Chapter 30
"Yeah, that's what Trainer said from the beginning."
Kitasan Black nodded, looking a little embarrassed.
"My training results aren't that great, so even though I won my debut race, my fan count didn't increase much. I only have a little over 10,000 fans right now.
"I was secretly worried about it and even talked to Diamond-chan about it, but I didn't want to bother Trainer because he seemed so busy.
"But it turns out Trainer had already thought of this and even wrote a song for me.
"With such a great song, once it's properly uploaded to my fan account, I should have enough fans for the next race!"
Both Satono sisters nodded. Satono Diamond thought for a moment and asked:
"It sounds like the song still needs accompaniment and everything. With you and Trainer being so busy with training, do you have enough time?"
"Yeah, so I was thinking of asking Grandpa and the others for help," Kitasan Black replied.
"Really…?"
Satono Diamond looked surprised. "But didn't you say before that your grandfather and the family wouldn't get involved in your academy matters?"
"That's true, and Teio-senpai specifically reminded me about that too."
Kitasan Black scratched her cheek.
"My family is different from yours and Crown-chan's.
"We've never really been involved in racing. Even though we have some reputation in the music world, the two things can't be mixed together.
"If Grandpa and the others started supporting me, their disciples, students, friends, and fans would all come watch me whether they cared about racing or not.
"Then would my fans be because of my own results on the track, or because of Grandpa and the family?
"So, only a few elders at home know that I've debuted. Other people probably still don't know.
"But in the future, I definitely want them to know me through my races!"
The Satono sisters couldn't help but exchange a glance, both seeing the mix of surprise and admiration in each other's eyes.
They had noticed long ago that Kitasan Black had only a vague understanding of how influential her family was in the music industry.
Just her grandfather alone — his status in the industry couldn't be described with something as mild as "pretty well-known."
It was no exaggeration to say that when he defined what Japanese music was, the entire industry's textbooks would have to follow his definition.
Yet in Kitasan Black's mouth, her grandfather was simply "good at singing and has many students, friends, and fans."
At the same time, this friend of theirs had never once considered using her family's influence.
If she had, her current fan count wouldn't just be high — it would probably be near the top among active horse girls.
Her determination to achieve everything through her own strength on the track was truly admirable.
"But this song is different," Kitasan Black continued.
"Trainer wrote it for me, specifically to help me gain enough fans to enter the next race.
"Trainer told me that this method can only bring in a limited number of fans. Once it exceeds a certain limit, the association won't count them anymore.
"But that's fine. As long as it's enough for me to enter next month's conditions race, it's okay.
"I think there shouldn't be any problem with this.
"Grandpa and the others will definitely be happy to help. They've been saying for a long time that they want to do something for me, but I've always refused."
When Kitasan Black mentioned racing, Satono Diamond's eyes showed both anticipation and envy, while Satono Crown gave a refreshing smile.
"With this song, you'll definitely have no problem entering your next race, Kitasan.
"I looked at your race schedule. After the conditions race next month comes the Spring Stakes, and then the Satsuki Sho.
"Looks like we'll meet each other at the first leg of the Classic Triple Crown, Kitasan."
Satono Diamond was momentarily stunned and hesitated, wondering if she should say something to soften her sister's words, which sounded a bit like a challenge.
Kitasan Black was also stunned for a second, then walked back onto the singing platform.
She picked up two microphones from the stand, held one in her hand, and extended the other toward Satono Crown.
"Kitasan, you…"
Not only Satono Crown, but even Satono Diamond didn't understand what Kitasan Black was doing.
"Winning the Soul. You've definitely practiced it, right, Crown-chan?"
"Winning the Soul…"
Before Satono Diamond could react, Satono Crown smiled confidently.
She walked over to Kitasan Black and took the microphone.
"Of course I've practiced it! This year, on those three Winner's Stages, I will definitely sing this song loudly!"
Not backing down at all, Kitasan Black immediately replied:
"I will too, and I'll be standing in the center position!"
"That's not certain, Kitasan. The center spot will definitely be mine!"
"Then we'll just have to wait and see, Crown-chan!"
"Of course!"
As the two horse girls exchanged words, neither of them avoided the other's gaze.
Finally, with perfect timing, they both turned to look at Satono Diamond.
"Then please help us queue up this song, Diamond-chan / little sister!"
Satono Diamond nodded silently and searched for the song her friend and sister mentioned on the karaoke machine.
Winning the Soul was a very special song.
There were 10 central-level racecourses directly managed by the URA Association, with 104 race days per year, about 12 races per day. Each race had a corresponding performance on the Winner's Stage that evening.
If you included local races, the number of performances more than doubled.
Yet among the tens of thousands of performances each year, Winning the Soul would only be sung three times.
This song was exclusively for the Classic Triple Crown races — the Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, and Kikuka Sho. Only the horse girl who stood at the very top of her generation had the right to sing it on stage.
The one standing in the absolute center position (C position) would, without question, be the horse girl who won the Classic Triple Crown.
Satono Diamond had actually practiced the song herself too. So when the passionate and inspiring intro began to play, she couldn't help but hum along quietly with the two horse girls on stage.
At the same time, she felt a quiet envy in her heart.
It's so nice… Crown-neesan and Kitasan…
But it's okay. Next year, I'll be just like them…
I'll also challenge the Classic Triple Crown…
...
More than an hour later.
"Whew! Singing really feels refreshing!"
Coming out of the karaoke parlor, Kitasan Black said energetically, "Thank you, Crown-chan and Diamond-chan, for coming to sing with me!"
"There's no need to thank us for that… Well, Diamond and I will head back first. See you on Monday… Eh?"
Satono Crown casually waved her hand, but her eyes suddenly focused on something behind Kitasan Black.
"That back view… looks like Air Groove-senpai?"
Kitasan Black and Satono Diamond also turned to look.
Seeing the back of a short black-haired horse girl, they observed for a moment. Satono Diamond nodded.
"Yeah… Did Air Groove-senpai come shopping around here today too?"
"Maybe the university division wasn't busy today."
After guessing, Satono Crown looked at Kitasan Black.
"Then Kitasan, we'll… Kitasan? Do you have something to talk to Air Groove-senpai about?"
"Ah… Eh? Ah, no, it's nothing…"
Kitasan Black pulled her gaze back, paused for a moment, then unconsciously looked back again.
Beside the short black-haired horse girl was another horse girl's back.
However, it wasn't black hair, but long brown hair with some gradient coloring.
"…It's nothing."
Pulling her gaze back once more, Kitasan Black smiled and waved at the Satono sisters.
"Then I'll head back to the dorm. See you on Monday, Crown-chan, Diamond-chan!"
---
Bonus chapters
200 Stones - 1 chapter
400 Stones - 2 chapter
600 Stones - 3 chapters
And so on
Also visit my patreon for 30 advance chapters!
patreon.com/liztl