December 28th, XXXX
"Your order, Chairman." A soft voice called out to Riku, placing a tray of food in front of him as he stared ahead. He smiled politely at the woman as she walked off, leaving him to his broody thoughts as he stared ahead. Directly in front of him, final preparations were underway at the Nakayama racecourse. Three races were remaining until the Arima Kinen, and a sense of anticipation filled the air.
"Ahhh! Can it hurry up already!" Buckshot's shout drew a raised eyebrow from Riku, as the rest of the usual spectators in the room didn't react to the boisterous Umamusume. They had grown used to the antics of his bodyguard as the year went on. In Riku's case, he was glad she was seemingly back to normal, if not a little more cheerful than usual. Well… he didn't have to wonder too much about why.
Flashback - November 30th (Two days after the Japan Cup)
"So this is it, huh!" Secretariat cheerfully exclaimed as she stretched, her arms making small cracking sounds. She glanced briefly at the airport before looking back towards the group that had come to see her off. Riku stood, looking at her in fond exasperation as she did her best to waste time. Opal stood consoling a hunched-over and bawling Buckshot, more than a little upset that her idol was leaving so soon. However, their group had two additional people present, which was a small surprise. First was Maruzensky.
Maruzensky was determined to see her "destined rival" off properly, with the two growing far closer in their time up till the Japan Cup. The other surprise guest was Director Akikawa. She came to see her troublesome friend off and to prevent her from slacking off and missing her flight. Something that has happened once before.
"You're going to miss your flight, you idiot," Akikawa grumbled as she folded her arms, foot tapping repeatedly to match her mood.
"Attention passengers for the flight to Los Angeles, we are now boarding!" A polite female voice echoed over the intercom, and the group perked up, staring at the ceiling. Secretariat frowned with a huff before looking towards the group once more.
"I guess that's me." She scratched her head sheepishly before smiling warmly. "I had a ton of fun. Thank you." Everyone felt her sincerity as Riku smiled and took a step towards her, a hand held out for a handshake. She stared at him for a moment before her eyes looked behind him, specifically locking onto Maruzensky. Her warm smile turned mischievous as she grabbed Riku's forearm and yanked him forward.
"Wha!" Riku's startled yell was muffled as Secretariat hugged him.
"Don't be a stranger, Riku~." Secretariat smiled down at him before pecking his cheek. She waved cheerfully at the stunned group before taking off at a brisk jog towards her gate. Within moments, she was out of sight, leaving an absolute mess in her wake.
The man in question wore a stare typically suited to a veteran of battle. His gaze went straight forward, trying to make sense of what had just happened. He had been ready to send off Secretariat after reluctantly growing closer to the boisterous Umamusume, who bulldozed into his life for a short time, before she proceeded to hug him and kiss his cheek. Speaking of that, he placed his hand on his face after recalling the sensations he had just felt. "Huh."
Akikawa's shock wore off the quickest, as she glanced in the direction Secretariat had run off in with a huff. She looked amused for a moment as she glanced at the flustered Chairman before her grin widened, seeing someone else's reaction in particular.
Opal had covered her mouth while muttering a soft, "Oh my," at the event, before glancing at the now growling Buckshot while she looked enviously at her boss.
"Lucky bastard!" Buckshot made motions with her hands, as if she wanted to get her hands on Riku while glancing at him and the direction Secretariat had run off in.
However, where Akikawa had looked, the person who reacted most strongly was undoubtedly Maruzensky. Maruzensky's smile was frozen on her face, her blue eyes seemingly devoid of light as she stared straight ahead. To Akikawa's eyes, a dark aura seemed to manifest around the young Umamusume as she woodenly glanced in the direction Secretariat had run off to, then towards the stunned Chairman, who looked onward.
"Fufu." Maruzensky giggled lightly before the giggling intensified. "Fufufufufu!" Her laughter seemed to break the rest of the group out of it, with Buckshot and Opal looking wide-eyed in her direction before Riku slowly met her eyes as well. "That bitch." She spoke with a smile before looking at Riku, who took a step toward him.
In that short moment as Riku tried to understand how things had escalated, he felt fear. Fear of what he didn't know, but he thought it all the same. Thankfully, someone came to the rescue in that moment.
