The principle behind the "Ultra-High-Speed Lane Change" running style is, strictly speaking, not complicated: it's about creating an overall difference in the forces generated by different parts of the body, allowing for position changes that an opponent cannot anticipate at the right moment, all without compromising speed.
Thanks to Oguri Cap's uniquely simple mind, the foundational training in this area went much smoother than Kitahara had initially planned. After teaching her the theoretical technique, she mastered the general concept almost that same day.
Not only did she make quick progress in training, but this Uma Musume also discovered the "side-product ability," and she was quite pleased with it.
"Kitahara, look! I can now hold different foods with my left hand and my right hand, which nearly doubles my eating efficiency!"
This evening, in the dining hall of Central Tracen Academy, Oguri Cap happily shared her "new ability."
"...That is truly an amazing ability. No, I mean, that is truly you, Oguri Cap."
Kitahara's mouth twitched, feeling a little helpless and amused.
What can be said? Using every ability she masters on the act of "eating"—that really is Oguri Cap's personality...
Also at the dining table were Super Creek, Mejiro Ardan, Nice Nature, and Oguri Roman.
Oguri Roman successfully entered Central Tracen Academy after the Welcome Ceremony and quickly joined the Eisei Team as his Uma Musume, as arranged by Kitahara.
Besides the existing team members, also gathered around the table were Gold Ship and Just A Way, who had become accustomed to assisting and observing, and Special Week and Opera O, who came to crash dinner after primary school classes.
Seeing Oguri Cap's "magical dual-tasking ability," all the Uma Musume expressed varying degrees of amazement.
"Oguri is really impressive. Ardan and I have been trying this technique for several days, and we still feel like we haven't quite grasped the knack."
Creek sounded a little wistful.
Like Oguri Cap and Tamamo Cross, Creek, Ardan, and Inari One also began the initial training for the "Ultra-High-Speed Lane Change" after rotating through Kitahara's guidance. However, compared to Oguri Cap's natural talent in this area, the progress of the other Uma Musume was a bit slower.
"Don't rush, Creek," Ardan consoled upon hearing Creek's words. "We are naturally good at different abilities, and we all have corresponding skills, running styles, and tactics."
"Truthfully, Oguri's running style and tactics have only been developed recently. They should actually be later than ours."
"And not only is she practicing and mastering it herself, but we are also learning, aren't we?"
"Head Trainer Kitahara said that this ability was only mastered so quickly by Oguri because she is more adaptable. We don't have that kind of personality, so it naturally takes us longer to grasp, but we can still do it if we spend more time."
"I know all that, I was just expressing a bit of awe."
Creek smiled and explained. She then looked a bit worriedly at Oguri Cap, then at Ardan, and finally turned her gaze to Kitahara.
"I had a casual chat with Dicta and the others today, and I felt..."
She hesitated for a moment, "I felt that there's still quite a difference between our training and theirs."
"It's not just with them; much of our training so far has been different from the methods used by most Uma Musume and trainers."
"Other Uma Musume participate in noticeably more races than we do. I was thinking, do we also need some extra races or something..."
Hearing this, Oguri Cap, Ardan, and Oguri Roman were stunned, and the little Uma Musume crashing dinner were also surprised.
"Do you have to run a lot of races to get stronger?"
Gold Ship was the first to question, "I don't think so. I feel there are many ways to improve ability. For example, the dual-tasking ability the Uncle taught is really useful."
"And after I specifically asked the Uncle last time, I felt this isn't difficult and is indeed very useful."
Saying this, before Oguri Cap could finish the food on the table, she held a candied carrot in her right hand with chopsticks and scooped a large spoonful of fried rice with a spoon in her left hand.
She simultaneously stuffed the candied carrot into her mouth and sent the fried rice toward Just A Way next to her, mumbling indistinctly to Ichiro-tsu:
"Mmm, mmm..., open up."
"Huh? Oh, oh... mmm..."
Stunned for a moment, Just A Way instinctively opened her mouth and ate the fried rice. Only then did she realize what had happened and was instantly amazed.
"Wow! Gold Ship, you're amazing! You've also learned the same ability as Sister Oguri!"
