A little while later, following Special Week's text message, Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black arrived at the Tracen Academy cafeteria. They didn't have to search long before Special Week waved to them from across the room.
"Hey—Kita-chan, Mr. Yasui, over here, over here!"
Yasui Makoto and Kitasan Black waved back. He quickly noticed the Uma Musume sitting beside Special Week. Her long chestnut hair fell like silk to her waist, a white diamond-shaped blaze marking her bangs. A blue bow with red patterns was pinned to her right ear. Her blue eyes were gentle, like sunlight rippling across a shallow sea.
As they approached, the Uma Musume bowed slightly and spoke in a soft voice.
"Mr. Yasui, Kitasan Black, good evening. I am Special Week's friend, Grass Wonder. It's a pleasure to meet you both. Please take care of me."
Before Yasui Makoto could reply, Kitasan Black stepped forward with her usual easy familiarity and offered her hand.
"Mm-hmm! I hear Special Week-senpai talk about you all the time! I've watched a lot of your old races too—you're amazing, senpai!"
"Is that so…? Special Week often talks about Kitasan Black as well."
Grass Wonder smiled, bowed once more, and shook her hand before turning to Yasui Makoto.
"She mentions you quite often, too. She says you're an excellent Trainer, and I completely agree."
"You're too kind. I still have a lot to learn…"
After the pleasantries, Yasui Makoto naturally extended his hand. The moment their palms touched, he paused. His hand lingered a fraction longer than usual as he registered the feel of her skin.
"…Is something wrong, Mr. Yasui?"
Grass Wonder's eyes showed mild surprise, but she didn't seem offended.
"Nothing… I'm probably just hungry and got a bit distracted."
He shook his head, offering a casual excuse.
"Shall we go order?"
Special Week spoke up quickly. "Grass Wonder and I just got here too. If Mr. Yasui's hungry, then Kita-chan must be starving after training."
"Let's go, Grass Wonder. You haven't had the food here in ages, right? Feeling nostalgic?"
"Not really," Grass Wonder replied with a smile. "But I remember you were thrilled when you heard the ingredients were unlimited."
"Grass Wonder still remembers that? Hehe… Of course I'm happy if I can eat as much as I want." Special Week scratched her head sheepishly.
The group chatted as they ordered at the counter and returned to their table. Throughout the meal, Yasui Makoto joined in occasionally, but his fingers kept brushing the palm of his hand—right where it had touched Grass Wonder's.
Her hand had felt distinctive.
Calluses marked the base of her thumb, the outer edge of her palm near the little finger, the bases of her index and middle fingers, and the webbing between her thumb and forefinger. It was the exact pattern left by years of serious kendo practice—not the showy kind, but something with real combat edge. From his own time with extreme stunts and former colleagues who had trained in martial arts before changing careers, Yasui Makoto recognized it immediately.
He hadn't expected someone who looked so gentle and refined to be a kendo practitioner of that level. He had assumed the academy archives and URA publicity were simply highlighting a casual hobby.
After a moment of thought, his mind turned to adjustments for the upcoming Training Race.
Grass Wonder's strength was undeniable. Of her nine career victories, six had come in major races, including four G1s. Wins in the Takarazuka Kinen and two Arima Kinen had made her only the second Uma Musume to claim a Grand Prix triple crown.
Beyond the results, she possessed one of the strongest final spurts of her generation. Uma Musume abilities scaled with training, nutrition, and track conditions. In Special Week and Grass Wonder's era, elite final spurts hovered around thirty-five seconds; now they had tightened to thirty-four. Uma Musume like Duramente and Manhattan Cafe had posted thirty-three-second spurts around their debuts, which helped cement their top-tier popularity.
Yet in the Keio Hai Spring Stakes that year, Grass Wonder had clocked a final three furlongs in 33.3 seconds. She had maintained similar closing speeds—around 34.6 seconds—in the Daily Hai and her Arima Kinen victories.
Improving Kitasan Black's ability to handle that kind of late-race acceleration was one of the key goals for this Training Race.
Lost in thought, Yasui Makoto didn't notice Kitasan Black calling him until she leaned closer.
"…Trainer? Trainer?"
"Huh?"
He looked up to find Kitasan Black peering at him curiously. Special Week and Grass Wonder wore similar expressions of mild surprise.
"What's wrong…?"
"You've been spacing out this whole time," Kitasan Black said, reaching over to touch his forehead, then her own. "You don't have a fever either…"
"Of course I don't have a fever."
It took him a second to process. He leaned back slightly.
"So what exactly is going on…?"
"It's good that you're fine. I'm relieved." Kitasan Black nodded naturally. "I was just asking how you want to arrange things with Grass Wonder-senpai."
He realized she meant the Training Race. Seeing the other two nodding along, he gathered his thoughts.
"I was just thinking about that. The overall plan is set. This Saturday morning, so it won't clash with anyone's schedule. We'll use the wood chip track—easier footing than grass, higher pace, and the slope is perfect practice for the Japanese Derby. Special Week already filled you in on the details, right?"
Grass Wonder smiled and nodded.
"As for positioning, I recall you usually take the 'pre-gap' spot in your races. We'll fine-tune the exact line later, but it should stay in that range. From the race footage, your pursuit ability is outstanding. I was hoping this Training Race could help Kita-chan learn how to respond to that kind of closing speed."
Grass Wonder's expression shifted to surprise, then a hint of trouble as she glanced at Special Week.
"Pursuit ability…? Well…"
"Um, Mr. Yasui, I think there might be a slight misunderstanding…"
Special Week raised her hand like a student in class, looking apologetic.
"The association's materials and our own talks do mention that Grass Wonder's pursuit ability is really strong. But it's not quite 'pursuit' in the general sense. It's more like…" She hesitated, looking to Grass Wonder for help.
"It's limited to when I'm racing against Special Week, you could say."
Grass Wonder offered a small, apologetic bow, her smile returning.
"I can't fully explain it myself, but every time I race with Special Week, I somehow feel just a little faster than usual. That must be what you mean by pursuit ability, Mr. Yasui."