"Alright!" Akikawa yelled out, snapping her fan with an exaggerated snap. An echoing snap seemed to go through the airport, even drawing Maruzensky's attention briefly. "I believe we've gotten quite off track with that damn woman's antics." She pointed at Maruzensky with a knowing look as the grumbling girl looked away. "We've still got things to do, and you've got a race to prepare for. Young lady." Her smile, while stern, was warm, as an embarrassed flush appeared on Maruzensky's cheeks.
Riku stepped away slightly, calming down his heart as he could finally take the time to process things. That damn Secretariat. He wasn't sure how she actually felt about him, but he knew now that she had purposefully done that to rile up Maruzensky, who seemed to harbor a slight crush on him. Women were just so damn complicated. He coughed loudly to gain the group's attention once more.
"She's right. Anything else can be dealt with later." He met Maruzensky's eyes as he smiled warmly. "Your biggest stage still awaits. Maru. Do your best." His words seemed to have an audible KO effect, as Maruzensky's blush increased as she turned away. Had he been able to see her face, he'd have realized that for now he only dodged the bullet, not stopped it.
PRESENT TIME
"Hmmmm!" Buckshot's voice drew his attention once more as he looked towards her, seeing a smile on her face as she looked jealously at him.
"What?" He asked defensively, not sure what he had done to set her off now.
"What does she see in you?" Buckshot asked mulishly, looking down at her phone and back at him. He stared at her uncomprehendingly until she showed him her screen. She was actively texting Secretariat, as they seemed to hit it off well. On the screen was a picture of Secretariat smiling with a cheeky grin, with the text below saying, "Tell Maruzensky good luck today! I'm rooting for her! Also, tell Riku I miss him, haha~." What.
He glanced flatly at Buckshot. "You're still hung up on that?" He realized she was still holding what Secretariat did against him, as if it were his fault. The irony is that Secretariat had his contact info as well, and infrequently texted him random updates about her life as she went. However, when she had the opportunity to stir things up a bit for fun, she'd do it without hesitation, like now. What a troublesome woman.
"Hmph!" Buckshot turned away from him, continuing to text on her phone at a rapid pace. Riku and Opal shared a look before he looked back at her. A grin grew on his face.
"You know.. I wonder how Vega would interpret all this, Buckshot." His words hit their mark, as Buckshot froze completely. She almost dropped her phone as she sharply looked at him.
"You wouldn't dare." Buckshot's lips were bared in a snarl, but her eyes were filled with panic as she looked at him. She looked ready to almost leap at him before a commotion drew their attention below, at the doors to the private viewing area.
"You're all quite lively." Speed Symboli remarked as she walked up the stairs. Sirius and Rudolf walked a half-step behind her as they made their way forward. She stopped a respectful distance away before grinning Riku's way. "I heard you've had quite an exciting time with an American Legend."
Riku looked flatly at the Symboli head as he leaned on a fist. "I wonder where you heard that from. Also, phrasing is a thing you know." He huffed, seeing the grin grow on Speed's face. His eyes glanced back down the stairs, seeing the Mejiro family making their way up as well.'
"Was it fun, Mr. Riku?" A soft voice drew his attention to the right, where Oguri tilted her head his way, sitting once more on her mother's lap. The two families sat together once more, smiling happily as they eagerly awaited the start of the biggest race of the year. His heart couldn't take seeing the smiles on little Oguri as she looked his way. By the knowing look White Narubi wore, she knew it too.
"The most fun!" Riku affirmed, giving a thumbs up and a smile Oguri's way before giving a deadpan expression Speed's way. "If I had the option, I would've let you deal with her Speed, or perhaps Asama would've been more trustworthy?" His words earned an irritated twitch from Asama as she strolled up, laughing into her hand as she did so.
"Hohoho! I'm sure the Mejiro family would've accommodated her better than the Symboli family." Her smile was impish as Speed's face slowly turned red, but she smiled and butted heads with Asama. Riku merely looked on with a smile as the focus went away from him. A glance to the left led him to meet Opal's eyes. She gave him a respectful nod, which he returned.
"We're beginning final preparations for the Arima Kinen! Please find your seats for the best race of the year!" Aoshima's voice came through briefly through the intercom, causing the two bickering family heads to freeze before they huffed in unison. After sending eachother one last glare, they split to take their seats. Rudolf and Ramonu, trailing just behind them, shared a look of exasperation before taking their seats. Riku gave a cheerful wave to the groups as they moved past, and he turned his eyes towards the track once more. His hands trembled a little as he clasped them together. "Good luck, Maru."
