My first Central Make Debut as a trainer had come.
The steady, rhythmic clatter of the train wheels on the tracks was a familiar sound, but today it felt different. Each joint in the rails we passed was a tick of a clock, counting down. I stared out the window, watching the neat rows of suburban houses blur into a smear of beige and grey, but my mind was miles away, years in the past.
Who would have thought that after all those years of studying, of miserably failing tests until my eyes burned and my brain felt like a wrung-out sponge, I could start a new journey in the Central? The memory of that relentless grind was still sharp, a ghost of frustration that sometimes haunted the edges of my thoughts. But I had passed through that agony, had clawed my way here, all because I had made a vow. I would become a trainer worthy to stand beside Oguri. And now I was. Her official trainer again. But to prove whether I was worthy or not? That never truly ended.
And now, there was her. Copenhagen. My second chance. She wasn't a raw, untamed force of nature like Oguri had been back in Kasamatsu, a once-in-a-generation talent obvious to anyone with eyes. No, Ko-kun was different. She was a puzzle of brilliant strengths and confounding weaknesses, wrapped in a strange package of complexity. But the potential… I could feel it radiating from her like heat off summer asphalt. A potential to be just as bright as Oguri, or perhaps, in her own unique way, even brighter.
Her goal was aligned with mine. I wanted to win a Grand Prix, the pinnacle of the best where only the highest fan-voted runners could race. She wanted to win against strong rivals, to defeat the very best. She'd spoken of her promise to King Halo, but that was just the starting point. Her true desire, to topple the giants of her generation, was a fire I saw burning in her eyes every single day.
It was never more obvious than when we 'gathered intelligence,' as she called our tape-study sessions. Her focus was so absolute it was almost unnerving. The names of Seiun Sky, King Halo, Special Week, Grass Wonder, El Condor Pasa, and Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi were not just rivals to her; they were bounties to be claimed. She obsessed over their every move, dissecting their racing tendencies, their quirks, their strategies, gathering data with such meticulousness. That hunger to win, not just for the sake of winning, but to win against the best, was what had sold me. It was why I was willing to push her, and myself, beyond all reasonable limits.
That was Copenhagen for you. Even now, standing beside me on this swaying train, she was gone. Lost in her think tank. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, her golden eyes distant, fixed on some internal quagmire I couldn't see. I believed she was reviewing it all, every contingency, every variable, every refinement we'd made to the strategy for today's race.
She really wants to win, huh? That's great, Ko-kun. That's great, I thought, a swell of pride rising in my chest. Roppei once told me that a trainer's job was to stir up rivalries for their trainee, to give them a target. With Ko-kun, I didn't even need to lift a finger. She had found her own war to fight.
"Maybe I should borrow a car from the Academy next time," I sighed, shifting my weight. The train was busy enough that we hadn't been able to find seats.
My gaze shifted to Oguri, who stood calmly beside Copenhagen, her expression as placid as a still lake. I gave her a slight, almost imperceptible nod.
"Oguri, we're almost there. Do it now."
"Un."
With her swift steps, Oguri moved to stand directly behind Ko-kun. A split second later, an elbow flew backwards in a sharp, defensive arc, aimed right at Oguri's head. Oguri caught the limb with an easy, fluid motion, her hand closing around Copenhagen's forearm without a hint of strain.
"Oguri-san! Apologies, I did not mean to!" Copenhagen yelped, jolted from her trance, her eyes snapping back to the present with a flicker of alarm.
"It's fine. We are almost there," Oguri said calmly, releasing her.
"Your passive backward radar is still as impressive as ever," I said with a smirk.
It was a strange but effective system we'd developed. The deeper she went into her own mind, the less responsive she was to normal means. A touch, a pinch, a shout, they were all useless. But the one thing that never failed to break through was her aversion to someone standing at her back. Oguri had figured that out and turned it into our official wake-up call. She had truly grown, looking after her kouhai so well. I nodded approvingly.
"I see," Ko-kun answered, her face now clear and focused.
"Sticking to our plan is good and all, but remember—"
"Things rarely go as we planned. Copy that, Chief," she cut me off, her voice crisp and clear.
"Very nice!"
A staticky voice from the train's intercom announced our arrival. We moved with the flow of the crowd out of the station and onto the wide street leading to the racecourse. The sheer number of people was staggering. Families with small children, groups of students, grizzled old men clutching racing forms, all walking with a shared sense of purpose. As expected of the Central, even a Make Debut race pulled in a serious crowd. Panels and billboards lining the path promoted the start of the Make Debut season, the faces of smiling, hopeful Umamusume plastered everywhere. The URA really didn't slack off when it came to PR.