"Hmph, this kind of ability is very simple. A smart Uma Musume like me can learn it just by watching, so there's nothing to be surprised about!"
Completely forgetting that she had just mentioned specifically asking Kitahara for guidance, Gold Ship proudly boasted.
After a few days of getting along, the Uma Musume were quite familiar with Gold Ship. Seeing her antics, they couldn't help but exchange knowing smiles.
Special Week smiled for a while, then also showed a similar look of concern as Creek had earlier.
"I feel that Sister Creek's words are valid. It seems many Uma Musume definitely have more races."
She hesitated, looking around. Spotting the television screen mounted on the wall of the dining hall, which was broadcasting the evening Uma Musume news, she pointed to the screen and continued:
"During class today, our teacher was saying that many of the Uma Musume participating in the Classic Triple Crown series have won many more races recently."
"They must be opponents of Sister Oguri and the others, right? So, wouldn't it be better if Sister Oguri and the others also participated in some races?"
What Special Week referred to had just been broadcast on the dining hall TV.
The Uma Musume she mentioned were the Dicta Striker, Sakura Chiyono O, and Yaeno Muteki from the Chouetsu Team. These three Uma Musume recently participated in the NHK Mile Cup, Aoba Sho, and Principal Stakes, respectively, and all won first place with excellent results.
As the Head Trainer of Eisei, Kitahara was naturally aware of such information, but he wasn't overly worried about the performance of future opponents or the race schedule.
He had made it clear to the team from the beginning that the training methods of Chouetsu and most current Uma Musume and trainers generally follow the traditional approach of "training through racing." This method does have merit, provided the Uma Musume's physical constitution can keep up.
For example, Oguri Cap and Inari One, both from local regions, actually participated in quite a few races during their local stages.
This was because training conditions in the local regions were relatively limited, and the races there were generally 800m to 1400m long with low intensity. Therefore, participating in more of them helped increase skill and race experience.
However, Central major stakes races are different. Both the intensity of the competition and the specific training required demand more time and energy. If not handled properly, the impact on the Uma Musume can be significant. Therefore, the Eisei Team does not consider that "battle-hardened" style of race scheduling.
Kitahara knew his approach was unique. With the advantage of foreknowledge, more advanced training philosophies, and understanding the future trajectories of most Uma Musume, the "battle-hardened" approach was a low-cost-effectiveness choice and unnecessary to consider.
For example, taking Oguri Roman as an example, he felt that this child didn't even need to participate in too many of the low-intensity races in the initial stages. She just needed to spend more time and energy improving her foundation.
Generally, Uma Musume only gradually reveal their respective talents around the time of their blooming phase. It is during that period that trainers consider recruiting their desired candidates as assigned Uma Musume.
This means that someone like Oguri Roman joining the team right after enrollment is quite rare.
Kitahara naturally didn't care how other trainers evaluated Uma Musume. With his cheat-like foreknowledge, he clearly knew the Uma Musume's abilities. Moreover, the team is now attempting to construct a theory using the "new bloodline" research. Once this theory is formed, it will allow them to discover the potential of Uma Musume even earlier.
Therefore, in the pre-blooming stage for Oguri Roman, sufficient foundational training can be conducted in advance. After Blooming, her abilities will undoubtedly be stronger than in history, so there will be no need to use races for training.
However, Kitahara usually only emphasized this to trainers like Komiyama and Tora. He hadn't explained it in detail to the Uma Musume because the team members were generally obedient and well-behaved, always completing their training and race schedules diligently without significant reservations.
...But looking at the situation now, it might be necessary to talk to them. Creek and Special Week were a little worried just now, probably because they were confused by the difference between their situation and their opponents'.
Thinking this, Kitahara was about to speak when he was suddenly interrupted by a sonorous and dramatic laugh.
"Ha—ha~ Hahaha! Only the pedantic and mediocre worry about being out of step. The true monarch always walks alone!"
Unlike the Eisei Team Uma Musume and Special Week, Opera O's appetite wasn't large. Having finished her meal early, she was now elegantly holding a cup of black tea alongside a slice of matcha mousse cake.
