T/N: Just wanna give a shout out to Lizzerik for joining my membership
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On the edge of the track at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, a golden-haired Uma Musume and a pink-haired Uma Musume stood side by side.
The pink-haired Uma Musume pointed to the long straight track ahead and nodded with a smile.
"To adapt to this racecourse, the best choice is the Prix Ganay. It's the opening race of the annual G1 series. Although the distance is 2100 meters, many parts of the track are the same as those of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In past races, many seniors who won this race also went on to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same year. My Trainer told me all of this."
She spoke in French.
After a moment of silent contemplation, the golden-haired Uma Musume—Orfevre—replied in a cold tone, also in French.
"I remember your schedule last year included the Prix Ganay, Prince of Wales's Stakes, and Ruby Stakes... but it wasn't arranged that way the year before last, and it isn't this year either?"
"The year before last was the Classic Year, so of course it was different," the pink-haired Uma Musume replied matter-of-factly. "As for this year, it was my Trainer's suggestion. She said I needed to adjust my condition further, so I didn't register for this race. My first race will be in May."
After explaining, she asked curiously, "But didn't you say before that Japan had no plans for an Overseas Expedition this year? Why did you suddenly drag me here today? It can't be that someone is coming to France to race, can it? But don't you have a very important G1 in the next two months?"
Orfevre nodded slightly. "In April and May, for the Classic generation, there's the Satsuki Sho and Oka Sho. For the older generation, there's the Tenno Sho (Spring)..."
As she spoke, her expression shifted, and she rubbed her forehead.
"Speaking of which, a certain guy is currently preparing for the Tenno Sho (Spring)..."
"A certain guy? Which guy...?" The pink-haired Uma Musume looked startled.
Suddenly, Orfevre's phone rang. She took it out, glanced at the screen, and the corner of her lips curled upward.
"What a coincidence... Do you want to say a few words to a certain guy?"
With a curious expression, the pink-haired Uma Musume leaned over and quickly saw a silver-gray-haired Uma Musume wearing gray earmuffs on the video call screen.
"Ah, so it's Gold Ship."
She waved enthusiastically at the screen. "Long time no see, Gold Ship. How have you been recently?"
"Hello? Orfevre? Can you hear me? Over!"
A greeting came from the phone first.
A moment later, an exclamation followed.
"Wait! Orfevre?! Why are you with that Orfevre?!"
...A little while later.
"Kita-chan... that's the junior you mentioned before, right?"
Orfevre, still on the screen, casually glanced at Kitasan Black beside Gold Ship and nodded.
"She won the Satsuki Sho... very good strength. For the Training Race ahead of the Japanese Derby... that's no problem. By the way, pay attention to the Tenno Sho (Spring). Don't go running some messy race for me."
Then, ignoring Gold Ship's indignant shouts of "What right do you, who only ran 11th in the Tenno Sho (Spring), have to say that?!", Orfevre's gaze turned to the others.
"Good morning... No, it should be evening in Japan by now. Good evening, Tokai Teio, McQueen. My European inspection is almost over. I'll return to Japan in a while. The Director and Deep Impact should both be in Japan already?"
Hearing these words, although still looking displeased, Gold Ship reluctantly handed the phone to Tokai Teio.
"Hello? Can you hear me? Thank you for your hard work, Orfevre."
After greeting, Tokai Teio quickly put on her serious working expression.
"The Director arrived yesterday. She was responsible for many matters concerning the Satsuki Sho. Deep Impact is still in Dubai, but she said before that she would also be back around this time."
"I understand. I will contact you when I return."
On the screen, after nodding, Orfevre ended the video call.
Handing the phone back to the resentful-looking Gold Ship, Tokai Teio looked at Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black with a relieved expression.
"In that case, Kita-chan's upcoming Training Race will be fine. You should all be clear about Orfevre's strength, and..."
She pondered for a moment.
"It just so happens that Deep Impact is also returning to Japan. I can try to talk to her and see if she has time to help Kita-chan. This can be considered my way of making up for not being able to spare time to help Kita-chan myself."
Yasui Makoto had no doubt about Tokai Teio's words.
As the Classic Triple Crown that determines the pinnacle of a generation, each Uma Musume only has one chance to challenge it in her lifetime. Winning any one of them means defeating tens of thousands of opponents from the same generation. To win all three races, there is no doubt that one can be said to stand at the peak of their generation.
Since the Twinkle Series began, there have only been seven such Uma Musumes.
Orfevre and Deep Impact are two of them.
The former indeed comes from the Gold Family, rumored to have an eccentric personality and bizarre behavior, but there is absolutely no problem with her strength. She not only won the Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, and Kikuka Sho in her Classic Year but also claimed the Arima Kinen, which gathered strong competitors at the end of the year. The Arima Kinen does not have age restrictions like the Classic Triple Crown, and winning this championship meant she had the strength to overpower senior competitors at that time.
The latter not only won the Classic Triple Crown but is also one of the few "7G1 Uma Musumes," having won a total of seven G1 championships in her career. The strength of such Uma Musumes is definitely beyond doubt.
More importantly, with Japanese Derby championship experience, it can be expected that Kitasan Black will learn a considerable amount by having a Training Race with them.
For such a degree of kindness, Yasui Makoto found no reason to refuse.
"Thank you all very much. I will do my best to prepare for this Training Race."
Yasui Makoto solemnly promised and then pondered for a moment.
Compared to other schools, the various positions in the Tracen Academy Student Council are actually a type of work. Tokai Teio, as the President, is responsible for overall coordination and arrangements, as well as races in Japan. Mejiro McQueen's main job is to assist in this part.
In recent years, the industry has attached increasing importance to races outside Japan. As another Vice President, Deep Impact's job is to focus on Overseas Expeditions. Orfevre is the Student Council's Overseas Race Committee member, and her job is to cooperate with Deep Impact.
From what was heard just now, Deep Impact should have been in charge of races in Dubai during this period, while Orfevre went to Europe.
As I recall, the URA has no plans for an Overseas Expedition this year, so these two Uma Musumes should not have much work after returning to Japan. Of course, it is also possible that they will take on race work in Japan, so to confirm the situation, Yasui Makoto asked:
"Then can I understand their specific arrangements after they return to the Student Council? That would make it easier to arrange?"
"Well..."
Tokai Teio unconsciously exchanged glances with Mejiro McQueen and shook her head.
"In principle, I can't explain too much, but don't worry, it won't affect the Training Race. Trainer Yasui, you just need to focus on helping Kita-chan train well. McQueen and I will help you figure out the rest."