With Special Week’s encouragement fresh in her mind, Kitasan Black turned toward the starting gates with excitement, all her earlier nervousness vanishing completely.
When she had arrived at the Chiba campus yesterday, she believed that after two victories, she wouldn’t be nervous facing the Spring Stakes.
But stepping onto Nakayama Racecourse, Kitasan found the familiar anxiety—the uncertainty of the outcome—had quietly returned.
At least this time, having experienced it twice before, she wasn’t flustered. She didn’t repeat mistakes like wearing her shoes backward or struggling to remove her jacket.
But precisely because she didn’t make those obvious mistakes, she was unsure how to ease the lingering nervousness.
I’ve trained diligently every day.
I’ve studied meticulously, asked my senpais for advice, reviewed my notes, and practiced running laps in my yard every weekend.
Trainer’s race-day preparations were perfect, and I understood everything clearly.
After all that, there’s nothing left for me to do but calmly enter the starting gate.
So… I really need to thank Spe-chan-senpai properly later. Of course, Trainer and everyone else, too.
Their support and encouragement brought me this far.
Alright! I’m definitely winning this Spring Stakes!
Filled with confidence, Kitasan Black was the first to enter the gate. Standing inside, she took a deep breath, feeling fully energized.
The others will join me shortly, then the race begins…
As she thought that, Kitasan couldn’t help glancing back toward the stands.
Just then, a wave of excited cheering erupted from the crowd, making her look around in confusion.
Eh? Did Furao Shinkou come out already? No, wait, isn’t she gate six? Why the sudden commotion now…?
She knew she was only the fifth most popular entrant today. During her own paddock appearance, the cheers were loud enough but nowhere near as intense as they should’ve been for Furao Shinkou, the top favorite.
Not that she minded.
Kitasan understood early on from music: only musicians who created good music and gave great performances could expect packed concerts and enthusiastic crowds.
Trainer’s words from yesterday had further clarified that racing was similar—something she hadn’t fully grasped before.
She was working hard. Trainer was working hard. Her rivals, their trainers—all of them were equally determined.
Considering their past records, prominent family backgrounds, or renowned trainers, of course they’d have higher popularity.
Instead of worrying about that, focusing fully on the upcoming race mattered most.
Ultimately, popularity and results for an Uma Musume always depended on the strength and speed of her own legs.
Thinking this, she turned her attention back toward the track, ears twitching slightly as the cheering grew clearer, blending into unified shouts.
Even the other competitors behind her were exclaiming, repeating the same words.
No—repeating a single name.
The announcer’s voice carried excitement, clearly stating the name that now echoed across the racecourse:
“Gold Ship!”
“Ladies and gentlemen! Breaking news from Hanshin Racecourse!”
“In the G2 Hanshin Daishoten, 3000 meters turf, the winner is—”
“Gold Ship!”
Gold Ship-senpai!
Kitasan stared in shock for several seconds, then joyfully looked toward the speakers and crowd.
Amazing! Trainer’s prediction was right—Gold Ship-senpai really did win the Hanshin Daishoten! That’s great!
I’m so jealous of Daiwa-senpai and Vodka-senpai, getting to see it live…
She felt a slight pang of regret mixed with her happiness.
At that moment, as if in response to her thoughts, a loud and familiar voice echoed clearly across Nakayama Racecourse, startling her.
“Yo—ho-ho! Blown away by the mighty Gold Ship-sama’s brilliance, huh? Gwahaha! Well, that’s only natural!”
Eh? Why is Gold Ship-senpai here…? Wait, it’s just a broadcast!
She quickly turned toward the massive screen by the track.
There, larger than life, was a tall Uma Musume with flowing silver-gray hair and brown ear covers—Gold Ship herself.
On screen, Gold Ship stood with arms outstretched horizontally, her hands each making a V-sign. She seemed to be imitating a crab, legs bent as she shuffled sideways, back and forth across the frame.
Laughter filled the air, both from the Hanshin broadcast and Nakayama’s audience.
Even the race commentator was barely containing laughter.
“Our Gold Ship-sama is as lively as ever! And with her powerful victory, she’s certainly silenced recent pessimistic rumors.”
The commentator beside him added quickly:
“Exactly. Since last year’s Takarazuka Kinen, the public’s assessment of Gold Ship’s strength and form has been mixed. Her performances post-Sapporo Kinen were disappointing, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe showed clear issues adapting to the overseas track, worsening public opinion.”
“But today’s decisive one-and-a-quarter-length victory at Hanshin Daishoten should put those doubts to rest. Her next target is the Tenno Sho (Spring), and we have every reason to believe she’ll—”
Before the commentator could finish praising her, Gold Ship interrupted loudly on screen:
“Oi! Oiiiii! You can all hear me, right?”
At some point, Gold Ship had stopped her crab shuffle, placed her hands on her hips, leaned toward the camera, and stared directly at the viewers.
“No clue if you guys over there can actually hear this, but who cares! Kita-chan, I’m just gonna assume you can hear me!”
“Daiwa and Vodka told me you’re racing today too, just like me—both in the 11th race.”
“Well, I’ve already won my race, so now it’s your turn! Give it your best, okay?”
“I’ll get a victory banquet ready for you!”
Gold Ship’s confident declaration echoed clearly through Nakayama Racecourse’s speakers.
Already fired up, Kitasan Black’s eyes shone brighter. Not caring that Gold Ship couldn’t actually hear her, she pumped her fist, shouting loudly back toward the screen:
“You bet! I’ll definitely win this race! Just leave it to me, Gold Ship-senpai!”
The announcer chuckled lightly, sounding slightly surprised:
“Kita-chan… Is that Kitasan Black in today’s Spring Stakes? It seems this runner shares quite a close relationship with Gold Ship.”
“Let’s hope Kitasan Black responds to her senpai’s expectations by giving us a spectacular performance today!”
The announcer soon returned to covering the upcoming Spring Stakes:
“With the exciting conclusion of the Hanshin Daishoten, the Spring Stakes competitors are asked to finalize their preparations and enter the gates orderly under staff guidance.”
“Let’s make Nakayama Racecourse shine just as brilliantly today!”
—
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!
Reader discussion
0 Comments
Be the first reader to share a thought about this chapter.