In the tunnel
A tense silence was felt in the tunnel, as three runners remained to be announced for the Arima Kinen. Tilting her head from side to side, Maruzensky glanced at Ten Point and Tosho Boy. Her turbulent thoughts going into the race had long since drifted away. Glancing downward at her leg, she felt like she was in the best condition she could be. She had prepared the best she could, and the antics of her proclaimed "rival" and friend had chased away any anxiety she felt before. She wore a soft smile as she thought of Secretariat. She had no intention of losing to her ever again, in any way.
However, if Maruzensky was the picture of calm, Ten Point and Tosho Boy had a heavy air about them. This was their final race, as both were intent on retiring after this Arima Kinen. Both had reached their peaks and were in the midst of decline while battling injury and fatigue. No matter what, this race would be their final one between the two competitors.
"Tosho." Ten Point all but growled her rival's name, her eyes narrowed in a glare as she looked at her rival. Rival. To Ten Point, that word was a complete joke. She had never beaten Tosho Boy. Two years of loss after loss to her hated opponent. Never good enough to win.
"Hmm? What do you want?" Tosho Boy drawled, her demeanor similarly carefree to her irl child, Mr. CB. She scratched her head idly as she repeatedly glanced away from Ten Point. She honestly didn't know how to act around Ten Point, even after all this time. They had been friends once before… before their racing careers seemed to derail everything.
"This is the final time." Ten Point attempted to collect herself as her eyes met Tosho's. "I'm going to win here. Do you hear me?" She pointed towards Tosho Boy's chest as her rival glanced down before meeting her eyes once more.
"..You can try." Tosho's eyes gleamed competitively. She truly did feel a little remorse for how she'd affected her old friend, but she had no intention of losing. This race meant too much to her.
Maruzensky tilted her head once more as she watched them. "They do know I'm here, too, right?" She pointed to herself as she asked that in her mind.
She smiled softly as she turned away. Truly, it reminds her a little bit of her own rivals. Azuma. Green. Would they come to resent her just as much if she continued to win? She glanced upward once more as the intercom roared to life. Either way, she'd deal with it as it came. They were both wrong. She was going to win this race.
"Presenting our third favorite for the Arima Kinen! She's dominated the younger generation! Winning the NHK Mile and the Triple Crown for the first time in over twenty years! Maruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuzensky!!!" Her smile grew brighter as she stepped into the light, the crowd's roar deafening as she waved to the packed Nakayama course.
"Maru! You can do it!" Many voices echoed the same sentiment as the third favorite took her place, the people coming to love the rising superstar. Her eyes tracked the many faces in the crowd, her smile growing as she saw her father near the front. He looked like he was seconds away from crying as he looked at her fondly. She gave a cheerful wave their way as she headed towards the other competitors.
Amongst her generation, only Azuma Hunter and Green Grass were selected to participate in the Arima Kinen. A great honor when you're among the younger generation, with Azuma being voted the 11th favorite, and Green Grass being given 9th. She waved jauntily to the two, with Azuma giving her a look as she waved back. Green rolled her eyes before doing the same.
"Third favorite, hm? I think we see who the crowd favorite is." Green remarked, covering her mouth as she glanced at the many adoring Maruzensky fans.
"I think they forgot we're here," Azuma grunted before high-fiving Maruzensky as she looked her over. "You seem different." She frowned before walking around Maruzensky, getting a confused look from her friend.
"Different?" Maruzensky put a finger to her chin in confusion.
"Better. You don't seem stressed anymore." Bamboo shrugged Maruzensky's way, not knowing a better way to describe it.
"Hehehe." Maruzensky giggled lightly, scratching her head sheepishly. "I guess you could say that's right." She held up a peace sign cheekily, while Bamboo sighed at her antics.
"Our 2nd favorite! She is determined to come out on top in her final race! Will she finally be able to overcome Tosho Boy this time!? The winner of the Spring Tenno Sho! Teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen Poooooooint!" The audience's enthusiasm met Aoshima's call. Ten Point marched out of the tunnel, her eyes hooded as she clenched her fist, before raising it to the crowd. The crowd roared louder at the gesture.