When we arrived at Nakayama Racecourse, we were met by an attendant who quickly escorted us through a side entrance, away from the main throng, and down to our assigned waiting room.
"Ko-kun, how do you feel?" I asked as she set her gear bag on a bench.
"I feel great," she said, and her clear, steady gaze told me she meant it. "The aches are gone. My reflexes feel sharper, and most importantly, the accumulated fatigue is really gone. I slept so well last night." A faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she said that last part.
"As I thought. It's great that my calculations were correct."
Her condition had skyrocketed from good to perfect in just three days of light, restorative work. It was a testament to that miraculous constitution of hers. Looking back, the regimen I'd put her through was borderline insane. It was a program that even Oguri in her prime would have balked at. It was only because it was her, with her robust body and furious desire to improve, that I had even dared to design such a demanding plan.
If she were any other Umamusume, a plan like that would've landed me a suspension, maybe even cost me the license I'd fought so hard to get. The thought had sent a cold spike of fear through me before we started. I had taken the precaution of meeting with President Akikawa and Tazuna-san beforehand, laying out my entire strategy, supported by the data from her full body assessment. I had promised them, with my career on the line, that the tragedy like that of Mihono Bourbon would not be repeated. Thankfully, they had seen the same fire in her that I did, and they'd given us the green light.
"The first race is starting," Oguri said, pointing to the large TV screen mounted on the wall.
[Gate-in complete… and they're off!] the announcer's voice crackled.
[Imagine Grandeur takes the early lead out of the gate, followed by—]
"Alright, you can change now," I said, turning my back to the screen to face Copenhagen. "Oguri and I will be watching from as close to the track as possible. Let's meet in the paddock for a final 'reconnaissance' report." I couldn't help but smirk, borrowing her term.
"Sir, yes, Sir!" she replied, snapping a sharp salute.
"Ou! Let's go, Oguri!"
"Un. See you later, Ko-chan."
We left her to her preparations and walked out of the waiting room, our footsteps echoing in the cool, concrete tunnel that led out towards the track. The muffled roar of the crowd grew steadily louder as we walked.
"How's your prediction, Kitahara?" Oguri asked suddenly, her voice quiet but direct.
I shoved my hands in my pockets, a slow, confident smile spreading across my face. "Nothing to worry about," I said easily. "She will win."
Oguri didn't question it. She didn't offer a counterpoint or a word of caution. She just nodded confidently.
We reached the end of the tunnel, the brilliant green of the turf and the vibrant colors of the crowd flooding our vision as we stepped into the daylight. The roar of thousands washed over us, a physical wave of sound and energy.
"She deserves to win," I added, my voice nearly lost in the noise, speaking more to myself than to Oguri. "If she loses today, then there is something wrong with me as her trainer."
---
[Welcome back, everyone, to a sun-drenched Nakayama Racecourse! The turf is firm, and the excitement is building for our second race of the day, the Junior Make Debut over 2000 meters!]
[For these young runners, this is their first time in the spotlight. Let's see how they're handling the pressure. The first to enter is Number 1, the fifth favorite, Celeb Actress!]
The pre-race jitters were a familiar companion, a low hum of adrenaline under my skin that never truly went away, no matter how many races I'd seen. But today, it was different. Sharper. This wasn't just another race. This was my first Make Debut and also my first official race as a Central trainer. My name, Kitahara Jo, was on that racing form, tied to the fate of the rookie in the number two bib.
[Oh, she looks quite nervous, doesn't she? Her ears are twitching, and she's walking a bit stiffly.]
[It's common for a debut Umamusume to have some nerves. But as a Late Surger, she'll need to keep her cool to time her final kick correctly. We'll have to see if she can settle down.]
I watched Celeb Actress pace. Her legs looked good, the muscles well-defined and conditioned. But her mind was her enemy today. I agreed with the commentators. For a Late Surger, timing is everything. A final spurt launched in a moment of panic would be catastrophic. She was already at a disadvantage.
[And here comes Number 2, the third favorite, Copenhagen!]
My eyes locked onto her. She walked into the stage with that same unnerving, measured calm she always had, her golden eyes sweeping the scene with a cool, analytical focus. She stopped, planted her feet, and grabbed the lapels of her red and white jacket. With a sharp, efficient motion, she swung it upwards, shrugging her shoulders loose in a practiced, powerful roll.
Yeah, she was going to be alright. She was the same Ko-kun as always. A small, involuntary smile played on my lips.
[Her condition looks perfect, and she's remarkably calm. With that composure, we can expect a solid performance from her today.]
