Fuji's POV
Kyoto Racecourse
Phew… I've made it this far—the final stage of the Triple Crown, my biggest hurdle. The longest I've run is 2400m, and I handled that distance fine last time. But today's different—3000m, a huge wall for everyone here. My long-distance aptitude is nothing compared to the others. Yet Hachiman-san made me strong enough to win two crowns. So now… I want to seize this last one!!
♪~♪~♪~
Announcer: "As the sun sets over Kyoto Racecourse, gate loading is smooth. We might see an early start. Fuji Kiseki, in gate 5, position 10, is already settled. She must be feeling the pressure of this Triple Crown race."
Commentator: "She and her trainer said she's ready for 2400m, but 3000m is uncharted territory for everyone."
Announcer: "All but one are in—Summer Suspicion in gate 18 joins easily! Here we go! Will we witness a miracle today, or will another Uma Musume steal the dream? The Chrysanthemum Sho… starts now!! No one's lagging! Leading the pack are Angelo Pateo, Ibuki Yamontagura, and Sunday Well! Signal Light follows, then Mayano Bridge. Tanino Create and Narita King-O are next, with Fuji Kiseki tucked inside! Behind her, Automatic, Dance Partner, and Summer Suspicion! Angelo Pateo and Vessel King lead the front-runners, curving through the first corner to the stands!!"
I've got a good position. This lets me conserve stamina and build my speed! The question is when to break out—maybe halfway through the backstretch?
Announcer: "Into the second corner, heading to the backstretch! Sunday Well leads, Signal Light in second, but Mayano Bridge surges ahead from the outside! Four lengths back, Ibuki Yamontagura, Narita King-O, and Automatic run side by side, with Fuji Kiseki holding a strong position! Tanino Create is close, and Dance Partner and Angelo Pateo are climbing! Vessel King and Toukai Palace stick inside! Tayasu Tsuyoshi, Summer Suspicion, Hokkai Rousseau, and Ibuki Interhigh follow, with Sound Barrier at the rear!!"
Alright, time to inch forward!!
Announcer: "Approaching the third corner's uphill, the pack tightens! Mayano Bridge leads, but Sunday Well and Narita King-O surge! And from the outside, Fuji Kiseki moves!! She shifts from inside to center!! Four are bunched up!! Automatic joins, and Signal Light from the middle!! Dance Partner closes the gap!! Narita King-O leads, but it's tight!! Here's the critical moment!! Rounding the final corner, it's a clash of wills!!!"
Ugh… my legs feel heavy!! But they're still moving!!
Announcer: "Has Fuji Kiseki taken the lead!? Fuji Kiseki's in front!! Dance Partner closes from the outside!! Ibuki Yamontagura and Toukai Palace surge from the middle!! Fuji Kiseki holds on, but the gap is tiny!!"
Fuji: "Haa… haa… ugh!!"
Palace: "Fuji, I'm passing you!!"
Rousseau: "I… can't lose this time!!"
Fuji: "No!! I'm not… giving up!!"
Announcer: "Is Fuji Kiseki struggling!? Fuji Kiseki's struggling!? Toukai Palace and Hokkai Rousseau are charging!! Is this it for Fuji Kiseki!?"
No!! I don't want it to end!! Not here, so close to victory!! I can't lose now!! Just a bit more… just a little… give me strength!!
'You came with Hachiman, didn't you? And you came alone too… I'll lend you a bit of my strength, dear.'
!! What's this? My legs… they're regaining strength!? I've got to use this now!!
Fuji: "HAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
Palace: "What!?"
Rousseau: "You're still pushing!?"
Announcer: "Fuji Kiseki surges again!! She won't yield!! Fuji Kiseki leads!! Half a length ahead, she crosses the finish line!!! Fuji Kiseki did it!!! Triple Crown achieved, Triple Crown achieved!!! A historic moment is born right here!!!"
Fuji: "Haa… haa… haa… haa…"
I… I won… I crossed first… I made it!!
Fuji: "Haa… haa… huh?"
'Nice win, dear. See you later.'
Fuji: "That just now…"
I looked ahead, and someone was standing there… or should've been. I blinked, and they were gone. But I caught one detail: an Uma Musume with a quirky ahoge sticking out from her hair.
Kyoto Race 10: Results
1st: ⑩ Fuji Kiseki – 3:04.6
2nd: ⑰ Toukai Palace – ½ length
3rd: ⑮ Hokkai Rousseau – Head
4th: ⑥ Ibuki Yamontagura – ¾ length
5th: ④ Dance Partner – ¾ length
Afterword
Fuji Kiseki claims her miracle in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Facing the 3000m wall, she draws on Hachiman's training and a mysterious boost—likely his grandma's spirit—to seize the Triple Crown. A legendary race!
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