(Hachiman POV)
"Honestly, you nearly gave me a heart attack, you know?" Mr. C.B. huffed, crossing her arms. "Just when I thought Hachiman had finally come back, I see him hitting on a woman... or so I thought!"
"As if. Why the hell would I be picking up girls at a race venue?"
"Actually," Fuji's mother interjected with a smile, "I was the one who called out to the Trainer. So wouldn't that mean I was the one picking him up? And seeing as he accepted and escorted me all the way here... well, who knows?"
"Hachiman..." C.B. leaned in with a mischievous grin. "I mean, I doubt it, but... just maybe? Are you into married women?"
"I'd love to crack your skull open and see what kind of twisted logic led you to that conclusion," I deadpanned. "You're wrong, you nitwit. And you know you're saying that on purpose."
"Ahaha! Well, maybe~♪"
"But," Rice Shower murmured, looking up at the woman with wide eyes, "she really does look like Fuji-san. It's like seeing exactly what Fuji-san will look like when she grows up."
"Thank you," Fuji's mother said gently. "For such a sweet child, I've left a little present for you. Why don't you check inside your hat?"
"Fue?"
Rice reached up to the hat perched on her right ear and peeked inside. To everyone's shock, she pulled out a pristine blue rose. Wait, can this person just do magic whenever she wants?
"B-Big Brother! There was a blue rose inside Rice's hat! Rice didn't put anything in there!"
"The language of blue roses represents two things: 'Dreams Come True' and 'Miracles,'" Fuji's mother explained, her eyes twinkling. "A prayer and a flower, hoping your dream comes true. Just kidding♪"
"Th-Thank you very much!"
"...Is this where Fuji gets it from?" Air Groove whispered to me, sounding equal parts impressed and exasperated.
"I don't know," I muttered back. "But if personality is genetic, then she definitely inherited it from this mother."
"Yeah. No doubt about it."
"Now then," the mother said, turning her gaze toward the turf. "What kind of race will my daughter show us? It's my first time watching her live, so I'm looking forward to it."
(Hachiman POV End)
(Fuji POV)
[Commentary]
"Specialists of the short distance have gathered here at Nakayama Racecourse, where the air is beginning to feel like autumn! Who will conquer this electric 6-furlong war on the turf?! Will a new force announce a generational change, or will the veterans show their power? 'The sky is high and the Horse Girls are raring to go'—we are excited to see how much they have grown for this season! The first G1 of the autumn, the Sprinters Stakes, is finally about to begin!!"
"..."
It's okay. I'm calm.
I had a detailed meeting with Hachiman yesterday. We even ran simulations. Unless something extreme happens, I just need to concentrate on the race and let it unfold as usual. Just that.
The biggest threat is Flower Park, the one I lost to last time. If she pushes to the front, I'll mark her and control the pace. That should let me advance with the advantage.
"Nnnn... Hah! Alright!"
The fanfare plays.
[Commentary]
"With the arrival of October comes the G1 season. Here at Nakayama, eleven Horse Girls will compete for the title of fastest. The gate entry is proceeding smoothly. Most of the top favorites are in odd-numbered gates, so they will enter last. The even numbers are all in... and now the odd numbers begin to load."
Watch me, Hachiman. I will definitely take first place!!
[Commentary]
"And now, the second favorite, Flower Park, settles into the outermost gate. Ideally positioned! Who is the Autumn Sprint King?! The Lightning Battle of Autumn, the Sprinters Stakes..."
CLANG!!
[Commentary]
"They're off!! Hishi Akebono missed the dash! A late start! She's forced to race from the very back! Going to the front, as expected, is Eishin Washington, followed closely by Flower Park! These two are pulling the pack! Fuji Kiseki is right behind them! Will she get her revenge for the spring?! Behind her, a tight group: Biko Pegasus, Toyo Lotus, and Kikuno Hayakaze! Joining them is Shinko King, and coming up on the outside is Hishi Akebono!! Sakura Speed O and Fujino Makken O are in this group, and trailing alone at the rear is Noble Grass!!"
Yes! I secured a good position! The race is already half over! I want to make my move, but I have to be patient just a little longer...
[Commentary]
"Between the 3rd and 4th corners, Eishin Washington leads! The lead widens to one body length! Behind her is Flower Park, and right on her tail is Fuji Kiseki!"
Alright, right here—GO!!
[Commentary]
"They round the 4th corner and head into the final straight!! The leader is... before we knew it, Fuji Kiseki has taken over!! Fuji Kiseki is in the lead!! Behind her are Eishin Washington and Flower Park!! The battle for fourth is close!! Fuji Kiseki pulls away—a two-length lead!! She is undeniably strong! Fuji Kiseki leads and crosses the finish line!!!"
"YES!!"
[Commentary]
"Fuji Kiseki! She has magnificently repaid her debt from the spring right here at Nakayama!! She pumps her fist in a powerful victory pose!! Second place was close! Is that Shinko King in fourth?! Fifth place was also a tight contest!!"
"Hah... hah... I did it. I did it!!"
[Commentary]
"Fuji Kiseki was strong even in the short distance! And by conquering the Sprinters Stakes, she has now won G1 races across all distance aptitudes! My goodness, an incredible record has been set today!"
[Analysis]
"Indeed. Most Horse Girls who run the Triple Crown route move on to middle or long-distance races. You rarely see a Horse Girl excel at so many different distances. She is truly magnificent."
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