Uma Musume: From Being Knocked Ten Meters Away

Chapter 616 Spoken Foreign Languages?

Arima Kinen's clamor and glory were like a boulder thrown into a lake, creating ripples that continued to reverberate throughout the horse racing world for a long time.

Newspaper headlines, television features, and heated online discussions—almost all eyes were on the year-end extravaganza and the rising star who had achieved such a feat.

However, Treson Academy, which was at the center of the storm, gradually calmed down. As the end of the year approached, the rhythm within the academy was gradually pulled back to the reality that no student could escape:
In the midst of intense preparation for final exams.

There aren't many races at the end of the year, and the racehorses that have been competing all year need to rest at this time.

As a result, the shouts and cheers on the training field were gradually replaced by the rustling of pens scratching across paper in the library and classrooms, as well as the hushed whispers of reciting or discussing homework.

In the corridor, the female racehorses, carrying thick stacks of notes and reference books, hurried along, their faces less excited than usual after training and more thoughtful and calm.

Next to the elaborate poster commemorating Arima, the exam schedules for each subject and the opening hours of the study rooms were quietly posted on the bulletin board.

The scorching excitement of the season that permeated the air seemed to be replaced by a more restrained, yet equally compelling, pressure.

That was the pressure of an approaching exam, the anxiety of needing to firmly etch formulas, theorems, foreign language vocabulary, and historical dates into one's mind.

That day, in a corner of the academy library by the window, a long table was piled high with textbooks and notes.

Northern Genko, biting her pen, was working on a math problem with a furrowed brow, while Satomi Hikari quietly explained the steps to her beside her.

Across from them, Satomi Crown, Roaring Thunder, and Takasho Junyi were also engrossed in their studies, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones.

Satomi Hikaru's pen tip gently touched the geometric figures in the workbook, the sound gentle and clear:
"...Therefore, we need to first use the Law of Cosines to find the length of the diagonal, because we need the sin value, and then use the Law of Sines to derive the sine value of the angle we are looking for."

"Oh, I see... Hmm, I understand!"

Northern Black Steed suddenly understood, a smile spreading across his face as he energetically clenched his fist:
"Thank you, Drill!"

Her voice was a bit loud, so Hikari Satomi quickly raised her finger. She was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly covered her mouth, looked around, and only after realizing that she hadn't disturbed anyone else did she silently breathe a sigh of relief and pat her chest.

At the same time, Satomi Kouma across from him smiled and looked up:
"Xiao Bei has made great progress recently. She used to get stuck on these kinds of problems that require comprehensive application of theorems, but now she understands them immediately."

"Because of everyone's help..."

Northern Black Horse scratched its head sheepishly:
"Besides... I don't want to fall behind in my studies. I need to work hard in training and competitions, but I can't neglect my studies either."

She paused, as if suddenly remembering something, and looked at everyone with bright eyes:

"By the way, speaking of competitions... Ah Zhen... uh, the trainer said that after next spring, we might have to go on an overseas expedition."

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere around the table immediately became lively.

"Overseas?" Satomi Kō's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Kita, you're going to try your hand at overseas competitions too?"

Gao Shangjunyi and Ming Shengleidong also slightly widened their eyes.

The former opened his mouth, but no sound came out; his eyes revealed curiosity and admiration.

The latter nodded with a thoughtful and reminiscent expression, his eyes shining:
"Overseas...the players there are very strong. Xiao Bei, keep it up."

Satomi Kouzumi, equally surprised, gave a gentle smile:

"Going overseas? That's a great option, Xiao Bei. But..." She changed the subject slightly, her tone becoming slightly concerned:
"The competition environment overseas is very different from that in Japan, and language and culture are also major issues."

"And in terms of foreign languages, while your written scores are fine, your spoken scores..."

As soon as Satomi Hikari finished speaking, Kita Genko's face fell instantly, as if his most sore spot had been hit, and he wilted a bit:

"Oral language..."

She scratched her head and sighed:

"Don't even mention it, Xiaozuan. As for foreign languages... I can barely manage the written tests, but when I try to speak, my tongue feels like it's tied in knots. I have absolutely no idea how to organize my thoughts into sentences..."

"Indeed, foreign languages... can be very difficult to learn sometimes."

Hikari Satomi nodded in empathy:

"Then... I actually plan to participate in the Arc de Triomphe Award next year, which means... I will also go abroad."

Upon hearing this, apart from Satomi Takako, Kita Genko and the others were surprised again, and Satomi Hikari continued:
"Since we both have to deal with foreign language problems, why don't we learn English and French together? If we encourage each other, the results might be better."

"Really? That's too...!"

The Northern Black Steed immediately regained its fighting spirit, but then realized that it had inadvertently raised its voice a little too high, so it quickly lowered it:
"Great... Then, let's cheer each other on, Little Diamond..."

“Hmm, we can help too,” Satomi Kou said thoughtfully. “Although I don’t speak French, my English is okay, and… it’s supposed to be an overseas expedition, but Kou, you haven’t decided on the specific schedule yet?”

“Yes, yes,” Beifang Xuanju nodded quickly, “We need to discuss it with Azhen later before announcing the actual match schedule.”

“That’s it,” Satomi Kōhō said, his spirits lifting. “Then maybe Coach Yasui will consider going to Hong Kong for the competition, and then we’ll have to consider the Chinese language.”

"As for Chinese... I feel it's more difficult to learn, but I still know a little bit, so we can practice Chinese conversations together, at least practice everyday phrases."

“My foreign language skills… only English is alright,” Gao Shangjunyi suggested quietly, “but I… I can help with practice sessions and also help find information…”

“Well, my English is pretty good too,” Ming Sheng Lei Dong tilted his head and thought for a moment. “When I was in Europe, I always communicated in English, and I also know a little French, so I can help.”

"That's...that's wonderful..."

Controlling her voice, Beifang Xuanju's eyes suddenly lit up. She clasped her hands together and looked at her friends gratefully:
"Thank you so much everyone. With your help, I feel like I'm not afraid of any language anymore... It's settled then, let's practice together!"

So in the days that followed, in addition to reviewing and preparing for exams, these horse racing girls added foreign language learning as a group activity.

After each review session or during their regular special training time, they would get together to memorize vocabulary, read texts, and try out simple conversations.

But Northern Xuanju's problem remains stubborn; her spoken foreign language is still fragmented, and when she gets anxious, her words and grammar fly off in disarray.

To solve this problem, Kita Genko started taking Satomi Hikari to learn from those with overseas experience.

They found the golden ship that always seemed "unreliable" but had sailed past the Arc de Triomphe.

(End of this chapter)