While Imanami had never personally ridden on Gold Ship like Wada and Ikezoe, as an old veteran who had witnessed the many highs and lows of the Japanese horse racing industry, Gold Ship would be ranked among the top most miraculous Racehorses he had ever seen.
It was pretty obvious why— Gold Ship was as perfect of a result one could hope for when combining the Gold and Mejiro bloodlines.
In Imanami's opinion, Gold Ship was the one that truly deserved the title of being the 'crystallization of the essence of the Japanese Horse Racing scene.'
He was unlike Deep Impact, who despite being praised to the high heavens, didn't have any connection to Japan other than being born there.
On the other hand, the Gold bloodline could be easily traced back to Sunday Silence, while the Mejiro bloodline, though much more ancient, can still be traced back to Japan.
Gold Ship managing to inherit the best parts of both worlds made him a true miracle of Japan.
And Gold Ship did not disappoint Imanami and the others.
From the very beginning of his career, he showed great intelligence, managing to quickly adapt to many running styles and track conditions.
Although the Gold bloodline's signature fiery temper made him somewhat difficult to handle, that was not Imanami's concern; the trainer and the Jockey were the ones who had to deal with it.
Although one would expect Gold Ship to be problematic, perhaps due to him being a stable hand, Gold Ship's attitude towards Imanami was much better than towards his trainers or Jockeys.
Maybe it was because Imanami was the one who cared for him every time he returned to the stable tired after a race; maybe it was because Imanami looked like a carrot due to all of his wrinkles, who knows?
Regardless, although Gold Ship still acted mischievous at times, some of which were even a bit dangerous, he ultimately never harmed Imanami even once.
And with the many years they had spent time together, Gold Ship's significance in Imanami's heart became no inferior to that of Orfevre to Ikezoe or T.M. Opera O to Wada.
Now, with these Uma Musume being the incarnations of their beloved Racehorses, how could Imanami not give them the same love he had once given them before?
"I know, I know. I have never once doubted your feelings for Gold Ship, and I'm sure Gold Ship understands this better than I do. I just want to chat with you about her."
Stay Gold had a small smirk as she acknowledged Imanami.
"Little Gold Ship... even among us sisters, is extremely peculiar."
"She's very different from the rest of us: she has white gray hair, she's tall, she's smart— really, she's practically the opposite of us."
"It's also because of this that whenever I leave for an expedition, I'll always entrust the Gold Family to Little Gold Ship to manage— not because I'm a lazy bum though, just to make it clear."
"...Although she's incredibly competent and responsible, she will never proactively take the leader role. To put it bluntly, she's lazy."
"Indeed, I suppose Gold Ship is just that kind of child."
Imanami chuckled alongside Stay Gold as they continued chatting.
For a moment, these two seemingly young people began to look like parents who were talking about their troublesome, yet loveable child.
If Gold Ship were present, one could only imagine the expression she would have.
For a while, Stay Gold just continued to tell Imanami more and more interesting facts about Gold Ship, allowing him to understand her better.
"...Little Gold Ship's also the only one who can cook. The rest of us just burn the kitchen down when we try. Trainer Imanami, when you have the time, go ask her to make you a late-night snack."
"Her fried noodles are especially superb. Although she sometimes pours mustard into it, we still scramble to eat them whenever we have the chance."
"Mmh, indeed. The cookies Gold Ship baked for me a few times were very delicious."
At this point, the two had gotten engrossed in their chat, a smile unconsciously appearing on Stay Gold's face.
Clearly she was now completely relieved about both Imanami and Gold Ship.
"...It's getting late. Although I still have a lot to tell you, I should leave."
"Trainer Imanami, I know this might sound strange to you... but I entrust Gold Ship's future to you."
Just as sudden as her arrival, Stay Gold turned around and began to walk away gracefully, waving her hand as she left Imanami one final remark,
"Please don't let Little Gold Ship waste her talent. Maybe staying low like this might be what Gold Ship currently wants. But as an Uma Musume, if she never goes all out for victory at least once, wouldn't she feel some regret when she looks back on her youth?"
"By the time Little Gold Ship realizes this regret, she might no longer be able to run at full strength anymore."
"So Trainer Imanami, please become her lighthouse and illuminate where this golden ship should sail to."
With that, Stay Gold finally left, her steps feeling several times lighter than when she first arrived.
How couldn't she feel this way? Two of her most worrisome sisters were finally on the right track!
Stay Gold didn't have to worry much about Ikezoe; Orfevre's path with him to the Classic Triple Crowns was certain.
Although Stay Gold was unsure if they would succeed, at the very least Orfevre seemed guaranteed for greatness, and that was enough.
As for Gold Ship... she was different from Orfevre. While Orfevre needed a motivator, she needed a compass to guide her.
But now, Stay Gold also believed that the position of 'compass' was in the right hands.
"Phewee~ Now, I can finally participate in races without any worries! I feel great! I'll definitely win the next one!"
With gleeful steps, she began to slowly hop away to whoever knows where for her next race.
...
Meanwhile, on Imanami's side, after he bid farewell to Stay Gold, he intended to immediately go meet back up with Gold Ship and the others.
However, just as he was about to do so, a black haired Uma Musume suddenly popped out from around the corner in front of Imanami, a hint of impatience apparent on her face.
"Heyo, Trainer Imanami~ You talked with Stay Gold for so long I almost fell asleep!"
"Nice to meet you. Although I'm sure you already know me, let me introduce myself, my name is Deep Impact."
With confusion all over his face, Imanami had a sudden surprise encounter with the second Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume, whom he had heard about during the Osaka Hai.
Like many others before him, Imanami found Deep Impact's rather friendly and casual demeanor to be puzzling.
Although she looked like an Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume, she sure didn't act like how one would imagine.
Even so, Imanami quickly hid his shock and politely spoke to Deep Impact,
"Miss Deep Impact, may I ask if you are looking for me for something?"
"Yup! I have a question to ask you, it's really important to me~"
Right then, Deep Impact's eyes sparkled as she excitedly rubbed her hands, asking Imanami the question she had always wanted to ask when she first found out about Team Miracle,
"Trainer Imanami, do you have any insights about unleashing an Uma Musume's Aura?"
"...?"
When Imanami heard this question, his puzzled expression grew even more confused.
After all, why would the second Undefeated Classic Triple Crown Uma Musume ask him this?
Luckily, Deep Impact quickly spoke to clear Imanami's confusion.
"To be honest, even now, I can't use Aura at all; I've just been using Zone."
"And today, when I saw that Gold Ship run, I believe that my theory about your team has been confirmed."
As she spoke she dramatically pointed at Imanami while a monocle and a smoking pipe suddenly appeared on Deep Impact's person.
"Your team has a way of unleashing an Uma Musume's Aura, don't you?! Every single one of your team's Uma Musume is able to use Aura, and the compatibility level of all of them is also quite high!"
As if revealing the big twist of some murder mystery, Deep Impact's loud tone made it seem like she was going to arrest Imanami or something.
However, in an instant, Deep Impact suddenly turned meek, politely bowing while presenting a luxurious looking box.
"So, can you please teach me how to awaken my Aura? Pretty please~?"
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I'm once again out of ideas on what to write here
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.