Chapter 202: "Oguzilla"
Before coming to the university division, Makoto had originally planned to have just a brief discussion with Sakura Bakushin O.
However, after a few side-by-side runs, that plan changed.
In a rare break from his usual training routine, after asking Kitasan Black and Sakura Bakushin O for their opinions, Makoto decided on the spot to add an extra morning of training.
With her heart set on winning the Kikuka Sho, Kitasan Black agreed without the slightest hesitation. Sakura Bakushin O also readily said it was no problem.
It wasn't just Sakura Bakushin O either. After recognizing Makoto and Kitasan Black as acquaintances they had met before, Bamboo Memory showed quite a bit of interest as well, cheerfully offering to help—and even enthusiastically asking the other Umamusume who were watching the paired runs.
Perhaps it was simply in the nature of Umamusume: none of them refused. One way or another, they all participated in the side-by-side runs to some extent.
During breaks in this extra training session, Makoto also learned why Sakura Bakushin O and the others were there.
It wasn't for this year's sprint races.
Rather, they were there at the request of the association and the university division, preparing for instructional duties in the coming year.
This was part of the existing training system. Many retired racers accepted invitations like this, serving as seniors who provided guidance and assistance.
Under normal circumstances, paired runs like these required an application in advance. Makoto and Kitasan Black could be said to have conveniently skipped that step by sheer coincidence.
Because of this, the training ground already had equipment and measuring tools set up.
Since he had already troubled them so much, Makoto decided to make use of the opportunity, borrowing the equipment to record data from each paired run.
In the afternoon, he didn't trouble Sakura Bakushin O and the others any further. Instead, to show his gratitude, Makoto proposed treating everyone present, inviting the Umamusume to go out shopping and then have dinner together.
Just like agreeing to the training, this suggestion was unanimously accepted.
And so, come evening, at an amusement center near the university division…
"Oooh! They've actually got this version of Oguri Cap-senpai!"
With an excited shout, Bamboo Memory dashed over to a claw machine, quickly pulling out several game tokens and dropping them into the slot with a clatter.
Behind her, Kitasan Black, Sakura Bakushin O, and the others were startled at first.
Once Bamboo Memory began her attempt—face lit with excitement yet eyes deadly serious—they gathered closer out of curiosity, peering into the claw machine at the plush toys inside.
After a few glances, Kitasan Black's eyes lit up.
"Huh? This style of plushie… is that the 'Oguzilla' one?"
"So it's that version, huh. No wonder Bamboo-senpai is so excited."
Sakura Bakushin O laughed.
"It's the 'Oguzilla' plush. Apparently it was a limited-edition collaboration released back when Oguri Cap-senpai was active, tied in with a 'Godzilla' movie."
"Bamboo-senpai collects them whenever she sees them, I remember her room being filled with them."
"But if I recall correctly, they stopped selling these a while ago. Did they start producing them again?"
The other Umamusume suddenly understood as well. Amid their gazes, Bamboo Memory was staring intently at one particular plush—a chibi Oguri Cap head attached to a cartoon Godzilla body—carefully controlling the machine while holding her breath.
Under her precise movements, the claw inside the machine slowly crept toward the "Oguzilla" plush, her breathing growing ever more restrained.
Seeing this, Kitasan Black and the others tensed up too, faces set, eyes unblinking, their breathing unconsciously slowing.
The claw gradually came to a stop, swayed slightly, and hovered more than half a meter above the "Oguzilla."
Suddenly letting go, Bamboo Memory tilted her head back and took a deep breath, then reached for the joystick and button once more.
The claw descended little by little, slipping neatly into place between Oguzilla's oversized head and its round, chubby body.
"Alright! Now's the moment! Bak—"
Before Sakura Bakushin O could finish shouting "Bakushin," Kitasan Black reacted on instinct, stretching out her hand to cover her senpai's mouth, her tense gaze fixed on the claw machine.
The claw lifted.
"Oguzilla" lifted with it.
The claw began moving toward the prize chute, and "Oguzilla" moved along with it.
"…Yes, that's it. Slowly… slowly…"
Having completely forgotten that she was still covering her senpai's mouth, Kitasan Black started murmuring under her breath as well.
Suddenly, just as the claw reached the space above the exit, it swayed slightly due to inertia.
"Oguzilla" dropped straight back into the pile of plushies.
Bamboo Memory froze for less than half a second, then clutched her head in despair and screamed.
"Aaaaaaah—! My 'Oguzilla'!"
In the next instant, she gritted her teeth, plunged her hand into her pocket, and pulled out over a dozen game tokens, tossing them all into the machine with a clatter.
"I don't believe this! Again! That 'Oguzilla'… it's mine no matter what!"
This time, Kitasan Black, Sakura Bakushin O, and the other Umamusume didn't make a sound. They simply watched Bamboo Memory's movements with nervous intensity.
Yet, as if something unseen were deliberately interfering, the claw would always wobble or loosen at the critical moment, either while carrying the plush toward the exit or just as it was about to secure its grip.
That adorably clumsy-looking "Oguzilla" kept shifting positions within the pile, but stubbornly refused to come out.
Watching attempt after attempt fail, Bamboo Memory's shoulders gradually slumped, the fierce determination on her face giving way to dejection.
"…Why am I this unlucky? Huh? When did you all gather here…?"
Only then did she notice the other Umamusume around her. Without waiting for a response, she gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"Haha, sorry you had to see that… Do you want to play too? I'll let you have a go."
"N-no, it's fine, but…"
Kitasan Black was the first to react. She hurriedly waved her hands.
"Do you want me to try grabbing it for you, senpai?"
"I often come to arcades with Dia-chan—well, a close friend of mine—to play claw machines…"
"I think I've picked up a few tricks."
"Oh? Is that so? Then I'll leave it to you, Kita-chan."
Calling her affectionately, Bamboo Memory paused for a moment, then waved and turned toward the arcade counter.
"Give me a second though. I wasn't planning to play this at first, so I didn't buy many tokens. I'll go get some more."
"Huh? You don't need to, senpai—I still have plenty—"
But Bamboo Memory didn't hear her. In a few quick steps, she was already at the counter.
Buying a full hundred game tokens in one go, she cradled the small box meant for holding them, her expression firm as she turned back toward the claw machines.
Just as she was about to step forward, something at the edge of her vision caught her attention.
On the waiting seats beside the counter, Makoto sat with his brows tightly furrowed, staring blankly ahead, a tablet held in his hands, looking completely out of place among the lively crowd enjoying the arcade.
After a moment's thought, Bamboo Memory carried the box of tokens over to him.
"Yo, Yasui. Thinking about the Kikuka Sho?"
Startled by the sudden question, Makoto froze, then slowly came back to himself.
Seeing Bamboo Memory beside him, smiling and waving before plopping down next to him, he looked a little surprised. He nodded and answered honestly:
"Yeah. Next week is the Kikuka Sho, so as her trainer I have to give it plenty of thought."
"And from today's side-by-side runs, Kitasan Black's explosiveness… I feel like there's still room to optimize it."
<+>
Oguzilla: