Chapter 41
After the Winner's Stage, Yasui Makoto had been hesitant about whether to tell Kitajima Saburo about the hot spring therapy.
How should he put it? The purpose was for Kitasan Black's health and training. That much was true.
But taking a lively young girl to a hot spring, especially when he was only eighteen, would honestly draw some attention.
He didn't care what others thought of him, but he felt he needed to explain it to Kitasan Black's family, especially the elders, when they met.
He just didn't expect that when he mentioned this to Kitasan Black, he learned that Kitajima Saburo had already met his granddaughter backstage and then left.
This surprised Yasui Makoto, but after Kitasan Black said that her grandfather had something to do that night and would make time to accompany her tomorrow, he was relieved.
Someone of his status should indeed be very busy normally.
Then there was no need to chase after him to talk about the hot spring. Otherwise it would seem like he had something to hide.
So, just like after the debut race, Yasui Makoto took Kitasan Black to the same hot spring resort as last time.
Not only the two of them, but Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka were also invited.
With two more people, Yasui Makoto simply booked a small villa.
It was definitely much more expensive, but not to mention the prize money from this race, the over two million from last time had already arrived. He didn't have many special expenses normally, so he could easily afford this kind of expenditure now.
What's more, besides the excellent therapeutic effects, the service here was also very comfortable.
He was already a live-for-the-moment kind of person, so there was no need to refuse a more comfortable option.
After everyone had bathed, the four of them held a simple barbecue celebration in the small courtyard.
"Cheers!" ×4
"Haah! This is so refreshing!"
Chugging down a large glass of beer, Vodka said nostalgically:
"When I was at the Tracen Academy, I wanted to drink like Meishu-senpai, but unfortunately I wasn't old enough then, and I couldn't drink because of races."
The "Meishu-senpai" Vodka mentioned, whose full name was Tanino Meishu, was also a top-tier Uma Musume. Her representative victory was the Japanese Derby, one of the Classic Triple Crown races.
"Hey, hey, you haven't been drinking every day in Europe, have you?"
Also drinking beer, Daiwa Scarlet said disdainfully:
"If you become a dormitory manager, I will keep a close eye on you. The dormitory and campus prohibit all alcoholic beverages."
"Relax, relax, of course I know that. Besides, how could I drink every day over there? I still have a lot of research to do, okay?"
Waving her hand indifferently, Vodka said:
"And besides, you can still drink non-alcoholic carrot fruit beer like Kita-chan."
As Vodka said, Kitasan Black, who seemed to be holding a large beer mug like the others, with a yellow-orange bubbly drink in the cup, was actually drinking fruit beer.
Having just taken a big gulp, the black-haired girl had a ring of white foam around her lips, especially on her upper lip, just like a thick, straight mustache.
Hearing Vodka's words, Kitasan Black, wiggling her white "mustache," said in surprise:
"Eh? Is Vodka-senpai going to be a dormitory manager like Daiwa Scarlet-senpai?"
Yasui Makoto was also a little surprised. He hadn't heard about this from Tokai Teio before and couldn't help but look at Vodka.
"Yes, if this guy can be a manager, I definitely can."
Pointing at Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka smiled and said:
"Besides, our research has common ground. I've discussed it with her, and I feel that interacting more with you juniors helps to get inspiration for research topics."
"Daiwa Scarlet-senpai is a medical graduate student… Is Vodka-senpai too?" Kitasan Black asked curiously.
"Not really. I studied mechanical manufacturing engineering in Europe."
Vodka got excited.
"I've loved motorcycles since I was a child, and I love riding them at full speed on the road!
Vroom vroom, it's so cool!
So before I graduated from the Tracen Academy, I thought about building the fastest motorcycle in the world myself.
Japan and some European countries are top-notch in this regard. I thought since I wasn't coming back permanently, I would study in Europe for a few years first.
My current research topic, generally speaking, is related to Uma Musume aerodynamics.
Specifically, it's about reducing the wind resistance on the rider during the design process.
So, by frequently interacting with you juniors, I might get some inspiration."
"I see… huh?"
Nodding as if she understood but didn't, Kitasan Black's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Since Vodka-senpai is also coming to be a manager…
Then senpai should also be able to help me train, like Daiwa Scarlet-senpai?"
Hearing this, Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet exchanged smiles, while Yasui Makoto's heart stirred.
If Vodka really came to assist Kitasan Black's training, it would definitely be all good and no harm.
Especially compared to Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka's experience from one particular race was extremely important.
Before these two peerless talents, the prejudice of "gender division" was deeply ingrained, even among their trainers.
Influenced by past prejudices, their trainers initially arranged their Classic Year race schedules to be the Triple Tiara rather than the Classic Triple Crown.
Corresponding to the Classic Triple Crown, the Triple Tiara also consists of three G1 races: Oka Sho, Oaks, and Autumn Flower Award.
After winning the Oka Sho, Daiwa Scarlet was forced to withdraw from the Oaks due to a severe cold.
Vodka, after losing to Daiwa Scarlet in the Oka Sho, and her trainer unanimously agreed that since the Triple Tiara was out of reach, they might as well try the Classic Triple Crown, so she entered the Japanese Derby.
That race was the first Japanese Derby in eleven years to feature a female Uma Musume.
Besides Vodka, the remaining seventeen contestants were all male Uma Musume without exception.
As a result, Vodka achieved a stunning victory with an absolute advantage of three lengths.
This victory not only declared to the world that female Uma Musume were by no means stepping stones but also set a magnificent record of a female Uma Musume dominating the Japanese Derby again after sixty-four years.
The value of this victory goes without saying. It was one of a kind in sixty-four years.
More importantly, Kitasan Black had already entered the Classic Triple Crown, and understanding this unique experience from her senpai now would definitely only bring benefits and no harm.
And while secretly anticipating and wondering whether to ask, Yasui Makoto was pleasantly surprised to see Vodka smiling and nodding.
"Of course!
Kita-chan supported us so much back then, almost attending every race to cheer us on. How could I drop the ball at a time like this?
Besides, Daiwa Scarlet has already gotten a head start accompanying you in training, so should I continue to drag my feet?"
Almost habitually, after agreeing, she teased her rival and close friend from her career.
Unlike their previous sharp opposition, Daiwa Scarlet, showing a look of "I knew it would be like this," smiled and raised her cup.
"I knew you'd say that, but other things aside, I was worried you wouldn't compete with me on this!"
"How could that be!"
Also raising her cup, Vodka extended her fist and bumped it with Daiwa Scarlet's, smiling.
Then, the two Uma Musume looked over together.
"So let's work hard together, Kita-chan! And Yasui-kun!"
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