Chapter 194: My Turn to Write a "Peach Letter"
By the time Duramente and REAL STEEL finished their training and headed to the cafeteria, the final race at Nakayama Racecourse had already concluded, and preparations for the Winners' Stage were underway.
As she went through the final checks alongside the other Umamusume, Kitasan Black's heart was brimming with joy.
Part of it was the exhilaration of victory—but there was also the sense of relief that came from clearing the air with Ribbon Victory and Angel Wing.
Her trainer had been right: among Umamusume, there was nothing that couldn't be conveyed through running.
Daiwa-senpai had said something similar, too.
She'd said that when everyone goes to school together, goes home together, trains together, and races together every day, some friction is inevitable. But many things can be resolved as long as you talk them through.
Her trainer and senpai had also said that there are limits to what one person can do alone, and that you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. Most of the time, doing your best is enough—and if you've truly put in the effort, the results usually won't be bad.
And that really was the case.
Under the lights of the dance rehearsal hall, as she stretched out her arms, Ribbon Victory and Angel Wing stood right in front of her.
They had finished second and third in the St. Lite Kinen, and during the finale performance that followed, they would be dancing right beside her.
As their steps crossed and their gazes met by chance, they exchanged knowing, gentle smiles.
Those smiles no longer held any trace of the old barriers or misunderstandings. In their place was a brand-new sense of rapport.
As the accompaniment music gradually built toward its climax, the choreography and movements became more complex. Yet, buoyed by their shared understanding, they moved their long legs lightly—leaping, spinning—while their arms swept gracefully through the air, almost as if they were playing.
When the song ended, they took their bows, pretending there was an audience in front of them, and once again, those mutual smiles surfaced.
Immediately after, not just Kitasan Black, Ribbon Victory, and Angel Wing, but all the Umamusume participating in the rehearsal burst into cheers, applauding themselves again and again for how well they'd just worked together.
Clapping along, Kitasan Black couldn't help but look toward Ribbon Victory.
"Ribbon-chan! You danced so well just now! Our coordination felt amazing!"
Then she turned to Angel Wing. "And you too, Wing-chan! Your movements were so powerful!"
"Kitasan—no, um, Kita…"
Blushing shyly, Ribbon Victory pressed her lips together. "Is it okay if I call you that…?"
"Mm-hm! Of course it is!" Kitasan Black nodded with a bright smile, without a moment's hesitation.
"Yeah… Kita, you were amazing too. And not just in the dance—today's race as well…"
Her face reddening, Ribbon Victory said softly, "You were just so dazzling, I…"
"Haha! Then let's keep it going at the Kikuka Sho!"
With her usual easygoing air, Kitasan Black patted Ribbon Victory on the shoulder. Angel Wing, full of energy, also reached out a hand toward her.
"Don't forget, Kitasan! Ri-chan, you, and I are all running in the Kikuka Sho. Next time, we won't let you win again!"
"I know! And I'll—"
She was just about to say "give it my all" when something suddenly stirred in Kitasan Black's heart. A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.
"Looks like this time, it's my turn to write a peach letter."
"A peach… what?"
She had only gotten halfway through her sentence when she suddenly noticed the teasing look in Kitasan Black's eyes—and caught sight of Ribbon Victory trying to hold back a laugh. Angel Wing's face flushed bright red in an instant.
"Hey! Can you not bring up that embarrassing thing anymore?! Stop it already! This time, it's my turn to challenge you, Kitasan Black!"
Tracen Academy wasn't small, and there were plenty of Umamusume. Everyone went to school together, went home together, trained together, raced together. Daily life, in a sense, could be a little monotonous—and even the smallest bit of interesting news would spread quickly.
At times like this, the vast academy seemed to shrink all at once, and the number of Umamusume felt smaller too—something that happened yesterday might already be known by everyone the next day.
The conflict between Kitasan Black and the others was exactly like that. Most Umamusume knew at least a little about it.
So now, seeing the three at the center of that dispute looking completely reconciled—almost as if nothing had ever happened—some people were surprised, but more of them wore knowing smiles.
After a bit of laughter and playful banter, the stage coordinator hurried in from outside.
Clapping their hands, they urged them on. "Alright, everyone, it's time to go on stage! Let's move it!"
After a chorus of acknowledgments filled the dance hall, Kitasan Black took the lead and headed outside.
The moment she stepped out, her eyes flickered—and then lit up with delight.
"Crow-chan, Dia-chan! You came!"
Standing by the entrance were the Satono sisters. They had spotted Kitasan Black as well, and after exchanging a glance with each other, both of them smiled and walked over.
After returning the hug from Kitasan Black, who had rushed forward with her arms wide open, Satono Crown glanced at the other Umamusume. Once they had walked a bit farther toward the stage, she smiled and spoke in a low voice.
"Kita-chan, congratulations on winning the St. Lite Kinen."
"Yeah, my sister and I both saw it,"
Satono Diamond added softly with a smile, standing beside her.
"I never imagined you'd go with Burst Front Running. That middle stretch, and then the final chase… it was incredible."
"It's just a little unfortunate, if you could've maintained that huge lead, it would've been perfect."
Seeing the hint of regret in her expression, Kitasan Black and Satono Crown both froze for a moment. Then they exchanged a look—and laughed together.
Unlike the two of them, Satono Diamond, though she had already entered her full-fledged phase and was undergoing training, still hadn't actually raced yet.
As the one who ran the race herself, Kitasan Black knew it well that what she'd shown wasn't truly Burst Front Running in the strict sense.
The reason she'd been able to open up such a massive gap in this race—especially right out of the gates—was more due to her own overwhelming strength, rather than the refined technique and innate talent of someone like Silence Suzuka-senpai.
As for the stretch that followed, she was relying far more on her advantage in stamina. It was only in the turns that she truly put to use what she had learned from her senpai.
Beyond that, there was also the tactical side of things.
Before today's St. Lite Kinen, she had never once used Burst Front Running in an actual race—and the running style itself was rare to begin with.
Her opponents would inevitably have to guess at her intentions, come up with countermeasures, and only then act.
All of that took time. And in that time, she was able to widen the gap even further.
Satono Crown's impression wasn't as clear-cut as Kitasan Black's, but it was largely the same.
She had competed against Kitasan Black several times and knew very well that this close friend—and rival—was not truly a Burst Front Runner.
She had even thought that if it were her in this race, she would probably have chased Kitasan Black the instant she exploded forward, never giving her the chance to open up that distance.
But neither Kitasan Black nor Satono Crown explained any of this.
The three chatted for a little while longer, then Satono Crown glanced past Kitasan Black.
"The stage performance is about to start, Kita-chan. You should head over now."
"We… want to talk to Rasen about something."
At that, Kitasan Black froze and instinctively looked back.
Only then did she realize that Satono Rasen hadn't gone with the other Umamusume. Instead, she was standing by the entrance to the dance hall, arms crossed, head lowered in thought.
She froze again. Memories of their match earlier in the year surfaced unbidden, and worry crept into her chest.
'Don't tell me… she's changing trainers again? No, that can't be it.'
As she was still thinking, a soft chuckle came from beside her—Satono Crown.
"Judging by that look on your face, I can pretty much guess what you're thinking. But it's not that kind of thing, it's… some family matters."
"So, give us a little space, okay, Kita-chan?"
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