After morning classes ended, Kitasan Black, as usual, prepared to walk to the Tracen Academy cafeteria with Satono Diamond.
"Kita-chan, excuse me, wait a minute," Satono Diamond said to Kitasan Black, then jogged toward a black-haired Umamusume standing near the door of the next classroom.
Kitasan Black stood there, watching from afar as Satono Diamond briefly spoke with the Umamusume before returning to her side.
"Dia-chan, that's…"
"That's also from the Satono family. Her name is Satono Crown; I always call her Crown-chan," Satono Diamond introduced to Kitasan Black.
"But I feel like I've never seen her before."
Kitasan Black had volunteered at Satono Diamond's house when she was little, and the two hit it off immediately, quickly becoming close friends.
Kitasan Black was very familiar with everyone in Satono Diamond's family, but she did not recall Satono Crown.
"Crown-chan only recently returned from abroad to join Tracen Academy."
"I see." Kitasan Black understood.
"Um... Kita-chan, can you go to the cafeteria by yourself today? My parents are at the academy, and I need to go to the student council office."
"Huh? Dia-chan's parents? What happened?" Kitasan Black asked in surprise.
"Nothing much. It's just that my parents are a little worried about our trainer, so..." Satono Diamond hesitated.
"I see. Well then, Dia-chan, go ahead."
Kitasan Black was very clever and immediately understood what Satono Diamond meant.
"See you in the activity room!"
"Goodbye, Dia-chan."
--
Meanwhile, in the student council office, Student Council President Rudolf Symboli was talking with Satono Diamond's parents.
"You two came here to see Satono's trainer, Ms. Sakura, right?" Rudolf Symboli asked, looking at Satono Diamond's father.
"That's right. After all, I originally wanted her to join Rigil, but Dia-chan joined a team I'd never heard of, which makes me very worried," said Satono Diamond's father.
"TCB has what are considered the two strongest Umamusumes currently racing: Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen," Rudolf Symboli reminded him.
These two are renowned Umamusumes not only in the school but throughout the entire racing world.
One is Tokai Teio, who achieved an undefeated treble, and the other is Mejiro McQueen from the Mejiro family, whose status in the umamusume world is far higher than that of the Satono family. She won the Tenno Sho four times in a row and holds the title of the strongest long-distance Umamusume.
How could Satono Diamond's father say he had never heard of TCB?
"Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen are indeed very talented, but I am still a little worried about whether Dia-chan can be properly trained under her. After all, Dia-chan is the jewel of the Satono family." Satono Diamond's father still had some concerns.
"Um… excuse me, do you two know Kitasan Black?" Rudolf Symboli asked.
"Of course we know her. Kitasan has been Dia-chan's friend since she was very young."
"Yesterday was the Debut race for her. She not only won the Debut title by a large margin, but also broke the Turf 1800m Debut record, improving it by 2.65 seconds. Are you aware of this?"
"What? This is the first time I've heard of this!" Satono Diamond's father showed an extremely shocked expression upon hearing Rudolf Symboli's words.
Kitasan Black was basically raised by Satono Diamond's parents, who both adored this always energetic Umamusume.
However, Satono Diamond's parents did not believe Kitasan Black possessed greater running talent than Satono Diamond, so their first reaction upon hearing Rudolf Symboli's words was disbelief.
However, Satono Diamond's father did not voice his doubts aloud, realizing that the person speaking to him was none other than the "Emperor," Rudolf Symboli.
Rudolf Symboli chuckled softly, observing the indescribable shock on Satono Diamond's parents' faces.
"I think you two have absolutely no reason to doubt Trainer Sakura's abilities. Although I'm not on her team, I still have high hopes for Ms. Sakura's abilities as a trainer."
"This…" Satono Diamond's father suddenly hesitated.
Rudolf Symboli's opinion alone certainly was not enough to completely convince Satono Diamond's father.
However, when it came to matters related to umamusume, Satono Diamond's father really had no right to refute what Rudolf Symboli had said.
The Satono family, as a family active in the Umamusume racing industry, was in no way inferior to Mejiro McQueen's Mejiro family in terms of strength.
However, in terms of umamusume talent, the Satono family was far behind the Mejiro clan.
The reason for this was that the Satono clan had never produced a G1 race winner in Umamusume racing.
Therefore, Satono Diamond's father had high hopes for Satono Diamond, as well as for Satono Crown, who had just returned from abroad at Tracen Academy.
The Satono family was eager to have a G1 race-winning Umamusume to bolster their credentials in the umamusume world.
At that moment, there was a gentle knock on the student council room door, and Sakura Baimu and Satono Diamond entered.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries with Satono Diamond's parents and Rudolf Symboli, Rudolf Symboli left the student council room, leaving them a private space to talk.
"Hello, you two. Are you Dia-chan's parents?"
Sakura Baimu maintained a rather formal demeanor when meeting her teammate's parents, not displaying her usual carefree and unrestrained nature.
"Trainer Sakura, hello. Please have a seat."
Satono Diamond's father gestured to the seat opposite him, indicating that Sakura Baimu should sit down.
"I suppose you already understand why we've come to see you."
"You want to test my abilities as a trainer, is that it?" Sakura Baimu smiled and nodded slightly.
"That's right. You're too young, barely an adult at most. This is only your fourth year as a trainer, and I'm worried about whether you can train Dia-chan well."
"Regarding that, I think you do not need to worry. I believe Dia-chan's future achievements will be no less than those of the Teio and McQueen."
"That's right. Miss McQueen and Miss Teio were both trained by Trainer-san, and Kita-chan won the Debut yesterday!"
Satono Diamond added to Sakura Baimu, now very worried that Sakura Baimu would harbor resentment because of her parents' doubts.
"A promise made in words isn't enough to convince anyone," Satono Diamond's father shook his head.
"I'll make one condition: if you can do that, I'll agree to let Dia-chan train with you."
"Please go ahead," Sakura Baimu nodded with a smile.
As long as it was not an absurd request, like Satono Diamond beating McQueen, she felt she could definitely do it.
"I hope Dia-chan can win the Debut title in the Turf 2000m race in Kyoto at the end of the month and, like Kita-chan, cross the finish line by a large margin and break the Debut record," Satono Diamond's father said.
"Huh? Father, this isn't what we agreed on!" Satono Diamond panicked upon hearing her father's words.
Didn't we agree that winning the championship would be enough? Why does she have to cross the finish line by such a large margin and break the record?
"Since Ms. Sakura enabled Kitasan Black to achieve this, then Diamond, you should be able to achieve the same."
Satono Diamond wanted to say something more, but she was interrupted by Sakura Baimu's smiling wave.
"I agree."
"Good." Satono Diamond's father smiled upon hearing Sakura Baimu's quick agreement. "As expected of Ms. Sakura, known as the youngest genius trainer, you're certainly confident."
Sakura Baimu looked at Satono Diamond's slightly pale face and reached out to pat her head.
"Don't worry, I have faith in Dia-chan."
"But… but that competition… I heard Leukerbad from the Leuker family is also participating!"