She spoke to Special Week in a chanting tone, and then, under the collective astonished gaze, this Uma Musume leisurely sipped her black tea and slowly said:
"How lamentable! Why hypothesize the arrangements of fate? Why does maintaining one's own path become a concept as sinful as deviation?"
"Lost little Special Week, allow me to tell you the truth."
"Close your eyes, for your eyes only tell you facts, yet facts are not what you wish to see. Only in the darkness do your eyes pierce the illusion of fact and behold the true form of the truth."
"..." Opera O's opera-like monologue left the table of Uma Musume momentarily stunned. Special Week then offered an awkward laugh.
"Hehehe, well... Opera O is usually like this. If everyone didn't understand what she was saying, uh, that's okay..."
Explaining on behalf of Opera O, she smiled bitterly and spread her hands, "Because I've known her for a while, and I often don't understand what she's saying either..."
"Oh, I see. But I feel this child is very interesting."
Oguri Cap was the first to react. She nodded and then looked at Kitahara, "But I really didn't understand what she said. Did you understand, Kitahara?"
Hearing this, Kitahara looked at Oguri Cap, then at Opera O. Seeing her sitting composedly amidst the strange looks, Kitahara smiled.
"I wouldn't presume to say I understood it or not, but if I'm not mistaken, what she said was likely a line from an opera."
"The general meaning is probably to say that different Uma Musume have different destinies, or excel at different types of training and races. By observing carefully, one can find those differences and find the path that suits them."
"That should be the literal meaning."
As soon as Kitahara finished speaking, Opera O's eyes immediately lit up.
"Oh, oh, oh! So you like opera too, Uncle! Ha—ha~ Hahaha! I underestimated you. I thought you were a stiff, old-fashioned uncle who didn't understand romance!"
After her signature dramatic laugh, she explained with some excitement.
"It's a line from the opera The Phantom of the Opera. Andrew Lloyd Webber is a playwright I deeply admire. He fully grasped the spirit of Shakespearean theatre and was deeply influenced by Victorian-era opera. His works possess a classical elegance and profound depth."
"His classical dramatic upbringing is truly world-class. Although he is devoted to the works of modern serious writers, his own works have not taken the obscure and esoteric route. Instead, they are very accessible and popular."
"Ha—ha~ Hahaha! I knew it! I knew I wasn't the only one who understood the master and the charm of opera. Uncle, I have high hopes for you!"
"...Wait, I don't think I said anything..."
Looking at Opera O's excited demeanor, Kitahara gave a secret, wry smile and curled his lips.
"...Uh, thank you for your high regard. Also, what you said makes a lot of sense."
This affirmation prompted Opera O to issue her characteristic dramatic laugh again. Kitahara smiled, then turned back to Oguri Cap and the others, and spoke seriously:
"Perhaps you are all somewhat concerned about the training arrangements of other Uma Musume, but in reality, as Opera O just suggested, Uma Musume do not necessarily need the same path. Therefore, differences in training and races are only natural."
"This is also my oversight. I had only discussed it with Komiyama and the others before, and I haven't explained it to you in detail. I'll take this opportunity to explain it now."
He mused, "It is undeniable that with the current average training level, participating in more races is a good choice if one wants the fastest improvement in ability."
"Race experience is fundamentally irreplaceable. Timing, details, and techniques during the start, lane change, cruising, cornering, and acceleration phases, when experienced in a race, lead to greater growth."
"But all of this comes with a premise: there must be a noticeable gap between the training state and the race state."
"A noticeable gap?" Oguri Cap, Creek, and Ardan had been listening intently since Kitahara began speaking, and now they simultaneously looked confused.
Having been with Eisei for so long, they were familiar with Kitahara's way of speaking and knew he was making a key point.
Seeing their expressions, the other Uma Musume also stopped their conversations or actions and began to listen attentively.
"Yes, a gap."
Nodding in repetition, Kitahara continued, "Simply put, it's about whether training resembles a race."
"The more training resembles a race—for example, if the environment, intensity, and opponents are very similar to a real race—then your daily training is not much different from a race. When you actually compete, both your performance and the experience gained afterward will be much better."
"The reason most Uma Musume and trainers choose to participate in more races is that there is too great a difference between most training and the actual competition."
