Uma Musume Pretty Derby: From Getting Knocked Ten Meters Away [41]

After the Winner’s Stage performance, Yasui Makoto had been debating whether to inform Kitajima Saburou about the planned hot spring therapy.

Well, it was for Kitasan Black’s health and training, no doubt about that.

But the idea of an 18-year-old young man bringing a lively teenage girl to a hot spring… To be honest, it was bound to raise eyebrows.

He didn’t particularly care about others’ opinions, but he felt it necessary to explain properly to Kitasan Black’s family, especially her elders, the next time he saw them.

What he hadn’t anticipated was that, when he mentioned it to Kitasan Black, he found out that Kitajima Saburou had already stopped by backstage to visit his granddaughter before leaving.

Yasui Makoto was somewhat surprised, but after hearing from Kitasan that her grandfather had something urgent tonight but planned to visit again tomorrow, he relaxed.

With a status like his, it’s understandable he’s always busy.

In that case, there was no need to chase after him just to explain the hot spring therapy; it might even seem like he had something to hide.

So, just as after the Rookie Debut, Yasui Makoto once again took Kitasan Black to the same hot spring resort.

Not just the two of them this time—he also invited Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka along.

With two additional guests, Yasui Makoto simply booked a small private courtyard villa.

Of course, it was significantly pricier. But even without factoring in today’s winnings, he’d already received over two million yen from their previous race. Considering he had few personal expenses, a little indulgence like this was easily affordable.

Besides, not only were the therapeutic effects excellent here, but the service was extremely comfortable as well.

Given his easygoing nature, Yasui never saw a reason to refuse the most comfortable option available.

After each of them had finished bathing, the four gathered in the courtyard for a casual barbecue celebration.

“Cheers!” they toasted in unison.

“Ahhh! That hits the spot!”

Vodka downed her large glass of beer with relish, reminiscing loudly:

“Ever since my academy days, I wanted to drink freely just like Mijou-senpai! Too bad I was underage then, plus drinking was off-limits due to competitions.”

The “Mijou-senpai” Vodka mentioned was none other than T.M. Opera O (Tani-no-Mijou), an iconic Uma Musume famed especially for winning the prestigious Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).

“Oi, oi, don’t tell me you’ve been hitting the bottle every day in Europe?” Daiwa Scarlet teased, taking a sip from her own beer with mock disdain. “If you really become a dorm supervisor, I’ll be keeping a close eye on you. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in the dorms and around campus.”

“Oh, relax, I know all that,” Vodka waved dismissively. “Besides, how could I drink every day over there? I had plenty of research to keep me busy, you know. And it’s not like I can’t enjoy some non-alcoholic carrot beer with Kita-chan here.”

Just as Vodka mentioned, although Kitasan Black held a large beer mug similar to the others, her drink was a bubbly, golden carrot soda. After gulping it down, the black-haired girl’s upper lip was covered in frothy white foam, resembling a thick, comical mustache.

Hearing Vodka’s words, Kitasan Black wiggled her foamy “mustache” in surprise.

“Eh? Vodka-senpai, are you going to be a dorm supervisor too, like Daiwa-senpai?”

Even Yasui Makoto was surprised; Tokai Teio hadn’t mentioned anything about this to him before. He turned curiously towards Vodka.

“Yeah. If this girl here can handle being a supervisor,” Vodka pointed casually at Daiwa Scarlet, chuckling, “I definitely can too. Besides, our research overlaps somewhat. After chatting with her, I figured interacting more with you younger girls could spark some fresh ideas for my project.”

“Daiwa-senpai’s studying medicine, right…? Are you studying that as well, Vodka-senpai?” asked Kitasan Black curiously.

“Nope! I studied mechanical engineering over in Europe,” Vodka grinned, excitement lighting her eyes.

“I’ve loved motorcycles since childhood! Riding them at full throttle down the open road—vroom, vroom!—it’s just way too cool!

“So, even before graduating from the academy, I dreamed of building the fastest motorcycle in the world. Japan and several European countries are top-notch in that field, so I decided to study abroad for a few years before coming back home eventually.

“Right now, my research mainly revolves around aerodynamics for Uma Musume—specifically, reducing wind resistance for riders through design. Hanging around you younger racers might just give me some fresh insights.”

“Oh, I see… Huh?”

Kitasan nodded uncertainly, then suddenly brightened.

“If you’re also going to be a supervisor, Vodka-senpai… Does that mean you can help me train too, like Daiwa-senpai?”

At her words, Vodka and Daiwa Scarlet exchanged knowing smiles. Yasui Makoto’s heart leaped as well.

If Vodka truly decided to help train Kitasan Black, it would be unquestionably beneficial—especially since Vodka had something invaluable that even Daiwa Scarlet lacked:

A unique racing experience.

Before the legendary rivalry known as the “Two Greats,” bias regarding “stallions” and “mares” had been deeply ingrained, even among Trainers.

Due to such entrenched bias, their assigned Trainers initially planned for them to compete only in the Triple Tiara rather than the Classic Triple Crown.

While the Classic Triple Crown consisted of the Satsuki Sho, Tokyo Yushun, and Kikuka Sho, the Tiara’ equivalent included the Oka Sho, Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), and Shuka Sho.

After winning the Oka Sho, Daiwa Scarlet had to reluctantly withdraw from the Oaks due to severe illness.

Vodka, meanwhile, after losing to Daiwa Scarlet in the Oka Sho, agreed with her Trainer to challenge the Classic Triple Crown instead, starting with the Tokyo Yushun—the Japanese Derby itself.

That year marked the first time in eleven years that a mare participated in the Derby. Aside from Vodka, the other seventeen competitors were all stallions.

And yet, Vodka secured a stunning victory by a decisive three horse-lengths, shattering the stigma against mares and claiming a historic triumph that hadn’t been achieved by a mare in sixty-four years.

The value of such a victory went without saying—it was truly once-in-a-lifetime.

Moreover, since Kitasan Black had already registered for the Classic Triple Crown, gaining firsthand insight from Vodka would be nothing short of invaluable.

While Yasui was silently considering whether to ask, Vodka surprised him by nodding and flashing her characteristic grin.

“Well, obviously! Back then, Kita-chan supported us so much—cheering for us race after race! How could I possibly let you down now?

“Besides,” she chuckled, shooting a playful glance at her lifelong rival, “if Daiwa’s already jumped in ahead of me, there’s no way I’m gonna let myself fall behind!”

Habitually, after agreeing, she lightly teased her close friend and rival. Unlike their competitive days, Daiwa Scarlet merely raised her glass, smiling knowingly as if she’d seen it coming.

“I knew you’d say that. Honestly, I’d have been worried if you didn’t compete with me in this!”

“As if I’d ever miss out!”

Laughing, Vodka raised her own glass and bumped fists with Daiwa Scarlet before turning to Yasui and Kitasan Black together.

“So let’s give it our best, Kita-chan—and Yasui-kun!”

—

This is a fan translation of 赛马娘：从被撞飞十米开始 by 百升飞上天 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!