They called it calm. I called it focus. A calm mind can be startled. A focused mind is already prepared for the chaos. And that's what she was. Prepared.
The following runners were introduced, more or less within the expected range. With the on-site conditions, there were bound to be a few surprises. For example—
[Now entering is the number one favorite, Number 8, Maiden Charm! But… oh my, she doesn't look good. What has happened to her!?]
[She looks exhausted. A dull sheen to her hair, and her steps are heavy. This is not the condition you want to see from your top favorite. Let's see if she can show us her quality despite this.]
I narrowed my eyes. Maiden Charm was far from her best. She looked like she'd peaked in training a week too early and was now on the downward slope. We had marked her as a major threat, a dangerous Late Surger with a proven kick. Now, she could be considered as a lesser threat.
[And the second favorite is this girl, Number 9, Blue Chouchou! Look at her confident smile! She's radiating self-assurance!]
[She looks perfect. Not a hint of nerves, just pure, coiled energy. She is going to be all out today.]
My gaze shifted to the confident Pace Chaser. Now that was our primary target, a runner in her peak condition. She should be the one setting the pace, the one dictating the flow of the early and middle stages of the race. She was the one we needed to keep an eye on.
The runner introductions finished, and the runners began their walk towards the starting gate. This was our chance.
"Ko-kun! We're here!" I shouted, waving my hand above the heads of a few other spectators.
Her ears twitched, catching my voice instantly, and she broke from the procession. She walked over, still rolling her shoulders, loosening the muscles we had worked so hard to make pliable.
"What do you think, Chief?" she asked, her voice low and focused, it was all business now.
"It's Blue Chouchou," I confirmed. "She's the one to watch. But be careful with Number 5, Ribbon Humming, too. She looks sharp. She'll be fighting for the front."
"I thought so too. Copy that, Chief." She nodded.
"Ko-chan, do your best!" Oguri said from beside me. A cloud of savory steam rose from the yakisoba she was holding. When in the world did she even get that? We'd been standing here the whole time.
"Of course!" Ko-kun declared, her gaze firm. There was no trace of doubt in that single word.
"Alright. Good luck, and be careful out there," I said, offering a final, steadying smile.
"Yes!" She turned and walked towards the starting gate, her back straight and resolute. The pre-race fanfare began to swell, and the crowd's murmur rose to a roar.
[The runners are making their way to the starting gate. A field of nine hopefuls, but only one can earn their ticket to the Twinkle Series today!]
[The gate-in is complete… a moment of silence hangs over Nakayama…]
My hand found the railing in front of me, my fingers gripping the cool metal tight.
Clang.
[And they're off! A clean start for all nine runners!]
[As predicted, with no natural Frontrunner, it's Number 9 Blue Chouchou who takes the early lead! She's coming up to set the pace!]
I watched her break from the gate. Clean. Efficient. That explosive power we'd honed was on full display in her first few strides. But then, as we had drilled a thousand times, she took a hold. She didn't fight for the front. She let the initial, frantic chaos of the pack surge past her, calmly settling at the very rear of the field as planned.
[Blue Chouchou leads them past the grandstand for the first time! Right behind her, it's a battle for second between Number 7 Sand Commando and Number 5 Ribbon Humming! They're followed by Number 3 Jewel Calcite and Number 6 Polyhymnia!]
[About three lengths behind the main group is the rear group. Number 8 Maiden Charm is at its head, and right behind her are Number 4 Kaiser Palace and Number 1 Celeb Actress. Lastly, taking up the rear, is Number 2 Copenhagen.]
As they thundered into the first corner, a right-hand bend, I saw her make her first subtle move. It was a slight, almost imperceptible drift to the outside, giving her a clear, unobstructed line of sight to the entire field unfolding before her.
[And they round the first corner and head into the second! The order up front is largely unchanged, but look at the back! Number 2 Copenhagen has swung to the outside and is making a move!]
[A very early move indeed! She's already passed Number 1 Celeb Actress and Number 4 Kaiser Palace! She's moved up into seventh place on the outside, a bold decision that will cost her ground but keep her out of trouble!]
A grin stretched across my face. She's reading the race perfectly. I could feel it from here, Blue Chouchou wasn't pushing it. The pace was slow, a tactical crawl. For an End Closer, getting caught at the back of a slow-paced race is a death sentence; the final homestretch where all runners have enough legs usually becomes a chaotic sprint where there's no time to make up ground. She knew it. So she was spending a little of her stamina now to buy a better position, to ensure she wouldn't be left behind when the real race began.
[And now they hit the backstretch! The pace is still surprisingly slow! Blue Chouchou is trying to conserve energy up front, but this is allowing the field to bunch up!]