"Leaving Eisei and Chouetsu aside, most other training is one-on-one. Trying to find Uma Musume to run alongside takes thought and time, which creates a huge difference between the training environment and the race environment."
"You have all had experience training alone, so you should feel that there is a huge difference between running by yourself and running with companions, right?"
"Kitahara is right. The difference is huge."
Oguri Cap nodded first, "When I run by myself, it feels easy. I can run however I want, and sometimes I neglect some technique details."
"When I run with everyone else, I become tense. I can immediately pay attention to details I wouldn't notice when running alone, and I feel the effect is much better."
Although Creek and Ardan did not speak, they nodded in agreement after Oguri Cap finished.
"That's the point. Just having many Uma Musume run alongside you gives our training team an advantage that one-on-one training cannot match."
Kitahara nodded, "We have five Uma Musume in our team, and I can say without hesitation that all of their abilities are extremely top-tier."
"Five might seem like a small number, but there are races that have such a small number of participants."
"In addition, Maruzensky and Mejiro Peak often step in to pressure you, and Gold City's friends are all current Older Horse Uma Musume. So, in fact, most of your parallel runs in training are comparable to the number of participants in a race."
"Once Little Oguri grows up, and other Uma Musume join later, every daily parallel run within the team can be considered a race. Even if it's not exactly the same, the sense of competition you get is not far from a real race."
"In this situation, there is no need to participate in races frequently. You can save your energy for the most important competitions."
Hearing herself mentioned and seeing that Kitahara had paused, Oguri Roman spoke:
"Yes, I will definitely work hard to practice, and I will definitely be able to help my older sisters!"
After nodding vigorously, she thought for a moment and said happily, "Also, speaking of other Uma Musume joining, Uncle Kitahara, some classmates have already asked me about the assessment process here."
Hearing this, Kitahara was momentarily surprised, then also delighted.
"Oh? Really? Which classmates, Little Oguri? Can you tell me?"
He had originally planned to communicate with the subsequent generations of Uma Musume when the time was right to see if there was an opportunity to expand the membership.
After organizing the plans for the second half of the year and the following year recently, he submitted the proposals to Akikawa Yayoi and Symboli Rudolf. Although they hadn't given a definite reply, they had both suggested that he could consider recruiting Uma Musume from the later generations.
According to Akikawa Yayoi and other high-level academy officials like Symboli Rudolf, it is generally advised against trainers recruiting too many Uma Musume, as a person's energy is limited. Once the number of assigned Uma Musume increases, it is easy to neglect one area while focusing on another.
However, Kitahara's situation is different from the general case. Akikawa Yayoi and the others highly recognize his ability, and Eisei is a team. The training capacity is far superior to that of a solo trainer, and they possess sufficient capability to instruct multiple Uma Musume.
Even compared to other teams, Eisei's establishment time, experience, management philosophy, and resources are extremely advanced, which is the prerequisite for recruiting more Uma Musume.
Kitahara himself had that intention, and Akikawa Yayoi and the others had approved it. Now that Oguri Roman mentioned Uma Musume inquiring about the team's assessment process, it naturally indicated an intention to join and certainly couldn't be missed.
"Let me think, actually quite a few people have asked me. Basically, the whole class and the class next door have asked..."
Oguri Roman thought for a moment, then smiled, "But the ones who asked the most were my classmates Narita Brian and Air Groove."
Narita Brian and Air Groove?
Kitahara was momentarily stunned.
Since Narita Brian had specially asked him for an autograph before, he felt that she was likely interested in the Eisei Team, so it wasn't surprising that she would privately inquire with Oguri Roman.
Especially since Narita Brian and Oguri Roman are the same age and in the same class, and if Kitahara's conjecture was correct, the former's personality is actually a bit timid, with her usual cold demeanor being a form of camouflage. The latter also has a similar personality, so the two Uma Musume might have a good relationship.
As for Air Groove, he truly hadn't expected it.
This Uma Musume is historically known as the genuine "Empress." Before the era when her historical counterpart was active, Japanese public opinion, much like the short-sighted claim that "grey horses can't run fast," held that "fillies(Mares) are inferior to colts (stallions)."
