Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 269 New Year's Worship
A short while later, at Senso-ji Temple in Taito Ward, Tokyo.

Amidst the sea of ​​people worshipping, Yasui Makoto's mother, Misuzu, widened her eyes in astonishment and exclaimed:
"There are so many people in Tokyo..."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Genko and Apricot Eyes to the north:
"Xiao Bei, Xiao Xing Mu, you two have to be careful, don't lose me."

Before arriving at Senso-ji Temple, after being introduced to each other, Kita Genko and Ayame already knew that Kiki Misuzu had come specifically to see Yasui Makoto.

They had arranged to visit Senso-ji Temple yesterday, so after introducing themselves and having a brief chat, they all came here together.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, Kita Genko and Apricot had already noticed that Yasui Makoto's mother didn't act like an elder at all.

Not only is he easygoing, but he also has a very youthful mindset, and you can chat with him completely.

Hearing Meiling's slightly joking tone, Beifang Genko couldn't help but laugh, then nodded hurriedly:

"Don't worry, Meiling-neechan, I promise I won't let you get lost!"

She had gotten used to this form of address, and perhaps it was precisely because of this affectionate way of addressing her that she had recovered from her previous embarrassment.

After making the assurance, with a confident smile on her face, she pointed in the direction of the temple and began to give a familiar introduction, separated from the experienced tour guide:
"Sister, look over there. That's the water shrine. Before we worship, we need to rinse our mouths with clean water there to show our respect for the gods."

"And over there, where the smoke is rising, that's where you burn incense. We can go and buy some incense sticks to offer in a little while."

"After that, we'll go to the coin box. I have some coins here, and we'll go there to pray to the gods."

As the Northern Black Horse explained, the crowd moved slowly forward with the flow of people, washing their hands, offering incense, and making wishes in turn.

After making their wishes, they went to the place to draw lots. Beibu Xuanju stepped forward first, looking excited and expectant, and reached out to draw a lot from the lot box.

Upon opening it, her eyes lit up instantly. She turned to look at Yasui and the others, excitedly shouting:

"I drew the best luck!"

Seeing her excited expression, both Yasui Makoto and Misuzu smiled, while Almond stepped forward excitedly and reached for the lottery tube with anticipation.

A moment later, just like the Northern Black Horse, she happily unfolded her slip of paper to the crowd:
"Although I'm not as lucky as Senior Kobe, I'm still a Chukichi!"

Afterwards, Yasui Makoto and his son Misuzu also stepped forward to draw lots.

Like two younger people, they excitedly opened the slips of paper and showed them to each other. Meiling smiled and said:

"I'm also from Central Kyrgyzstan. It seems like everyone's luck is pretty good... What about you, Zhen? Don't let us down!"

Upon hearing this, Yasui Makoto, who had just unfolded his slip of paper, paused for a moment, then smiled with relief and showed his slip:
"Although it's not auspicious, it's already pretty good if there's no major misfortune or bad luck."

Everyone was very satisfied with the results of the draw.

Afterwards, continuing to act as a tour guide, Beibu Genko led the way to the area selling blessing items, where he bought many souvenirs such as amulets and exorcising arrows.

As the crowds wandered around, admiring the ancient architecture and bustling scene of Senso-ji Temple, many tourists recognized Kita Genko.

Some of the fans, upon recognizing him, immediately blushed with excitement, their eyes sparkling with anticipation, and quickly surrounded him.

"Miss North Genko, I'm a big fan of yours. I...I...may I take a picture with you?"

A boy wearing glasses, who looked like a middle school student, held up his phone with a hopeful expression.

Immediately afterward, a girl dressed in a kimono and with her hair in a bun handed over paper and pen: "Lord Kita! Could you please sign my name? This is really important to me! Please, this is my lifelong request!"

At first, Beibu Genko seemed a little surprised, as if he hadn't expected to meet such enthusiastic fans here.

However, she quickly and maturely responded to each of them.

First, he took the paper and pen and carefully signed his name for the girl, writing each stroke with great care.

Then she stood next to the boy with glasses and they smiled and took a photo together at the camera.

After that came autographs, photos, and various small gifts.

During this time, noticing that Almond looked a little lost, with curiosity and envy in her eyes besides nervousness, Kita Genko's eyes flickered, and he reached out to pull Almond to his side, smiling as he said to the fans:
"Let me introduce you all. This is my junior, Xiao Xingmu!"
"Let's take a picture with Almond-eyed! She's a future star horse racer!"

As she spoke, she turned her head, looked at almond-shaped eyes, and smiled encouragingly:
"If it's almond-shaped eyes, it will definitely become a star in the future, a great racehorse girl, and it will definitely win more races and have more fans."

"So, consider this kind of thing... as practice in advance."

"Or is it that Xiaoxingmu lacks confidence?"

Initially hesitant, upon hearing what Beifang Xuanju said, Xingmu straightened her back immediately, met the curious and expectant gazes of the crowd, and nodded vigorously, saying:

"Of course I'm confident! I, I..."

After pausing for a moment, noticing Kita Genko beside her, and Yasui Makoto and Misuzu a little further away, seeing the encouraging smiles on their faces, she looked again at the tourists and fans and shouted:
"My name is Alimee, and I'll soon be a student at Treson Academy, and after my debut..."

"I will definitely become a racehorse girl who is better and more outstanding than my senior, Genko Kita, and many other seniors!"

There was a moment of surprise in the crowd, which quickly turned into enthusiastic cheers and applause.

Standing to the side, watching Kita Genko and Apricot Eyes, Yasui Makoto gently patted his left shoulder with his right hand, his heart filled with satisfaction.

He knew that although she had not yet officially entered the battle for the Year of the Horse, the Northern Black Horse had undoubtedly grown into a mature and charming racehorse girl.

Under the guidance of this senior's example, her almond-shaped eyes began to subtly reveal their own brilliance.

Also looking in the direction of the two racehorse girls, Misuzu clapped excitedly and exclaimed:
"It seems that Xiao Zhen... really taught them well. Now you can go back and tell your dad so he doesn't have to worry about it anymore."

"I definitely care a lot, but Dad... he just really likes to worry unnecessarily."

Yasui Makoto casually replied, shaking his head slightly: "However, they are already very excellent."

"All I can do is guide them and help them discover their own excellence."

"Yes, that kind of humility is just like me."

She said it half-jokingly and half-seriously, then looked over, and worry appeared in Meiling's eyes:

"However, the trainer who is supposed to be teaching the racehorse girls got injured himself, which is not very good."

"And he deliberately kept it from his family, lying that he was too busy to go back."

"If your dad hadn't been so sharp-eyed and noticed that your arm looked off at the URA party, I would have thought you were perfectly fine."

(End of this chapter)