[You're right. The 1000-meter mark and the time is 1 minute and 5 seconds. That's practically a crawl for this course. This is turning into a very tactical race.]
[Look there, Number 2 Copenhagen has now tucked in behind the main pack, with Number 8 Maiden Charm at a slight advantage on her right, hugging the inside railing!]
Excellent. She'd made her move and now she was reaping the rewards. Tucked in behind the main group, she was catching a perfect slipstream, the dirty air from the pack acting as a shield, reducing wind resistance and allowing her to maintain her speed with less effort.
[They approach the 1200-meter mark, and the field is very vertical! The gap between the leader and the rear is no more than five lengths! The pressure is building as they head into the third corner!]
The atmosphere in the stands crackled. This was it. The moment where they would take hold, where the runners would start gathering themselves for the final charge.
[And Copenhagen makes her move again! She breaks away from Maiden Charm and accelerates into the third corner! She's taking the wide route again!]
Go! The word screamed in my mind. She'd scanned the field, saw the pack was tight, and made her decision. Go wide. Go now. Use that boundless stamina as your weapon, Ko-kun! Go! Go!
[She's moving up alongside the main pack! She's now shadowing Number 6 Polyhymnia as they round the final turn! She's in a perfect position to strike! Oh, and Maiden Charm has followed suit, but can she get out!?]
[The pack in front of her is tight! Sand Commando, Jewel Calcite, and Polyhymnia have formed a wall! If Maiden Charm doesn't want to get blocked, she has to get out now!]
I saw it too. The other Pace Chasers, recognizing the threat of the favorite, were boxing her in, a classic bit of race strategy. But while their attention was on the inside, they had completely forgotten about the threat on the far outside.
[And here they come into the homestretch! It's Number 9 Blue Chouchou who kicks first! She's trying to get a jump on the field! The others behind her respond quickly! And Maiden Charm isn't quite on the outside yet! She's looking for a way through the middle!]
Now, Ko-kun. Now is the time. Unleash it.
[And Copenhagen exits the final corner with incredible acceleration! She's already passed Polyhymnia and Sand Commando on the outside! Her long strides are eating up the turf!]
Her form… it was still a little raw, a little rough around the edges, but the raw power was undeniable. My eyes were glued to her legs. The turnover was getting faster and smoother. That was it. Gear Two. She'd engaged it perfectly. She was holding it. Her dreaded stall wasn't happening. Come on!
"FASTER! COPENHAGEN!!" I roared, my professional composure shattering as I slammed my fist against the railing. She can go faster, she is forcing herself to!
[They hit the 200-meter mark! Blue Chouchou is still in the lead, but here comes Copenhagen on the far outside! The late surgers are struggling to make an impact! Ribbon Humming is fighting hard, while Maiden Charm was able to break the wall! But now she's out of gas!]
[It's a two-runner race! Blue Chouchou on the inside, Copenhagen on the outside! Copenhagen is still accelerating! She's closing the gap and plowing the turf with every single stride!]
"It's decided," Oguri said quietly beside me, her yakisoba long gone. Her voice was calm, the voice of a veteran who recognized the pattern.
My own hands were clenched into fists, my knuckles bone-white. She was doing it, it was all working. Just a little bit more and Ideal Strides were no longer a theory. Just looking at its imperfect state now, I, no, all of us knew, it was devastating.
[150 meters to go! Copenhagen is drawing level! Blue Chouchou looks over, her confident smile replaced by a mask of startled disbelief! She tries to fight back, but she's given it her all!]
I saw the exact moment the will of the other runner broke. Ko-kun drew level, and for one, singular, powerful stride, they were perfectly matched. Then, Ko-kun pulled ahead. It wasn't even a struggle. It was a decisive, clean pass.
[Copenhagen takes the lead! She's pulled ahead! She's clear! So strong! Copenhagen is going to win her Make Debut!]
[She's expanding the lead! One length, two, three, four!]
[Copenhagen wins! A brilliant run from the outside! She crosses the line five lengths in front of a valiant Blue Chouchou in second! Ribbon Humming holds on for third!]
I let out a breath I hadn't even realized I was holding. It shuddered out of me in a ragged, relieved gasp. My shoulders, which had been tense as steel cables, finally sagged.
She did it.
The kid actually did it. Her first win.
I watched as she slowed to a canter, her head held high, her chest heaving. She hadn't just won. She had taken our strategy and executed it to perfection. She had faced a tactical challenge and solved it with intelligence and power. She had shown everyone here today just a glimpse of what she was about to become.
And I couldn't stop the wide, proud, uncontrollable grin from spreading across my face.