It was against this backdrop of public opinion that, after winning the Oaks (one of the Fillies' Triple Tiara races), Air Groove's camp chose to participate in the "Autumn Triple Crown" which was then available in Japan.
The "Autumn Triple Crown" refers to the three G1 races: the Tenno Sho (Autumn), the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen. They are only one month apart from each other, are all middle-to-long-distance races, and each race is progressively longer than the last.
The Tenno Sho (Autumn) is 2000 meters, the Japan Cup is 2400 meters, and the Arima Kinen is 2500 meters.
This race schedule places an exaggerated physical load on the horses. In terms of intensity, winning the "Autumn Triple Crown" is even more difficult than the Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, and Kikka Sho (the "Classic Triple Crown"), as the latter three have a sufficiently long interval, allowing for ample preparation time.
In the alternate timeline, after the Japanese racing system was reformed and the "Autumn Triple Crown" emerged, only two horses won it. One was Opera O, who was currently sitting at the dining table, and the other was Zenno Rob Roy.
Among them, Opera O was the only horse ridden by a Japanese jockey to win the "Autumn Triple Crown"—that jockey was, naturally, Wada Ryuuji.
In contrast, the legendary Symboli Rudolf was defeated in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), Tamamo Cross, hailed as the "White Lightning," was defeated in the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen after winning the Tenno Sho (Autumn), and Kitasan Black also lost the Japan Cup when challenging the "Autumn Triple Crown." This demonstrates the immense difficulty of the "Autumn Triple Crown."
While Air Groove did not clinch the "Autumn Triple Crown" honor, in an era where fillies were generally considered inferior and Japanese horses still lagged behind international standards, she achieved first, second, and third-place finishes in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen, respectively.
In that particular Tenno Sho (Autumn), out of 18 participating horses, Air Groove was the only filly. It was for this reason that the news of her emerging victorious among 17 colts directly shocked the entire Japanese racing world.
After that battle, the entrenched Japanese public perception that "there is an absolute difference in ability between colts and fillies on the middle-to-long-distance battle line" was completely shattered.
Of course, it is quite amusing that such a short-lived notion was later dragged out for public shaming by Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, collectively known as the "Unparalleled Dual Idols," and subsequently by "Sister-of-the-Horse-World" types like Gentildonna and Almond Eye.
"...I can understand Narita Brian. She came to ask for my autograph at the Welcome Ceremony before. It seems she didn't ask me how to join Eisei at the time because she was shy? Or a little timid?"
Guessing thoughtfully, Kitahara pondered, "As for Air Groove... I recall she should be younger than you, Little Oguri. Is she already considering her debut?"
"Eh? Brian-san is timid? Uncle Kitahara, why would you think that?"
Oguri Roman was initially stunned. "I feel like she should be very bold. In class, she usually looks indifferent about everything. I don't think that kind of personality would be considered timid..."
She struggled for a moment, then nodded, "As for Air Groove-senpai, she did tell me that she is already scouting for an excellent trainer."
"Although she is younger than me, she looks much more mature than I am."
"I also asked her why she was in such a hurry, and she said it wasn't being rushed, it was foresight."
"She said her mother was a very excellent Uma Musume, and her older sister is too."
"They once won the Oaks, and later nurtured many outstanding juniors. She hopes to become an Uma Musume like her mother and sister."
"So, if that's her goal, she has to start working hard now."
...What Narita Brian's personality is like can be found out after I interact with her later, but the situation with Air Groove's parents... this is...
Kitahara was instantly speechless because the timelines of the two worlds were creating a surreal feeling for him.
Historically, Air Groove's mother was Dyna Carle, and she did win the Oaks.
But the problem is that Dyna Carle was active around the same era as Symboli Rudolf, CB, and Katsuragi Ace.
Dyna Carle competed against CB and Katsuragi Ace in the Mainichi Okan, and all four were present at the subsequent Arima Kinen.
These events are clearly completely different in this timeline than in the other. Otherwise, if Dyna Carle were the same age as Symboli Rudolf and the others, it would be too strange for her to have a daughter as old as Air Groove.
It's unlikely she got married and had children before even participating in the "Fillies' Triple Crown"—that would be even stranger.
