Just like in the other world, Uma Musus use specialized running shoes equipped with "horseshoes" on the soles to further enhance performance. So horseshoes even have special effects.
Belno Light, coming from a "Uma Musu specialty sports store," clearly had a lot of knowledge about this. At the "horseshoe section" near the shoe racks, she rummaged through the selection, muttering to herself yet sounding as if she were instructing Oguri Cap:
"Our training horseshoes are generally made heavier for durability. They often use extrely soft steel that's hard to wear down."
"Competition horseshoes should be as light as possible, so they're basically made from alloy materials. Their weight is at most one-third that of soft steel!"
"But that makes them less durable. With Oguri Cap's leg strength, a few full sprints might wear them out, so it's better to buy a few extra."
"I think this 'Victory Iron' brand will do. The steel plate core is sturdy. Or the 'Queen Skirt' brand works too!"
Hearing Belno Light speak so confidently, Kitahara nodded quietly.
As a trainer, he knew how important horseshoes were for Uma Musus, but if it were up to him to choose, he'd need to check references and still wouldn't know nearly as much as Belno Light.
"Even though she grew up in a sports store, knowing this much is impressive… unexpectedly, she has a talent for specialized equipnt," he thought.
While speaking, Belno Light selected a few horseshoes, taking them from the rack. She turned to Oguri Cap with a smile:
"So, Oguri Cap, which one do you think is best?"
The dispirited aura had completely vanished. Oguri Cap stared blankly at Belno Light, her expression saying: "I don't really understand what you just said, but it sounds impressive."
Belno Light, feeling a little embarrassed under the gaze, tilted her head away and then looked back. "Uh… what is it, Oguri?" she unconsciously changed how she addressed her.
"…How should I say this… Belno Light knows so much," Oguri Cap said earnestly. "Just as amazing as Kitahara."
Belno Light blushed even more, curling her index finger and scratching her cheek. "Ah… I told you, my family owns a sports store. I grew up seeing all this, so I know a little…"
"And I hope what I've said can help you, Oguri."
"Kitahara is amazing, and your speed is amazing too!"
…Hearing Belno Light, Oguri Cap said nothing. She held the shoes Belno Light had chosen for her, hugging them gently and stroking them slowly.
…I must, I must win. This debut race—I have to win.
While the two racehorse girls talked, Kitahara quietly watched with a smile.
He didn't yet know whether he would one day achieve his dream and beco an outstanding trainer.
But he believed that he would never forget this warm, heartfelt mont with the first two racehorse girls to join his team.
"All right, Oguri, talk more with Belno Light about the horseshoes," Kitahara said, turning. "I'll put the credit card over there. You can use it when you check out. Just bring it back to afterward."
Without waiting for an answer, he walked straight to the register and handed the card to the cashier:
"When those two Uma Musus check out, use this card… oh, right."
He gestured with his hand and pointed his thumb at the pink cat shoes Oguri Cap had wanted:
"Wrap those up first. Later, we'll give them to the silver-haired Uma Musu."
…
After buying the running shoes, both Oguri Cap and Belno Light were very happy.
Especially Oguri Cap. She was thrilled that Kitahara had bought the pink cat shoes she liked. She seriously promised Kitahara:
"Kitahara, when you teach things from now on, I won't fall asleep… I'll try my best, I'll really try."
Kitahara was happy at first, but soon a headache crept in.
Not because of her lack of confidence, but because of the cost of this shopping trip.
Two pairs of running shoes for Oguri Cap, and five sets of plywood horseshoes—it cost him several months of his inco.
The base salary of a local trainer wasn't high. Apart from race winnings, there were few subsidies. The monthly salary was only 50,000 yen, roughly 2,500 yuan.
As a previously idle bachelor in Hashima District, that salary was decent. But this shopping spree cost 140,000 yen at once, aning Kitahara would have to be frugal for a long ti.
After a brief mont of worry, he felt at ease.
He believed that once he trained a lot of outstanding Uma Musus, money would never be a problem.
The Uma Musu industry was an integrated system, roughly divided into training, racing, and idol-related rchandise.
The main inco for Uma Musu and trainers ca from these three areas.
In training, Uma Musus could receive scholarships and stipends from Tracen Academy, and trainers earned academy wages.
In racing, inco ca from prize money based on rankings, scores, and training achievents.
Idol rchandise was more complex.
Uma Musus could hold concerts, fan etings, endorsents, and licensed rchandise sales. Inco from these ca from company shares, with both racehorse girls and trainers getting a cut.
Additional inco existed as well.
For example, Gold City, a currently active racehorse girl, was a well-known fashion model. Her gorgeous golden hair and elegant deanor attracted countless designers. Just doing magazine covers guaranteed her inco.
And her manager? Her trainer.
Other common career paths for Uma Musus included jobs related to racing talents, such as trainers and researchers, and the safety sector, like police or firefighters.
Uma Musus' physical strength and pure, kind nature made them ideal for protecting the public.
Their prominence in safety jobs earned them societal goodwill and trust.
These roles also provided inco, and so trainers would beco instructors for wages and subsidies.
In short, Kitahara firmly believed Oguri Cap would attract attention one day, and he wouldn't lack resources either.
Instead of worrying, he should focus on improving himself to give Oguri Cap better training and guidance.
After buying the shoes, under Kitahara's plan, Oguri Cap and Belno Light began their specialized training.
Oguri Cap practiced race details, like starting techniques, cornering, and her ankle strength exercises.
Belno Light's routine was simpler. As a racehorse girl in the early stage of "Seishun Phase," she needed to eat, sleep, and train well to build stamina and endurance, preparing for her debut race.
Kitahara didn't idle either. Besides coaching the two girls, he studied for Central Tracen Academy exams, even preparing notes to review during training sessions.
Ti flew, and soon it was May.
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