An international race like the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was difficult to make any truly practical decision about without experiencing it firsthand.
Besides, Kitasan Black's career had only just entered a crucial stage. Any choice involving a major race had to be handled with the utmost caution.
So, while Kitasan Black continued helping him organize the document, Yasui Makoto slowly explained the thoughts he had been having.
"...So, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe involves too many complicated factors."
"From scheduling to the strength of the opponents, from adapting overseas to stamina management—every part of it has to be considered carefully."
"As I was analyzing earlier, if we want to accomplish anything in a race like the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, even half a year of preparation might not be enough."
"But right now, you're in the middle of your rise. We can't recklessly keep you away from Japanese races for too long."
"So, I'm thinking the same thing you are. We'll go to Dubai first, experience the atmosphere and intensity of overseas races ourselves, and then make further plans."
Kitasan Black listened intently, nodding lightly as she did.
When Yasui Makoto finished, she summarized it in her own way.
"In that case, our focus from here on is still Almond Eye."
"And from what you're saying, Trainer, if we want to win a major race overseas, it's best to prepare in advance."
"Almond Eye is only just starting out now. If she starts incorporating training and ideas related to international races from this point on, she'll definitely have a better chance than I do at challenging international G1 races."
"Of course, I won't give up easily either. I'll work hard to improve myself, and I'll definitely be able to shine on the international stage later too."
As she said that, her eyes shone with determination.
Then Kitasan Black suddenly remembered something and asked Yasui Makoto, "And Almond Eye's entrance exam is in just a few days, but your arm is still injured, Trainer."
"So tomorrow, aside from training Almond Eye, how about we do what we did when preparing for the Arima Kinen and go see how her opponents are training together? I happen to know where some of them train."
Yasui Makoto paused slightly, then asked in surprise, "How do you know that?"
Kitasan Black smiled and explained, "Didn't I go shopping with Satono Crown and the others earlier? While we were chatting, we happened to talk about Almond Eye and Walkure-chan, and from there we naturally ended up talking about Almond Eye's other opponents too."
Walkure-chan? Oh, Satono Walkure...
After a moment, Yasui Makoto understood.
They already had experience observing opponents' training while preparing for the Arima Kinen, and compared to preparing on his own, he felt that working with Kitasan Black, who had grown more and more mature, would indeed be more efficient.
On top of that, the injury he was still recovering from affected him quite a bit. If Kitasan Black could improve further through this kind of preparation, then both Almond Eye's preparation and her own training would go much more smoothly from here on.
So after thinking briefly, he quickly agreed.
"All right. We'll do as you say, then. Tomorrow, we'll go take a look."
...
Yasui Makoto was not worried about whether the information Kitasan Black had gathered was reliable, and Kitasan Black thoughtfully reassured him not to overthink it, thumping her chest as she guaranteed he could leave tomorrow's arrangements to her.
And so, after one night passed, once they finished Almond Eye's training the next day, Yasui Makoto followed Kitasan Black to a very familiar place.
"Isn't this... Orfevre and Gold Ship's place?" Yasui Makoto said in complete astonishment as he looked at the residence before him. It was not exactly luxurious, but it occupied a fairly large plot of land.
"Yeah. Lucky Lilac is Orfevre and Golshi-senpai's cousin."
Kitasan Black looked at Yasui Makoto in equal surprise, a trace of confusion in her eyes. "Trainer, you didn't know?"
"I didn't."
Yasui Makoto admitted it honestly, a hint of shame in his expression. "I only paid attention to her preferred running style and her past performances. Her family tree... I really never looked it up specifically."
"Looks like I did better homework than you on that front, Trainer."
Kitasan Black playfully lifted her chin and said with full confidence, "So for today's preparation, Trainer, just follow me obediently."
Seeing Kitasan Black joking around in such a rare mood, Yasui Makoto's playful side also came out, and he answered, "Of course. Then I'll be in your care, Teacher Kita-chan."
"Huh? Huh? T-Teacher Kita-chan? Trainer... you don't have to say it like that."
Kitasan Black's cheeks flushed faintly, and she grew a little embarrassed. She quickly changed the subject, pointing toward the gate of the Gold family residence.
"Ah, it's Grandpa Imanami and Stay Gold-senpai. Trainer, let's hurry and say hello."
The two of them quickly walked toward the entrance. There, an elderly man with white hair and a baseball cap was speaking with an Umamusume who had long black hair tied into a ponytail.
When they saw Kitasan Black and Yasui Makoto approaching, a kindly smile appeared on the old man's face, and the Umamusume politely inclined her head.
"Grandpa Imanami, Stay Gold-senpai, long time no see," Kitasan Black greeted sweetly, her voice clear and pleasant.
The old man was Imanami Takatoshi. As the most experienced trainer of the Gold family, he had personally guided many powerful Umamusume, and in the industry, he could be called widely renowned.
The Umamusume beside him, with long black hair tied into a ponytail, was Stay Gold. She had a brisk, capable air about her and was the elder sister of Orfevre, Gold Ship, and the others. On the racecourse, she had once put up quite impressive performances as well.
Kitasan Black had already contacted Imanami Takatoshi and Stay Gold the day before, so as soon as Imanami-san saw Kitasan Black and Yasui Makoto, he smiled and answered, "Well, well, Kita-chan, it's been a long time. Come in, come in."
Stay Gold also smiled and said, "That's right. Kita-chan, Trainer Yasui, welcome to our home."
As they exchanged greetings, everyone headed together toward the small training grounds inside the residence.
Along the way, old Imanami-san and Stay Gold warmly introduced some of the changes around the residence.
Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black listened while taking in their surroundings, and before long, they arrived at the small training grounds.
Before they even got close, bursts of arguing were already coming from inside, along with comments that sounded like they were either trying to smooth things over or fan the flames. It was hard to tell which.
"That training method of yours only suits you, all right? Lucky Lilac needs to build a solid foundation of stamina first before she starts thinking about sprint techniques!"
"If you don't bring out her power and explosiveness early on, then what good is all the stamina in the world if she can't accelerate when it matters? Lilac-chan, listen to me. My mochi-pounding training method absolutely works!"
"I'm telling you two, every time you get together, you start arguing. Can you try discussing things properly for once...?"
"How about... you two just race? Two thousand, twenty-four hundred, twenty-five hundred, or three thousand, anything's fine. You've both run them anyway."
Hearing the argument, Imanami Takatoshi gave a bitter smile and shook his head helplessly, his expression seeming to say that the children of his family would never grow up.
Stay Gold raised a hand to her forehead, a vein faintly bulging at her temple.
As for Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black, they stood to the side, the corners of their mouths twitching awkwardly.
---
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