Not only is the mother different from the parallel plane, but the father must also be different, because in the other world, Air Groove's father was the Arc de Triomphe winner Tony Bin, who is Tony Bianca in this world.
In this timeline, Tony Bin won the Arc de Triomphe this year, but Tony Bianca is currently not only an Uma Musume but also won't participate in the Arc de Triomphe for a few more months. There's no way she could form a "father-daughter relationship" with Air Groove.
...What can I say? The timeline confusion is unique to the Uma Musume worldview, and I just have to accept it...
Sighing, Kitahara secretly smiled bitterly, and at the same time, he remembered something interesting.
If it follows the many parallel correspondences he has seen in the past, such as those involving the Mejiro family, Symboli Rudolf, and Tokai Teio, then perhaps Air Groove's mother and father in this world have changed, but there is still a connection to Dyna Carle. For example, the "Air Groove's sister" that Little Oguri just mentioned is most likely Dyna Carle.
Furthermore, Tony Bianca is definitely coming for the Japan Cup this year. Wouldn't it be interesting to communicate with Air Groove before then, build a relationship, and take her to meet her "father from another world," just like the fun dynamic between Tokai Teio and Symboli Rudolf...?
Having spaced out for a moment due to the two Uma Musume mentioned by Oguri Roman, Kitahara hadn't forgotten what they were talking about initially and quickly composed himself.
"I got a little off-topic just now, but... maybe not entirely."
Speaking ambiguously, Kitahara then looked at Oguri Cap and the others and said, "The fact that Little Oguri was asked by Narita Brian and Air Groove about the Eisei Team precisely proves that what I just said is correct."
"That is, our Eisei Team has unique advantages in training and racing."
"Multiple top-level Uma Musume running alongside each other daily to adapt to the race environment in advance is the most obvious advantage. In addition to that, there are many training details."
"For example, the abilities you each learn can be mutually studied. The Swinging Maestro, Racecourse Waltz, Lightning Stride, and so on—while you may not master all of them, mastering more will clearly give you more advantages when facing other Uma Musume."
"The Domain is the same."
At this point, he focused on Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan.
"Your main goal for the past period was to master your respective Domains with the assistance of Maruzensky and Mejiro Ramonu."
"However, from the analysis of the various data we've obtained, we can clearly see that while you two have indeed entered that state, similar to Oguri Cap, Tamamo, and Inari, there are some differences."
"This difference is likely the difference between mastering it during training versus mastering it during a race."
"The Domain state data for Oguri Cap and the other two aligns highly with their past data. The data for you two, however, is more similar to Maruzensky's and Mejiro Ramonu's. This suggests that..."
Excited light began to flash in Kitahara's eyes, "My previous conjecture is very likely correct: Uma Musume can master more than one Domain through different types of training."
This could be considered a pleasant surprise. He had speculated this before, but he hadn't expected to have clear evidence so soon.
As he said, with the assistance of Maruzensky and Mejiro Peak in parallel runs, and the use of various auxiliary equipment within the team, Super Creek and Mejiro Ardan successfully touched upon the Domain.
And the ability data displayed in the practice races showed that the way their Domains improved was more like that of the other two Uma Musume rather than their own.
This implies that the general view across the Uma Musume world—that "an Uma Musume can only possess one Domain"—was entirely limited by conditions and failed to grasp the true nature of the ability.
In fact, the Uma Musume's "Domain," just like their running style, techniques, and tactics, can also be "learned," or rather, "inherited," similar to a skill in a game.
Of course, further research is needed on how to normalize this kind of "inheritance" in daily training.
For example, Creek and Ardan's situation is unique. They had spent a lot of time and deliberately pursued the Domain in races before, and were already close to the threshold. Whether this pre-existing state is a prerequisite for "inheriting" the Domain of other Uma Musume still requires certain research.
There are also numerous other details, but Kitahara is confident that with the efforts of the entire team, this "Domain, which originally belonged to the Three Goddesses," can be completely transformed into a phenomenon that can be researched and mastered by humans.
"Therefore, our state of being able to run alongside each other and learn from each other—even being able to mutually learn the Domain—is undoubtedly the most advanced in the entire Japanese Uma Musume world, and even the world!"