Ten Point raised her head and glanced around at the many racers staring her way. She gave them all no mind before meeting Maruzensky's eyes. After a brief stare down, she walked past towards the paddock without another look.
"We don't even exist to her, huh?" Azuma remarked, her eyebrows raising at seeing Green Grass gritting her teeth. Green shook her head before Azuma could remark, making her own way to the paddock.
"Hmmmm~," Maruzensky hummed in reply, tilting her head as she watched Ten Point walk away. Her eyes went back to the tunnel once more.
"She is the absolute fan favorite! 10 wins in 14 races! The defending Arima Kinen champion, and Grand Prix hero! Toshoooooooooo Boyyyyy!!" Tosho gave a jaunty wave to the crowd as she stepped out with a grin. Similar to Ten Point, her eyes passed over her fellow racers only briefly. She didn't glance at Maruzensky, much like her rival, and slowly walked toward the paddock. As if on cue, the remaining runners made their way over, except for Maruzensky and Azuma.
"Welp," Azuma grunted as she glanced over, before holding a fist out to Maruzensky. "Let's show them, huh?" Her grin was sharp as Maruzensky stared at her for a moment before smiling.
"Let's show them." Maruzensky smiled brightly as she followed along. As they entered the paddock, the crowd fell into complete silence. Only Aoshima's voice echoed on the track.
Maruzensky breathed deeply as she stood in her spot at gate 4. Her eyes briefly glanced around, marking her opponents. Ten Point drew gate 1 and had the optimal position to take the lead. However, she smiled. She had no intentions of giving the lead up to anyone.
"All runners have entered! The 26th Arima Kinen will….. Start!" The gates opened with a dull BANG, as the runners took off. "They all have broken smoothly! Ten Point moves to take the lead! Wait! Maruzensky bursts forward! Maruzensky has taken the lead from Ten Point!" Ten Point gritted her teeth as she watched Maruzensky burst just in front of her. She attempted to increase the pace and pass Maruzensky to no avail, as they reached the first corner. Her eyes narrowed into a glare as Maruzensky's hair swayed just in front of her.
"Maruzensky has the lead as they round the first corner! They are passing the stands for the first time! Ten Point is just a length behind Maruzensky! Two lengths behind her is Green Grass! Just behind her is Two Inches of Love!.... Sitting in 10th is Tosho Boy! The favorite is biding her time! Just behind her is Azuma Hunter!" The crowd roared as the runners continued the home stretch into the corner.
Vincent Nijinsky gripped his arms tightly, his expression tight. Maruzensky was keeping the lead well, and he absolutely believed in her. The anxiety would not stop gnawing at him as he continued to watch.
"Tch… I can't keep trying to pass her. I'm losing too much energy." Ten Point grits her teeth as she catches her breath. She was not used to competing with a strong frontrunner. Maruzensky had overtaken her entirely since the start, and any attempt to pass her was stopped in its place. She narrowed her eyes at Maruzensky's back. "I'll get you on the final curve. Maruzensky."
Maruzensky smiled as she ran, glancing briefly behind her on her peripheral vision. She could definitely feel the strain as they rounded the corner into the 2nd homestretch. She had one more corner to run and the final homestretch. A faint aura was visible under her skin as she continued to run. "Soon."
"Maruzensky continues to lead! Ten Point has fallen three lengths behind! Green Grass continues to hold third, two lengths behind! The rest are starting to bunch up! They're at the third corner! Tosho Boy! Tosho Boy has begun to move up! Azuma Hunter follows!" Aoshima's words seemed to queue everyone up, as not only the crowd increased in volume, but the runners picked up the pace. Ten Point glanced behind briefly before digging into the ground with a hard kick as she began her spurt.
"They're moving as they hit the fourth corner! They're trying to catch Maruzensky!" Maruzensky did not turn her head as she listened to the hoofbeats picking up in intensity behind her. She merely smiled, her eyes lighting up in challenge. Even with all the training she had done for longer races, the fatigue was no joke. Perhaps the pressure of the runners behind her had something to do with it, but she didn't care. Her smile widened as she felt the zone's aura around her.
