As though lost in memory, Duramente was silent for a moment.
After a pause, as if abruptly changing the subject, she slowly said, "When I was little, there was a period when mom and dad were super busy, too busy to look after me. So Air Groove-senpai took care of me."
Kitasan Black didn't quite get it. She tilted her head in confusion after thinking about it briefly, finally unable to hold back her question:
"…And then?"
"And then, that first day she was looking after me," Duramente nodded, "Air Groove-senpai asked me what food I liked."
"I said, dorayaki."
"So all three meals on the first day were dorayaki."
"The second day, third day, fourth day… all the way until my parents finished their work and returned, I ate dorayaki every single day."
She smiled bitterly:
"It's not that I don't like dorayaki—I actually quite like it, but…"
"What I mean to say is, maybe I'm just the kind of person who doesn't really think much."
"When Air Groove-senpai asked what I liked, I said dorayaki. And then I ended up eating dorayaki for days."
"My parents, and lots of people at home, always told me that I must become the strongest Uma Musume, and that I can become the strongest Uma Musume, so I kept running."
"In the same way, since the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is the greatest race out there, if I want to become the strongest Uma Musume, I…"
She paused. Her eyes were an odd blend of confusion and resolve.
"…Should win it."
Listening quietly, Kitasan Black felt a faint tremor in her heart.
In her mind, Duramente was always someone with grand ideas, with dreams. Even now, she vividly remembered Duramente's declaration of becoming "the fastest, the strongest, the highest."
How could an Uma Musume with that kind of dream say she had no dreams?
Yet, at this moment, she realized Duramente wasn't the way she'd imagined. Her friend, her rival, also carried such hidden memories.
Something as simple as dorayaki had left her feeling lost.
Kitasan couldn't help but think of herself.
She admired Tokai Teio. That Uma Musume was the dazzling idol shining bright in her heart.
She yearned to gallop freely on the track like her idol, bringing cheers to the audience and creating miracles that would captivate the world.
This dream was like a glittering star, constantly illuminating her heart, guiding her to Central Tracen Academy.
Then there was her family, her friends, and the fans who cheered for her after her debut—all powerful forces pushing her forward.
She didn't want to disappoint them. Each training session, each race, was her way of responding to their trust.
And Yasui Makoto—from the day he became her trainer until now—had long occupied a special place in her heart.
His exceptional professionalism and patience from the beginning until now, his constant perfect guidance, even his seemingly casual everyday concern…
She had realized long ago that each step she took was backed by Yasui's efforts.
She desperately wanted, through her own hard work, to help Yasui Makoto become recognized as the most outstanding trainer, to prove his insight and ability to the world.
"So… does that mean the reasons Dura-chan and I race… are completely different?"
She had just murmured that to herself when she suddenly shook her head, causing Duramente to glance over curiously.
"…Hm? Kita-chan, did you just say something?"
"Ah, nothing… No, actually—"
Still shaking her head, Kitasan Black suddenly smiled brightly.
"I was thinking, maybe because Dura-chan is so simple and pure, that's exactly why she's so strong."
"Simple…?" Duramente tilted her head. "Pure…?"
"Mm! Because my reasons for running in the Twinkle Series are way more complicated than Dura-chan's."
Counting on her fingers, Kitasan Black smiled and said, "Teio-senpai, Grandpa, Dad, everyone else, Crown-chan and Dia-chan, and all the fans who support me…"
"And Trainer."
"Our paths… they're probably not the same. I mean mine and yours, Dura-chan."
"But," she continued cheerfully, "I think no matter why we're running, as long as we keep at it, we'll definitely make our dreams come true!"
Duramente was silent again.
"…Kita-chan right now…" She suddenly smiled softly. "You sound just like an adult—like Air Groove-senpai or Yasui-san."
"Eh? Really? That's way too exaggerated, hehehe…"
Habitually grinning foolishly and scratching her head, Kitasan Black glanced at the wall clock in the room.
"Ah, it's already getting late. Then… did you still want to play Monster Hunter, or should we go to sleep now?"
"Hmm… Let's play a bit more. It's actually pretty fun." Duramente nodded after thinking it over.
"Okay! Then let's play a little more!"
Kitasan Black grew excited, raising the controller and pointing dramatically at the game screen.
"Tonight's goal is to hunt down this Tempered Rathalos!"
...
Early the next morning, sunlight spilled gently through thin clouds into the hospital corridor, falling softly onto Yasui Makoto, Kitasan Black, Air Groove, and Duramente.
Today was scheduled for a comprehensive medical check-up for the two Uma Musume, but as they waited, it was clear that both girls were occasionally squinting drowsily, nowhere near as energetic as the day before.
"…So, what's with you two?" Yasui Makoto asked, holding their check-up tickets, unable to resist.
"Ahaha, well…"
Kitasan Black chuckled awkwardly, scratching her head shyly and mumbling softly, "We… ended up playing Monster Hunter till pretty late last night…"
Duramente nodded along beside her, a faint blush flickering across her usually stoic face.
"Playing games… Geez—"
Air Groove sighed heavily, rubbing her forehead with frustration. "Having fun once in a while is fine, but please, moderation. If it starts to affect—"
She'd meant to say training or races, but recalling Duramente's stubbornness from yesterday, she cut herself off.
Duramente said nothing, but her blush clearly deepened.
At this moment, Almond Eye, accompanied by her parents, also arrived at the hospital.
The previous evening, Almond Eye's parents had spoken with Air Groove and agreed to a full medical check-up.
After introductions and polite exchanges, prompted by the nurse, the three Uma Musume entered their examination rooms in succession.
The meticulous exams lasted until the afternoon.
Upon receiving the reports for Kitasan Black and Almond Eye, Yasui Makoto and the others were visibly pleased.
Kitasan Black was in excellent physical condition, with all indicators perfectly healthy.
Almond Eye's check-up results were just as expected. The little one had already entered the honkaku-ka stage, with her physical abilities rapidly developing.
However, upon seeing Duramente's results, Yasui Makoto and Air Groove's expressions grew immediately grave, unlike the other three Uma Musume and Almond Eye's parents.
Crystalline inflammation—this was the condition detected in Duramente's body.
No need for the doctor's explanation. Both Yasui Makoto and Air Groove were thoroughly familiar with medical training knowledge. They clearly understood that this was an inflammatory complication caused by excessive purine intake coupled with a specific physical constitution.
This inflammation wasn't easy to detect early. Left uncontrolled, it could lead to severe consequences.
For instance, it could affect bone structure, potentially causing fractures.
So in her past life, Duramente went into "pasture"… No, in this world, she encountered this condition?
Staring at the medical report, Yasui Makoto frowned deeply at the thought.