At this point, Kitahara couldn't help but feel a little excited, but he quickly calmed down and continued:
"Now that all five of you have touched upon the Domain, in the subsequent practices, I will teach you how to proactively trigger it, turning it into an 'Active Skill.'"
"These will be interwoven with your regular training, such as the 'Ultra-High-Speed Lane Change' exercises. Komiyama and the others and I will arrange it all."
He had previously mentioned the idea of proactive triggering to the team members. Although the term "Active Skill" was brought up for the first time, it's not difficult to understand—it is self-explanatory.
So, hearing his instructions now, Oguri Cap, Creek, and Ardan all nodded, "Understood!"
Next, Kitahara had one more thing to mention. This matter was not only an advantage for his own team but also a task that required the cooperation of Oguri Cap and the others.
He initially planned to explain it himself, but after a change of thought, he handed the topic over to Nice Nature, who had been listening quietly with a smile on the side.
"Finally, we have the technical advantage. Although I know the situation in this regard, if we're going to talk about it properly, it has to be our team's Chief Technical Officer who is most knowledgeable."
"Coincidentally, based on your previous training and race data, Oguri Cap, she has come up with some 'Black Technology.' If she can successfully finalize the product before the Japanese Derby, your race will be even more assured."
"So, Nature, you can tell Oguri Cap and the others directly what you need them to cooperate with."
"...Eh? D-Didn't we agree that you would explain it, Kitahara-sensei? Why are you pushing it to me again...?"
Suddenlty being called upon, Nice Nature was a bit stunned. She wasn't very good at speaking eloquently like Kitahara. Most of the time, she quietly performed her duty within the team, providing the best possible preparation for the race equipment of Oguri Cap and the others.
But now, being put on the spot, and seeing the gazes of Oguri Cap and the others directed at her, she blushed slightly, scratched her cheek, bit her lower lip, and began to speak with some embarrassment.
"I... I feel like I haven't done much, really. I... I was just trying to upgrade your Winning Uniforms before, and I just gave it a try, and the result was... the result was that I actually could do it..."
"I originally thought that as Winning Uniforms established by the 'Three Goddesses,' they couldn't be upgraded or improved..."
After speaking a few words shyly, she took a deep breath and began to speak deliberately.
"I really thought the Winning Uniform couldn't be changed, but your practice of 'speeding up, changing pace, and cornering without slowing down' gave me inspiration. I tried to focus on that point first, thinking about improving the shoes to see if I could enhance your running experience."
"I thought of three main technologies. I've learned all three of them—some in class, and some on my own."
"They are mainly full-foot nitrogen technology, a Domain midfoot propulsor, and a spiked-shoe-mimicking grip outsole. The general ideas are the same as conventional ones, but I've improved each one."
"First, the midsole: it undergoes thousands of bends during running, so I've re-adjusted the nitrogen formula, focusing on enhancing its tear resistance to significantly increase its lifespan."
"At the same time, I reduced the forefoot-to-heel drop from the conventional 8mm to 6mm, and the energy return rate is as high as 82%, which is more suitable for forefoot sprinting."
"Next is the Domain Midfoot Propulsor. As a critical component of the 'Speed-Up and Pace-Change Technology,' I mainly focused on increasing its strength."
"I optimized the angle of the nylon plate to keep it as far away from the ground as possible, reducing wear and tear from road debris. I also adjusted the shape, increasing the visible area on the side of the shoe by about 3%. I thought this would allow for a smoother transition and effortless acceleration."
"Finally, there's the outsole upgrade this time. Specifically, I increased the area of the spiked-shoe-mimicking grip pattern and arranged it on the force-bearing points on the inner side of the forefoot."
"This way, you can push off the ground with confidence even during high-speed cornering, minimizing the problem of slowing down on the bends and thereby maintaining your running rhythm."
"In addition to these, I also ensured the breathability was retained, and I tried to incorporate 3D support internally."
"Through different density knitting processes, I can achieve precise ventilation for key areas of the foot."
"That's the overall concept. Moving forward, I need your cooperation, Oguri Cap and the others, as I need some more detailed data."
(End of Chapter)