When they got home, Wuyou did what he always did and made dinner for Mr. C.B.
Unlike yesterday's mushroom hotpot—the kind you had to endure rather than enjoy—everything he cooked tonight was exactly what she liked.
Mr. C.B. rarely volunteered to step into the kitchen, but this time she did, helping with the prep. The two of them cooked while chatting idly, the atmosphere light and comfortable.
At the table, Mr. C.B. swallowed a bite of juicy hamburg steak and asked, "By the way, Wuyou—how many Umamusume are you planning to take responsibility for?"
Trainer shortages were common these days. One-to-many teams weren't unusual at all—especially for a trainer as capable as Wuyou.
Mr. C.B. understood that, and didn't show any resistance.
Wuyou set his chopsticks down. He felt it really was time to have a serious talk with her about this.
He asked instead, "C.B., do you know what's different about teams now compared to before?"
Mr. C.B. tilted her head. She didn't know much about that side of things.
Seeing her expression, Wuyou began to "teach."
A trainer would handle multiple Umamusume, and those Umamusume would naturally form a small squad.
But in the past, squads were mostly just administrative labels for registration and management—nothing more.
Even the so-called "strongest team" back then was only "strong" because each member had exceptional individual honors and ability.
Two years ago, however, the rules were reformed—and squads gained a real purpose.
"Team races?" Mr. C.B. mumbled around a carrot stick.
"Exactly. Team races."
Wuyou placed a piece of meat into her bowl and continued, "The competition is divided into five races: sprint, mile, middle distance, long distance, and dirt."
"Each team can send up to three Umamusume per race. First place earns one point, and the first team to reach three points wins."
Mr. C.B. nodded that she understood, then asked, "But what's the point of team races?"
"On one hand, the winning team earns points. Once registered with URA, those points determine your tier ranking."
"Ooh—so it's basically ranked matchmaking. And the other hand?"
"The most important part," Wuyou said, "is that team race results are also used as a screening condition for entry into certain major events. For example… the Arima Kinen."
The moment she heard "Arima Kinen," Mr. C.B.'s expression sharpened, and she set her chopsticks down.
The Arima Kinen.
In Japan's racing world—and even on the world stage—it held a uniquely revered, almost sacred status.
It was widely regarded as "one of Japan's most important races," and together with the Japanese Derby in spring, it represented the pinnacle of Japanese racing prestige.
Its status was so high largely because of three "special" qualities.
First: a nationwide festival.
Participants were determined by popular vote. That meant it transcended pure competition and became a national celebration—an enormous popularity election that reflected public sentiment.
Second: the year-end grand settlement.
As the season finale, it drew the year's most outstanding stars across age groups into one arena.
Classic Triple Crown champions. Spring and Autumn Tenno Sho dominators. Takarazuka Kinen winners. Even famous Umamusume returning from overseas campaigns.
Many legends also chose it as their retirement race—closing their careers with one last, definitive statement.
Third: massive commercial influence and historical significance.
A vote-selected "all-star" event carried enormous commercial value.
Advertising investment, merchandising, broadcast revenue—every part of the industry was impacted.
Back then, Symboli Rudolf's victory at the Arima Kinen sent her already towering fanbase climbing even higher.
But… deciding eligibility purely by fan count also had obvious flaws.
So two years ago—pushed forward by Symboli Rudolf, backed by Tracen Academy—eligibility criteria for many races began to be systematized.
And the Arima Kinen was one of the first to change.
Fanbase size. Individual honors. Industry influence. Team results.
Among these, team results carried a smaller weight—but they could not be ignored.
Mr. C.B. rubbed her smooth chin thoughtfully. "So whether you're a trainer or an Umamusume, if you want to stand on bigger stages, you have to play team races…"
"Exactly."
Then her eyes gleamed, and she asked in a teasing tone, "So, Wuyou—how many Umamusume are you planning to recruit for your team?"
Wuyou scratched his cheek, looking a little awkward.
The Chairwoman had asked him to take on as many talented Umamusume as possible—to become the new standard-bearer among trainers.
If he did the math…
He might actually fill the maximum quota.
Fifteen.
"Wuyou~" Mr. C.B. drawled, smiling sweetly. "You don't look like it, but your stamina is surprisingly impressive."
"…Could you not phrase it like that?"
"Haha~ I just like watching you make that face."
When she saw Wuyou blush again, Mr. C.B. clapped her hands, satisfied.
Realizing he'd been "played with" yet again, Wuyou cleared his throat and tried to hide how warm his cheeks had gotten.
"So, C.B., do you understand now? We've got a long road ahead."
Mr. C.B. propped her cheek on one hand, still smiling at him. "I understand. So besides me and Oguri Cap, do you have anyone else in mind?"
She'd already taken it for granted that Oguri Cap would join Wuyou's team.
Wuyou fell silent, thinking for a moment, then shook his head.
"Not yet. I'm planning to pick five Umamusume first as the initial squad. The remaining ten can come later."
"Ooh~ So you really are going to take all fifteen," Mr. C.B. said, grinning. "That 'harem' is huge."
"..."
Teased again, even Wuyou felt the urge to win one back.
And conveniently, she'd handed him an opening.
Wuyou's smile turned faintly mischievous. He tapped his knuckles lightly against his chin and wore the kind of expression a refined noble young lady might use while saying, How adorable.
"Fifteen, huh. So that means, C.B., you…"
He didn't finish the sentence—he didn't have to. The meaning was obvious.
Fifteen meant she'd counted herself into the "harem" she'd just mentioned.
As expected, Mr. C.B.'s face instantly turned bright red. Her horse ears shot straight up, and even her tail swished lightly behind her.
"Wuyou… if you keep doing that, I'm going to get mad."
She said it, but her ears didn't fold back at all.
Wuyou knew when to stop. Pressing an advantage too far was how you got punished later. He smiled. "Alright. From here on out, that's for me—the trainer—to figure out. You just focus on training."
Since he didn't pursue the attack, Mr. C.B. let out a quiet breath of relief. "Got it Then I'm counting on you, Trainer"
But deep down, she swore it to herself:
I'll remember this. One day, I'm getting you back.
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