A moment later, the Canopus members, standing by the track, heard footsteps approaching.
They turned around and saw members of TCB.
Then, they were startled to see Mejiro McQueen, her face puffed out and her head turned away in an angry expression, and behind her, her trainer Sakura Baimu, limping and hissing in pain.
The kind-hearted Matikanetannhauser's panic filled face guessed that this strange trainer had probably upset Mejiro McQueen.
She ran to Sakura Baimu's side, her face full of concern, and asked.
"Sakura-san! Are you... are you alright? Are you okay? I'll take you to a doctor."
"Waaah, my Mambo is so kind! If you didn't have a team, I would have definitely added you to mine. Thank you for your concern; I'm fine."
Sakura Baimu thanked the lovely Matikanetannhauser for her concern and let out a series of dry whimpers.
Matikanetannhauser, hearing Sakura Baimu's bluntness and the fact that she called her Mambo, blushed deeply.
Then, seeing Sakura Baimu's seemingly nonchalant attitude, she realized that Sakura Baimu was faking it.
Just as Matikanetannhauser was blushing and at a loss for what to do, she was suddenly pulled back by Nice Nature.
"Don't worry about her; it seems she's been acting crazy every day and finally angered McQueen." Nice Nature covered her mouth, chuckling at Sakura Baimu, finding it quite amusing.
Upon hearing this, Sakura Baimu immediately sat up straight and shouted at Nice Nature.
"Nice Nature? Extremely rude!"
"Eh—! Did I say something wrong?" Nice Nature glared at Sakura Baimu.
After arguing with several Umamusumes from Canopus for a while, Sakura Baimu returned to her group.
Mejiro McQueen was clearly still angry; when she saw Sakura Baimu approaching, she turned her head away, completely ignoring her.
Sakura Baimu found Mejiro McQueen somewhat amusing, then rubbed her still-aching back, her face twitching involuntarily.
"That unlucky kid really went all out..." Sakura Baimu thought to herself.
She could easily understand what Mejiro McQueen was thinking. The way she'd spoken to her just now—it must have taken a tremendous amount of effort; her face was flushed red to the roots of her neck.
Her own response could have easily diffused her shyness and embarrassment.
If she had caught McQueen's throw, she could have gracefully backed down, avoiding losing her already diminished Mejiro family Umamusume authority in front of her teammates.
Afterward, the two tacitly accepted the situation. Sakura Baimu could pat her head anytime—wasn't that wonderful?
But unexpectedly, this idiot completely failed to realize that Sakura Baimu had deliberately said those words and even gave her an over-the-shoulder throw.
Finally, Sakura Baimu came to a conclusion—
For this idiot, arguing without making things clear was pointless.
It might even have the opposite effect.
"I'd like to see how long it takes you to recognize me," Sakura Baimu thought to herself, amused.
--
A competition is currently underway in the arena.
Today, the third day of the competition, is a mock competition involving many Umamusumes.
A total of eight Umamusumes are participating, three of whom are from Pluto Academy.
The competition is now in its later stages. Sakura Baimu observes the position of the gates and determines that this is a 2400m turf race.
"Now in first place is Habimini from Pluto Academy."
"Closely following is Special Week!"
"Habimini, 400 Meter! She's still about four lengths behind Special Week!"
"Special Week, can you catch up?"
Special Week and Habimini are sprinting toward the finish line on the final straight. Seeing this, Tokai Teio cups her hands and shouts to Special Week:
"Spe-chan—! Go for it—!"
"Only 200 Meter left! Special Week is still about four lengths behind. Is this it?!"
Sakura Bakushin O's words had barely left her lips when Special Week's pace faltered; then she suddenly accelerated.
Special Week had already generated considerable momentum during her run, and with a final, controlled step before the finish line, her speed surged dramatically.
"She's exploded! Special Week has exploded! Special Week accelerated in under 200 Meter!"
"Two lengths! One length!"
"Special Week caught up with Habimini!"
"Special Week overtook Habimini!"
"Now, Special Week—"
"Crosses the finish line! Special Week is the champion!!"
Amidst a roar of cheers from the crowd, Special Week ultimately triumphed over Habimini of Tracen Academy by a single length, winning the 2400 Meter turf friendly race.
Several Umamusumes from TCB applauded Special Week from afar.
"Spe-chan's last step is still as powerful as ever! Always able to turn the tide," Tokai Teio said with a smile, clapping.
"Wow~~ That's Derby Umamusume, Special-senpai! So amazing!!" Kitasan Black's eyes lit up, a hint of excitement in them.
"That final acceleration, it was... so amazing! I feel like it's just as good as Teio-san's!" Satono Diamond's golden eyes gleamed as she covered her mouth in surprise.
"What's wrong, Dia-chan? Intrigued?" Sakura Baimu chuckled. "Want to improve your final kick?"
"Yeah, I feel like if I could have a sharp final kick like Teio-san or Special-senpai, I'd be much more confident in future races," Satono Diamond said.
"Hehe, I'll teach you if you want. Trainer-san has been having you train with me, Dia-chan." Tokai Teio grinned at Satono Diamond, her hands behind her head.
"No way."
Sakura Baimu suddenly rejected Satono Diamond's idea. "Teio's knees and ankles are among the most flexible in the academy. Dia-chan, you can't learn her explosive power."
"I see. That's a shame, Dia-chan." Tokai Teio smiled and patted Satono Diamond's shoulder reassuringly.
"But Special Week is different. Her final burst is far more powerful than any other Umamusume's final strike. Special Week's final strike can no longer be called a final strike; it's a higher level of 'full-body, full-spirit.'"
"If you want to learn, going to learn from Special Week isn't a bad idea. If Dia-chan can learn from her, your strength should improve significantly."
"Want to learn? Want to learn? If you want to learn, I'll take you to Spica to find Special Week."
Sakura Baimu suddenly leaned closer to Satono Diamond and asked with a smile.
Perfect timing; she still had a system mission with Special Week that she had never completed.