"You're wasting a lot, dummy. Control it. If you master this, no one can catch you. Well, except me obviously." Secretariat's carefree voice echoed in her head. Even while trying to help, the legendary Uma still couldn't help but accidentally talk her down a bit. Still, her words were not wrong. Maruzensky felt the aura try to slip past her, but she held it in as her body seemed to glow a bright orange for those who could see the zone. Ten Point, who had started to surge behind Maruzensky, widened her eyes.
"You...what?!" Ten Point spoke aloud before closing her eyes, as Maruzensky's power kick displaced the turf and sent dirt flying.
"Maruzensky has begun her surge! She refuses to give up the lead! Ten Point is surging! Tosho Boy has climbed into fourth! Green Grass is trying to hold on! Azuma Hunter is just behind Tosho Boy!" Aoshima himself had stood up as he leaned forward, watching the race with his binoculars as he shouted along.
"Hoh. That's quite a lead." Tosho Boy stared ahead as she rounded the corner, her eyes briefly widening as she finally laid eyes on Maruzensky. Her eyes tracked Ten Point, trying to catch Maruzensky. Green Grass just in front of her, her junior glancing back at her with wide eyes as she began to pass her. A green aura began to explode out of Tosho as she kicked hard. "See ya, Green." She gave a cheeky salute as she passed by, zooming in on Ten Point.
"Damn it!" Green tried to follow, but Azuma Hunter quickly caught up to her as the two tried to follow in the wake of the senior Uma. They were being completely left behind.
"Maruzensky continues to lead! Ten Point is just two lengths behind! Tosho Boy has caught Ten Point!" Ten Point growled as she glared back at Tosho Boy as they locked eyes. Her own zone exploded out as they clashed, uncontrolled and shining yellow with pink sparks.
"They've hit the final fifty meters! Maruzensky! Maruzensky! She refuses to yield!?" Maruzensky gritted her teeth as she held the inside. Ten Point was just to her left, and Tosho Boy was just outside of her. They were truly strong. But she had witnessed the peak. She wouldn't lose to them. Her legs kicked strongly, her almost-perfect zone helping to carry her forward; she would not be denied.
"Maruzensky!! Maruzensky holds on! That's the race!" Aoshima shouted as he jumped into the viewing booth, the crowd erupting as their lead runner hit the goal. Vincent Nijinsky nearly fell over, and a kind stranger helped hold him up as he nearly fell on him from sheer relief.
"Maruzensky takes first! She punctuates her year with a signature win over the champions of the older generation! Maruzensky has undoubtedly solidified herself as the strongest Umamusume in Japan!" Tatsuya vibrated in excitement as he waved his hand, a joyous grin on his face. He glanced back down at the track as he continued to commentate. "Ten Point nearly had her! Finishing just a half-length behind Maruzensky, Ten Point finally beats Tosho Boy and claims second!"
Both the older generation Umamusume panted deeply, their eyes staring in disbelief at the back of their junior, who stood a distance away. Maruzensky faced away, towards the inner track, holding her hands on her back as she tried to calm her breathing.
"Azuma Hunter claims fourth, four lengths behind Tosho Boy! She has beaten Green Grass again by a head! Two more of the younger generation have taken top placements in the Arima Kinen! The future looks bright with this generation! Just what will the future hold with these Umamusume!?" Aoshima continued to speak before she stopped as the crowd had begun to chant—a familiar name.
"Maruzensky! Maruzensky! Maruzensky!" The crowd raised their arms, happy smiles on their face as their champion turned their way. Familiar faces dotted the crowd, not just Maruzensky's own father: Twin Turbo and Sakura Chiyono O, Maruzensky's favorite little fans.
Katsuragi Ace, Mr. CB, and Akitsu Teio, her juniors, stared on in awe. Many other faces she didn't recognize also passed by her eyes. A short and small brown-haired Uma, with a fox mask on her head. A taller but still juvenile Umamusume with shining blue eyes and a blue ribbon on her ear. Maruzensky felt the tears build once more, but she tried to hold them in, her eyes slightly red and misty. She tried to speak, but her voice refused to cooperate. She looked at them all once more and glanced up, finally, at the private viewing booth.
Maruzensky held her hands up in a pair of peace signs and smiled, tears running freely as she shone brighter than ever before.
"Your Arima Kinen Champion! Maruzensky!!" Aoshima's voice thundered once more as the crowd roared, their joy showing no signs of stopping.
CHAPTER END