, used for broadcasting television programs, had been quietly playing in the background the entire time.
"Satsuki Sho, 52nd running.
That monster's name is…
Mihono Bourbon.
Common sense is the enemy…"
Drawn by the voice, Kitasan Black turned her eyes toward the screen and saw the image of a Uma Musume sprinting at full speed. Her G1 racing attire shone predominantly silver, decorated with futuristic mechanical accents across her ears, collar, arms, waist, and feet. She looked like a visitor from a cyberpunk future. With astonishing velocity, the runner crossed the finish line marked "Satsuki Sho."
"It's… Mihono Bourbon-senpai…" Kitasan Black murmured, her voice filled with respect.
No sooner had the words left her lips than the screen's sound and image shifted again.
"Satsuki Sho, 72nd running.
The path to victory is often muddy…
Gold Ship.
The unsinkable ship, anchor aweigh, set sail…"
Accompanying the narration appeared a Uma Musume with striking silver-grey hair. Just as the lines described, the track was incredibly muddy. While every other runner stayed on the outside, she alone charged boldly down the inner lane, surging from last place all the way to first in one breathtaking move.
"Satsuki Sho, 61st running.
Will the fourth battle be the beginning of a myth…
Agnes Tachyon.
A particle named after light speed, bringing despair to opponents, dazzling the world."
On screen, a Uma Musume wearing a flowing white robe crossed the finish line. Her expression in that moment carried an unsettling frenzy, yet it was subtly mixed with the pure joy of victory shining through the madness.
This was part of a promotional video produced by the URA for the Twinkle Series, one that Kitasan Black had watched only half a month earlier. But now, after scene after scene showcasing past seniors claiming victory in the Satsuki Sho, new footage appeared that caught her completely by surprise.
Whether it was clips from previous races, moments of them walking through campus corridors in school uniforms, or running freely on the sports field in athletic wear… every new image featured her. There were scenes from the "Little Satsuki Sho" event, recent training sessions in her full racing attire, and more. The protagonist of every single frame was none other than Kitasan Black herself.
Beside her on the screen appeared Satono Crown, Duramente, and Real Steel, each shown one by one in their own shining moments.
If it had not been for the reassuring phone call with Yasui Makoto the night before, Kitasan Black might have felt a fresh wave of nervousness while watching these poised, confident scenes of herself. Yet now, instead of anxiety, she felt only excitement surging stronger than ever for the race ahead and for the final stage that would symbolize victory.
While that excitement and confidence filled her chest, Kitasan Black noticed that her friends and rivals beside her had also stopped moving. They stood together, eyes locked on the screen as it displayed images of their seniors and of themselves. Some faces glowed with pure excitement, while others wore expressions of quiet tension, each Uma Musume lost for a moment in her own thoughts about the historic race that was finally about to begin.
---
Bonus chapters
200 - Stones
400 - Stones
600 - Stones
And so on, do you best!
Also visit my patreon for advance chapters to all my work!
(patreon.com/LizTL)